Summit Conference, 1967 [reel 1]

Audio recording and printed agenda of California State Polytechnic College's 1967 Summit Conference, held at Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria, CA. Reel 1 audio index: [00:00:02] Dr. Andrews talks about manners in which faculty can motivate students and individuals [00:01:32] Dr. Andrews offers a story regarding about his neighbor and a pet turtle which emphasizes the importance and limitations of individual motivation [00:05:40] Dr. Andrews talks about watching the ROTC students going through an obstacle course receiving a different form of motivation [00:06:40] Dr. Clyde Fisher is introduced to speak [00:07:30] Fisher talks about how difficult it was to prepare for his presentation on academic survival [00:08:10] Fisher addresses the unenviable position of Deans when students are not qualified to be admitted or when students must be dismissed for academic deficiencies [00:11:20] Fisher states the standards for being successful in college according to the catalog [00:13:05] Fisher says that not everyone can be an exception to the rules [00:14:02] Fisher says that the grades are the professional judgement of the instructors and not the judgement of the Dean [00:15:47] Fisher addresses the rule about office hours that some professors do not fully agree with [00:16:33] Fisher encourages faculty to help students before they are in academic trouble [00:17:41] Fisher says that he tells students and parents that getting a degree is not the end of education [00:18:40] Fisher says the Deans primarily want the students to become alive intellectually as a result of their education [00:19:44] Fisher says that the average grade given at the university has remained the same even though the academic aptitude of incoming students has increased [00:21:20] Fisher says that it is much more work to get an "A" in college compared to high school [00:22:32] Fisher thanks the audience and finishes his speech [00:22:43] Dr. Joics Stone says he is going to tell the audience how to get an "A" [00:23:30] Stone says that asking question is just as important to intelligence as giving answers [00:25:36] Stone asks the audience if the students who attended the session last year were helped by the speakers' suggestions [00:27:15] Stone states the fact that 1/3 of student may drop out after one year [00:27:40] Fisher says that students should take a positive approach to reverse the pattern of high student drop out rates [00:28:30] Female student asks a question about maintaining balance during the school year [00:29:05] Dr. Andrews gives the impression that a little fear will not cause harm and that taking the initiative in life is the best one can do [00:31:05] Student asks how instructors can de-emphasize the thought of grades in class and emphasize the gaining knowledge [00:32:58] Student goes on stage and presents the difficult situation of deciding between taking and easy class and taking a class that will give you more lifelong knowledge [00:34:20] Speaker discusses the difference between goals in college and standards in college [00:36:15] Speaker says that most alumni have the highest acclaim for the instructors that have intellectually stimulated them [00:38:20] Speaker talks about his philosophical discussions about what grades actually mean [00:39:09] Speaker says that a pattern of grades over a period of time indicative [00:40:20] Speaker says they want to de-emphasize the quantitative answer giving and that students should not settle for the minimum requirement [00:42:10] Speaker talks about his limited experience with the Pass-Fail system regarding transfer students and how it can be disadvantageous [00:43:21] Speaker says that if all courses were Pass-Fail then the standards for graduation would have to change [00:44:56] [Student in audience ask inaudible question] [00:46:10] Dr. Fisher comments on the letter-grade system versus the percentage-grade system and the move away from sophisticated quantitative grading measures [00:47:57] Speaker hopes that the suggestions from the presentation will help the audience in counseling the incoming students [00:48:40] Student Body President Rush Hill closes the presentation for a refreshment break [00:48:37] [Cut in between two sections of the recording - Second portion of recording is of different event regarding Department Chairman] [00:49:49] President Kennedy explains how annual evaluations can result in less department stability [00:51:27] Speaker tells Kennedy that this would cause a huge maximum and minimum tenure [00:51:50] Al emphasizes that the department head should reflect the involvement of their peers and colleagues [00:52:52] Kennedy discusses the disadvantages of different methods for appointing department heads [00:54:45] Kennedy talks about the idea of "infusing new life" into a department in order to solve obsolescence [00:57:44] Larry relates the issue of obsolesces to the feeling of disenfranchisement among new faculty and suggests to find new ways to involve new faculty [00:59:00] Kennedy says the assumption that a dynamic department and rotational chairmanship is not supported in any of his studies [01:00:18] Man and Kennedy debate the issue of department chairmen having tenure [01:03:19] Man warns of the danger of putting self in position in which there is not method for remedying errors [01:05:45] Man asks a question about altering the procedure of appointing Deans with the faculty approval [01:06:55] Kennedy says that the responsibilities of Deans would keep them from being able to teach effectively and it would be a disservice to the students [01:07:40] Kennedy talks about one of the current situations in which a Dean wanted to instruct and they were able to come to an agreement [01:09:27] Kennedy responds to a question about the situation at San Francisco State and the Black Power group [01:12:05] Kennedy says he does not know what the trustees will do about the situation and whether they will support the majority of the faculty or the majority of the students