Commons
A Newsletter for Parents of Stetson Students
Fall 1992
Volume IV No. 1
New members of the Stetson student body get the spirit as they check in for fall
semester with FOCUS advisors
Proposed change in Baptist relationship would
make churches' support of Stetson voluntary
A proposed new relationship between Stetson
University and Florida Baptists will increase
the need for Stetson's alumni and friends to
sttengthen their commitment to the univer-
sity, President Doug Lee says.
A new funding plan, to be voted on during
the Nov. 9-11 Florida Baptist Convention,
calls fot Stetson to relate in the futute to
individual Flotida Baptist churches, not to the
Convention. Each church would decide
whether to designate part of its Coopetative
Program contributions for Stetson. Total
annual contributions would be capped at
$312,000.
Stetson and Convention officials jointly
proposed the new plan this summer to replace
the 1990 agreement, under which allocations
to Stetson were to be reduced $400,000 (from
$950,000 to $550,000) over five years.
"Stetson has recognized the denomination's
need to change its priorities/fund allocations.
We continue to seek ways to pteserve the
moral integtity of the 1990 Covenant and the
historic relationship between the university
and Horida Baptist churches," Lee explained.
"I hope that any changes in the relationship
will be constructive, and that Horida can avoid
the turmoil other higher education institutions
and theit conventions have experienced."
If the new agteement is approved in
November, individual Baptist churches would
determine whether Stetson University would
receive Cooperative Program funds from
congregations. The proposal calls for churches
to check a box on the state convention's
remittance form. The university would receive
up to $312,000 per year, if money is received
above that amount, it would be returned to the
state Convention.
"We recognize that many churches wish to
maintain the historic relationship between
Horida Baptists and Stetson," Lee said. "We
wish to make it possible for them to do so."
For your calendar
Winter Term 1993
— Classes begin Jan. 4
— Exams Jan. 27
Spring 1993 Semester
— Classes begin Feb. 1, end May 6
CLASTTest Feb. 20
Spring Holidays March 15-19
Easter April 11
Summer, Fall Registration Apr. 13-15
Final Exams May 8-13
Spring Commencement May 16
U.S. News ranks
Stetson fourth
Stetson University ranks fourth among
southern regional universities and colleges in
U.S. New & World Report's 1992 special
report, "America's Best Colleges." Stetson is
first in its category among Florida universities.
In this year's top 15 southern regional
universities, based on 1991-92 statistics, Wake
Forest University again is first; the University
of Richmond second; and Berea College third.
In 1991, Stetson and Berea tied for third place.
Horida placed three other universities this year
in the top 15: Rollins College in Winter Park
is fifth; Horida International University,
Miami, ninth; and the University of Central
Horida, Orlando, 11th.
"We are delighted to be near the top of a list
of so many fine universities," said President
Doug Lee. "While we recognize that numerical
listings are not the best way for a student to
decide which university to attend, such reports
can provide students and their parents with
useful information. We don't consider such
surveys as a game of 'who's first?*: The most
important thing is what we do to improve the
quality of the Stetson experience. The
rankings offer an opportunity for us to measure
ourselves against other institutions like us."
Lee is an alumnus of Richmond, and was on
the Wake Forest faculty.
See you at 1992
Parents' Weekend
Don't forget Parents' Weekend is Oct. 23-25.
You have your invitation, and you are eagerly
expected.
Highlights include the Greenfeather
Carnival on Emily Field and a performance in
newly-remodeled Stover Theatre plus dancing
in Night Lites, the campus night club, Friday
evening, the 23rd; Dr. Lee's University Up-
Date, a campus picnic, and variety of activities,
including the Stetson Stars talent show
Saturday, the 24th; and a chapel service and
afternoon Stover matinee Sunday, the 25th.
An added attraction this yean the Monday,
Oct. 26, Stewart Lecture by former President
Jimmy Carter in Edmunds Center. Students are
picking up tickets for themselves and their
parents the week of Oct. 5.
The former president will arrive on campus
around 4*30 p.m., in time for an hour-long
question and answer period with students in
Elizabeth Hall, and a 6 p.m. reception with
student volunteers in the Stetson Room.
The doors at Edmunds Center will open at
6:30 p.m. The program will begin at 8 p.m.
