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page seven/the journal/october 23,1972
athing at UNCC
learning.
are so profound that it
se and made a D or an F
:o - that you didn't want
On the surface this could
p-off, but just consider. If
V them a transcript of A's
he work. Who cares how
? You've done the work,
ol the first time. I just
tints; say hello or how do you
ng 1.21 and it was only
year before so that if you
nted against you once. I
act remains that the only
[ted that policy and I lost
above a 1.00.
pie right there that are
their education, or stay
listrator's point of view
V attractive. And I can't
are really interested in
Hte that pay the bills and
these people every chance
nt, and they say that by
c^l:ampus. I wish somebody
hey don't make babies
eMstate students are charged
lotJtheir number is actually
to this, as if it weren't
Alass in the Fall of 1971
11 ie. In all fairness, I should
ilxepted by the University.
:s, chances are more than
good that we wouldn't have the number of students that is being
planned.
Somebody is going to say that wouldn't we have to lower our
standards - debase our academic standing - if we just let any Tom,
Dick or Harry in to get a degree. Hell no we wouldn't - that is if we
abandoned the nineteenth century notion that if a student doesn't
make the grade the first time around we should throw him out. A
system like this would enable the University to keep its "high"
standards while at the same time enabling every Tom, Dick and Harry
to have a chance to see if he can measure up. Without having to worry
about "flunking out".
At' the same time, the emphasis would shift from a one time do or
die grading system to a more relaxed atmosphere which would subtlely
put more emphasis on real learning. No more of this "Oh, I can't take
that I II flunk or "I'm afraid to try a course outside of my interests
because I might get a bad grade." All the pressure would be off in that
area.
I know not what others' conception of "satisfactory progress" is,
but mine is the mere fact that a student is willing to show up and go
through the motions of getting an education. It seems to me that this is
the only way in which the advent of a true University environment on
this campus will ever happen. We simply have to get rid of this concept
of a university as a four-year, accredited diplomamill for it to happen.
So I've sat down and attempted in a somewhat shotgun way to
attack the current prevailing orthodox concept to which this university
is committed. In my opinion, one simple change is all that is needed to
reach the goal to which a university is supposed to aspire. There is a
long tradition of public higher education in this country and. in this
state. The quality of students entering this institution is improving -
and they're the ones who must benefit.
I think it would not be an understaterrient to say what UNCC is
committed to expansion. It is very sad to watch what appears to be the
unstoppable wave of the future meet the immovable force of the
present concept of education.
My guess is that unless somebody with some authority happens to
look up and see what's coming, it won't be long before, some fall,
somebody in charge of counting heads will be wondering where all the
students that they projected will be here have gone.
At that point they will shake their heads and say that something
must be done. And at that time something will be done • that is, of
course, unless they do it not.
jay eaker
Then mercifully I fainted
Jack Strongarm:
The All-American Boy
in their search for gold and meaning
mountains somewhere, they were
jnd in hyperbolas. Meanwhile, Nicky
partner in ventures of this sort, had
in search of the luckless pair. Let's
there's got to be a way out of this
I can't go on another step. I just
^er) What?
(highly exasperated) Oh, no, that's
I ^ly amid the confusion) Okay, I'm
there's got to be a way out of this
Oh, I can't go on another step. I
^Uest now. You'll freeze,
led.
^ -n, I'll carry you across my shoulder,
mpf- there we are.
69rs) Oh Bob, you're so strong.
^etty, you're just such a tiny little
lhat a lot of us need some fresh new
sea of cliches, that we're hampered
‘0 wrote the script, who got the
;6eping it.
'*^e such a burden.
that now, Betty, we've got to
you see? I haven't any strength
j ^fight down and die.
r you worry. Nothing like that will
happen while I can help it.
But by now it's only recently a well-known fact that the words have
been so well rehearsed, have made such an imprint on each and every
generation, that they're become second-nature, and thus have taken on
the appearance of nature in its first place.
BOB: (decisively) I've got an idea. If we climb to the top of this
craggy peak, we can see where we are.
BETTY: (timidly) But isn't the village just down that even slope?
BOB: (firmly) Could be. But if we can make it up there before
nightfall, then we'll be sure.
BETTY: (hesitatingly) Well....
BOB: Besides, since we're almost there anyway, it'd be a shame to
stop now.
BETTY: (inquisitively) Are you going to plant that flag with your
name on it when we get there?
BOB: (proudly) Sure-when we get there. Come on.
And still a well-known "fact" that somebody got to hold the
commanding reins, that decisions are made by a majority of one-well,
of course we live in a democracy, we put the power in the hands of a
few, but you've got to the draw the line somewhere, we're sure they are
all capable men, of course they are, who have money to run campaigns,
of course they have, who learned at an early age how to speak up and
get what they want, of course they did, so naturally when they take the
power without knowing the problems, bolster their egos while crushing
their constituents underfoot, we're all aware of who's responsible,
know where to place the blame on our very own shoulders, but of
course we don't.
BETTY; Darn it.
BOB: What's wrong, Betty? Are you tired of walking already?
BETTY: No, it's not that. Bob. One of the heels on my patent
leathers has broken off. I guess I should have worn more, comfortable
shoes.
BOB: That's okay, Betty. You look great in those patent leathers.
Here, I'll carry you again.
Did I ever tell you that story about the man who was asked if he'd
open a car door for a man and he replied, "Sure I would, if he was
by julia wlllis (with Iloyd rose incapcitated)
crippled or something." -did I ever tell you that story and does it seem
to say anything about the situation, does it suggest indicate or imply
some of the glaring side effects of the hampering process which has not
only put words in mouths but conveniently at the same time has
cramped and coddled perfecly good sets of bones and muscles into
quivering blobs of dependency on six-inch spike heels, and if it does, is
it any clearer to you now why a woman has never been a president?
BOB: (shaking his head) Gee, I don't know. It's beginning to get
dark.
BETTY: (nodding) Oh. I thought that might happen.
BOB: But gosh, Betty, if you thought so, why didn't you tell me?
"No matter how well you know it, no matter how long you say it, if
you ain't got that five-letter word to back it up you're just wasting your
time." - and this is a well-known fact, by now. and one of the soundest
reasons for a complete reversal in the way we live, now...When they say
Kate Millett had the opportunity of a lifetime: she could have been a
leader and a somebody but she didn't take the ball away from her
friends and run with it, then you know they're looking at women in
terms of the past patriarchy, then you know they see one or another
dominance over the species as a verity of life, then of course it's going
to be hard to explain why you don't always say what you think.
BOB: (gasping for breath) Got to - sit down - got to rest.
BETTY: Oh Bob. (sighing) We'll freeze, won't we?
BOB: (resignedly) Guess so, Betty. Nobody can say we didn't try.
but I guess we're licked.
BETTY; But -
Well, it looks like Bob and Betty are in a pretty tough spot. Will
Nicky Blunt, their friend and silent partner, find them in the nick of
time? If we close our eyes and ignore it, will that glacier jjjst go away?
And are people like Bob and Betty and the rest of us worth saving
anyway?
For the answer to these and other questions ("Golly-you mean it is
conceivable that many years ago before our forefathers spawned
themselves into such a mess people didn't kill each other just for the
fun and power of it and we could make that happen again maybe?"),
hang in there.