March 26,1992 page two I 1 Editorial by Jessica Cook, Copy Editor Last Monday night, the SGA election speeches were overwhelmingly pointless. What’s the use of having speeches when all the offices, with the exception of one, have only one student candi date for election? SGA should not have wasted its time coordinating the event. The low partici pation of Meredith students in the SGA elec tions shows they are obviously not interested in student government. In fact, what is the use of having an active student government when the students are so apathetic about its existence? This is not mean to be a criticism of SGA; the various organizations do an incredible amount of work every week that goes largely unappreciated by the student body. It is miracu lous that SGA manages to accomplish anything with the current uninvolvement of students. With open forums, a genuine committment to change, and a willingness to persevere until the job gets done, SGA is an organization dedicated to serving students; however, when the students do not respond, students make a mockery of SGA. Students, including myself, complain inces santly about Meredith’s rules. Every year, we fight to live off campus to escape these rules we deplore. Instead of complaining, though, we should get together with SGA and work for the changes many students desire. A powerful student government that is supported by the student body through participation and support can make many changes on campus. Congratu lations to those who ran for an office this year; a real challenge awaits you. Letter to the Editor To the editor: This letter is in response to the SGA Executive Committee’s proposal on the ban of alcoholic containers on campus. We are in no way debat ing the seriousness of alcoholic consumption on campus. However, this proposal will not solve the problem of students drinking in their rooms - it will merely disguise the larger issue. As graduating seniors, this is an issue each of us feels strongly about, even though it will not affect us if passed. As stated in the March 20 issue of Meredith Herald, one of the rationales for support of the proposal by SGA Executive Committee was that allowing students to have alcoholic con tainers on campus relayed a mixed message to the students. The proposal does not solve the mixed message problem because it too is only one of the ways students are sent mixed mes sages. What else besides the display of alco holic beverages containers “sends mixed mes sages to students, promotes alcohol consump tion as an activity to be displayed,a and supports the underage use of alcohol?” 1. The sale of Meredith College shot glasses from the Student Supply Store AND the sale of shot glasses as memorabilia at Meredith dances. Are shot glasses considered student supplies or proper memorabilia? 2. On Comhuskin’ night the last thing stu dents are told before departing to celebrate (whether it is by a student, a speaker, or a faculty member) is to have fun at post Cornhuskin’ celebrations but to be careful - drink off campus but do not drink and drive. This is why students in the past have organized transportation to and from parties held at the fraternities. But how does this discourage drinking? 3. Students holding positions in Mere student organizations are elected represe fives of the college. If the rational behind proposal is that “the college strongly diso ages the sue of alcoholic beverages by Mere students,” then why do many of these stud fail to comply with this standard? We are also concerned about the diversity of the student body narrowing because of rules and regulations that have nothing to do with a young woman receiving a college education. There are only a few single .sex schools remaining, and how will Meredith be able to attract future students with trivial rules such as this one? How can we fight for the privilege of having male visitation if we are not allowed to have an empty, washed out, alcoholic beverage con tainer in our room? (Yet another mixed mes sage). Alcoholic containers may be personal souve nirs from a special event, may be incorporated into a still life in the art building, or may be brought by area residents to Meredith to be recycled. This is about to be banned if the proposal is passed. If it is assumed that this proposal is a step toward solving the on-campus drinking problem, we disagree. And how can a rule based on suspicion support an honor code supposedly based on trust? The rule will not make it any more difficult for a student who chooses to break the rule of drinking on campus. Banning alcoholic containers will not solve the drinking problem. —Submitted by Tanya Brunner and Amy Dobbs Meredith Herald Staff Managing Editor Publications Editor Copy Editor Business Manager Advisor Kelly Parker Amy LaVoy Jessica Cook Jane Kennedy Nan Miller Features Editor Photography Editor Amity Brown Julie Smith Staff Gilda Boyd Sonali Kolhatkar Betsy Mao Tracey Rawls Trista Schagat Hannah Simonds Julie Smith Ellen Williamson Special Contributors Laura Davenport Pat Yauch Jennifer Harfig-Calender Events Julia Dixon Meredith Herald Meredith College 3800 Hillsborough Street Box xl33 Raleigh, N.C. 27607-5298 (919) 829-2824 Editorial Policy Hie Meredith Herald is published by Meredith College during the academic year. The paper is funded by the college and through advertising. The Herald retains the right not to publish materials containing personal attacks, insults, ridicule, or libelous statements. All letters to the editor must be signed. The opinions ex pressed in editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administration, fac ulty, or student body. Letters to the Editor Policy Everyone in the Meredith community is invited to writed a letter to the editor. All published letters must be typewritten with contact name and address and telephone number. All letters must be signed by the author, but names will be withheld upon request.