Stetson Cupola 1990-18-2

Winter 1990 Volume XVIII No. 2 Russian Studies Program gets boost from Knight Foundation With a $250,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, matching funds and other institutional support, Stetson University has made a commitment of $1.4 million to expand an already strong Russian studies program, creating a premier program and possibly one of the best and most comprebensive in the nation. "A number of schools claim to have Russian studies programs," said Dr. Paul Steeves, program director. 'The interdisciplinary program at Stetson includes five professors with expertise in their chosen fields of economics, music, history, political science and geography. The grant will allow us to expand to one of the best programs in the nation." Eminent Russian historian, Serge Zenkovsky, began the program in 1958. In 1972, Steeves came to Stetson as professor of history and director of Russian studies. He is a nationally recognized Russian scholar. In studying the Soviet Union, students are exposed to a society that challenges his or her assumptions about political, economic and cultural values, Steeves said. "Put simply, Russian studies makes students think about the world around them. It is a program designed to enrich a liberal arts curriculum by broadening the horizons of its students as it develops academic skills," he said. Additions to the program include a professor of Russian language and literature, more library and media resources, and an student exchange "Let Us Entertain You" at Homecoming 1990 Entertainment by Lewis Grizzard and several new events are scheduled for alumni who return to DeLand for Homecoming 1990. "Let Us Entertain You" is the theme for the February 23-25 event. Lewis Grizzard, a nationally-syndicated columnist, brought to campus by the Stetson Union Board, will headline on Friday evening. New events include the Hatter Howl, a pep rally before the Saturday night basketball game, and the Golden Hatter Reception to honor all alumni who graduated in 1939 and before. An admissions session is planned for college-aged children of alumni, and there will be an Alumni/Faculty/Student "Olympics" in the Forest of Arden Saturday. Alumni can get a "Stetson Update" Saturday morning, and also hear about Lewis Grizzard the restructuring of the national alumni association. Other highlights include the Hatter Showcase, a display of student talent around Holler Fountain, and the All-alumni dance. The dance, to be held at the Hilton, will feature a DJ playing records from the 40s through the 80s. The Saturday afternoon Decade Parties have been moved back on campus to enable alumni to visit other graduates. Back by popular demand is the "real" 5K road race on Saturday morning. The time for tbe basketball game has been moved up to 7:30 p.m. to permit Sunshine Network to televise it. If you do not have a registration form, or you need more information, call the Alumni Office at (904) 822-7480. program with Moscow State University. 'The goal is to create a Russian studies program that combines the breadth available at a research university with the close faculty supervision of a small, liberal arts college. It will serve as the model in developing other distinctive programs university-wide," Steeves said. Pikes suspended for four yean Stetson's Campus Life Committee has suspended recognition of Delta Upsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha as an official student organization for four years. The committee determined that tbe fraternity violated university policy against hazing during an off-campus activity the night of Nov. 9,1989. The chapter denied the charges. The national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has suspended the charter of the local chapter and will recommend revocation of the charter at the 1990 national convention, according to Steve Cox, national executive director. Provost Louis Brakeman upheld the decision of the Committee after an appeal by the chapter. He called hazing "repugnant to the values of this University and ... vigorously opposed by national fraternity leadership." The Campus Life Committee's action followed a two-week investigation of the incident by Mrs. Amy Tamberrino, director of student life at Stetson. The Campus Life Committee, with equal numbers of faculty and student members, has authority in matters involving allegations of student life policy violations by campus organizations. When recognition of a campus organization is suspended, the group cannot participate in any student activities, use the name of the organization in connection with any university activity, or make use of any university facilities. The national fraternity may apply for recognition in the fall of 1993.