Southern looks for new professors
After a new state program, the Early Retirement Incentive Program, was enacted, 42 members of Southern’s faculty took advantage of. State employees had the opportunity to either retire three years before their original retirement date or to retire with greater benefits. According to J. Phillip Smith, Interim vice president of Academic Affairs, over 300 people were interviewed in a search to hire 55 new faculty members.
September
The Lyman Center celebrated its 30th anniversary after it was dedicated to campus on Oct.18, 1968. Cynthia L. DiSano, the director, said “My main goal over the years was to build performing arts center into a space that students, faculty, and staff could come to see.”
Southern formed a partnership with A Step Ahead Preschool on Pinerock Avenue to help parents finish their education with the help of the university. University President Michael Adanti allocated $48,000 from the annual budget to the care of Southern students’ kids.
October
Online classes made their debut after Nursing 302, Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing, became available online. Twelve courses were offered online through the CSU system.
Reverend Jesse Jackson visited Southern to educate students about their right to vote. He spoke of the turn of the century and the hard fight for freedom in the country by women, blacks, and the LGBTQ community.
For the first time, students had an opportunity to graduate as music majors. The major was designed to teach music history, theory, reading, writing, and understanding of the music profession.
November
A series of campus thefts lead police to warn Southern’s community about protecting their belongings. Seven thefts had been reported from motor vehicles within a month along with nine burglaries.
Southern’s graduate school was ranked top 10 nationally for the amount of students enrolled. An open house was held in the Lyman Center for students who wanted to learn about the 30 programs offered
December
Southern broke ground on a new project with a $230 million master plan to expand and improve facilities on campus.
Compiled from the Southern News archives by Jessica Guerrucci, Managing Editor
