ET TU, UNIVERSITY?

Latin lecturer turned criminology instructor enjoying transition

by Doug Harrison

Even though the Latin program has been eliminated, the University's sole Latin lecturer, Margaret Phillips, still has a job -- in the criminal justice department.

Phillips credits her interdisciplinary interests as part of the reason why she wasn't eliminated along with the Latin courses she taught.

"I saw the handwriting on the wall, so I began pursuing other directions in which I had a long-standing interest," she said.

One of those interests is activism in criminal justice issues. Phillips chairs the local coalition that opposes the death penalty.

In recent semesters, she has taught criminal justice courses in basic writing and restorative justice, as well as a graduate course in human rights.

Phillips, who has been with the University for five years, says she's sad to see the Latin program cut but happy teaching in criminal justice.

Former dean of the college of Arts & Sciences, E. Terrence Jones, helped Phillips retain her position and make the transition to another academic area.

"We looked at what would give students more bang for their buck," Jones said. "Based on enrollment, we decided students would get more from criminal justice."

Jones and Phillips both hope that student interest in Latin will be sufficient enough to revive the program possibly "in the fall of 1998."

Until then, Phillips says she'll enjoy her new work in the criminal justice department.