Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / April 30, 1986, edition 1 / Page 3
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The Clarion Page Three Letters Cont. Since May 11th is only around the cor ner, and our two years here at BC are fast coming to a end, we feel that we have been around enough and observed enough to make responsible observations about the Brevard College community. We wish to state our opinions maturely and in hopes that the people whom this letter is directed to will really read it, think about it, and maybe try to produce a favorable change. First of all, in comparing our two years at Brevard, we have observed several changes—changes in about every aspect of BC life. Some of these changes we feel, have been detrimental and could have been avoided. BC has definitely proven not to be consistent in its punishments. The college was strict in the beginning of the year, slack during the middle, and then all of a sudden strict at the end of the year. These are only observations. We don’t know how to change this, but we do strong ly believe that changes need to be made in our administration as a whole, in order to avoid more inconsistent decision making and attitudes. Inconsistency, as proven this year, has only produced violent at titudes which have mostly resulted in van dalism and bitter attitudes between students and administration. The majori ty of us are responsible enough to take the responsibility for the consequences of our wrong doings, but to have more freedom in our homes than at college is a sad conclu sion. This only brings us to another observa tion made by many. How can a person en force rules that they themselves cannot abide by? Whether it be members of the J-Board or members of our administra tion? Sure, no one is perfect, but no one wants to be at a school run by hypocrites. A hypocrite is defined in the Webster s Dictionary as; “one who affects virtues or qualities he does not have.” We, the students as BC, are human beings too, and we deserve to be treated with respect just like our administration and faculty. We should be given every constitutional right given outside the gates of Brevard. Maybe if we were given some responsibility we d be responsible. We only want a chance. Room searches are unnecessary and im personal. We don’t come knocking on your doors in search of anything. Anyway, how can we be expected to abide by rules that some of our judicial system and ad ministration don’t believe in? We believe our faculty wants to be our friend, our teacher—not a babysitter. Maybe our ad missions staff need to be more selective m order to avoid those students who need a babysitter or the extra supervision that most of us despise. The student body as a whole should not be punished as a result of a few. Our security system here at BC has constantly been ridiculed, yet nothing has been done about it. Is it going to take something really serious to happen in order for them to realize that Brevard is not a perfect community ? There is violence and destruction here, just like there is everywhere in the world. Security should be just what its name states—a means of securing our community not some men who walk around on Friday and Saturday nights looking to break up a par ty and give points. One incident in par ticular occured in our room—an irate guy walked in after hours raising cain and in a violent mood for some unknown reason. Security should have been there to escort him outside. What if we had been harmed? Too many of us, the student body, have very valid opinions. We just wish we weren’t the only ones brave enough to state our opinions. Maybe that would help change some things around here. We do not wish to discredit BC as a whole. These issues are only ones that we feel affect every aspect of our life here at BC and they deserve re-evaluation. We feel that the biggest asset to the BC com munity is the faculty here. We have been really lucky to have teachers that have gone out of their ways for us. Whether it was a misunderstood assignment or just a friendly chat, we always felt comfortable about our instructors. We feel much wiser as a result and our grades and attitudes reflect this. They have been excellent teachers as well as true friends. We wouldn’t trade our two years here for anything. The friends we’ve made here have made it all worth the while. It hasn’t been easy—of course, no one told us it would be. But, WE‘VE MADE IT, and we wouldn’t trade the road we.traveled to get here for anything. The hard, frustrating times only helped us grow a little bit stronger. But, that’s not all there is to col lege. We only want and wish for an im provement: a hope for consistency and valid leaders in which to base the beginn ing of our college years on. Sincerely, Ashlyn Lassiter and Page Clark To the Editor: One of the main problems I see surroun ding Brevard College is student apathy. Students are bored because “there is nothing to do here.” It’s my personal belief that something can always be found to do if people are creative. In a small town such as Brevard, people have to make their own fun. You can’t just sit back and expect to be entertained. As the Reebock advertisements say, “Life is not a spectator sport.” There are numerous ways to find things to do and be involved. There is at least one club on cam pus that each person can find an interest in. The next step is to attend the meetings and make things happen. If each in dividual doesn’t take responsibility, then who will? If you are in a club and don’t like what is going on, then change it. If there is an activity you really enjoy, but no club on campus caters to it—start one of your own. It’s not always easy, but with a little work and dedication you can make it happen. So the next time you are bored, please don’t blame the school—it is your own fault. Sincerely, Linda Davis Dear Editor: I would first like to thank you for giving me such an honor. My two years at BC have been the best possible. I am original ly from Florida and I had never seen the mountains. When I saw Brevard and its beauty, I knew this was the place for me. Since then I have fallen in love with this place and I know that I will continue to finish my education in North Carolina. There are many people who have left such an influence on me that I will always remember. As far a I am concerned, Brevard is the best two-year college around. It has a great academic program and a fine administration. I will always remember Brevard because I’ve met many people and many friends that have left an impression on me. Thank you for a great two years! Sincerely, Silvia M. Alvarez Dear Editor: On your request and as president of the student body, I would be delighted to com ment on our accomplishments or lack thereof during the past two semesters. There is little doubt that we haven’t done much this year as far as SGA is concerned. SGA has mostly functioned as Social Board’s extended arm in terms of getting social events arranged. It is definitely in this area that SGA has done a presentable job. We have had some good dances, an ex cellent film repertoire, and oustanding coffee-house performers. The only pro blem with all of thest events is that the students as a whole, do not show any in terest, whatsoever, for the cultural events on campus. Instead, the students carefully plan forest parties every time a major event takes place on campus with the claim that the campus is boring. As a result, SGA is to a great extent, wasting $27,000 annually—money which could be used for more relevant purposes. Despite the fact that Social Board has had some success in its operations, it is safe to say that the rest of the student government has had little success. First of all, the Judicial Board was bound hand and foot by the college handbook, thus it does not have any real influence on the deci sions made. Secondly, the SGA as a whole, had not shown any interest in political ac tion until it accidentally heard that the ad ministration was planning to change the guidelines. The failure to initiate any political action can not be blamed just on the students. Brevard College has well elaborated bureaucracy, which inten tionally or unintentionally gives the dif ferent authorities a chance to give a troublesome student/citizen the “run around.” In order to improve the input and responsibility of SGA, I find it essential for Brevard College to make a committee con sisting of the Dean of Student Affairs, a couple of representatives from the faculty, RT’s, and SGA. This will help reduce the commVinication breakdown that I find to be so prominent. In addition, it is crucial to have a J-Board in which the students have some actual say-so in disciplinary cases. These are my main points on SGA 1985-86. I would like to wish SGA 1986-87 good luck in their work next year. Love, Henning Brandt Dear Editor: I was asked to write my feelings about Brevard. Prepare yourself—here they are. I suppose my thesis statement would read: a college is not a collection of buildings, faculty, and policies-a college is a group of students gathered together to learn. I am tired of my peers referring to this institution as “kindercollege” ^ and speaking of transferring to a “real” col lege. I tell you this has become a true “kindercollege” because of the people that comprise Brevard College: the students. I -have never seen a more childish display of immature attitudes since gram mar school. Believe it or not, most sophomores will agree that last year Brevard was a peaceful, enjoyable place to interact with friends and professors. Learning was encouraged—the math lab was always busy, and McClarty-Goodson was filled nightly with students earnestly studying. This year our campus has been ridden with vandalism, organized ac tivities have been ignored, and studies abandoned. I am not saying that the freshmen are the sole cause of this chaos- the sophomore class wholeheartedly par ticipates in every destructive and negative Wednesday, April 30, 1986 activity. One major thing that particulary upsetf me is the fact that students would rathei drink in the woods than support theii friends and peers in campus plays recitals, concerts, intramural sports anc coffee houses. These people have practic ed, studied, and sacrificed in order to pre sent a brilliant performance, only to be ig nored by the student body. I see no respect for people’s feelings, hard work, or their property. Many claim that if they were treated like adults, then they would act like adults. This is crap. If you are truly an adult, you should act and react accordingly. Everyone knew the rules before they got here. They are spelled out in black and white in a catalogue which is available, free, to anyone. If you don’t like the rules, constructively work to change them—don’t blatantly disregard them and then complain about the punishment. Even if a punishment is inconsistent, it should be expected. I realize and admit there is a grave problem concerning the matter of inconsistency in the enforcement of the rules—but this is no excuse for the infan tile behavior displayed this year. Per sonally, there is NO excuse for purposeful ly destroying anything. It is beyond me why someone would want to trash the place they live in. I know I am coming down pretty hard, but this is my chance to honestly convey my thoughts, in hopes that they will be taken seriously and possibly strike a note with someone. Generally, I have loved my two years at Brevard, in spite of this year’s frustra tions. The professors are competent and inspiring, and my friends supportive. I see some great positive changes, headed by a dynamically resourceful president, Dr. Billy Greer. If this year’s freshmen join President Greer and shed their garbs of apathy and indifference, perhaps the visions of a bet ter Brevard will become a reality. Dean Paul said that they are being more selec tive for the next year’s fresman class—hoorah!! As for this year’s trouble causing, juvenile, destructive lot, my ad vice is: make a major attitude adjustment or go somewhere else. Brevard College might just stand a chance. Sincerely, Donna Howard Dear Editor, It’s very difficult for me to just sum up briefly what Brevard has meant to mfe in a letter. Therefore, I will explain to you the main thought I have about Brevard as I reflect back on my two years here. Brevard College has definitely been a growing place for me. Brevard was a new challenge, as it is to everybody else, but it was a little bit different of a challenge for me. My experience at Brevard was going to determine whether I succeeded or failed in life. I am an alcoholic and a druggie. When I came to Brevard, I had been straight for about three years and I was scared to death of having to conquer peer pressure without having the safety of my parents’ shelter over me. That is the one thing I had not really had to face since I had graduated from the drug rehab I was in. However, the people at Brevard took me into their arms and accepted me for who I was. I was thrilled that I could go to parties and people did not think I was a nerd because I did not drink or do drugs. I am proud to say that I am still straight and now I know I can stand on my own. Letters Cont. On Page 5
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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April 30, 1986, edition 1
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