I
10The Daily Tar HeelFriday, December 2,
1988
latlg
96? Kflr o f editorial freedom
Karen Bell, Neus Editor
lATT BlVENS, Associate Editor
KlMBERLY EDENS, University Edttoi
JON K. RUST, Managing Editor
Will Lingo, aty Editor
Kelly Rhodes, Am Editor
CATHY McHUGH, Omnibus Editor
SHELLEY ERBLAND, Design Editor
History of a landmark decision
The news broke in early February
,1986 that Old East and Old West
residence halls were slated for conver
sion to offices. Although administra
tors assured students that the change
wouldn't occur immediately, the
conversion seemed to be aforegone
conclusion. The Daily Tar Heel
reported the plans Feb. 10 and fol
lowed with an extra-long editorial Feb.
11 condemning the decision, which
was made with no student
involvement.
Clearly, the renovation of Old East
and Old West was a touchy subject.
After all, what's more important to a
student than where he lives?
Sentimental and historic value
The strongly negative student reac
tion to the decision seemed well
justified; University officials had
already set a precedent for turning
North Campus dorms into office
space. Several of the residence halls
on North Campus had recently been
.appropriated for just such purposes.
Steele building, Battle-Vance-.Pettigrew
halls and even Carr Build
ing, where University Housing is
located, were all residence halls at one
time.
v. Because Old East and Old West are
national historic landmarks (Old East
:is the oldest university building in the
United States), students were espe
cially sensitive to the idea of converting
Uhe dorms into offices.
Obviously, officials realized con
verting the buildings into much
needed North Campus office space
wdtild be less expensive than renovat
ing ri and restoring them as historic
residence halls.
Saving Old East, West
286: Officials tell DTH the dorms will
be converted to offices.
386: Board of Trustees votes to sup
port continuation of dorms as resi
dence halls
986: Officials form Old EastOld West
Task Force , an advisory committee of
students and administrators.
387: Architectural firm report recom
mends restoring the buildings for use
as dorms.
487: Task force recommends that Old
East and Old West remain all-male
dorms. Also submits plans to renovate
and restore the buildings.
Making student opinion heard
In response to the stink raised by
students upset at the prospect of losing
Old East and Old West, administrators
established a task force. The Old East
.Old West Task Force was composed
of student leaders such as Student
Body President Bryan Hassel; Resi
dence Hall Association President Ray
Jones and later Jones successor, Kelly
Clark; representatives from dorms in
the area; and several administrators,
including Director of University
Housing Wayne Kuncl and Donald
Boulton, vice chancellor and dean of
student affairs.
By creating the task force, the
administration publicly confirmed its
interest in gathering student opinion
on the dorm renovations. However,
the group was established after the
initial discussions had taken place.
Also, because it was merely advisory,
the task force had no power aside from
suggesting an appropriate use for Old
East and Old West to the Board of
Trustees.
After the task force consulted with
an architectural firm, the most feasible
option emerged: Make some structural
changes, add modern conveniences
and allow the buildings to remain as
dormitories.
Who gets to live there?
Students had won the proverbial
battle, but the war wasn't over yet. The
students wanted a say in how the
residence halls would be renovated and
ip who would live there when the
restorations were complete. Signals
from the University were confusing on
(Ear 3kel
Jean Lutes, Editor
KAARIN TlSUE. Neus Editor
Laura Pearlman, Associate Editor
Kristen Gardner, University Editor
Sharon Kebschull, State and National Editor
Mike Berardino, Sports Editor
Leigh ann Mcdonald. Features Editor
David Minton, Photography Editor
Kelly Thompson, Design Editor
Students:
Playing David to the
University's Goliath?
this point.
The Board of Trustees had sup
ported the continuation of the build
ings as all-male residence halls a
suggestion that seemed to match the
desires of current residents exactly.
Another idea came from Gillian
Cell, dean of General College and the
College of Arts and Science, who
issued a proposal to reserve Old East
and Old West as honors dorms. Cell
wanted outstanding students and
student leaders to be housed in the Old
East and Old West.
But most student leaders didn't
support the idea. They feared such a
program could cause elitism, and
isolate leaders from the students they
were to represent. The proposal had
limited support and is unlikely to be
implemented.
Of course, it's clear that the build
ings will remain as residence halls, and
it seems likely that the long-standing
tradition of all-male residents will
continue. But until the renovations
and restorations are completed for the
University's 200th birthday celebration
in 1993, students won't know for sure
who will be eligible to live in the dorms.
Students can only hope the build
ings will continue as all-male residence
halls for ordinary students as well as
outstanding ones.
It's the responsibility of students,
then, to pressure the administration
until the job is done to students'
satisfaction.
Lessons to be learned
Several factors contributed to
positive impact of student involvement
in the decisions about Old East and
Old West. First and foremost, the
Board of Trustees was on the students'
side; obviously, when the trustees talk,
the administration listens.
Another integral part of this process
was The Daily Tar Heel. From
frequent articles to editorials to letters
to the editor, the DTH performed its
first duty to the student body to
be a watchdog of the administration
and to keep students informed.
The most outstanding students in
this conflict, however, were Ray Jones
and Kelly Clark. They never backed
down before the administration. Their
first duty was to stand for the rights
and desires of the residents of Old East
and Old West, and this they did
relentlessly.
Also, Jones and Clark did some
thing all student leaders can learn
from: they wrote everything down.
Everything. This prevents later confu
sion about what was said at any given
time, and it helps future student
officers when they begin to deal with
the administration.
Only by staying on the backs of
administrators did Jones and Clark
force the administration to consider
seriously the issue of converting the
residence halls. In the same way, the
DTH forced students to consider the
conversion as well. A strong power for
students on this campus is spreading
the word letting a student repre
sentative know something is not right
or writing a letter to the editor. If
students cause enough conflict, trus
tees or high-level administrators
responsible for decisions inevitably
come under public scrutiny. Then, the
people who wield the most power must
become involved.
A columnist
HHMBH 1 ' 1 ' 1
There are times when it's nice to have
this space to fill every week, when
JL I really have something to say come
immediately to mind. I am a vocal person,
and I like to talk with people about what
they are thinking and why. I do this
everyday, and I'm sure there are those out
there who would like me to shut up for
a while. Well, if it were not for this space
this week, they would have their wish.
You see, I'm in pain right now. It's not
because my editor is whipping my back
each time I glance up from the computer
screen. I didnt fall down the stairs and
twist my ankle. I didnt slip in the shower
and slam my head against the porcelain.
I didnt spill hot coffee down my front on
the way to class. I would have preferred
to have any of these things happen to me
this week, even all of them compared to
what did happen. On Wednesday I visited
my orthodontist. Since that time I have
been unable to think, write, speak or eat.
This pain should come as no surprise
to me. I have worn braces for over a quarter
of my life. What started with a seemingly
innocent appliance known as a palate
separator has become an eight year struggle
to save my mouth.
1 remember thinking how neamy braces
were in the beginning. Those little things
attached to my teeth would give me the
perfect smile in no time. I quickly learned
to hate them.
My family had just moved to Ohio. I
was the new kid in town, completely
uncoordinated, a little shy and I wore
glasses. I already had an image problem
and braces were not going to add to my
popularity. Instead they added to my list
of nicknames. "Brace Face," and "Tinsel
Put Dale
on pg. 3
To the editor:
Arent we all getting a little
tired of hearing about Dale
McKinley? Do you ever
wonder why each minor devel
opment in his case makes the
front page? Does anyone really
care about the CIA anyway? I
think that Dale is getting way
too much free publicity. We
only give his cause additional
support every time we print
new articles about him.
I think that it was ridiculous
for his picture to be on the front
page of the DTH on Nov. 28.
Isnt it really obvious that is
exactly what he wanted when
he decided to wear a Cocaine
Importers of America T-shirt?
Why dont we just give him a
daily column to let us know
everything he thinks? Better
yet, how about a staff position
on the DTH? Or does he
already have one? Pardon my
conjecture, but since when has
Dale been so opposed to
cocaine anyway? Maybe I just
missed his "Just say no to
drugs" protest.
Isnt it really obvious what
Dale is trying to do now? His
intentions are very clear. He is
trying to skip town before any
resolution can be made regard
ing his case. That is why he
walked out on the court earlier
this fall and is now claiming
that his rights are being vio
lated. I hope there is a law
somewhere stating that a stu
dent cannot receive a degree
from this University with a case
still pending in the Graduate
Court. I think that it would be
a terrible breach of justice to
let him off with no trial just
because he is about to graduate
and leave the country.
Wouldn't this set a rather
dangerous precedent for the
future of student government?
I admit that I'm interested in
what happens to Dale's case.
Not because of his ideas or CIA
protests, but because of a
Trivializing
The nice thing about living in a free
society is that each individual has
a right to express his opinions. So
I was not so agitated when I perused the
letters page of the Nov. 28 DTH and saw
immediately J. Christian's political car
toon, "Trivial Pursuits." I knew I had the
right to express my disagreement with him.
While I am not unaware of the excess
of horror and pain that is currently
rampant in the world (usually because
some one group of human beings is
perpetuating said pain on some other), I
can not agree that those who use their high
profile and or high energies to champion
animal rights are pursuing trivialities. That
is entirely a matter of opinion, and one
to which I must reluctantly admit J.
Christian is entitled. I, however, am
incensed more by the possibility that many
people will agree with him than I am that
he holds the opinion in the first place.
Champions of justice are usually people
defending those who, for one reason or
another, cannot defend themselves. Anim
als top this list. Outside of killing the hunter
who comes to capture it, an animal has
no defense against incarceration and
exposure to any kind of test, treatment or
torture its captors see fit to inflict upon
it. These creatures who are supposedly our
neighbors have no rights, no recourse, no
avenue for redress of grievances, that have
been so carefully preserved for all of
down in the mouth, literally
- . . .. - - .
Bill Yelverton
Notes from the Abyss
Teeth," now joined "Geek," "Spaz,"
"Brain," and "Four Eyes" in my list of
pseudonyms.
I finally grew out of my shyness, and
my coordination has improved somewhat
but the braces stayed with me. I thought
they would be on for a year, maybe two.
The orthodontist's words were always the
same,"You're looking good. We're making
real progress. See you in four weeks." With
that he would bend the wires and 'send
me home for a week of pain as my teeth
contorted themselves into interesting new
shapes.
Each visit I would hope to hear those
magic words, "We're all finished up in here.
Well need an extra long appointment next
time to take those suckers off." Instead
I would look up into my orthodontist's
perfect set of teeth and hear, "IVe read
about a radical new treatment for cases
like yours. I want to try it out next time.
Ill see you in four weeks." This continued
for over four years.
Most of the milestones of my life have
passed with braces steadfastly attached to
my molars. Instead of enjoying my first
real kiss I was trying not to maim the girl.
I had perfected the process by the time
my junior and senior proms rolled around.
I refused to smile for my first driver's
license picture, but I learned how to smile
without showing any teeth for my senior
yearbook photo.
The day before I left home to come to
Readers9 Foram
dangerous precedent which
may be set if he is allowed to
walk on the charges aganst him.
After all, I'm still waiting
patiently for the next takeover
of a newspaper in Lumberton.
So let us know what happens.
But please . . . dont bombard
us with pictures and articles
about Dale and the rest of his
entourage every time they plan
a protest or open their mouths
on campus.
BILL CRAVER
Sophomore
Economics
Steamed
about Rice
To the editor:
King Rice a waste of
scholarship? One that will
always be remembered as mess
ing up the finals? Not a good
player? Now I have a question
that has been bothering me for
months: Why? Why does eve
rybody from the DTH to
Sports Illustrated still insist on
talking about King Rice's
"mess-ups" that occurred last
year? You dont know how sick
and tired I get everytime I pick
up an article to read about King
and all I read about is his
"disasters." I'm sure he's sick of
it, too. For once, I would like
to read something positive
about him without a mention
of his mistakes. King realizes
he made mistakes (he cant help
but remember, thanks to the
media), so he doesnt need to
be continually reminded. He's
been through enough! Cant
you see that he's worked on
improving his game this
summer? I wish the media
would stop harping on last year
and concentrate more on this
year. Give the man a break ...
leave him alone! And to King
good luck! I'm rootin' for
you, and I know youll do well
this year ... so well soon the
media will be raving about you!
AMY WILLIAMS
Freshman
RTVMP
cruelty to animals is beastly
Alan Hall
Guest Writer
mankind (at least, supposedly, in the
United States). Unless some human animal
seeks to protect those who cannot defend
themselves, there will very soon be no
animals on this planet other than human
beings and those few species raised as food
sources. Witness the ever-increasing lists
of extinct species who will never be seen
again on this earth, not because of natural
selection, but simply because man did not
give enough of a damn about any life form
but his own to keep it from happening.
There are those who feel that medical
science could not exist without lesser
species to experiment upon. This is a
reasonable argument for humane exper
imentation on animals, but it does not give
us the right to exploit and deplete the
population of any other species in favor
of our own. Whales are helpless against
whaling vessels. Mice (yes, and hamsters,
too, J. Christian) are helpless against the
lab technicians who inject, subject and
reject their bodies every day to diseases
that are killing us, let alone them. Diane
Fossey's mountain gorillas are helpless
against poachers. Dogs and cats are used
daily in experimentation; do you happen
Carolina my orthodontist took off the
braces. He said that he had done as much
as he could do and that as long as my
jaw didn't grow any more I would be fine.
I didnt know it at the time, but it was
analogous to the fairy godmother telling
Cinderella that she had to be in by
midnight. ''
. I arrived at Carolina with naked teeth.
I felt invincible, ready to take on the world
unburdened by the weight of metal in my
mouth. So many things were easier. I could
smile without worrying that I was exposiiig
someone to brocoli casserole remains.
When I spoke, I no longer spit all over
myself. I was in heaven.
Last April the clock struck midnight. On
a routine checkup my orthodontist
informed me that the worst had happened.
I would have to have surgery or face the
risk of not being able to speak or eat by
the time I was 30. It was a tough choice,
but now I'm back in braces getting ready
for the surgery. ;
These are no ordinary braces thought
The orthodontist's assistant who changed
my wires the other day told me these might
hurt a bit more than usual. Playing the
role of seasoned veteran I assured her that
I had my Tylenol ready and could handle
the pain. She simply laughed and inserted
some kind of titanium steel wire "that
doesn't bend.
Since that time I haven't been able to
move or think about anything other than
my teeth. No social issues, no pleas to
attend Craft Fest, no redeeming value at
all, just a rambling moan. Hopefully 111
be back up to speed next week.
Bill Yelverton is a senior English major
from Darien, Conn. '
Gun down
this ad
To the editor:
No sale! In the future, when
would-be advertisers bring you
class A trash, like the recent ad,
with a handgun pointed at 'i
student's head, please say "No!"
x Add yukety yuk to Yackety:
Yak!
ANN EVANS
Faculty
School of Nursing
Letters policy
n The DTH reserves the
right to edit letters for space,,
clarity and vulgarity.
Remember, brevity is the soul
of wit.
a Students should include
name, year in school, major,
phone number and home
town. Other members of the
University community should
include similar information. "J
to own a pet, Mr. Christian? I would be;
interested to know if you would allow your
pet to be subjected to the kinds of
experimentation I have seen forced on
others of the species.
Man is not, as a member of the biological
chain, tolerant of other species. If it's in
cur way, then it better get the hell out
or it's not going to survive. And if it benefits
man, then another species ought to b
proud to be wiped out in the pursuit of
scientific knowledge. This is what your
cartoon says to me, Mr. Christian. .It
speaks just as loudly as terrorism, waiy
poverty and all the other nouns that show ;
up in your cartoon, of man's inability to
care about any but himself. t ;
I applaud Bob Barker. I applaud Dons j
Day, Diane Fossey and the hundreds upon'
hundreds of other people, both famous aflcT
not, who seek to end the unjust horr$ij
we inflict on the animal life of this EartK;
It is no less a just and worthy cause than;
the end of hunger, the end of war, the end
of man's inhumanity to man. If we cartf
end the suffering we have caused those whcc'
cannot combat it, then maybe we can learn
to live with our human neighbors, even-j
tually, too.
.
Alan Hall is a staff member at the Lay
Library.