volume 8 - Number 3
Friday, October 15, 1976
Calmness Returns
After Protests
By ELLEN TEMPLETON
The article you are about to read concerns the
points of view of not only the Iranian students, but
^ Chowan students as well as the ad
ministration. Due to the delicate situation, the
students’ names have been omitted.
At 8:00 a.m. Monday, September 27, a group of
approximately 55 Iranian students (10 Persians
did not participate) staged a “well-organized and
peaceful” sit-in on the lawn of McDowell
Columns. They protested that they are being
treated differently from other students at Chowan
College.
At 9:00 a.m. of the same day, Clayton L«wis,
the dean of students reportedly met with the
students to discuss their grievances. The Iranians
claim that Dean Lewis did indeed ask tor their
grievances, however; they also discussed leaving
Chowan provided that all the Persians’ tuitions
would be refunded. This request was denied.
Dean Lewis believed that the sit-in was the
results of a disciplinary action taken against a
Persian arrested by a student security officer for
“bringing undue notice to himself while under the
influence of alcohol.” The Persian student denied
being “drunk”, and in fact, stated that the reason
for his arrest was because he had kicked a ven
ding machine in Parker Hall when it took his
money. He also said that he received six stitches
on top of his head when the student officer entered
his dormitory room and a fight ensued. This same
student, in a later and separate incident, was
charged with possession of marijuana after a
seardi of his dormitory room. He has since been
suspended by the faciUty judiciary (which con
sists of seven faculty members).
The Persians cited several other incidents
which caused them to protest. The first reason
involved the constant showing of college iden
tification cards. They have been asked to show
I.D. cards when swimming in the college’s pool
and when receiving meals in Thonias Cafeteria.
However, the showing of I.D. cards is required all
over the campus for various school activities.
Therefore this grievance applies not only to
Iranians, but to all Chowan students. It is more or
less a security measure, and it is a benefit for the
college students. The I. D. card enables a student
to receive free meals in the cafeteria and to at
tend Chowan football games free of charge.
Another cause for the protest was the fact that
the Persians cannot receive a second serving of
food or even two glasses of milk. However, no
student at Chowan is allowed a second serving of
food, but two glasses of milk are permissible.
This particular grievance deals mainly with the
management of Thomas Cafeteria which goes out
of their way for Ramadan (Ramadan is the ninth
month of the Moslem year with a period of daily
fasting from sunrise to sunset). At this time, the
cafeteria remains open after hours to serve meals
to Persians, and supply them with bagged meals
to eat in their rooms. Later on in the week,
several Iranian students entered the kitohen of
the cafeteria. They were asked to leave due to the
health law which permits only employees around
the food. The students then asked to “see the
law”. This of course was impossible.
Their main concern centered on student
campus security officer Robert Black and
Associate Dean of Students Roy Winslow both of
whom were involved in the di^iplinary case of
the Iranian suspended for possession of
marijuana. The Persian students claimed that
Dean Winslow had been “rude” to them.
The Iranian students remained in a circle
throughout the day missing all of their Monday
classes (all classes missed by Persia involved
in the sit-in will be counted as unexcused ab
sences). Several in the group made, speeches in
Persian and two signs were put up on the trees.
One read: “The People United Will Never Be
Defeated” and the other read; “Dean Winslow: A
New Dean” with the words “Dean Winslow”
obliterated by a cross mark.
At approximately 3:45 p.m.. Dean Lewis in
vited several students to meet with either him or
Dr. B. Franklin Lowe Jr., the dean of the college.
Later, five Iranian students agreed to meet with
Dean Lewis and other faculty members to discuss
their concerns. However, the students remained
in the circle throughout the night and without food
(it was reported that one student was taken to the
hospital tecause of this).
Dean Lowe later commented, “We recognize
there are cultural differences and even a
language barrier. The college is doing all it can to
bridge these differences. Chowan wants to apply
all of its rules equitably without discrimination
against any particular group. We recognize that
these students bring an added dimension to the
academic community.”
At 8:00 a.m. Tuesday September 28, five
Iranian students met with Chowan College staff
members to elaborate on their concerns. During
the meeting (which lasted until 2:00 p.m. of the
same day), Dr. Hargus Taylor, Chowan’s
diaplain, served as a moderator. He suggested
that the students meet with Chowan’s President
Bruce E. Whitaker and present a summary of
their grievances.
The Persians selected three representatives
who met at 4:00 p.m. with Dr. Whitaker, Dean of
the College Dr. B. Franklin Lowe Jr., Dean of
Students Clayton Lewis, director of institutional
research Rowland Pniette (who serves as an
advisor to international students), and Dr.
Hargus Taylor, chaidain.
The students presented their main concern over
Roy Winslow and Robert Black claiming that
they were treated differently from American
students by these two men. They also requested
that Winslow and Black be replaced by a Persian
dean and a Persian security officer. This request
was also denied.
Dr. Whitaker, who felt that this type of change
would not be in the “best interest of the college”,
said he would discuss this further with Winslow
and Black, but he did not support the claims of the
Persians. However, he was interested in getting
“assurances” from Winslow and Black that there
is “equal treatment to all students”. He asked
that the Persians have faith in his integrity and
asked them to return to their classes.
After the meeting ended at 5:30 p.m., the
Iranians disbanded and walked back to their
residence halls.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
POSED TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Disregard of Democratic Rights of Iranian
Students
Question — Why are the non-Christians forced
to attend chapel? Everyone is given the right to
their freedom of religion.
Answer — True. In Article I. of the United
States Constitution it staies “Confess shall
make no krw respecting an establishment of
religion.” However, according to the student
handbook “It is assumed that by accepting ad
mission to the college, the students intend to obey
its regulations.” Furthermore, anyone who has
attended chapel knows that it is really an “an
nouncement” session and seldom if any, religion
is taught.
Question — There should be no strict cam-
pusing as it denies the student his freedom of
movement.
Answer — True again. However, this too was
cited in the student handbook. Also, the majority
of offenses that result in strict campusing, such
as drinking an alcoholic beverage “in public”,
are usually punishable by a short visit to jail. This
also would infringe upon the students “freedom of
movement.”
Immediate Drop of Unjust Disiplinary Measures
Question — No student should be forced to work
without pay. It is against the law and a student
should not be punished if he does not work.
Answer — Only when a man is guilty of a
criminal offense, should he work without pay, and
obviously, since this punishment accompanies
strict campusing, you have been found guilty of
some offense. Note again, this is in the handbook.
All punishable offenses are outlined in the student
handbook. “Therefore, an individual found
breaking a policy is guilty of his own ignorance.”
Stop the Harrassment of Iranian Students
Question — Why was nothing done when an
American student fired a shot into one of the
Iranian’s room? The administration was in
formed, yet no action was taken against the
American.
Answer — Sub Chapter IX Article 35 stetes
“Weapons on campus or other educational
property: It shall be unlawful for any person to
possess, or carry, whether openly or concealed,
any gun, rifle, pi^ol, dynamite cartridge, bomb,
grenade, mine, powerful explosive...” To bear
any type of weapon on campus is not only against
school policy, but against the law. Why nothing
has been done I don’t know, but it should have
been acted upon immediately.
Question — A knife was also thrown at an
Iranian student and the administration chose to
ignore it. Why?
Answer — Once again please cite Sub Chapter
DC Article 35. This too should have been acted
upon, however; what was done about the Iranian
who pulled a knife on an American student in
Parker Hall?
Question - What gives the security the right to
enter a room of a student without prior warning?
That was an invasion of his privacy.
Answer — True. It was an invasion of privacy.
However, “probable cause” is not easily defined.
It is legal for an “officer of the law” to “search
either a suspect or the premises to which a
suspect has had access only on the basis of
probable Cause, rather than on mere suspicion or
a hunch; and when he does search he may nor
mally do so only for certain categories of
evidence: such as heroin or marijuana.”
Question — Why was no search warrent shown
to the student when his room was to be searched?
Answer — Please read the question and answer
above.
Question — Why was the Iranian automatically
assumed guilty when he was forced by the
Americans to fight against his will because they
were threatening his life?
Answer — No person has the right to threaten
another person’s life, furthermore; “a person is
assumed innocent until proven guilty”. This
situation should have been handled di&erenUy.
Question — What gives tiie administration the
right to make fun of the Iranians behind their
back? It was done where Americans could hear
which causes them to laugh also.
Answer — There is always Article I of the
constitution which gives the “freedom of
speech”. Howevar, I find it difficult to believe
that the administration has nothing better to do
with its time than mock Iranians. I have never
heard any of them discuss a Persian in a
derogatory manner.
Discrimination Between Iranians and Americans
Question — Why did a college official come to a
Persian’s room at night and ^am him that the
Americans might cause trouble that night, and
then tell him that they would not help th^ or
take responsibility for the actions.
Answer — Who came with the warning? Did
anything happen? Was anything done? Answer
these questions and prove this accusation.
There should be the selection of an Iranian aid
(Continued on page 2)
Regulations
On Records
Released
ARM WRESTLING — It appears that Rodney Clark (83-Black) is arm wrestling with Mike
Bocock (ll).That is just one way of bringing bown an opponent. Unfortunately, the Ferrum
team was not so lucky with the Intire Chowan team; they lost to the Braves 14-2. (Photo
by Will McIntyre)
lota Delta Chapter Meets;
Plans Are Outlined
By Richard Green
The Iota Delta Chapter of Phi
Theta Kappa met at “Friendly
Place” on Monday, September
27, 1976, at 6:00 p.m.
The matter of attendance was
the major topic of discussion
which led to a review of this
diapter’s by-laws. Some new
proposals included an increased
number of meetings per
semester, an increase in required
attendance, and the issuance of
membership cerificates and
cards. It was decided that these
and other important con
siderations be resolved prior to
the induction of any new mem
bers, and that all present
members be present at the next
meeting to discuss and vote on
the issues. This meeting will be
held at6:00 P.M. on October 11 in
Camp Hall, room 210.
Our chapter hosted the
Carolina Region Leadership
Conference on campus during the
weekend of Friday, Octol)er 1,
beginning with registration and a
general meeting on Friday
evening.
The conference was called to
order at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday
morning in Camp Hall, where
Marty Grant, our National
Representative, opened with an
outiine of the National Programs
of Phi Theta Kappa for 1977. The
National Convention for 1977 will
be held in Minneapolis, Min
nesota, March 31 through April 2.
and the Tenth Annual Honors
Institude will be hosted by
Cumberland College in Lebanon,
Tennessee, during the week of
June 6-11, 1977.
The theme for this Institute, as
well as for individual chap
ters, is “Music-The Listeners’
Art.”
The following topic was “The
Secret of an Active Chapter”, an
address by Mrs. Jo Marshall who
heads up one of the most suc
cessful chapters in our region.
Some of the “secrets” mentioned
were the active participation of
each and every member aided by
the faculty sponcer; cooperation
and coordination with the
school’s administration, various
student organizations, and
community civic clubs; and
continuous communications with
other chapters on the regional
and national basis.
In the meeting on regimal
competition and elections, it was
decided that next year’s regional
President will be chosen from the
Sota Delta Chapter.
A panal on fundraising met just
prior to lunch and discussed such
events as yard sales (through
dvlc clubs), talent shows, raf
fles, auctions, junk car bashes,
and movie marathons to name a
few.
After an eventful day, the
members of the conference at
tended a steak dinner prepared in
the Presidents Room , where the
overall mood seemed to be one of
accomplishment.
On Sunday morning, October 3,
the officers attended a breakfast
evaluation which brought the
weekends activities to a close.
Elveryone seemed considerably
more confident and en-
thusiastica about the year ahead.
The next meeting of Phi Theta
Kappa will be announced via
notices in members’ post office
boxes concerning the nature of
the meeting. Again it is. urged
that ALL members attend this
important meeting. If you are
unable to attend, please notify
Chowan College has received
inquiries concerning its policy on
access to students recoil (such
as grades, grade point ratios, and
dass rankings for individual
students). The college policy on
access to such information is the
result of specific regulations
found in the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974,
commonly known as the
“Buckley Amendment,” so
named by the originator or in
troducer of the act to Congress,
James L. Buckley, Senator from
New York. The college policy on
access to student records is also
the result of final rules on
educational records as published
June 17, 1976 in ttie Federal
Register.
As applied to college students,
ttiese regulations (refered to
above and as manifested in our
policy) restrtot Chowan College
to the release of pertinent
records only to the student
(current and former) and to
:xrtain other authorized school
and governmental personnel,
unless the college registrar has
the student’s prior written
consent. A detailed policy
statement of students rights
under the Buckley Amendment
and of procedures for im
plementing those rights will be
available from the Registrar’s
Office at a future date. Parents
and students may also read the
complete HEW regulations
both documents are or will be
lengthy in detail, the following is
being provided as a summary of
significant points.
There are certain
requirements related to a
student’s right to inspect his
Chowan College educational
records. These requirements
make a requested record
available to the student:
(1) within 45 days (maximum)
of the request, and
(2) at a reasonable cost for
reproductions.
The procedures allow an op
portunity for the student to
request correction of any item in
his records on the basis of the
item’s being:
(1) inaccurate,
(2) misleading, or
(3) in violation of the student’s
legal rights.
If the college does not agree to
the requested correction, then the
student may request and be
granted a formal hearing. A
student may also file a complaint
trith the Department of Health,
Eklucation, and Wilfare alleging
violation of rights accorded by
the Buckley Amemdment.
Chowan College will, therefore,
comply with the law by providing
to the student, and only to him
and other authorized persons, the
information he has a right to see.
Without a student’s consent,
Chowan College is not allowed to
release his records even to his
mXrm^ror^facuTty governing Chowan CoUege poUcy p«r«ts or guardians, except in
^o^^^r.T^S^o.^ the one instance: Parents or guar-
Speaker Gives Importance
To Hair Care And Eyewear
Marks Hall Amphitheatre, 'contained detergents as harsh as
October 6, fifty five students in those used in washing dishes. She
Miss Crouch’s and Mrs. Francis’ said that baby shampoos and
Professional Development shampoos made with pure castile
dasses were treated to a talk and soap were much more beneficial
demonstration by Mrs. Nancy to &e hair.
Daniels, authority on hair care
and eyewear.
Mrs. Daniels cited the im
portance of hair grooming in
applying for a job and she par
ticularly stressed an observation
by the personnel director at
Unicm Camp Corporation that the
professional appearance of both
ladies and men is of paramount
concern at Union Camp. She
mentioned that both sexes should
avail themselves of a good hair
cut and shaping by a specialist;
that thin, wispy ’'air should be
blunt cut and thick, curly hair
should be tapered. She further
stated that care should be taken
in the selection of hair care
products; tiiat some shampoos
Mrs. Daniels cautioned against
using balsam hair conditioners,
ststing that they would build up
on the hair much as floor wax will
do. She recomended several fine
conditioners which are available
in drug stores everywhere.
Names of these products may be
obtained from Mrs. Francis or
Nfiss Crouch.
In showing eyewear of the
latest fashion styles in plastic
frames and assorted tints, Mrs.
Daniels told students to select
passes on the basis of face
shape; If a face is very
angular, choose a rounded
frame; If a face is round, avoid
round frames. She said that
deans of a student may be given
access to certain of the student’s
records if the parents or guai^
dlans have claimed the student as
a dependent on their last federal
income trax return. Therefore, if
the parent’s have made such a
daim for a son or daughter at
Chowan College, the former can
be asked to sign a statement
similar to that below should there
metaUc frames are less popular be a request of access to the
now, largely because of the high dependent’s educational records,
cost of gold used in the plating the NOTE TO STUDENTS: Under
frames and flie demand for bigger the Buckley Amendment,
rims. The new look in glasses is Chowan College may release the
the “Fade-out” tint which it following kind of information
darker at the top of tte lens and unless the student requests that it
fades out toward the bottom, be withheld: student’s name,
These can now be made in the local and home address,
lighter wei^t plastic lenses and telephone number, date and
are used both indoors and out. place of birth, major field of
Another new fashion in eyewear study, participation in officially
is the rimless eyeglasses with the recognized activities and sports,
fade-out feature. weitht and height of members ol
At the close of tiie very in
formative session, students were
encouraged to tiV on different
styles of eyewear to see which
shapes and tints were best for
their features and skin coloring
and to inspect the various types
of hair care products which are
available both to men and
women. Miss Gwennette Harris
expresses to Mrs. Daniels the
appreciation of the entire group
(Continued on page 3)
Trailblazers
Staging
Contest
Copies of the interview
with Jimmy Carter that
was featured in PLAYBOY
are now available in the
library. These copies have
been placed on reserve.
CHOWAN HOMECOMING QUEEN — Frances Townahend Is crowned Homecoming C3ueen
for 1976 by Chowan College Presklent Dr. Bruce E. Whttaker. (Photo by Deni McIntyre)
By Ellen Templeton
The Trailblazers held liieir
dections of officers on Thursday,
September 23. The outcome was
as follows: Cheryl Hines;
President, Jim Davis; Vice-
President, Ellen Templeton;
Secretary, and Jane Roussy;
Treasurer. After the meeting, the
officers met with advisers Mr.
and Mrs. Dewar to set up an
“officers meeting”.
At the meeting, which was held
Thursday September 25, the
officers discussed various
campsites, collection of club dues
(whidi are three dollars per
year), and a homecoming float.
They also discussed uoon
having an “emblem” contest.
The rules are as follows; 1) The
emblem must represent the
IVailblazers althou^ the aame
“Trailblazers” does not
specifically have to be on it. i) It
can be a variety of colors or one
single color. 3) The entry must be
an “original” (no copies of
another dub’s emblem, please).
4) No entries will t* accepted
after October 26. This contest will
be open to all Chowan students.
The “grand” prize will be a
homemade German chocolate
cake baked by Mr. Dewar
himsdf. With a prize like that^
large number of entires are
expected.