ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT A GOAL
ROTC training: informality marks new era
By Gary Maloney
Assistant Oalurr Editor
The armed forces of a nation, after being synthesized, tested and applied, jell into a structure based on seniority, tradition and internal consistency. While a skillful force maneuvers and shifts in the tide of battle, it may be loathe to move so quickly toward internal improvement in time of peace.
At this university, the long-established Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) units, both Navy and Air Force, are responding to the impetus of change with calm and caution. An air of informality marks a newera in military training.
The changes are apparent in practically all aspects of the regular military. Activities such as drilling and elite outfits like the Marine Corps remain essentially as before. But in the main, attitudes toward academics, military decorum and standards, discipline and chain of command appearto have adjusted to the goalsof today's armed forces.
A more apparent goal is higher academic achievement. In a school environment, academics tend to take precedence over stringent military discipline and standards, a different world from the rigidity on a base orship. The
unit commanders admit this freely; the technology of today’s forces means a greater specialization of skills.
“We are trying to build a Navy that will operate from a high technology posture,” said Capt. James Mills, commanding officer for NROTC. "In class, we have 80^ of our students majoring in engineering and the sciences.”
One former USC AFROTC officer confirmed that not only is the stress on academics becoming even greater, but that the quality of overall education exceeds that ofthe organized military institutions. “Our academic training is better here than at the Air Force Academy," said Maj. Peter Fazio, former Air Force cadet adviser.
Any student may take the one-unit courses in naval science and aerospace science that are required for ROTC students, which deal in both technology (navigation, engineering) and the military (navaj and air history, organization and structure ofthe forces).
Student comments on last year’s courses were mixed. Most said they took them in stride — “with a minimum of hassle,” one said.
A former woman Air Force cadet said one of
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Daily fp Trojan
University of Southern California
Volume LXXII, Number 6 Los Angeles, Californio
Monday, September 26, 1977
University adjusting to procedures, advantages of new phone system
SASSY BRASS — This saxophone player and his fellow musicians serenaded a lunching audience Friday on the Student Activities Center patio. The concert was sponsored by the Associated Black Students of Southern California. DT photo by John Murray.
SEES HERSELF AS ROLE MODEL
By Rori Benka
Staff Writer
Malfunctions in the university’s new computerized telephone system have been worked out. departments and offices are gradually adjusting to the transi tion and welcoming its advantages, said Joan Kelley, telecommunications administrator.
The system. Centrex II. was installed in June to expand the telephone network’s capacity and functions. With a new prefix. 741. the system provides an improved hold system, third party conversations and a dial-direct
long-distance operation. Previously. only 213 and 714 area code regions could be reached by university telephones.
Malfunctions
Earlier reports of malfunc tions from several departments and offices died out as they began to express interest in the system’s advantages, claiming simple adjustment to new phone procedu res.
Dennis Mulhaupt. program coordinator for the Office of Residential Life, said operations were smooth in that office. With about 11 lines and a hectic beginning-of-the-year schedule.
Woman runs unopposed for gay union chair
By Lois Pitter
staff W rilrr
"People have exaggerated fears of what will happen if you express your homosexuality, and lots of these fears are very real, like losing parents and friends." said Patricia “Petie" Alznauer. a 20-year-old sophomore running unopposed for chairman ofthe Gay Student I nion
Alznauer said being gay and attendingthis university made it a I it tie more difficult than being at I ('LA forexample. which has a more liberal tone She joined the group in 1975 when the group was first recognized as an official university organization iThe group has been in existence since 1970 but iAa> never officially recognized until after the passage of the Brown Bill which made it legal for consenting adults to engage in private acts Tht- muon, now funded by the ( ampU' Activities Allocation Board ha> approximately 150
members, of which Alznauer is the only active female.
“I remember what it was like two years ago when no women were involved. It’s important to be up there now." she said.
Active within the union's Speakers Bureau. Alznauer often speaks to students in biology. psychology’, sociology and law classes on campus as well as working on Helpline.
She feels her talks have been very beneficial to everyone but especially to other gay women
•I'm setting a good role model." she explains. “I had none Most were men. Straight people have so many to look up to — mothers, aunts, on TV. in magazines and ads."
She expects many more women to become active in the union this year according to the response she has received.
She said it was hard to make friends after she first “came out." but now she has many friends, half of whom are non gays.
PATRICIA ALZNAUER
The stereotypical image some people have of a gay woman was not imposed on her, Alznauer said. Often her image to others was that of a sorority girl. “Many people said I was typical of a girl on the Row because of my family background and my w ay of dressing." she explained
Alznauer is excited at the prospect of heading the union, and received no negative reaction from the male members of the organization when she decided to run for chairman. "They had always wanted more women involved but had never realized how to reach them. It takes a woman to reach a woman.” she said.
Having worked with the organization over the summer. Alznauer wants to see the union moving in the same direction it has been. Her goals include getting more women involved with the union, expanding its library because it often serves as a research source for students and sponsoring more social affairs.
Currently the union serves as a place where gays can meet others like themselves, she said It also offers "light counseling for those who feel they need it."
The Speakers Bureau should
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Mulhaupt said most difficulties were a matter of understanding how to dial and place calls on hold or transfer.
Education about the new system is the key to successful operation. Kelley said. She stresses communication within offices about special lines and equipment usage.
New prefix
Kelley has heard complaints from people who are unable to complete the transfer process or reach a certain office number, but said these are minor disadvantages. inherent in any new phone operation. Off-campus callers, unfamiliar with the new prefix numbers, admittedly may have difficulty, but can be informed of the new prefix by a recorded message or by dialing campus information, Kelley said.
Satisfied with operation
Bill Golden,associate director ofthe personnel office, said he hasn't observed any difficulty in receiving calls. "We've got 10 lines,a 11 working.and have been satisfied so far with the operation. The bugs’ in the beginning are out."
Secretaries in the School of International Relations, who faced difficulty before school opened, concurred w ith Golden. Stella Green, departmental secretary. said. “We're fairly happy over here. The advantages ofthe system’s long-distance dialing are pleasing most of us.”
V ast improvement
Kelley considers the system a vast improvement for the university community and is also satisfied with the cooperation and tolerance ofthe telephone switch. “We knew there might be a little trouble, but overall, it's a matter of being flexible and being aware of a new and better system,” she said.