the contraction of that name,
Clarkson College of Technology
has caused confusion between it
and the official full name, leading some people to assume that there were two institutions with
similar names. Further, many felt that the word
college
no longer sufficiently represented
Clarkson's various undergraduate, graduate, research, and service programs.
In September, the Board established an
ad hoc
committee of Trustees to consider
possible alternatives to the present name.
Clarkson Technological University
was rejected
because the committee felt that serious questions existed whether Clarkson's professional and
restricted focus would ever make it a true
university
, and the State Education Department
affirmed that Clarkson did not fit its definition of a
university
.
In proposing the name
Clarkson Institute of Technology
, the committee called attention
to several advantages. First, it would recognize the professional "league" of institutions within
which Clarkson operates and competes,
i.e.
California Institute of Technology, Illinois Institute
of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and so on. Second, it would eliminate
the awkwardness and confusion found in the full current title. Third, it would retain the
Clarkson name. Fourth, it would recognize that the institution is more than an undergraduate
school - a truly professional one. Fifth and finally, it would permit the present Schools of
Management, Engineering, and Arts and Science to be reorganized as
Colleges
within the
Institute
. Chairman Peale called for responses to this proposal from the full Clarkson
constituency. His proposed name was rejected overwhelmingly.
It took 15 years before the name finally was changed - to Clarkson University in 1984
by a president who did not consult the faculty, students, or alumni, but who requested and
obtained Trustee and State Education Department permission to make the change, and then
announced as a
fait accompli
that the school now was a University. Some seniors were so upset
with their Clarkson rings engraved "Clarkson University" that they returned them, and
demanded that they be sent rings engraved "Clarkson College of Technology" - the name of the
school from which they felt they had graduated.
Hockey
. Losing to Cornell on a last minute goal in the ECAC finals, Clarkson settled for
second place in the East with a 23-7 record. That put the team into the NCAA final competition
in Lake Placid against Michigan Tech, Wisconsin, and Cornell. Clarkson defeated Michigan
Tech 4-3 in the semifinals, but lost to Cornell in the final 6-4.
Clarkson's All-American goalie, Bruce Bullock, made 40 saves in the Cornell game;
Cornell's goalie made 15. Even though Clarkson lost, they still were ranked second in the
nation.
Sigma Pi Sigma
. On April 16, Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society, was
established on the Clarkson campus as a chapter to honor physics majors at both Clarkson and
St. Lawrence.
Dean of Students' Notes
. At the end of the fall term, 544 students had borrowed $11,456 from
the Student Quick Loan Fund in the dean of students' office. Loans averaged $20 for a two-
week period without charge to the borrowers. During fall 1968, 626 students borrowed
$12,693; the fund had a working capital of about $5,000.
During the fall term, 820 students registered motor vehicles with the dean's office.
After final examinations, 193 students were subject to separation; 64 finally were
separated for academic reasons.
