EDITORIAL
Since IRS weekend students have been evading open discussion
of a very distressing situation. As everyone knows, approximately
$430 worth of damage was accumulated in the gymnasium the
Saturday night of the IRS dance. No one knows exactly who con
tributed to this desecration of school property—although several
people and their friends seem to know more than anyone else.
Supposedly—and I should say, hopefully — the people who de
stroyed the equipment were not Salem students or affiliates, but
outsiders who freely entered the unlocked equipment room with
out breaking and entering.
This incident has created problems for the physical education
department, IRS, and the entire student body. The equipment door
was unlocked, so insurance will not cover the damage; since the
damage occurred during or immediately after an IRS-sponsored
function, the school holds IRS accountable for paying the $430
damages. Every student, moreover, is a member of IRS, which
means that students are indirectly responsible for repaying the
school.
The great question in this matter is, who pays for the damages?
IRS cannot begin to pay the school $430 unless it takes the money
from next year's budget allotment. This means IRS will have a
drastically reduced allocation with which to plan next year's events.
It also means that next year's freshmen will pay for this year's
damage, while this year's seniors pay for nothing.
It has been proposed that the money be collected from all stu
dent organizations on campus, which limits the burden of re
sponsibility to individuals affiliated with these organizations. These
organizations, like IRS, would have their budgets pared too thin
to allow for creativity in their structures. In addition, the stu
dent organizations and classes have used most or all of their
fiscal allotments for 1971-72, thus, the money—once again—would
come from next year's budget, which would involve people un
related to the incident in any way.
It also has been proposed that student groups raise part of the
money to cover the $430 damage. The year is almost over, how
ever, which prevents the initiation of any fund raising drives before
next year, which again involves unfairly new students.
People have suggested that we ask one of the administrative
offices for a monetary allotment to cover part of this $430 fee.
One thing we, as students, cannot afford is for the administration
to be induced in this maner to believe that we are not capable
of handling our problems as they arise. We have cried "re
sponsibility" too often in the past to turn around and avoid this
issue, which could evolve into a legal crisis for the students.
Some people may believe that since the incident occurred at
some nebulous time connected with IRS weekend, IRS alone should
be responsible, excluding uninterested members of the community
from responsibility. (After all, many people did not take ad
vantage of the IRS weekend for which they already had paid.)
However, if one considers this carefully, she realizes that IRS is
an organization to which every student belongs. This organi
zation does us a service by providing entertainment and recreation
for the student public. Since the dance was a student service
merely sponsored by the IRS Committee, all of us potentially
benefitted or—as in this case—lost by the service. Thus, the IRS
acted as an activating and organizing factor between us and our
desires. Should, then, we students not be held directly account
able for the detrimental actions of a few, unidentified individuals?
The only feasible solution to this pressing problem lies with us,
the '71-72 student body. Although most of us are in financial
straits at the present, we cannot in the long run afford to avoid
answering the call of our much-distressed IRS. Each student in
dividually and on a voluntary basis must carefully consider donat
ing money to the IRS Emergency Relief Fund. If every student
donates approximately one dollar, IRS can accumulate the $430
to pay the debt without destroying any campus plans for next
year, and the problem will be dealt with by the responsible stu
dent body, rather than by innocent newcomers. This is our solu
tion, so let us try it, we might like it ... at least, better than
anything else we would have to do. —LD
T y, *..ay .
Fi
Podium: Students Speak
Cafeteria Food Intrigues Students
Recently there has been much
talk of Salem’s Refectory changing
to a cafeteria style meal instead of
the family style meal that we now
have. Students were asked what
they thought of changing to cafe
teria style meals. Here are some
of the comments:
Gwen Smith: If the food would
be improved by cafeteria style, then
I’m all for it. I would hate to do
away with the family style tradition,
but if it would make a difference
in the food. I’ll go with a change.
Chris Moran: I am definitely
against the cafeteria style not be
cause I am afraid of change, but
because I feel that Salem would
lose so much of her sense of tra
dition and grace by converting to
the assembly-line routine found in
most other schools. The family
style gathering at meals is one
thing that makes Salem so dif
ferent.
Susan Milner: I am opposed to a
total cafeteria style of service—per
haps breakfast and lunch could be
served that way for a compromise
—the family style gives you a
chance to see and meet people and
is instrumental in Salem’s close stu
dent body. I don’t think the food
would be changed unless we went
to a cafeteria catering service, and
they are usually bad.
Gin-Gin Bruce: I am against
changing the system by which we
eat. The only problem now is that
the food is not always very good,
and it seems we have the same
thing too often. I don’t forsee that
the change of style will make the
food better.
Betsy Beard: Why can’t we com
promise ? I’d love to have a salad
table, fruit table, sandwich table,
and desert table at lunch. We could
still eat together, and have the
choice that cafeteria-style meals
offer.
Library, Refectory Policy Bug Readers
Dear Editor: 1- — • . --
Come Lord Jesus our guest to be.
And bless these gifts bestowed by
Thee.—Amen.
This “mumble-jumble" that’s re
peated in unison before our meals
seems to me to be a hypocritical
farce for which we youth tend to
be critical of the older generation.
How many of those who say this
blessing sincerely want Jesus to be
their guest while dining in the re
fectory and want Him to bless their
food? Maybe for some it’s a mo
ment to express gratitude for re
fectory food, but I dareS^ay very few
even take it that far. More would
fit it in the “tradition” bracket.
My suggestion is if the prayer
means something to you in an
authentic sort of way—say it. But
for those who, like myself, can think
of. more spiritually-uplifting words
to suit their needs, they should
keep their mouths shut when
through the prayer in a devil-may-
care manner.
To those readers who would de
nounce me for not believing in God,
motherhood or the flag, I say that
I’m not writing in objection to—or
defense of—the Moravian blessing
and prayer in general. My concern
IS the lack of authenticity with
which we lead our lives.
Sincerely,
Irene Kimel
However, the situation seems to
have taken on a new look, one of
boxes. I realize that the library is
moving and that, hopefully, Salem
will have an improved facility next
year; but in the meantime, what
does a student do when she is con
fronted with lookalike boxes on the
shelves ? Could I at least suggest
labels for the boxes ?
Sincerely,
Liz Crenshaw
To the Salem Library, c/o Salemite
editor:
the
blessing is said instead of mumbling
Yesterday I was acquainted with
the new look of the periodical room.
I was shocked. Previously the room
has always been a mess because
of the absurd rule that students
cannot replace used periodicals on
their shelves. It used to be typical
to see fifty or so periodicals lying
all over the room. Pity the person
whose desired information
among the pile.
NOTICE
was
The Salemite, on behalf of Salem
ollege and Academy, extends to
Mr. Bud Smith best wishes in his
new career (Mr. Smith will dis
continue operating the Salem Book
store July 1).
The Salemite staff wishes every
one Good Fortune on exams, and
hopes that all will have an enjoy
able summer vacation.
would want to change completely
to cafeteria style, but breakfast and
maybe lunch with sandwiches and
salads would be nice.
Mrs. Chatham: YUCK!!!
Kathryn Kirkpatrick: Fine for
breakfast and lunch, but I’d still
like dinner to be family style.
Trena Griffith: I don’t want to go
cafeteria, but I think we should
have students working and serving
instead of having maids!
Mary Ladd Johnston: I think it
would be good to have a variety.
but unless something could be i
about the lines, such as an
lunch hour, then I don’t tbini
would be worth it.
Adah Parker: I think it wonlj
good; but keep the tradition
family style for Sunday dinner
Frere Sands: I like it because'
meals would be hotter, and ft
would be more variety.
Sharon Parks: I think that
tradition of the school should
kept and the quality of the ij
changed.
Cindy McCosh: I don’t really
understand what cafeteria style
could entail, but I’m for any at
tempt at improving the present
system—cafeteria, replacing maids
with students especially—anything!
Beth Perry: Both cafeteria and
family style have merits and bad
things. I don’t know whether I
of cabbages
and kings
by Sarah Dorrier
Pam Ritter: I would not like to
see the cafeteria system employed
at Salem because I feel that the
family style of eating is better
ordered and conducive towards a
more relaxing meal. Unless the
food would improve in this new
system, I don’t feel that we need
to change.
Mary Lou Cunningham: I would
hate to see our style of eating
changed here at Salem, and the
termination of a wonderful, close-
knit tradition.
If you are pinned, engaged, or just plain marriage-oriented and somel
can’t turn on to the women’s lib movement, you should have gone
me to hear Martha McKay.
Mrs. McKay is presently Chairwoman of the National Women’s PolL
Caucus and a touuder ot the iMorth Carolina Women’s Political Caud
She is a graduate of UiniC, married, a mother several times around, r
president oi McKay and Associates of Chapel Hill ( firm for commui
development).
in ly/i, iMorth Carolina finally ratified the Nineteenth Amendment giv|
women the right to vote. Mrs. McKay jokingly said the NCWPC
founded in celebration!
The NWPC is a bi-partisan group dedicated to working through
existing party structure. It organizes at the local and state levels
achieve lair representation on state delegations to the national party a]
ventions, to encourage women to run for political office, and to agil
for the passage of legislation that would halt discrimination.
According to Mrs. McKay, the NWPC is more potitically oriented tL
NOW or the League of Women Voters. There is no formal structi
with meetings once a month. Rather, it is a movement to get women ii‘
the decision-making process as soon as possible. The caucus chooses ii
row targets and attempts to realize its goals through lobbying and pa
strategy.
Lontiiiuing education for women is a primary concern of the NWFj
If all goes well, Salem can play an important role in this area since
counseling facilities for women in North Carolina are almost nil. Pi'
school child care and public kindergartens are other phases of educaij
that the NWPC considers necessary.
Women tend to be more issue-oriented when voting than do men.
the NWPC has its way, no-fault divorce laws and minimum wages
domestic help will become political focal points in the near future.
Currently, the prime objective of the NWPC is 50% representation
women on state delegations to national party conventions. The part
have been hounded into setting up affirmative action programs; iftli|,
are no results, the NWPC plans to protest through challenges at thebV j
party unit level and through complaints to the media.
The NWPC endorses the Equal Rights Amendment and is seeking wi
to enforce equal pay for equal work. It sponsors research on discrimii
tory laws, especially in the areas of credit, insurance, property, and taxati
one last thought
Did you know that the highest office held by a woman in the state
North Carolina is that of Burial Commissioner?!!
For further information write:
NWPC
1302 18th Street, NW, #603
Washington, D. C. 20036
Phone: 202-785-2911
In North Carolina the address is:
NCWPC
Box 908
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
FRANMYSPEAKING hr PKI Frank
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