Dr. Donald Groff (interview); Creator: Groff, Dr. Donald ; Interviewer(s): David Fish and Ken Hamm; Interview location: Groff's home; Running time: 60 min., May 3, 1996
Dates
- Creation: May 3, 1996
Creator
- From the Collection: Janick, Herbert F. (Person)
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Extent
From the Collection: 16 Linear Feet (, 14 boxes, and 1 OS Folder)
Language of Materials
From the Sub-Series: English
General Physical Description note
Number of tapes:1 [tape stock length: 60 minute]
General note
Coverage: 1960s-1996
Topics discussed : (side A): WestConn vs. the other state colleges; departments could grow w/ each other at WestConn; couldn't do this at other schools; Geology department; they were able to work w/ other science departments; Dr. Bersi; The financial problems of the 1970s and 1980s; the economic crunch lead to departments battling each other; Dr. Steinkrauss and his problems w/ him; Management at WestConn; the union at WestConn; head of foreign language told him they don't know how to be a university because people didn't know how to support each other; Dr. Haas; looked at people for human qualities and capabilities; very supportive of faculty; allowed field trips during the summer and use of college vehicles; when business school came in, money started to become tight and budgets were being cut, people were leaving; Dr. Steinkrauss; Jim Pagoloti; in the library; Dean of Arts and Sciences when he came; was vice President of St. Peter's in New Jersey; WestConn and its failures; will continue to fail as long as there are 30 separate "empires" (depts.); as long as each look out for itself and not each other, things will remain; there are a few individuals who care about the whole (like Dr. Janick); Dr. Janick; he is helping making WestConn a true university; Course taking; need to take more than just one kind; need variety; Advent of the union; was needed in order to protect the faculty; union doesn't bring unity to the departments though; Importance of history of WestConn; names don't matter, attitudes do; when Pagoloti raised concern, he was fired (later given "leave"); they hired Dr. Hawkes to replace him (side B): Dr. Hawkes; she didn't fight for the rights of faculty like Pagoloti did; she is a "yes" person; not a "team player"; "she took orders" from Steinkrauss; Faculty senate; 1986; 87 began to hold meetings to complain about president Feldman; most faculty didn't care for Feldman; Dr. Roach; he is very knowledgeable; knows geology; started environmental program w/ "monkey lady"; Dr. Haas; was very receptive, but also in charge; Dr. Bersi; was just trying to bring money to WestConn and get Westside; Dr. Feldman; was a "mistake"; Not sure where he stands on Dr. Roach yet; believes the college, in terms of leadership, gone down since Dr. Haas; Money; WestConn is playing "power and money games"; Dr. Rasor; "Good Old Days"; the days where you could think for yourself and express yourself; the days when Dr. Haas was president; Dean Burton Cook; Higgins Annex; Kent Smith; biology professor; Memories of a student; took physical geology w/ him 3 times; took him awhile, but eventually caught on; Do; Day; preceded him; Chairmen of the Geology department
Repository Details
Part of the Western Connecticut State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Haas Library
181 White St
Danbury 06810 USA US
203.837.8992
203.837.8322 (Fax)
stevensb@wcsu.edu