Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / April 26, 1978, edition 1 / Page 2
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Two Presidents: Page two/The Carolina Journal/April 26,1978 Idol Reflects On His Administration By Steve Bass “Let’s get out of here and go talk. Student government is a place I’d just as soon leave behind,” said departing student body president Chase Idol. Idol who has just finished a troubled year as president looks back on his experience with no regrets, “but plenty of hindsight vision. I can see times when I would have done things very different. I would have taken a lighter academic load, I would have lived in the dorms for the entire year, and I wouldn’t have worked during the first semester. But, as for decisions I made or actions I took I feel satisfied I did my best.” Idol’s administration came under a great deal of criticism for the close ties he established with the administration. “A lot of people in student government have the mistaken opinion that they can work completely apart from the University administration and do anything. That’s ridiculous. Apart from the administration student government doesn’t exist. Chancellor (D.W.) Colvard proved as much when he restructured the Student Fees Commission above student objections. The thing most students don’t realize is that the administration is willing to work with the student government if you will just give them a chance. ‘‘During my administration I tried to establish better relationships with the administration, and a lot of people really let me have it because of it. They called me a puppet of the administration, but frankly I couldn’t care less what they think. 1 believe the students would be benefitted if the government would overcome some hangups like this.” Idol’s sponsorship of the defeated Judicial Act drew CampnsIAfe By Nancy Davis perhaps the most heated criticism of his presidency, but he still feels it was a good piece of legislation. “When I took office last year I realized that the current system of appointing justices was a farce, it just isn’t workable. I had my then-attorney general Forrest Bowen investigate the situation in cooperation with Dr. (Douglas M.) Orr and Dean (Dennis) Rash and they came up with a revised version of the Chapel Hill Governance Act. I guess because the administration was involved in the creation of the act everybody just assumed it was an administrative weapon. Obviously, they never looked at the act very closely. It’s good legislation, and I still feel it is. “Basically, the students rejected the referendum because of the actions of one person, Doug Lerner. But it is also the fault of the legislature for not doing anything about jt. since November, and not supporting it like they should. I still think if students had really read the act they would have approved it.” Idol feels that despite Outgoing President Chase Idol speaking at a meeting of the Student Legislature earlier this year. (photo by Michael Anderson) To the graduating class of 1978: It’s obvious that you’re ready to get out of here. Caps and govms, invitations, job interviews, graduate school. It’s all on j your minds I’m sure. But there’s something I must do first. As a representative of the students left behind, I’d like to thank you. I’d like to thank the senior who took the time to answer my dumb orientation questions... and special thanks to the senior who told me who to sign ’ up for chemistry...and Thanks to the senior who told me about the job opening ontheUPB... I want to thank the senior who sold me his lab book with the answers and special thanks to the senior who laughed at me at a patio party...and Thanks to the senior who tried to pick me up. I want to thank the senior who gave me endless directions to restaurants, theatres and bars... and a very special thanks to the senior who introduced me to a “friend” of his...and thanks to the senior who pulled a couple of cards for me at registration I really want to thank the senior for showing me how to use the library... and special thanks to the senior who warned me about the linen service...and ^ special thanks to the senior who gave me all the advice I’ll ever need in buying a class ring. I’d like to thank the senior who sat with me while I complained about English and special thanks to the senior who was aroundthe night we broke up...and thanks to the senior who told me to keep my chin up. I want to thank the senior who let me share in their spring fever attacks... and special thanks to the senior who talked to me about cures for senioritis.. .and thanks to the senior who still made me study for my exams. I’d like to thank the senior who told me I could make it and special thanks to the senior who made me feel important... and Thanks to the senior who will always be my friend. Good luck, Classesof 1979,‘80 and‘81. fhe pressure of taking the criticism, much of it was “probably justified. I did some things in the wrong way, but what really bothers me is that no erne would ever come to me and discuss it' before it became such a big thing. People up here think that everything has to become a political issue. If 1 had one suggestion for the student government it would be to learn to communicate with each other before drawing battle lines.” Idol’s observation on the problem with Student Legislature is concise, “they need more work. Too many of the legislators come up here just to be at the meetings. If it wasn’t for the work of a few hardworking people who lived student government all the time the Student Legislature would have collapsed this year. Take Joy Kincaid, she worked all the time for the legislature. If more people were like her this school would have a great student, government.” Idol said new president Larry Springs should be able to “get along and do a great job. Cheese’s ties with the North Carolina Student Legislature should really help him out. At one time 1 felt that the only reason the NCSL was in student government was to watch out for themselves and their people. Now I realize that may have been a little harsh. These people know how to create legislation and how to get things done. Larry’s going to be in an enviable position with that kind of support behind him. In addition I think the people, who are coming into the legislature are really going to be hard workers which is going to help too.” The dorm students clearly dominate student government according to Idol. “You have to remember a lot of the commuters have long distances to come to school, have jobs and families. That doesn’t leave them too much time to get involved in student government. I spent a lot of time on how to change this situation while president but I’m not sure how to do it. Dorm students have the time and the sources of information which pull them into government activity. Still it’s unfortunate they don’t get involved. Commuters could affect huge, change.” Now that his UNCC days are about over. Idol says he is past his nostalgia period and ready to move on. “I’ve got a month between graduation and starting my job and 1 plan to travel a bit and take it easy. I’m going to head out for Texas and maybe go to Mexico City. I’m very excited about my new job. I’ll be working in the First Union credit department and it’s going to be a good challenge.” Idol said he will miss one thing about UNCC above all else, “the women. But my ties will continue in the Alumni Association and my work on the Chancellor’s Search Committee. But the way 1 look at it is as a plateau completed and a new £)ne climb. I’m looking forward to it.” And ‘Cheese’ Looks Ahead By Les Bowen The nameplate on the office of the student body president now reads “Larry Springs.” But just below it reads “Cheese.” “Cheese’ is “Cheese.” is Larry. Larry “We were walking home from playing basketball one day,” Springs explained, his voice sounding weary from telling the story repeatedly. “1 always played with older guys, and several of us were walking home from playing, and making things up to talk L arry ‘Cheese ’ Springs. (photo by Frank Alexander) about as we went along. 1 was in about the fourth grade and one of those older guys looked down at me and said ‘you look like a littk rat-cheese.’ The name stuck and gradually it wa; shortened just to ‘Cheese.’ (cont’donp. 3)
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April 26, 1978, edition 1
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