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Dr. Donald Belden is in his fifteenth year as a professorof physiology and cellular biology at theUniversity of Denver. In 1965 he was presented theOutstanding Faculty Award by the Arts and ScienceCommission and apparently his students think he'spretty outstanding too. " You don't need an appointmentto see Dr. Belden," one student explained. "Youjust walk right into his office and start rapping aboutanything. He has a fantastic class manner, too."Associate Professor of Biological SciencesB.A.-Middlebury CollegeM.A.-Williams CollegePh.D.-Washington State UniversityI have been a biologist on this faculty for fifteenyears. Over this period I have seen many changes inthe University, but some of the more excitingchanges, from a selfish point of view, have comefairly recently. Three years ago the administrationdecided to raise the level of support for thedepartment: the size of the faculty was doubled;the budget for supplies and expenses was increasedsignificantly; sizeable funds were committed forresearch equipment, and for the enrichment of theteaching program.The direct effect of an increased researchcommitment, at first glance, may not seem to beimportant for the undergraduate, whose mainconcern is his own education. But the effects areespecially obvious to me as one who was aroundbefore significant research was possible. Theinstructor who is talking about an area where he isactively involved is usually a more exciting individualin the classroom . The availability of numerouspieces of apparatus is another asset. But, there aremore direct benefits. At present, a number ofupper-classmen are involved in research projects withindividual faculty members. In the last year, thisresulted in the publication of three articles byundergraduates, in leading scientific journals.There are further benefits. A laboratory is a moreinformal place than a classroom; a place that seemsto inspire meaningful conversations over a rangeof topics. It has an atmosphere that promotesunderstanding between a student and a facultymember.Probably, the teaching program has benefited mostdirectly by the establishment of an audio-tutoriallearning center. This particular technique, in myopinion, is one way to answer some of theeducational problems that face us. It helps answer thedifficulties imposed by varying backgrounds; it isa technique that stimulates individual commitment;it is a process that allows the student to pace himself,and not to be paced by the rate of a lecturer.Probably its greatest asset, however, is that it is aprocess by which the instructor can use all of themultimedia techniques. At first glance, it wouldappear to some to be an impersonal technique, forit involves the use of tapedecks. Experience is provingotherwise. Through the use of audiotape a studentcan observe something while it is being described;his understanding can be further expanded with slidesand motion picture film. The process gains thepersonal touch, for the center will only hold twelvestudents, and an assistant is always present to answerquestions. The laboratory and the lecture become oneunified experience.It is our hope that as new programs are developed,we will be able to deal with each major as anindividual, regardless of his high school background,and insure a more competent biologist at the endof four years. In summary, I see the present trend inthe department as heading for more responsibilitytoward the student; a commitment to excellence.51