LehighWeek Volume 01, Issue 26

              INSIDE
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FZGER
L-IN-LIFE AWARD
Alumnus Eugene Mercy was
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honored last week with this
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prestigious award for his long
standing service to Lehigh. See
Story Page 4.
VIEW OF CONFLICT
An exiled Panamanian Journalist gave a Lehigh
audience his view of the current unrest in his
native land. The average citizen, he said, suffers
from the tension between the U.S. and Panama.
See Story Page 4.
REQUIEM PERFORMANCE
Mezzo-soprano Meredith Parsons
and three soloists join the Lehigh
University Choir in a performance of
Verdi's Requiem on Sunday. See
Story Page 6.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
FIRST CLASS MAIL
U.S. Postage PaM
Parmit No. 230
Bathkham, Pa. 18015
Engineering Dean Bolle Resigns;
Accepts Vice Presidency In N.Y.
Donald M. Bolle
Dr. Donald M. Bolle, dean of
Lehigh University's College of Engineering and Applied Science, has
accepted a position as senior vice
president for academic affairs at
Polytechnic University of New York,
effective in August (1988).
In making the announcement Dr.
Peter Likins, president of Lehigh,
said, "I have known for some time
that Dean Bolle's talents and energies
would someday propel him on his way toward a university
presidency, and he knows that I am pleased that he will now
have this opportunity. He also knows that we appreciate
deeply his contribution to Lehigh, and will miss his presence
on the Lehigh leadership team.
"The reputation of Lehigh has been built upon the
foundations of its engineering programs, and those foundations grew stronger under Don," Dr. Likins continued. "His
outstanding leadership has helped attract an excellent faculty
to continue the Lehigh tradition of national distinction in en
gineering.
Dr. Bolle came to Lehigh in 1980 as the Chandler
Weaver Professor and chairman of the electrical engineering
department. He was appointed dean of the College in 1981.
As dean he supported and effectively implemented the
Hittinger Committee recommendations transferring the
departments of physics and chemistry from the College of
Engineering and Applied Science to the College of Arts and
Science. He also directed the expansion of the College in
Packard Laboratory and into the newly renovated Mohler
Laboratory, and guided the movement of units up to the new
Mountaintop Campus. In addition to strongly supporting the
activities of his College, he has also been an advocate of the
arts and humanities at Lehigh.
Dr. Bolle also oversaw the establishment of the computer science and electrical engineering department, uniting
in his College the computing science faculty from several
departments of the University as well as the movement of
faculty from the Center for the Application of Mathematics
to the mechanical engineering and mechanics department.
Continued On Page 3>
Health Cost Sharing
Called Interim Step
By ROBERT FISHER
Increased employee contributions toward health
insurance premiums are a temporary measure designed to
offset increased costs until a more flexible health benefit
program can be implemented next year, according to
human resources officials.
"We're looking at four months of increased premium
sharing to tide us over until December 31," Deborah B.
Atherholt, benefits administrator, told faculty and staff
members who attended informational sessions Monday.
For 1989, human resources is studying a flexible, or
cafeteria-style plan that will allow employees to select
varying levels of benefits according to their needs.
Even with the "cafeteria" plan, the days of employees
making only token contributions toward health premium
costs may soon be just a fond memory, Atherholt said.
An increased level of premium sharing for employees
participating in the John Hancock insurance plan was
announced last week in an open letter to Lehigh employees from Edward Maclosky, director of human resources.
Currently, employees contribute $1 monthly for individual coverage and $5 for family coverage. Effective
September 1, employee contributions will be $20 monthly
for individual coverage; $30 for a single parent and
children; and $35 for couple and family coverage.
The effect on employees who efect HMO-PA
coverage is uncertain, Atherholt said. Employees currently pay the difference between cost of HMO and
Hancock coverage, which ranges from $1 to $47.11 per
month. Premium sharing for HMO will depend upon how
the change in HMO costs, due to be announced shortly,
compares to the increase in Hancock premiums, she said.
Rising health care costs, advances in medical
technology, and increased levels of mandated coverages
have conspired to increase Lehigh's coast for health benefits administered by Hancock by a projected 45 percent in
just one year, Atherholt said. Increasing medical costs are
a national trend, jumping from 8.5 percent of GNP in
1975 to a projected 12 percent in 1988, causing many
employers to adjust health plans or increase employee
contributions, she said.
"Health care is already starting to erode some of the
salary dollars that could be available," Atherholt said,
explaining that total employee compensation includes
health, retirement, and other benefits in addition to salary.
Continued On Page 3>
Rising quickly in the Saucon Valley, the university's new Murray H. Goodman Athletic Stadium is right on schedule.
Construction should be completed in time for the fall football season. See story, more photos on Page 4.
LehighWeek SUMMER SCHEDULE
Next week's issue of LehighWeek will be the last
regular issue of the semester. Summer issues will
be published on June 8, July 13, and August 10.
Fall semester publication will begin August 31.