Western Front - 1975 February 11

              Higher AS salaries pass
fin concept' vote of director
CAROLYN CRAIG
Following a lengthy, unemotional discussion
Thursday, the AS Board of Directors passed in
concept a retroactive salary increase for all AS
positions.
In a vote of six for, one opposed, and one
abstention, the board adopted a motion which
would provide for salary increases ranging from
25 per cent to 150 per cent, depending upon
position involved.
It was passed pending a report from AS
Business Manager Leslie Nix on whether the
extra funds, which amount to over $7000, are
available, and if so, when.
There is still dissention among members of the
board as to whether the salary increases will be
retroactive. Because of a motion passed in
October, the increase, as it stands now, is
retroactive to fall quarter.
"But this is still subject to action," Student
Caucus Chairman Steve Barrett said. "It will be
brought up at the next board meeting."
The present salary schedule shows salaries
ranging from $50 for some level five positions
(Hand in Hand Coordinators) up to $300 for
level-one positions, which include the AS
president and the program commissioner.
The schedule adopted Thursday lessens the
disparity between the upper and lower levels,
with the largest percentage increases going to the
lower level positions. Level one positions will
increase from $300 to $400, while some level
five positions can anticipate a pay hike of 150
per cent, from $50 to $125.
"The AS hasn't had a salary increase in several
years," Barrett said. "So in effect, with inflation,
they were getting paid less and less. Working for
the AS is not an activity, it's a job."
Some board members expressed dissatisfaction
with the narrowing of the gap between the upper
(level one) and lower level positions.
AS Vice President Hugh Larkin said, "That
would be fine if this was a socialistic society."
Jack Fulk, speaking from the floor, said
"Level one is still getting the biggest chunk of
the salary increase."
The board action follows a similar one made
on Nov. 21, when it passed-a controversial 50
per cent across-the-board increase.
It later rescinded its decision following heavy
criticism from some students who felt the board
acted without sufficiently analyzing the current
AS pay scale and with intentions of personal
gain.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1975 Vol. 67 No. 26 Ten Cents
Olscamp looks the campus over
DENNIS RITCHIE
Paul Olscamp is taking a crash course in how
to be Western's president. He made a field trip
last week to visit the campus for the first time
after being chosen in November to succeed
College President Charles J. Flora July 15.
The 37-year-old vice chancellor for student
affairs at Syracuse University spent a hurried
three days hunting for a house and getting
acquainted with the people and campus of
Western.
PAUL OLSCAMP
In an interview Friday, the very relaxed
Olscamp named Western's budget and academic
planning as his main sources of homework. He
estimated he spends 30 per cent of his time
learning about Western and planning his
administration, in addition to fulfilling his
present obligations at Syracuse.
Olscamp plans to be deeply involved in
choosing a permanent academic vice president.
An interim vice president is currently being
chosen. Within a month after his arrival, Olscamp
expects to appoint a committee to find a
permanent office holder.
Outside of finding a new academic vice
president and dean for Fairhaven, Olscamp said
he doesn't anticipate any changes in the
administration. He is, however, closely studying
faculty structure.
Asked for his opinion of the proposed
doctorate program in educational psychology,
Olscamp demurred, saying, "I won't comment on
anything that concerns the present running of
the college without first checking to see if I
could do harm. I am not yet president of
Western."
He has committed himself in writing to be
president for six years and mentioned 10 years as
being "long enough." Olscamp revealed a
four-year private contract for evaluation by the
Boad of Trustees. He explained, "This was a
mutual request by me and the trustees. Every
four years, we will decide if we're happy with
each other."
After three days on campus, Olscamp appears
to be happy with the people on it.
"The feeling of friendliness and welcome I
have received is great. I can't wait to get here,"
he said.
During his visit, Olscamp got a brief glimpse
of the Fairhaven Bridge Project and came away
very impressed. "I'm wholly in favor of things
like the Bridge Project. I really want to explore
^ increasing outside involvement with education.
§. "We should involve ourselves in the
? educational process, wherever it occurs: in
§ downtown Bellingham or on top of Mt. Baker, if
°' it falls within monetary and service to campus
obligations."
DOWNHILL SLIDE - After midterms, it's all downhill for
many students. To some, the work load drifts down; for others,
it's their GPA. Even though the economy seems headed in the
same direction, a seven-dollar lift ticket doesn't stop many
skiers at Mt. Baker.
Possibility of strike
discussed by AFT
If Western's classified staff
strikes the campus later this
•month the American Federation
of Teachers (AFT), Local 2084,
will honor the union's picket
lines.
The AFT voted unanimously
Wednesday to support the
Washington Federation of State
Employes (WFSE) in their
demands for a higher salary. At
the same time the union voted
not to get involved in a
picket-line stand but only to
honor those of the WFSE.
Although . no timetable has
been drawn up, a date in late
February is likely for any
strike.
The WFSE, a state-wide
union of some 14,000 is
seeking a salary increase of 31
per cent over a two-and-a-half
year period.
Gov. Dan Evans has
proposed an increase of 12 per
cent effective March 1 and an
additional six per cent next
September. Any further
increase would have to be
worked out by the legislature.
Meanwhile a six-member
committee composed of faculty
and students has been formed
to come up with a working
plan in the event Western is hit
by the strike.
"Right now the situation is
so indefinite that we don't even
know if Western will be
involved," Don Cole, college
business manager and head of
the committee, said. ,,It's not a
Western strike per se."
Resolution opposes tuition increases
Western's Board of Trustees voted to support a statement
concerning the opposition of tuition increases. The
statement claims any increase in tuition would create more
hardships for students. See page 2.
Frontscopet Handicapped
An overview of the situation for handicapped people in
society is presented in today's Frontscope. See page 5.
J