6 The Daily Tar Heel Thursday. December 1. 1977
Greg Porter
Editor
Ben Cornelius, Munuxinu Editor
Ed Rankin, Associate Editor
Lou Bn ionis, Associate Editor
Laura Scism, University Editor
Ei l iott Potter, City Editor
Chi c k Alston. Slate ami National Editor
Sara Bui l ard, Features Editor
Chip Enssiin. Arts Editor
Gene Ukhlirch, Sports Editor
Ai u s i knii.an. Photography Editor
51u
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85th year of editorial freedom
urvl T UMDFR I TWO EXTRA
uurucrm V TCKFTS TO THFfi6
Compromise best solution
to med school, HEW fight
The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) and some
U.S. medical schools should compromise in their dispute of federal aid vs.
academic integrity. And both should berate Congress for causing the
division.
Fifteen medical schools Tuesday lost more than $12 million in federal
monies because they refuse to admit American transfers from foreign
medical schools.
Duke University is one of the schools that has decided to snub HEW.
Officials at Duke medical school said the university would lose about
$680,000 annually for three years under the terms of the present law.
They fear allowing HEW to set goals will open the door to future
academic decision-making by HEW. But the med schools don't object to
accepting transfers; they refuse to accept HEW's demand to allow a certain
number of transfers.
Because of high academic standards, small allotments of space and fierce
competition in U.S. medical schools, more than 6,000 Americans have
started their medical education overseas hoping to transfer after a year or
two.
Congress passed the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act last
year. It states that if overseas transfer students meet certain requirements
and are approved by HEW, medical schools cannot turn them away on
academic grounds.
Under the present law, any transfer student from a foreign medical college
is eligible for admission into a U.S. medical school if he is a U.S. citizen with
two years of foreign medical education and if he passes the first part of the
National Medical Board Examination. Approximately 900 students from
foreign schools have met those requirements.
The act requires any medical school receiving federal aid based on its
enrollment to reserve "an equitable number" of spaces for U.S. citizens
transferring from foreign medical schools.
Of 124 medical schools, 109 agreed to participate in the program or
offered satisfactory assurances concerning transfers. Fifteen schools refused
to accept any students and lost their federal aid. Thirty schools will not be
required to admit any transfers because they already have enough former
foreign students enrolled to meet requirements. The other 79 schools will
divide the chosen 564 transfers. Five hundred sixty-four divided by 79 is 7.1
students per school. UNC's medical school has said it would accept 1 0 or less
foreign transfers per year. That doesn't seem like too much of a sacrifice for
$12 million in funds. Instead, 15 medical schools chose to suffer a revenue
loss which will have a ripple effect eventually affecting a part of the U.S.
health care system. Schools may try to raise funds to compensate for the
loss, but these efforts are born in indignation toward H E W and will not last.
Although we disagree with HEW's attempts at blackmailing U.S. med
schools, we also criticize the schools' decision to totally Tefuse HEW
demands. Those crying HEW interference cry too loud. HEW is attempting
to implement a law and accommodate 564 transfer students. HEW is trying
to fulfill a promise made by Congress and maintain a separation between
government and academic choice. Because HEW's only leverage is money,
they must use it to prod med schools to accept some students.
Congress committed a colossal blunder with this act. As a result, HEW
receives criticism and med school funds get cut off. It is an unfortunate rift
between the two. Congress should now amend its mistake by, first,
maintaining the commitment to the 564 transfers; second, by limiting the
program to a maximum of two years; third, by allowing medical schools to
decide class placement for transfers.
With these compromises some promises could be assured. HEW could
guarantee one or two years of opportunities for foreign transfers, withdraw
from this unnecessary intrusion into academic decision-making and give
medical schools some choice in placing American transfers.
"N ' ...... ?,; W IV I I j -w-W .
The pied piper of perfect paradigms
By JOEL CHERNOFF
"Why haven't you written your column for so long?" asked
Chuck Diggins. Chuck Diggins, a senior, is a political science
major from Fayetteville, Ark.
"1 can't," I said. "I can't analyze any more. The world is too
fragmented and chaotic. 1 don't see patterns any more just
random objects. And if 1 can't analyze, 1 can't synthesize. The
whole result is very dissatisfying. Like making a collage from
the contents of a garbage can; it's bound to stink."
"So the world stinks? I didn't think you'd sink to a
sympathy plea, Joel."
"But 1 haven't. I've simply remained silent."
"And left everybody hanging. Do you realize that the
political science department waits on your every word?"
"Really?"
"Sure. If you become a prophet, they could all go home and
relax."
"They would all be out of a job."
"But they'd be happy, Joel. Human existence is predicated
upon achieving the good life. Nobody knows how to yet
that's the problem. If you find out how, everyone could take it
easy."
"1 didn't realize that so much was riding on me."
"Not to mention that nobody reads the editorial page of the
Daily Tar Heel since you've stopped writing."
"Nobody did before."
"Joel, you've got to get your head together. Let me offer you
a suggestion from the mines of knowledge of political science
to guide you out of chaos: create a paradigm."
"Is that like a mantra?"
"Almost as good. A paradigm sets up a model in which to
order the world. It declares certain assumptions and then
allows you to clean up the mess from there."
"Everything falls into place?" I asked. .
"A good paradigm is like a well-ordered cupboard:
everything in its proper place."
"But when the cupboard is bare?"
"Obviously, a barren paradigm is of little use."
"Are paradigms really that powerful?"
"If they are well constructed, they will be as sturdy as a
house of bricks. If not, they only may be like a house of straw'.'
"Has anybody ever created a perfect paradigm?" I asked.
"Alas, no. They lack the beauty of a jigsaw puzzle: there are
always extra pieces."
"So what good would a paradigm do me if it only created a
partial representation of the universe? I want the whole truth
and nothing but the truth."
"Joel, there's no answer that I can give to that. But if you
accept the limitations of paradigms, you may be able to clear
up your vision enough to write again. Finals are coming on
and people need to be entertained."
"Entertained! 1 thought you said the poli sci department
waits on my every word."
"Where are your class loyalties, Joel?"
"What class are you referring to?"
"The class of '78, 1 presume."
"Assuming graduation on time. A precarious paradigm,
considering my current status in certain courses."
"Look at it this way," Chuck said. "If you can create a
perfect paradigm, you"Il have all classes, past and present, at
your feet. You'd be the pied piper of paradigms, all who
listened willing to follow the tune of your flute."
"I don't play the flute."
" have to tell .row about metaphors? Don't be so difficult."
"All right," I conceded. "But easy on the alliteration."
"Joel, you could lead us all like rats."
"Into the river where you would drown."
"But you'd save the world."
"From whom? From ourselves?"
"Joel, please don't be so picayune. Paradigmatic thinking
requires a broad scope. Now tell me, don't you want to be a
prophet?"
"Of course. It's all 1 write about,"
"Precious little that that is," Chuck quipped. "What do you
think prophecy is? It's creating a paradigm for your followers.
You can't be a prophet without a paradigm. No matter what
your message is Jesus loves you, socialism, prevention of
warts people won't listen unless you present a well-ordered
and balanced conception of the world." And that is the essence
of a paradigm.
- "But what if my paradigm has a great fall and cracks?"
"Then all the king's horses and all the king's men will make
scrambled eggs out of you."
"Chuck, I think that I have to give this a lot of thought. It's
not something that I want to jump into too quickly."
"It's a matter of jumping over, not into. You have to be
nimble and quick."
"Still, it's something of which I had best be wary."
"Again, do you want to be a prophet? You're quite
contrary."
"Chuck, please go cultivate your own garden."
'Just trying to help. I don't think that you can see the flowers
for all the weeds."
"No. The problem is that I can't pretend that the weeds
don't exist."
"Exactly my point. We are lacking a perfect paradigm
which takes account of all plants."
The beauty of the paradigm struck me at this moment and
raked over my term paper-strewn mind. I staggered away
from this earth-shattering confrontation determined to
discover the illusion of truth.
Joel Chernoff, a senior, is a history major from Great Neck,
N.Y.
letters
Column void
of information
To the editor:
On Nov. 30, there appeared in the Daily
Tar HeeH column entitled "Wilmington 10
fiasco mocks human rights." The column
contained serious charges, all
unsubstantiated, against the North Carolina
judicial system.
For example, the columnist wrote,"North
Carolina.. .has earned the. . .distinction of
being one of the most oppressive and racist
states in the nation in light of the
Wilmington 10 case." Remarkably, the
columnist failed to document her arguments
by citing specific instances of supposed
racism in the Wilmington 10 case.
Perhaps North Carolina should be
ashamed as a result of the Wilmington 10
case; perhaps it should not be. The column
that appeared in the Daily Tar Heel,
however, like so many other emotional
columns written in support of the convicted
persons, is void of information upon which
to base a decision in the matter.
Bryan Wirwicz
2418 Granville South
Aftermath
To the editor:
I would like to thank the DTH for
covering the aftermath of an issue as well as
you covered the meaty part of the issue. Not
only were the numerous fights and squabbles
of WXYC and the Student Educational
Broadcasting board given front-page
coverage, but so was the grand finale ("M ove
to fire Madison defeated in SEB vote," Nov.
30). Too often, newspapers give front-page
coverage to sensational events but the events'
resolutions are buried inside the paper. We
at WXYC applaud the DTtfs thoroughness.
However, 1 would like also to finalize a
few major issues that were left hanging in the
Wednesday article. As manager of WXYC
until Jan. 16 (when SEB will meet to appoint
a permanent manager), I have the full
support of the station's staff as well as the
unanimous support of the board
including an affirmative vote from David
Madison. While there have been many
problems in the past few weeks, these
problems will not rise again. Whilethe DTH
quoted an unidentified staff member as
saying, "we'll try again and again" to get
Madison off the board, this is no longer the
case. From here on out, the staff of WXYC
will work with every member of SEB, which
has in turn indicated its assurance of staff
representation to the board. Another
WXYC staff member, Doug Johnston, and I
will join two SEB members in the following
weeks to' initiate improvements in the
board's bylaws, thus avoiding future
problems like those of the last few weeks.
I hope that the fact that WXYC was on the
air during the Thanksgiving break and that'
we will be on 24-hours a day from now
through exams is prpof enough that our
problems of the past few weeks especially
those involving David Madison are
finished, and we look forward to returning to
our proper place in the DTH off the front
page and back into the entertainment
section.
Robert N. Crosswhite
WXYC Interim Station Manager
" The Daily Tar Heel welcomes
contributions and letters tsUhe editor.
Letters must be signed, typed on a 60
space line, double-spaqed and must be
accompanied by a return address.
Letters chosen for publication are
. subject to editing.
Middle East lineup for pre-Geneva peace conference in Cairo firms up
Developments in the unfolding saga of the Middle East peace negotiations have
been numerous this week in sharp contrast to the stalemate that existed before
Egypt's President Anwar Sadat made his historic visit to Israel Nov. 19.
It appears that Egypt, Israel, the United States and the United Nations will be the
only parties represented at the pre-Geneva conference in Cairo. The Soviet Union,
Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian Liberation Organization have all refused Sadat's
invitation to meet with Israel.
U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, noting that most Middle East countries
looked unfavorably upon the Cairo meeting, proposed Tuesday a neutral meeting
ground: the United Nations. While Egypt has accepted Waldheim's invitation,
Israel has refused and the United States has not received the invitation warmly.
The Middle East countries that were angered by Sadat's peace overtures to the
Israelis have organized a conference of their own in retaliation. The hard-line Arab
countries arrived in Libya Thursday to denounce Sadat and his peace initiative.
Eric Sevareid, the erudite commentator who appeared nightly with Walter
Cronkite on the CBS Evening News for the past 14 years, retired Wednesday from
broadcast journalism.
THE WEEK
By LISA M. N I EM AN
After spending 38 years in the business, Sevareid finished his last regular newscast
by articulating the self-imposed rules under which he has worked.
He said he tried "not to underestimate the intelligence of the audience and not to
overestimate its information." Also, "to elucidate, when one can, more than to
advocate," and "to retain the courage of one'sdoubts as well as one's convictions."
Reflecting on his career as a commentator and the reputation he has acquired,
Sevareid said, "There is in the American people a tough, undiminished instinct for
what is fair. Rightly or wrongly, I have the feeling thay I have passed the test.
T shall wear this like a medal."
Since Sevareid turned 65 on Saturday, his last day of regular work was
Wednesday because of the mandatory retirement policy at CBS.
Sevareid began his career in broadcast journalism in 1939 when he joined CBS
News and Edward R. Murrow, the distinguished journalist he labeled "the man who
invented me."
Ending his final commentary with a slight twist of his usual sign-off, he said.
"This was Eric Sevareid in Washington. Thank you and good bye."
A new automobile Insurance plan, based on driving records and not on factors
such as age or sex, went into effect Thursday in North Carolina.
Insurance Commissioner John Ingram, who fought for many ot the changes,
commented on the plan, saying, "In the truest spirit of free enterprise and
individualism, those who are causing the damage and violating the laws are going to
be paying their fair share."
Under the old plan, male drivers under 25 and their families were paying twice as
much as young women and persons over 25.
The new insurance plan also includes a provision to set rates according to the use
of the car, the driver's experience and driving record and, to a lesser extent, where
the driver lives.
Male drivers under 25 can begin paying the lower rates on Thursday by cancelling
their old policies and taking out new ones. Other drivers will not have to pay the
revised rates and surcharges until their policies are renewed during the next 12
months.
While about 50,000 dockworkers in ports from Maine to Texas finally are going
back to work after a two-month strike, members of the United Mine Workers
(UMW) union may begin a strike Dec. 6 if contract negotiations are unsuccessful.
The dockworkers, members of the International Longshoremen's Association,
voted Tuesday to accept a new three-year contract which includes job-security
guarantees and increased wages and fringe benefits.
The strike, which began Oct. I when the old contracts expired, was aimed at
stopping containerized and automated shipping.
The threat of a coal miners strike was created when contract negotiations stalled
in Washington between the UMW and the bituminous coal industry. However, the
Huntington Herald-Dispatch reported Sunday that three of the coal companies had
dropped out of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association and would begin
indepedent contract negotiations a move that Arnold Miller, president of the
UMW, said may influence the stalled talks.
J. P. Stevens and Co., one of the nation's largest textile manufacturers, may be
in labor-related legal trouble again.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Wednesday threatened to seek a
national injunction against the company, ordering it to stop interfering with the
legal rights of its 45,000 employees, the NLRB obtained a nationwide injunction in
1948.
Officials said unless the company settles complaints in six of its plants, the request
would be filed in U.S. District Court in New York City.
The board's decision to seek the injunction was based on evidence that the
company has harassed, coerced and intimidated its employees and violated their
rights under the National Labor Relations Act, officials said.
J. P. Stevens, an avowed anti-union employer, denies any illegal activity. The
company currently is under contempt of court citations for similar violations found
in some of its plants in the South.
This story is about the age-old problem of false alarms.
Not fake fire alarms, burglar alarms or civil disaster alarms. It's about FALSE
ALARMS otherwise known as false pregnancies.
This week in Japan, lan Ian disappointed her country when it was announced
that she was not pregnant despite the fact that many had seen national television
coverage ot her wedding night.
Incidentally, Ian Ian is one of two pandas given to the Japanese by the Chinese
government.
When Ian Ian mated with the other panda, Kan Kan, for the first time last June,
the Japanese thought they would have another little panda because Ian Ian had
showed the only overt symptom a panda has when she is pregnant her nipples
swelled a little during the fall.
However, when Ian Ian's November due-date came and went and there was still
no little panda, lan Ian only patted her tummy, smiled her inimitable smile and
showed the Japanese that they should mind their own business.
Lisa M. Nieman, a junior speech major from Winston-Salem, N.C., is a copy
editor for the Dailv Tar Heel.