page 2
Editorials
Identity Crisis?
by Katie Thomas' t/
"We the sisters of the good earth hereby pledge to give up Del Monte
products, and Benetton, (in moderation). We promise to: become
informed, study (whatever) and join Amnesty International. Signed
Moondrop, Raindrop, Starlight, and Twighlight." Caught your attention,
huh? We found this declaration a couple of days ago. It was written by
me, and three of my friends who, out of the kindness of my heart, will
remain nameless. We wrote this two years ago. I think we were all going
through an identity crisis, and this was one phase when we decided that
we were going to become peaceful protesters and change the world.
Finding this ancient parchment starting me thinking. What is our
identity?
An article in Vogue this month entitled "Twenty Something" describes
college life in terms of what issues are important, and how students
identify themselves, like what kind of clothes they wear, what music they
listen to, etc. The conclusion of the article was that there is no central
ideas or style of our genaration. That really got me thinking. Reflecting
on our own college campus, I wonder what we all have in common. What
does our generation find important.
Remember in junior high when we all HAD to wear pink and green
(how embarrassing)? We all had to have pocketbooks with four buttons
(if you had the kind with three you were really out of it). And we knew the
words to the Tab, Dr. Pepper, and Coke commercials. We also knew the
contents of Big Mac ("Two all beef patties, special sauce..." Come on,
you know the rest). And if you didn't wear your hair in wing-dingies you
really could hand it up!
I look around campus, and I see all kinds of styles, no one way to wear
your hair (thank goodness!) and a wide variety of music echoing from the
windows. I wondered if maybe we have become more secure in our
"upper college years" and the need to belong to a group to form our
identity doesn't exist anymore. But talking to my brother, who is sixteen,
possibly the most insecure age, I realize that even in high school they
don't have that central style, joke, song, hairstyle, whatever.
As editor of the paper this year, one of my jobs is to figure out what
issues people on this campus are most concerned about. That's harder
than it sounds. One thing I have learned is that everyone is interested in
different things. There is never a central issue that weighs heavy on the
heart and minds of many. I think this is good. But it's also scary. How
DO we identify ourselves? What is important to us as "tomorrow's
future?" Got any suggestimi^ |
P.O. BOX
1, Susie Salem, have been listening
closely to the discussions on campus
pertaining to alcohol consumption. 1
don't understand why this is a big
issue all of a sudden. College
students have been drinking beer
since the creation of the first
fraternity house. I find it hard to
believe that this will ever change.
College is about growing up,
learning responsibilities, and maybe
even becoming an adult! No matter
how hard you try to stay a freshmen,
the inevitable always catches up with
you and you find real life situations
staring you in the face. Yeah, you
make mistakes, but you pick yourself
up, brush yourself oh, smile, and start
all over againl It’s all part of that
college experience.
What does all this have to do with
alcohol? W^cll, I certainly have had
my share of "good times," but 1 have
also learned the responsibilites that
come hand in hand with a good time.
The meeting to discuss the results
of the PICA (Piedmont Independent
College Association) study of alcohol
and drug use on Salem's Campus
was held on November 4,1988. After
reading the conclusions, I have come
to some conclusions of my own. I
find it demeaning to be told that
Salem has a problem with alcohol
abuse (not use, abuse).
Alcoholic Busted
Dear Campus Alcoholics,
We've been busted! Yes, it's
true-or so Dr. David S. Anderson,
PICA consultant believes. On
Tuesday, August 23, he assembled a
group of students that he felt
represented every variation of
campus life. However, only 43
students met. These 43 students
consisted of House Councils since
there were no freshmen or upper
classmen on Salem's campus at this
time. By gaining insight into these 43
students' perceptions of alcohol use.
Dr. Anderson feels as if his outside
view into Salem's community allows
him to give an institutional overview.
In other words, he feels he has heard
the true confessions of a majority of
Salem students, when in fact he
spoke with a small minority.
Due to the fact that Dr. Anderson's
"ten page dissertation on the evils of
Salem life" is long and complex, we
feel we must present our argument in
response to his assumptions.
1. Dr. A.: "Heavy drinking is not
encountered by the students while
they are on campus, however, it does
appear that there is a relatively heavy
alcohol use pattern. It is apparent
that heavy drinking by the women of
Salem College does occur and this
can be viewed as binge drinking
and/or sophisticated alcohol and
drug use."
Us: The fact that this abuse does not
occur on Salem's campus should
speak for itself. Obviously, students
respect the N.C. state law and
Salem's drinking policy. Why should
we be held accountable for abuse
that occurs on other campuses when
we have no means to control'it. We
do not deny the fact that drinking
occurs off campus-it is more of an
individual's own personal choice.
2. Dr. A.: "Even though students
generally talk openly with one
another, and have a good relationship
with faculty and staff members they
are reluctant to talk about their own
alcohol and drug patterns."
Us: Based on personal experiences,
we feel that Salem students do not
and would not hesitate to discuss
their problems with faculty and staff
members. How Dr. Anderson could
gain this magnitude of insight into
the faculty-student relationships in
such a limited amount of time
amazes us.
3. Dr. A.: "The students come from
families which apparently have a
substantial amount of money."
Us: Apparently Dr. Anderson did
not have the five minutes we had to
check his facts. With minimal effort
Cent, on page 9 _
Like 1 said before, college is
college. Yes, we use alcohol in a
social sort of way, but so does every
other college and university. So why
is this such a big deal all of a sudden?
I'm not really sure.
Is it because there is a new
emphasis on healthly students on this
campus? No, I don't think so. Look
at the new Infirmary hours. Is it
because there is a new emphasis on
conduct and setting good examples
on this campus. No, I don't think so,
Salem has a reputation for unique
personalities and individual- ism. Is it
because there is a need for a chapter
of AA on this campus? No, I don't
think so. I think a few people may
actually abuse alcohol, but this is true
in most every community or social
setting.
I think some generalizations have
been made here. Someone needs to
look realistically at this issue on other
campuses. I think they will find that
college is college no matter what
campus is visited.
SaCemiU
SaCem Cottege
TVinston-SaCem, 2,7108
(919) 721-2825
‘Ksiiie. Thomas
Hulk Stone
Marian TayCor
‘Karen Jordan
SlmyCass
'BethStdams
BethSldams, Beth Barksdale, Mkia Boland,
Michek Brennan, Lihhy Brawn, JtmyBmhaker, Melissa Bucell,
Julia Carpenter, Stmy Cass, Susan Cheshire, Saswati ‘Datta,
Lea (Dautrulge, Slpril “Edmondson, Batrkia Earnhardt, Liz tfowler,
Tracy Trey, Mison Qill, leather QIosscocIq Laura Qussett, Jennifer ‘KJng,
Sarah Mahoney, Johanna Metzgar, Qalen Miller, Eaige Barker, Lisa Bhelps,
Martha. Barter, Jlanan Mdu! ‘Rahim, Kfistk Reynolds, ginger Saunders,
QaitherSmoot, Marian Taylor, Tammy Taylor
Staff Bholographers Mkia Boland, Martha Barter,
Usa ‘fVofgast
advertising Stiff Batrkia Earnhardt, Leigh Jlnne Jlarris,
Martha Barter
Layout Stiff l^tny Cass, JiprilEdmondson, hUkia Boland,
Michele Brennan
Editor-in-Chkf
Sissistant “Editor
Business Manager
advertising Manager
Managing Editor
Copy Editor
Staff ‘ttkiters
Class “Rf-presentatives:
Jreshman
Sophomore !
Junior
Senior
graphics
faculty SidvisoT
Tracy frey
LihhyBrcnvn
Susan Cheshire
BethBarfsdale
lAngk Ingram
george McKpight
“TheSalemite is the uncensored voke cf the Salem Community
Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC