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* Doomed’ stadium Bids postponed Students criticize as too rigid structure of EPIS program Lease negotiations between representatives of Erie County and Domed Stadium Inc. came to a halt last week with both sides accusing each other of stalling the talks. for $63.75 million in basic rents, the minimum required under an agreement between the county and Domed Stadium last Aug. 8 which requires the county to build the stadium and the corporation to either lease it or manage it under a pre-negotiated 20-year management contract. This pre-negotiated settlement was to have gone into effect if during a 90-day period the county and Domed Stadium failed to reach an agreement and has been the crux of a bitter argument between the negotiators. Even before the newly reorganized EPIS program began its summer operation, dissension and controversy arose. The problem centers on plans initiated by Harry Faggett, newly appointed coordinator of EPIS’ reading program and Learning Center. they aren’t watched.” In addition, he plans to be present at the mid-term to “personally monitor” the exam. He proposes not only a “block review of grammar and mechanics,” but also sections on “use of the dictionary” and “use of the library” and ‘letter writing.” It “is not closed to white students with similar kinds of problems. In fact some seven or eight have been brought in and seem to be getting along fine,” he indicated. The discontinuation of negotiations has indefinitely postponed the awarding of first -phase bids for ■ the construction of the Lancaster Dome project and cast a dark shroud over the possibility of an agreement in the near future. Mr. Peasant said that EP1S should help minority students “to fit in to American society and at the same time acknowledge that which is legitimate about minorities and self-pride and dignity.” He expressed hope that the University’s new president would “consult with those of us in the business of helping minority students instead of those who have only limited knowledge of our endeavors.” Terming Dr. Faggett’s plans “mad,” a graduate student and former teacher in the program called it a “Kafkaesque machine.” Dr. Faggett met with English graduate students involved in EP1S to explain the new program. A number of them felt “straitjacketed by his structure,” claiming One graduate student found the EPIS students were “extremely enthusiastic and highly motivated.” Critizing Dr. Faggett’s program for having “no autonomy, no flexibility,” he termed it “totally reactionary.” The hiatus came after a meeting between the two groups last Tuesday only three days after Domed Stadium Inc. submitted a new lease package aimed at getting the talks moving again. However, the three-day deadline for acceptance of the bid didn’t appear to be exactly what the county was looking for. The new lease agreement would have called for $73.75 million in basic rents over a 45-year period. This would be an increase of $10 million over their previous bid but would extend the lease five years more than the county originally wanted. In effect, this would only come out to a modest annual increase of $45,138. Domed Stadium has taken the position that negotiations began Feb. 27 the period ended May 18. The county, however, contends that the 90-day period has never started. *$16016’ teaching The graduate students objected to Dr. Faggett’s “almost day-to-day schedule,” characterizing it as a “sterile way of teaching.” Another student said he didn’t “think that the program would mean anything finally as far as education is concerned.” Student needs If he received “adequate financial support and adequate academic support from Hayes Hall,” Mr. Peasant thought that this year “for the first time we will he able to completely meet the academic needs of minority students.” “Closed its doors” Victor Fuzak, attorney for Domed Stadius, said that as far as the firm is concerned, the management contract is in effect. ‘The county has not completely closed its doors.” He said he felt that “the ballgame is over unless we accept the June 3 proposal.” When questioned about the possible rigidity of his program, Dr. Faggett said that his “requirements are high but I don’t intend to teach down to the students. They have to meet certain standards.” He stressed that the Learning Center would be open to the students after class hours. This will allow them to complete assignments - under the supervision of a graduate student. The graduate students also complained that “Faggett just ignored our ideas.” In reaction to the new program, another graduate student said: “Most of us felt that there was no way to reform it.” One of the former EPIS teachers indicated that last year’s course had sincerely helped his students: “One of my st'idents has even made the dean’s list. He might not know all the fine points of grammar but he can express himself very well.” He also expressed concern about the type of students the new program would turn out. EPIS “is supposed to be an independent study program and the way it is set up now is a total violation of that idea,” he maintained. As a result of the status of the negotiations and the subsequent postponement of first-phase bids, the taxpayer may be in for more than he bargained for. As the deadline on bids passed last week, the cost of stadium construction has escalated to $51,747,000, well over the $50 million bond limit set by the Erie County Legislature last year. In effect, this means that unless the county increases the bond limit, first-phase bids cannot be awarded. However, a majority in the County Legislature agree that under no circumstances will the bond limit be increased until an acceptable lease agreement is forthcoming. New offers Dr. Faggett The county, led by Executive B. John Tutuska, has publicly stated that the door is not closed to future negotiations and that the county will accept new offers. However, Tutuska has persisted in his insistence that the county’s June 3 demands be met. In fact, Tutuska said last Monday: “Our offer of June 3 represents the last concessions the county is prepared to make.” Before submitting their new lease proposal, Domed Stadium Inc, submitted a pro;'' 1 '! calling If the students are unable to complete 20 “satisfactory” papers, they will receive an incomplete and be able to finish the work next semester. The newly appointed coordinator of the EPIS reeding program and Learning Canter is Dr. Harry Faggett. course provided “no room for free interplay between teachers and students.” “How can a program be completely rigid if it does not allow them to fail?” he asked. ‘Fit in’ Program structure Julian Peasant, director of EHS, expressed concern about the “misconceptions” on campus about the program. EPlS, he said, offers “a second chance” to people “outside the mainstream of campus life.” Stressing that EPIS students “receive no more financial aid than white students with similar problems,” he said that more than one third were married with dependents. The average age of the 625 students in the program is 23. One student said that Dr. Faggett’s program was “very, very rigid and very, very formal.” Outlining his tri-semester course in freshman English for EPIS students. Dr. Faggett said 20 “satisfactory” papers will be required. He will personally review them. These papers must be written entirely in class or in the supervised Writing Laboratory, he explained. Dr. Faggett observed that the students “will cheat and have someone else do them for them if When asked about this change in the purpose of EP!S, Mr. Peasant said that the eatiier program failed to meet “the depth of the problem.” Baumer takes office William Baumer, Department of Philosophy, yesterday assumed the vice-chairmanship of the Faculty Senate and the chairmanship of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. This ends the term of Thomas Connelly, Department of English, as Vice Chairman. Dr. Connelly had held office for the past two years. i Bible Truth HELL ISN'T FOR HEROES The Bible says, \In Hell he lift, up his eyes, being in torments,... and he cried and said Father.. . .have mercy on me. .. .for I am tormented in this iflame.\ Luke 16:23.24 WK*W ana BUFFALO FCSTIVAL amant POETS WANTED f TROPHIES in Mrtni ,r fkttk • CAVILS • PEWTERWARI • PLAQUES •SILVERWARE to read at Both Ends Gallery Poetry series. Call Jane at 835-2892 (evenings). Horseback riding by the hour 100 acres wooded country trail 50 WASHINGTON ST. £-ii oci cggn BUEEALO. N. V 14301 *** BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR by appointment Tack shop with everything for Fringe jackets and vests FIRST TO SAVE MONEY WE HAVE A LARGE SUPPLY OF COLONIAL USED TEXTS RIDOE STABLES •065 Chestnut Ridoe Rd. > ALL STAR SHOW with i NEIL BIAMOND la Persia FRI* JULY II at • P.M. KLEINHANS MUSIC HALL MAIN FLOOR SS.50-S4.S0 BALCONY S4.50-S3.50 Tkkm on tala at Buffal# Faa- H*al Offtca, Hotal StaHar NIL Ne tabby (malt arbart accapt- a4); U.B. Nartaa Ha*; Bn«4a'a. Niagara Mb. Wa also hava naw taxts for all UB coorsas—paparbaeks, suppliaa — sweatshirts — postart A prints — gifts ; Buffalo Textbook T Route No. 77, Middleport, N. V 10 miles east of Lock port Phone: 735-7117 3610 MAIN STREET (across from (Clamant Hall) PHONE: 833-7131 July 2, 1970 . The Spectrum . Page nine