PAGE TWO
THE BENNETT BANNER
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1980
Logic of double cut system questioned
Myra Jewel George
Bennett prides itself on its uniqueness from other colleges. At times that
quality is good, but at other times it can be a problem. Take, for example, the
cut system. At Bennett, we get one cut for each semester hour and double cuts
for unexcused absences taken before and after holidays. Other schools have no
cuts at all and some, like St. Augustine, require that uppei’classmen attend
75% of the time.
I can understand the rationale behind the cut system, but the double cut is
a mystery to me. With the single cuts, the administration is trying to reinforce
class attendance and keep students from being dropped failing. That’s fine,
except for the fact that it isn’t the administration’s responsibility or business
to worry about our grades. Bennett women are supposed to be mature and ca
pable. (Although you’d never know it from all the rules they impose upon us!)
I admit, everyone needs a set of rules to abide by so that we can all live peace
fully. But, if these rules aren’t logical, they really defeat the purpose.
What is the logic behind double cuts? The cut system implies that there is
a difference between an absence taken on any given day and one taken before
or after a holiday. I don’t believe that there is a difference. In both cases, the
student misses subject matter. So, if these absences are the same, why do they
have different punishments? Besides being illogical, it looks as if the admin
istration is trying to punish students for going home early on a holiday. Could
it be that they are angry because they have to sit in offices and classes while
the students are at home celebrating?
As Thanksgiving vacation approaches, I am trying even harder to under
stand the double cut system. What if I were taking a bus home that left at ten
and at six? Thanksgiving vacation begins Wednesday at twelve and the dorm
closes at five. I already have two classes before noon and I can’t afford double
cuts or I’ll be dropped. Am I supposed to go to class and then wait on Gorrell
Street after five for a taxi and then wait even longer at the bus station to get
on a bus that’s already filled with students from other colleges? Or am I sup
posed to skip my morning classes and get dropped? I guess the administra
tion’s answer is to go to class, at all costs, so that I can save my cuts until
holidays. Is that the purpose of double cuts, to teach students how to arrange
unexcused absences or to make us have short holidays and chaotic traveling
arrangements ?
Why can’t we have one cut for absences before and after holidays? Because
then students might leave early and few would come to class. Well, so what?
Would you rather have students sitting in class thinking about being at home
and not learning what is being taught? I believe that it s better to have a class
with only a few people who are learning everything than a class packed full
of people who couldn’t care less.
It’s a problem of misplaced responsibilities. The responsibility of the fac
ulty is to impart knowledge. The student’s responsibility is to absorb this
knowledge. If a student doesn’t uphold her responsibilities, she punishes her
self by failing. Students don’t need any extra punishment.
W
g
"I MAY BE^ 5EHIND IN WORKING FOR MY
B.S. DE6REE, feUT I'M V-/AY AHEAD OF
HY 'MRS' schedule/"
Letters to tlie editor
Students voice concerns
To the Editor,
I am writing to express my
opinion to all those non-partici
pating freshmen.
Recently our freshman class of
ficers were elected and it was my
understanding that all the fresh
men did not vote. So I would like
to say to those who didn’t take
the time to vote, “don’t take the
time to criticize.”
Leslie Monique Barr
To the Editor:
I would like to express some
concern about the abolishment of
fun-nite. To most students fun-
nite was an escape from the mid-
nnctl ^ann^t
1980-81
Co-Editor Myra George
Co-Editor Lisa Harris
Advisor Martha Brown
Circulation Manager Karen Hecl
Business Manager Wanda Dick
Cartoonists Venus McDowell
Norman Barbee
Photographer Shelly Coston
Reporters
Leslie Barr Monica Motley
Karen Heck Josie Hudley
Katherine Winston Andrea Burch
Yolanda DuRant Jeanette Hatch
Denise Wilder Wanda Edwards
Tina Johnson Yvette Barbour
Terri Ford Veronica McKinney
Shelly Coston
week madness of classes and
homework. This was the only type
of enjoyment on campus for stu
dents to look forward to. Game-
night is of no significance and
draws only a small portion of
people. I think that the adminis
tration should seriously consider
this matter if they are looking out
for the well-being of the students.
Darleen Brooks
To the Editor;
I am really disturbed with the
heating system in my dormitory
room. It gets entirely too hot and,
in fact, I have to open windows
and turn on the fan to cool the
room. The thermostat dials that
are placed on the heaters must be
there for sheer decoration, be
cause they just don’t work,
I would like to know when the
heat will be regulated. Because
as far as I’m concerned if the
heaters are not regulated I will
continue to open my window, let
ting needed money as well as heat
out the window.
Leslie Monique Barr
Black College Day promotes pride
Lisa Harris
Bennett’s representation in Black College Day was not felt
in mass numbers, but the college was well represented. A group
of 49 students participated in the march to the United States
Capitol on Monday, Sept. 29.
As we retraced the route of the 1960 march on Washin^on
where the cry was for Civil Rights, I tried to imagine the feelings
of those marchers. Here we were, 8,000 students marching for
the first time in support of another important cause, the preser
vation of our traditional Black institutions. I suddenly realized
that there was something more important than the trivial com
plaints that often plague our campuses. For the first time, I
realized that our schools were established for a unique purpos^
Where else will we encounter the cultural aspects not gained
at predominantly white institutions? Where else will the pro
fessors take the time to give us extra help and encouragement?
Where else will we develop awareness and appreciation of our
heritage? Where else will our non-athletic black students get
the chance to prove themselves?
Never before have I felt the need to defend my blackness.
Never before had I felt that something so dear to me could be
takn away becaus of race. Black College Day was a success, if
only for the awareness that I achieved from it. It challenged
each of us to participate in the survival of black colleges. It says
to Bennett students, “Know your priorities and make the best
of your Bennett experience.”
Prayer lightens heart, gives guidance
“I CALLED ON MY FATHER
AND HE HEARD MY CRY”
I called on the Lord
and He heard my cry,
He answered my prayer
Now my burdens are lifted
and my days are no more
nights.
The pressures are gone
and my way is made
easy,
The loneliness that used
to be midnight is no more
a force against me.
Yes I called on the Lord
and He heard my cry,
I called on the Lord,
My Father,
and He drew my soul nigh.
He said child, you know I
love you and what I have
is yours,
so give me all of your cares
and let me wrap you in my
love.
Yes I called upon the Lord
and He set my soul free.
In exchange for my pain
He gave me sunshine and
peace.
The Lord said child,
I love you so,
and I desire to take you
where no natural man can
go.
I called on My Father
and He drew nigh to me.
He said child I’m right here
and I love you, I love you,
I love you, I love you . . .
Katherine Winston