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Quakerism on
Campus
Jim Shields
I am not a Quaker, which puts me in the majority of students at Guilford. And
as a non-Quaker, I have been very interested in the effect that Quakerism has
had on the policies of the school as well as on the student body.
First, I should like to describe an outsiders view of the Society of Friends.
Beyond knowledge of gentle looking men on oatmeal boxes, most of us are
aware of the pacifistic aspect of the belief. I further understand Quakerism to
be a basic appeal to the conscience, an attempt to stir the conscience, and an
attempt to expand the sensitivity of people through examples of controlled
behavior. Thus, the essence of the teachings of this religion rely on the openness
and willingness of others to learn. Attitudes are available, but not forced.
I think it is fair to say this attitude is relected in the policies of the school. Very
few of the rules are outrageously restrictive. Further, the enforcement of the
rules has been described as lax or even non-existant. The students are allowed a
great deal of freedom.
Students of Guilford are used to a lot of freedom. Some students enjoy the
freedom to attach themselves to the Quaker principles. But a great many of the
people here find it easy to overlook these principles. The general attitude is
"Have a good time," and often times "having a good time" is just too noisy a
process to be able to hear the subtle calls to conscience.
The only thing that the administration can do to alter the patterns of behavior
in the school is to initiate a series of highly restrictive policies. In my mind, this
would alienate the spirit of Quakerism. I do not feel that this option is worth
what would be lost. To rely on someone else to learn, as the Society of
Friends does, is to take a chance that someone may not want to learn. Often
times that risk may turn out to be a disappointment, but to attempt to force
"morality" or "principles" would be highly unsuccessful as well as an alienation
from the essence of personal principles. Quakerism asserts itself patiently, and
I suppose we have to be patient to see it's results.
Mark D. Sieber
Guilford College is rooted in Quakerism. Since its founding in 1837,
Guilford has drawn its support for the Society of Friends. Nonetheless, it is,
above all, an educational institution with top priorities, consequently, bound to
academics. True, Guilford is a Quaker school. But it is not a religious institution.
I am not suggesting that Quaker ideals be ignored, by-passed, or "lost in the
shuffle" of a liberal arts education; nor should the "friendly" cards be stacked.
I draw heavily from the Quaker atmosphere at Guilford the serenity,
strong emphasis on "learning," individuality, and order.
Though I benefit personally from various Quaker tenets, I do not feel
Quakerism should be drastically incorporated into the curriculum and extra
curriculum. (That is, more so than is already the case here at Guilford.) In
addition, the way in which a student conducts himself/herself when out of class
is an entirely personal matter. Statistically, less than half of the students at
Guilford are Quakers. Whether or not these Quakers, or even non-Quakers,
relate themselves to Quaker principles and practices is strictly up to them.
Rather than saying that students should abide by Quakerism "around the clock,"
it seems more appropriate and reasonable to say that students should act with
maturity, responsibility, and a common decency towards themselves and others.
Personals
The first excursion of the magic
bus was a success, may we
ride again.
the Driver
Who said "Don't give it to
Reggie!"
Deadbeat teachers aren't
dead beat they're just worn
out from teaching.
TRIVIA . . . Get closer to the
seller of perfumes if you want
to be fragrant.
We work as much from
antagonism as from inspiration.
The British Officers, while
imperialistically controlling
India, requested steamer
passage to their posts in this
manner: "Port Out Starboard
Home" (because of the heat
of the sun I) The initials equal
POSH which is the derivation
of this elegant word.
This is enough for the pre
sent ... Oh yesl
SHAKESPEARE INJESTS
BACON
The Guilf ordian
The Emergence of
Walter Mondale
BY 808 WELLS
It was not long ago that
many asked, "Who is Walter
Mondale?" Now the question
is, "What will be his role as
Carter's vice-president?"
Attempting to answer the
initial question is good for our
own welfare. Knowing about
one's leaders is not often
exciting but nonetheless
necessary if participatory
democracy is to function well.
In the case of Walter Mondale,
a quiet, reflective and capable
personality emerges. He was
born, raised and educated
(both politically and scholast
ically) in Minnesota. Mondale
worked in several Hubert
Humphrey senatorial cam
paigns and was awarded the
post of Attorney-General in
Minnesota in 1960.
When Lyndon Johnson
picked Humphrey as his run
ning mate in 1964, Mondale
took over his Senate seat. It
was in this forum that Mondale
worked in a non-flashy manner
for: housing programs; Indian
education; improved conditions
for migrant workers and
aging programs. As these
legislative priorities indicate,
Mondale's compassion is one
of his best assets and should
reflect his input into Carter's
suggestion box.
Mondale himself ran for
president starting in early 1973
and dropped out in November
Good Woman of Setzuan
BY PAMELA THOMPSON
The Revelers, Guilford's
dramatic organization, long
known for their exciting pro
ductions, announces their
Fall production. The Gooa
Woman of Setzuan, by Bertoll
Brecht, will be presented at
Sternberger Auditorium at
8:15 p.m. on November 18,
19,20, and 21.
Tickets for the play may be
reserved in the Drama Depart
ment. Admission is free for
Guilford students and faculty,
SI.OO for non-Guilford students,
and $1.50 for others.
The Good Woman of
Setzuan is directed by Dr.
Donald Deagon, chairman of
the Drama Department. Main
characters in the play include
Lisa Baker, Mark McDonald,
Pam Henry, Andy Milliken,
Roseanne Pipkin, Steve
Batten, and many others.
The Good Woman oi
Setzuan, which combines
tragedy, music, and comedy,
November 16,1976
of 1974. This experience
prompted him to write The
Accountability of Power, in
which he argues for an over
haul of the presidential
selection process. This argu
ment has yet to be acted upon
but will be heard from again
in the wake of extensive post
campaign analyses.
The question of Mondales'
role in the Carter Administration
is important considering that
Presidents Johnson, Truman,
Coolidge and Theodore
Roosevelt were are one time
vice-presidents and assumed
the duties of President upon
the death of the Chief Execu
tive. During the Eisenhower
years then Vice-president Nixon
walked one of many tight
ropes in performing presiden
tial duties while Ike recovered
from two heart attacks. The
evidence is clear tht the Vice-
President should be included
in many administrative actions
and decisions, given the
probability he may have to
assume the role of President.
Jimmy Carter has said
Mondale's role would be an
"active one" but this remains
to be seen.
Meanwhile, back at the
ranch (in Plains), both Carter
and Mondale anxiously plan
their course of action for the
next four years in Washington.
is based in the fictional Oriental
province of Setzuan. Three
gods arrive, wishing to find
one good person in Setzuan.
They finally find one good
woman Shen Te, a prost
itute, who gives them shelter
for the night. The gods reward
her with money, which enables
Shen Te to do good deeds
for others. However, when
the beggars Shen Te assists
turn against her, the Good
Woman devises a plot which
causes a tumultuous climax
of the play.
Seats are limited, so please
call Extension 246 for tickets,
or pick them up in the Drama
Department today.
If you're tired of movies and
television, and wish to be
entertained by an exciting,
moving play, please attend
The Good Woman of Setzuan.
Let's make our Fall production
an exciting onel