The Aletheia, Page 4
Dear Editor,
As a work study of the Admissions
office, I have witnessed some recent
occurrences that have frustrated and dis
couraged me. Events include the dis
missal of Former Director of Admissions,
Willie Mangum and a recent case involv
ing an employee I think should remain
anonymous.
I was upset with the events surround
ing Mangum’s resignation. While 1 reak
ize there are two sides to every story,
from my perspective it did not seem that
Mangum’s best interests, or the interests
of the student body in general, were
taken into account. In conversations 1
have had with Willie since his resigna
tion, I have become aware of how up
setting the whole situation has been to
him. He has expressed concern over
poorly handled communication. From
what I have seen, some members of the
administration have demonstrated a
greater interest in recruiting statistics than
in Mangum’s individual value to the insti
tution as a whole.
I have trouble finding where respect
and Christian value were taken into ac
count. In the Montreat College State
ment of Purpose it professes a belief
that all “persons are thinking, relational,
moral and spiritual beings of dignity and
worth.” What about Mangum’s case?
The administration might not have
seen as many numbers as they would
have liked from Mangum. I am not say
ing the administration is completely
wrong in their decision, but every day I
would see students, ranging from inter
national to athletes, flood to Willie’s of
fice, just to say hi. Willie had personal
relationships with many students and re
lated well with prospectives. He is missed
by many. It appeared to me that his pri
ority was students not numbers. One of
the reasons I came here was because I
knew I would be an individual not just a
number. 1 do not know that Willie's re
placements will have the same effect on
the students lives, when they refer to me
(and others) as “one of you work study
people,’’ rather than trying to learn our
names.
Furthermore, there was recently an
issue with another work study. This per
son decided to write a letter to the board
of trustees about personal experiences
at Montreat. It was to include love and
appreciation for four years spent here,
acknowledging some dislikes as well.
When it was observed that this student
was retrieving addresses for members
of the board of trustees, within the hour,
the student was asked to get rid of the
I ist of addresses. When the student went
to explain what the addresses were for,
the student was told that any such let
ters would have to be okayed by the
president first.
I do not understand why a student
should not be allowed to write a letter to
anyone concerning the college. I won
der what worries the college so much
that it feels the need to screen letters
written by honest students to those off
the campus and outside the gate. I find
it wrong to prevent anyone from voic
ing their opinion. I think that if someone
has a problem or a concern they should
be able to voice it to someone who might
be able to change things. As students
and as a citizens we have the right to
write letters to whomever we choose.
We have freedom of speech and of the
press.
I have no doubt that the professors
are focused on the students. I don’t see
that we, the students, are the main con
cern of some members of the adminis
tration. It seems to me they have turned
this into a marketing issue, a business
worried about how many numbers we
have, and keeping up with other col
leges. While numbers are necessary for
the livelihood ofthe college, 1 wonder if
Godly values and principles, and His high
standards are being forgotten as we
climb the business ladder of successful
colleges.
These are just a few of my concerns
and maybe they will not bother others
as they have bothered me. Perhaps my
concern is because I have been work
ing in the admissions office the past two
semesters. Yet I find the standards, that
I thought were so strong at Montreat
College, to be lacking.
For the administration to have a
good relationship with the students they
need be trustworthy and open. From
comments all over campus by students,
this does not seem to be the present case.
I am fearful in even writing this that I
am jeopardizing my personal situation at
this school. Others have the same fears.
The fact that we must hide truth, or our
opinions, out of fear, is to me a tragedy.
By Shayla Ghiotto
Editor’s Responce:
In “The Lovesong of J. Alfred
Prufrock, T.S. Eliot questioned, “Do I dare
disturb the universe?” The Alethia printed
Shayla’s editorial because of her passion
mixed with apprehension to do just that.
Liberal arts education was designed to
escape the shelter of ouryouth and learn
to think for ourselves. For students like
Shayla to continue repressing her ideas,
would be perilous. Speaking her mind is
also detrimental. However, I pray her point
is taken with open heart and mind by those
who read.
Have a great summer,
Jeremy Isaac Witteveen
The Aletheia
Editor
Arianne Train
Assistant Editor
Jeremy Isaac Witteveen
Contributors
Shellie Bowser, Daryl Bryant, Wes
Caldwell, LisaGrifFin, Christian
Malone, Queen Musengwa, Jamie
Pate, Josh Schatzle
Advisor
Dave Sperry
The Aletheia welcomes student
editorials subject to standards of length
and clarity. Signed submissions may be
sent to Box 894 in the Document Center.