DePaulia (DePaul University, Chicago, IL), 1978-09-29

              By Bill Bike Volume 57 Number 3 Fr. J. Patrick Murphy, treasurer of DePaul University, who is presently working on DePaul's new student accounts system, recently explained why many students received erroneous bills for tuition over the summer. Murphy said that some of the approximately 9000 bills sent out that present and former DePaul students thought were incorrect were actually correct, but he also admitted that there were statements sent out billing students for incorrect amounts. "There were a lot of bills that a student would perceive as wrong that are not (wrong)," said Murphy. "For example, if a student dropped a course late in a quarter, he'd still have to pay for it. Scholarships caused confusion too students can lose scholarships if they drop." Then, Murphy explained why students were billed for erroneous amounts. "We encountered problems in switching to new computers. We started in summer (1977), and again in fall. By spring, it was running well, but previous errors were still there." So, since in some cases, it was not know exactly how much students owed and if their records were correct or not, bills were sent out with amounts that DePaul thought individuals owed. "It was not a nice way of finding out how much was owed,' Murphy admitted, "but we couldn't figure out any other way." Problems also arose when auditors wanted to check accounts receivable. Auditors sent out about 3500 letters asking students to check their tuition records to see if they matched DePaul's. Murphy said, "the auditors sent something spying Education Dean Foresees Changes Dr. John J. Lane was named acting dean of the School of Education on September 18 following the sudden death of Dr. Austin Flynn. As he assumes the responsibility and authority of the position, Lane says he can appreciate his predecessor's expertise and experience. (Photo by John Nge) Campus Activities Calendar The DePaulia New System Results In Erroneous Billing 'this is not a bill,' but people interpreted it as such ." Murphy explained the new student accounts system, and explained the positive steps being taken to make it better than the old. "Before," said Murphy, "we had a computer that would generate name labels that our workers would put on cards that would be misfiled. Now, we look up students' social security numbers, and students records appear right there on a terminal screen (on anew computer). We brought uptown duties downtown, because it's easier to have everything in one place. We microfilm all checks, and have more people on the downtown staff." The old student finance office has been split in two offices, called the cashier's office and the accounts receivable office. Murphy said that the cashier's (Continued on page 10) Dr. Lane Anticipates Term Of Action By Mary Kllzer Dr. John J. Lane, newly appointed acting dean of the DePaul School of Education, says that he anticipates an active one year term of office. Lane was confirmed as acting dean of the school of education following the sudden death of Dr. Austin Flynn. Flynn, who served as dean of the school of education since 1969, died September 3, a victim of heart trouble. Lane's one year appointment as acting dean became effective September 18. Lane said he was contacted by Executive Vice-President Rev. John T. Richardson to confirm the appointment after President Rev. John R. Courtelyou reached his decision. A selection and search committee, organized to find a permanent dean for the school of See Page 9 September 29, 1978 Confronted with 9 faulty accounts system, Fr. J. Patrick Murphy has taken steps to correct errors made in many tuition accounts. Murphy attributes the billing confusion to the installation of anew computer system. education, should be appointed by mid-October, said Lane. The search committee, continued Lane, will be appointed by President Courtelyou and Vice-President Richardson and the acting dean will be asked to coordinate the nation-wide selection process. Lane speculated that it would probably take more than a year to find a new dean for the School of Education. In the meantime, Lane sees his job as acting dean as more than a housekeeping or maintenance position. "While its only an acting dean's position, I do intend to act," he commented. Lane, 43, has been with DePaul as professor and program director since August of '75. Until recently, he taught school law and organizational theory for potential administrators. Before arriving at DePaul, Lane served as a college consultant for administration locally at Le­ (Photo by Maria Omo) wis University and St. Francis College when the two were entertaining plans to merge. He also was an college administrator at Gallaudet College in Washington D.C. The new acting dean has also served with the federal office of education where he coordinated Title 5 programs. Lane received his bachelors and masters degrees in education from St. Mary's college in Winona, Minnesota. He also received his master of arts at Loyola University. Lane recceived his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he did post doctoral work at Harvard University. "I've been teaching in the Midwest and on the East coast on and off for 20 years. I've been an elementary and secondary school principal. I worked in both public and private schools." he continued. (Continued on page 11)