Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Jan. 19, 1962, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page two THE TWIG January 19, 1961 All ANSWER TO THE BSU Concern has been expressed recently among members of the Baptist Student Union Council at Meredith over the fact that many students'on campus do not take any part in BSU activities and even more, that many of them, scorn participation in such activities. In examining the BSU functions and attitudes, the present situation in the world church, and our own generation's feelings toward the church and tradition, we may dis cover at least some of the reasons for ^rsonal and group consideration. First of all, the BSU activities and attitudes seem not to have an appeal for the majority of students, as is evidenced by the poor interest in and attendance at most of its functions. The majority of BSU programs have religious titles and traditional content which have little appeal to students, many of whom have heard the titles and content before and are much more interested in a speech at the State College Union on contemporary litera ture or a history group discussion on the present political situation in the Congo. The sad fact is that these things that are naturally interesting to the student, who wants to learn something new, may also be discussed broad-mindedly by a group like the BSU, that is, if religion is to be con cerned with the whole of life. Many active BSU members in the last four years have assumed an atti tude of piefistic devotion which separates them from the other students in the school. Although these attitudes arc not inherent in the BSU, they have come to be associated with the entire BSU program on the campus. Such attitudes repel rather than draw other students to become a part of the BSU and to participate in its activities. Most important is the fact that these attitudes are not Christ-like in any way; they misrepresent what the BSU and Christianity really stand for. These feelings toward BSU on the Meredith campus may be seen as a part of the world-wide movement away from the churches and traditional religion. The secularism of today seems so far removed from the ec clesiastical realm that many people cannot reconcile the two and are mov ing away from the church. Their movement is at least partially due to the growth of scientific thought, to the trite, often meaningless words of traditional Christianity, to the emotionalized religion so opposed to the new intellectualism, and to the churches’ frequent failure to comc to Sips with a secular world. It seems that, our generation is desperate to low the deepest meaning ot Itfe, while too often the churches overlook such important considerations to tell the story of Moses in the bullrushes and to recite a standard argument against the use of alcoholic beverages. We as college students react in this way not only because we have not found the answers in the churches, but also because we are perhaps natu rally rebellious against home when we come to college. The church played a large part in the lives of most of us while we were at home, and we rather naturally rebel against it. Another possible element in the indif ference of many students is that feeling of “separation from life” while wc are attending college. No one feels as if she is really living now, but rather that this four years is simply a suspension of life. Thus, we do not feel it particularly necessary to take part now in the BSU activities, for example, even though later on we*may very well become the stalwarts of the WMU, teachers in the Sunday Schools, etc., etc. Even though we may understand to some degree -the. sources of the problem which the BSU Board faces, certainly no immediate solution to the, problem is foreseeable. But a re-evaluation of the problem by us,-as active BSU members and as inactive students, may greatly improve the situation. The BSU’s line of action seems rather well cut out for them. More companionable attitudes toward other students and a broader out look concerning the role of religion in life certainly are basic needs. The inactive student’s re-cvaluatlon may be seen less clearly. It seems, first of all, that we should rid ourselves of childish attitudes that hinder our view of the BSU and its role on campus, including personal feeling, rebellion, and the indifference of studenthood. Having cast these aside, we may consider Chri.itianity and its values more open-mindedly. Let us find out by earnest and sincere questioning if Christianity is in any way vital to us and to the world, for only then will we be answering the question the Meredith BSU and all the world is asking today. Peggy Wilkins 1 m MEMBER Associated Collegiate Press EDITORIAL STAFF Linda Kirby Associate Editor. Hilda Maness Managing Editor. Dianne Simmons Feature Editor. Joan McGranahan Music Editor. Susan Leathers Sports Editor. Peggy Crutchfield Columnists Rachel Dailey Velma McGee Photographer. Kappie Weede Reporters—Sandra Walker, Jean Hege, Judy Grayson, Marcia Davis. Mar garet McGuirt, Kay Bums, Nickey Childrey, Carol Wood, Frieda Farmer, Carroll Hicks and Millie Pearce Faculty Sponsor. Dr. Norma Rose BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager Judy Purcelle Advertising Manager. — Patsy Bryant Circulation Managers— Brenda Payne and Sylvia Nash Mailing Editor. Gwen Picklesimer Chief Typist Linda Hales Typists—Joyce Collie, Harriet Rivers, Judy Young Advertising Staff—Carolyn Nicholds, Pal Taylor, Lou Perry, Jane Lawrence, Pat Leggett, Patty Steen Faculty Sponsor Miss Lois Frazier Entered m Kcond-clus mailer Octob«r tl, 1923, « po« office at Ralefsh, N. C.. under Act of Marcb 8. 1879. Publlthed aemi-monthly during iho month* of October. November, and April; monthly during the months o( December, January. February. March, aad May. Tm Twio If the collese newspaper of Meredith College. Ralel^, North Carolina, tod at luch H one of the three major publications ol the Institution—the other two belns Th* Aeorn, the literary maaadtia. and TH* Oak L*av*s, the college annual, Meredith Colleie la an accredited Hnlor liberal arti college for women located in the capital diy ot North CaroUoa. It conferi the Bachelor of Ant and the Bachelor ofiMtulo deiieca. The collegt oKan major* io tweniy'^me fleld* lacludUii mualc, art, biulneaa and home economic*. Since 1921 the loatitutfoa ha* bem a member of the Southero Auodatlon of College* and Secondary School*. The coltese holda member^ip In Ute AMoeiatlon of American colleae* and ih* North CaroUna Colleie Conference. Oraduatea of Meredith College are eUsJbie for memberatiip la tha American Aiaoclailon of Unlvenlty Wotnea. The IntUtutloa li m liberal •n* member o( the Natlona] Aaaodatlos of Schoota oi MimIc. Subecrlptlon Rate*: tMS per year Tfls TwHi * wrved by Nation^ Ad«erti*ioa Service, Ine., 420 Madlton Ave.. New Yetk 17. N«w York. SG Council Plans Handbook Changes By VEtMA McGEE Big plans are being made for handbook for 1962-63. Anyone who has had the experience of search ing through'half the pages to find a rule and then perhaps finally com ing upon the needed information — or perhaps not — realizes the great need for • a change in the overall pattern of the handbook. Pink slips are not even mentioned; the pro cedure for getting dancc permissions is not fully explained; and one rule states that freshmen must double date until the end of first semester, a regulation now two years out dated. The Vice President of the Student Government, Cille Benton, heads the handbook committee, which is also composed of the sophomore S.G. members, Martha Rivers and Joyed Ellen «Stamback, and the freshman representative, Betty Ipock. The girls are carefully going over the whole handbook, clarify ing many things, adding others, and organizing all the included material. One of the most distinctive.features of the new edition will be a section in the center, printed on colored pages, which will contain all the rules and regulations. The size of the handbook was discussed in chapel, but a definite decision has not yet been made about that mat ter. The plan for completely chang ing the handbook has developed be cause of the proposed idea concern ing the new structure of the whole Student Government Association. If this passes and goes into effect for the year 1962-1963, so much of the constitution which is printed in the handbook, will have to be changed that the council felt the other needed changes might be made at the same time. Do you have any suggestions for the new handbook? Then give them to the member of the committee or put them in the sugigestlon box. They will be welcome! Hectic Exam Week Drives Students From Hysteria to Fatalism MERE DITHER By RACHEL DAILEY There are many feelings around the campus now. They are bom and cultivated during a semester of college. These feelings feed on ideas and experiences, and as they are nourished, they thrive. Strange how subconscious emotions can become influential parts of life. Yet they can, and do. And there are many feelings around the campus now. There is the feeling of satisfac tion pf a job well done. This feeling grows only in the rare soil of. a soul whose academic habits are beyond inner regret or outer reproach. This feeling is a well-hidden but happy plant whose deep roots are invalua ble. Then there is the feeling of social happiness. This feeling can only be cultivated from seeds of new friend ship. One usually finds this flower growing in the heart of a meek girl who began the year with a bar ren plot of inferiority and fear. But a new boyfriend or two and a host of girlfriends nourish this tender plant into a tree that will never leave its owner ill-at-ease or with out self-confidence. And there is the feeling of spir itual growth. This plant never reaches full maturity, but it grows taller than any other seed, and its branches twine forever among the other branches to support and en hance them. This'feeluig grows from whispered prayers and quiet walks, from chapel services and vesper talks, from religion classes and sin cere discussions. There are a host of feelings now. They grow quickly in these last days of a semester. And as we look back on the lon^ hard days and the long lonely nights, we wonder By CARROLL HICKS She walked into the room. She walked .into the closet. Realizing her mistake, she walked out and fell over the three stacked piles of books. Rising from the floor, she crawled onto her bed and collapsed. Up and down the hall she heard faint groans and sighs sometimes accented by mad ravings. Her room mate burst into the room in a state of hysteria — giggling as she threw her notebook on the floor. And do you know what has hap pened to these two fine, upstanding students? They are suffering from examinations! Yes, it is that time of the year. In preparation for this festive occasion the students are seen buying food supplies to last through the week as they will be unable to le_^ve their rooms—waste of time, you know. There is a rush to the iibrap' where students may worry in quietness. There is also a rush to the infirmary by those who took too many NO-DOZ tablets and can’t close their eyes. if these feelings are worth the trouble they are to grow. Yet as we survey these feelings, we notice for the first time their flowers, and the soft delicate texture of the petals, and the deep rich warmth of the colors — and we must admit that these feelings certainly add a great deal of beauty to our lives. Of course, there are some feel ings which resemble weeds. We sur vey these feelings with regret, for we see that they do not add to the enchantment of our garden of the soul.' Lost friendships, unaccepted opportunities, the refusal to accept our responsibilities, fear and foolish timidity all are a blot to our inner rightness; Yet these roots are not so deep that they cannot be killed easily and quickly by applying a lot of love with a measure of true conscientiousness. So now is a time of many feelings around the campus as wc all as one body turn to look back on a period of our college life. What we see is what we are. What we truly feel is the only true judgment of our success during the semester. Yes, there are many feelings around (he campus now. Then, of course, there are those who are running back and forth to the ’ offices as they turn in history maps, collateral, and quote memory work. There is much left to be done by the average unprepared student who is feverishly making mobiles for her art project, filling out lab reports, and sewing the last stitch on her blouse. During exam week our happy, contented, easy-going students do little or nothing. And since they have been doing little or nothing all year, this is no change. However, they do seem to stay up a little longer than usual — all night, for instance. But this lack of sleep does not cause our students to look dif ferent because everyone else is walking around in a stuper too. And the rooms! Oh, they were never more organized. Each comer, table, dresser, chair, and anything else has a particular book, note book, or scrap of paper — sort of filing without filing cabinets. Then, on the floor are the food supplies, drinks, d^gs, and the week’s out fit. (The same outfit is worn every day in hopes that, if the first exam went well, the outfit would bring luck to the wearer. However, if the first exam went bad, it is advisable to change outfits.) No dust is al lowed to gather in the room as it might cover valuable notes — if you can find all of them in the first place. Exams affect various students in many different ways. There, are a few almost typed characters who will be seen week. Suffering Sue — walks jerkedly around, wrings her hands, stutters while talking. Jolly Dollie — hysteria victim, giggles continuously, makes corny jokes which no one can stand. Lazy Daisy — decides It is too late to start studying as she hasn't done anything all semester. Deadly Dianne — fatalistic atti tude, very dangerous as she suffers from chronic illusions of former grandeur. Adjusted Agnes — knows all about exams, refuses to get upset, has worked during semester. Remember — 99%o cent of all students survive exams. How much is Yio per cent?
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Jan. 19, 1962, edition 1
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