by Martha I. Fernandez
Managing Editor
A wave of change has hit individual departments that are beginning the semester under leadership of new department chairs.
Six departments are currently experiencing transition as old department chairs hand responsibilities to the new leaders.
Chairperson responsibilities include handling the department budget, organizing departmental meetings, scheduling courses and hiring faculty. This new responsibility adds a $150 stipend to the chairperson’s monthly salary.
Rex Huigens, professor of physical education and assistant athletic director, resigned his position as head football coach last year only to take on the responsibilities as chair of physical education and athletics.
“The biggest adjustment is not being football coach and being the chair,” he said. “It’s a lot more desk work and paper work.”
Huigens said that a major priority this semester is submitting a curriculum proposal to be accepted by the state.
California has implemented a new policy for students who are planning to teach. Before, students had the option of taking the National Teachers Exam (NTE) or attending a university with curriculum standards that waive the test. The state has changed what used to be known as a waiver program to a single subject program. Every state institution has to evaluate its curriculum to meet with new standards and receive approval.
“We’re looking at our major program and we’re going to be changing some courses. In that regard, we are going to be changing our curriculum a little bit.
“The most important thing we’re looking at now is the proposal to the state for our single subject matter,” he said.
The department of mathematics, physics and computer science also has a state proposal high on its agenda along with making sure students have met prerequisites for courses. Dr. Michael Frantz, associate professor of mathematics, has been chosen to chair the department and lead in this effort.
“I think you’re a better teacher if you do the waiver and do the courses anyway,” said Dr. Frantz. “It gives you a better breadth of topics that you can learn about.”
Dr. Frantz has kept his old course load and responsibilities.
“So far, I haven’t given up anything except time with my family, but I have given up a fair amount of that,” he said.
Dr. Gerard Lavatori, associate professor of French, began the transition into his new position this summer. As the chair of the department of English and foreign languages, Dr. Lavatori is also active in putting forth a curriculum proposal to the state, but is also focusing on the course expansion of the department.
“I’d like to see the department grow and expand in the courses we offer and the number of students we reach,” he said.
Due to a foreign language requirement in the new general education requirements, there has been an increase in the number of courses offered and people in classes. A new comparative literature major is also being focused on.
“We’re going to have a lot more students and need to know how we are going to accommodate them and what new courses we’re going to offer,” said Dr. Lavatori.
Dr. Glenn Gamst, associate professor of psychology, has described his new position as chair of behavioral science as “what I call fire prevention, putting out fires that pop up from time to time.”
This year, the department is focusing on adjusting to the departure of Dr. Aghop Der-Karabetian, who took a position as assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and discussing reorganizing the department around the majors and options for graduate programs.
Dr. Gamst does feel that this new position will have an affect on his relationship with students.
“I think it’s going to slow me down a little bit, as far as my collaborative research with students,” he said.
More space for the Communications Department is one of the goals for Dr. George Keeler, associate professor of journalism and new chair of the department.
“We have a tremendous need for new space. So, we’re actively looking for that,” said Dr. Keeler. “Nothing is tentative yet, but there is an understanding that we’re in line for new quarters.”
Also, two classes, News Reporting and Introduction to the Mass Media, have been opened to the general education requirements. Dr. Keeler said that along with this change, classes have been allowed to enroll a maximum of 35 students. Before, 20 was the most allowed.
“The enrollment for classes is more than full,” he said. “That puts more impact on space.”
New computers have been purchased for the department, but new equipment for television and radio is also a priority. “They need some computer editing equipment that will bring them up to par with other universities.”
Gary Colby, associate professor of photography, has also taken a new position as the faculty representative of fine arts. He has replaced Ruth Trotter while she is on sabbatical for the semester.
