Editorial: Commentary
CHANGE?
On February 13, a meeting in Gaither marked a milestone in Montreat-Anderson's
history. Dr. C. Grier Davis, eighteen student leaders, two deans, and two faculty
members met to discuss differences. Dr. Davis began by saying such a meeting was
overdue. He was impressed with the diligent work of Honor Court members, and the
Deans, Miss Carole Tyler and Mr. Howard Kester. He also described the relationship
between the Mountain Retreat Association and MAC, something that has always been
a mystery to students.
David Walters asked if the President would give 100% of his time to MAC. Dr.
Davis replied that he spent much of his time raising funds to support the college's
program. There was, he continued, "no alternative" to this because of the lack
of assets. All college presidents have problems finding time to devote strictly
to students. Dr. Davis pointed out. He also said that he would try to take more
time for students. This is fairly wonderful.' So is the mere fact of this meeting.
We can not praise this rapprochement between students, faculty, and President
too much. It is our hope that this is no mere token gesture. Contrary to
popular opinion, two years at Montreat -Anderson is not an assignment to perdition.
This school can improve and a continued dialogue between Dr. Davis and the students
and faculty of Montreat may prove beneficial.
Youth does not always indicate an incapacity to reason, also contrary to a
widely held belief. Nor does age mean that a person is incapable of accepting
fresh ideas if they are valid. At least, we hope not. An interchange of ideas
can produce an intelligent compromise that satisfys a majority.
After all, we can not deceive all of the people. It is our hope that Montreat-
Anderson' s total community will realize it is best to faithfully adhere to its
motto, "Esse Zuam Videri." MAC must be. It is impossible for the school to only
seem to be a place of total education as advertised.
It will be interesting to see how productive future discussions and tolerance
of everyone's opinion (on both sides of the lake) can be.
Tvien
by Kay Bacigalupo
A major problem on the college campus
around the nation is the lack of youthful
understanding. Montreat-Anderson College
has solved a major portion of that
problem in the selection of this year's
new Associate Dean of Students. Our
Associate Dean is young, understanding,
and quite egar to assist the young adult
students who attend this College.
A native of Eupora, Mississippi, Miss
Carole Tyler is this year's new Associate
Dean of Students, Miss Tyler obtained
her Bachelor of Music degree from
Mississippi State College for Women and
her Masters in Music from Louisiana
State University. Prior to becoming
Associate Dean, Miss Tyler taught public
school music, served as a director of
youth activities, and as a director of
music.
Miss Tyler has already fomed definite
opinions of MAC. She summed up her
feelings when she stated,"! think
Montreat has an outstanding potential
for success, but I feel that it's
potential is limited by a lack of
communication between this side of the
lake and Assembly Inn." A supporter
of voluntary church attendance, she
enjoys Montreat's small school situation
where students and faculty get to know
each other personally. She is convinced
that our faculty and staff care about
the students as individuals.
When asked for suggestions which would
improve student life, Miss Tyler noted
that daily commercial bus service from
Montreat to Asheville would help remove
some of Montreat's "isolation"--
especially on weekends.
Miss Tyler might be called an
enthusiast. She is enthused at the
idea of helping young adults and equally
as enthused about being successful in
her job. She possesses exactly what
this college needs—youthful enthusiasm
and know-how.
Helga, the latest in modern
educational films, will shock and at
times bore the average movie goer. Its
purpose of sex education is noble and
its scenes are very "interesting" but
the big question seems to be whether
or not you can sit through it. The
film supposedly geared to pre-teens,
seems to be more for their parents.
This means long boring intervals of
basic sex education which does not
last forever. Suddenly the film shifts
to the newly married couples leaving
parents and pre-teens lost forever.
Although "Helga" has its faults,
it is a work of art in the educational
film field. The movie actually has
a plot. The plot evolves around
Helga, a newlywed, who is pregnant.
The viewer then does the rounds of
lectures with the couple. These
lectures answer all the minor problems
of water gain, etc. The film at this
point seems to border on the trivial.
When the day finally comes, the viewer
goes into the delivery room and gets
an intern's eye view from labor to afte
birth. However, the film does not stop
here. It still has twenty minuses to
inform the viewer on everything from
figure excercises to breast feeding.
Helga is certainly worth seeing
but don't be surprised if the coming
attraction proves more interesting.
MONTREAT
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As a student at Montreat-Anderson
College, I hear considerable conversation
regarding required church and chapel
attendance. Even though the student
body, and maybe even (God help them)
our beloved faculty, disagree with my
views on this most pertinent subject,
I still feel compelled to express them.
First, I want to state clearly that
I am in full accord and agreement with
M.A.C.'s policy of required church and
chapel attendence. A change to a
Laissez-Faire policy would be as sinful
and absurd as a change in the U.S.
constitution, as both lay a foundation
for a working and proven institution.
Also, although some may have the warpe4
misconception that eliminating required
church and chapel attendance would be
the "thing to do", I feel that a break
in this tradition would be a break in
a most cherished and valuable social
asset.
Secondly, students now attending
M.A.C., unless they didn't bother to
read the not-so-fine-print of their
handbooks, I am sure were fully aware
of this policy, and if in opposition
to it, should have diverted their now
exuberant zeal in opposing required
church and chapel attendance, to
successfully acquiring acceptance in
another college.
Thirdly, I believe it safe to say,
there are many here to acquire knowledge.
To me, this does not mean the acquisition
of many facts, but the acquisition of
the means to learn and retain facts.
I believe that responsibility plays an
immense role in achieving the above,
and what better way is there to acquire
this responsibility than to surrender
ourselves to a system of discipline?
Required church and chapel attendance,
I believe, is a good example of
employing this principle.
Finally, I believe a slack attitude
on the part of the administration
regarding this policy, would be simple
financial irresponsibility. Both alumni
and parents contribute to the college,
I imagine, not because some stones in
Gaither have a cute sparkle to them,
but because they believe the college
has some principles.
In conclusion, may I suggest to all
students who object to the policy of
required church and chapel attendance
and other policies related to discipline
and responsibility, to pack your bags
and find work in another institution.
Those of you who hold this Laissez-Faire
"don't give a damn" attitude, should
leave M.A.C. just as you have found
her--a college that dares to be
different, one with the courage and
backbone to uphold those principles
and traditions for which it was
originally founded.
David Brooke
P.S.--Since the above was written prior
to our recent chapel walkout, I would
like also to add some comments on that.
It seems rather ironic to me that our
"school leaders" walked out on President
Davis, prior to his announcing the
dismissal of our required church
attendance policy. I must conclude that
this act was not in protest of President
Davis' announcement, but an attempt to
oalance personal grudges. A student
is here to learn, not to dictate policy,
and the ignorance of many was revealed
by this act, which was done to create
public embarrassment for President Davis.
Whatever the faults of President Davis,
discovered by Montreat's "whiE kids,"
they warrant no justification assinine
display of juvenile emotion.