Newspapers / Salem College Student Newspaper / Feb. 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 2
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page 2 Editor's Note Editorials Well, hasn't life at Salem been intersting lately? I certainly think so. I would like to address a couple of issues in this editorial. They all tie together somehow so bear with me. First of all, in regard to some controversy and disapproval of our policy behind the P.O. Box. 1 think it should be recgonized that I agree with the complaints that students at Salem can write unsigned editorials to this column. I agree it is an unusual practice. But this campus is kind of unusual, too. Most "accredited" papers would not allow editorials to be printed unsigned. But at other campuses you usually don't know most professors on a first name basis and you don't see the administration everyday. I'm by no means saying that any of that is bad. But I think those who have disagreement with the policy have to look at these factors. People at Salem realize that because it is so small you can't really "hide from your feelings." I too wish that people would sign their editorials because I really don't think that the administration would expell a student or fail a student because of her opinions. But I do understand the "unknowns" fears. When we began to make changes in the paper one of the things that 1 wanted most was for people to be able to "air their dirty laundry." I think the paper gives them that opportunity. I also think that if the paper continues to be a strong form of communication on this campus (as I feel it has become this year) that students will realize they can stand behind their opinions without fear. But when you have been suppressed for so long (when we haven't had a known Letter's To The Editor Dear Editor, It has been the policy of The Salemite to accept and print (P.O. Box) unsigned letters, some of which are critical of certain aspects of life at the college. I commend those students who care enough about the college to take the time to constructively criticize those actions or policies which affect their lives and those of their peers. I think this is a very healthy, and sometimes, effective way of instituting change. I cannot, however, agree with the policy of the Editorial Board of The Salemite to print those letters which arc not signed. Although I have no conclusive evidence, I would think that such a policy would be extremely rare among reputable newspapers, be they college or privately operated papers. I have been informed by the editorial staff that it is their opinion that few critical letters would be submitted for publication were the authors required to sign their letters. According to the staff, students fear reprisals from individuals mentioned in their letters. I do not feel that this fear Dear Editor, Recently, I learned that the Wesley Foundation is no longer allowed to use the Friendship Room located in Strong dormitory. Wesley Foundation had used the room since its founding in 1985, but this year was forced to move to the Green Room in Main Hall. It seems that no one is allowed to use this room, because the Head Mistress is justified, but I can understand how students might believe they will suffer because of their criticism. If students (and faculty, and staff) view the educational process as a we-versus-them enterprise, then most certainly the opposition will be viewed as capable of any unfair action. I don't think this is the case at Salem, but I may be wrong. In any case, I believe that it is the responsiblility of the newspaper to take the lead in encouraging students to think about their lives here at the college and when necessary to constructively criticize actions with which they disagree. However, the editorial staff cannot and should not relieve students of the responsibility of standing behind their remarks. I believe an education should bring to young minds the ability to view situations objectively yet critically, and it should also give them the will to speak their minds honestly and fearlessly. I hope that is what we are doing at Salem. George McKnight from the Academy is living adjacent to it. I find this very unfair! This room belongs to the students for their use, not for one person to monopolize and rarely use! I am interested in who made this decision and why we, the students, are forced to be placed on a "waiting list?" voice on this campus) it takes a while to get used to it. I'll say it again. If the unsigned letters are the only way we can get people to talk then we will continue the column. The next issue is about that car. First of all I would like to say that my original editorial on this subject clearly expressed my violent opposition to the way it was handled. However, after my personal complaints and quite frankly, pain, had been expressed I feel that we should move on and try to look at the positive side. I think I was most angry because I felt like once again certain administrators had disregarded the student body as a whole and ignored our rights. For something that will affect everyone, I think more than two or three people should be consulted. I was just plain mad that we as a whole had not been considered. I also feel that a lot of us had tried to address the drinking and driving issue in a positive way, with programs to offer solutions. When I found nothing else offered in all of this but a morbid piece of metal I was afraid that our progress had been shot down. However, good did come out of a situation that 1 thought none would. First of all I felt that we made real head way in letting the administration hear us, because scream we did. And guess what? They listened! Secondly, programs were initiated at a meeting of the committee. But most importantly, we did communicate, and I could see several walls come tumbling down. So what did we learn? Well, I learned that there is a way to make people listen and that is this: if you don't like what's going on- DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Kick and scream and yell until the people who can change it do! When we are bom if we are hungry-we cry, if our diapers are wet- we yell, until someone changes us. Let's remember that lesson! Don't be afraid to say what you don't like. If you don't want the baby food that someone is feeding you-SPIT IT OUT!! April Edmondson SaCemite SaUm Cofkge 'Winston-Safem, 27108 (919) 721-2825 ‘Editor-in-Cfu^ tKptie‘Thomas !^sistant‘EditoT Ju£e Stone Copy'Editor ‘Beth Adams Odanayiny ‘Editor Amy Cass ‘Business tfdanager Marian‘Taylor Advertisiny iManayer ‘Kpren Jordan Odarki-tiny E)(ecutivt Mary ‘Bryan Tierce Sports 'Editors Libby‘Brozvn, Qaither Smoot Oryanizations Editor Amy'Brubafer Staff tRfporters ‘Beth Adams, ‘Beth ‘Barfsdale, Alicia ‘Boland, Michele ‘Brennan, Li66y ‘Brorm, Slmy 'BruBaffr, Jufia Carpenur, Slmy Cass, Sasrvati ‘Datta, Lea (Dautridye, SlprU‘Edmondson, ‘PatriaaEamftardt, ‘Elizabeth Ifennel ‘Tracy ffrey, SlUson Qid, Jenn^er tKjny, Sarah Odahonty, ‘Bridyet 9daUy, Tairice 9diuhtd, Taiyt Tarffr, Martha Sorter, tHanan Abdul tRphim, OQistie IRtynolds, Qaither Smoot, Marian ‘Taylor, Tammy Taylor Contribuliny ‘Miters MeGssa ‘BuceU, Susan Cheshire, She&a ‘ElGolt, * Liz Tender, Jleather Qlasscoc^ Johanna Metzyar, Qalen MiSer, Lisa Th^, Mary Toole, Qinyer Saunders, Jenny Savaye Staff Thotoyraphers Alicia‘Boland, Martha Torter, Asa'Wo^ast Advertisiny S tc0 Tatricia ‘Earnhardt, Leiyh Anne Jfarris, MarthaTorter Layout St(^ AEcia Boland, Michele ‘Brennan, Any Cass, AprilEdmondson, Sarah Mahoney, ‘Briket Malty, Jenny Savaye Class tHepreseniaiives: Ifreshman Tracy Jfey Sopbomore Libby'Broum Junior Susan Cheshire Senior ‘Beth'Barfsdale Qrapfucs Anyie Inyram 'faculty Advisor Qeorye Mc'Kniyht ‘The Salemite is the uncensored voice of the Salem Community Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
Salem College Student Newspaper
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Feb. 1, 1989, edition 1
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