Newspapers / North Carolina School of … / Feb. 1, 1997, edition 1 / Page 2
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PAGE 2 // Editorials FEBRUARY 1997 Accepting the greater challenge" necessary When Calvin Dark addressed Ihe school at the Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly last month, he presented a challenge to the NCSSM students, faculty, and staff. Dark asked the students to let their hearts lead the way in their actions, and to realize though academics are important, they arc not everything. Yet there is another challenge for NCSSM students. Students at NCSSM need to make an investment in their school and community. Like Dark’s challenge, this mission faces the same difTiculties of students whose priorities lie more with books than with other issues. But the problem also results from students who spend more time complaining than actually doing. Students at NCSSM seem to have a distorted sense of tunnel- vision. Instead of working to improve our school or to leave a legacy behind, many of us seem intent on whining about our physics home work or the oppressive administration. Students need to understand that despite all its faults, NCSSM remains an excellent education in an excellent environment. More importantly, we need to understand that NCSSM represents more than just an excellent education. NCSSM is a selective challenge that has been offered to every individual in the student body. In addi tion to accepting that “greater challenge” academically, we must ac cept it institutionally. NCSSM students need to issue their own challenge; to take pride in their school, to get involved and to see about making a difference. It is unrealistic to believe we can fully return to the early days of NCSSM, where a community almost four times smaller was able to operate on a closer and more intimate level. But the mechanisms are in place for action beyond mere complaining. SGA has made im pressive steps in the bureaucratic battle for student representation on hearing boards. Activities such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Assem bly and Worldfest represent instances where largely student-domi nated groups have pulled off successful events. But making a difference can be on any scale. It may be as simple as talking to your SLI or fellow student, or organizing an off campus trip or activity. Figure out how you can make a difference for the school community. Because, for all the conventional clichds, the chal lenge is there, and we must accept it. No votes for Ballot NCSSM has signed a contract that seems more like a death certificate for NCSSM dances. Much to the displeasure of this staff. Rich Ballot has been signed as the official DJ for all SAB sponsored dances during the ’96-’97 school year. At every dance, he insists on playing the same songs in an only slightly different way. This is made even worse by the selection he plays, replays, and plays again. At every dance, we listen to the same music we heard at those seventh grade dances we excitedly attended so long ago. The most recently overplayed song, the much dreaded “Macarena,” is one novelty we can assuredly do without. And that country song, the only country song ever played at an NCSSM dance, is played every time. Perhaps the students would be a bit happier if Ballot would take a student request (with the exception of “Time Warp”). If new, more popular songs were played, perhaps the dances would get a larger turn out. Before the life of next year’s dances is signed away, SAB should consider using up-and-coming DJs on campus. Will Wilson (a grand senior who DJ-ed last year) and Matt Richards and John Borwick (DJs for the Worldfest dance) did jobs equal to, if not better than. Ballot. Richards and Borwick played a larger variety of songs, both new and old, including some international music. Richards also al lowed the crowd to make requests. If students are given more input in the selection of songs played at the dances, many will find themselves in the “dance spirit.” Per haps better songs, and a better DJ if necessary, will give dances a larger turn out. fSTopf BY GRoupm us INTO CAli£eoR\Esy We THE pRE/>\iSe that pazb | P^ALLY Does nAKE A WHi'CH (T Do£Sl'/r./THE issue oF MH6UA6E /S SE/a06 Cised To FUEL i RACiAl. poLiTiCS )VJUEN /TS iNTEfiTioH I Was fJOTH/HS AloRe THAH to Keep / A rek) KiDS HAVifJo Tr.ouKl£- iN StHOOL. I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, As chairperson of the Judicial Ad visory Committee, and an advocate of a voting role for student Hearing Board members, I feel it appropriate to respond to Director Friedrick’s con sideration of a “non-voting presence [for student members] in expulsion matters.” As it is stated in the NCSSM 1996- 97 Handbook, “the primary consid eration in each [Hearing Board] de cision must be, ‘What is best for the community?”’ The NCSSM commu nity would experience many benefits as a result of the integration of stu dent members and their capacity to serve in expulsion cases. Because stu dents represent such a vast proportion of the community, they should not be without voice in decisions affecting it. Student Hearing Board members have the potential to provide a unique perspective to the disciplinary system, but only if they are allowed the au thority to do so. Though student Hearing Board members would face the possibilty of criticism, they would benefit from the experience as well. By allowing the student body a means of expressing and communicating thoughts regard- Dear Editor: As a junior last year, I expected the Martin Luther King celebration to be just what I had experienced before - a chance for Blacks to “get back” at Whites for the injustices we imparted on them. Well, I was wrong. The assembly encouraged all races to use this day to celebrate our differences and to see how far America had come, but also to look toward to the future and continue the fight for one race. I ing disciplinary procedures, an oppor tunity would arise for the develop ment of skills imperative to the fu ture leaders of North Carolina. If the best interests of the commu nity truly are the paramount concern of the Hearing Board, there can be no doubt that these would be better served by student representation. The question, then, seems to be one of whether community interests should be served at the expense of the individual; as Director Fricdrick stated, “ ...we are wrestling with the issue of whether it is fair to place a student in the stressful situation of voting to recommend expulsion.” To this, I have but one response. Life is a stressful situation. Term papers are a stressful situation. MathCad is a highly stressful situa tion. In short, if the administration wishes to alleviate “stressful situation[s]” from the lives of the stu dents, the very existence of this insti tution is in dire jeapordy. Instead, students attending NCSSM accept the onslaught of stressful situations. The words, “I ac cept the greater challenge,” are not empty, nor should they be construed to mean, “I accept the low-stress chal- found myself being compassionate rather than feeling I had to defend my self in a hostile environment. Above all, the celebration made me want to create change - never to allow such terror to be inflicted on any race or group. So often we are overloaded with this law or that regulation that “ensures” equality, but the perfor mance on Alt-Day showed me that the issue is much deeper. It’s about treat ing each person as a brother and an equal and seeing through outward ap- lenge.” Morals are not prized pos sessions to be placed on a shelf and dusted on occasion, but mecha nisms which become more valuable with use. Good judgment is not a garment we wear to impress others, but the fabric of decency. If we, as a community, are unwilling to uti lize our greatest assets,we are des tined to fail in all we undertake. If students have the ability to make “tough and fair” decisions, as Director Friedrick states, I urge the administration to make full use of this ability. If, however, fear of criti cism impedes this ability, then no ability exists to begin with, for there can be no ability without strength. After all, what good are values un less we are willing to be held ac countable for them? Though I appreciate Director Friedrick’s concerns, my belief that students possess the maturity to be held responsible for their values, judgments, and decisions dictates that I respectfully suggest a voting position for students in expulsion matters. With sincerity. Tree Calloway pearances to the light of everyone inside. 1 applaud the insightful and encouraging approach to the Mar tin Luther King celebration; it is definitely a part of my “NCSSM ex perience” that I will never forget. Katie Hobbs Student Body President
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Student Newspaper
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Feb. 1, 1997, edition 1
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