10 The Daily Tar Heel Thursday, April 12,
David Stacks, Editor
John Hoke, Alanaging Editor
George Shadroui, Associate Editor
Allen Jernigan, Associate Editor
.
Eddie Marks, University Editor
Michael Wade, City Editor
Kathy Curry, State and National Editor
Cynthia Prairie, News Editor
Reid Tuvim, Sports Editor
Laura Alexander, Features Editor
Ann Smallwood, Arts Editor
Billy Newman,. Photography Editor
Michele Mecke, Weekender Editor
1979
letters to the editor
Satin
alar .iim
87th year of editorial freedom.
Clear thinking
At a recent Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen meeting, topics on the
agenda included proposals to build two new hotels sometime in the
future. J. Verwoerdt,.a Dutch businessman, has asked the town for a
special permit to build a hotel on the U.S. 15-501 bypass.
But the more controversial proposal has come from Watts Hill Jr.,
who stimulates the imaginations of the Board of Aldermen with his idea
of building a hotel and a conference center on top of two parking decks
which would be constructed downtown on Municipal Parking Lots 1
and 2. The entire complex would adjoin the NCNB Plaza on both sides.
Any official plans in this direction are a long way off, but the Board of
Aldermen's positive reaction to Hill's idea make it a possibility that may
have to be dealt with in the future.
And Chapel Hill does need hotels, as visiting students and alumni can
testify, No doubt the proposal put a gleam in the eyes of downtown
businessmen, who probably are envisioning the increased revenue that
such a complex will bring.
If Hill's rough estimates on the number of parking spaces such a
complex would bring are accurate, parking spaces will probably not be
lost. But the proposal threatens the village atmosphere that attracts so
many to Chapel Hill, despite the contention that the complex will be no
taller than the NCNB Plaza. The heavy traffic that such a complex could
bring to an already congested Rosemary Street, will undoubtedly cause
even more severe problems.
Therefore, it seems imperative before such an idea is seriously
considered, the Board of Aldermen ensure parking spaces will not be
lost and that the building will not prove an eyesore that Chapel Hill will
regret in future years.
The aldermen also should give serious consideration to the park-ride
system, which would decrease the price of bus travel for students who
park off campus and eliminate some of the downtown congestion.
The joint private-public venture Hill is exploring can be supported
only if the interests of the community are placed high on the list of
priorities. Chapel Hill's future expansion is necessitated by the growth
of the University and the town, but misthinking now could endanger
tranquility in the future.
The cart before the horse
When election time nears 1980 is not far away incumbent
politicians like to propose popular, vote-getting legislation. Gov. Jim
Hunt and the General Assembly are no exceptions.
Hunt's proposed $40 million tax cut smacks of political opportunism,
if for no reason other than the fact that it makes very little sense. To
make matters worse, the General Assembly is preparing to write
legislation slashing the state's taxes by nearly $80 million. Both
measures clearly show a reversed judgment of the state's needs and
priorities.
Strangely enough, some legislative subcommittees have approved
cutting $11 million a year in the biennial budget, while other
subcommittees have voted increases in appropriations totaling $85
million.
To make a permanent $80 million tax rebate work, both Hunt and the
legislature will have to justify not providing better schools, not
improving hospital and health care, not expanding transportation
systems, not enhancing the state's black universities, not upgrading the
quality of law enforcement and not improving the state's prisons.
Of course; nobody is going to refuse a tax cut, but North Carolina
taxpayers should oppose any unsound use of their tax dollars. The
governor and the legislature are misleading themselves if they think the
public would rather have $50 in their pockets instead of a progressive,
continual upgrading of important services.
A closer look at the proposed tax rebate plan makes one wonder
whose interests Hunt and the General Assembly were elected to serve.
By their own recommended appropriations, the legislators have
admitted the undeniable need for continued if not increased funding
of the state's priority programs.
To cut off or reduce spending for those critical programs would
embody the worst of the post-Proposition 13 syndrome characterized by
government officials trying to outdo each other in cutting back public
services.
Obviously, unnecessary or wasteful expenditures are deplorable and
should be eliminated quickly. Cutting the fat in the state's budget is a
praiseworthy and courageous activity to which the governor and the
legislature should devote more serious efforts. But to enact a major tax
cut package which gravely impairs the state's important services is
neither wise nor brave.
The tax rebate legislation currently under consideration is a classic
example of placing the cart before the horse.
The Bottom Line
r.Tonkey business
If you were a 3-foot-tall, 35-pound
blue-jean clad tequila-drinking monkey,
where would you go in Nashville, Tenn.
at three in the morning? That's what
exotic stripper Sylvia LaSerena,
Nashville police and a 75-pound boa
constrictor were asking themselves, when
Pete the fire-eating monkey slipped his
leash and skipped out of the Classic Cat
II, where he was heading an act with
Sylvia and the snake.
Police, who put out an all-points-bulletin
on the foot-loose simian,
speculated Pete had feuded with the boa
constrictor. Sylvia defended the snake,
affirming he was not responsible for the
incident, even though he never got along
with Pete. It seems Pete is the nervous
type and likes to cut out to the local
watering holes to relax after a hard
night's work.
Sylvia, the snake and Nashville's finest
were in luck; however, as Pete got rowdy
as the morning wore qn and jumped
through the open window of a passing
automobile. After a brief struggle, the
driver subdued the monkey, crammed
him into a bag and locked him in the
trunk.
Pete's captor, one George Harris,
received a $ 1 ,000 reward for returning the
escapee to his compatriots. Two nights
later, Pete was back on stage eating
flaming torches with Sylvia and the
snake, but informed sources report he's
getting itchy feet again.
After all, it takes more than a little
tequila to quench a burning thirst; let's
just hope the snake doesn't develop a
taste for pina coladas.
Bricks for kicks
Ray Chase of Peekskill N.Y. collects
bricks.
Ray started his hobby 10 years ago.
While spading in his backyard he found a
brick with"PeeksvilleNo. 1" engraved on
it. Ray found the brick interesting, so he
took it to a local historian, who told him
it was almost 75-years-old. Ray was
overwhelmed.
And now .he's added 826 bricks to his
collection; stacked precariously against
his wall, all ol them with names and
places and words engraved on them
"People think I'm nuts, but I can't help
it. I think bricks are fascinating.
Some people read the classics. Some
read bathroom graffitti. Some read
Harlequin Romances. Ray Chase reads
bricks It takes all kinds.
And that'v the bottom line.
lair laeatiii,
for
Urn
d
To the editor.
We applaud your editorial, "A Golden
Opportunity," (DTH, April 10) and hope
J.B. Kelly's proposal will be given the
attention it deserves from the board of
trustees. It should be imperative, not
suggested, that some type of solar heating
be employed in the student union
extension. To do otherwise would be folly
in the face of the obvious and immediate
economic and environmental
advantages.
Passive solar design alone would save
heating costs without significant
construction expenditures. The sun's heat
is retained in massive substances which
emit warmth through the night. For
passive cooling, heating surfaces need
only be blocked off and certain vents
utilized.
Estimates of solar process heating costs
for rooftop panels ranged from $ 10 to $65
per squared meter in 1974, the upper
figure equivalent to $14.50 per barrel of
oil burned at 70 percent efficiency.
(OPEC oil is currently wholesaled at
about $15 per barrel, and U.S. decontrol
will encourage national companies to
follow suit.) The costs among solar
heating options are contingent upon a
system's simplicity and often the degree
to which it is decentralized. These figures
indicate that a thorough comparison with
traditional heating technologies should
be conducted, with considerations not
just for initial costs, but for long-term
savings.
Solar energy and intensive
conservation measures may be
implemented through an almost infinite
choice of technology and design options.
An optimal mix appropriate for the size
and purpose- of the union extension is
certainly available. Only the shortsighted
or uninformed could argue otherwise.
The trustees have already scratched
one architect's plan, and they should do it
again to ensure the right kind of
extension a solar one is built.
Rob Stevenson
David Dodd
and four members of ECOS
A Theta replies
To the editor
In response to Mr. Holsclaw's letter,
the letter from theThetas (yes, I am also a
Theta) was not opposed to interesting
and valuable information on gays, needy
or any other minority. It was written with
two purposes in mind. The first was to
express their dissatisfaction of the
sensationalism noticeably included in the
newspaper since David Stacks took
office. An example of this is the front
page article accusing Charlie Miller, Olde
Campus RD, of interfering in the
Morehead referendum, using only
people's opinions and no hard-core facts.
Then, another article (front page again)
with a misleading headline trying to link
Charlie Miller's resignation with the
Morehead referendum and his alleged
interference and subsequent attack.
The second reason for the letter was to
suggest an event which would show a
more accurate view of fraternity life.
(Many people seem to believe Greeks are
purely socially-oriented.) An article on
the Thetas' district day would have shown
that Greeks are people with similar values
and beliefs joined in a group called a
fraternity. Our district day was gathering
to discuss and share common ideas which
unite us as an international organization.
If David Stacks is planning on
vv-l v -"tv o OqtLW li) Sr ""
becoming an editor for The Star, he is
heading in the right direction. Otherwise,
maybe he should re-evaluate the
viewpoint taken on some of the articles in
the DTH, so a truer depiction of campus
organizations is given.
Robin Boineau
216 Aycock
Support for the aged
To the editor
I am writing in support of Mr. Streets'
letter (DTH, April 10). The study of aging
and the aged has been ignored on this
campus. Having come to Carolina for
graduate study from the University of
Kentucky at Lexington, I have been
shocked by the dearth of attention that is
given this area at UNC-CH.
We at The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill ha ve.gjene rally
neglected the concerns of our older
population. This is largely true of all
disciplines. It should not take any UNC
student too long to list hisher courses or
extramural activities that have been
related to aging and the aged. Have we
intentionally shielded . ourseleves from
thinking about aging or have we just been
remiss? Irrespective of the reason for our
neglect, the consequences are the same
for ourselves and those around us.
You and I must become sensitive to the
needs and desires of our older relatives,
friends and neighbors. We must realize
our role in our multigenerational society
and, individually and collectively, help
further intergenerational relations. The
volunteer efforts' of the Campus
Community Link and the Friends of
Nursing Home Patients and the funds
donated to activities for the aged by the
Campus Chest are exemplary of what can
be done. These kinds of actions are
critical in our aging society where there
will be an increasingly larger number of
older persons.
Unless we now strive to understand
what it means or doesn't mean to be old
and discarded by labor and family, what
it means to eat or not eat the same meager
foods everyday, what it means to have or
not have adequate personal health care,
or simply what it means to feel lonely, we
may have to confront in our old age
personal and societal problems that
would make today's seem minuscule.
We all have an investment in the way
our society treats its older citizens. It is
critical that each of us becomes more
aggressive in the pursuit of learning about
aging and the aged. Let's demand the
educational opportunities at UNC to do
so.
Grace Rid dell
2516-A Foxwood Drive
Participation urged
To the editor.
Last Wednesday, seven members of the
class of black students who entered
Carolina in 1975 held a meeting in the
Union. The meeting was to be for all
those who entered in 1975 and those
graduating in May or whenever. Few
students showed up. We hope this was
not a sign of lack of interest but just lack
of knowledge of the meeting.
We tossed around several ideas for
activities to be held 'during' graduation
week. We feel this would be the last time
many of us would see each other, and we
should all get together for one last time to
talk, laugh, dance, have a good time and
maybe shed a few tears.
Of the ideas discussed, tentative plans
were made for a Graduation Party, a
Senior Picnic and an Open "Jam" in
James Parking lot.
There will be several "Jams" held to
raise money for these functions, with the
excess going to the BSM for the Black
Alumni Association. . There will also be
another meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in
Room 213 in the Union.
We need all of you, not only the
entering class of 1975, but those of 1976,
1977 and 1978; for without you, all of the
ideas we have discussed will remain as
ideas.
Signed,
Club '79
Thcnk you, J.B. Kelly
To the editor
I would like to express my thanks to
J.B. Kelly for the admirable position
taken by him in the April 4 BSM
demonstration. But the questions asked
by Provost Morrow and his
conversations with BSM representatives,
Mr. Kelly seems deeply concerned with
not only the rights of black students but
with the rights of all students at this
University.
Mr. Kelly's participation in last week's
demonstration should be a signal to
South Building that black students aren't
alone in seeking explanations of the
administration's puzzling actions.
Moreover, Mr. Kelly's open concern
should induce other campus leaders to
show their support for students rights.
John Slade
523 Morrison
Btke-a-thon praise
To the editor.
As participants in the Muscular
Dystrophy Bike-a-thon Sunday, we
would like to congratulate Gary Baker
and the UNC Recreation Society for a job
well done. We urge all the people who
sponsored us to give generously when
contacted about their pledges and help
make the event a true success.
Kyle Brown
Sylvester Taylor
Jane Rambo
Residents of 2nd Floor
Hinton James
i
Servomution fences numerous problems
By HOWARD TROXLER
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series
dealing with the food service on the UNC campus.
Thousands of students eat daily at the Pine Room,
Chase Cafeteria or the Carolina Union Hunger Hut. Of
those students, some 6,000 have purchased semester- or
year-long meal tickets that are non-refundable and non
transferable. The University does not operate the three outlets.
Instead, they are operated by Servomation Mathias Inc.,
a Connecticut-based food company under contract to
several universities around the nation.
Students will criticize anything, and Servomation's
food service has been no exception. Critics claim the
food is less than good, the service is lacking and some
of them are working to find an alternative way of feeding
Carolina's students.
A tough Job
Besides normal business woes, there are concessions
Servomation must make to be on the UNC campus.
Servomation has a strict contract with the University,
which has final control over prices, and the two parties
meet annually to haggle over proposed hikes. In the
University's business office, there is a thick black
notebook with listings of all prices ("bacon, egg and
cheese, 79 cents," and so forth).
Servomation pays rent and utilities to the University,
which totaled about $100,000 in fiscal 1978. If net profits
exceed a certain percentage of total revenue,
Servomation must pay half the excess to the University.
In fiscal 1978. Servomation took in $1.5 million here,
$627,000 in meal plan sales and $900,000 from walk-in
sales. After operating expenses, payments to the
University and other overhead, Servomation's net profit
for the entire year was $52,000.
"It's not an easy job to stay in the black," Charles C.
Antle Jr.. assistant vice-chancellor for business, says.
"There are constantly rising prices, such as hamburger,
and there are always other problems, like what's going to
happen if this trucking strike occurs."
The opposition
Some students are less sympathetic. Bill Parmelee,
former chairman of the Student Consumer Action
Union and currently a member of the University- and
student-manned Food Services Advisory Committee, is
convinced that Servomation has a favored position on
campus that of a monopoly.
"With Servomation, the general philosophy is that
you hao to work hard to get an improvement and push
hard to keep it," Parmelee said. "They're way to
comfortable, and that's not a healthy situation."
Parmelee advocates alternatives to the Servomation
type of food service. "I'm not so convinced that the
University can't do it itself," he said. "Look how good a
job they do at the Carolina Inn, which is always in the
black."
Many students involved in SCAU or Student
Government suggest that Chase Cafeteria, the Pine
Room and Hunger Hut be run by different companies to
increase competition a suggestion the University
vetoes as impractical.
Another form of competition to Servomation is
already on campus the Student Stores. The stores have
already caused the Chase Snack Bar some grief by selling
hot pizzas in their South Campus outlets, a practice that
was hastily brought to an end by the University after
complaints from Servomation.
Now, Antle is trying to balance Servomation's needs
against Student Stores manager Thomas Shetley, who
wouldn't be opposed to selling fast food in his dormitory
stores. "He'd make a mint," one dormitory official says.
But Antle probably won't give the go-ahead to Shetley
at the expense of Servomation. "The University
supports the Student Stores, and it supports
Servomation,"1 he says. "We have to be careful not to
undermine Servomation. It's a gray area."
As part of that support, the University cooperates
with Servomation in mailing an advertisement to
incoming freshmen, encouraging them to sign up for a
meal plan. This draws the ire of Servomation critics,
who claim freshmen don't know what they're getting
into when they sign up.
"Sixty-seven percent of people on meal plans are
freshmen," Parmelee says. "If more people are satisfied
with Servomation, then why don't they return for a
second year?"
Opposition to the advertisement is more than verbal.
SCAU is planning to mail a letter of its own to freshmen
this year, advising them of its survey results and of
alternatives to Servomation.
The University isn't happy about the mailing. SCAU
attempted such a mailing after its first survey, but was
refused access to the list of freshmen. The University
says the refusal was a matter of policy, but SCAU will try
again this year.
The future
Servomation is in its eighth year of service and the
University plans to keep it around indefinitely witness
the plans for the new restaurant two years hence. It is this
attitude that rankles critics the most.
"I'm on a committee that's supposed to offer student
input, to show how that students feel." Parmelee says.
"Yet. if you suggest the contract might be terminated,
the University acts like it's an impossibility."
r
i ....
V
...
Otudsnts welt for food In Union
...fast food is big business
Perhaps it is. SCAU and the University's student
affairs division are currently taking a new survey of
student opinion about the food service and both the
University and Dick Patton, Servomation's manager on
the UNC campus, await its results with interest. Even if
there is considerable opposition to Servomation, it
would be difficult to persuade a University that
considers the food service problem solved. And if the
survey shows students are largely satisfied with the food
service, then SeYvomation will almost surely be here to
stay as long as it wants.
Howard Troxler. a junior journalism and political
science major from Burlington, is an editorial assistant
for the Daily Tar Heel.