Word: switchboards
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...summer report submitted by the founders of People Switchboard, Daniel Gensler and John Farago, outlined the metamorphosis of the project. "Originally we planned merely to solicit and present information about faculty interests to students. To this end, we sent out a questionnaire to all Corporation appointees in Arts and Sciences. The response made it evident that our initial goals were far too modest in light of the extremely positive tone of the repliers. We found that there are needs that are shared among faculty as well as students, needs that are now in such sharp focus that they demand immediate...
...available nowhere else in the University. They established a cross-indexed file system which describes hundreds of interests of faculty members and other holders of Corporation appointments, along with the extent to which these people are willing to work with students within the innovative structures which now exist. The Switchboard is now equipped to help students find sponsors for Independent Work projects, special concentrations, tutorials and non-credit seminars. To facilitate the use of these academic structures. People Switchboard is prepared to provide information and advice regarding the relevant procedures and regulations. In the future it plans to develop files...
MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, as a result of the feedback from the questionnaire, the concept of People Switchboard changed in the eyes of its founders. Gensler and Farago felt an obligation to those who had returned the questionnaire. They began to categorize workshops and seminars which many people, especially teaching fellows, graduate students, and holders of non-teaching appointments (librarians, research fellows, honorary associates and administrators) had expressed interest in teaching. They compiled a list of about 100 courses not offered in the University...
...philosophy of People Switchboard changed. No longer was the Switchboard a mere advisory organ. It had now become an organizational proponent of experimentation as well...
Gensler and Farago set out to obtain for People Switchboard philosophic support and financial backing within the Administration. After completing the file catalogue at the end of the summer, the two founders went to Bok to discuss the success of their questionnaire, the information center they had nurtured from birth, and their idea of experimentation as an integral part of educational reform. Bok suggested that they work with Steve Farber, his right hand man in curriculum reform. With Farber's aid, People Switchboard received from Dean Whitlock access to $1500 of the $2500 Dean's Discretionary Fund which was endowed...