Acting University President James Talbot agreed with Quinlan that students have been shying away from less practical academic programs, but he stressed that Western's future will remain tied to the liberal arts. "I've seen students become more focused on careers and on their education as ameans to a career, sometimes more than they should," Quinlan. "These kind of budget cuts curtail our availabiity tooffer a liberal arts education." Hard economic times also have been reflected in the way studentschoose their classes. "My biggest fear is that the university system could bemodified in such a way that the regional schools (such as Western) could all become technical schools," said Tom Quinlan, vice president for student affairs. If the era of growth has ended, thenwhat era lies ahead? One thing top administrators stress is that any move that would weaken Western'semphasis on the liberal arts must be avoided. Planned and approved several years ago, it could signify the last remnant of Western's era of expansion. Construction of the South Academic Building, to be used primarily*for business-related courses, has been completed. Although Western is shrinkingfinancially, physically it still has been allowed to grow. While this campus once was a hotbed for political radicalism, a very mainstream student-funded interest group, the Washington Student Lobby, debuts this fall. Economic realities have forced a major shift in the way students use theirpolitical power. University President Paul Olscamp announced his resignation last March,setting the stage for an intensive search for a successor, due to be named some time in December. Meanwhile, the school awaits thearrival of a new leader. The drop will endangermany programs dependent upon student-paid fees for their existence. In addition to massivereductions in funding, enrollment is expected to decline by as much as 9 percent. Forecasts of what that future may be, vary, but topadministrators agree that the changes Western now is experiencing are immense. During the next nine months, and inthe years that follow, that future will be determined. With further cuts still a distinctpossibility, the future of entire academic programs now are in doubt. In thepast year alone, shocked administrators and students watched helplessly as lawmakers in Olympiasliced almost 20 percent from the budget of higher education. 43 SPECIAL REPORTWestern in transition Following 12 months of turmoil, further uncertainty looms ahead For relatedstories, see pages 16,17 and 21 By MITCH EVICH and LQRI McGRIFF Western is at its crossroads.As a progressive liberal arts college, Western blossomed during the 1960s and 70s, a time when theLegislature tended to be more generous with the public's money. Show more 1982_0921 - Western Front - 1982 September 21 - Western Washington University Tuesday, SeptemVol. 43 SPECIAL REPORTWestern in transition Following 12 mo Transcript text preview (might not show all results) 1982_0921 - Western Front - 1982 September 21 - Western Washington University Tuesday, SeptemVol. 43 SPECIAL REPORTWestern in transition Following 12 months of turmoil, further uncertainty looms ahead For relatedstories, see pages 16,17 and 21 By MITCH Text preview (might not show all results)ġ982_0921 - Western Front - 1982 September 21 - Western Washington University Tuesday, SeptemVol.