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WFfiTFMlV FRONT Tuesday, March 6, 1984 Western Washington University, Bellingham, Wash. Vol.76, No. 16 Noxious fiberglass lab fumes prompt closure, legal threat By Shelley McKedy Members of the Geology department, Huxley College and the Watershed Studies Institute have accused adminstrators of ignoring complaints about health-threatening fiberglass fumes in the Environmental Studies Building, and one professor has threatened to sue the university if the matter is not dealt with immediately. Complaints about the fumes prompted a temporary shutdown of the Vehicle Research Institute lab, where fiberglass is use'd in manufacturing the experimental Viking cars. Tech chairman Paul Rainey has called a meeting for 2 p.m. today in ES 240 to discuss the problem. The fiberglass fumes circulate in ducts throughout the Environmental Studies complex by means of the building's ventilation system, said Western Director of Public Safety Bob Peterson. He added that lab fumes piped directly out the roof of Environmental Studies through a backup ventilation system are thought to reenter the complex through the main system under certain wind conditions. Styrene the culprit? Fiberglass dust is treated as a "nuisance compound" in state and federal regulations said John Funderburk, an industrial hygen-ist with the State Department of Labor and Industry in Seattle. Funderburk, however, said styrene, a resin component, can act as a depressant on the central nervous system and is considered unsafe at a concentration of 100 parts per million over an Peter Elich calls to decentralize By Paul Engbrecht Peter Elich, vying for a permanent position as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, told a small group of faculty members that academic diversity has been a paramount matter during his one-year stint as acting dean, and he said they can expect "a few good years ahead." Elich's confident statements Thursday initiated a schedule of interviews and open sessions which also include out-of-state candidates, John Gamble of Pennsylvania State University and Irving Buchen of California State University. "The college of Arts and Sciences is the core and heart of the University around which all programs develop," said Elich, currently serving as the acting dean of the college. He said a number of tenured faculty in the college who are slated for early retirement will be See ELICH, page 2 eight hour period. An odor can be detected at a level as low as .1 parts per million, he said. Funderburk said studies currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show genetic damage to those exposed to 100 ppm for an extended period. The results indicate "a cause for concern of cancer" and the federal government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is trying to lower the acceptable level to 50 ppm Fund er, burk' said, Headaches, nausea Ned Brown, chairman of the Geology department and Patty Combs administrative secretary for geology, both said students, Don Easterbrook faculty and staff regularly complain of sore throats, congestion, headaches and nausea caused by the pungent fumes. Rainey chose to shut down the lab Feb. 27. Five days before that, Rainey received a memo from geology professor Don Easterbrook, outlining Easterbrook's concerns about health hazards caused by the fumes. In a Feb. 22 memo sent to University Safety Officer Walt Springer, and also released to several other administrators, Easterbrook wrote: "These toxic fiberglass operations are a clear health hazard... I have incurred a chronic health problem, such that I cannot continue to carry out my teaching and research commitments under these adverse conditions. Because I am unwilling to further jeopardize my health...I must advise you that if fiberglassing activities are not terminated immediately, I see no recourse but to file a legal suit against WWU for damages to my health." Lawsuit 'last resort' In an interview last Friday, however, Easterbrook, 49, stressed that legal proceedings would be a "last /resort" and would occur only after a complaint had been filed with the Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Industrial Safety and Health and if the fibergalss-ing still was continuing. Under state law employees protected by workman's compensation insurance have the' right to file a complaint with the nearest State Department of Labor Industries, Division of Industrial Safety and Health Office, to request an inspecton if they believe unsafe and unhealth-ful conditions exist in their workplace. If conditions are determined to be in violation the state can require corrective action.' in cases where conditions meet standards a recommendation usually is provided. In the memo, Easterbrook listed his medical problems as "difficulty in breathing, bad head congestions, sore throat and headaches." Those ailments twice last week forced him to leave work in mid-day Easterbrook said. Easterbrook, however, conceded that he does not have medical documentation to prove fiberglass fumes are the cause of his health problems. VRI Director Michael Seal, who returned on Sunday from two weeks in Geneva, Switzerland, where he represented the United States at a vehicle design conference, said he planned to promptly research the issue. "I do know there's been a lot of illness at Western and I don't think it's all because of fiberglass, he said. Lab technicians are required to wear respirators while fiberglassing. Two vehicles currently are being constructed in the lab. One • See FUMES, page 3 CPE accepts Western's defense By Margaret Carlson OLYMPIA—A decision by the Council for Postsecondary Education to keep Western's master's of speech communication program was triggered by the convincing defense of the communication department and graduate school. The CPE staff previously had-proposed that the council recommend to Western's Board of Trustees the program be terminated at the end of this academic year. But Larry Richardson, vice-chairman of communication, responded directly to statements in the CPE report. Western's master's of speech communication is not duplicative because Western offers concentrations in topics not offered anywhere in the state, he told the panel. The CPE also stated that certification beyond the baccalaureate is not required for most communication-related positions, but Richardson argued that for many,' the MA in speech is a job requirement, not an option. In additon, Richardson shot down the CPE staffs claim that graduate students from other departments could fill in as speech teaching assistants. He pointed out that speech teaching assistants are specifically trained for the job. Without the services of graduate students, 31 sections of speech 101 and 205 would not be taught, he said after the meeting. At Thursday's meeting, the CPE also voted to recommend the continuation of Western's master's of theater program and the termination of the master's degree in industrial arts education and the undergraduate dance degree. Western made its own decision to eliminate the latter two programs earlier this quarter. Western delegates were met with almost no opposition from the council. But councilmember Allison Cowles expressed concern over the exploitation of speech graduate students as teaching assistants. "The longer you keep a TA, the better they are," she said. Richardson pointed out an institutional policy that limits the teaching assistant time to two years. Richardson was less than halfway through his testimony when the council voted to continue the program. "I admit I was pessimistic," Richardson said after the meeting. Dan Rothwell, a Western speech professor who also attended the meeting, said he became optimistic about the chances of Western's program when the CPE accepted a recommendation from its staff to ditch Central Washington University's bachelor's of speech communication degree earlier in the meeting. Councilmember Michael Coan said he was not surprised by the decision. "They (Richardson and Kelly) • See SPEECH, page 2 Larry Richardson successfully defended Western's master's of speech communication degree in front of the CPE. President G. Robert Ross, left, is an advisor to the council. Shannon Point awaits housing / 6 Will the PIRGs come to Western? / 7 Gonzaga knocks Vikes out of playoffs / 8 §
Object Description
Rating | |
Title | Western Front - 1984 March 6 |
Volume and Number | Vol. 76, no. 16 |
Date Published (User-Friendly) | March 6, 1984 |
Date Published (machine-readable) | 1984-03-06 |
Year Published | 1984 |
Decades |
1980-1989 |
Original Publisher | Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA |
Publisher (Digital Object) | Digital resource made available by Special Collections, Western Libraries Heritage Resources, Western Washington University. |
Editor | Pat Bulmer, Editor, Jeff Kramer, Managing Editor, Margaret Carlson, News Editor, Mitch Evich, Opinion Editor, Nevonne Harris, Features Editor, Steve Rupp, Sports Editor, Shelley McKedy, Arts Editor, Jeffrey Andrews, Head Copy Editor, Laurie L. Ogle, Copy editor, Johnny Song, Copy editor, Tim Mahoney, Copy editor, Kris Franich, Photo Editor, Elisa Claassen, Assistant Photo Editor |
Staff | Angela Dean, Production Manager, Karen Jenkins, Production Assistant, John Lavin, Staff artist, Robin Henley, Staff artist, Mary Lamery, Business Manager, Stacy Schill, Advertising Manager, Reporters: Kathy Abbott, Scott Ansley, Al-Karim Alibhai, Laurie Benton, Leigh Clifton, Diane Dickey, Bob Dieckmann, Paul Engbrecht, Stephanie Freeman, Ken Gibson, Bob Green, Laura Harron, Roger Hayden, Michele Higgins, Don Huddleston, Bonnie Iversen, Don Jenkins, Ron Judd, Janice Keller, Brian Lind, Joe McAuliffe, Shaun McClurken, Dan McDonald, Lori Mayfield, Shelley Nicholl, Elizabeth Parker, Seth Preston, Maggie Pringle, John Powers, Dan Ramsay, Deanna Shaw, Tracy Sheeter, Claire Swedberg |
Photographer | Kris Franich, Elisa Claassen, Brian Lind, Angela Dean, Ron Judd |
Faculty Advisor | Stannard, Jr., R.E. "Ted" |
Article Titles | Noxious fiberglass lab fumes prompt closure, legal threat / by Shelley McKedy (p.1) -- Peter Elich calls to decentralize / by Paul Engbrecht (p.1) -- CPE accepts Western's defense / by Margaret Carlson (p.1) -- Abortion attacked by pro-life feminists / by Don Jenkins (p.2) -- AS center abandons sexist slogan protest (p.2) -- Ross takes active roll in departmental budgeting / by Don Jenkins (p.3) -- Volunteers needed (p.3) -- Opinion (p.4) -- Letters (p.5) -- Insights (p.6) -- PIRGs help fight system / by Deanna Shaw (p.6) -- Shannon Point needs dorm / by Scott Ansley (p.7) -- PIRG: will one bloom here? (p.7) -- Sports (p.8) -- Bulldogs eat Vike district title hopes / by Steve Rupp (p.8) -- Icemen lose two at UBC / by Pat Bulmer (p.8) -- Warthogs defeat Huskies / by Kris Franich (p.8) -- Women ruggers kick Kats (p.8) -- Former Western rugger dumper now head Hog / by Dan McDonald, Kris Franich (p.9) -- Pro football calls, Dupree crashes in / by Steve Rupp (p.9) -- Classifieds (p.9) -- Official announcements (p.9) -- Arts/entertainment (p.11) -- Parlor provides outlet for talent / by Deanna Shaw (p.11) -- Hedda Gabler's direction is not the easy way to go / by Michele Higgins (p.11) |
Photographs | Don Easterbrook (p.1) -- Larry Richardson (p.1) -- Debbie Ummel, Karen Crabtree, Alysa Cumming (p.2) -- [Public interest research group stand] (p.6) -- [Photos from the Leona M. Sundquist Marine Lab] / courtesy of Watershed Studies (p.7) -- [Western's lacrosse team] (p.8) -- Bob Bozeman (p.11) |
Cartoons | [Michael Jackson for president?] / John Lavin (p.4) |
Subjects - Names (LCNAF) | Western Washington University--Students--Newspapers |
Subjects - Topical (LCSH) | College newspapers--Washington (State)--Bellingham |
Related Collection | http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/261544388 |
Program | Special Collections |
Geographic Coverage | Bellingham (Wash.) |
Object Type | Text |
Original Format Size | 44 x 29 cm. |
Genre/Form | Newspapers |
Digital Reproduction Information | Bitone scan from 35 mm silver halide, 1-up negative film at 600 dpi. 2011. |
Identifier | WF_19840306.pdf |
Contributor | The digitized WWU student newspapers are made possible by the generous support of Don Hacherl and Cindy Hacherl (Class of 1984) and Bert Halprin (Class of 1971). |
Rights | This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103. USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to Western Front Historical Collection, Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University. |
Format | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Language Code | Eng |
Description
Title | Western Front - 1984 March 6 - Page 1 |
Volume and Number | Vol. 76, no. 16 |
Date Published (User-Friendly) | March 6, 1984 |
Date Published (machine-readable) | 1984-03-06 |
Year Published | 1984 |
Decades |
1980-1989 |
Original Publisher | Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA |
Publisher (Digital Object) | Digital resource made available by Special Collections, Western Libraries Heritage Resources, Western Washington University. |
Editor | Pat Bulmer, Editor, Jeff Kramer, Managing Editor, Margaret Carlson, News Editor, Mitch Evich, Opinion Editor, Nevonne Harris, Features Editor, Steve Rupp, Sports Editor, Shelley McKedy, Arts Editor, Jeffrey Andrews, Head Copy Editor, Laurie L. Ogle, Copy editor, Johnny Song, Copy editor, Tim Mahoney, Copy editor, Kris Franich, Photo Editor, Elisa Claassen, Assistant Photo Editor |
Staff | Angela Dean, Production Manager, Karen Jenkins, Production Assistant, John Lavin, Staff artist, Robin Henley, Staff artist, Mary Lamery, Business Manager, Stacy Schill, Advertising Manager, Reporters: Kathy Abbott, Scott Ansley, Al-Karim Alibhai, Laurie Benton, Leigh Clifton, Diane Dickey, Bob Dieckmann, Paul Engbrecht, Stephanie Freeman, Ken Gibson, Bob Green, Laura Harron, Roger Hayden, Michele Higgins, Don Huddleston, Bonnie Iversen, Don Jenkins, Ron Judd, Janice Keller, Brian Lind, Joe McAuliffe, Shaun McClurken, Dan McDonald, Lori Mayfield, Shelley Nicholl, Elizabeth Parker, Seth Preston, Maggie Pringle, John Powers, Dan Ramsay, Deanna Shaw, Tracy Sheeter, Claire Swedberg |
Photographer | Kris Franich, Elisa Claassen, Brian Lind, Angela Dean, Ron Judd |
Faculty Advisor | Stannard, Jr., R.E. "Ted" |
Subjects - Names (LCNAF) | Western Washington University--Students--Newspapers |
Subjects - Topical (LCSH) | College newspapers--Washington (State)--Bellingham |
Related Collection | http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/261544388 |
Program | Special Collections |
Geographic Coverage | Bellingham (Wash.) |
Object Type | Text |
Original Format Size | 44 x 29 cm. |
Genre/Form | Newspapers |
Digital Reproduction Information | Bitone scan from 35 mm silver halide, 1-up negative film at 600 dpi. 2011. |
Identifier | WF_19840306.pdf |
Contributor | The digitized WWU student newspapers are made possible by the generous support of Don Hacherl and Cindy Hacherl (Class of 1984) and Bert Halprin (Class of 1971). |
Rights | This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103. USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to Western Front Historical Collection, Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University. |
Format | application/pdf |
Full Text | WFfiTFMlV FRONT Tuesday, March 6, 1984 Western Washington University, Bellingham, Wash. Vol.76, No. 16 Noxious fiberglass lab fumes prompt closure, legal threat By Shelley McKedy Members of the Geology department, Huxley College and the Watershed Studies Institute have accused adminstrators of ignoring complaints about health-threatening fiberglass fumes in the Environmental Studies Building, and one professor has threatened to sue the university if the matter is not dealt with immediately. Complaints about the fumes prompted a temporary shutdown of the Vehicle Research Institute lab, where fiberglass is use'd in manufacturing the experimental Viking cars. Tech chairman Paul Rainey has called a meeting for 2 p.m. today in ES 240 to discuss the problem. The fiberglass fumes circulate in ducts throughout the Environmental Studies complex by means of the building's ventilation system, said Western Director of Public Safety Bob Peterson. He added that lab fumes piped directly out the roof of Environmental Studies through a backup ventilation system are thought to reenter the complex through the main system under certain wind conditions. Styrene the culprit? Fiberglass dust is treated as a "nuisance compound" in state and federal regulations said John Funderburk, an industrial hygen-ist with the State Department of Labor and Industry in Seattle. Funderburk, however, said styrene, a resin component, can act as a depressant on the central nervous system and is considered unsafe at a concentration of 100 parts per million over an Peter Elich calls to decentralize By Paul Engbrecht Peter Elich, vying for a permanent position as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, told a small group of faculty members that academic diversity has been a paramount matter during his one-year stint as acting dean, and he said they can expect "a few good years ahead." Elich's confident statements Thursday initiated a schedule of interviews and open sessions which also include out-of-state candidates, John Gamble of Pennsylvania State University and Irving Buchen of California State University. "The college of Arts and Sciences is the core and heart of the University around which all programs develop," said Elich, currently serving as the acting dean of the college. He said a number of tenured faculty in the college who are slated for early retirement will be See ELICH, page 2 eight hour period. An odor can be detected at a level as low as .1 parts per million, he said. Funderburk said studies currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show genetic damage to those exposed to 100 ppm for an extended period. The results indicate "a cause for concern of cancer" and the federal government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is trying to lower the acceptable level to 50 ppm Fund er, burk' said, Headaches, nausea Ned Brown, chairman of the Geology department and Patty Combs administrative secretary for geology, both said students, Don Easterbrook faculty and staff regularly complain of sore throats, congestion, headaches and nausea caused by the pungent fumes. Rainey chose to shut down the lab Feb. 27. Five days before that, Rainey received a memo from geology professor Don Easterbrook, outlining Easterbrook's concerns about health hazards caused by the fumes. In a Feb. 22 memo sent to University Safety Officer Walt Springer, and also released to several other administrators, Easterbrook wrote: "These toxic fiberglass operations are a clear health hazard... I have incurred a chronic health problem, such that I cannot continue to carry out my teaching and research commitments under these adverse conditions. Because I am unwilling to further jeopardize my health...I must advise you that if fiberglassing activities are not terminated immediately, I see no recourse but to file a legal suit against WWU for damages to my health." Lawsuit 'last resort' In an interview last Friday, however, Easterbrook, 49, stressed that legal proceedings would be a "last /resort" and would occur only after a complaint had been filed with the Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Industrial Safety and Health and if the fibergalss-ing still was continuing. Under state law employees protected by workman's compensation insurance have the' right to file a complaint with the nearest State Department of Labor Industries, Division of Industrial Safety and Health Office, to request an inspecton if they believe unsafe and unhealth-ful conditions exist in their workplace. If conditions are determined to be in violation the state can require corrective action.' in cases where conditions meet standards a recommendation usually is provided. In the memo, Easterbrook listed his medical problems as "difficulty in breathing, bad head congestions, sore throat and headaches." Those ailments twice last week forced him to leave work in mid-day Easterbrook said. Easterbrook, however, conceded that he does not have medical documentation to prove fiberglass fumes are the cause of his health problems. VRI Director Michael Seal, who returned on Sunday from two weeks in Geneva, Switzerland, where he represented the United States at a vehicle design conference, said he planned to promptly research the issue. "I do know there's been a lot of illness at Western and I don't think it's all because of fiberglass, he said. Lab technicians are required to wear respirators while fiberglassing. Two vehicles currently are being constructed in the lab. One • See FUMES, page 3 CPE accepts Western's defense By Margaret Carlson OLYMPIA—A decision by the Council for Postsecondary Education to keep Western's master's of speech communication program was triggered by the convincing defense of the communication department and graduate school. The CPE staff previously had-proposed that the council recommend to Western's Board of Trustees the program be terminated at the end of this academic year. But Larry Richardson, vice-chairman of communication, responded directly to statements in the CPE report. Western's master's of speech communication is not duplicative because Western offers concentrations in topics not offered anywhere in the state, he told the panel. The CPE also stated that certification beyond the baccalaureate is not required for most communication-related positions, but Richardson argued that for many,' the MA in speech is a job requirement, not an option. In additon, Richardson shot down the CPE staffs claim that graduate students from other departments could fill in as speech teaching assistants. He pointed out that speech teaching assistants are specifically trained for the job. Without the services of graduate students, 31 sections of speech 101 and 205 would not be taught, he said after the meeting. At Thursday's meeting, the CPE also voted to recommend the continuation of Western's master's of theater program and the termination of the master's degree in industrial arts education and the undergraduate dance degree. Western made its own decision to eliminate the latter two programs earlier this quarter. Western delegates were met with almost no opposition from the council. But councilmember Allison Cowles expressed concern over the exploitation of speech graduate students as teaching assistants. "The longer you keep a TA, the better they are," she said. Richardson pointed out an institutional policy that limits the teaching assistant time to two years. Richardson was less than halfway through his testimony when the council voted to continue the program. "I admit I was pessimistic," Richardson said after the meeting. Dan Rothwell, a Western speech professor who also attended the meeting, said he became optimistic about the chances of Western's program when the CPE accepted a recommendation from its staff to ditch Central Washington University's bachelor's of speech communication degree earlier in the meeting. Councilmember Michael Coan said he was not surprised by the decision. "They (Richardson and Kelly) • See SPEECH, page 2 Larry Richardson successfully defended Western's master's of speech communication degree in front of the CPE. President G. Robert Ross, left, is an advisor to the council. Shannon Point awaits housing / 6 Will the PIRGs come to Western? / 7 Gonzaga knocks Vikes out of playoffs / 8 § |
Language | English |
Language Code | Eng |
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