Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Dec. 7, 1983, edition 1 / Page 10
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10n"he Daily Tar HeelWednesci. -"Tiber 7 tj lathi Star 9s year of editorial freedom Kerry DeRochi, Editor Alison Davis, Managing Editor CHARLES ElLMAKFR, Associate Editor FRANK BrUNI. Associate Editor Kelly Simmons, University Editor Michael Toole, aty Editor KYLE MARSHALL , State and National Editor KAREN FlSHER , Features Editor Michael DeSisti , Sports Editor Jeff Grove, a rts Editor Melissa Moore, News Editor Charles W. Ledford, Photography Editor Divided we fall When students go to the polls next February, they will be faced with an interesting set of decisions. The Campus Governing Council has opted to offer several referendums on student fee increases a 50-cent per stu dent, per semester increase to fund the proposed student television pro gram, and a $1.50 per student, per semester increase to be distributed to existing student organizations. Unfortunately, the two fee increase pro posals were not placed together, and students may not consider the pro posals separately but rather consider the decision as a choice between the two. The apparent rationale behind such a proposal is that students, faced with two increase proposals, will probably choose to vote for at least one of the increases. Unfortunately, because the STV proposal is cheaper, it will be chosen more often and other student organizations will have no prayer of receiving the much-needed extra funds. Both proposals have merit. The student television program is sorely needed as an additional news medium and as a practice ground for those who plan on entering into the television industry. But students also need to consider the financial needs of other student groups. It has been eight years since students last increased student fees, and inflation has severely curtailed the buying power of these organizations. Without the extra fees, existing student organizations will continue to cut their programs, and students will find themselves with fewer extracurricular options. One other consideration is that funding STV through a separate set fee would be guaranteeing the organization funding without consideration of its productivity. No other student organization has ever been constitu tionally funded from its inception, and it would be wiser to grant STV funds through the regular CGC budgeting process, at least until it has proved itself. The CGC has been wise in its support of campus groups, but the two student activity fee proposals must be placed on the ballot as one item. Student organizations deserve extra funding, but the present fee increase plans leave existing groups with little chance at all. Looking for work Newspapers announce it, magazines analyze it, President Reagan hails it as the product of his continuing efforts in the White House: The reces sion is over and recovery is well underway. Americans are breathing a uniform sigh of relief and are eagerly accepting recent reports that job prospects for June college graduates are much brighter than they were a year ago. As welcome as these reports by Michigan State University, the College Placement Council and Northwestern University are, there are many reasons to remain skeptical and less than jubilant about the 1984 job market. Indeed, the results from all three surveys look good on the surface. Ac cording to the Michigan State survey, released last week and thus far given more attention than the other two, employers predict they will hire 5 percent more college graduates next June than they did in June of 1983. The College Placement Council is even more optimistic, forecasting a 22 percent hiring increase. The Michigan State statistics bear especially good news for North Carolinians: In dividing the nation into six different eco nomic regions, the survey found that the percentage of companies in the Southeast predicting a high availability of jobs for 1984 graduates is the second highest in the United States. Why, then, should college students hesitate before cheering? Because many of these improvements in the job market are limited to certain ca reer fields, because 1984' s gains are being measured against the record-low job market prospects of 1983, and because the recent recession has led to a skepticism among employers that manifests itself in ways not equitable to many groups of workers. ' The employment prospects for 1984 are greatest for those holding de grees in preprofessional disciplines such as public accounting, electrical engineering and computer sciences. The student with a degree in the liberal arts or social sciences is still going to face an incredibly tight job market. As for the companies doing the hiring, they are beginning to think twice about how many workers they can afford on their payrolls and are hiring the minimum, not the optimum, number of people they need. There is also great concern that these same companies, reeling from the hard economic times of 1983, will face less pressure to comply with affirmative action quotas and will let go some more-experienced workers in attempts to hire young, lower-salaried college graduates. While the economy "recovers" and the job market follows in suit, the recent economic crunch has left our society with a legacy of employment problems. In the tight squeeze of things, minorities often lose ground. And the virtues of a liberal arts education seem more and more obsolete to the college student worried about future employment. Until these si tuations brighten, the new statistics on improvements in the job market can only be greeted with mild enthusiasm. The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Assistants: Bill Riedy and Gigi Sonner. Assistant Managing Editors: Joel Broadway, Tracy Hilton and Amy Tanner Assistant News Editor Gary Meek News Desk: Cynthia Brown and Pam Weber News: Tracy Adams, Dick Anderson, Diana' Bosniack, Keith Bradsher, Amy Branen, Lisa Brantley, Hope Buffington, Tom Conlon, Kathie Collins, Kate Cooper, Teresa Cox, Lynn Davis, Dennis Dowdy, Chris Edwards, Kathy Farley, Steve Ferguson, Genie French, Kim Gilley, Heather Hay, Andy Hodges, Reggie Holley, Sue Kuhn, Thad Ogburn, Beth O'Kelley, Janet Olson, Rosemary Osborne, Heidi Owen, Beth Ownley, Cindy Parker, Donna Pazdan, Ben Perkowski, Frank Proctor, Linda Queen, Sarah Raper, Mary Alice Resch, Cindi Ross, Katherine Schultz, Sharon Sheridan, Deborah Simpkins, Sally Smith, Mark Stinneford, Carrie Szymeczek, Liz Saylor, Amy Tanner, Doug Tate, Wayne Thompson, Vance Trefethen, Chuck Wallington, Melanie Wells, Lynda Wolf, Rebekah Wright, Jim Yardley and Jim Zook. Sports: Frank Kennedy, Kurt Rosenberg and Eddie Woolen, assistant sports editors. Glenna Burress, Kimball Crossley, Pete Fields, John Hackney, Lonnie McCullough, Robyn Nor wood, Michael Persinger, Julie Peters, Glen Peterson, Lee Roberts, Mike Schoor, Scott Smith, Mike Waters, David Wells and Bob Young., Features: Clarice Bickford, Lauren Brown, Tom Camacho, Toni Carter, Margaret Claiborne, Cindy Dunlevy, Charles Gibbs, Tom Grey, Marymelda Hall, Kathy Hopper, Charles Karnes, Joel Katzenstein, Dianna Massie, Kathy Norcross, Clinton Weaver and Mike Truell, assistant features editor. Arts: J. Bonasia, Steve Carr, Ivy Hilliard, Jo Ellen Meekins, Sheryl Thomas and David Schmidt, assistant arts editor. Photography: Larry Childress, Lori Heeman, Jeff Neuville, Susie Post and Zane Saunders Business: Anne Fulcher, business manager; Angela Booze and Tammy Martin, accounts receivable clerks; Dawn Welch, circulationdistribution manager; William Austin, assistant circulation distribution manager; Patti Pittman and Julie Jones, classified advertising staff; Yvette Moxin, receptionist; Debbie McCurdy, secretary. Advertising: Paula Brewer, advertising manager; Mike Tabor, advertising coordinator; Laura Austin, Kevin Freidheim, Patricia Gorry, Terry Lee, Doug Robinson, Amy Schultz and Anneli Zeck, ad representatives. Composition: UNC-CH Printing Department Printing: Hinton Press, Inc. of Mebane. STV: educational an&entertaining By tim Sullivan The idea of installing cable television in University housing has gained considerable attention very recently. First considered and rejected a number of years ago by a chancellor's committee, the possibility of such a venture is again being discussed. Student support for the idea is obviously wide spread. Granville Towers, as well as many fraternity and sorority houses, is already receiving Village Cable service. In addition, the married student hous ing at Odum Village is finally receiving cable after years of negotiation between the University and Village Cable. It seems reasonable to assume that, eventually, UNC dormitopes will become part of the still expanding section of the population that receives the benefits of cable television. Our world is rapidly changing, making room for new ideas and tech nologies that are changing our lives as well as our educational systems. The first thing most students may think of when they consider the thought of cable in the dorms is the entertainment value of many of the cable channels. Surely, students would relish the chance to watch ACC basketball games on ESPN, relax in front of MTV, or catch up on the hour's latest news with CNN in their dormitory lounges. Even movie chan nels such as HBO, which are prohibited by law from being installed in a common room setting, will be received when the cable capability is expanded from the lounges to individual rooms. Yet, aside from entertainment value, there are im portant reasons for installing cable television in every dormitory on campus as soon as possible. Student Television for UNC lies just on the horizon. Conceived early in the semester as a way to take advantage of an existing University access channel (Channel 11) that has remained almost completely dormant since its inception, Student Television (STV) is now seeking the necessary equipment to begin student-run television programming here in Chapel Hill. STV is a way to combine the talent and re sources of the RTVMP department with an existing cable network to provide students with both ex perience in television production and a cable channel geared specifically to them. With or without cable in the dorms, everyone will have the opportunity to view STV programs. All pro gramming will be aired regularly in the Union, and most downtown eating and drinking establishments already receive Village Cable service. Obviously, this is an issue that must be addressed now. Village Cable has already expressed its initial in terest in doing its part to provide the students with this new educational medium. At this point, the bulk of the burden of responsibility to act falls upon the shoulders of the University administration. It is quite true that there are many technical and logistical prob lems to overcome in wiring University housing, es pecially on North Campus, where the earth is a vir tual maze of underground pipes and wires. It is for this reason that initial efforts have concentrated on South Campus. There have been assurances by some officials that it is very possible to cable the dorms in the near future. STV is attempting to bring the Uni versity and Village Cable together. What cable in the dorms will mean is a new and in novative educational tool that is now unavailable in our academic community, a chance to bring into stu dents rooms information and events. How many times has each of us missed a speaker on campus be cause of other commitments? How many Union pro grams has each of us wished we'd attended after ward, when it was too late? Theatre productions? Non-revenue and club athletic events? Seminars and teach-ins? The possibilites are limitless. In a letter supporting the efforts of STV that was included in a recently compiled fund-raising packet, President William C. Friday described STV as a chance "to develop new communication skills in a sense to practice a new literacy to the benefit of the university community.' In an academic community such as UNC, the opportunity to place a firsthand medium of education directly in the dorms is an ex citing one that should not be passed up. Optimistical ly, STV could be on the air some time next semester. Despite the many problems, there have been assur ances by some officials that it is very possible to cable the dorms in the near future. STV is attempting to bring the University and Village Cable together to discuss the matter and to begin work as soon as pos sible. Unfortunately, this is an issue that could become bogged down in bureaucratic stagnation unless the correct amount of pressure is continually applied. Students should realize their stake in the matter and take an active stance. If we truly desire to see the many educational as well as entertainment oppor-. tunities that could be available to us by bringing Vil lage Cable onto campus, we will not let this matter die, but will push hard for what could be an inval uable educational experience. Tim Sullivan, a junior international studies major from Loudonville, N. Y., is director of promotions for STV. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What 's really best for us To the editor: On Dec. 1, the DTH reported that UNC President William C. Friday met about 8 days ago with Chancellor Christopher C. Fordham III and mem bers of the N.C. Film Commission to discuss filming Everybody 's All-American on the UNC campus. Since, according to Friday, the final decision was left up to Fordham, there is no indication that the aforementioned group found sufficient reason to reject Warner Bros.' offer at their meeting. Fordham's decision can only be attributed to the sheer inertia of conservatism. Fordham's only apparent objection to the film is that it would cause distractions to the academic process dur ing final exams. We youngsters know not what is best for ourselves! The University administration has already affirmed this by attempting to impose a mandatory meal plan during the summer while we were away. Fordham has obviously con cluded that we college students lack the responsibility and maturity to make the "proper" decisions with respect to budgeting our time or placing the film in its proper perspective. Or perhaps he reasons that some of our teachers lack the ability to hold students' interest in class. If such is the case, his decision has been made from a fear of reality: the reality that not nearly enough emphasis is placed on teaching, but publishing instead. Until the University administration begins to seriously consider and listen to students' opinions, students will continue to vote for Hugh G. Reckshuns and Yure Nmommas. As a student who is proud of the University of North Carolina and its progressive tradition, I am embarrassed by this step backward. J. Bradford Moretz Granville Towers JH To the editor: Once again the controversy revolving around the expected Senate race between Jesse Helms and Jim Hunt has arisen. This time it involves ads placed on radios by the N.C. Democratic , Party. The Democrats have produced facts from the Congressional Record and media state ments made by Helms to back their claims. The senator voted for tax deductible business lunches and against hot lunches for school . children. The dispute is over the context in which the ads are used. The voters of the state should recall the techniques used by Helms' Congressional Club over the past years distorting an opponent's record through smear tactics. John East, backed by Helms' organiza tion, did exactly this with Robert Mor gan's record in the 1980 Senate race. Governor Hunt has attempted to bring out positive issues such as the economy, education, the elderly and the environ ment. Senator Helms has repeatedly call- ed for a debate between the two of them, but he must be reminded that each candi date needs to announce and win the pri mary of his respective party. When the citizens of North Carolina go to the polls next year, they should ask themselves who will best represent North Carolina as the state of progress, fairness, decency of politics, and opportunity. Can a candidate buy an election for $14 million? Is this kind of politics good for North Carolina? Where does Jesse stand? I think it has been rather obvious over these years. Brad Roberts Winston Sealedlips To the editor: I am sick and tired of hearing about racism and hearing self-righteous peo ple stir up a worn-out issue that does not need stirring. I honestly think that the vast majority of students at this university are not racist, and if they are, that is their problem; there is no need to continue this finger-pointing with which we are so constantly pelted. The issue of racism is racist in itself: if group one feels that group two treats them as inferior, then group one must prove that they are better than or equal to group two no matter what group two thinks or does. See, it is confusing and dumb. If people would not worry about what another group feels about their group, then we can all start just being people. The people who are outspoken against racism are just stirring it up. If the students here are really anti-racist, . which I feel they are, then if we ignore it, it will just go away. Only when we quit focusing so much atttion on racism will it fade away as all archaic views do. Gordon Bailey, HI Chapel Hill Don 't talk, do M . Y if Cm To the editor: This letter is in response to Cassandra Towne's letter to the editor "Some Joke" DTH, Dec. 5). Her letter was written in response to vandalism that resulted in a small fire in the 5th floor kitchen and destruction of two elevators in Hinton James dorm. Instead of offering a solu tion to the problem, Towne looked for the sympathy of the student body. Frank ly, I do not believe many of the students on campus (much less those responsible for the vandalism) really care how many flights of stairs she has to walk up. Of fering a solution for the prevention of future acts of this kind would have been more appropriate and constructive. Unfortunately, with a campus as large as ours and dorms with so many people, there is not an easy solution. Students are going to have to learn to get involved when they see others doing wrong. They should not be afraid to say something to a person; UNC is their home too. If the persons continues, students should report him (or her) to the R.A., A.D. or the Campus Police if the situation warrants it. These vandals only show that they have no respect for themselves, others students and UNC facilities. Laurin Willis Hinton James Letters? The Daily Tar Heel welcomes letters to the editor and column contribu tions for the editorial page. Contributions should be typed on a 60-space line and triple-spaced. They are subject to editing. Contributions must be submitted by noon the day before publication. Column writers should include their majors and hometowns; each letter should include the writer's name, ad dress and telephone number. Letters that are not typed will not be printed. It isn't easy being Jewish By JOEL KATZENSTEIN It isn't easy being Jewish during the Christmas season. You don't hearHanuk kah songs on the radio. Advertisements in the newspapers show happy families by the Christmas tree in their red and white pajamas with stocking caps. Main street is decorated with garlands of green and red, and men in Santa suits are on every street corner. I've often wondered why this is not the season to be Jewish. My parents tried to compensate by letting my brother, sister and me celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. This seems to be a very com mon practice among Southern families who neither want their children to lose their Jewish identity nor want them to miss out on all the Christmas cheer. My brother and I were allowed to go Christmas caroling with the neighbors, and for a couple of years we even had a Christmas tree, although my father in sisted on calling it a Hanukkah bush. If the truth is told, we even had stock-. ings over the fire place. Now, however, I'm told that although my parents meant well it would have been better if we had just celebrated Hanukkah. It seems that my Jewish identity would be stronger if I had been gently forced to realize that the Christmas season can be admired and even enjoyed by Jews, but from a distance. A rabbi told me recently that Christians don't observe the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) so Jews shouldn't celebrate Christmas. Try telling that to a kid who, at the age of six, is one of two Jewish kids in his school and who, through peer pressure and perhaps even a desire to believe, writes letters to Santa Claus. It's true that Jewish kids don't have an "imaginary" benevolent figure like Saint Nick my mom did try to switch us over to Harry Hanumas for a while though we didn't go for it but they do have cer tain advantages in celebrating Hanukkah. For starters, there are eight days of Hanukkah. Although we don't have a Christmas tree with presents piled beneath it, most Jewish kids receive a gift each of the eight nights. Each night of Hanukkah is spent with the lighting of the candles. An additional candle is added until the candle holder, called a menorah, is fully lit. This ritual symbolizes the meaning of Hanukkah, or the "dedication of light," and is probably the most significant part of the holiday. Children also gamble with a small top called a dreidel. The player spins the dreidel and gambles on which of the four sides of the dreidel will fall face-up. Even Jewish scholars will admit that Hanukkah is not a very significant holi day in the Jewish faith. Its increased popularity over the last hundred years is due in part to what some Jews felt was a need to compete with the Christmas holi day for the sake of the children. To children who have strong Jewish backgrounds and are from large Jewish communities in the South such as Atlan ta, Miami and even Charlotte, Hanukkah has a special meaning and is just as im portant as Christmas is for Christian children. It's a time for family unity, giv ing and receiving, and celebration of the age-old holiday. . Kids who come from smaller Jewish communities, however, don't always see it this way. They certainly appreciate the meaning of Hanukkah, but it would help if they didn't feel like they were visitors from another planet the day after Thanksgiving. Even though Christmas season only lasts a little more than a month, it is sure to have some ill side effects on these Jewish kids. When Jewish children go to the mall with their parents and see a long line of children, many of whom are friends from school, waiting to see Santa, they must continue walking. Mom and Dad are the ones giving out the Hanuk kah presents and they don't use any fancy entrances or exits. You won't see these kids roaming from door to door throughout the neighborhood singing "We wish you a Happy Hanukkah" and "I'm Getting Nothing For Hanukkah." They'll be sit ting at home wondering why commer cialism hasn't caught up with their holi day. Then again, nobody ever said it would be easy. Joel Katzenstein, a junior English and journalism major from Gastonia, is a staff writer for The Daily Tar Heel.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Dec. 7, 1983, edition 1
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