IDEAL PROFESSOR FACES TWO JOBS
(Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles attempting: to find out from the professors themselves, “What is a college nrofessor?”)
By JOE SALTZMAX Daily Trojan Editor
Dr. Robert Void, professor of chemistry, sees a paradox In modern education—the ideal professor must do two jobs at the same time even though there isn't enough time to do both, and even though a professor can't do either without doing both.
One of the two jobs the profesoor has is to stimulate the student to the extent that the student wants to learn.
‘ The professor must act as a guide in helping the student master things cut of his range and in helping the student over the hard spots,” he maintains.
The professor, however, must also create new knowledge. and this is his	second job. Dr.	Void explains.
“Teaching at a	university does not stop with	the
undergraduate, it emb.aces the whole school. At the graduate level, we must	develop people	who can proceed	on
their own initiative,	and they can’t	learn this from	for-
mal lectures they must be given examples,” he says.
Dr. Void believes that teaching undergraduates involves more than a formal lecture.
“You do the best job of teaching if you know the,
students individually. It’s generally not a problem of ability, but one of motivation.”
The chemist believes that the role of the professor is to present the subject in such a way that the student wants to learn it.
He synthesizes a complicated situation and presents it in a fairly simplified form so that beginning students can understand it.
"However, he must guard against the danger of oversimplification so that the student can read it and learn it by himself,” Dr. Void points out.
“The professor’s important objective is to see that a certain number of important questions get answered,” he feels.
In undergraduate science courses, Dr. Void explains that, as a teacher, he tries to shew where the subject matter applies to the student in addition to laying a solid foundation for advanced work.
In graduate teaching, stress is 011 developing the student's ability to work by and for himself. The courses are usually “tool courses,” he explains.
“We try to develop a keener appreciation of facts and hypotheses and put stress on principle, judgment and evaluation.”
Outside the classroom, Dr. Void occupies his time in many ways.
He spends a great deal of time reading and studying in order to conduct graduate research programs.
He also spends considerable time in laboratory conferences and conversations with graduate students.
"There is no substitute for showing, and we run a type of ‘apprentice-system’ for the PhDs.” the chemist explains.
In addition, Dr. Void must help draft special reports for foundation grant programs. He also supervises the mechanical details of the laboratory work and sees that “things get done.”
The chemist sets aside a large part of his time for writing for publications.
"It doesn’t matter how good your work is; if it isn’t written down, as far as the outside world is concerned, it has not been done.” he says.
Dr. Void also fills a variety of professional obligations and chairmanships as part of his service to the university and the general community.
The chemistry professor wants a great deal from his college career. Much cf the joy he receives from teaching is in seeing his student neophytes turn into “working people,” acquiring important positions outside of the university.
“It is very rewarding to see them working for and by themselves,” he says.
Also important to him Ls the freedom of choice and research work that a university offers.
"At a university there is no compulsion to adapt the work to problems likely to result in a profit. We can pick and choose problems because of their intrinsic importance,” he points out.
Dr. Void feels that the rewards of teaching per se are the more private rewards of a professor's career.
"By and large the good teacher seldom is identified unless he is particularly outstanding,” he says. “How do you find out how good a teacher is? It is hard to find out.”
He hopes to accomplish much as a university professor.
“I hope to be able to do some research which will turn out to have seme genuine importance—some piece of discovery which will be widely used in the field of chemistry and which will prove valuable and useful in solving problems.”
Dr. Void also wants to develop a sense of responsibility in his students.
“I hope to equip them with the necessary tools for
Continued on Page 3
PAGE THREE Round of Musical Events To Spark Weekend
Southern
Cai if~ormiei
DAILY
TROJAN
PAGE POUR Cagers To Open Season With Lions Tonight
VOL. Lll
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1960
NO. 51
PARENTS DAY
Troy to Welcome 250 Dads, Moms
Castro s Fall Must Come From People
The United States’ only hop2 of ousting Fidel Castro from Cu-Parents of USC students will have the opportunity to ba is through a popular move-obtain a first-hand view of the type of collegiate atmcs- ment. phere in which their sons and daughters live when Parents Day is observed on campus tomorrow.
Approximately 250 parents, from as far away as
USC to Host New Teachers At Conference
Leading educators and members of high school Future Teacher clubs from throughout the Southland will converge on
Tuscon, Ariz., are expected to arrive for the day of tcurs and other activities designed to acquaint them with the university end its college life.
This year, for the first time. Parents Day is being s;>onsored by the Parents Committee. Formerly, it has been a university function.
Actor Robert Young, chair-
This was the opinion that Dr. J. M. de los Reyes, authority on U. S. foreign affairs, expressed yesterday in an address on Cuba and Communism sponsored by the Latin American Council.
Dr. de los Reyes told his audience that Castro differs from the typical Latin American dictator who controls his country through armies and arms.
Has Support “Castro, although he is cur-
Baby Doe' to Leap on Stage I n West Coast Debut Tonight
USC Opera to Reply To European Music
man of the Parents Day Com-	rently taking orders from Rus-
mittee, said. “We feel that the	sia, has the support of the peo-
event has gotlen off to a good	■ pie. Because of this popular sup-
start. Parents of freshmen,	port, our only hope cf ousting
the	USC	campus	tomorrow	for	sophomores, juniors and seniors	him is by supplying money and
the	eighth	annual	USC	Future	have expressed great interest,	arms to popular movements
and all departments of the university have been helpful and cooperative.”
Expects E\ent He added that he expects the event to be perpetuated and expanded through the years.
“Welcome to the USC Family" has been chosen as the theme of tomorrow's events.
“Welcoming” events will begin with registration at 10 a.m. in the living room of Town and Gown residence hall. Name tag*, programs, tcur information a-bout the university and the surrounding Los Angeles area and copies of the Daily Trojan will be distributed at registration.
Conducts Tours Following registration, student-conducted tours of the dormitories will be held. Parents Panel	discussions	of	the	pnas-	0bserve the interiors of Marks, Dr. ¿|e jos Reyes believed,
es	ol	education	and	aspects	of	Trojan, EVK and Harris resi-
dence halls.
At a noon luncheon at Town and Gown. Dr. Robert Downey, dean of students, will address the parents on “Campus Life.”
John K. Steinbaugh, director of admissions, will speak on “Admission Standards” the USC Chamber Singers will provide entertainment at the luncheon.
View Gallery Also included in the day’s
Teacher Conference.
Dr. Louise Seyler, deputy superintendent of Los Angeles City Schools, will address the educators and students at a general assembly, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Bovard Auditoiiun..
Early Registration
Dr. Tracy E. Strevey, educational vice-president, will welcome the visitors to the university. Henry M. Barnhart. Phi Delta Kappa Commission Chairman on Selective Teacher Recruitment, will serve as ma.it ?r of ceremonies.
Registration for the day's events will take place in front ! of Bovard Auditorium from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
teaching as a cereer will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Founders Hal!, Bridge Hall and the Physical Education building. Panels will be composed of public school teachers, administrators and student teachers.
S|K»nsors Meet
High school Future Teacher club sponsors will meet at the same time in the Dohenv Library Art and Musi Room for
aimed at toppling him,” Dr. de los Reyes said.
He emphasized that any other method would be too detrimental to our prestige with other Latin American nations.
Dr. de los Reyes also affirmed that, if the United States were to enter Cuba “tomorrow,” Russia would not take any action, contrary to popular belief.
Dictators Common
“Dictators are common in the Latin American countries,” the foreign affairs analyst said, “be cause of the absence of documents such as our Bill of Rights in those n a t i o ns. A dictator is thus able to grasp complete power.
"Every Latin American country today is under dictatorship,”
He also felt that Castro’s days are numbered in Cuba.” He is rapidly running out of money and soon will be unable to pay his armies, a situation which could result, in a serious mutiny.
‘Naive’ Americans "Amerians are naive," he told his audience, strongly emphasizing American innocence in believing articles printed in Cuban newspapers. He pointed out
CLASS GATHERING — Members of the senior class gather around the table to discuss plans for tonight's class meeting
following the basketball game. Students will sit in a special senior rooting section at the game and then go to Julies.
By PENNY LERNOIX Daily Trojan City Editor
Tonight’s presentation of the opera department, the West Coast premiere of “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” may be the American answer to Europe’s operatic gifts to the world of music.
This is the belief of Hans Beer, lecturer in opera and associate musical director of the production, who explains that "in its own way it is as great as anything Verdi or Strauss ever produced.”
He adds that its greatness lies in the realness of its characters.
“Although they live in another time, the problems they encounter are common and very j human ones of today.”
The Pulitzer Prize-winning opera by Dougias Moore depicts t h e more-exciting-than-fiction life of Baby Doe, who becomes the second wife of a silver ty-! coon in a national event.
Stars of the show will be Ber-i nard Bollinger and Orville White as Horace Tabor, Sharon Bliss as his first wife Augusta. Emily ! McKnight and Diana Smith Yea-man as Baby Doe, Vilet McMahon as Baby Doe’s mother, Wil-
Troy Alumnus Named to Post At University
USC alumnus Dr. Robert Fisher Oxnam has been elected president of Drew University in Madison. N. J.
Dr. Oxnam has been president of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and will succeed Fred G. Holloway. Drew is the only Methodist-related university in the New York area.
Earns Degree*
Drew, located on a 130 acre campus, includes a College of liam Vennard as William Jen- i Liberal Arts, a Theological
activities will be a two-hcur tour that a Cuban newpspapev, seized the USC—Loyola basketball discussion of methods for mak- of major campus facilities. Par- by Castro shortly after he came game. The party represents the
ing the clubs more advantageous to the students.
Dr. Jack Martin, USC alumnus, will preside over the meeting.
ents will view Allan Hancock into power, has printed a story Foundation. Fisher Art Gallery, stating that the people were Doheny Library, Dental School, happy under the Castro r**gune. Student Health Center and the and, he added, most Americans department of cinema.	believed this.
Seniors Will Meet At Party Tonight
Yuletide celebrations will get j Marvan, Ralph Allen, Bonnie a head start tonight when the \ Burke, Dave Patterson.
Senior Class celebrates its sec- Unmacnt invites every senior ond class party of the semester :	attend the party and enjoy
at Julie's.	j	the wonderful atmosphere.
The party wil be hold after
Chapel Choir To Present Bach Cantata
Union Reform Anticipated From Landrum - Griffin Act
The Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959 will be	a valuable	aid
In molding the labor unions, as such, into more constructive social institutions. Dr. Spencer D. Pollard noted last night.
Speaking as	a guest of	the	sessments	levied
newly formed	Economics t 1 u h.	iriembers	except
the USC professor of economics said that, if adequately enforced, the law wij! stop thp corrupt and dictatorial activities of certain union officers and destroy the screen of secrecy behind which they operate.
Dr. Pollard,	who called	the
act the “ordinary union member’s Bill cf Rights,” noted that it has five important provisions offering protection against financial corruption.
“First, all union officials han- “Fourth, no criminal may hold dime money or property must union office until five years af-be bon led by a reputable corpo- ter his offense has been cleared, rate suretv company. I believe except after a special hearing everyone knows that it is not oefore the U.S. Parole Board.
person with a poor ¡This eliminates anyone likely to to secure such
easy for < reputation bond.
"Second, there can be no increase in the dues, fees or as-upon union by majority vote of the local members. Such increases will be less frequent when persuasion of a majority is involved rather than a simple fiat from above.
“Third, no loans in excess of S2 000 may be made from union funds to any union officer or employee, and no fines for violating this act may be paid out of union funds. This speaks for itself.
be corrupt until he demonstrates his reform.
“Fifth, picketing of an employer ordered by a union official in the hope of being bought off by the employer is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000 and by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. This hardly makes such an action worthwhile.”
Dr. Pollard felt that the se-vere penalties for violation of this act will put a stop to undesirable union activities.
He added that “the passivity which afflicts many of us when we observe wrongdoing is no armor against prosecution un-
traditional Christmas ¿atherin of the graduating class. Unity among the senior members is the major goal in the evert, according to the Senior Class Council.
Pay Fee
The council also announced that all the seniors are paying $4.50 as social fee for 1hj coming semester to cover the graduation activities, which include cocktail parties, A breakfac* and the Senior Ditch. The social fee must lie paid along with the fee ! bills at the beginning of the spring semester.
The invitations to this event ; were already sent out several days ago by Mary Hodges. Students seeking additional information may contact Ken Un- | macht, senior class president, or Yvonka Ondricek, member of the council.
Announce Plans
“The plans for the spring semester will be announced shortly by the council,” Ondricek said.
The officers of the senior class council are Unma:ht, Sharon Williams, vice president;
Beginning the USC Christmas festivities, the University Chapel Choir and string ensemble will present J. S. Bach’s Ather.t ” Cantata at the Sunday wofship \ service at 11 a.m. in Bovard.
The guest preacher for the ! service will be the Rev. Hart-land H. Helmich. of St. Louis, Mo., who is national secretary j of the campus ministry of the | i United Church of Christ. He | will speak on “Signs of the Times.”
USC Chaplain Dr. John Can-j telon describes the Rev. Mr.
! Helmich as a “dynamic, young : educator who is closely in touch with college students and their thinking.”
He has done studies on the “San Francisco Renaissance,” or Beatniks, and their impact upon the college generation ing to Dr. Cantelon.
The ushers and readers of the scripture will be members of the NROTC Anchorage. The that he is espe-
Phi Sigs Plan Pledge Relay
The 41st running of the annual Phi Sigma Kappa pledge relays will take place Monday at 2:30 p.m. in front of the Phi Sig house, 938 W. 28th St.
All fraternities should tur.i In their entries, stating the names of pledges and alternates, by 5 p.m., today, at the Phi Sig house.
Sorority pledges will not be allowed to participate this year due to a Panhellenic ruling.
| nings Bryan and Gene Allen as President Chester A. Arthur.
Tickets for the show are currently on sale in the Bovar.1 Auditorium box office for $1.50, S2 and $3.
Music Suits Plot “The dramatic aspects of this true story are stressed in John Latouche's libretto. Moore, one of America’s most successful operatic composers, has endowed the story with music admirably ! suited to the plot.
“He borrowed authentic folk ! tunes of the period. His score is, in turn, tender and coarse, sophisticated and whimsical, in | line w ith the period and story,” Beer says.
j The musician adds that the
School and a Graduate School. It offers degrees through the doctorate of philosophy.
At USC, Dr. Oxnam earned the master of arts degree in political science in 1942, the master of science degree in public administration in 1947 and the doctorate of philosophy in public administration in 1948.
American University conferred a doctor of laws degree upon him in 1959.
Before his appointment at Pratt, he held administrative and teaching posts at Boston University and Syracuse University.
Professional Affiliations
He was vice president for ad-composer has used these folk ministrative affairs and asscoi-
I tunes in his own way to capture ¡the mode of the era and the i spirit of the people as one would imagine them today, j “The music of the opera com-Continued on Page 2
ate professor of government at Boston from 1953 to 1957. At Syracuse. he was assistant dean of liberal arts, assistant professor of political science and assistant to the chancellor.
Bald Actor Trys to Exaggerate Own Viciousness to Portray Role
Roy Sorrels. USC senior dra-11 feel that everyone to some 1 will ma major and one of the stars | extent has the elements satir- play in the drama department’s up-
coming “The Bald Soprano,” feels that an actor should look inward, not outward, in seeking to make his character more real.
vicious in-
der this law. Any person who
'knowingly fails to disclose a	Marty Mve, secretary, and	John	chaplain said
material fact’ or ‘conceals or	Thompson, treasurer.	cially	pleased that	a	complete
withholds records’ must suffer	The other members of the	living	organization	has	volun-
the same penalities as the active	'ouncil includ-? Ondricek.	Brad	teered	to participate	in the
violators.	,	Di^man,	Ann	Thomas,	Mary	1 serv ice.
As Mr. Martin, trovert in a satire on life's accord- j cliches. Sorrels has sought to i exaggerate any natural introversion or viciousness in his own character to understand and portray his role better.
“Instead of looking for these characteristics in other people, I look for them in myself since
ized by James Dey in this play,” the soft-spoken actor says.
Sorrels feels that part of the play's charm lies in these exaggerations on the cliches of life. “The amusement of the comedy lies in the writing which is based on realism carried to its extremist point.”
The drama major note3 that when first playing the role he thought of himself as an actor satirizing life but later discovered how close it was to people's inability to
be different than other he has done since “The Bald Soprano” is so highly stylized, he explains.
The senior has had previous professional experience, acting with Helen Hayes in “Th* Cherry Orchard” and doing TV work. At USC, he has appeared in “Waiting for Godot,” “Medea’ and the recent “King and I will double-bill with “The Rewill doube-bill with “The Re-demptor” Dec. 6 through 9 in
Stop Gap Theater, are current-communicate ly on sale in the Bovard Audi-and their occupation with trhia. torium box office for SI.50 and Sorrel s approach to hi3 role S2.