Page Two
THE TWIG
January 15, 1970
Merc-ditk College.
January 15,1970
The Real "Impudent Snobs"
A couple of months ago Vice-President Spiro Agnew referred to the
leaders of the anti-war demonstrations as "impudent snobs” and immedi
ately created a storm of controversey and a roar of protest and indignation
from those at whom the epithet was directed. Apparently most people
do not take kindly to being characterized as “impudent snobs.”
However, this editorial really has nothing to do with the group at
tacked by the Vice-President; it concerns another group right here on the
Meredith campus—a group of really important impudent snobs known
as “tray leavers.”
One can observe these individuals at every meal—they are easily
recognizable by the insightly refuse they insist on leaving behind—trays
laden with dirty plates, glasses and silverware and crumpled napkins.
These individuals create problems in several ways: first, the abandoned
trays are ugly and do nothing to improve the appearance of the cafeteria;
second, they clutter up table space which now must remain useless until
a harried employee can carry the trays away; and thirdly, these students
are a problem in and of themselves—mainly in understanding what possi
ble motivation they might have.
We are not certain why they feel obliged to walk out of the cafeteria,
leaving their used trays behind them. Perhaps they are lazy. Perhaps they
think it gives them a feeling of power. Perhaps they think they are pro
testing, although what they think they are protesting escapes us at the
moment. After all, there is no oppressive rule commanding them to carry
their trays back, no preposterous punishment waiting to fall on their
heads—only a simple request by an over-worked, underpaid cafeteria
staff to help them out a little in their thankless job.
But these individuals are just too discourteous to be bothered with the
concerns or needs of others, no matter how little trouble such a courtesy
would mean for them.
And talk about snobs! After all, they must feel they are somehow
a notch above the many other students who take their daily meals
in the cafeteria, most of whom conscientiously return their trays and
dirty dishes to the kitchen area without feeling somehow slighted of
their civil liberties or robbed of their dignity as the Meredith’s “impudent
snobs” obviously must.
“Impudent snob” is a very descriptive phrase, but not a particularly
flattering one, and we can imagine that the tray-leavers will find the name
rather insulting. Good. We planned it with that result in mind. We can
only hope that they will be insulted enough to make them quit leaving
.their trays.
RBM
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necessarily represent those of the administration, student body or tlie entire
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5!
Qtooj LcucK Oi\. feXAKS?
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Just before the Christmas recess 1
received several expressions of dis
satisfaction with the changes made
in the school calendar for 1970-71.
It is appropriate, I hope, to use your
column fora reply.
Early this fail the Instruction
Committee, composed of Faculty
and students, was asked by the Col
lege Council to investigate the
feasibility of adjusting Meredith’s
calendar so as to complete the fall
semester before Christmas, (This is
not a tri-mester system.) This was
prompted by the same change being
effected at North Carolina State
University. The Council and the
Committee concluded that this could
be done without serious disruption
of the campus life, both social and
academic, and that the advantages of
coordination with North Carolina
State University far outweighed any
disadvantages. The coordination of
our calendars is essential if we are to
maintain a working relationship with
NCSU in the Cooperating Raleigh
Colleges so that students can take
courses at both schools.
But, furthermore, the concern ex
pressed by students this fall about
the holidays seems to indicate the
domestic peace is somewhat jeop
ardized when students are deprived
of their accustomed close relation
ship with students at NCSU on those
occasions.
Many of the points made in the
letters from students certainly are
valid. Many of them, I think, can be
The Perils
of Percy
By Pcrcy Beane
I hope you all had very Merry
Christmases and happy new years.
From the looks of all the new dia
monds and pins, soineone evidently
had a good holiday, Maybe next
year will be my year to join the
ranks, but I have my doubts.
Now with January 1 came a new
year and a new decade. I have made
several predictions for the 70’s con
cerning men, women, and Meredith
College.
In the future I see Meredith ad
mitting its first male dormitory stu
dents, According to my crystal ball,
the tentative date for this new de
velopment is the fall term of 1972
(Continued on page 3)
overcome. I am sure that the Mere
dith traditions of celebrating Christ
mas will continue and that, in spite
of examination, joy will still perme
ate the atmosphere, the “angels” will
still sing, and the campus will make
“nierrie” as we hail the birth of
Jesus and the holiday season.
Sincerely,
Allen Burris
— Book Review —
Dorsett's Book:
"A Treasure"
(Dorsett, Harry K., A Variety of
Edens, Raleigh; Edwards and
Broughton Company, 1969, 161
PP-)
Neither you nor I can find much
time these days for reading — I
mean good reading. Between boys
and text books, our minds grow
tired, our time is scarce.
However, there is a book you
should squeeze in. A Variety of
Edens is a collection of short stories
written by Meredith professor, Harry
K. Dorsett. Each story is a treasure
well worth every short minute spent
in reading it.
In reference to some other
authors, Dorsett wrote, “They had
been directed by the desire to write
beautifully of happenings lovely.”
The same should be said of Dorsett.
The author claims that he is a
“frustrated writer.” Yet the short
stories in A Variety of Edens are
not the products of a man’s frustra
tions. They are masterpieces of hu
man insight into the emotions of
others. They are the genius of an
unconfined imagination. The 22
stories are short; their plots are sim
ple. However, the characters are
strong, their lines clearly drawn,
their thoughts exposed in detail.
Each character, almost someone you
can touch, is the work of a master.
The stories are about people you
know —• little boys and little girls,
men and the women they love,
women and the men they adore, and
(Continued on page 4)
Ode to Exams
(Reprinted from The NCSU Technician)
And it came to pass. Early in the morning toward the last day of the
semester
There arose a great multitude smiting the books and wailing.
And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth,
For the day of judgement was at hand.
And they were sore afraid, for they had left undone
Those things which they ought to have done.
And they had done
Those things which they ought not to have done
And there was no help for it.
And there were many abiding in the dorm
Who had kept watch over their books by night,
But it availed them naught.
But some were who rose peacefully, ,
For they had prepared themselves the way
And made straight paths of knowledge.
And they were known
As wise burners of the midnight oil.
And to others they were known as “curve raisers.”
And the multitude arose
And ate a hearty breakfast.
And they came unto the appointed place.
And their hearts were heavy within them.
And they came to pass,
But some to pass out.
And some of them repented from their riotous living and bemoaned
their fate.
But they had not a prayer.
And at the last hour there came among them
One known as the instructor; and they feared exceedingly.
He was of the diabolical smile, and passed papers among them and
went his way.
And many and varied were the answers that were given.
For some of his teachings had fallen among fertile minds, while othci '
had fallen flat,
And some were there who wrote for one hour, others for two;
But some turned away sorrowful, and many of these offered up a little bull
In hopes of pacifying the instructor.
And these were the ones who had not a prayer.
And when they had finished, they gathered up their belongings
And went their way quietly, each in his own direction.
And each one vowing to himself in this manner:
“I shall not pass this way again.” •