2—Smoke Signals, Wednesday, March 23, 1971
Letters to the Editor |
Open Forum
WELCOME HOME
If! r
Student
Legislature
To the Editor:
There has been some con-
troversey in recent weeks over the
student legislature and its power
or should I say lack of it. As it
now stands there are 33 members
of this elite group. They are
elected at-large from the student
body, and have no true con
stituency to answer to for
malfesiance. The root of their
ineffectiveness is in part, due to
this very problem.
Under the present plan, it is
possible for all of the male
legislators to be elected from one
dormitory thus leaving the other
six unrepresented. A striking
example of this flaw in election
procedure is being evidenced this
semester as the Barracks,
College Street Hall and Stone
Hall have no representatives
whatsoever.
There is an alternative to this
problem. We must reorgainze the
legislature. First of all let each
hall of each dorm elect one
representative to the legislature.
College Street and Stone Hall will
elect one representative each.
The Day students and the off
campus students will be allowed
one representative each. The
faculty also will elect one of its
members who will have only one
vote as each student represen
tative will. This brings the
number of representatives to 30.
The elections for these offices
will be held twice yearly, during
the first month of school in the
fall and again during the first two
weeks of the spring semester. In
this way each floor would have
the option of returning a dillagent
representative to the legislature
or rejecting him in favor of
another representative who
maybe more receptive to its
needs. To further strengthen the
legislature its meetings would be
held bi-weekly instead of the
present montUy meetings.
This reorganization will by no
means rectify the conglomer
ation of problems which bog
down the legislature, only a
united effort by the students
can make the process of true
Student Government work, but
maybe this is the first step in
that process.
—Bill Huchens
Dear Bill,
Upon receiving I was prompted
to do some research on this
matter. I found out that last year
during the rewriting of the
constitution, the matter was of a
controversial nature, much
debated, pro and con. Obviously
the pro’s won out. The only way
to change this matter is through
amendment to the Student
Constitution which is possible
through two-thirds vote of the
Student Legislature or a petition
of at least ten percent of the
student body to the Student
Government Association
President. Good Luck and Best
Wishes. A-ED.
—Ron Dunn
Apathy
Dear Editor;
In the last issue of SMOKE
SIGNAL5, there was a comment
by the editor on the student
apathy that exists at Chowan.
Although some of this can be
traced to the students, I think the
editor, in his future conunents,
should look toward the apathy of
the administration of this in
stitution.
The administration here does
not encourage student par
ticipation in campus affairs or
campus events, for that matter,
and neither does the ad
ministration encourage students
to stand up for what they believe
in, which should be a basic part of
the educational process.
Of course, the student body
here is to be reprimanded for not
standing up for what they believe
in, for what is right and what is
wrong, even though they have no
encouragement from ad-
ministrationn or faculty.
I might mention that Mr. Billy
Graham’s article on law en
forcement 101 was in poor taste.
His approach to handling his job
creates nothing but mutual
distrust among students, faculty,
and administration. Mr. Clayton
Lewis, our Dean of Students, got
a first hand example of this the
EDITORIALS
night of the snow ball fight in the
park.
If we, the student body and the
administration, would think and
then take some mutual, con
structive action on issues that are
not right and logical, Chowan
would be a much better school
and one that we (the students)
could say that we were proud of.
At least we could say that we
came from. a school that was
progressive.
-Billy D. Mills
/
Our Responsibilities
Does a man have the right NOTto fight in the defense
of his mother, father, wife, family, or country? Before
the reader ponders this further, allow/ me to define your
country—that area which you and those of similar
minds reside. It is your family, future, past and
present. It is up to you to defend it dictate it's path of
progress or road to disaster.
Are you mature enough for these decisions? Do you
think yourself aware enough to determine a path safe
enough to travel? Unfortunately, many are not. They
prefer to mimick others in a blind rush to destroy
themselves. But must they take us with them?
Religion is just a tool of many, an excuse to hide their
lack of moral fortitude. To them principles, home,
family, and friends mean nothing as long as they are
safe and secure in their world of make believe where
they make their own rules and save their own skins.
I do not consider myself un-Chirstian and have en
deavored to life a Christian life yet I cannot harbor the
concept of not fighting for my right to believe in Christ,
which in my opinion coincides with my family. In other
words, to believe in Christ is to love, and to love is to
protect. Many are trying to protect their families in
America by hiding in Canada. They are fooling them
selves and cheating their families and countrymen.
Some religious persons call themselves "conscientious
objectors" and are relieved of the trouble of protecting
you, me, andthemselves. Contrary to popular belief, the
entire American Army is not in South Vietnam. They
could make themselves useful somewhere. The task of
the military is defense, not just the making of war, and
personally I think they've done a marvelous job,
possible too marvelous judging by the fise security
many Americans are reluctant to be jostled from.
Many CO's are of the opinion that the Vietnam was is
wrong. In answer I say; "The executive and legislative
branches of the U.S. Government are elected by the
people (meaning the majority) to make these decisions
and enhance their enactment. In a Democratic Society
such as ours, the majority rules and this majority chose
these men and their decisions and intend to "stick by
them". The conciencious objectors of the Vietnam War
only echo the shines of many during past wars who
lacked the courage to fight for their freedoms and the
rights of others. They would rather pass the buck, than
risk their own lives.
In conclusion I state, if I were in an organization and
failed to carry out my responsibilities for the good of the
whole, I would probably be asked to leave. For after all,
if one doesn't do his part he does not deserve to reap the
rewards. The United States is an organization of sorts
and we are its' members, therefore, I feel if a capable
person fails to carry out the duties owed to his country,
he also should be asked to leave. Heaven is a destination
which has to be worked for, in effect, all things worth
having must be fought for, not excluding freedom;
mine, yours, and theirs.
—Ronald G. Dunn
Dear Mr. Mills,
As for your comments on
apathy, thank you for not being
apathetic. I can’t do much to get
rules changed but I can bring
them into focus with the help of
the student body, the Student
Government Association, and the
Administration through the
student newspaper. It would
surpirse many students if they
realized how many times
solutions were made possible
through one small letter to an
editor of a newspaper. I consider
your letter an open challenge to
the Administration and other
student body members to answer
your thought in the next issue of
the Smoke Signals.
—Ron Dunn
Reply to
"Black Boss"
I believe you have a problem
all right, a serious one at that;
and its quite obvious you brought
it all on yourself. I think it is safe
to assume you have a serious
complex and I feel for you. You
think you have a problem now,
with an attitude like yours your
troubles have just started.
You have developed the false
idea that everyone is out to “shaft
a nigger,” not so. Sure, I will not
deny there is prejudice, but
remember things like this are
developed; they are not instinct. I
am not prejudiced usually, but
you have developed a certain air
about your writing, not only this
semester, but soon after
Homecoming there was a similar
article, that could enstill a lot of
resentment.
This resentment stems not
from the color of your skin but
because of your irratlcmal
reasoning power in concluding
why you are being ostracized.
Not because you are “black,” but
because you are a Resident
Assistant. This is not a popular
job especially if not handled
correctly. Instead of helping
matter with your article, which
was only one bias version you just
flapped your gums and added
fuel to the fire.
I know this will shock you but
people make mistakes, both
“black and white”, including
Resident Assistants. I am sure
your call-downs were not the first
to be repealed. There was a R. A.
who was asked to resign and I
know it’s to your surprise that he
was WHITE. He was asked to
resign ONLY because he was not
doing his job adequately. What
ticks me so much is because you
were wrong and not able to ac
cept the fact (people make
mistakes) you take what seems
to be a pretty popular alter
native, blame it on
discrimination.
I am also a Resident Assistant
and too am entrusted to power
that can be misused. It would
probably be easy to give 15
calldowns a night (when do you
find time to study) but this is not
necessary, with less calldowns in
two semesters than you give in
one night, our hall is as quiet as
any other.
I know I would not like to be in a
hall where the R.A. had a quota of
calldowns to give. I could shortly
learn to dislike my R.A. and
maybe cause a little more trouble
just to give him a hard time, white
or “black.” It seems, however,
some people just go “ape” when
given power they do not know
how to handle. Because of your
incapability of handling the
problem and not being able to
face the fact you’re not the leader
you think you are, it is easy to use
0> CHOWAN CO(l{OI
I
Editor Julia Hoskins
Associate Editor Ron Dunn
Advisor
Herman Gatewood
the excuse “I’m being
discriminated against.”
You said you were referred to
as “General.” This idea comes
from your cocky attitude; this is
not the army and the hall is no
place for a many with the attitude
of a Drill Instructor. This in
formation was gathered from a
member of my floor who once
was a victim of “Patton’s Ar
my.” The threat of a calldown is
almost as effective as a calldown
itself. You can not control a group
of men who have developed an
advanced case of resentment.
Your lack of control was not
because of your color but because
you could not deal with your
residents in a reasonable man
ner. Face the facts yourself, with
a little less bias you might be able
to see the true picture, not
everyone is “down on Don,” it
also might help you find a
solution to your hang-up.
I have worked pretty close with
the administration this year and
especially the man you referred
to as Mr. Charley. Mr. Charley
probably has more influence in
working with the R.A.’s and I can
truly say he was concerned with
your problem. If not, can you
explain the long meetings with
him for you and your residents to
work out their problems, one
lasted I believe until almost 2:00
iQBifi. Ibis shows, contrary
to your thought, they were truly
interested in solving your
problem. However, once a
Resident Assistant fails to
maintain respect of his residents,
he is doomed, there is no
redeaming himself. Especially,
with his calldown book. Another
misconception you seem to have
is you were hired to satisfy the
black students. You were hired as
a Resident Assistant because you
were thought capable of handling
the job, thats all. You are so
blinded with hate and prejudice
yourself you can’t see beyond
your nose. When you stoop so low
as to stab in the back someone
who would have liked you to be
effective in your job as much as
any one else, you are desparate.
The Dean of Men is probably one
of the fairest men on this cam
pus. According to school rules,
there are about thirty men who
should have “hit the road” but
are still with us. I am still
amazed how a man who is so
burdened with prejudice and hate
managed to get elected as
President of East. That’s why I
concluded; these things you
blame everyone else for are
brought upon yourself and only
you.
One more thing, I do believe
your capital W (as in WHITE) is
broken on your typewriter.
Green, Yellow, and Black are
working fine. (My big b is broke.)
You speak of changing times, I
believe you are the one who needs
to change. It is people like
yourself that are so filled with
hate and prejudice that causes
needless trouble.
—Sidney Francis Young
President, Men’s Council
Chowan
A "Home"
Have you ever stopped to think
that we, the students of Chowan,
have by fate met here at Chowan
College, the institution for mental
correction. Take Graham for
instance, he is the main system
for correction here at the Home.
The Columns building is a
restricted area where the female
inmates are subjected to the best
torture that the institution
provides, calldowns.
Walking along the walks, I see
many types of people all of whom I
can see as being neurotic, and
disalusioned with the college so to
speak. Freshmen are the worst of
all because they haven’t had the
training and rehabititation the
sophmores have had.
The Men’s dormitorys are
excellent places for the study and
conjunction of psychotic people.
Many of these neurotics can only
communicate by using foul
language and a method of talking
called a “rap session”. Only by
the control and restrictions
placed on them by the Resident
Assistants and the Head
Residents do these people stay in
touch with reality.
The girls at Chowan are the
worst of all they have no
privileges. They are kept under
lock and key. They must be in at
certain hours, and must wear
restricted garments because
their intellect is not capable of
good dress. They are made to act
in certain ways, made to say
certain things, and can only tatt
during certain hours.
All and all, the co-eds get along
fine. There are no murders,
rapes, or suicides, or are there?
Only Graham would know that
ana tie can’t tell because he’s the
biggest NUT of all.
SKIP HOLLAND
Beware
There is a person on campus
who you should avoid. This
person is loved and respected by
all students here at Cliowan.(ha
ha) If this person was running a
race for popularity I am sure he
would come in last.
Some call this figure “two
faced,” some say he “beats
around the bush,” and some
people call him names of which I
am unable to mention. Ask
yourself, “is this person one who
students can respect and trust?
Your answer is as good as mine.
TWs person can be called two
faced because he tells students he
will voice their opinions and when
confronted by the authority he
voices his opinions and the ad
ministration’s. This person has
also been said to “beat around
the bush” which was proven in
the open forum of the affidavit
system last semester.
This man should be called
“Dean of Administration” in
stead of “Dean of Students.”
Don’t you agree?
-Steve Cooper
Vice-president, SGA
SURPRISEI
Another Christmas has
reminded us of how difficult it is
to con the kids. Having weighed,
shaken, rattled and pinched
every present under the tree
before the big unwrapping, they
delight in informing parents what
is in each box.
It creates a challenge for the
adult gift buyer. And a shattering
of self-confidence if there are no
surprises left. So it’s a great
Christmas Day moment when the
youngster rips open a box and
yells, “How did you know I
wanted this?”
Now you are in command
again. You know that oc
casionally you can pop something
on the kids that catches them off
guard, and still pleases them.
Who says there’s a generation
gap when you can pull such a
coup? — Memphis (Tenn.)
Commercial Appeal
Literary
hA usings
By PROF. ROBERT G. MULDER
The Unpleasant Sounds of Silence
At first I couldn't believe the sign
that I saw; it looked about as out of
place as a clothes line in nudist camp.
Everything seems to be in a state of
change now, and some libraries seem
to be in on the revolution. The sign to
which I refer is one stating NO
SILENCE, and is found in the Walter
Cecil Rawls Library at Courtland.
According to Mrs. Frances Crokett,
head librarian: "We'd rather have a
little noise from constructive activity
than quiet from boredom."
The place wasn't noisy but obvious
holy hush has been absorbed in nice,
conversational atmosphere. Patrons
speak freely and activity moves along
much like in a super market.
Such a sudden change may be too
much for our people; however, the
pendalum could swing a little and I
think it has. I have in the past heard
some of our students say they couldn't
study in the library because the forced
silence made them nervous. That was
a while back, however, because the
trend seems to have changed.
A library should be a relaxed
disciplined place of learning to be sure,
but the storehouse of knowledge
defeats its purpose if students are
afraid to frequent it.
Writings By Our Faculty
It may be of some interest to learn
that a few members of our Chowan
faculty are making literary con
tributions of note.
My long-time friend and office mate.
Professor Charles Paul, has published
in a recent edition of Nor
th Carolina Historical Review an
article entitled "Beaufort, North
Carolina: Its Development as a
Colonial Town." (N.C.H.R., autumn,
1970, pp. 370-387.) The fully
documented and illustrated account
presents an interesting portrayal of the
importance of this early coastal town.
More recently Professor Herman
Gatewood of The Graphic Arts
Department has had published in The
Junior College Journal (JCJ,March,
1971, p.57) an informative article en
titled "Chowan Graphic Arts Program
Keeps Pace." The highly optimistic
article reveals how our unique School
of Graphic Arts prepares students to
serve in the printing and publishing
field across the nation.
A new book of 113 pages by Chaplain
Hargus Taylor presents the history of
Cashie Baptist Church. The
documented account is on display in
our library, and copies are available
through the church office.
Poetry by Professor D.H. Nicholson
is being published In several reputable
magazines, and history professor
Barry Cohen has recently had a book
review accepted for publication.
The Hymn Boole Goes Popular
In a survey of favorite hymns made
several years ago, "Amazing Grace"
was easily among the top ten. An now,
after Judy Collins has popularized the
number, there may be no stopping at
what's done with our hymn book.
This doesn't alarm me In the least
because the message from this hymn
(or any other for that matter) is just as
profound when it falls on good ground
whether it be on a car radio or a well-
lighted choir loft.
Many of you will recall the group
who popularized "Oh Happy Day" last
year. In the last week in April 1970, the
best-selling song in the country was
"Let It Be"—about receiving advice
from Mary, the mother of Jesus—by
the Beatles. The next week that was
replaced as No. I by "Spirit in the
Sky," with its refrain "Gotta have a
friend in Jesus," by Norman Green-
baum. "Jesus Christ-Superstar," a
rock opera about the seven last days of
Christ, by a couple of Englishmen,
ages 19 and 24, selling as a two-LP set
with the suggested retail price of
$11.98, exploded onto the market at the
end of October. Nearly 500,000 sets
have sold so far in the United States.
Broadway and film rights have been
laought.
In December, "My Sweet Lord,"
about joining God in heaven, written
and sung by ex-Beatle George
Harrison, became the country's best
selling record, and remained so for
four weeks.
Who knows which hymn will be next
"to make it Beg?" There are still some
good ones left.
Let me assume the role of prophet
and predict that in the future
something extraordinary will be done
with "Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock of
Ages."
I Remember Chowan . . .
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP)
—For the seconw$poo., students
at State College High School are
raising money to build a school
in a foreign land.
Working through their Inter
national Relations Club, the stu-
dentrfio.e started their fund
raiser—for a school—in AKFN?:
PIA. The money will be passed
on to the Peace Corps, whose
volunteers plan the schools, ov
ersee construction and become
the teachers.
by JETE EDMONDS
(Editors note: According to
heresay, Jete has been enrolled
at Chowan for “quite some time”
so he should remember well past
history).
When I first entered Chowan
College, it was an all girl’s
(except for me and a few others).
All the girls wore maxi-skirts and
there was nowhere in existence
any wearing apparell considered
mini-skirts or “hot pants”.
Tuition was a buck, forty-two-
eighty a semester and books were
19 cent a copy (except for them
big ones-they was 25 cent). The
Chowan Indians would come by
and give mohawks, until it was
halted by Chief Lewis (that
always did cause a big shoot-out
on campus).
The first gala event of the year
was parent’s weekend. The
parents would a’start arrivin’ in
their covered wagons and stay at
HoUomon’s log cabin or Chief
Cowabunga’s wagon motel just
past the Chowan reservation. On
Friday night we’d have the
biggest square dance you ever
see’d with music by Tom Tom
and the Rain Makers. Then on
Saturday, everyone would pull
his wagon into a circle and from
the center a horse shoe match
with the Ferrum Cowboys was
held. The winners would gallop to
Roanoke Rapids where they’d a
meet the corduroy trail, and they
took 1-95 (the “I” in those days
stood for Injuns) to the Raliegh
Fort for finals. Finally, on
Sunday, we’d attend the church
of no choice (we only had one)
and wind things up with a picknic
down by the Chowan Pond.
Every night before the
Christmas Holidays and on all
thursday nights, the students
would file down to the Mur
freesboro Fort and celebrate at
Walter’s Saloon and drink gallon
after gallon of 3.2 sassparillas.
Then would come the big
weekend, for in those days
Chowan was a satchel, or carpet
bag college. The major event of
spring was May-day. People
would come from near-by
villages and tee-pees and dance
around the May Pole, which was
donated from the reservation by
vice chief Collins. Music, was
performed live, by Bob Brown
and his back of the wagon, wax-
comb band.
When we didn’t have those
events, we created our own ex
citement. Yes, I remember the
pit parties. We’d get our dates
and climb into our buckboards
and head for the stables, where
we did all our spoonin’, then the
pit parties were held back of the
school, at the sight of “old man
Taylor’s speak-easy (still).
I even recall the time when the
girls had to be in at dusk, but
after several petitions, we'got it
extended to a half-hour after sun
down with written permission
and two weeks notice. I even
remember when Mrs. Collins
coached the girls croquet team on
the green, and rounded up the
state champeen title in N.E.
North Carolina.
I seen flames and I seen water,
but I ne’er thought I’d never see
the time the girls held a panty
raid on the 21st Calvary when
they was camped out under the
bri^e. leven remember when we
used to go skinny dipping’ in the
Chowan Pond. Remember the
Chowan Pond? Well, I remember
when we didn’t have a pond, and
we just ran around, naked,
through the woods.
The classes were a little dif
ferent in those days. I recollect
my chemistry teacher, looking’
down on me through her granny
glasses, and that great big “D”
on her blouse, just a starrin’ me
in the eve. We’d study our
chemistry and come to class and
make peach preserves. In lab,
we’d mix vinegar and baking
soda and blow corks out of the
bottles. She was a great teacher
and she always taught by the
light of her kerosene lamp.
Yes, Chowan was the center of
the Universe when the world was
square. One of the last memories
I have is the time that Thomas
E^son spoke in Chapel about the
brite future and Micky Mouse
spoke at the Assembly and for his
great patronage, was awarded a
Chowan watch. Yes, these were
the good old days.
Happiness at Chowan Is
By SHERYL RAGINS
. . . Making the Honor Roll, Dean's List and
President's List.
.. . Studying for an unnannounced quiz and you make
an "A" on it.
. . . Breaking in the cafeteria line and you don't get
caught.
... Getting an excuse from the Infirmary when you're
not the least bit sick.
... When the professor doesn't call the roll on the day
you took a cut.
... Making the highest grade on a test.
. . . Leaving the campus every weekend.
SADNESS AT CHOWAN IS . . .
. . . Getting campused the weekend you planned to
visit Nags Head.
... Flunking a test after staying up all night studying
for it.
... Making the lowest grade on an easy test.
... Having three or more tests in one day.
... Being asked a question in class and you don't know
the answer.
.... Not having a date for the Spring Festival.
... Having to go before the Woemn's or Men's Council.