Salemite, October 27,1978, Page 2
Letters.
To the Editor:
I spent an interesting Fall Break visiting friends at
their small college campus in North Chicago. I had a
great time, but I sure am glad to be back home again. I
am very anxious for these friends to visit me at Salem --
I’d like to show them a thing or two. These friends were
very proud of their campus and were quick to show me
around. They thought the old place was just beautiful. I
agree it was o.k. - but I honestly had to search hard to
discover that!
Now that I’m- back I see Salem in a different way. I
always knew Salem was pretty, but perhaps I’d taken it
for granted. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful
environment in which to spend four years! Now I don’t
mean to judge -- I’m not conducting a college campus
beauty contest. I just wonder how many other students
have been too busy to notice how attractive Salem is. I
also made another observation. People here certainly
are a lot friendlier! I think that friendliness has
somehow become a big part of the beauty of Salem. I’m
not trying to do a sell-job to anyone. If you are here you
must already be sold on Salem - I just hope you are
thankful.
Liz Boyd
Dear Editor,
It’s good that the Salemite is interested in our Phi
Beta Kappa prospects, and I’m happy to let you know
where I think we stand. The “think” needs to be
underlined, for one can never be sure.
Salem applied first, I gather, back in the ’forties, but
was not admitted to their three-year process of
examination. (Their Committee on Qualifications
behaves not unlike an accrediting agency, in some
respects.) More recently we re-applied twice and got
form letters of rejection. The latest was the fall of 1976,
when I had just arrived, and I was quite unhappy that
Phi Beta Kappa gave no reason for failing to put Salem
on the list to be examined in the triennium.
Since I’ve been related to this kind of business
elsewhere, I made so bold as to push for an explanation.
In the intervening months I’ve had correspondence and
conferences with both the Executive Secretary of Phi
Beta Kappa and tl^e Chairman of the Qualifications
Committee. The latter conference was last week in
Atlanta, with Dr. Catherine Sims; she was formerly
professor at Agnes 6cott, and dean at Sweet Briar, and
thus she might be expected to know something about
Salem.
You don’t want a blow-by-blow account. I’m sure.
Suffice it to say that; they don’t like to be challenged;
they had a couple of defensible reasons and eight or ten
that weren’t; and they know more about Salem now than
they’ve known before. I’ve learned the names of three
colleges currently being examined, and no one of them
is as strong as Salem.
The next time we can submit an application is the fall
of 1979, and thus the earliest we qould get a chapter
would be the fall of 1982. (But a new'chapter may elect
graduates from prior years.) I know that Dean Helmick,
who was not present and thus not responsible for our
application in 1976, intends that our application next fall
be absolutely first-rate. One or two folks have been
heard to mutter that we don’t want Phi Beta Kappa, but
this is nonsense. Salem belongs in the top company, and
I have confidence we will make it.
With appreciation for your and other students’
interest.
Very sincerely,
Merrimon Cuninggim
Editorial
Time for a Security Overhaul
The problem of security is becoming increasingly
more serious on Salem’s campus. Several recent in
cidents concerning security - or lack of it - are causing
many of us to wonder just how safe we are. There are
many reasons to consider some drastic changes in
Salem’s security.
The mugging of a housemother in front of Babcock
dorm has forced us to consider more critical criminal
problems on campus. This incident was handled by the
two guards on duty as capably as could be expected
under the present conditions of security.
At present there are three guards on duty from 6 p.m.
to 12 a.m. on weekdays and from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on
weekends. The third guard was recently added after
pressures brought about by campus reaction to recent
frightening events.
The guard system on campus is inadequate. The
addition of the third guard is a step in the direction of
improvement. Even though Salem’s campus is small the
landscape provides many places for unwelcome visitors
to hide. Extra guards would be able to patrol the
grounds more thoroughly.
In addition to patrol duty, the guards are responsible
for checking the dorms and escorting students after
closing. Many students have complained that guards
have been late in performing the former duty and have
often refused to execute the latter.
Students not only need to be aware of the guards’
responsibilities but need to be assured that their
assistance is quickly guaranteed. Frequently, guards
have been hard to reach due to their lax attitudes
regarding campus security. Since post-midnight
security on campus actually boils down to the student
buddy system it might be more profitable to consider a
more professional guard service. A professional guard
would be strictly trained to deal with security violations
and would be capable of offering proficient security
standards. This type of service would ensure tighter
campus security by extending on duty hours past
midnight and enabling the guards to fire weapons if
needed*
Additional lighting around campus is another factor to
be considered. Particular areas which need increased
facilities include the FAC to refectory, behind South,
Sisters and Clewell dorms, and between the infirmary
and Gramley. Money for the extra lighting could be
appropriated from student car registration fees. Since
security is one of the most inefficient services on
Salem’s campus, extra money could also be taken from
contributions and the general fund to be used for
upgrading its quality.
So far, the incidents that have occurred on campus
have yielded no serious consequences. However,
preventive measures need to be taken now. Security
must be upgraded in order to secure a more protective
environment. Let’s not wait for a rape on campus to jolt
us into action.
Amanda Vannoy
Laura Castellanos
Honors
Seminars
Approved
The final proposal for the
Honors Seminars was ap
proved a few days ago. The
green light is on to startthe
seminars this spring. But
what exactly are the Honors
Seminars?
The Honors Seminars are a
series of interdisciplinary
programs to be offered (at
least one per term) with the
objective of providing
stimulation outside of the
normal curriculum. Another
objective of the seminars is to
provide an atmosphere in
which interdisciplinary
thought would be exemplary
and inspiring to both students
and faculty.
Topics for the seminars are
to be suggested by students
and faculty to the Curriculum
Committee. The committee
will aprove each seminar
subject after polling in
terested and eligible students.
Current ideas for seminar
topics include Conciousness
in the Modern Human, Socio-
Biology in the Twentieth
Century and Contemporary
Myths.
Each Honor Seminar
carries a one half course
credit and is limited to twelve
students. The seminars will
meet for one two-hour session
each week at a time to be
agreed upon by participants.
Any students with a 3.5
average for the proceeding
semester or a 3.5 cumulaiive
average is eligible for the
seminars. The seminars are
purely voluntary for faculty;
any member may choose to ,
participate according to his
interest in the scheduled
topics. I
i
Dean Helmick has been the i
force behind the Honors
Seminars which will buttress ‘
any future Phi Beta Kappa
Chapters. As Academic Dean
she will co-ordinate the
seminars.
THG^/1LGMIT€
Printed by Lindsay Publishing Co. and published every Friday
of the College year by the Student Body of .Salem College.
Editor-in-Chief - Amanda Vannoy
Associate Editor - Laura Castellanos del Valle
Layout Editor - Pam Snyder
Sports Editor - Sarah Kay
Reporters:
Laura Babb
Theresa Barrett
Sheri John.son
M. J. Jones
Missy Littli ton
Lucy Anne Luckharu’
Mary Anne Tuggle
Business ManaKcr l.izat)vington
Circulation Manager - Anne Yazujian
Photography:
Persis Thomson
Pam Snyder