Volume III Issue 24 October 1974

Volume III Issue 24 October 1974

AI Summary:

The October 1974 issue of “The Eclectic”, the bi-monthly campus newspaper for Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), provides in-depth coverage of student government developments, administrative projects, campus controversies, sports, entertainment, and student opinions.

Campus Developments and AIDP Initiatives

One of the major stories in this issue is the Advanced Institutional Development Program (AIDP), a federally funded initiative aimed at enhancing the college’s academic programs, student services, and administrative management. DMACC received the $1 million AIDP grant in the previous winter, and after months of planning and research, administrators have outlined a strategy for its implementation over the next three years.

AIDP is divided into four major areas of development:

1. Administration Improvements – This includes updating management techniques, decision-making processes, and faculty training.
2. Instructional Enhancements – Efforts to improve faculty evaluation and curriculum development.
3. Student Services – This includes peer counseling, student leadership programs, and a revised student orientation program.
4. Urban Center Development – Funding to ensure the Urban Center (which primarily serves disadvantaged students) remains functional for at least three more years.

The faculty evaluation program is a key focus under AIDP, aiming to assess and enhance teaching quality at DMACC. One major component involves allowing students to provide feedback on instructors, though the process for incorporating student voices is still being developed. Another aspect of AIDP includes training student leaders and encouraging student-led counseling programs to provide peer support.

AIDP organizers emphasize student involvement, urging students to participate in task forces related to curriculum development, leadership training, and campus activities. The administration is also considering experimental teaching methods, such as small group learning and student-led seminars, which may be officially introduced in the coming academic year.

Student Government and Participation Issues

Following the recent student senate elections, there is ongoing debate about student government effectiveness. A recurring issue at DMACC is low student engagement in governance, despite the student senate controlling a $54,000 budget.

A major concern is the lack of student representatives on important committees, including:

• College Council (which oversees institutional policies)
• Curriculum and Instruction Committee (which influences course development)
• Budget Committee (which determines financial priorities for student activities)

The administration is worried that if student participation remains low, key decisions will be made without sufficient student input, further alienating the student body from governance. The editorial board of The Eclectic urges students to step up, reminding them that they have the power to influence decisions that directly affect their education and campus life.

LGBTQ+ Student Protest and Free Speech Issues

One of the most controversial stories in this issue involves a student protest against DMACC’s decision to ban a gay dance poster from campus bulletin boards. The unnamed student, who is involved with LGBTQ+ groups at Iowa State University, attempted to promote a dance hosted by the Gay People’s Alliance and the Lesbian Alliance in Ames.

The student claims that their poster was initially approved by the Student Activities Office, but later removed by administrators without explanation. Upon inquiring about the removal, they were told the decision was made at a higher administrative level, citing concerns about public perception and legislative scrutiny.

DMACC relies on state funding, and some administrators feared that allowing open LGBTQ+ advertising could provoke negative attention from lawmakers. The student protester remains defiant, stating:

“There is nothing for gay people here. Everyone assumes that all students are heterosexual. This poster was about representation.”

Despite the administration’s decision, the student is determined to continue advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility on campus. The incident raises free speech concerns, with The Eclectic questioning the limits of student expression at DMACC.

Sports and Major Events

A key sports feature in this issue is the upcoming heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, scheduled for October 30th in Zaire, Africa. The article discusses Ali’s training regimen, Foreman’s knockout power, and the potential impact of the Zairean rainy season, which could affect the outdoor fight.

• Ali, at age 32, insists that he’s in peak physical condition, training in a lumber camp, chopping firewood and running 10 miles a day.
• Foreman, six years younger and undefeated, has demolished opponents like Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in just two rounds.
• The fight is expected to be unpredictable, with analysts debating whether Ali’s speed and strategy can outmatch Foreman’s raw power.

Other sports highlights include:

• Iowa State University’s crackdown on bicyclists violating traffic laws, with police now issuing tickets for running stop signs and red lights.
• A major bird infestation at ISU, with students complaining about the excessive bird droppings from roosting starlings and grackles, making campus maintenance difficult.

Entertainment and Culture

In the entertainment section, The Eclectic features a scathing review of Cheech & Chong’s new comedy album, “The Wedding Album.” The reviewer criticizes the album for being unfunny, crude, and misleadingly titled, advising readers to avoid wasting money on it.

Another featured event is a travel film screening, titled “Exploring African Wonderlands.” The documentary will showcase:

• A safari across East Africa, including encounters with lions and elephants.
• A trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Exclusive footage of Joy and George Adamson’s conservation work, famous from Born Free.

Discounted concert and event tickets are available for students, including:

• Gordon Lightfoot’s homecoming concert at Drake University.
• A performance by REO Speedwagon, Blue Öyster Cult, and Focus.
• Des Moines Capitals hockey games.

Student Life, Humor, and Odd News

One of the lighter features is a humorous student survey about romantic attraction, revealing:

• Men tend to overestimate women’s interest in personality over physical traits.
• Women, contrary to stereotype, rank physical appearance as a major factor in attraction.
• Both genders underestimate their own physical appeal.

Other quirky stories include:

• A warning from the American College of Radiology about the dangers of swallowing beverage can pull-tabs. Some students habitually drop tabs into their drinks, leading to serious medical issues when accidentally ingested.
• An alert about swizzle sticks, after multiple incidents of people accidentally swallowing them while drinking alcohol.
• A failed concert scam at the University of Missouri, where a fraudster sold tickets to a non-existent event, pocketing hundreds of dollars before vanishing.

Opinion and Editorial

The editorial page criticizes student apathy toward governance and urges them to engage with committees that influence campus decisions. Another letter to the editor laments disorganization in classrooms, arguing that last-minute hiring of instructors has resulted in poor lesson planning and wasted class time.

A separate letter questions DMACC’s parking policies, pointing out that staff parking lots remain underutilized, while students struggle to find spaces and get fined for parking violations. The writer argues that reserving sections of faculty lots for students would be a fair solution.