Cornhuskin’ videotape causes controversy
by Julie Bell. Features Staff
When freshmen come to Meredith in
August, one of the first things they are
bombarded with is Cornhuskin'. The
Meredith Recreation Association is in
charge of Cornhuskin', and it is up to the
members to educate the freshmen
through the appointment of an advisor.
In past years, the junior class has taken
on the responsibility of explaining and
advising the freshmen of the true mean
ing of Cornhuskin'. If explained.poorly,
the freshmen react with apathy.
Rhoda Sowers, student activities di
rector, said “The junior class’ explana-
Seniors enjoy their last Cornhuskin'
at Meredith
Censorship
Continued from page 1
On Top."
Third Brewer had a similar encounter
when their' original sweatshirt portray
ing a Saint Bernard dog with a keg
around his neck was instructed to be
altered. Sowers recommended their slo
gan. “The Third Brew Crew." be accom
panied by a design with witches stirring
some brew.
Lisa Ashley, third Brewer's designer,
said, “I was upset she didn't approve it.
Continued from page 1
Mills said that, in the past, notices
were issued on each dorm room door
about the procedures to follow during
the threat of a storm.
This procedure involves going to the
lowest area of the dorm. Each student
then lines each wall, while sitting in a
crouched position with her head tucked
between her knees.
Dan Shattuck, chief of security, said.
“It would be nice if there was a definite
plan of action set up for everyone to
follow in case of a severe storm.”
Accordingto Shattuck, his men know
what to do in case of a disaster, but as it
stands now, “the students are on their
own in case ofa disaster and my men are
here to help in any way possible."
Shattuck said that as soon as a warn
ing was issued for a disaster in this area,
he would get together with his men, the
business manager, and the manager of
th^.dining.ha)l.,t^.^kesure there would
be adequate food and other supplies.
tion of what Cornhuskin' is has gotten
worse over the years. From this, com
plaints have always risen, because ques
tions were never answered. Since Corn
huskin' is highly competitive and sup
posed to be kept a secret, it makes it
harder to explain without giving ‘secrets'
away.” said Sowers.
The class that wins Cornhuskin’
knows how to favorably impress the
judges. Four years of experience and
practice are generally needed to perfect a
parade, a tall tale, and a hog callin'.
Other classes enjoy watching freshmen
perform Cornhuskin' and seeing im
provement year afler year.
Because Cornhuskin’ was explained
Continued from page 1
place, juniors: 3rd place, seniors.
Apple Bobbing: 1st place, seniors; 2nd
place, freshmen; 3rd place, juniors.
Cornhuskin'; 1st place, seniors; 2nd
place, juniors; 3rd place, freshmen.
but I wasn’t surprised."
Sweatshirts are not the only focus of
closeexamination or. by definition, “cen
sorship.” Banners have also been tar
geted,
A letter from Sowers was sent to all
association, organization and club pres
idents explaining the guidelines to be
followed when making and displaying a
banner in Belk Dining Hall. The letter
said; “We will be monitoring these ban
ners closely. Our office will remove any
banners not properly hung." (See ac
companying article entitled Guildelines
for Banners in Belk Enforced.)
This would take care of students who
were not able to get home before the
storm hit.
The security department also has hand
held bullhorns which can be used in the
dorms themselves to give instructions as
to where to go. In addition, loudspeak
ers run by batteries can be used to arouse
people.
According to Shattuck, the fallout
shelters would be the safest place for the
girls to go, because they are reinforced
with concrete.
Harry Simmons, superintendent of
buildings and grounds, said it would be
good to let the students know where
these shelters are, but the doors to get
into them must remain locked at all
times.
“The tunnels are locked for the pro
tection of the girls, because if they were
left open any stranger could hide down
there and come up into the dorms and
attack unsuspecting students," said
Simmons.
According to Jerry Bynum, manager
of environmental services, the fallout
poorly this year, the freshmen com
plained. Sowers and the MRA decided
to show last year’s Cornhuskin’ video
tape to the freshmen.
“Only 15 freshmen showed up to
watch excerpts for the sole purpose of
seeing costuming, seeing what words
look like in a parade, and seeing that the
tall tale has only one person reciting a
memorized monologue.” said Sowers.
"It was unfair to show it,” said Laura
Cochrane, a senior Cornhuskin' repre
sentative. Freshman Wendy Brechtel-
shaven said. “It was helpful to get an
idea of what Cornhuskin' is, since we
had no way of knowing what it is.”
Among MRA members, there were
mixed emotions over the showing of the
tape.
“Tape's of any Cornhuskin' in the
future will not be shown to any fresh
man class.” Sowers said. She also told
students to “look for showings of these
videos after Christmas with possibilities
of the tapes being sold at a later date."
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November 25.1985 3
Meredith plans for disaster
Srs. take Cornhuskin’
policy questioned
Class Song: 1st place, juniors; 2nd place,
seniors; 3rd place, sophomores.
Tall Tale: 1st place, sophomores; 2nd
place, seniors; 3rd place, freshmen.
Hog Calling: 1st place, juniors; 2nd
place, seniors; 3rd place, sophomores.
Parade: 1st place, seniors; 2nd place,
juniors; 3rd place, freshmen.
The censorship policies at Meredith
College had not been questioned until
The Twig’s investigation. Concerning
this. Sowers said, "Maybe it’s time we
came up with a policy and put it in the
handbook.”
Editor’s Note: A laie telephone call, after
this article was submitted for publica
tion. was received by Dean Dorothy
Sizemore’s office requesting that this
article include a statement that com
plaintsfrom two students prompted her
request that Rhoda Sowers approve all
banners, posters and sweatshirts.
shelters are no longer used for the pur
pose of war preparation.
The maintenance department uses the
shelters to gather and empty the trash, in
addition to other tasks, so in fact they
are now “mechanical tunnels,’’ said
Bynum.
During World War 11, when there was
a threat of bombs being dropped, fallout
shelters were established. In this area of
Raleigh. Meredith College was to be
used as a shelter in case of an atomic
war.
Russell Capps, of the Civil Defense
Unit of the State of North Carolina, said
that his department attempted to clean
out the tunnels last year, but that it does
not have enough space to store all of the
cans. Capps decided to leave the cans at
Meredith until a location for them can
be {bund.
“The cans that are empty were never
filled, because the threat of an atomic
war went away.” Capps said.
According to Capps, the cans that
contain a substance do not pose a threat
to Meredith students.