E D I T O D I A L
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Is Meredith prepared for emergencies?
With the recent bombing of Libya, 1
have recently begun to wonder how
Meredith students could be protected in
the event of a military attack. It may seen
like a far-out thought, but realistically the
time may come. Even if we are never
attacked, Raleigh is not immune to natu
ral disasters. Hurricanes and tornadoes
destroy land, homes and lives. So far,
Meredith has been lucky, but why rely on
luck? Why not prepare for such calami
ties?
1 hate fire drills at 2 a.m. as much as the
next person; but, you can bet HI be out
the door when the alarm sounds. I don’t
take changes when it comes to gambling
with my life. I wonder how many students
would know what to do if a tornado were
expected to touch down at Meredith —
few, no doubt. I hesitate to suggest it, but
perhaps a tornado drill is in order. Sure,
we had them in high school, but that was
a long time ago for most of us. If a tor
nado drill is too radical, then a simple
information sheet explaining what to do
and where to go in case of such an emer
gency would suffice.
Meredith already has bomb shelters in
the older dorms. I wonder how they are
being used. Maybe it’s time to start
upgrading them as well. Since we already
have the space provided, why not take
advantage of it. Meredith is expanding
academically and culturally. It only seems
right that it should also take steps to pro
vide protection for its students. Obviously
CAMPUS CURRENTS
SGA forum provides insight into parking fee increase
by Betsy Short, Editor
A SGA forum was called by the
SGA executive committee Friday, April
11, to assess information about the park
ing permit fee increase. Chairperson of
the Student Life Parking Subcommittee
Fran Stroud, and vice president for busi
ness and finance Charles Taylor spoke.
Donna Elliott, chair of honor council,
called the meeting to order.
Stroud reviewed the proposal recom
mended to and approved by Taylor. The
proposal recommended that only juniors
and seniors be permitted cars on campus,
as well as a limited number of freshmen
and sophomores with need of a car. The
intent of the proposal was to maintain the
pastoral appearance of the college and
clean the front drive.
According to Stroud, the proposal
recommended that a student committee
be formed to review freshmen and sopho
more requests for parking permits.
The committee would determine who
is eligible for a permit based on the follow
ing priorities: freshmen and sophomores
with medical problems which necessitate
the use of a car to go to and from medical
appointments, and sophomores with off
campus jobs or internships necessitated
by financial need.
Taylor said the attention the problem
had been getting “raised the conscious
ness of the problem” from students to
parents to the Board of Trustees. After
some discussion on the administrative
level, the Board of Trustees appointed a
subcommittee to review the parking prob
lem, Taylor said. Judge David Grigg
chaired the subcommittee.
According to Taylor, once the board
began investigating the problem, students
were “at the mercy of their decisions.”
Taylor said the subcommittee discussed
the effect access to cars had on grades and
academic performance.
The subcommittee concluded that the
Board of Trustees should “look toward
providing space for everyone to have a
car," Taylor said.
The question remained of how to pro
vide for the extra cars. The board decided
to “raise money through those who would
use the product,” according to Taylor.
Taylor noted the current parking per
mit fee of $20 was not consistent with
other college and university fees. The
Board of Trustees proposed and approved
the increase to $80.
According to Taylor, the additional
income from the fee increase, which is
expected to generate an additional
$50,000 in revenue per year, will be used
solely to increase and improve parking
facilities by way of gravelling and lighting
the present and future parking areas.
When asked why paving the presently
gravelled lots was not a priority, Taylor
said “paving detracts from the appear
ance of the campus” while gravel lots are
less noticeable and blend into the land
scape.
While Taylor said he does not foresee
the expansion being completed next year,
he said a landscape artist has already sur
veyed the campus for less exposed areas
that would be conducive to parking.
Although the attendance at the forum
was low, approximately 30 people came.
Uniform grading scale determined
undesirable
Alcoholism: sustained metaphor
by Mary Ellen McKown
Contributing Reporter
On November 12, 1985, a recommen
dation proposed by the'Academic Affairs
subcommittee was passed by the Student
Life Committee. The recommendation
read: That the Student Life Committee
not pursue recommending a uniform
grading scale.
The rationale read as stated, “After
talking with ail department heads, the
subcommittee feels that, as it is stated on
page 71 of the Meredith College cata
logue, 'Absolute uniformity would be
impossible and perhaps undesirable.’
Because of the great variety of offerings
and disciplines, having all teachers, in all
classes, use the same scale would be
impossible. Some courses require a much
more subjective grading than is done on a
letter basis only (for example, art). Others
require more objective grading which can
be done on a point scale (for example,
math and business).
To require any more uniformity than
the descriptions of what is A-F material
(as stated on page 71 of the catalogue)
simply cannot be done.
We also feel that such a requirement
[even within a department] imposes on
the academic freedom of instructors who
should be able to grade in the best way for
their particular course, for their particular
groups of students, [and for their own
standards of what A-F material is].”
1 electrical storm. You
where, or who it is
rpeps upkslowly build-
"ing force oeiundr the ttiack’ clouds of
doom. At first it starts with a trickle,'
the administration thought it necessary to
provide in such a way when the first build
ings were constructed. 1 realize this con
struction was underway during national
strife. That is what we are facing today.
I do not mean to come across as a
pessimist, only a realist. 1, for one, would
rather be “safe than sorry.”
Betsy Short
Editor, Meredith Herald
those present had definite opinions about
the fee increase.
Students asked why the fee was not
raised gradually over a period of years.
Taylor said a gradual increase would not
provide enough revenue to make substan
tial changes.
Another student a?ked if the increase
could be incorporated into tuition. Taylor
said that would not be a fair business
decision since not all students have cars
on campus.
Taylor stressed that the parking policy
will remain the same next year with the
addition of the $80 fee. Only juniors and
seniors will be issued permits based on
desire; a limited number of freshmen and
sophomores will be issued permits based
on need.
Taylor summed up the discussion by
saying, “If it is worth it to you, you will
pay. If it is not worth it, you will make an
economical decision.”
Stroud said a questionnaire concerning
the parking situation would be issued to
all students at the Monday night hall
meetings.
BOOM, another cork is popped and
white lightning streaks again through the
entrails leaving only the smoky residue
behind. Instead of a dead tree limb b a
damaged liver and brain. Electrical storms
;are unpmdfctaS^ and frj^nmg as is
j alcoholism. It can sim|% knock out your
Of lull you into peacd^ul slumbo'. The
clear liquid dribbles slowlv along thesidcs
of the mouth and streams down the chin,^ storm^is horrific.
Pretty soon the clouds part and drunken ,} X lamps, turned-over chairs, upset
stupor tecomes heavy sleep. Thunderous
clanks and resounding booms echo ' awaken, you haven’t adue as to how the
throughout the brain once the downpour mess appeared. Then reality, the storm,
has ceased and the body is dry. Then -« strikes again. And again.