Page 10
Tuesday, September 2,2003
Op/Ed
Gardner-Webb University
Box: 6165
Phone: 3533
E-mail: gwupiIot@yahoo.com
www.gwupilotcom
editors-in-chief
Emily Killian
Sarah Olimb
snorts editor
John Olson
style conv editor
Jennifer Menster
content copy editor
Erin Aldridge
design editor
Robert Brunson
staff
Katie Main
Kaylin Bowers
Jacob Conley
Jared Smith
Lee Adams
Scott Holstein
Sean Hubbard
free-lancers
Merry Leigh Miller
Rachel Jones
Jess Snyder
advisor
Bob Carey
The Pilot Is the official Gardner-
Webb University student newspaper.
It is produced by students under the
supervision of the Department of
Communication Judies.
Gardner-Webb fosters an atmosphere
In which student Journalists may report
on matters of common Interest and
write critically about University Issues,
policies and programs without fear of
reprisal. At the same time The Pilot
adheres to high standards of integrity
and joumallstic responsibility.
The Pilot is produced using the Quark
Publishing System provided through
a generous grant from Quaric, inc.
Letters to the editor must be signed,
but names can be withheld if request
ed by the author
Funding and support for the arts
Sarah Olimb
Pilot co-editor
This editorial stems from
one of those late night discus
sions, usually seeped in passion
and lofty ideas. Those of us
involved found the subject of
funding and support for the arts
at Gardner-Webb a personal
and even touchy subject.
I feel a need to qualify this
article before I even start. I
realize that funding, budgets
and money are all very compli
cated matters that are not taken
lightly by our administration.
However, I want to utilize my
position in its fullest capacity
— as a voice.
To begin, it seems as
though our Art department
must fight for any funding,
recognition or additional facul
ty that it receives. We don’t
have a studio — we have a
classroom. Due to their limited
budget, the department cannot
offset the cost of art lab fees;
thus, students must pay yet
another fee in order to partici
pate in the class. Also, this
department is not granted space
on campus to display student
art permanently. An art gallery,
displaying the work of current
students could draw prospec
tive students to the school and
grant deserving artists recogni
tion from their institution and
community.
And while I want to
acknowledge the steps the
administration has taken on
behalf of communication stud
ies as well as their support of
this student publication and the
freedom they grant its editors, I
also wonder if the amount of
money given to our budget
compares to our role on cam
pus. We are the voice of the stu
dents as well as a thread
between the administration and
the student body. Our resources
are often limited, which limits
our education. This leads me to
ask the question, “Could we be
more effective if we had more
resources?”
On a more personal level,
it’s easy to complain about
funding and other such bureau
cratic notions. However, when
we evaluate our involvement as
a student body in educationally
enriching programs, which are
sponsored by our university or
more specifically individual
departments on campus, we
should be ashamed at our apa
thy and laziness. Many times
we as students only attend these
functions if they are require
ments for an academic class.
We’re students. We are at this
institution to learn — not only
academically but also artistical
ly. We should attend these
events, programs and meetings
simply to develop our minds.
By attending events like Life of
the Scholar or any Gardner-
Webb choral performance, we
enrich our lives. Let’s shun our
apathy, support our professors
and fellow students in their
interests and enhance our expe
rience at GWU.
Its cyclical — as our
involvement in educational
programs outside of the class
room will alert the university to
our concern for the role that
these events play in our educa
tion, which may in turn affect
funding decisions made by our
university.
SGA notices
upgrades
To the student body.
Well, I don’t know about you guys, but if
the rest of the year is as crazy and fun as the
first few weeks. I’ll be dead but have had a
blast. I can tell you already, you as a student
body have already been a thrill to be with.
This letter concerns the Caf. Freshmen, I
want you to find an upper-classman some
time and ask them about some of the changes
that we didn’t have last year, both in the Caf
and downstairs at the Meal Exchange.
Suzanne, who’s in charge of the food ser
vices, and the entire cafeteria staff have
worked very hard to improve the overall con
ditions of the food services. However, these
workers understand that sometimes things
might not be exactly the way you may want
it. Suzanne told me last year, "We don’t
work 60 to 80 hours a week for the students
not to be happy." Please, if something is not
how you want it, tell them how you would
like it. Don’t be rude, but respectfully let
them know what they could do to make
things better for you. They will greatly
appreciate your input.
Chip Carter
SGA President, 2003-2004
Howdy Partner
Pttolo by Scott Hototain
Junior Ashley Hall grabs hands and swings her partners around at Gardner-Webb’s square
dance during welcome-back festivities.