Having no power to affect significant change within NIU prompted the chairman of the Admissions Policy Academic Standards Committee to resign his position at Thursday’s Undergraduate Coordinating Council meeting.

APASC Chairman Herbert Rubin said in regards to his resignation, “I am doing so to protest the governance which provides an overburdened faculty with responsibility for minutiae (minor detail) without the power to affect significant change.”

Bringing about change would require a constant battle with the administration, Rubin said. “A battle that would totally distract from my primary obligations as teacher and scholar,” he said.

Rubin said he has experienced an “emotional burnout” and is at NIU to write and teach as a sociology instructor.

Associate Provost Lou Jean Moyer said the APASC looks at the university and its academic department’s admission requirements, which include setting a grade point average that students need before entering a particular department.

Rubin said a lack of support and active participation from members existed in his committee. He said there is no movement in the administration toward change.

NIU has ideas that deal with change, but projects are postponed because the university seems to have a need to talk about a proposed change for an extended period of time, he said.

Three choices exist that people can take, Rubin said. People can either “exit,” or leave their position; “voice,” or tell the administration their views; or “loyalty,” which is quietly stand by the university, he said.

After Rubin made his statement he exited from the UCC meeting.

Council member Cecil Brown said Rubin should not leave his position because a good man would be lost. “People go through their ups and downs,” he said. “(Rubin has) had so much committee work to do he could be at his breaking point.”

He suggested that council members reconsider accepting Rubin’s resignation until a later time when members can talk to Rubin about his resignation.

Honors Committee Chairman Joan Fox said pressure should not be put on a person who does not want to sit on a committee. Council member Dan Wunsch agreed, saying, “We can’t refuse his resignation.”

Moyer said, “We are not in the position to not accept his resignation.” She said she will talk to Rubin to see if he will reconsider his resignation. If Rubin does not wish to resume his position, Moyer said she will appoint a temporary chairman.