Page 68 - ThePhoenix1987-88

Page 4IWestern Maryland College/March 31, 1988 Editorial On the road On November 10, 1984. Dr. Robert Chambers was inaugurated as the seventh president of WMC. Besides assuming the role of leader, he also became a spokesman, negotiator, disturbance-handler, and above all else, a path-finder. Given tbcavailable resources, he must insure that the school adheres to its main goal: staying on the road to academic excellence. In Search of Excellence, by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, Jr., deals with such tasks facing a leader and how best to sail the organization in the correct direction. The book, which is currently used in two classes at WMC, offers eight principles to follow in order rp stay near the top of the heap. Threeof the principles are interesting when applied to WMC under the Chambers administration. The first principle. maintaining a "bias for action," has often been lost on this campus in a seemingly endless sea of so-called "task forces," Therearesomanycommittees at the school thaurhas become reminiscent of a psuedo-subculture of the government The typical case is to erect a commiuee quickly, but the disbanding occurs much later, after-its useful- ness has expired, and sometimes never. The task force becomes an end unto itself, a case of paralysis through analysis. Incentives for action are rarely seized upon by the administration, especially in the 1987-88academic year. It took a student protest outside Only then was a liquor license obtained in great haste, once again empha- ----Letters totheEditor---- the president's house to open administrators' ears to swdent sentiment. Sizing that the upper-echelon shifts into gear only during "crisis" situ- ations. Brown reponds dent who did poorly in high school, likes of the Joker, the Riddler, and Foresight is the basis for another principle -- entrepreneurship. and finally got his act together in the Penguin? Are you prepared to Lately, cultivating that doesn't seem to be a problem here. The Quality- to 'Honor Thy college" who "never has the chance live on a campus not patrolled by Inn and College Conference Center was a risky, almost unique venture to to live in the quiet honors housing." one of America's greatest super- pursue. Some other institutions of higher-learning in the region are Neighbor' It was suggested that upperclass- heroes? Not only was your crying looking 10 WMC's example for signs of a payoff. High-occupancy rates men "who want to live in a quiet about the parking of the BaUnobile over the past yearindicate that someone made a wiSe decision. Editors: study-conducive atmosphere (and immoral, un-American and imma- Perhaps the most overlooked principle by the administration is the In an editorial in the March have earned the chance)" be al- ture, it blackened the eyes of the most blatantly logical one. Stayclosetothemembersofyourcommunity. 10, 1988, The Phoenix entitled lowed to live in honors housing, I Dynamic Duo. This way, the students' pulse can be measured; occurrences on the "Honor Thy Neighbor," I feel that find that a very acceptable idea. Notonly that but you mocked president's lawn are less likely to occur. Dean Melvin Palmer actively the editor made some incomplete However, a few things mustbe American institutions such as practices management-by-walking-around, one of the best methods to and inaccurate statements and sug- realized first about the honors Wonderwoman and Superman. stay close. Instead of simply opting for the phone, he will usually deliver gestions. In the article, the editor housing situation. The honors The Caped Crusaders have their car messages in person. He also knows a great many of the students, which stated that "humility, patience, and program, which is only in its third legally registered with the stare of is a reasonable expectation at a school of this size populace. stress managment" asaresultofthe year, is "being given six floors in New Jersey and with this fine Unfortunately, Chambers does not adhere to this simple principle. "realities of life: lousy furniture, Daniel MacLea Hall which is ap- Gotham campus. The Hall of Jus- Isolation is not the answer to leadership. loud music, loud people, etc." are proximately room for 40 people for tice is in an uproar. You place All of the principles for aspiring to an excellent organization involve "among the important personality next year. Since the approximately America's most respected heroes a multitude of decisions, but as Peters and Watennan state, each repre- characteristics thai. can be built up 20 incoming freshman honors stu- on the level of mere parking viola- sents common sense. Hopefully, Chambers' constant decision-making in one year of Rouzer (or White-- dents are guaranteed the housing as "'