Ferment in pharmacy
Dr. John Better explain;* resignation from Pharmacy School
By MIKE PARFIT City Editor
“I wil] be damned if anyone is going to tell me what to say,” Dr. John Bester, associate professor of pharmacy, told his 10 a.m. class Friday as ha explained to the students exactly why he is resigning from his position. His unexpected talk climaxed a week of unrest in the School of Pharmacy that started April 26 when Dr. Bester officially resigned.
The unrest is centered around the proposed new curriculum which would expand the education of a pharmacist so that he would communicate more effectively with other members of the medical profession. Questions have been raised about the accreditation of the school, policies on the hiring and firing of teachers and the qualifications of those who will teach in the new curriculum.
The protagonists in the issue are Dr. Bester and the dean of the school, Dr. John Biles. Dr. Biles, appointed to the post last fall, explained the program in an interview Thursday.
“With the advent of Medicare and Medicaid, health care services became a right to the people of this country,” he said, “and there is a need for a more comprehensive health care service for the people.
“It is the opinion of many of the leaders that there must be a redefinition of the function of many of the health care fields. This will lead to s change in the curriculum."
“The plans that have been proposed for the new curriculum are laudable," Dr. Bester said. “It will be an excellent program. I worry about its implementation.”
Others, too, were worried. After Dr. Bester announced his resignation, several students called a general meeting of the school’s student body to find out exactly what was going on.
“At that time, as I understood it. I was to be invited to provide some answers,” Dr. Bester told his class Friday. The meeting was held Thursday. Dr. Biles spoke to the students. A Daily Trojan reporter who attended the meeting was asked to leave because “things might be said that should not be published."
“At the termination of the meeting, as I recall.” Dr. Bester said, “the statement was made: ‘You have now heard facts, and there is no further need to listen to rumors.’ ” Dr. Bester was not allowed to speak.
“I think that the story is blown out of proportion,” Dean Biles said after the meeting. "It really didn’t turn out to be a gripe session. It was informative.”
University of Southern California
DAILY
TROJAN
VOL. LIX
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1968
NO. 56
Dr. Topping criticizes draft as an unfair, unwise law
President Topping lashed out at the current draft law yesterday as an illustration of “how an older generation can treat a younger one with unfairness and lack of wisdom.”
Dr. Topping delivered the Louis H. Bauer Lecture at the 39th annual
Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association in Miami Beach.
His subject, ‘‘Crisis for the Seventies," was concerned “with the very real possibility that we will soon not be able to meet the national need for scientists and others of great intel-
Students dabble in art at paint-in
By MARGIE BESTER
Nearly 200 students demonstrated their belief in the right to free expression by participating in a paint-in on Friday. It was the sceond such event, the first took place at noon on April 29.
But. unlike part of the first paint-in, Friday's was legal. Four students. Ralph Lippman. Rocky Stegman. John Sack and Bob Bunday had initiated a proposal that a free-paint area be designated for uses by both faculty and students.
Friday morning, Paul Bloland. dean of students, approved the proposal and the students celebrated by immediately beginning to paint on the asphalt.
Another paint-tn is scheduled for Friday noon. The free paint movement will also conduct a poetry reading Wednesday noon on the Childs Way paint area.
Stegman, although content that the proposal had been passed, was upset with the reaction of some of the students. At the time of the interview, a group of students were in a heated argument with a student who had painted an obscene gesture.
“This is control in society,” Stegman said. “It’s idiotic, it is archaic and it is insipid. No student really objects to it. They’re arguing whether control would act unfavorably on free expression or not.”
Lippman didn't agree with Stegman. “I feel like a hypocrite telling the guy to paint over the finger,” he said. “But there has to be some discretion used in self-expression. True creativity should be original and personal. But I don't think anyone should be censored for expressing himself.”
A great many students expressed themselves Friday. Someone showed his displeasure with the articles by Jack Chappell, which were strongly opposed to the free paint area, by painting, ‘Jack Chappell is the gleam in Dr. Toppings’ eye.”
Stegman said that the students won’t be required to wash off their artwork at any set time. “We can paint until yie entire area is painted
up,” he said. "Then we'll get brushes and soap and water from the Operations and Maintenance Department and wash the street so we can start over.”
Lippman is scheduled to meet with Dean Bloland to discuss methods of controlling what is painted. “It's depressing to realize that there must be controls on this movement,” said Lippman, “but it's necessary to keep the nonparticipants happy.”
SEATS DWINDLING FOR SONGFEST '68
Songfest tickets, especially for the S4 box seats, are moving fast, Doug Yarrow, Songfest chairman, said yesterday.
Songfest ’68, the nation's largest collegiate musicale, will be held this Saturday for the 15th year in the Hollywood Bowl.
The biggest event of the spring semester features competition in several categories by fraternities, sororities and organizations.
Tickets may be obtained at the Ticket Office, second floor Student Union, for S4, S3 and $2.
lectual dimension,” he said.
He quickly pointed out the draft as the cause of that crisis.
“The recent ruling ending draft deferments for nearly all male graduate students below the age of 27 is particularly unwise and devastating,” he said.
“The truly great crisis for our nation will occur in the seventies — when the full impact of the manpower shortage, certain to occur because of the draft, will be felt throughout the nation. The extent of the damage depends on how long the current draft practices are kept.”
Dr. Topping quoted a survey by the Scientific Manpower Commission and Council of Graduate Schools which showed that there will be a 50 percent decrease in the first-year graduate class.
He said that the greatest impact would be in physics and engineering, with first year classes being cut by 64 and 62 percent, respectively.
“We know that some — hopefully small — percentage of these students will certainly be killed," he noted. “We know that many, many more will not be able to return to school, perhaps for financial reasons."
Dr. Topping stated that the GI Bill for education of returning Vietnam veterans is much less than that for World War II veterans.
He also said that “our greatest weapons are found in the nation s scientific and industrial strength. Yet the current draft law,” he said, “has no regard for scientific progress or economic health or for the decay and discontent in our cities.
“It is evident that anything which interferes with the maintenance and strengthening of our scientific ability is not in our national interest."
Dr. Topping said that university faculties and laboratories “still feel the results of the 1942-47 hiatus of scientific manpower.”
“We must not allow the manpow-
er mistakes of World War II to be repeated. It is the duty of all of us who believe in the national importance of science and technology, of fundamental and developmental research, of humanities and social sciences and in the importance of our universities to make our voices heard."
He outlined several steps designed to lessen the impact of the new draft law. He suggested that universities shorten their degree programs as well as study the program to determine how much of the structure is necessary.
“One suggestion is that a broadened draft pool be established,’* he said, “or that a random lottery selection be made from a pool including all young men, eliminating all deferments.”
Dr. Topping rejected such reforms as “half-measures,” and suggested instead that draft deferments be continued for at least three years after a student graduates, permitting “serious students to earn their doctorates.
“The graduate could then be drafted and still serve effectively in the military,” he said. “When he returned from service, he would have a profession and he would enter that work for which he was trained. A scientist or engineer or teacher would not be lost forever.”
Dr. Topping concluded his speech speculating that “perhaps the best selective service solution is a truly universal draft.”
“Every young person can and should' serve his country in some way — not everyone must carry a rifle. I contend that the potential value of the young men and women of today is too great to squander indiscrimini-tely—and that there are many kinds of service to the country equally as vital and sometimes no less dangerous, as scientists know, than carrying a rifle in combat.”
Prof explains his resignation to class after week's unrest
Dean John Biles
Dr. Bester did not think that the information was entirely accurate. He invited a Daily Trojan reporter to his class and spoke to the students for 40 minutes.
\ esterday afternoon I was told that calling another student body meeting would be possible only if I first discussed with Dean Biles what I wanted to say to the students,” he said. “I have been disturbed ever since yesterday afternoon because I will be damned if anybody can tell me what I can say. So I will now say a few things.
“You were told that we are an accredited institution. That is true. We were visited last October for accreditation. The report that was read to us in a faculty meeting was as follows: ‘The school indeed would continue to be accredited but it must be revisited no later than May. 1970. by which time it might become nonaccreditable.' Draw your own conclusions.”
He read several paragraphs out of the accreditation manual and emphasized phrases which dealt with the requirements that a majority of the teachers should be Ph.Ds in Pharmacy.
"To my knowledge, the four men being considered for some of the positions on the faculty next year are an asteroid chemist, a physical-organic chemist, a crystalographer and a physical chemist engaged in research on pharmaseudics.” There was a murmer from the class.
Dr. Bester quoted a statement made jointly by the American Organization of University Professor? and the Association of American Colleges which read approximately: “Additions to, dismissal from or promotions within a faculty must be made only with the concuiranre of the existing faculty or by a mechanism that has the approval of th? existing faculty.”
Dr. Bester said that in recent, years appointments have disregarded this. In one case Dr. Bester moved at a faculty meeting that the entire faculty be allowed to vote on the appointment. The motion was seconded immediately, he said, and was then denied without a vote.
He also criticized an article that had been quoted by Dean Biles the previous day on the relative effectiveness of teachers with and without research grants, the article said that statistics showed that teachers doing research were more effective than those without grants. Dr. Bester said that the statistics were not conclusive and that the result was basically just the opinion of the author.
He augmented this later, saying that while the creed of publish or perish is said not to exist at USC, it is. in fact, in practice.
“We used to be sent forms on which we would report our year's activities which asked about things like teacher loads,” he said. “Now the forms only ask for research grants and publications. They don’t mention teaching.
“I turn now to the matter of Dr. Robert Koda,” Dr. Bester said. “I have very strong feelings about Dr. Koda. I knew him as an undergraduate student. I have known him throughout his graduate career and it has been my pleasure to be on the faculty with him. He is a sincere, dedicated and honest teacher and an honorable man.
“I was informed that he had been asked to leave six or seven weeks ago. You heard explanations offered yesterday that one should not teach at the institution at which he obtained his degree because he would not be treated equally with others on the faculty.” Dr. Bester then pointed out that two of the six men named as outstanding teachers this semester earned their degrees at USC.
Dr. Bester himself was given the same award in 1963. He said that was one of the greatest experiences in his life.
“I am just human enough or vain enough to get pleasure from a recognition that I am doing well,” he said. “I also realize that one cannot do well ac something in which he no longer has faith. I apologize to you deeply becauss I am very sure that I have become much less effective in the classroom and the result is that you have suffered.
Afterwards. Dr. Bestir asked for questions. One student said:
“In this school there are some people who are highly engaged in research and we, as students, are not getting any teaching ability out of them because they never seem to prepare or care. Are there any suggestions you can make about what we, as students, can do about this?
“No,” Dr. Bester said.
“There’s nothing we can do?
“That wasn't the question,” he answered, but would elaborate no further.
Dean Biles said he regretted Dr. Bester’s decision.
“Let me put it this way,” he said. “Dr. Bester has been an excellent teacher. He has performed a valuable service to this university. He has been an excellent teacher. I regret his leaving. I hope the way he has chosen will be most beneficial and most stimulating to him.”
Dr. Rafferty to speak at Writer s Conference
Dr. Max Rafferty and Anthony Beilenson will headline this weekend’s annual Writers Conference Saturday, sponsored1 by Theta Sigma Phi journalism sorority.
Rafferty, candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, will open the conference with a speech at 9 a.m. in Hancock Auditorium.
State Senator Beilenson, who is bidding for the Democratic nomination, will follow Rafferty at 10 a.m.
Registration fee for the day-long conference, including the luncheon, is $5. Tickets may be obtained through the USC School of Journalism. USC students and faculty with l.D. will be admitted free; the luncheon is $3.
At the conference luncheon, the first annual national USC Theta Sigma Phi award will be given to Liz Carpenter, White House press secretary to the First Lady.
Louie Robinson, West Coast editor of Ebony, will deliver the luncheon speech on “Racial Undercurrents of the "68 Elections” at the Faculty Center.
Two panels, “Political Press Coverage” and “Impact ’68—The Broadcasting Media,” will feature well-knewn journalists.
Ed Haddad of KPOL will moderate the first talk at 11 a.m.
The second discussion will be led by Mike Kizziar, associate news manager at KNXT, at 1:30 p.m.
AWS HOLDS INSTALLATION
Mortar Board, judicial members named
New members of Mortar Board and Women’s Judicial were announced, newly-elected AWS officers were installed and nine scholarships were presented to outstanding women students yesterday at the Alpha Gamma Delta house.
The new Mortar Board officers who were elected earlier this month are Pat Reed, president; Riv-Ellen Prell, vice-president; Juanita Ching, editor; Sue Carlton, secretary and Margaret Hallock, treasurer.
Other new members of the senior women's honorary include Jennifer Brackenburg, Cookie Brennglass, Liz Carr, Carole Christofk, Karen Desmond, Linda Gross, Carol Hauge-land, Judy Lee, Maryann Lees. Jane Lindenthal, Nan Maples, Mary Meyers. Vickie Rue, Denise Snowden, Martha Stone and Leta Rae Sugg.
Andrea Caldwell, chief justice of Women’s Judicial, announced the new representatives. They are Miss Lees, chief
justice; Miss Brennglass and Miss Sugg, senior representative; Carolyn Cheley and Maggie Lundy, junior representatives; and Adrienne Maravich and Karen Russell, sophomore representatives.
Several scholarship winners also were announced.
Mrs. Frank Kostlan, chairman of the Town and Gown Juniors, presented a full tuition scholarship to Margaret Hallock, a partial scholarship to Anne Sheldon for graduate study, and a full fellowship for graduate work to Karen Mazepink.
Six scholarships were presented by Mrs. John Thompson, president of the Trojan Junior Auxiliary.
Receiving awards were Miss Meyers, a $1,800 scholarship; Miss Sugg, a $1,000 grant; Penny Ward, a $800 scholarship; Pat Bjorkland, a $600 grant; Catherine Grady, a
$500 award, and Jayne Proppe, a $400 scholarship.
Newly-elected AWS officers were then installed. They are Karol Wahlberg, president; Donna DeDiemar. vice-president; Sue Semple, secretary; Joann Chun, treasurer; Barbara Tsuchiya, editor and Mollie Raddatz, associate cabinet president.
Associate cabinet members were introduced by Karol Wahlberg, and in conclusion Karen Mazepink gave one last thank you to all those who helped her through her year as AWS president.
The featured speaker at the installation was Joan Schaefer, dean of women, wha was introduced by the out-going AWS President, Miss Mazepink.
Dean Schaefer spoke of the great legacy that the officers and senior women have established and left to those following
them.
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