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March 28, 1985.

X By Jonathan Orlowski

- A Netted Gem interview with University of Prince Edward Island President Peter Meincke reviews the seven years he has spent in office. Gem: How has the em- ‘ phasis of UPEI, particularly in regard to education, .shifted since you arrived? Meincke: 'Not very much. _ Even with the major addi- tion of the Vet College, it will be a while before the direction of e education shifts.Ther,e is, of "course,

the addition of an honors program and Computer Sciences courses to the calendar.

There’s been no revolu- tionary change, except in the budget. Spending must be kept to a minimum these days.

Gem: Are you satisfied with the Classic joint majors proposal, with the retention of two effective full-time teaching equiva- lents? I

Meincke: That was, a

Profs getting older

MONTREAL (CUP) —— By the year 2005, the average university professor will be well into his or her sixties and rounding out a 30 or 40 year teaching career.

I There is no .compulsory retirement age for 'uniVersity teachers in Quebec or Mani- ~toba, and on April 17, when Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms comes into force, professors in all pro- vinces might not be obliged to retire.

“It’s a law that’s pertinent to universities because uni- versity professors tend to want to go on whereas others leap at the opportunity of going on retirement,” said John Hill, president of Con— "cordia University’s faculty association;

In New Brunswick, a case involving a University of New ' Brunswick professor over whether the provincial hu— man rights code prohibits mandatory retirement is now before the courts. The pro— fessor is arguing that a clause. in' the code forbidding age discrimination outlaws the practice of removing elderly professors. ‘

‘ The Charter-’5 effect on- compulsory retirement will also be decided by court cases launched after April 17. But according to the Cana- dian Association of Univer- sity Teachers, the results may not be known for up'to a year.

In the late 605 and early 70$, nearly every university and college in North America hired a huge glut of‘profe's- sors. To meet the educational ' demands of the baby boomers, a whole generation of post- graduate students were lifted from the library or lab and installed in the ivory towers. Here they stay, happily ensconsed and easily tenured fer the remainder of the

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ried that hiring freezes caused by the declining popu- lation and funding cutbacks will keep new talent out of universities and cause intel- lectual stagnation. _

“You are effectively throw- ing but huge piles of talent,” said McGill sociology pro- fessor Richard Hamilton. “It either goes to the private sector or it’s just wasted.”

Hamilton said students will inevitably begin to steer away from . graduate and post- graduate work unless it is directly job-related.

“All universities are wor— ried about the stagnation that might set in as professors grow older,” said Sheila

Sheldon—Collyer, McGill Uni-7

versity secretary of senate.

McGill recently allotted money to the physics de- partment to hire two addi- tional professors, to add some fresh blood to a depart- ment which had not hired a professor in 15 years.

Hamilton said the best

policy would be “continous small quantity of hiring every single year.” But there is little new hiring, insignificant turn- over and no money to en- courage either of these. As it stands, come the early let century, the professors will retire en masse and the whole cycle will begin once again. A massive wave of hiring will be followed by a hiring freeze, and eventually mass retirement again.

f‘I don’t see there’s any way to avoid i ,” said Sheldon- Collyer. “It’s a difficult situation, especially when you’re broke.” ‘

At McGill, some attractive early retirment packages have been worked out to cut down on elderly scholars, but their effect has been minimal. Fel- lowship programs have also been established to lure new professors into the fold now, but again} with limited success.

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serious mistake. We should first make sure there are enough professors in areas where students show the greatest interest. I think the two positions will prove to be a waste.

Gem: How do you feel about your contributing role in the construction of the Atlantic Veterinary College?

Meincke: I’ve put a lot of time and effort into that project. I feel if I hadn’t kept up the pressure, we

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wouldn’t see that College being built here now. Gem: Do you regret not having your term of office extended?

Meincke: It’s naturally very disappointing. I would have liked to be here for the opening of the Vet College (in the fall of 1986), but the Board of Governors didn’t see it as possible.

Gem: You were a Physics professor at the University of Toronto before coming

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Me'iane reviews te

here. Will you return to that position?

Meincke: Not Toronto in particular, but possibly physics or another field of science. I may even stay on the Island.

Gem: Was they anything you wished to do that you didn’t have time for? Meincke: Yes. I wanted to see the university beginning a Master’s degree in Island or Integrated Studies. As you know, this is a parti- cular area of study where funding is difficult to it has

find. But I feel enormous potential.

Site of the Vet College construction. Inset, President Peter Meincke, who was in

power during Critical negotiations for the facility. (Photos: MacLeod)

MacDonald wins major prize

Bill MacDonald, an Eco- nomics major at the Univer- sity of Prince Edward Island, has been notified that he is the recipient of a prestigious Association of Common- wealth Universities monwealth Scholarship” .

MacDonald is a mature student who will receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Island university at Con- vocation this spring. ‘

The scholarship, estimated to be worth $20,000 in Cana- dian funds, will enable Mac- Donald to continue his studies toward a Master of Philo- sophy degreefrom the Uni- versity of Suxxes over the next two years. The pro- gram he will be following

involves a multi-disciplinary ' study of , economies}; polities . .

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and sociology of developing countries. The scholarship covers his tuition, travel, research and living expenses. Although MacDonald had accumulated a number of university credits from uni- versities in the Halifax area, it wasn’t until he moved to Charlottetown that he began working toward his degree on a full-time basis. He enrolled at UPEI in the fall semester of 1982 and has been a Deans’ List student (averaging 80, or higher on a full course load). He is the son of George and Hazel MacDonald, form- erly of Halifax, and now residing in Charlottetown. He is married to the former Cecilia MacDonald. MacDonald will begin his

studies in Sussex in October.

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Gem: Any future plans? Meincke: I’m preparing to leave office at the moment. Beyond that, I would like to work on a research proposal in the area of rural technology. That will hopefully take my studies to New Zealand, Kenya, India, and one or two South American countries.

Gem: Will you keep the farm in Victoria? Meincke: Yes, if we stay on the Island. Even if we leave, we will more than ‘ILc‘y keep it.

M NH”

The Netted Gem wishes to apologize to Presi- dential candidate Robert Hanf. A typo was made

in the reporting of the

Student Union election

results in last week’s paper. Hanf received 298 of the 836 votes cast for 35.6% of the vote, not 208 as

reported.

The amended totals are: Gordon Cobb 366 votes, or 43.8% Robert Hanf 298 votes, or 35.6% Steve Zakem 172 votes, or 20.6% Other results stand unchanged.

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