T
FROM WHOM THE BELLES TOLL
Book Store Blues
THE HONOR CODE
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
In the world outside Saint Mary’s there are codes by which
people in society are expected to abide. The laws that govern
us are there to protect us from behaviors that could be harmful
and destructive. Speed limits are not posted to keep people
from reaching their destination as quickly as possible; they are
posted because experience has proven that certain road
conditions, such as congestion and narrow pavement, can lead
to accidents if speeds are excessive. Traffic lights are not
placed at intersections just to annoy travelers; they are there to
control vehicles coming from different directions.
Students coming to Saint Mary’s arrive at different speeds
from many different directions. That is why is it necessary to
have a simple code that everyone - administration, faculty,
staff, and students - is expected to adhere to. And it is a very
simple code: we do not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, or disobey
the mles of the school. The Honor Code states, "With a clear
understanding of all that the Honor Code implies, I pledge that
I will uphold the highest standard of personal integrity in
every phase of life at Saint Mary’s, and I recognize and accept
my responsibility for-helping others to live up to that
standard."
We have all understood that we as individuals have a
responsibility to ourselves, but what about the people around
us? What about the part of the Honor Code which reads, "I
recognize and accept my responsibility for helping others to
live up to that standard?" Does that mean one has to snitch on
the least little rule infraction and gain a reputation as a narc?
No it does not! It means that in a self-governing community
like Saint Mary’s we should not tolerate behavior in others
that we would not tolerate in ourselves. Is it enough that one
does not personally lie, cheat or steal, but if someone else
wants to, then that is her problem? No, that is not just her
problem. It is mine, yours, and any other person who is aware
that such activity is occurring. We cannot pledge to uphold
an honor system and end up condoning behavior because we
choose to look the other way. That is not how the system
works!.
Pretending not to see a problem does not erase the problem.
If students think they can get away with anything because
NOBODY will do anything, then the system does not work. If
students KNOW that their actions are being monitored by
ALL of their peers then they are going to be more inclined to
stay within the parameters of the code. .Hopefully they vvill
then begin to understand the value of the code and weave it
more thoroughly into their own lives. Personal integrity takes
on a new meaning and the students can leave Saint Mary’s
headed in the right direction at a speed well within the limit.
By Danielle Little
High School Editor
Signs are posted all over
campus that read, cash for
BOOKS. Today, I lugged a
backpack overflowing with
books up the stairs and into
the bookstore. I had been
warned all year that I would
receive only a small portion
of the price I paid for the
books. Still, I was excited
about selling my books back
for some quick cash. I placed
a stack of books on the
counter, an average of $450
worth. The clerk looked at
me and said, "I have some
bad news for you." The bad
news was that of my four
textbooks, only one would be
used next year. Therefore, the
bookstore would only
purchase one textbook from
me.
In addition to that
disappointment, I was
appalled to learn that books
for which I paid an
unreasonable twenty dollars, I
would be refunded only two
dollars each. If I was lucky,
paperback books which cost
up to ten dollars in our
bookstore were sold back for
a measly quarter or fifty
cents. This small refund is
disappointing, when the
paperback books were
initially overpriced.
Paperback books in the SMC
bookstore can be found in
other bookstores for a fraction
of the SMC price. The
bookstore defaces the
suggested prices, which are
printed on the books
themselves, and charges
outrageous prices on the
books.
I was also angered by the^
fact that this cycle will
continue. Next year, the store
will sell the used books for at
least double the price of the
refund price. It is
conspiracy. I paid a good six
hundred dollars on books this
year, and was refunded a
mere thirty dollars. That is a
conspiracy!!
Where is that money going*^
I wanted to know who was in
charge of the college
bookstore, and was not
surprised to find out that the
bookstore clerks are not
employed by the college, and
the store is not run by Saint
Mary’s. How can the
scandalous bookstore rip off,
so many innocent students?
Because we feel Uke there
no other choice.
I beg to disagree. There
are other bookstores in the
area, and I suggest that we all
use them. The only way
can end this vicious cycle is
to stand up for our rights aS
consumers. Why should
pay $500 dollars for used
books, when we can
identical ones for $200?
My suggestion to
money conscious girls ont
there accept the challenge
buy and sell your books
elsewhere.
Editors: Harper Best and Danielle Little
Staff Writers;
Emily Teague
Sarah Corbitt
Megan Hotze
Grayson Hux
HiUary McGee
Dee McCoy
Julianne Arnold
Suzanne Carter Mason Waites
Shannon Gardner Elise Morgan
Hadley Watson
Amy Warren
Anna Whitley
Jennifer Kulin
Robin Powell
Photographer: Kendy Allen