Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Aug. 22, 1967, edition 1 / Page 2
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The Ridgerunner, Augxist 22, 1967 page 2 Editorials Book Review The Hobbit: Tea And Toast Decision^ 'Jriteiia We’re for A-B. Ai simple statement, yes, but one which perhaps best embodies the editorial policy cf this newspaper. We feel that A-B’s furthering as a progressive, liber* al-arts institution should be the primary consideration in. all decisions, and in all areas of campus activity. TTie emphasis at A-B is on the student, and his edu cation. Institutional goals, activities, and plans all re volve aroimd the student. And to the student falls the responsibility of making the most of the opportunity, of accepting the challenge. This newspaper is of the student body. It is the voice of the students. And for that very reason, we repeat: We’re for A-B. My Answer From the Minnesota DAILY The Collegiate Press Service MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (CPS) — Evangelfet Billy Gra ham was interviewed recently in San Francisco. With in domitable courage, Graham spoke out on several con troversial issues: On capital punishment: “I take no position.” On therapeutic abortion: ‘That’s a complicated ques tion. I’m not going to get involved.” On whether he approves of a bill to restrict the teach ing of evolution in California public schools: “I’d have to see the bill.” On whether the Southern Baptist Convention should join the National Coimcil of Churches: “I’ll leave that to 'the Southern Baptists.” CM Vietnam:: “We ought to leave this to our leaders — they know the facts.” Obviously, Graham is not afraid that his public ^ate- ments might offend anyone. Nosiree, not Billy. As he said in the same interview, the real problem in America today is that the nation’s leaders are “not meeting (youth’s) moral needs . . Letters to the Editor As an individual who has attended several large institutions ot higher education and who has taught at Asheville - Biltmore College tor one year, I would like to offer what should be, hope fully, some succinct reflections on the Ridgerunner. These re flections may be construed by some to be criticisms; indeed they may be. However, if in the end, the criticisms achieve justifica tion through constructivism, the reflections will be all the more meaningful. Given the premise that Asheville - Biltmore College serves as an organ not only of education, but also of influence for the area of Western North Carolina, then it logically follows that the college newspaper should mirror this institutional image. Query: Has the publication, to this point, achieved this end? Reply: Upon Inspection of numerous previous issues of the Ridgerunner, one must remark that, fbr the most part, this goal has not been reached. Query: Elucidate upon a few of the reasons for this. Reply: Fundamentally, a lack of student support. Too frequently, the editing and publication of the newspaper has rested in the hands of only a limited number of individtials. Also, frequently, the paper has given one the impression of a policy of isolation ism. Articles and features printed in previous issues have seem ingly pointed to an institution whose field of vision is bounded by the geographical limits of the campus. The paper is Indirectly circulated to many Individuals who are only tangentlally Involved with campus affairs. Articles of somewhat more direct concern to them and their impressions also should be recorded. At tlmb^, the paper, like' many students and even townspeople, reflects an attitude of pessimism. “Ah well,” they say, “Its only Asheville or Asheville - Biltmore College” etcetra, ad nauseum. . . This attitude is hot new. To quote Thomas Wolfe, •• (Altamont) Is a ruined and defeated town, and it is full of ruined and defeated people.” But, on the contrary, Wolfe is not satisfied with this state of affairs. To continue his quote, «If you think I am han?y about this, you do me an injustice.” The time is (hlrty years hence. Asheville is no longer a ruined town, but is undergoing a slow, if painful, renaissance. AabeviUe - Biltmore Collage accentuates and encourages this new trend. The Ridgerunner must mirror and amplify this acoentuation. Donald A. McCrlmmon, Jr. instructor ot Psychology For those of you who have never met J. R. R. Tolkien’s fur- ry-tooted creations: hobbits are small, quiet, kind hearted crea tures. They do not like anything fast; this applies to mental as well as physical exertion. In short, they are the worlds ideal conservatists. Hobbits are clean shaven. The colors of their clo thes are those of rich earth, yel low and green. All any self re-, specting hobbit asks of life is buttered toast and tea, a warm hobbit hole and the peace that comes when the earth is a good cozy place. But hobbits are vulnerable, as are all the world’s good folk. The nature of this vulnerability is the subject of Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. As we enter the world of Hob- biton, Tolkien introduces us to his good and faithful friend. Bil bo Bagglns. Bilbo lives in The Shire, which is found between the River Brandywine and the Far Downs. Bilbo, the paragon of respecta ble hobbitry, has furry feet. All hobbits have furry feet, and it can hardly be denied that this is an enchanting characteristic, though slightly less than desir able in a good conservatist, since furry feet have the odor of he donism about them. At the time of our encounter Bilbo is a very respectable hob bit: he is rich, never had ad ventures, “never did anything unexpected, and you could tell what he would say on any ques tion without the bother of ask ing him.” Yet somewhere In Bilbo’s' heredity, there lurked I a dark streak of wanderlust. So, when the grey gentlemen of spells, Gandalf the Wizard, of fers Bilbo the first adventure of his life, we are not surpris ed to see that Bilbo is bedaz zled - right out of his warm cubby hole. Bilbo Baggins trades his walking stick for a sword and his palacial hobbit home for long nights of damp ground for sleeping. He even leaves his pocket handkerchief behind in his haste to catch the dwarves and bind them to their promise of riches. What does Bilbo Baggins re ceive in return for the sacrifice of home and reputation?Philoso phers, unite! What can any being gain in return? Brave Bilbo bum bles through Mirkwood, the dark forest which holds enchanted streams and dreams, little dif ferent from his own enchanting hobbit streams, and no different from the dreams Bilbo must have had in his own warm bed in Hob- biton. Tolkien, in all gentleness, pre sents Bilbo as a magical half - pint image of mankind, running the gambit from great courage and imagination to great fool hardiness and stupidity. He is at once realist and idealist, the wise man and the fool. When the grail has been found, Tolkien thrusts the knife of shattered images into this lovely work. Bilbo, in all kindness, tries to prevent a war by stealing from his dwarf friend, Thorin. Bilbo believes simultaneously in the wisdom of Thorin’s enemy, the Elvenklng, and in the goodness of Thorin. Fate is busy. Tolkien Cops Must Have Tact, Keep Cool CHICAGO, ni. (CPS) — The main task of the campus cop is to “maintain orderly conduct” without “being repressive, shocking, or causing reprecus- sions from misinformed and irate parents. ” So reports author Louis s. Gamolak in an issue of COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY BUSINESS, in an article advising adminis trators “How to Track Down Your Own Private Eye.” Comments Gomolak, “Agency ‘operatives’ have been trained to handle riots, demonstrations, football crowds, or even the couple found ^ natural, all in the strictest confidence, and in such a way as not to cause any Major Studied Drama’s future at Asheville- Biltmore will be under consider ation this year says Dr. Roy A. IJiggs, Acting Dean of Faculty. Committees will be established to determine the advisability of continuing a major in Drama in the 1968-69 fields of academic concentration. If the major is reinstated, a full time Drama faculty will be hired and Included in next year’s catalog. Decision regarding the pro gram will rest with chosen faculty Committees and student Interest In the field will play a definite role In its fate. Student theatre at Asheville* Biltmore will continue irregard less of the committees recom mendation^reports Dr. Riggs. K is dependmt only on enthuasism and initalve on the students part Drama courses will be held this year to the level of Speech and Diction classes. psychological trauma.” He suggests that “the work requires the brawn and bravery of an All-American tackle and the compassion and gentleness of a poet - in - residence. ’ ’ Ad ministrators are advised that the detective hired from a private agency can help the school’s image because, having made any necessary arrests, the detective and not the administrator must appear in court. Costs of campus security forces are estimated at $25,000 to $35,000 yearly. It is noted that a private agency can sup ply all necessary security ser vices “for the price of a single full professorship.” has never loosened his hold on the magic wand, the element of un certainty. The unexpected re mains the predominant element In this, the introduction to the fabulous “Ring” triology. And he leaves it to the reader to decide if the jewel called Fortune is truly as unpredictable and fra gile as it seems. Since this is a purely philosophical question, it is recommended that more of the Big People, as hobbits call us, seek the friendship of a hobbit, a respectable hobbit, to be sure. For if hobbits are only half our size, perhaps it is to reassure us that our good hobbit friends could not possibly harm us. Images Lets Extra issue Ken Snelling, editor of Images, A-B fine arts magazine, has an nounced that one hundred extra copies of the Summer issue of the magazine have been printed for distribution to interested freshmen. Leigh Stevens, a senior, who designed the silk screen cover, is making covers for the addi tional copies. This will be her third year to serve as art edi tor. Snelling, who served as lit erary editor last year, reports that the Summer issue was well received. The Asheville Citizen- commented on its “var iety,” “workmanship,” and ■“originality.” And the chairman of the De partment of English at South eastern Louisiana College, Ham mond, Louisiana: “We congra tulate you and your staff on your splendid publication. I am especially Impressed with the variety of the material, the ar rangement, and the format of the magazine.” Two issues of the magazine are planned for this school year, the first to a^iear in December. Contributions should be mail ed or dropped in the “Images” box in the Student Center. Snelling emphasized the need for all contributions to be sign ed. “The contributor’s name should appear on each piece of work. However, at the author’s request, we will not use his name.” The Ridgerunner Stewart Judkins Editor Thom Mount Mananaging Editor Bob Bauer Business Manager Gail Lunsford Make-up Editor Our Letter Policy Letters to the Editor and submissions fo** guest editorials should be left at; the office ot The RMgemnfier or put in the intracampus box in the Student Union BulldSng. All submds^ons must be signed. We welcome boUt letters axid longer more compr^iensive : article of opinion from students, faculty, administntion, and from any citizens of the community whose contributim is directed toward the educational interests of the college. All submissions should be typed and double^paced.
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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Aug. 22, 1967, edition 1
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