Sweeping Reorganization of ECC Instructional Departments Voted
Article regarding organizational changes made in 1963 to accommodate a growing student population and expansion of the curriculum.Citation for this article: Howard, Henry. "Sweeping Reorganization of ECC Instructional Departments Voted," Daily Reflector, May 4, 1963.
A sweeping reorganization of East Carolina College instructional departments was approved by trustees here Friday, President Leo W. Jenkins announced today.The realignment was dictated, Jenkins said, by increased growth in size and role of the college.
other moves by the board Jenkins said, included appointment of Dean Robert L. Holt to dean and vice president, and the naming of a new athletic director, head football coach Clarence Stasavich.
The reorganization called by Jenkins "the most drastic" in the school's history, created from a department a School of Education; split the social studies department into two, history and political science; renamed the science department the science division and established three departments; and created a new department speech and drama.
Personnel shuffling accompanied the reorganization, considered and approved by trustees in their semi-annual May meeting.
Jenkins also announced that the trustees were told of approval for ECC's Goldsboro Seymour Johnson branch by the State Board of Higher Education. The trustees also received a report that ECC's Southern Association of Colleges (SACS) and Schools accreditation was continued, based on results of a recent visit by a SACS committee.
Other board action included a resolution of appreciation for efforts to build James S. Ficklen Memorial Stadium and approval of a two-year post-graduate program at ECC for high school principals. That plan will be presented to the Board of Higher Education for consideration.
The reorganization of instructional departments and accompanying personnel rearrangement become effective with the beginning of the summer term, Jenkins said.
Dr. Douglas Jones, ECC professor since 1957 and head of the education department since 1961, was appointed dean of the new Schol of Education, which joins ECC's other "school"-rank departments in art, business, music and nursing.
The new science division remains under directorship of Dr. Charles W. Reynolds, ECC faculty member since 1938 and science department director for 18 years.
Reynolds will also continue to direct instruction in physics which remains in its former status until a broadening of the curriculum justifies a physics department, Jenkins said.
Science departments will be headed by Dr. Grover W. Everett, chemistry; Dr. Austin D. Bond, science education; and Dr. Graham J. Davis, biology.
Everett came to ECC in 1955; Bond in 1950; and Davis in 1959.
Dr. Paul Murray, at his own request, will drop the reins in the social studies department and return to full-time teaching.
Dr. Herbert Paschal, ECC history professor since 1955, will head the new history department; Mrs. John M. Howell who came to ECC in 1957, will direct the new political science department.
Edgar R. Loessin, drama professor since last September, will head the new speech and drama department which removes speech instruction from the college's English department.
The new department will offer college majors in speech and in drama.
Jenkins was asked about the reasons for the large-scale reorganization:
"East Carolina is not only a rapidly-growing institution but also is in a state of transition from a small teacher-training college to a liberal arts college which has preparation of teachers as one of its important responsibilities.
"It therefore became imperative that organizational arrangements be directed toward accomodating both a rapid increase in size and substantial change in role."
Jenkins said the college is standing ready to undertake more such reorganization when the occasion demands it.
"I have informed the trustees," he said, "that, as the college grows, additional organizational change will be necessary in order to permit this institution to discharge its assigned functions adequately."
In commenting on the reorganization given the green light by trustees Friday, Jenkins expressed confidence in the personnel chosen to direct the new instructional divisions. He also cited "the splendid contribution made to the college by the retiring head of the social studies department, Dr. Paul Murray."
Jenkins said Murray had expressed his desire and made a request to return to teaching on a full-time basis. The request could not be honored before the reorganization, Jenkins said, and added, "We appreciate the help given by Dr. Murray in reorganization of this department."
About the new department of drama and speech, Jenkins said it moves speech instruction into a department where it more properly belongs.
"Therefore," he said, "speech will be with drama while the English department will continue to be concerned with instruction in English grammar and literature."
