Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Feb. 11, 1985, edition 1 / Page 10
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10The Daily Tar Heel Monday, February 11, Jeff Hiday, Editor Joel Broadway, Managing Editor MARK STINNEFORD. Associate Editor BEN PERKOWSKI, Associate Editor KELLY SIMMONS, University Editor VANCE TREFETHEN, State and National Editor Melanie Wells, aty Editor DAN TILLMAN, Business Editor Lynn Davis, News Editor Frank Kennedy, sports Editor Jeff Grove, Arts Editor Sharon Sheridan, Features Editor JEFF NEUVILLE, Photography Editor For president, Tomorrow's runoff for student body president is far more than a choice between Patricia Wallace and Doug Berger. The election gives students a chance, once and for all, to make a strong statement about what they want Student Government to be. The question boils down to this: Will Student Govern ment be operated for the benefit of all students, or will it be corrupted into a soapbox for the personal political concerns of the office holder? A vote for Patricia Wallace will be a vote for a Student Government that serves the needs of all students, regard less of their political persuasion. As we stated in our previous endorsement, Wallace has the experience, dedication and knowledge to do the job. Equally important, she displays the tact, diplo macy and reasonableness to deal with the administration and the Board of Trustees on behalf of the students. Wallace's platform is detailed and well reasoned. Her ideas for improving the Union, including the creation of a coffeehouse, could help convert the building into a comfortable gathering place for individual students. While the student body president has only limited influence on Union policies, Wallace's proposals are already an active topic of discussion in talks to determine the upcoming changes in the use of Union space. We were also impressed by the sense of Wallace's other programs. Her "Drive-a-Drinker" program patt erned after similar efforts operated by most communities on New Year's Eve will help ensure students get home safely after a night on the town. She also proposes a series of seminars to educate new Campus Governing Coun cil members on the Student Government budgeting process. While the proposal hardly sounds earth-shaking, it is significant. It would help turn the CGC budget process into a truly equitable allocation of funds to student groups, rather than the circus it has often become. Wallace, known on the Campus Governing Council for doing her home work, has the administrative skill to run Student Government efficiently. She is already completing a study on making Student Government more effective and responsive. And, while we disagree with her opposition to constitutionally gua ranteed funding for the Black Student Movement, we were impressed by the detailed examination of the issue she made before developing her position. Unlike other candidates, Wallace did not take the politically expedient position on the issue, but brought up important questions about how constitutional For RH A, Friend The race for Residence Hall Associ ation president this year very much resembles the forthcoming housing lottery: The field has been pared from four to two. Come tomorrow, either Tim Cobb or Shannon Friend will emerge with a room in Suite B. Both Cobb and Friend, residents of North and South campus, respectively, would bring enthusiasm and determina tion to the position, which faces one of its busiest years ever. While neither candidate is perfect, both have demon strated a willingness to give their all in the position. In a nip-and-tuck race, however, Friend emerges as the candi date of choice. Experience is perhaps Friend's grea test strength. As governor of Ehringhaus and executive assistant to outgoing RHA President Mark Stafford, Friend has proven her ability to work both at the dorm level and in overall planning of campus-wide activities. While she threatens to overextend her finances (an extra $6,000 this year) by promising monthly all-campus programming, her ideas, in general, bear listening to. Not surprisingly, Friend favors the continued existence of the Programming Board, arguing that the Governing Board has enough to do without the additional burden of programming on 1985 Hailg Jar HM 92nd year of editorial freedom Wallace funding erodes the authority of Student Government and the accountability of student organizations. Doug Berger, Wallace's opponent in the runoff, has also developed an impressive platform. In fact, Berger's proposals especially his opposition to the $100 mandatory meal plan have set the agenda for the campaign. We admire some of Berger's overall goals, especially his unparalleled commitment to the recruitment of minority students and faculty. But we fear that Berger, an avowed democratic socialist, would be a divisive figure as student body pres ident with his obsession with national and international polities. We have no reason to believe that Berger's performance as student body president would be much different than his role in the CGC, where he has been the single most important person in turning a supposedly representative legislative body into a forum for left wing political causes. This disturbing trend was most evident in a CGC-passed bill to plan protest activity in the event the United States invades Nicaragua. The bill, a thinly veiled cheap shot at President Reagan, goes so far as to ask the UNC Naval ROTC to violate federal law by lowering its flag to half-staff in the event of an invasion. We are also disturbed by the lengths Berger seems willing to go to in order to win the post. He has introduced a disturbing new element into student politics the negative campaign. By often straying from his platform to attack Wallace and other candidates, and, however innocently, by his mere presence, Berger has helped create an atmosphere of unprecedented nastiness in this year's campus elections. We also fear that Berger would be ineffective or even antagonistic in dealing with the administration and the Board of Trustees. Without the ability to negotiate or compromise, a student body president can degenerate into a lonely voice whose one vote on the board carries little weight. Students should cast their vote tomor row for the candidate who offers the best chance of making life better on this campus. We heartily endorse Patricia Wallace as the candidate best qualified to provide a responsive and effective Student Government. The Daily Tar Heel has previously endorsed the referendum for constitu tional funding of the Black Student Movement, which will be back on the ballot tomorrow because of polling site irregularities in last week's elections. its shoulders. Perhaps, though, as Mike Deimler the original DTH endorsee who last week missed making this runoff by fewer than 100 votes has proposed, the board should be abolished or at least overhauled. Its impotence in executing its duties makes the Programming Board a system in need of fixing. Still, Friend's accelerated programming goals may give this offshoot the incentive needed to operate effectively. Tim Cobb, Tuesday's top vote-getter, has based much of his platform on establishing greater campus unity and students must be listening. His proposals for a South Campus concert in the fall, for using $1,000 in RHA money as incentive for inter-area mixers, and for making the larger Granville functions eligible for funding, are solid, well reasoned proposals. Cobb, indeed, lends focus into areas where Friend is lacking. But Friend's knowledge of RHA inside-out, her hustle and determination to get the job done give her the edge for the top spot. Cobb would be a welcome addition, however, to Friend's inner circle. If the demonstrated camaraderie between the two during the campaign is any indi cation, the campus will be well served by Tuesday's returns. Combating racism with facts, not half-truths Bv BR A N JONES Again, I am left to pick up the pieces of a series of half-truths and misleading insinuations foisted upon the students of UNC by Vance Trefethen. More disturbing, however, is that Trefethen is actually an editor at the DTH, which, as an apparently responsible paper, puts a premium on accuracy and clarity. I refer, of course, to "Racism: practicing -what we preach" (Jan. 30). I was incensed by Trefethen's apparent outright lie that Ted Kennedy "lost the black vote" on a recent trip to South Africa. What black vote? Surely Trefethen cannot be referring to South Africa's blacks they are not even allowed to vote. Although I cannot speak for America's black population, I think it a fair assumption that they recognize Kennedy's concern for the plight of South African blacks. In reality, the vast majority of blacks in South Africa supported Kennedy's mission and were heartened by his concern for them. What Trefethen refers to is a minority, splinter group opposed to the withdrawal of American invest ment in South Africa for fear of an adverse economic backlash on its community. Specifi cally, they protested what was to be Kennedy's final stop: a speech in a church. There were fears for Kennedy's safety, and he was encouraged to forego the speech, much to the disappointment of those who waited hours to hear him. In fact. Kennedy does not support economic withdrawal from South Africa; rather he supports putting economic pressure on the government of South Africa. This includes a measure currently working its way through Congress banning the importation of South African gold Kruggerands. To imply that this was a politically motivated adventure, as Trefethen does, is contemptible as well as ridiculous. Here it is, over 3Vi years from the presidential election and over a year and a half before mid-term elections, and Trefethen gives the impression that Kennedy is setting himself up for a presidential bid. As he waves the flag and coins the Soviet Union as "probably the largest offender" against human rights, and implores us to stop "using South Africa as political whipping boy," he completely ignores the situation at home. We were the very last major country to outlaw slavery. Here we have a president who opposes the extension of the Voting Rights Act. In North Carolina, our senior senator frequently made disparaging remarks about blacks as editorial director of WRAL. On campus, people like Frank Winstead actively attempt to discredit the Black Student Movement. Not one to cite the Bible in any type of situation, I nonetheless believe the phrase "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" to be applicable. We are far from being without sin, yet we cannot ignore human rights violations, especially in South Africa. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Have some empathy, vote for BSM funding To the editor: Upon our arrival at UNC, we underwent the same fears, the same anxieties, the same need to find a source of identity and to fit into a scheme at this university essen tially to belong as did every freshman away from home for the first time. As black freshman, our fears, our anxieties, our need to belong were not vastly different from those of other students, only greater. On a campus the size of UNC's, where the black student population is only 10 percent, the identity source is much harder to come by, and it is easy to feel lost and insignificant. There are not a vast number of organizations on campus that cater to the needs of For president, Wallace To the editor: In looking at this year's campaign for student body president, I see one candidate as the clear choice Patricia Wallace. She has proven her ability to not only be an effective leader but also to be an innovator through her work on the Campus Governing Council as chairman of the Rules and Judiciary Committee. Patricia has also shown her dedi cation to the University community through her involvement in other groups such as the Model United Against Berger, socialism To the editor: "I'm a socialist." Frankly, I was surprised to hear Doug Berger admit his extremist ideology before the election was over. But what surprised me even more was that most of the students who voted (indeed a small proportion) cast their ballots for Doug Berger for student body president. OK, maybe these students didn't know Berger is a socialist. But damnit, people! Now you know! And for those of you who didn't vote last Tuesday, you now have a great incentive to go out to the polls: to elect a non-socialist! Now. Patricia Wallace may not like the idea that the main reason Let's hear it for To the editor: There are two especially impor tant sets of awards presented at this institution each spring: first, the Distinguished Teaching Awards, and second, the Student Awards presented at the Chancellor's Awards Ceremony. In the selection of recipients of both sets of awards, students should play a vital role by participating actively in the process by which candidates for the awards are nominated. On the basis of demonstrated excellence, teachers r aWfWtwiwmimfc.. illlMHHIHBMBWMBnnpBitqifi Wl Illptti' - v u-v I I do. however, agree with Trefethen that Soviet oppression of Jews cannot be ignored by Americans. Organizations like B'nai B'rith are already actively seeking a more lenient emigra tion policy from the Soviet Union, and, with the help of the U.S. government, have made significant inroads, allowing several thousand Jews to leave the Soviet Union every year. South Africa does not let any of its black population leave legally. The fact is that Soviet Jews are not nearly as oppressed as South African blacks. Jews in the Soviet Union are not crowded into ghettos, they are not denied jobs promotions and membership to the Communist Party, but not jobs. Above all, they are recognized as human beings though not on the level of ethnic Russians, while blacks in South Africa are considered animals. Saving "the Afghan people may well represent the greatest ethnic oppression since World War II" is like the pot calling the kettle blapk. 1 distinctly remember a rather imperialistic venture into Southeast Asia not too long ago. Obviously, Trefethen does not. Trefethen wondered if Kennedy would have the same freedom to tour and speak in the Soviet Union. This is a religious leader in a country with no religion which, in fact, considers religion one of the most dangerous concepts to confront it (read: Russian Jews). I would further dispute black students and that provide a source of identity. It was in the Black Student Movement that we sought and found other students who shared our interests and who, in turn, supplied us with the support we needed to survive those first crucial months here. Many people harbor misconcep tions as to the exact purpose of the BSM, and claim that, it "has limited student appeal." Well, if the pro motion of racial harmony and interaction, the ideal on which BSM is based, has limited student appeal, then that is a problem with which this university must come to terms. If the BSM appeals only to black students on campus then that is at least 10 percent of the entire UNC population. Many students voted for the STV and WXYC referenda, not because they are directly affected by these media, but because these media are services produced by students to benefit students. It would be ridic ulous to believe that all students who voted for those referenda actually watch STV or listen to WXYC; yet it was through their cooperation that they are now constitutionally funded. Then why To the editor: During my recent campaign for the office of student body president, I had the opportunity to observe first-hand the platforms and ideas of the other candidates for this office, and as one of the unfortunate seven not in the runoff, I believe that it is important for me to make a statement on what I have seen in this campaign. I have stated throughout this campaign that I believe the student body president must have a specific agenda and a clear sense of what they will do with student govern ment during their administration. The SBP must have a dedication to the best interests of the student body as a whole, and must contin ually work to improve the Univer sity community. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly endorse Doug Berger. While Patricia Wallace does have a strong record of "doing her homework" while in the CGC, and she has spoken to the need of Nations Club and the Women's Lacrosse Club Team. Patricia is ready to create a Student Government that is respon sive to the needs of the student body. Because of her fresh ideas and strong leadership, she stands out as the most qualified candidate for student body president. With this in mind, I encourage you to cast your vote for Patricia Wallace tomorrow. Julie Beaver Chapel Hill I'm writing this letter is to get the word out on Berger's demerits (not on her virtues) and the main reason I'm supporting her is so we won't have Berger as president, but at least she'll be getting my vote. So ask yourself if you're going to vote for Berger if you still believe in the basic democratic principles on which the country you live in was founded. The same country that protects your life every day. Liberals I dislike, but at least they're democratic! Come on folks, do you really want a coalition of socialists? Do you really want Doug Berger to be student body president? Allen A. Taylor UNC College Republicans Lacking To the editor: I am writing this letter because I am rather baffled about a situa tion. I am a member of a fairly prominent white fraternity on campus. Right now we are holding our spring informal rush and it just so happens that one of the guys that is attending a few rush functions is black. I realized that regardless of how interesting, intelligent and friendly this particular guy might be, he does not have a snowball's chance in hell to be considered a prospective pledge because a faction of the fraternitv brothers are the best and students may be selected as recipients of these coveted awards. Students should not allow the opportunity to nominate candidates pass them by. Nomination forms for these awards will be appearing in the DTH shortly. I hope everyone takes the time to respond to make sure that those deserving of special recognition in this university receive it. Christopher C. Fordham III UNC Chancellor To the editor: I realize trash fires are potentially dangerous and a solution must be found, but sometimes the end does not justify the means. When you want to kill a fly. you don't use a gun. By the same concept, when a few trash fires occur, why take in all trash cans (after 4 p.m.) in campus housing, as Dr. Kuncl suggests? Trefethen's asinine assertion that the boat people of Southeast Asia would prefer to be second class citizens in South Africa than their own country. These Asians were leaving mostly because of economic problems. Saying that they would rather experience poverty in South Afica is ridiculous. I also agree with Trefethen in that fighting racism should be expanded. I invite Trefethen and the rest of the conservatives to join Kennedy and the rest of us liberals to redouble our efforts against racism everywhere abroad, here in the United States and at UNC. Let's extend the Voting Rights Act indefinitely, crackdown on economic oppression of minorities here in the United States by offering loans to minority businesses and minority students. And, let's prove here at UNC that black culture should receive the same attention as white culture through constitutional funding of the BSM. If Trefethen . is serious about combating racism everywhere, then I would like him to endorse the suggestions I have put forth. If not, then stop criticizing those who are making a real effort everywhere. Let's do like Trefethen says and practice what we preach. Brian Jones is a freshman political science and economics major from South Windsor, Conn. not vote lor the BSM referendum by that same right because it is a service conducted by students for students? Though you may have no personal stake in BSM, we appeal to you to vote for its constitutional funding for the sake of others who do, the black students. Dorothy Batts Deborah Gales Beverly Imes Morrison For president, Berger student government to embrace a broader cross-section of the student body, I don't believe that she has offered much in the way of substan tive proposals or ideas for her administration. While Doug and I disagree on the fundamental implementation on such issues as the meal plan, and national and international issues, I do believe that Doug has the ability and leadership that it takes to be an effective student body president. You can always trust Doug to let you know where he stands. 1 also believe that, while student govern ment ought to remain concerned primarily with those issues that directly affect students, Doug's keen sense of national issues will serve to keep students aware of our concerns as North Carolinians and as Americans. It is for these reasons that I personally endorse Doug Berger for the office of student body president. Joe Stewart Connor brotherly love extremely prejudiced. It is truly a shame that this deep rooted prejudice takes precedence over some otherwise intelligent minds. Perhaps I am an idealist, but wouldn't it be nice if white frater nities, as well as the rest of the UNC population, could free themselves from their irrational fears and prejudices. If it doesn't happen on this college campus, a supposed hotbed of intellectualism, where can it happen? Kevin Gottesman Carrboro Trashing KuncVs curfew The trash cans that were set on fire should be put away. Even putting away all trash cans in the dorms where the fires occurred is a good idea. But don't punish all on-campus students when not all of us are guilty. What good is killing the flv if vou leave a hole in the wall? Brandon Jaynes league
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 11, 1985, edition 1
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