Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Oct. 27, 1976, edition 1 / Page 2
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PAGE 2 the twig OCTOBER 27, 1976 THE MEREVJTH TWIG Watergate’s effect tragic COLLEGE Are we racist? In the October faculty meeting, a panel representing both faculty and administration q>en the question of minority students at Meredith with an impressive degree of candor and concern. Primary issues explored were the needs of the black students at Meredith, Meredith’s commitment to education for minority students, and Meredith’s ability to meet its goals for minority students wiUi the standard of excellence that is traditional here. The college may well be proud of its history of racial un derstanding. Jones Auditorium was open to members of all races long before other major public auditoriums in Raleigh opened their doors to blacks. During the civil rights movement, at least one faculty member took a personal stand on the issue of church integration by resigning from a local pastorate which refused to support his belief in equal rights. In 1971, people here were beginning to feel assured that black enrollment was a good thing for all students. That was a time when Meredith experienced the largest enrollment of black students in its history. Since then, however, the attitude has changed. Black enrollment has declined until the number of blacks here is no longer a positive factor in recruiting new black students. Those who do come here are the ones who have the guts to stick it out for whatever reasons they have. These students are few indeed: only two members of this year’s freshmanclass are black. In the faculty panel, inadequacies of the Meredith situation were very sensitively explored from an administrative and professorial point of view. But it is clear to me that the faculty will get nowhere in its probe for solutions unless the students go through a similar kind of questioning, with the same kind of sensitivity and willingness to face unpleasant facts about life for black students here. The inability of admissions to recruit black students may indeed say some negative things about the nature of white students here. Almost all of us have experienced court-ordered busing, either by avoiding it or accepting it. Some white students may have opted for private, segregated schools. Others may have avoided full integration by being placed in college prep tracks. Others, of course, bear all the scars of teenage turmoil, anger and hostility in seeing old traditions changed with the drawing of a few lines and blaming inadequate preparation for college on integration. How many of us came to Meredith, a private, mainly white institution, b^ause we hated what court-enforc^ busing and integration did to change the nature of public education for whites? Whether this was a conscious motivation or not, we have indeed found Meredith to be a sheltered environment in which to nurse our imaginary or real wounds. But what has such isolation done for our understanding of the best meaning of int^ration? Not much. And the sad fact is that the majority of Meredith students-those woricing toward teacher certification-will have to re-enter public education with not much more awareness and certainly no more practical methods of dealing with the problems of interaction among races. All of us, not just prospective teachers, lack decent preparation to enter a world of many colors but one humanity. What can students do about it? We have an advantage that we did not have in high school: We can choose to lead ourselves out of this voluntary segregation. The first step is for student organizations to engage in dialo^e with faculty, to think seriously about Uie nature of education and life here at Meredith, to compare the situation here with what we know is waiting for us on the outside. Deciding whether Meredith can and should provide the best education possible for minority students is a question that must involve the students as well as the faculty. MSO THE MBREVJTH TWIG COLLEGE Editor Maggie Odell Assistant Editor Kim Farlow Columnist Phyllis Burnett Reporters Kristie Beattie, Rosie Bowers, Nancy Clendenin, Kim Dale, Debbie Doss, Carolyn Morton, Nancy Newton, Darlene Smith, Miriam Vlctorlai Photographer Sandy Godwin, Marty Holllnshed Advertising Carol Fitch Business Manager Susan Moore Circulation Manager Emily Sockell Member Associated College Press. Published weekly except during holidays and exams. THE TWIG is served by the National Educational Advertising Service, 18 East Street, New York. Subscription rates: 13.70. by Phillis Burnett In less than a week Americans will go to the polls and select the first post- Watergate President. Discussion of the Watergate scandal by either candidate has not been an extensive but the campaign has definitely felt the repercussions of Watergate. The effect of other current Washington scandals, such as the Elizabeth Ray affair, and Watergate on this election and other elections to come may be one of the greatest tragedies to come out of these affairs. Many Americans feel totally apathetic toward the elections and candidates. This apathy will undoubtedly result in a low voter turnout. This in itself is a great disaster when a great number of the American populace sacrifices their sacred privilege to vote. A perhaps greater con sequence of the political scandals, however, is their effect on the issues most important to the average voter. Issues concerning the nation’s security, economy, or social well being have taken a back seat to moralistic issues that will have little effect on the winning candidate’s performance in office. Instead of placing priorities on such issues as unemployment, governmental interference in big business, national health insurance, and nuclear arms limitation, the American people and press seem more concerned wiUi the candidates’ religion or stand on abortion. In the course of the campaign we have learned that both Carter and Ford children have smdked pot, that President Ford played a few games of golf, and that Carter accepted a free plane ride. Carter has been accused of being morally degenerate for telling Playboy that he had committ^ lust of the heart and using the words “screw” and “shack-up”. In the Ford camp the degenerate isn’t Ford but rather his wife, who told an interviewer on Sixty Minutes that she thought her chillren had smoked pot and that she hoped her daughter would tell her if she decided to have an affair. The reaction to these interviews showed that Puritanism and Victorianism are not dead after all. Or perhaps it just indicates that Americans have a double standard and that a man running for the Presidency must be flawless. None of this relates to whether the candidate will be a good chief executive or not. Americans need to face up to the fact that our President cannot be some kind of superman. I think it is time that Americans stop worrying over minor moral issues and concern themselves with more pertinent matters. I’m not saying we should close our eyes to the morals and ethics of a potential President, but I do think the morals issue can and has been emphasized. over- How the candidates stand on the important issues should be found out. It is our responsibility to vote for the candidate on these important issues and not the sen sationalism of trumped up charges of immoral and unethical conduct. Americans have always been influenced by sen sationalism, but Watergate has blown this tendency to gigantic proportions. Watergate was an American tragedy and we should learn from it. But we cannot allow this tragedy to become the dominant force in American politics. Letters to the editor Dear Editor, On behalf of the Meredith Young Democrats Club and all active Meredith Democrats, I would like to congratulate the College Republicans for a job well done regarding Jack Ford’s visit to our campus. Con sidering the short time for preparation, both parties made a fine showing and most assuredly rose to the demands of the occasion. While working with such a tight deadline was indeed hectic, it added an air of ex citement and stimulation which is so vital to American politics. I feel endeavors on the parts of both parties were something we as voters, and as Meredith students, should be proud of. Mr. Ford’s visit to our campus was a new and unique experience for Meredith College. The event allowed a diversity of young women to become involved in the mainstream of politics, if only for a day or two. We can only hope that Mr. Ford’s visit will set a precedent for future speakers and that Meredith women will continue to work in our political system, adding yet another valuable dimension. In closing, I am sure all Republicans join me in urging you to vote on Tuesday, November 2 for the candidate of your choice. Sincerely, Kim Farlow Chairman-Meredith College Jimmy Carter Campaign ’76 Dear Editor, On behalf of the President Ford Committee, I would like to thank the Meredith com munity for its participation and involvement regarding the Jack Ford Rally. I think that is was such an honor for Meredith College to be chosen as the only college campus in North Carolina on which a member of the First Family was to speak. This election year has seen a greater youth in volvement than other recent elections and we, today’s students, are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved in politics at all levels. Involvement is the key to a successful political awareness and youth in volvement plays an in strumental role in all aspects of the political spectrum. Whether you consider yourself a Republican or a Democrat - I urge you to be aware of both parties’ beliefs and ideals and challenge you to become involved, not only for yourself, but for America’s freedom. Sincerely, Carol Lancaster President Ford Committee Youth Coordinator Dear Editor, I wish to commend the Meredith community for its support of the Bloodmobile visit to Meredith on Tuesday, October 5th. A total of 99 pints of blood was donated, ex cluding 42 students who were deferred due to various medical reasons. These volunteer donors constitute an approximate 10 per cent response from our faculty, administration, and student body. This year we had a recod number of first time donors with the greatest number of donors belonging to the freshman class. These first year studenns should be especially proud of themselves, as is the rest of Meredith College. However, may none of us be guilty of drowning in a song of our own praise, but rather, realize that the Bloodmobile visits offer advantages of reciprocal proportion. Not only do we benefit others by our blood donations, but at the same time, we enhance the image of Meredith College as a growing institution for concerned citizens in a world that demands concern and co operation for survival. May our concern only continue to increase in response to the Bloodmobile visit in the spring on March 2, 1977. Sincerely, Hazel Browning Bloodmobile Co-ordinator Dear Editor, Everyone has heard about the tight job market, but I would like to take this op portunity to point out to Meredith students and faculty that there are many, many magnificient opportunities “out there” for the inquisitive person who is willing to keep her options open. I invite you to come in and explore some of the in formation available in the Office of Career Planning. We probably have more in formation on internships than any other one office in the state of North Carolina. A few of the publications just received include: DIRECTORY OF UN DERGRADUATE IN- TERNSHIP PROGRAMS -126 pages of undergraduate in ternships all across the United States. An example is an Urbanarium Fellows Program at Rochester, N.Y., funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The program is designed to be inter disciplinary and urban oriented. Interest areas might include human services, social work, the arts and humanities. If offers four undergraduate garter credit hours, and a stipend of $600. DIRECTORY OF WASHINGTON IN- TERNSHIPS. Spend an hour, half-day, or a day exploring the information here on your own campus about the wonderful op portunities available to you. Sincerely, Mrs. Marie Capel Director, Office of Career Planning
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Oct. 27, 1976, edition 1
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