10
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, February 9, 1968
Best of both worlds sought for spacemen
SPACE CENTER, Houston — (UPI)—The Space Agency, faced with the prospect of astronauts unhappy because their flight training leaves too littl time for scientific research, is looking for a way to give its 16 scientist-spacemen the best of both worlds.
The search is pressing forward on two fronts, public information chief Paul Haney said Thursday.
One centers around Dr. Curtis Michel, a physicist and a member of the first scientist-astronaut group chosen in 1965.
The other involves the second group of 11 scientists, named to the astronaut corps last August, who must complete a year of jet pilot training before they do anything else.
Last month it was learned Michel had asked astronaut chief Donald K. (Deke) Slayton for a one-year leave of absence to catch up on his research about solar winds and to teach a special course at Rice University, where he taught before he joined the space program.
Originally, sources said, Shaylon turned down Michel's request. Sources said he offered Michel the alternatives of leaving the space program completely or of accepting it as it is, and that Michel decided to stay in.
Later, however, Michel went back to Slayton and submitted his request in writing. Haney said as a result of this second approach, "It is not a closed issue."
"A sober reassessment is being made, although they have reached no decision," he said. "I think they're going to come out with some meeting ground that will include both sides of the question."
Michel said, "Slayton and I are just exploring this, trying to see what I can get."
A chief cause of Michel's discontent and that of other scientist astronauts, some of whom it was learned last month are considering quitting the space program, is the spaceflight schedule slow-down.
Congressional cuts have eliminated or postponed the science-oriented spaceflights, which attracted the scientist-astronauts in the first place. The earliest scientific flight now planned is an embryonic space station in 1970-71 with a sun-watching telescope.
"There's a certain amount of disappointment among us about the deep cuts Congress has made in the space program," Michel said.
He said he and Slayton are discussing how much time he could spend away from the astronaut program without leaving it completely. He said because of the space slowdown he feels he could spend more time in scientific study than the 25 per cent of his time presently allowed.
For Complete Automobile Insurance Gene Doane Agency 824 Mass. St.
"We are still considering it," Slayton said. "We haven't told him yes or no yet."
Stayton said one proposal Michel has made was spending 75 per cent of his time in research and teaching, and 25 per cent of his time studying the arts of spaceflight, reversing the present situation.
The other prong of the search, Haney said, is farther in the future because it will not take place likely until the 11 newest scientist astronauts complete their pilot training 13 months from now.
He said Dr. Wilmot Hess, head of the science directorate at the Manned Spacecraft Center, has been delegated to find a way to keep these scientists happy and up to date in their fields.
In a closed meeting Jan. 9, the Council on Student Affairs (COSA) made a recommendation to the Chancellor asking clarification of the question of who does have the authority to grant the open houses in the residence halls, and asking that the authority definitely be given to the ASC social committee.
Dean Taylor explained the process of getting permission for open houses, one of the questions in this issue. She said any living group can ask for permission to have an open house if they have the consent of everyone in the residence hall, which includes the residence director or housemother, the officers and the residents.
All that is required of the applicant is that he specifically describe the non-public areas of the facilities, the nature of the activities, what hosts or hostesses will be present and who the guests will be.
This has been the second complaint of the scientist—that they were falling behind their colleagues outside the space program because astronaut training has taken so much of their time.
The All Student Council (ASC) social committee has all the authority it needs or wants to grant permission for open houses, whether they know it or not.
ASC has authority to grant open houses
Actually, no one seems to know why the problem went to COSA. Apparently, the ASC social committee was not sure about the extent of its authority in granting open houses. So they submitted the question to COSA for clarification.
If you see news happening— call UN 4-3646
POPULAR FILM SERIES
Dyche Auditorium Friday, Saturday, Sunday 7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S
Torn Curtain
starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews
ONE OF THE MOST SUSPENSEFUL MOTION PICTURES EVER PRODUCED
PLUS
HILARIOUS COMEDY SHORT
Admission 40c
Dean Taylor said she could not see where the problem existed, because things have remained at what she called a "status quo." However, as a member of COSA, she said she was not in a position to say anything about the recommendation.
William Balfour, dean of students and chairman of COSA, has said that he sent the recommendation to the office of Francis Heller, acting provost and dean of faculty, who will then give it to the Chancellor.
Dean Heller said he has not sent the recommendation to the Chancellor yet, and he does not know when he will do so. He said he could not disclose the contents of the recommendation until the Chancellor had seen it and acted on it.
So You're Not 6'8"
You Don't Weigh 245
You Can't Dunk a Basketball You Don't Run a 9.6 Hundred
So What!
There's still a sport for you; one you can participate in, not just an outside observer. And it's right under your nose. It's bowling at the Jay Bowl.
The action's about to start on the lanes, and you don't want to miss out. For $1.25 and 2 hours a week, join a league and be bowling 'em over.
Spring leagues are now forming, so sign up. The competition begins Sunday, Feb. 11.
Coeds Too!
Leagues are open for the fair sex too. And the action's great for the form and a lot of fun and relaxation.
Come in today, we're just waiting to sign you up. The Jay Bowl for excitement right up your alley.