The Salemite
April 1986, Page 3
View From The Other Side
By. Bill Pbdey
College is an Ixp^ffence that one does not easily
forget. And this is especially true for me as a recently
enjoined, male member of the Salem College student
body. As a male, 1 and the editors of The Salemite,
definitely not male, thought it might be interesting to
give a new, altogether different vantage of that much
heralded cultural institution known as "Life at
Salem".
Though this writer's most prominent remem
brances are, and will always be, from my days as an
undergrad transplant from Wake a few years back—I,
like many, practically pitched camp on the Salem
grounds many a day and night (often to the chagrin of
more than one dorm mother trying to get a good
night's sleep). The past few weeks have given me a
fresh, more insightful view of Salem as I have come to
know her as more than just asocial institution. While I
do think it safe to say that this piece will be unique, it is
nevertheless somewhat limited as "College Life" is
primarily encompassed in the sometimes silly,
sometimes serious, but always sincere environs and
courses of events that unfold in the company of
friends, often behind dorm room walls. This space will
attempt to relay some of the special flavor of "Life at
Salem", that one such as myself can readily identify.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Salem as a
student has to be the grounds. The town of Salem,
with its Moravian background, is what has to be
described as an ideal atmosphere for personal and
intellectual growth. To stroll through the community
and feel/ be in the virtual sameness as those passionate
souls who established the town and one of the most
honorable traditions of thought and society, is truly
inspirational. To mindlessly, or mindfully, project
oneself back in time and attempt to make contact with
the Moravian tradition is something I had never done
until 1 became a student. The square brick buildings
with their quaint but solidly composed style, emit a
friendly but substantial ambiance conducive to
matters of a higher plain. From the graveyard to the
Winkler Bakery, to the newly built athletic facilities,
Salem has a special and complete physical, and even
spiritual, plant which invokes development of all
kinds.
"As a result of being
at Salem I have a
nevr and more
complete
appreciation of that
strange animal
known as woman."
The most striking aspect of Salem which I truly had
not expected, was the quality of the academics.
Having gone to Wake, where Salem was often looked
at as little more than an accredited, upper-level
finishing school for a group of talented, attractive,
free-spirited, and properly placed, but less than
educationally oriented young women (You can take a
Salem woman out of class,. . .), I am pleasantly
surprised by the academic tradition I have found at
Salem. My professors have been superb, the
classroom discussion has often been lively, and my
fellow students are active. From what I have seen,
Salem offers the type of challenge that any serious
student looks for; and a faculty that is more than
willing to help in such an effort.
Not only does Salem seem to have a more than
adequate academic grounding in that a young woman
appears to be able to get a solid core curriculum, it
also appears that Salem has a special quality which
allows a woman to develop her special personal
talents to the best of her ability. Salem's appreciation
for the true liberal arts tradition as exhibited by the
breadth of academic involvement and honest
attention to individual need, as well as its unique
environment, are qualities which I'm not sure one
could find elsewhere. Salem truly does seem to be the
best of both worlds and for this, you gals are lucky.
As for being a man and going to Salem, what can I say—it's Great,
sometimes hard to concentrate, but great! Having been in the cold, cruel
world for a few years, there is something that approaches spiritual
renewal in seeing so many "cute young thangs" running around with
smiles and a happy how-do-you-do. With spring in the offing, and the
tans beginning to get Mocha brown (I had to put in a plug for my pooch),
I'm sure that I will begin to experience severe emotional trauma within
the next couple of weeks. So if anyone sees this poor boy, and needs some
tanning oil applied, know full well that I am happy to oblige, but my
health will be a matter for which you will have to take responsibility!!
One thing I as well had forgotten and appreciate college for, is the need
to at times randomly exercise one's lungs, legs, and limbic when the spirit
arises. As we get older and stodgier, we often forget that it is the
occasional whoop and intermittent skip which provides the necesssary
tonic to balance the inbalances and keep us sane. I'm happy to see such in
healthy helpings as college wouldn't be college without a little craziness.
Keep it up girls, you're doing just fine.
In retrospect I would like to say that your college years are
important and should be utilized to the best of your abilities. Having gone
and come back, I must say that school and learning are privileges that one
should respect and appreciate. Speaking from experience, it is often easy
to lose your balance and get caught up in the fun of the moment, and
forget the overriding purpose and importance of the quieter, more
cerebral opportunities that college can afford. Balance is the key.
Without sounding shlocky(sic), it is a truism that the world waits for
those that are sincere, caring, and work hard. This is not to say that there
aren't times to have fun, but that what you are is often the result of what
you know. And in the big, bad world, knowing how to play quarters may
give you something to do; it is not, however, a talent that will earn you a
six figure salary, (unless you go pro!). I say this as one who knows how to
play quarters and has been out in the big bad world, so 1 hope you take
this advice in the right spirit.
Finally I would like to say that as a result of being at Salem 1 have a new
and more complete appreciation of that strange animal known as
"woman". You gals seem to have that unique and wholly desirable blend
of womanhood and femininity, while at the same time begin able to exert
yourselves. I say this because there are but a few, a very few, women in the
world who know how to deal with the stark, dare say "man's world", and
still maintain their feminity. 1 say this as a man who'll tell you that there is
nothing more unattractive, or tragic, than a woman who has to prove,
come hell or high water, that she is a man's equal. While you and 1 know
that you most definitely are, you are still women and please stay that way.
It appears that Salem is the type of institution that allows such
development. For that you and we men are lucky. Besidets, in the
immortal words of Jerry G., '
"That's right—the women are smarter, they're smarter than the man in
every way."
Sdlcin Today. How has the recent B-rating affected your opinion of
By: Noel Lumpkin
the refectoiy?
Gigi Stevens, freshman:
"The rating does not really affect me. 1
will continue to eat in the refectory as I
always have. One rating does not change
my opinion."
Pat Palumbo, sophomore:
"The B-rating doesn't really bother me;
it hasn't affected my eating habits. I'm
sorry that our refectory got the rating it
did, but my opinion has not changed."
Nanette de Groot
"First of all, I think that there has been
a misunderstanding about the B-rating.
It is not the refectory in the way the
students see it but the kitchen and the
basement that received the rating. The
equipment used by the kitchen staff has
gotten old and out of style and needs to
be replaced. Second, 1 wish people would
stop complaining about dirty knives,
forks or plates because I am sure that in
every household things like that occur
once in a while. The kitchen staff is doing
the best they can with the means they
have. Personally I think that the
refectory looks great and so far I have
enjoyed my meals there."
Annette McNeely
'Terhaps the rating has forced some
long-needed changes and improvements
in the refectory. It's too bad that it has
taken public awareness of the problems
to get changes underway. I do not see
Epicure and the rest of the refectory staff
responsible for the rating. My appetite is
as big as ever and I continue to respect the
staff that does so much to please us."