Beware Wayward Judges
By Sandra Spear
In the last four months, two rape cases in different parts of the U.S.
jiave received national attention, not because of the severity of the
crimes, but because of the audacity with which the respective judges
disposed of the cases. One of the aforementioned judges was removed
from the bench on Tuesday, Sept. 6; the other remains in a position of
authority.
On May 25, Judge Archie Simonson of Dane County, Wis., sentenced
15-year old boy to one year at home under Court supervision for
raping a 16-year old girl in the stairwell of a local high school.
Although the sentence itself was unusually light for a juvenile rape
conviction, it is improbable that a massive public outcry would have
resulted had Simonson left his decision at that. Instead, he felt com-
jelled to enter on the record of the proceedings an extended com-
nentary on the permissiveness of Madison, Wis. society. He con-
:luded that, “This community is well-known to be sexually per
missive. Should we punish a 15 or 16-year old boy who reacts to it
normally?”
From Simonson’s remarks, one might conclude that the victim had
been wearing very revealing clothes, but what is revealing or
uggestive about blue jeans, and turtleneck sweater and a blouse?
More important, however, is the suggestion by Simonson that rape
ould be a natural reaction to anything.
The reaction to Simonson’s remarks was intense. Thirty-five
thousand voters in Dane County petitioned for and were granted a
ecall election, the first election of that nature to occur in the U.S. in
three decades. From a field of six, including Simonson, the voters
elected 33-year-old Moria Mackert Krueger, an attorney endorsed by
both the Dane County Women’s Political Caucus and the local
organization of the National Organization of Women.
In July of this year, another court in the land struck out against
women. The California Court of Appeals unanimously overturned the
conviction of a 32-year-old Los Angeles salesman for the rape of a 23-
year-old waitress who had been hitchiking. Judge Lynn Compton
entered this forgettable statement on the record: “A woman who
enters a stranger’s car advertises that she has less concern for the
consequences that the average female.” Since rape is more a crime of
violence than of sex, one wonders whether Compton will follow his own
precendent and overturn convictions for assault on victims who were
bitchhiking. It is doubtful that he would. It is far more likely that he
loldsthe same view of women as does Simonson: “Whether women
se it or not they are sex objects.”
As women, we should all be wary of judges like Simonson and
Compton. They are dangerous to our health, safety and well-being.
Salemite,Somber 11,1177, Pages
Four Hopes
Cont’d. from one
accomplishiAent. When we look
around, we see our own reflec-
Ijan; and it is usually mediocrity.
It not worse. But now and again
there is a break to this pattern —
and my hope is that, sometime
haring the year, there will be one
® inore breaks in the or-
ainariness of life for you!
IWs glimpse of excellence
aght be one of a thousand
an unusually thoughtful
hank-you note, far beyond
[outine expression; a brilUant,
inspiring lecture in which the
professor took wings and you did
ao, a skillful movement on the
® answer that
snoi • wrath; an
^ problem, heard or
V. new insight to
If example
should be
~ should rejoice in
p, 1 some moment, of
for it is the hope. Look
ami it,
(.g^l'^^^'^^Pste in it when you
vita *^y
aS wnf ’^*'^tever
thanonp o “ more
tlexinpPP^itytor testing,
exercising your
growing maturity. Growing up is
what it’s all about - and one
doesn’t mean to be patronizing by
saying that.
“But it’s your chance for
maturity that I’m especially in
terested in. And you’ll have them
all around you, if you’ll see them
and take them. Different for
different people, the opportunity
may come when you have to
speak at Convocation; or when
you might get acquainted with
some shy and lonely person
(“But I am shy and lonely”! -
that’s no excuse!); when you
must make a tough moral
decision that you know is right
even if it is against the grain of
the gang around you; when you
take a beating, with your head
high and with good temper; when
you have the chance to extend
your sympathies, and actions, to
take in those less fortunate near
and far; when you know the
exhilarating feeling of doing your
best of a tough exam - when you
refuse to run, or to fold, or to
whine. There are so many
chances, all year, to e^rcise
your growing maturity, ^at a
great year it is going to be.
“I’m envious of you!
FACULTY MEMBERS - gathered at Boone to discuss current issues facing the coQege.
Faculty Retreat In Boone
By Sandra Spear
The faculty and administration
of Salem College met at the
Center for Continuing Education
in Boone, N.C. from September 1-
3 for a faculty Conference. The
Center for Continuing Education
is affiliated with Appalachian
State University.
Organized by Dr. Sidney Kelly,
the conference focused on the
future of private colleges in
general, and of Salem College in
particular. After introductory
remarks by Sam Banks on the
General financial health of
private colleges, the seminar
continued with,a discussion of
Salem’s future and financial
health by Dean Helmick, Dr.’s
Thompson, Edwards, Byers, and
Faye, Ms. Pence-Sokoloff, Dr.
Cuninggim, and H. Gene Moss.
Those present referred the
specific issues concerning
Salem’s future to administrative-
faculty task forces for further
New Additions
To Salem Faculty
The following persons have joined the faculty of Salem College:
Ms. Pat Avram - Instructor in Home Economics, part time
Ms. Debbie Cooper - Psychological Examiner, Center for Special
Education
Dr. Marleen Flory - Assistant Professor of Classics
Ms. Paula Goodwin - Kindermusik
Dr. Catherine Harris - Assistant Professor of Sociology-Economics
Ms. Patricia Harris - Educational Therapist, Center for Special
Education
Dr. Hugh High - Assistant Professor of Economics, part time
Mr. David Hoch - Visiting Assistant Professor of Management, part
time . 1
Ms. Sarah Longino - Lab Instructor in Biology
Dr. George McKnight - Visiting Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Dudley Shearbum — Director of the Center for Special
Education, Associate Professor of Education
Ms. Marianne Triplette - Instructor in Sociology, part time
Next issue:
What has happened
to the French House?
consideration. The topics to be
considered are: Advising,
Curriculum Review, Teaching
Effectiveness and Faculty
Development, Evaluation,
Educational Resources,
Governance, and Long Range
planning. Faculty members were
asked to volunteer for those task
forces on which they would like to
serve.
The conference ended with the
presentation of five-year plans by
department chairpersons.
Archway
Auditions
By Susan Miller
One of Salem’s most popular
vocal groups is looking for a few
good voices. The Archways will
be holding it s fall auditions on
Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7:00 p.m. in
the Choral Ensemble Room.
The Archways has long been a
tradition at Salem and in Win
ston-Salem as well. Annual
community performances in
clude singing for the Kiwanis
Club, the Rose Society, the Lions
Club, and the North Carolina
Teachers’ Association. Campus
•events include performances
throughout the year, such as the
Christmas Tree Lighting and a
Spring Concert.
Presently, the Archways has
seven openings, some in each
section, plus a need of a piano
accompanist and a guitarist.
Judging will be based on range of
voice, ability to blend well with
the group, ability to read parts,
and amount of enthusiasm. Those
who audition are also encouraged
to bring with them any in
strument that they can play.
Diana Jolliff, president, urges
members of each class to try out.
Salemite a aune staff meetings every Monaay, 4:30 p.m. Salemite offfce (below Stuaent Center^.
^ ^ ^ ^