Stetson Reporter

■!-AVJ.::'!-.s-.j-SHv!.:-:.Ba::j & ::.-~fs3 ■■'■:■-'■&-■ ■-■«»:■■ *■■"■■'■ ■'*-'■s- ;Sf^^1)hiy$$&^ ,.', ■ i * i" «i ,i.- prdbl0f¥is' ..electiQh-'yeacV';;'1 hlghii^hteg-;;,':: ''offered;1:'';;; ^j'/ TT ^sistaniOii^: 'tor.of'kessden-" ■. .'UalLlfa.'' :■' ; . • Stetson students'respond to- the question of?' mplthcufturaiism Paget'/"' ' t iiJarrofT' ' ■ Whtte's.Top 10 : college football tgaiits . ' ' - '.pa.ge.'^p; ■ ? ■, ■">: „^ Stetson understands diversity (sort of) By Derek Ashworth Campus Life Editor Stetson celebrated "Cultural Diversity" last week with a number of events that included a Quest Series program which asked a probing and yet sensitive question: "Does Stetson Understand Diversity?" The Wednesday night discussion was led by Steve Coleman, Admissions Counselor and Coordinator of Minority Affairs. Those who attended included members of the Residential Life staff. Fraternity and Sorority Counselors, members of the African American Student Association and Multicultural Student Associa tion, as well as other leaders of various campus organizations and students from the Stetson community. Coleman began the discussion with an explanation of Stetson's emphasis on appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism on campus. He described that emphasis as being a necessary response to the racial discomfort, resentment, and tensions felt by minority students as late as 1987. He explained, "Multiculturalism is an appreciation of diversity, while diversity refers to a recognition of differences," adding, "That fear often prevents this appreciation and rec- ognitionbecause of a lack of knowledge." The discussion then turned to an open format as students were asked to share their opinions and feelings in response to his question: "Where does multiculturalism on the campus community stand now?'' One student commented, "Yes, Stetson has diversity but it does not think on a multicultural level." Another student suggested that the Residential Life Department has a special responsibility, "to make students feel at home." See Diversity-page 4 State financial aid decreasing slowly, steadily By Derek Ashworth Campus Life Editor While federal aid for college students has grown scarce, Florida college students face a compounded situation as state-aid programs such as the State Tuition Voucher, Florida Student Assistance Grant, and Florida Undergraduate Scholars Fund have been reduced and face an uncertain future. Stetson students returned to school this fall to find the tuition voucher, a state aid program available to all Florida students attending private in-state universities, reduced to $924 for the academic year '92-'93, down from $990 last year and $1200 two years ago. As Jack Agett, Stetson's Financial Planning Director, explained, "It is conceivable that the voucher could be reduced again- possibly before the end of the year due to a state budget shortfall." The Florida Student Assistance Grant, also available to students attending a private university and meeting financial aid re- EDUCATION: AN EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT quirements also declined from last year's $1300 to $978 for '92-'93. The Undergraduate Scholars' Fund was also reduced $225 for this year. Agett acknowledged a growing feeling among some state legislator? that state programs benefiting students attending private schools should be eliminated in order to support Florida's public university system. He attributed this feeling to the falsely held belief that needy- students do not attend private universities when in fact Stetson has awarded $15 million in financial packages to its students this year alone. Agett also suggested that the state may need to seriously assess its tax structure in order to meet the education costs of the future. A tax base which depends on population growth rather than economic growth has been costly for both public and private college See Finance-page 5 Dr. Lee holds a "town meeting1 for stintents to air concerns By Donald Hitchcock Staff Writer Curious students were given the chance to inquire and probe President H, Douglas Lee and Vice-President of Student Life Jim Beasley at the "Town Meeting" held last Tuesday evening. About 20 students and administrators attended the forum brought about by the Student Association. Poor attendance was attributed to the tormenting storm right before starting time. President Lee's goal for the meeting was to tell students about the mechanisms used to voice student opinion and concerns to the Administration and Trustees. Stating the Student Association as the most accessible and influential manner of input that the students have, he urged the student body to actively participate and voice concerns of their institution. The students' goal for the meeting was to askabout Stetson' s future plans (i.e The Year 2000 Plan) and to seek solutions to some of their problems on campus such as lack of facility for community service groups, concern about public safety, change in residence halls. and lack of parking. Gayle Littleton and Ron Piccolo, President and Vice-President of the Student Association, hope to have further town meetings in thefuture toaddress volatile ^a^usjssj^asjhevyise. „_