U Magazine, Winter 1986

University of San Diego Archives

Alcalai.Park Students entering USD are seriously concerned about the future

Edwin Meese The U.S. Department of

The future top student concern Students entering USD are seriously concerned about the future . Their concern is evident from the results of an annual survey administered to entering students by the Student Affairs Office. This year-for the second consecutive year-the number one concern expressed by students completing the survey was "gaining an understanding of what the future holds for me." A full 84 percent of students listed the concern as " of maximum importance" or " quite important." " I think it shows an awareness on the part of students that we are in the midst of change," says Dr. Thomas Cosgrove, associate dean of students. "We're moving from an industrial to an information age and experiencing other societal changes as suggested by John Naisbitt." Concern about nuclear weapons, Dr. Cosgrove theorizes, is another likely reason students are thinking about the future. Improving communication skills and clarifying career choices ranked second and third in the survey responses. The Student Affairs Office has administered the interest survey to entering students for 13 years. The survey includes two sections: one to determine students' hopes and expectations for college in terms of personal development; the other to determine interest in various activities. Student development concerns during the past decade have mirrored societal changes. Through the mid- to late 70s, improving writing, reading and study skills led the rankings. Career interests rose near the top of the rankings beginning in 1975. Increasing the ability to communicate with others was first in 1980. Interests in social activities have changed little in the past seven years, according to Dr. Cosgrove. Dances, movies and speakers again top the

rankings. However, in the past few years there has been significant increased interest in intramural sports and fraternities and sororities. Siegan on commission Law professor Bernard Siegan is one of 23 people appointed by President Reagan to serve on the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. U.S . Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger chairs the commission, which will develop activities to commemorate the framing of the Constitution in 1787 and its ratification in 1789. " I look forward to the commission encouraging the study of our fundamental law," Siegan says, " and in particular the intentions and objectives of those who framed its provisions and amendments." Other prominent commission members include Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, Senate President Pro-tern Strom Thurmond, Phyllis S chlafly, Republican Party leader Fred Bieb el and Ron Walker, who was chief of advance for forme r President Nixon. Siegan is distinguished professor of law and director of law and economics studies at USD. He teaches constitutional law and has written and spoken extensively on the subject . Siegan's book on the Constitution, " Economic Liberties and the Constitution," published in 1981, deals with the intentions of the Constitution's authors regarding property and economic liberties. He is critical of the contemporary courts for failing to observe the original understanding of the Constitution . The Constitution commission is scheduled to meet at USD on February 2-3.

Justice's current primary goal is to combat trafficking in illegal drugs, Meese. Meese, on leave from USD's Law School, made the remark during a short address at the university on September 28, where he also participated in a question and answer period with USD law students. says Attorney General Edwin

Bernard Siegan

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