Crimson
Vol. 62 No. 15
April 29, 1977
Actress
“invests”
in student’s future
BIRMINGHAM— Jeannette Cliff George cheerfully donned headphone s to help
demonstrate a teaching machine in the new Clift Learning Center at the Sam-
ford University School of Music. Giving the visiting actress a few instructions on
the operation of the audio-visual machine are Dr. Paul Hall. Director of the
Center and Dr. Claude H. Rhea, right. Dean of the School of Music. The equip¬
ment will allow music students to study and review programmed materials a',
their own pace.
BIRMINGHAM— "An investment in the
future of the student" is the way way ac¬
tress Jeannette Clift George describes the
new Clift learning Center in Samford
University’s School of Music.
What is a learning center? In this case,
it’s three rooms of audio-visual equipment
and materials which allow students to
study music concepts and theories at their
own pace.
Equipment was purchased with funds
from a trust established by Mrs. George’s
mother, Mrs. Jeannette Chapman Clift of
Houston, Tex.
“Students can use the center for
remedial or supplemental work,” said its
director. Dr. Paul Hall. “It will be used by
slow learners who need to catch up in a
course as well as by accelerated students
who are being held back in a course.”
Students studying a certain music form,
for instance, will be able to see the musical
score as well hear it. “With this equip¬
ment, we can put the manuscript in front
of the student visually. At the same time,
he can hear the music and voiced explana¬
tion,” said Dr. Hall.
“The learning center is not designed to
replace teachers, but is designed only to
supplement the work of the teacher,” he
points out. “It will give the teachers
greater one-to-one time with the
students.”
“The whole concept of a learning center
for music students is so relatively
undeveloped,” said Dr. Hall “that few
items other than the machines can be pur¬
chased." Heavy equipment in the center
consists of 12 audio-visual teaching
machines and the sophisticated equipment
necessary to produce the learning
materials (films and tapes), which must
be created in the center according to the
needs of the students and teachers.
“The general procedure is to take the in¬
formation that the subject matter expert
(the teacher) has provided and developed
a learning package designed to meet the
needs of both teacher and student,” said
Dr. Hall.
His thoughts are echoed by School of
Music Dean Claude H. Rhea, who
recognized the need for such a learning
center and envisioned its creation several
years ago.
“We’re going into an entirely new area
with this center. We’re limited only by our
own ability to be inventive," said Dr.
Rhea.
Mrs. George, who most recently starred
in the religious film, “the Hiding Place,"
visited Samford during recent dedication
ceremonies for the learning center.
“The whole concept of the learning
center is wonderful because the need for
an excellent statement on the arts is a
heavier assignment on the believer than on
the non-believer,” said Mrs. George, who
is director and founder of the After Dinner
Players, a Christian drama group
operating out of Houston.
"The center has tr mendous meaning
for me because my mother is such a
creative person, and now these creative
energies will be fostered in the students,”
she said.
Mrs. Clift, an Alabama native and alum¬
na of Judson College, is a former church
and concert pianist. Her brother, the late
Dr. James Chapman, served as head of
Samford’s Department of Religion for
over 20 years.
While at Samford the dedication
ceremonies, Mrs. George unveiled a por¬
trait of her mother which will hang in the
learning center. The portrait was painted
by Mrs. Margaret Hand, a Samford alum¬
na who is now a professional artist in
Gadsden.
Lane “informally” installed SGA president
At the Samford University Government
Association meeting of April 14, 1977,
outgoing President Gary Barkley thanked
the Senate for the work which it had done
during the past year. Barkley stated that
^students are “beginning to realize that the
Student Senate is a viable force on cam-
SGA Advisor Dean Lindy Martin then
delivered his report in which it was an¬
nounced that tuition for undergraduates
will increase $4.00 per semester hour.
Dean Martin explained that the increase
was less than bad been expected, and that
in the view of University Trustees, this
was the smallest possible increase that
would allow the University to continue to
operate in the black.
Afterwards, the meeting was turned
over to Dr. R. E. Wheeler, Vice-President
of Academic Affairs. Dr. Wheeler an¬
nounced that the departments of Art and
Home Economics are planning a com¬
bination degree in Interior Design, -
hopefully, to be implemented into the
curriculum by next year. A Religious
Education major is also in the offing,
although the Religion and Philosophy
Department is presently still searching for
a professor of Religious Education. The
Education Department is expanding as
well, and will offer a new degree with a AA
certificate.
In addition, University officials are con¬
sulting with the Baptist Medical Center
Montclair over the final details of a
Bachelor of Anesthesia program. Lastly,
Dr. Wheeler informed the Senators that a
complete program for a Bachelor erf
Business degree will be offered in the
evenings in conjunction with Samford’s
adult-education program.
Dr. Wheeler then discussed with the
students the possibility of changing Jan-
term to a May-term. While the Vice-
President of Academic Affairs stated that
he recognized many advantages of the
May-term schedule, such as longer sum¬
mer work period for students interested in
summer jobs, he pointed out that there are
two basic problems encountered in a
change of this type. One is the fact that, ac¬
cording to Dean Corley, the Law School
cannot end their spring semester by the
first of May due to the large volume of
material covered. Since the ad¬
ministration would like to keep the schools
on the same schedule, this is a major ob¬
stacle to instituting the May-term.
Wheeler added that such a change would
also involve a loss of revenue which would
necessitate further a tuition increase.
After the discussion of the possibility of a
May-term, a request was made to Dr.
Wheeler that schedules for Spring
Semester be ready before Christmas
vacation. Dr. Wheeler stated that his office
will comply with.this request.
During the discussion of new business, it
was announced that formal installation of
SGA officers and Senate will be on May 2
during convocation. President Wright will
also give his State of the University Ad¬
dress at this time.
In his final act as SGA President
Barkley informally installed the new
Executive Council: President - Robert
Lane, Vice-President - Bonnie Berry,
Secretary - Shasta Parker, Treasurer -
Forrest Cook. President Lane then in¬
stalled the new Senators and presided over
the remainder of the meeting. Lane
discussed with the new senators the
various SGA Committees and the respon¬
sibilities of each. They include five Vice-
Presidential committees: Student Ser¬
vices, Academic Affairs, Financial Af¬
fairs, Alumni and Development, and Ad¬
missions. Additional committees are: En¬
tertainment, Spirit, Thought Analysis,
Forum, Administrative, Elections,
Publicity, Heritage, Scholarship,
Homecoming, Step-Sing, Parents Day, and
S-Day.
Samford University Library