Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Nov. 16, 1989, edition 1 / Page 12
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Tlie Pendulum November 16, 1989 Page 12 Opinion: Papers sho^ have stayed "New camera missing ( I share feelings expressed by numerous students, faculty, and staff when I say that I am appalled by an action which took place on the Elon College campus last Saturday. Elon woke to find every copy of The Pendulum gone from the racks around campus. I thought at first that all of the copies had been taken by students who were interested in the results of last year’s drug survey, which had been published in'this edition. To my shock and dismay, I found out that the Admissions Office had pulled all of the copies of The Pendulum from all over campus and that those copies had been destroyed. That seemed very odd until I realized that Saturday was a "Visitation Day." Of course, now it made perfect sense. Dare we, as a college, project "that" sort of image to prospective students? Shhh, don't tell prospective students that Elon students do drugs. Hide that fact until they arrive here as students. There are some serious issues which need to be raised - ethical and constitutional issues. Elon had made the concept of integrity an ethos for this academic year. Money has been spent on speakers to come and talk about ethics and a summer institute on social and intellectual integrity was held by students who then presented their thoughts to the members of the freshman class during orientation. In spite of all of this, the Admissions Office, on behalf of Elon College, made the decision that there is not a problem of drug misuse on this campus by pulling the Nov. 9 edition. That’s integrity? No, that's a double standard. Prospective students have a right to know what kind of a community they might be entaing. Drug use and misuse is a major concern on this campus (as well as others) and we cannot ^ny it Would the college have participated in a campus drug use survey if there isn't a problem here? Would there be a committee composed of students, faculty and staff, known as the Elon College Campus Drug Prevention Committee, which focuses itself on identifying and confronting drug issues within the college community? Would programs presented by student BE WELL! facilitators need to exist? There is a drug problem here. Removing the campus newspaper sends a false message to students who are potential members of our .community. Not only do prospective students have the right to know about their potential community, but Elon students have a right to learn about the kinds of things that are happening within our community. The Admissions Office has taken that right away from Elon students and that should not have happened. There are two other points about the Nov. 9 issue which need to be considered. First, looking at Elon in comparison to the other schools which also participated in the survey reveals that Elon is consistent in its drug use with the other schools which participated in the drug survey. That doesn’t mean that we don't need to devote our attention to these issues, but it does mean that we can say that Elon is in line with other institutions. The second point is that on the front page of T h e Pendulum there was a story and a picture about the election of Dean Francis to the Board of Aldermen of the town of Elon College. That story would have been attractive to prospective students. It shows that membo^ of Elon College are concerned with their community and get involved. Finally, I want to say that I think the staff of The Pendulum did an excellent job on the Nov. 9 issue and I encourage e^ch and every one of you to join me in requesting an apology by the Admissions staff for the destruction they have done. Jim Bush - ■ ' r'- •' - j- '3.-: ■ Photo by Pat Hobfn th 1?”^ three-chip cameras was reported stolen from the TV Studio, located in me hine BuU^ng, on Monday morning. Students and faculty in the communications department ong been Joking forward to using the new cameras, which were delivered just days before the disappearance. The department had been awaiting the arrival for five months. Francis wins alderman seat By Mindy Schneeberger The Pendulum Dr. Gerald Francis, dean of academic affairs, was elected to the post of aldmnan for the town of Elon College on Tuesday, November 7. Francis, who racked up around 280 votes, was the forerunner in a competition between three candidates. Running against Francis were an incumbent, Don Witt, and Charles Wood. Witt came in second place and will therefore serve as the town's other alderman. Elections took place between 6.30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Elon College Elemen-tary School, but only 380 people cast votes. "It was a low turnout because it was strictly a local election," Francis said. "What it amounts to is who shows up." The dean said that 26.6 percent of the electorate voted in the election. The only decision these voters had to make was which two of the three candidates would fill the roles of aldermen. Aldermen serve for four years, during which time they help to set the policies of the town. Qualifications for the position include an ability to deal with people and responsible decision making skills, Francis said. Francis has been serving on the town planning board since 1986, but he had no other political experience. He decided to run for office this past summer. "I was approached by a couple of people who thought it would be a good idea." One of the college's objectives is that we should exhibit service," Francis said. Its my way of service to the community." Because the dean had never canipaigned before, he sought the advice of members of the collie staff, including Tim McDowell, a former state senator and present director of development for Alamance County; Anderson, ^)ecial assistant to the president; and Mark Albertson* the registrar. Francis began his campaign by sending personalized cards to voters and making door-to-door visits. "Once you get out theic and do it, it’s kind of fun," said. Francis intends to special attention to the effects o the town's growth. "TTie bigg®^ concern we have in the town of Elon College right now is th®^ the town itself has doubled area," he said. Despite his new positi^ Francis does not intend to negl®^ his duties at the college. In he did not even wait to hear ti^ outcome of the electiOT- He le the voting area at 6:15 ^ wcMked in his offk» until arount* 9. When he returned Francis found a note about victory on his answering machine.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Nov. 16, 1989, edition 1
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