The Red and Black

Editor's note: Red & Black Editor in Chief Chandler Brown and Staff Writer Louis Rolfes sat down with University President Michael Adams to talk about his first year in office this week.

R&B: Overall, how do you feel about your first year at the University?

Adams: I feel extremely good. The institution has never been stronger. Not necessarily because of me, but the entire team this year. The Alumni Association activity is growing. On paper and in reality I think we have the strongest student body and the strongest faculty in the institution's history. You put all of that together and I would say it was a pretty good year.

R&B: One of the biggest complaints students have is that there isn't ample parking. What can students expect in the near future?

Adams: Hopefully over a two to three year period we are going to add well over 2,000 spaces to campus. We have not decided on a location for a (second) parking deck set for the next fiscal year (2000) budget. The great likelihood is that it will be on the existing Hull Street lot, because when we build the learning center the need for parking within a block or two of that facility will be great. I have to make a decision probably by the end of this calendar year on where the next one will go. I am leaning right now toward the Hull Street location.

R&B: What is the long-term goal of restructuring the administration, and will you be pursuing more of the fund-raising efforts now?

Adams: I would certainly get increasingly involved in fund raising as I go down the road. I mentioned that I wanted the provost to manage the central core activities of the University - instruction, research and public service.

We were fortunate to find someone of Karen Holbrook's ability to do that, but I think you would make a mistake if you assumed that was a signal I was bowing out of those areas.

I always try and stay around campus in September, October and May. I've learned through the years that the beginning and ending of school are times that present operational problems, so to speak.

R&B: Will the Lumpkin Street fraternity houses be relocated in the next five to 10 years?

Adams: I don't know the answer to that yet. We agreed on a number of things at that summit, and I might say that the cooperation and participation that was evident at that summit was exemplary and gives us something to build on.

One of the things we were talking about was a fraternity organization that would allow tax-deductible gifts to the University that might be used either to improve houses on University land or eventually providing some vehicle that would assist those (Greek organizations) that are independent of University ownership. However, no firm decisions have been made on the future of the houses on Lumpkin.

R&B: Many students are complaining that campus is becoming overcrowded. Construction barricades, crowded sidewalks and bus stops are forcing students into the roads. Is this being addressed and how will the University make the campus safer for pedestrians?

Adams: This is one where the students are right. There's too much activity right now, especially along Jackson Street, we are doing everything we can to mitigate it. I am told that the worst will soon be over.

The restructuring of Jackson Street (behind the old Georgia Museum of Art) should be over within the next month and we are of course eagerly anticipating the opening of the parking deck. We do expect some considerable relief with the parking deck on North Campus.

R&B: In your opinion have University police been overzealous?

Adams: I think there have been some instances in which better judgement could have been used. The campus police are often in difficult situations and generally do a good job. I went down and addressed the campus police so they could hear from the horse's mouth what I am talking about.

I want the students to treat the police officers with respect, and I want the police officers to treat the students with respect. But every time a student commits a minor wrongdoing I don't think they need to be arrested, handcuffed and taken downtown.

R&B: The new sexual harassment policy - will it be put to a vote by University or Staff Council, and will SGA have input?

Adams: If student government wishes to comment, they certainly can direct their comments to Mr. Morehead (executive director of legal affairs).

What we are currently doing is soliciting comment. There are appropriate faculty and council and student committees that ought to have their say, and then we will go through the normal approval process.

We will be more aggressive in pursuing complaints of this type. My best advice is to avoid dating relationships when there is a power position in play.

R&B: What would you say to a student living in Reed Hall?

Adams: I would say thank you for your patience. I think there has been a real world experience here, which I regret. (The residents) have been generally patient, and I think the best thing now is to get it finished as soon as possible.

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