Cougar Cry
Page 13
(Continued from page 12)
havior. It might work in Wilkes County but, extortion does
n’t get you into heaven.
Bums thinks that Staten and Richey “aren’t living in
the real world” but, I believe that the world is what we make
it. If we make it a place where it is okay to walk all over the
Bill of Rights, then that’s what kind of world we’ll have to
live with. If, however, we make the world (including
Wilkesboro) a place where students are free to think for
themselves and experience both sides of an issue, then we’ll
have a world of intelligent, competent, decision-makers.
Bums worries about “how we represent ourselves to the com
munity.” Well, how does representing ourselves as oppres
sors of Freedom of Speech enhance the image of a commu
nity college? How does disregarding the Speaker Ban law
reflect the values of the community? I don’t appreciate being
represented by people who are breaking the law and I know
that many of the students here are embarrassed by the actions
of the president and dean. Phi Theta Kappa students decided
not to invite either Bums or Plexico to their Spring Induction
as a result. I’ve also spoken with many students who wanted
the chance to hear both sides of the Ten Commandments ar
gument and come to their own decisions about it. How does
it benefit the students to take away that opportunity? I
thought there was supposed to be some independent thinking
going on around here. If not. I’d really like a refund.
Bums and Plexico have recently insinuated that Dr.
Staten and Mr. Richey are only hurting their students by
abandoning the Honors Program. I say, at least they haven’t
abandoned their principles. They are doing what their
“superiors” have failed to do...they are showing us that they
still have backbones and that you have to stand for what you
believe in, even at the risk of hurting your career. Last year.
Dr. Bums spoke to a class about demonstrating
“spizzerinctum”: ambition, energy, that will to succeed in the
face of adversity. What he’s done with his, 1 don’t know.
Luckily, we have Alan and Karen to show us what the heck
he was talking about. Spizzerinctum to them both! The fu
ture of your education depends on it.
•Editors Note: The county commissioners have not shown
the proof of any funding for WCC faculty.
WCC Students Disappointed
Over Lacl Of Debate
By: Dr. Gordon Burns
Wilkes Community College President Gordon Burns issued a
statement this week concerning a proposed debate between
representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
and the Wilkes County Commissioners that did not material
ize.
Two of our college faculty invited
representatives of the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and
the Wilkes county comnnissioners
to a forum at Wilkes Community
College to present their points of
view on the posting of Ten Com
mandments plaques in county fa
cilities and the whole issue of the relationship of church
and state. When I first learned of the invitation, the rep
resentatives of the county had already declined to par
ticipate on the advice of their attorney. The attorney was
concerned that the ACLU was contemplating litigation
related to the issue, and in his legal judgment the pros
pect of litigation made it unwise for county representa
tives to take part.
“As president of the college, I am committed to open in
quiry and free discussion of matters of public concern.
For that reason, I never denied permission for the forum
to go forward,” Burns said.
“I did have two distinct concerns, however. First, I was
concerned that if the ACLU point of view was the only
one represented, the forum might not result in open in
quiry and free discussion. To encourage such a result,
the administration sought to find ways to conduct the ac
tivity, addressing the same issues, using different play
ers, perhaps students, faculty, and/or experts from out
side the community who would equally represent both
sides. We continue to discuss such alternatives. Sec
ond, I recognize that Wilkes Community College reflects
the values of the communities it serves. I was con
cerned that a forum be structured in a way not resulting
in open inquiry and free discussion might jeopardize the
esteem the college enjoys in those communities, be
cause of the appearance of unfairness and non-
neutrality,” according to Burns.
Burns stated, “I wish to reiterate that the college remains
open to ideas for structuring this forum in a fair, open
and neutral way. I will remain dedicated to open inquiry
and free discussion as long as I am the president of this
fine college. I will also remain dedicated to the college’s
historic and respected position of neutrality and nonparti
sanship.”
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