OTho Daily Tcr HeelWednesday, November 5, 1300
(Ili)KoF. Shadroui, Editor
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Dsnjta Jamu, Muruino Editor
Dhad Kutsow, Associate Editor
Thomas Jlsssman, Associate Editor
Karen Rowley, News Editor
Fam Kelley, University Editor.
Martha Waggoner, City Editor
Mm Hummel, Sute and National Editor
Bill Fields, Sports Editor
Mark Murk ell. Features Editor
Tom Moore, A rts Editor
Scott Sharfe, Photography Editor
Melanie Sill, Weekender Editor
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Student opinion
The charges leveled last week by Student Body President Bob
Saunders of a "breakdown in communications" between the Division
of Student Affairs and Student Government raises all sorts of
questions. Saunders and Executive Assistant Scott Norberg accused
Student Affairs, which oversees student services from housing to
health, of not "understanding" Student Government's role as the
student's advocate. Norberg said Student Affairs did not solicit
Student Government opinion on issues affecting students and said the
division's staffers frequently contradicted one another. The situation,
according to Norberg, cannot get any worse.
This flurry of accusations is impressive, but it is not entirely
justified. For instance, Saunders seemed most peeved because he had
not been told that Student Affairs was seeking a new adviser for
Student Government. Yet one of Saunders executive assistants, Lee
McAllister, said he was informed of the job opening; hi this light, the
criticisms of poor intra-organizational communication seem less valid.
Still, some of Saunders slings and arrows have found their target.
Student Affairs', failure to solicit Student Government opinion is
characteristic of a larger administration attitude. In several cases,
students' ideas and concerns have been largely ignored as
administrative decisions are made.
In the search to find a vice chancellor for University affairs a post
set up specifically to build the minority presence on campus no
attempt was made to get opinion from the Black Student Movement
until late in the selection process. Moreover, no black student sat on
the search committee. Certainly, the BSM could offer only a narrow
endorsement because candidates from outside this campus were being
considered, but an outline of the qualities it considered important in a
vice chancellor for University affairs should have been obtained early
in any such search.
This lack of concern for student opinion by the administration is not",
malicious and may not be intentional. It is, however, unfair to ignore
student ideas about policies that will profoundly, affect the way this
campus is run. The result can only be poorer decisions and poorer
policies, as well as poor relations between the students and the
decision-makers.
ack in the old days
Life was a whole lot simpler in the old days. Back then there were
platforms that meant something and candidates who delivered on their
promises. We did not need polls to tell us who we liked, and low voter
turnout wasn't a concern everyone voted.
In first grade, Billy asked everyone to vote for him because he was a
nice guy, and he won.
In fourth grade, Anne pledged that, if elected, she would work hard
for longer recesses and no more green peas and fish cakes for
lunch she may not have succeeded but no one ever faulted her for
not trying. It never was easy getting the principal to see things our
way, but then our class presidents gave their best efforts.
We did not need massive debates between the candidates believe it
or not, we didn't even need the League of Women Voters. We did not
need to dicker with statistics, to claim that one candidate had raised
taxes by 50 percent in his homeroom or that the other posed a serious
threat to the security and peace of the entire fourth grade. All we
wanted was more freedom on the playground and chocolate milk
along with white at lunch.
National politics were nothing to fret over back then; we did not
agonize too much over the choices. If Mom and Dad liked Humphrey,
then so did we. Campaign pins were important only for trading
purposes, and distinctions like Republicans and Democrats were
useful only as names for tag football teams.
But as cdrly. as the ninth grade, there were signs that the enthusiasm
and simplicity of fourth grade politics were gone. Now, student
candidates pledged to get students involved something that in the old
days went without saying. And suddenly, what a candidate said
became less important than with whom that, candidate was going
steady. Fourth grade liberties like overnight camping trips for the class
had been stripped away by the old-fashioned nerds in the headmaster's
building. They said trips like that were no longer proper, but they only
made us suspicious of their motives.
And now, here we are, 19S0. There's Ronnie and Jimmy and even
Johnny. By the time you read this, one of them will be our leader. But
whoever it is, don't count on ice cream instead of chocolate pudding.
And don't even hope for longer recesses. Life's not that simple any
more.
The Daily Tnr Heel
AvsKUnt Managing Tutors: Edwina Ral.ston, John Royster, Amy Shaipe
tutorial Assistants: Daddy Burnivkc, Lynn Casey, William Durham
Ncs Desk: Melody Adams, Laurie Bradshcr, tkih Durrcil, Cindy Cranford, Kerry
DcRtKhi, Amy Edward, Anna S ite. Erie Frederick, Virginia Fridy, Ikih Gravbcal, Usa
Cioldfarb, I'amcU Johnson, Lorrie Howard, Kathcrinc Long. Datlcnc O' Brian, Karen
Pace, Carol Pcarcc. D.Il iVschel. Valeric VanCorden and Edith Woolen; James Alexander,
asuUnt H'n len.hr ed.for.
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IJm, Linda Bmwn, Laura Carter, Elizabeth Daniel, Kerry DcRixhi, Ande Dorman.
Lee Dui.i-ar, Natalie I ason, Scott Green, Karen Haywood, Charlc Herndcm, Deborah
llnuh, 1 ucy Hood, David Jarrctt, Dais Jenkins, Keith King, Karen Kerne? ay, Kathcrine
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'f aUrott, I ir.d-.cy Taj lor, David Tczjue, Frank WcSs, Nosa Wilkinson and Frank Zar.g
Sp.nisi David PiK.Se, assistant editor; Clifton Barnes, Jackie Elaikburn. Norman
( ar.nada, John I i.h. Chip Karnes, Adam Kande'd, Gary Mangum, Geofllrey Mock, Scott
iYiefion, Linda Rt!rtuii fe-'vJ Mark Tavfoc.
fiat-am: Rivhaid Brown, Tcrca Curry, Louise GuWer. Maitie Haywonh, Susan Hudson.
Kit?.! ctfy KKtrun. Su-.an Ptum luce, S'iren Marsha!!, L.k MorrU, Ann Peters, Kcsin
U.As. J,.i..i'un Stnvhe, Di-u-e Veto. Cir.lt Wahh.
Art: H b K,.ya!!y. av.r.tarst ed.lor; I'lA Galane. John Hamilton. Jordan I law !v-y. Conrue
Mairt, Ki.h Mofs..th. Tim Pope, Laura L.'t.ott, IX?nna VVh.'alcr,
(.tjllie Am: Dan l.Mdy, tlicg Chtey nd Danny lluirt"!, artists; Matt Cwpct, Jay
Hn.4?, Wi'A 0ens i,J tl.;;r!ei Vernon, phfrtofapher.
I'-i ..;t: Mjik K:!.c. ip ir.?,; rv, Lisj.'a A. Coopr, SiMrtasfcvcptioru-.t; Karen
V arren Alien, d.'-'nt u'nni v
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To the editor: -
Professional journalism, in a complex
media network whose impact on society
is unquestionably large, demands more
than obtaining a story regardless of cost.
Equally crucial, if not paramount, to
obtaining the news item is the practice of
basic professional ethics and
responsibilities.
In attempting to confirm a recent
story regarding selection of a new vice
chancellor for the University, such ethics
and responsibilities have been clearly
and blatantly violated. This incident,
however, is demonstrative of the
consequences when an "overzealous and
inexperienced" reporter from The Daily
Tar Heel fails to exercise the sound
judgment and wisdom requisite to the
journalistic profession, as opposed to
the superficial thrills and lack of
foresight characteristic of the newspaper
game.
On Oct. 28, the Dialectic 2nd
Philanthropic Literary Societies
sponsored a public forum where
representatives from the Black Student
Movement, the Student Consumer
Action Union, The Daily Tar Heel and
Di-Phi were asked to participate in a
question-and-answer session on issues
important to their organizations and to
the campus in general. AH of the
organizations, with the exception of The
Daily Tar Heelt were present on the
panel and well-prepared to confront the
chancellor, with such questions. Well
into the program, a reporter from The
Daily Tar Heel did appear at the back of
the Dialectic Chamber, and asked the
chancellor if he would like to "step into
the hall" to confirm or deny a name
which, it was alleged, was that of the
vice chancellor nominee.
While the tactic of interrupting a
public program by attempting to remove
the guest speaker from the room struck
me as a little peculiar, I reminded myself
that there are probably a few fledgling
reporters grappling with delusions of
journalistic grandeur. The chancellor
apologized that he could neither confirm
nor deny any name, for such an action
could disrupt the required confirmation
procedure of the Board of Governors.
This clearly legitimate reasoning was
unacceptable to the reporter;
superfluous thrills blinded the foresight;
so crucial to the exercise of professional
ethics.
While I am a staunch advocate of a
media with a watchful eye, that eye must
be trained to view thoroughly and
carefully events of public interest,
gathering information in a manner
consistent with the spirit of respect due
each individual and organization with
which the reporter is concerned. The
performance of the representative from
. The Daily Tar Heel demonstrates the
lack of training and respect found in
what I am sure is a minority in an
otherwise outstanding Tar Heel staff.
Daniel McCurdy
Chapel Hill
Editor's note: The DTH reporter
scheduled to serve on the panel was
locked out of her car and thus unable to
attend the forum.
Law protest
To the editor:
This letter is in response to the
reporting techniques used in the article,
"Job recruiters for oil firm met by
protest," (DTH, Oct. 31). I believe that
journalistic integrity requires that a
grammtically incorrect paraphrase,
taken out of context, not be surrounded
by quotation marks, to wit, "People in
the 1970s are apathetic with the rise of
disco and pink and green...." 1
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understand misquotations and
statements out of context may
inadvertently occur in an impromptu
interview such as the one during the
protest.
This misquotation suggested that the
protest was a nebulous reaction to
student apathy and conservatism. To set
the record straight, the purpose of the
protest was to air a general
dissatisfaction with "Big Oil" and its
policies. Examples of such policies
oppose small scale renewable energy
projects and profit . gouging. An
additional purpose, as I see it, was to
make law students realize that legal
employment entails a moral choice. The
legal system is not the blind arbiter of
justice most people envision. The legal
staff of a multi-national oil firm is the
best money can buy. Until the problem
of unequal access to the judicial system
due to economics is solved, employment
with a corporation of this type will
invariably be counter to the "public
interest."
Alex Charns
Chapel Hill
Editor's note: The quote cited was both
correct and within the context of
Charns' comment.
Student Affairs
To the editor:
I am writing this letter in response to
the article "SG refations with officials
troubled," (DTH, Oct. 28). As a student
of this University, I believe that this
entire article and the accusations made
in the article were totally uncalled for
and unjustified.
Executive Assistant Scott Norberg
said: "Most of what Student Affairs
does affects the students, and it is
beyond me how if we don't walk over
there, call them up and tell them what
we think they never ask us for it."
From this statement, I only suggest that
Norberg become more familiar with the
Student Affairs Office before he offers
any more comments. I personally have
completed or had the chance to
complete mafty more surveys or
questionnaires distributed by the
Student Affairs Office then any
distributed by Student Government. The
purpose of these surveys is to assist
Student Affairs in becoming more aware
of the feelings and needs of the students
at this University.
Student input is a very valuable asset
of both Student Government and the
Division of Student Affairs. I agree with
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Student Body President Bob Saunders
when he states, "Student Government is
best on being the advocate of the
students." I would add that being an
advocate of the students does not
necessarily mean being adversaries with
the administrative offices of this
University. Anyone who thinks that
Student Government can function
properly and appropriately by making
headlines and accusations typical of the
ones in question is badly mistaken. The
main function of Student Government
should be to act as a liaison between the
students and administrative offices, and
not as an organization constantly in
conflict with University officials.
I would like to add one piece of
information that was not mentioned in
the article. It was stated that Vice
Chancellor Donald A. Boulton could
not be reached for comment regarding a
job vacancy. The fact is that Boulton
was attending a conference in Venezuela
and he could not be reached in his office
because he was out of the country. This
.small, but important piece of
information would have been much
more objective news reporting on the
part of The Daily Tar Heel.
In closing, I would like to commend
the Student Government association for
one thing. They have problems when it
comes to the allocation of funds,
' tabulating election votes, or deciding
who is or isn't eligible for election in
certain districts, but they can certainly
find faults in other branches of this
. University that seem to be functioning
pretty well when compared to Student
Government.
i " Linda Kelly
Chapel Hill
.
Editor's note: Kelly is employed as a
work-study student by the Division of
Student Affairs.
Who's obvious?
To the editor:
David Poole's article "Masters of the
obvious are wretched pests," (DTH,
Nov. 3), neglected to mention the
D77Ts own masters of the obvious; i.e.,
columnists whose attempts at humor
focus on such perfectly obvious and
nauseatingly overworked themes as
people who make aggravatingly trite
observations.
Surely Poole does not "think that he
is the first person in the world who ever
thought that" this would be a great idea
for a satirical column. Granted, Poole's
uninspired choice of subject matter
might have been tolerable, and I would
like to emphasize the word "might,"
had his jabs at these "wretched pests"
been at all witty or imaginative.
However, his retort to the person who
asks him if it is raining outside is, for
example, not only totally devoid of wit,
but also downright unfunny.
Thus, Poole's indictment of the
aggravating masters of the trite
observation is a classic example of the
kettle calling the pot black. In fact, you
cannot get more trite, or more
aggravating, than his weekly
observations from the turn lane.
Mark McCombs
Y-l Kingswood Apartments
Dorm refunds
To the editor:
For the purpose of clarifying the
article "Dorm damage fees
refunded...," (DTH, Oct. 31) it has
been learned that a common area
damage fee was assessed residents on
their accounts through the cashier's
office.
The Department of University
Housing billed 4,000 students this year
for dorm damages. This number
includes those students who were fined
for damages inside and outside their
dorm rooms. Individuals are responsible
for paying those damages inside their
rooms. However, those residents who
were billed for common area damages
"outside their rooms may b$ entitled to a
refund.
More importantly, the prospect of a
rent increase to compensate for this loss
of revenue adds foundation to the
reasoning behind placing additional
responsibility on RAs, residence hall
leaders and residents to find the culprits
who commit these acts.
A policy that will effectively bring
vandals to grips with the problems they
create for all of us would serve them well
and, in effect, would protect the
students' pocketbooks.
Residents who'' were billed for
common area damages may receive
credit through any of these three means:
through area directors, the Student
Government Action Line or the
Housing Department in Carr Building.
Peggy Leifiht, president
Residence Hall Association
O. Darryl Smith, president
Old East Residence Hall
ii
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omen shoula actively support amendment
By BETH BURRELL
For any of those people questioning the literal
wording of the Equal Rights Amendment, it goes like
this: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any
state on account of sex." In other word;, women
finally would have a constitutional guarantee of legal
equality.
Before I understood ERA and what it stood for, I
imagined that someday I would have to go to war if it
were ratified. And I'm uxs many women still believe
that that end and a few other emotion-stirring results
are all the amendment is really about.
Unfortunately, those who think in such terms have
not given the amendment a chance and have net
stopped to consider what equal rights would actually
mean.
Most believe the statement that "all
men are created equal" can be interpreted to mean
women too. But in 1776 the founding: fathers
certainly had no intention of guarantedr. the
equality of mtn and wcm?n-wcmen at that t;ne
weren't even allowed to vote.
And when women arc accused cf tiling "this
Equal Rights thing" too far, lock back to the WJh.
If blacks in this country hzd net felt their civil rights
were being violated, and without their dedication end
determination, wcuU V..c Civil fights Acts have
never been passed? Women ihcu!J be wliiir to fight
for their ri;hts, too.
As author Rita M::e Bro-An i:;'J uhen ht was b
Chapel ! LI! Oct. 8, a :n ;-,n lis Rrr.JJ He..- n
arc trira to ca-.t v. : ::i I .L. O y c; "
the Lqu-l PJjhu A:".: er t. i:i.ty.tS.:uviV. .
same rights as every man.
women are paid about 20 percent less than men for
doing identical work. There are inheritance Jaws,
pension rules and insurance practices that treat men
and women differently often shortchanging women,
sometimes shortchanging men."
This pamphlet rightfully points out that the
amendment does net jut mean equal rights for
women but for men, also. Is it fair for a man when
his wife dies to be denied the same protection under
Social Security that is available to women when their
husbands die?
What is most distressing about the opposition to
ERA is the fact that so many women are g-ainst it.
When I overhear a woman saying, "I understand the
Equal Ri-hts Amendment, but I'm not for it," I just
want to say "you don't understand it or you would be
for it."
Their reaction ii emotional; they are afraid they
will lose the protection pvea to them z women. But
what they fail to f.ee is that their situation may not
guarantee these protections, and thry may need the
benefits of ERA soma day.
If a woman thinks the rest cf her life will be taken
care cf because she'll be married and therefore will
have IlttJr need for equal rc'.tJ, then v. hat's fS.r.z to
happen if that husband dies, :'. iil':J. cr walks out
on her? If she doesn't hive the trair.mj for a job, and
has children to tzls care cf, whee w;ij she L: then?
Even if the does have a dr::.ee ?r.J ic-r.e jcb
When a woman my ae goes to Carolina for four or
more years, obtains a decree, gets a job and see a
male classmate as whom she is equally as capable
quickly moving up in a business while she stays in the
same place, perhaps then she'll wonder why she
opposes equal ri-hts for women. Nothing is more
demeaning cr demoralizing than to see someone who
is no more intelligent, capable, cr willing to work as
you being promoted at faster rate and making more
money, simply because he's a man.
"The Equal Rights Amendment is only 50 words
long.. .It doesn't say who should open the door, cr
drive the family car cr wash the dishes. It doesn't
reduce the protections that women have now under
the law. And it doesn't tell women whether or not
they should go to work, cr stay heme and raise a
family, cr both. It just says that the government can't
ever pass a bw that restricts the rights cf w omen cr
men." So reads a pamphlet put cut by the League cf
Women Voters.
With the ratification cf the amendment, women
would gain equal rights, equal access to jobs and
equal opportunity in a society that has a!ayi given
these ihm-s to men.
Certainly women hsvs come cul'.e fax since th ey
f
t for the r.'U to vcie h 123. As tu: in esses
are Mr in mere wemen, there h-s I :r l- r .r; e in
married ecu; let in whi.h t-c-:h hv1 "ni and wife are
wot kin, ;.:J mete women z:s i ' r; . i in r::. ; a
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