10The Daily Tar HeelFriday, November 10, 1989
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97th year of editorial freedom
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Sharon Kehschull, Editor
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5R0U6HT
MY
MARY Jo DUNNINGTON, Editorial Page Editor
JUSTIN McGuiRE, University Editor
KAREN Dunn, State and National Editor
TOM PARKS, Business Editor
Dave Glenn, Sprts Editor
MELANIE BLACK, Design Editor
TAMMY BLACKARD, Editorial Page Editor
WILLIAM TAGGART, University Editor
Jessica Lanning, City Editor
CARA BoNNETT, Arts and Features Editor
Kelly Thompson, Omnibus Editor
DAVID Surowiecki, Photography Editor
Portfolio.
Julia Coon, News Editor
WE'LL mMlBWl l
71
One more year?
Leaders deserve second shot at office
board
opinion
In the past week, "
as Student Body
President Brien
Lewis has grappled -
with whether to run for a second term,
students have discussed the merits of a re
election campaign. While there are many
valid arguments against an incumbent
trying to stay in office, it could be an idea
long overdue.
Regardless of whether Lewis has done a
good job as SBP, he and any other elected
officials should have the right to run again.
Some students may think this is an unfair
use of power as an incumbent, and it defi
nitely goes against tradition no SBP has
done it before but this race should be no
different from other campus races.
Two years ago, Carolina Athletic Asso
ciation President Carol Geer won a suc
cessful re-election campaign. By staying
in office" for two years, Geer was able to
establish a successful relationship with
athletic officials that made her successor's
job easier. And leaders who have begun in
their last few months in office to build
solid relationships with administrators
would have a chance to put those relation
ships to use.
As campus issues grow more complex,
a one-year term may prove more frustrat
ing than worthwhile after an initial
period of learning about and settling into
the office, little time is left to implement
long-term plans. Staying a second year
would give officials the chance to work for
a full year without that initiation period.
. But running for re-election creates prob
lems, both for other candidates and for an
official's co-workers. An incumbent un
deniably has a leg up in a campaign, but
that shouldn't discourage others from
running. For a change, students would
have a chance to examine their president's
record, making their officials more ac
countable for their actions after the elec
tion. As it stands, presidents of the student
body or other organizations have fairly
free reign once they're in office. If this
University wants its government set up
much as the federal system is, student
leaders should be held more accountable.
On a broader level, a second term may
seem unfair to potential candidates, be
cause it deprives them of the chance to
learn how to be an SBP. That would seem
to go against a basic mission of UNC, but
more important than whether one student
has a chance to learn is whether the gov
ernment is effective. If incumbents can
prove to the voters that their administra
tion can do a better job by following through
on long-term projects, that should take
precedence. So long as government does
not keep people out by not changing
administrations, a second term is not in
herently unfair.
A more practical reason against running
for a second term comes when a student
body president has to take time away from
his duties to campaign. Although candi
dates do not necessarily quit student gov
ernment during a campaign, trying to be
the top official in government while run
ning for re-election would be difficult. If
an incumbent does run again, voters have
the right to expect a very well-organized,
delegated campaign, one that would dis
tract minimally from presidential duties.
But for the good of government, to
accomplish long-term goals that often get
dropped when a new president takes of
fice, and to hold student leaders account
able for their administrations, running for
a second term could be a worthwhile effort
for future presidents.
Breeding boredom
Students ignore education's purpose
A recent report by the Carnegie Foundation The president of the Carnegie Foundation
for the Advancement of Teaching reveals many summarized this as "a growing tension be-
pioblerns facing higher education in America tween the interests of the faculty ... and the
today, but the greatest problem of all is that focus of a substantial number of undergradu-
most college students fail to recognize the ates to get a 'credential' that will get them a
meaning of education and are swept up by a job." Students are more career-oriented but less
trend of "careerism." The report compiled willing to work hard, and more willing to cheat
survey responses from 5,000 professors on the for good grades, according to the report,
condition of college teaching and its effects on This trend of students attending college for
students. Its discourag
ing conclusions repre
sent a national problem,
and the students and
faculty at this univer
sity are no exception.
Academic perform
ance, according to the
report, is hindered at
American colleges and
universities partly be- tammmm
cause public school systems are producing
inadequately prepared students. As a result,
college instructors must teach basics that stu
dents should have learned in high school. While
this is due mainly to the mediocrity in public
education, part of the responsibility lies with
the individual student, who must recognize the
value of education and the breadth of his or her
own ignorance.
Very often the term "higher education" is a
misnomer, even at UNC. Many college stu
dents graduate without basic knowledge in fun
damental disciplines such as history, geogra
phy and literature. The perspective system at
this university partly prevents this, but even
perspectives benefit only those students who
actively seek to broaden their own intellect.
Many college students
graduate every year
without knowledge in
basic disciplines.
career training becomes
moreevident every day.
It seems, there are more
and more freshmen
entering college with
inflexible ideas about
career plans; for ex
ample, the classic fresh
man who wishes to
major in business ad-
ministration before at
tending law school. Thinking toward a career is
fine, even necessary, but too many students
make that their primary focus, and a passive
approach to a liberal education develops.
Following this course, Americans will be
well trained for specific occupations, but they
will have no respect for the capacities of the
human intellect and even less desire to develop
their own. As a result of our being poorly edu
cated, we will become a boring nation.
Students must evaluate their own defini
tions and purposes for education and recognize
the differences between education and train
ing. In the end, regardless of university rank
ings, departmental rankings and state funding,
a quality higher education depends on the stu
dent. James Burroughs
Snippets (Part 4)
Slim, sleaziness and booty shakin'
As we all struggle through the endless abyss
that exists between Fall Break and the big
Turkey Day, this is as good a time as any to let
our frustrations out on the institutions, customs
and stupid things that really tick us off.
Have you ever wondered ... why some
people buy Slim Whitman records. Yes, he has
a new album! Who keeps this guy in business?
Is theie an unknown cult of little old blue
haired ladies sitting in their parlors playing
these things backward? How's this for his next
album: Slim Whitman, Boxcar Willie and
America's Number One Cowboy, the late but
still great Marty Robbins Sing Their Favorite
Truck Driving Folk Ballads. We wait in breath
less anticipation.
Why is it that ... people insist on calling
those 900 numbers that promise smut, sex and
sleaze at 2:14 a.m. during the commercial
break of shows like the Ric Flair's Mid-Atlantic
Wrestlin' Challenge or GLOW (Gorgeous
Ladies of Wrestlin')? Do you just want to hear
a sweet, smiling voice or do you want a woman's
point of view? Call 1 -900-GET A LIFE!
Who was the genius ... who decided that we
enjoy listening to the Muzak version of the
Spandau Ballet's classic "True"? Who decided
that this was anything resembling entertain
ment? Tipper Gore? Nothing makes a ride in
an elevator more pleasant than a rousing Muzak
chorus of Motley Crue's "Shout at the Devil"
orK.C. and the Sunshine BandV'Shake, Shake,
Shake your Booty." What's next? How about
Debbie (Tiffany) Gibson?
On a more serious note ... Why are blue
books an uneven 1 1 cents? Why don't the ice
machines in Union Station and Lenior ever
work? How could people decide that even
though there is an Alumni Building and an
Alumni House, we need to chop down the Big
Woods? We may never know.
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Readers9 Forum
Communication
good first step
To the editor:
On Nov. 1, three student or
ganizations: SETA, Student Gov
ernment and the Whitehead Soci
ety (the organization of medical
students), were represented in a
comprehensive tour of the animal
research facilities here at UNC.
Four members of the medical staff,
including the director of labora
tory animal medicine who con
ducted the tour, took part in the
three hour examination of the
facilities.
As student government repre
sentatives, we chose to participate
in the tour in order to serve as
observers of the communication
and interaction between differing
groups. The most important and
positive aspect of the tour was the
open and earnest discussion which
occurred throughout the afternoon.
We were never denied access to
any area in which animals are kept.
In addition, we did not receive the
impression that the researchers
were being either vague or evasive
in attempting to answer specific
questions. For example, one doc
tor took the time to explain her
research in great detail and en
gaged in a lively discussion about
the use of animals in research.
ln turn, members of SETA
posed many challenging and well
informed questions. They were
obviously very interested in hear
ing what the researchers had to say
and were able to listen to the views
of the doctors, while making their
own arguments clear.
Granted, a three-hour tour will
never completely resolve large
differences of opinion such as those
that exist between SETA and the
UNC medical researchers. How
ever, it is important to applaud the
efforts of both groups in establish
ing an open line of communica
tion. Communication is a neces
sary tool in the resolution of any
conflict SETA and the medical
researchers are on their way to
utilizing this tool.
MERIDITH RENTZ
Sophomore
Chemistryeconomics
RUFF1N HALL
Sophomore
Political science
CIAAC has to speak
for victims of CIA
To the editor:
On behalf of the CIA Action
Committee, I would like to thank
Jim Hock for his thoughts and,
criticisms ("Publicity stunt hurts
protester's credibility," Nov. 3). I
agree that to suggest Monday's
tower demonstration "was not
intended to draw publicity" is
absurd. As I remember, the state
ment appeared in the DTH as a
paraphrase, rather than a direct
quote from Dale Mc Kinky. I don't
know exactly what Dale said, but
please understand that we get
misquoted a lot.
The upcoming trial on Novem
ber 16 won't be drawn out. I'll be
representing myself and will plead
guilty on all three counts. It should
be over in a few hours I'd en
courage anyone interested to at
tend. Finally, I think many people
share Mr. Hock's sense of disgust
for the CIA Action Committee's
tactics. Although it would be much
easier for everyone if we limited
our statements to the type made at
last month's Career Fair, some
times that isn't enough. It's not
proportionate to the violence spon
sored all over the world by the
CIA, nor does it represent the
outrage such brutality deserves.
The CIA Action Committee
does not advocate on its own be
half we speak for those who
cannot speak for themselves; those
who must live lives of quiet des
peration under CIA-sponsored
terror. They wouldn't accept the
apathy and shoulder shrugs given
by the UNC administration, and
neither can we.
JERRY JONES
Senior
Religious studies
CIAAC protests
don't change things
To the editor:
We were very pleased to read
Harrison A. Latimer's well
thoughtout critique of the CIA
Action Committee's irritating and
ineffectual methods ("McKinley
should try positive leadership,"
Nov. 8). We feel, however, that
his front page-seeking fanatics
have obscured the true mission of
the CIA: to roll back the red tide
that is flooding the Third World
with bloody communist revolu
tions. Furthermore, McKinley
refused to acknowledge the inces
sant Soviet expansionism which
has only been curbed by the fail
ure of the Bolshevik system to
diversify their sluggish economy.
If it wasn't for the CIA supplying
the brave Mujahadin with arms,
the Soviets would still be slaugh
tering Afghans from Kandahar to
Kabul. Dale, please at least be
courteous enough to give the CIA
credit where credit is due. Even if
you aren't going to mention the
beneficial activities of the CI A,
please at least acknowledge the
fact that the KGB poses a much
greater threat to liberty. If the CIA
were as bad as you say, right now,
you would be modeling concrete
shoes at the bottom of Jordan Lake.
A second gripe we have about
the CIAAC pertains to the sensa
tionalist and self-aggrandizing
stunts that have been smeared
across the headlines of the DTH.
There are more rational ways of
getting the public's attention than
Climbing towers and chaining
oneself to furniture. These "pet
tricks" really inspire nobody. The
more the CIAAC alienates the
student body, the less impact their
handouts and vigils will have.
We understand that Mr. McKin
ley wants us to know that he is an
angry man. With all due respect,
we want him to know that we are
a bit perturbed ourselves. What he
is really doing when he insults the
CIA is tearing at the very fabric of
our democratic institutions. Re
member, Dale, the more things
change, the more they stay the
same.
CHRISTOPHER D.
HAYDEN
Freshman
American History
CHAD PIKE
Freshman
International Relations
Small groups can't
speak for majority
To the editor:
On Tuesday night I went to see
Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing"
at the Student Union. I wanted to
see a film that has been regarded
highly by many who have seen it.
After viewing the movie, my
friends and I launched into a long
discussion. Unfortunately, the
focus of our discussion was not on
any aspect of the film itself but on
the audience viewing it.
The fdm takes place in a pre
dominantly black neighborhood in
Brooklyn on a brutally hot sum
mer day. There is some racial
tension throughout which ulti
mately erupts into violence. This
happens mainly because a vocal,
aggressive minority group forces
events to occur while the more
level-headed majority is silent.
In this aspect, the film parallels
what happened in the audience.
There was loud cheering and
laughing throughout the film
which made much of it inaudible.
Originally, I thought that most of
the people were talking but came
to realize that it was a small, vocal
minority. Very few people tried to
quiet down the loud ones and hence
the noise continued.
This is a common phenome
non: the will of a few extremes
dominating that of a whole group.
Historically, the consequences of
this have been great. While a few
loudmouths shouting throughout
a film may be due to a lack of
sensitivity, the refusal of others to
attempt to quiet them is truly rep
rehensible. If we fail to speak up
against small, extreme groups, we
allow them to speak for us. So next
time you're in a theater and some
one bothers you with constant
noise, "Do the Right Thing" and
tell him to be quiet.
MICHAEL SHERMAN
Graduate student
Statistics
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Entrepreneurs Club record set straight
Editor's note: E. Christopher Morton is
president of the UNC Entrepreneurs Club and
operations director of UNC Student Agencies.
To the editor:
In an attempt to correct some of the mis
takes made by Kevin Greene in his article on
the UNC Entrepreneurs Club ("Entrepreneurs
Club making preparations for its own busi
ness," Nov. 2), I have decided to write this
letter so that the DTH and the UNC student
body can better understand the position and
purpose of our chapter.
There are many errors in the DTH article
that I would like to clear up.
. Mr. Greene claims that the Entrepreneurs
Club will soon start a club business on campus
in the Student Union. This is an inaccuracy.
There has been talk of setting up some kind of
business (whether real or pseudo) in an at
tempt to show some of the budding entrepre
neurs in the club the steps that need to be taken
to start your own business. However, the busi
ness that Greene outlined in his article is not
the same idea we have.
It is true that some of the members of the
Entrepreneurs Club are indeed in the process
of starting various services on campus, possi
bly as early as the spring semester. It is also
true that it will be a non-profit organization
with all excess funds after utilities have
been paid and after money for new services has
been put aside- going into a scholarship fund
to be used to help students in need.
This project.-which is called the UNC Stu
dent Agencies, is in no way affiliated with the
UNC Entrepreneurs Club other than that there
are members of the Entrepreneurs Club who
are directors or managers of the agencies and
that the idea for the agencies was developed at
the Entrepreneurs Club meetings. In fact, after
much discussion with Dean Donald Boulton,
Student Body President Brien Lewis, Student
Congress Speaker Gene Davis and many oth
ers over a year-long period, the agencies are
now a sub-committee of the Student Affairs
Committee of the Student Congress.
Why the fuss over confusing the Entrepre
neurs Club with the actual agencies? Quite
simply, I see the confusion harmful to both the
Entrepreneurs Club and to the student body.
The Entrepreneurs Club was created to
encourage entrepreneurship on campus, not to
get involved with running an actual business
on the scale that the agencies will be. Surely
you can see that by devoting a portion of the
Entrepreneurs Club meetings to discussion of
the goings on of the agencies, very little discus
sion of new business ideas from those not
involved with the agencies would occur. It
simply sets a bad impression of the Entrepre
neurs Club.
Another bad impression of our club that the
article gave was that one has to be "ready to
work," so to speak, and that one would have to
be a business or economics major to even
understand what is going on in the chapter.
Again, this is implied by mistaking the agen
cies for the Entrepreneurs Club. I'd like to
stress that one need not have a business or
economics major, nor does anyone need to be
involved in the agencies. I'm sure that you can
see that the impression of the organization
given by the article is sure to prevent students
from coining to our meetings, which is why I
say both the chapter and the University would
suffer.
I fear that maybe Mr. Greene misunderstood
Ken Honeycutt and Nat Shaw when asking
them about our chapter. Implying news stories
and assuming you understand what a source is
telling you when you are not really sure you
understand, in my opinion, sets a dangerous
precedent. I only wish that Greene would have
waited to speak with me instead of printing the
story prematurely. I apologize to him for being
too busy to get back with him at his first request
and at the times he specified.
I am not, however, trying to crucify one of
your reporters. I am only attempting to set the
record straight and clear up some of the mys
tique of two of the organizations of which I am
involved.
I hope this letter succeeds in doing just that.
E. CHRISTOPHER MORTON
Senior
Economics
political science