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8The Daily Tar HeelThursday, January 9, 1992 Wop Baity ular !M 98th year of editorial freedom Jennifer Wing, Editor Steve Politi, University Editor CULLEN FERGUSON, Editorial Page Editor NEIL AMATO, Sports Editor CHRISTINA NlFONG, Features Editor Alex De GRAND, Cartoon Editor MlTCH KOKAI, Copy Desk Editor Amber NlMOCKS, City Editor ERIC Lusk, State and National Editor MONDY LAMB, Omnibus Editor Jennifer Dickens, Layout Editor AMY SEELEY, Copy Desk Editor KaTHY MlCHEL, Photography Editor MATTHEW ElSLEY, Special Assignments Editor Grant HALVERSON, Photography Editor JoANN RODAK, Managing Editor Give the gift of life Many of us spent a fortune over the holidays, buying expensive little baubles for our special someones. We did this know ing that sooner or later the springs will rust, the paint will chip and the prized gifts will end up in the dusty boxes of adark attic. We often don't think about the gift most of us can give that lasts a lifetime. We don't think about the gift that costs little more than momentary discomfort, but that saves the recipient from immense pain or even from death. Coursing through all of our veins right now is something we tend to take for granted. Blood is something most of us really don't like to see. We associate it with pain, with those little cuts we got from a tumble as a child or with the gory scenes in B-grade horror flicks. But that same blood is a welcome sight in Red Cross centers and in hospitals. That same blood is considered priceless in oper ating rooms as it drips new life from sus pended plastic bags into the outstretched arms of the sick and the dying. That same blood is now in short supply. For a variety of reasons a severe flu outbreak and the holiday season, to name two blood supplies in this state and elsewriere in the nation are at dangerously low levels. Hospitals everywhere are being told that their demands for blood just can not be met. 0 negative and A negative blood are in especially short supply, but O positive, B positive and AB negative blood are at criti cal levels as well. Of course, donations of all blood types are needed and would be welcomed by the Red Cross. Some of us for health or religious reasons cannot give blood. But that makes it even more vital for the rest of us to take the half hour to an hour necessary to give the gift of life. Why? Because there's a chance that sooner or later you will be the one in need. You could be the one in the car accident or in need of major surgery. You could be the one whose life hinges on that precious liquid that sustains life. It's not difficult to give blood. In the next month alone, there will be eight blood drives held in this area. (See the chart on the front page for locations and times.) In addition, if you're willing to take the short drive to Durham, you can give blood every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Hitchings Center on University Drive or on Mondays and Wednesdays at Duke Uni versity Medical Center. (See the front page for times.) There is no danger from giving blood you can't catch the AIDS virus from donat ing. And it only takes a little time. You will never know who receives your precious gift. But whether it's a child or an adult, a man or a woman, the gift will be cherished for the rest of the recipient's life. There will be no throwing it away or allow ing it to go unused. It will flow through their veins for as long as their hearts con tinue to beat. Hey, dude! Skaters need a home They perform daring leaps and travel at death-defying speeds. They terrorize stu dents and disturb classes with their whoops. They are the skaterats. But no longer should these mostly high school and middle school skateboarders be seen on campus. The Board of Trustees decided last month to ban skateboarding from campus, citing danger to pedestrians and University property. Offenders will face a stiff $20 fine if caught traveling on the four-wheel board. Campus skateboarders have been blamed for damaging campus buildings such as the Morehead Building and Manning Hall. On Sunday and some weekday afternoons, skateboarders can be seen testing their skills beside the Greenlaw wall. Sure, they look pretty tame, but these boys can be a nui sance. In the afternoons, when some classes are still in session, skateboard wheels can be heard grating the bricks and skaters can be heard talking among themselves. At tempting to get into some of these build ings virtually guarded by skateboarders can truly be a challenge. But banning skateboarding from cam pus leaves one nagging problem the skateboarders. Chapel Hill is pitifully defi cient in places for local youth to "hang out," and this latest restriction will only limit teenagers more. The University ath letic facili ties are lim ited to stu dents, fac ulty and staff, and there are few parks in Chapel Hill intended for teenagers. With this latest blow to teenage social life in Chapel Hill, perhaps the town council should think seriously about finding a rec reational site for the town's younger gen eration. Such afacility should include an isolated skateboard ramp, a basketball court, a club house and a snack bar. Restaurants, bars and movies are pretty much the extent of night life in Chapel Hill, so this center should offer nighttime hours. Providing athletic facilities would attract a cross section of kids who are looking fora way to spend their time. Chapel Hill's crime problem sometimes is blamed on bored youth. Creating a teen center that would keep these kids busy would be a safe and smart solution. Since the University has banned skateboarders from campus, Chapel Hill should welcome them with their own home. Editorial Policy The Daily Tar Heel's editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor and four editorial writers. Business and advertising: Kevin Schwartz, directorgeneral manager; Bob Bales, advertising director, Leslie Humphrey, classified ad manager, Allison Ashworth, business manager. Business stall: Michelle Gray, assistant manager;ima ueraroino ana Laurie uavis. omce assistants. inrissy uavis. promotions manager. Classified advertising: Amy Dew, Becky Marquette, Lorrie Pate, Leah Richards and Jennifer Terry, representatives CbiA Campbell, production assistant. Display advertising: Ashleigh Heath, advertising manager; Milton Artis, Marcie Bailey, Robert Lee Carson, Carrie Grady, Angela Gray, David Hoffmann, Joanna Hutchins, Lynne Sandridge, Brooks Spradling, and Gingier Wagoner, account executives; Mariea Miller, assistant account executive; Charlotte Weaver, Nicki Blair, proofreaders. Advertising production: Bill Leslie, managersystem administrator; Anita benuey ana Lome rate, assistants. Assistant aditort: Anne Miehaud. arts coordinator: Hardv Flovd. coov: Oana Pooe. city; Beth Tatum. features; Valerie Fields, managing; Vicki Hyman and Mike Long, Omnibus; Andrew Cline, photo; Stewart Chisam, Eric David, Warren Hynes and Bryan Strickland, sports, Anna Griffin, state and national; Birch DeVault, Ashley Fogle and Bonnie Rochman, university. Newsclerk: Kevin Brennan. Editorial writers: David Etchison, Adam Ford and Will Spears. University: John Bmadfoot Beth Broodno. Micah Cover. Sovia Ellison. Amy Eslinaer. Heather Harreld. Jenny Mclnnis, Matthew Mielke, Marty Minchin, Jennifer Mueller. Cathy Oberle, Shea Riggsbee, Karen Schwartz, Peter Smith, Sarah Suiter, Jennifer Talhelm, Jon Whisenant and Michael Workman. City: Tiffany Ashhurst, Jennifer Brett, Sally Bright, Kim Cable, Maile Carpenter, Andrew Cline. Carol Davis, Julie Flick, Chris Goodson, Jackie Hershkowitz, Grant Holland, Amie Lane. Amber Nimocks, Liz Parker, Dana Pope, Emily Russ, Kelly Ryan and Chris Trahan. Slate and National: Karen Dietrich, Steve Doyle, Brandy Fisher, Anna Uriftin, vicki Hyman, Laura Laxton, tnns Linasey, west Locnnan, Beth McNichol. Rebeccah Moore and Jason Richardson. Arts: Layton Croft, Ned Dirlik, Beth Formy-Duval, Laura Guy. Grant Halve rson, Ashley Harris, Melissa Mankowski, Charles Marshall, Rahul Mehta, Greg Miller, Susie Rickard, Sally Stryker and Ian Williams. Features: Josh Boyer, Yi-Hsin Chang. Tiffany Cook, Thomas King, Mara Lee, Robin Lowe, Kelly Noyes, Mary Moore Parham, Kimberly Perry, Winifred Sease and J.J. Warlick. Snnrtf Mark Anderson senior writer Jason Bates. Jennifer Dnnlao Jav Exum Stuart Gordan. Dave Heiser. Doua Hoooervorst, Matt Johnson. David J. Kupstas, Mary Latterly, John C. Manuel, Amy McCaffrey. Bobby McCroskey. David Monroe, Jay Stroble and Carter Toole. Photography: Brian Jones, senior photographer, Jonathan Atkeson, Jamie Batten, Kevin unignen, narew uine, sieve txum, uann ron, Florian Hanig, Scott Lansing, Erin Randall, Evie Sandlin, Debbie Stengel and Susan Tebbens. Copy Editors: Lisa Lindsay, senior copy editor; Andy Bechtel, Amy Cummins, Michael Gaudio, Tera Hensley, Aimee Hobbs, Rama Kayyali, Jennifer Kurfees, Mara Lee, Amy McCarter, Vikki Mercer, Susan Pearsall, Elliot Poger, Jennifer Reid, Alison Roxby, Christie Saleti, John Staton. Jacqueline Torok, Rick Twomey, Kenyatta Upchurch, Sara Watson, Amy Weller and Nancy West. Graphics: Chip Suddreth. Cartoonists: Mandy Brame. Chris DePree, Jake McNelly, Jason Torchinsky. Layout Ian Leong and Heather Modlin. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager; Lisa Reichle, assistant. Distribution and Printing: Village Printing Company The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1 163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 9b2-U24oU24b. Office: Suite 104 Carolina Union Campus mall address: CBI 5210 001 49, Carolina Union U.S. Mall address: P.O. Bos 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 Choice of Reading Day made with student input To the editor: I am the chairman of the Aca demic Calendar Committee, and I'd like to respond to your Dec. 6 editorial ("Reading Hour may be next step"). Reading Day does not have to be a weekday. It was in tended to be a one-day break be tween the last day of class and the beginning of exams. The follow ing information provides a sample of days used as Reading Days over the past 40 years (the year in ques tion is followed by the last day of classes for that year, the day on which Reading Day was held and the day exams began). 1955 - Wednesday - None -Thursday 1 957 - Friday - Saturday - Mon day 1968 - Saturday - Sunday -Monday 1977 - Tuesday - Wednesday -Thursday 1 985 - Wednesday - Thursday -Friday 1990 - Tuesday - Wednesday -Thursday In the fall of 1955 there was no Reading Day and classes ended on Wednesday and exams began on Thursday. The first documented Reading Day was in the fall of 1 957. Classes ended Friday, Read ing Day was Saturday and exams began Monday. Over time, Read ing Day has occurred on just about every day of the week including Sunday. Reading Days have been routinely scheduled on weekends over the years. Fridays and Mon days have been used more recently for the convenience of the Univer sity Registrar to have an additional workday to distribute grade rolls. When the Calendar Committee was working on the fall, 1991 cal endar, we discussed the placement of Reading Day. The students on the Calendar Committee responded that students would prefer having one more vacation day between the end of exams and Christmas. They noted that students already had a two-day break between the end of class and the beginning of exams under this schedule. The students on the committee also thought that the three-day week end before exams was counter-productive, with students leavingcam pus and going back home instead of staying and studying. If the issue is having one more study day before exams, remem ber that we also have a policy that prohibits professors from giving preparation quizzes during the last week of class. The purpose of this policy is to allow students time to begin preparing for finals during the last week of the semester. Stu dents should not wait for Reading Day to begin studying for exams. Also, exam? are scheduled over eight calendar days. Students nor mally have days in the exam sched ule that can be used as study days. Adding more reading days would mean lengthening the semester at a time when future calendars will have exams ending as late as Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. DAVID C. LANIER University Registrar Students deserve vote on allocation of fees To the editor: It's unfortunate that Student Congress didn't approve a direct vote on the proposed $2.50 increase in student fees for a Student En dowed Library Fund. A student vote would have set an important precedent. It would have been a small beginning toward a future in which students vote every semes ter on the allocation of fees. This future system may be called FEE-LINE. One month after the beginning of each term, every reg istered student may telephone. A voice (with a faintly meowing ac cent) will answer: "You have reached FEE-LINE, the electronic voting system for the direct and democratic allocation of your stu dent fees. Please enter your stu dent ID. ID accepted. You will be allocating your fees in five catego ries: one, athletic program; two, recreational facilities; three, stu dent groups and publications; four, the libraries; and five, new tech nologies. Votes must be given in increments of 5 percent with a minimum of 5 percent for each category. Please enter your per centage vote for the athletic pro gram now. Thank you. Please en ter ... " Representative democracy is necessary when the electorate can't be trusted with complex issues or when the infrastructure doesn't support immediate communica tions. In my opinion, the alloca tion of student fees is not a com plex issue. It's just been overly politicized. Students are direct con sumers of these services, and they have every right to stipulate their degree of support for each one. The hardware is already in place. The software will not be that diffi cult to write. Now, who will trust the student body to do the right thing? I will. Anyone else? STEVE HUTTON Doctoral Candidate School of Information & Library Science Paternalistic attitudes alive and well at UNC To the editor: I write this letter as achild of the '50s and consequently, for better or for worse, a college student of the late '60s. That was a tumultu ous time, enervating to be sure but also traumatic, even to those of us who were, shall we say, something less than wild-eyed radicals. At least one of the things that emerged ftom that period after consider able unrest and dissension, was a solid refutation of the concept of "in loco parentis" as it was em braced and practiced at this nation's great colleges and universities. That concept held that it was a function of the university or col lege to serve as surrogate parents, setting limits on the social and political expression and behavior of students and punishing them appropriately when these limits were exceeded. The students of the late '60s and early '70s found these limits to be intolerable.especially when it was all too clear on a daily basis that this "parental protection" did not extend to issues of life and death in a faraway place. Students vigor ously challenged the concept of "in loco parentis" in a variety of ways, and it was effectively aban doned by most progressive col leges and universities. These schools recognized that students as a rule did have the intelligence, maturity and foresight to make decisions concerning their own futures, that maybe that's what a college education was all about. Now I am experiencing a dis tinctly uncomfortable case of deja vu. In the spring of 199 1 , students on this campus, through appropri ate political and institutional mechanisms (an open referendum), made a statement. They voted to increase their own student fees by less than $1 per person in order to fund a full-time facilitator for a program called a.p.p.l.e.s., "allow ing people to plan learning experi ences in service." This program was initiated and nurtured on this campus by a dedicated group of student volunteers who believed community service could be a for mal learning opportunity, could provide concrete meaning to ab stract social and political concepts presented in University courses. They believed and advocated and succeeded in persuading their fel low students through newsletters, seminars, open meetings and a pi lot program that the concept could work and was worth paying extra tor, as a student initiative. And what no w is the response of the University of North Carolina? My understanding of it is as fol lows: "You students clearly don't know what's in your best interest. You aren't smart enough to decide what you need for your education, even if you pay for it yourselves with extra money. You don't un derstand the economic conditions. We're freezing all fees at current levels and we don't want to talk about it anymore. You wouldn't understand anyway. There is no difference between fees WE de cide to charge you and those you decide to charge yourselves. WE will decide what you can have and what you can't. We function 'IN LOCO PARENTIS." Wake up, people! This is not money to fund more parties or an other political organization or a club athletic team. This is your education. This is your opportu nity to do something real, some thing of value to others as a part of that education, to make a contribu tion and to learn more about your self and your community at the same time, FOR CREDIT. You said you wanted that op portunity in spring 1 99 1 . The Uni versity says it won't pay for that opportunity with the money you already give it in taxes and tuition. You said you would pay extra. The University says "NO Way!" Is there sense in this? I think not. Sometime in this four-plus-years experience you 're supposed to start thinking for yourselves. UNC is supposed to help you do it. When UNC can't or won't, you should hold it and its officials accountable and reclaim your rights. In the '50s, my mom and dad tried to tell me how to think and what I could spend my own dollar on. I went along, but I couldn't wait to get to college. Then I was 18, 1 went to college and they told me there that they would be my mom and' dad away from home, and that I could pay them for the privilege. I and a whole generation of college students said "No!" ... and times changed. Well ... I thought they did. RICK PALMER Center for Teaching and Learning Basketball team helped dampen holiday season To the editor: Well, the Boys ruined my week end big time! What comes to mind on a Monday morning after an ap parently lame Florida State team pummelled the Heels, 86-74? Let me think of a few words: embar rassment, shame, humiliation, dis grace ... should I continue? Living in this state, the only hope we had was the fact that FSU would play the ACC first in bas ketball. At least we would show the people in Florida how to play basketball. And now this! Sure, Dean Smith is the greatest coach in college basketball, and Carolina Tradition carries a ton of weight when other teams come to play us. But neither Dean nor Caro lina Tradition can guarantee a win. Forget poise. What about pas sion? I hate Duke like any other blue-blooded Tar Heel, but I have to give them credit for their pas sion going into every game as if it was their last. When will the Heels taste that passion? DANNY RADCLIFF Class of '90 Election of DTH editor better than alternative Editor's note: the author is a former co-editor of The Daily Tar Heel. To the editor: I note that there will be a refer endum regarding the election vs. selection of the DTH editor. Whileelecting a newspaper edi tor doesn't make a whole lot of sense, the proposed alternative isn't an answer. Leaving the selection to a committee with the proposed structure risks putting the DTH in the hands of those few activists who can pull the chains of student government. It's no fun to run for the office, as Hugh Stevens and I among many others will attest. But it's a better way than what has been proposed. FRED SEELY Jacksonville, Fla. Alternatives not given for U.S., Soviet systems To the editor: I think it should be noted that communism and socialism also have their share of "myths," and so I am surprised that they have any credibility among graduate-level history students ("Hard realities gaining ground on myths of capi talism," Jan. 7). Sure, true Marx ism has "never been tried," but it is intrinsically doomed to fail. Each time a government has espoused a worker's paradise, we've seen the same pattern. In the most blatant instances, intellectu als like Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao and Castro forced their "enlightened" lies and oppressive versions of equality on the so-called common folk, resulting in the deaths of lit erally tens of millions. Truth and dignity are the first casualties in their "revolution," and equal op portunity is only given to those who tiredly regurgitate an un changing dogma before their com rades. Who needs to think, let alone debate, when you will be shot for doing so? The fact is, people have no de sire to be "equal," and only rare individuals will have the altruism to devote their lives to the good of the State especially if the State doesn't work. While communism tells us to love the proletariat (a , vagueand antiquated term, at best) over the family or the individual, it is fundamentally in our nature to do the opposite. Mr. Jones, you seem to reproach the Soviets as well as capitalism, but what alternative do you sug gest? Other nations that tightly re strict private enterprise (as Eurosocialism) halt growth and technological breakthroughs with high taxes, mountains of red tape, mediocre services and trade barri ers. Unemployment and inflation remain embarrassingly high. The main difference between this and the more hard-line regimes is that Big Government is accountable to the people for its failures. Naturally, the U.S. system isn't perfect and abuses do exist, as is made painfully obvious by our free press. We have 250 million citi zens and a prevalent commercial ized mentality of self-gratification that tells us that we are failures unless we maintain a certain lifestyle. But our pressing social problems aren't the result of some hazy corporate conspiracy; they are simply due to the terrifying speed of modem life in which the family is no longer a sacred ref uge. We suffer from imperfect democracy because education and integrity and morality are placed below "feeling good." JONATHAN CARSON Junior Biology Letters policy Letters should be limited to 400 words. Sign and date letters. No more than two signatures. Include your year in school, major, phone number and home town. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 9, 1992, edition 1
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