THE NEBRASKAN
Tuesday, March 8, 1955
Nobraskan Editorials-
The Hidden Controversy
The story of Jack Rogers' resignation from
the Innocents Society is a curious one. The
Nebraskan, in an honest effort to give to its
readers the facts, finds itself in a position
where all the facts are not available to It. Only
one side of the story has been reported, that
side being direct and indirect statements from
Jack Rogers. But the whys and wherefores of
Rogers' action are left unanswered by a refusal
on Rogers' part to comment further or to allow
all of the information which he gave to The
Nebraskan to be printed. This additional in
formation was "off the cuff," which to any
journalistic institution abiding by journalistic
ethics respects as material not for the printed
page but for only the private knowledge of the
newspaper staff.
The Nebraskan is ready to support the Inno
cents Society against any statement that its
service is not to the best interests of the Uni
versity. It believes that the Innocents Society
plays a tremendous role in the, University com
munity and that its service far exceeds the
credit alloted to it. That service, which has
been questioned by Rogers, takes many forms
which although not obvious to the student body,
Is necessary to the University. The Innocents
Society serves in a public relations capacity
which gives to the University student body far
more prestige than most people realize. Inter
institutional relations are maintained by the
Innocents as well as good will relations with
out-state Nebraskans. They are ambassadors
from the University, assuming the responsibili
ty of setting an example through conduct, prin
ciple and cooperation by which outsiders judge
the University student body as a whole. Inno
cents' existence on the campus as an honorary
which requires leadership, scholarship and serv
ice as qualifications for membership, acts as a
goal and inspiration for underclassmen who, in
the process of competition, develop these quali
ties beyond what they normally would if there
were no Innocents Society to inspire them. It
gives the University its tradition in the most
necessary form student recognition. They have
inherited the spirit for integrity and honesty
which has become, through the years, embodied
in the Innocents Society.
The extent of the Innocents' service to the
University can not be measured except .by
opinion and it is The Nebraskan's opinion that
they have merited every bit of respect as a
group that has been given to it.
However, there is a contradicting opinion that
the Innocents Society is not fulfilling its duty
to the University and is hot doing a "concrete
good." Just what this concrete good is sup
posed to be, Is part of the information which
The Nebraskan can not, in good conscience,
print. But because one member of the Inno
cents Society failed to gee approval by the
other members of what he believed to be a
"concrete good" placed a stigma on his judge
ment that the Innocents were not functioning
as a service organization.
There has been little concrete comment of
the situation from the Innocents. They have
chosen a silent course, which has only hampered
The Nebraskan's efforts to obtain the facts.
If the implications are true that additional
information would change the whole complexion
of the controversy than the Innocents silence
gives The Nebraskan reason to suspect that
there is something more, even surpassing the
secret information, which has not been made
known and which might resolve the questions
left by the "no comment" front.
The Nebraskan feels that its readers have
been misled In that they have been given only
one side of the story and because Information
which cannot be printed might change their
view on the controversy it i. The Nebraskan's
obligation to urge that this information be made
available by the parties involved.
By virtue of the position which the Innocents
Society holds on campus it should feel obli
gated to the student body to present its side
of the controversy.
The reasons behind the Rogers' resignation
must be made known and until they are the
student body should reserve judgement on the
entire issue. There is nothing that leads The
Nebraska to believe that the information which
it cannot print would harm either party but
until either party is willing to "come clean"
the whole Rogers affair will be judged on par
tial knowledge, which is worse than having no
knowledge at all. J. H.
Activity 'Big Business'
The cry for a re-evaluation of activities has
been heard from all quarters. Analysis of the
true situation is difficult. The University's
over-emphasis of activities is one extreme; few
students would be willing to admit that there
should be no activities at all. It is all very
well to make generalizations for a re-evalution,
but it is difficult to pinpoint the causes for this
over-emphasis and even more difficult to make
specific suggestions as to where the cutting
down should begin.
Competition is undoubtedly the underlying
cause for there being too many activities. The
blame can not be placed entirely on the senior
honoraries. It is true that the existence of
Innocents and Mortar Boards encourages stu
dents to give themself wholeheartedly to activi
ties. But if the Innocents and Mortar Boards
were abolished, the problem would not be
solved, since competition is fostered by many
more factors.
The Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity
Council, for example, encourage competition by
their annual presentation of fraternity and
sorority awards for activities and scholarship.
Losing Battle
Imagine a permanent subcommittee of the
U.S. Senate interviewing the officers of the
Communist party in America.
Then, consider a subcommittee of the Uni
versity Senate interviewing the officers of the
All University Party.
Either situation appeared equally ridiculous
. until three students presented themselves in
front of the subcommittee on Student Organiza
tions of the Faculty Senate Committee on Stu
dent Affairs and announced that they were
officers of the "Faction."
The subcommittee announced that there were
"certain inconsistencies" in connection with the
operations of the campus political party. The
faculty and student group questioned the method
of procedure of the "Faction," .although "no
threats or alternatives" were suggested.
The immediate question that comes to mind
is what measures could be taken to threaten
or coerce a group that is not recognized by the
Student Council and, hence is not recognized
by the University. As far as the University
administration is concerned, the "Faction" does
not legally exist.
The AUP representatives left the meeting with
the promise that they would talk over what
was discussed at the subcommittee meeting
with their membership at the next AUP meet
ing. Although the actual proceedings of the
meeting were closed to the public, press in
cluded, it is very probable that the subcom
- xnittee suggested that the "Faction" attempt to
; achieve a legal status.
. It is- very doubtful that the "Faction" will
submit their constitution to the Student Council
5 for approval. It is also very doubtful that no
," action will be taken against the "Faction" by
the administration or Student Council, now that
their position and officers are known.
From here, it looks as though the AUP is
fighting a losing battle for recognition and
prominence. As one of their representatives
said, as he left the meeting, "You can't fight
city haH."-S. J.
Sororities and fraternities have a real scholar
ship problem on this campus. These awards
appeal more, however, to each house's collective
responsibility to be well-represented in activi
ties. Abolishing recognition for activities would
do away with the situation wherein sorority
and fraternity members feel activities to be
an obligation, rather than something which has
merit in itself. On the other hand, if sororities
and fraternities could hope to achieve group
recognition only through scholarship, this would,
by absence of recognition for activities, place'
greater emphasis on scholarship.
There would remain, however, the competition
arising from the fact that sororities and fraterni
ties are "rated" in part by the number of
individual members who have gone to the top
in activities. As long as there are so many
activities to provide a field for competition,
activities will remain Big Business.
These factors supply the Big Push which has
over-emphasized activities. Competition de
mands that those who participate in activities
do bigger and better things than those who
preceded them. Therefore, we have bigger and
better AUF drives, Coed Follies, Red Cross
programs, Tassels and Corncob schemes and so
on. The organizations grow, more workers are
needed and the race is on.
Yet to require organizations to retain a status
quo, to regress rather than progress, is imprac
tical. Not only will the present organizations
continue as they are, but lesser organizations
will want to compete for a position of equal
importance.
The problem seems hopeless. Something
should be done about it, for things of real value
are being sacrificed. Part of the "apathy"
towards those things which have been crying
for student support is due to the fact that many
are too busy to take advantage of them. The
most distressing sign of the over-emphasis how
ever, is its distraction frcm educational pur
suits. A good start in solving the problem would be
the analysis of those activities which have
dubious value. This is easily said, but hard to
do. Who is to say which organizations have
dubious value? Two suggestions have been made
thus far. One is that the AWS Board and Coed
Counselors combine. The other , is that Red
Cross and AUF, both being charity organiza
tions, could combine. Some argue that added
programs of organizations, such as Coed Follies
of the AWS Board, are unjustified.
The fact remains that each organization is
jealous of its activities and authority, and they
are justified in this feeling by virtue of their
past effort. A solution to this problem, there
fore, can come only through the combined
efforts of this problem, therefore, can come
. only through the combined efforts of the major
organizations, and only then if they are willing
to make concessions and compromises.
The ball will never start rolling until some
one assumes the responsibility. It is possible
that the Student Council could supervise th
re-evaluation. It would be better, however, if
the organizations themselves formed a council
or committee of representatives from each to
study the problem and attempt a solution.
One of two things is called for. Either a re
duction of the number of activities, or the elimi
nation of activity "Big Business." K. N.
The Nebraskan
FIFTY-SECOND YEAR
llssikert Associated Collegiate Press
Intercollegiate Press
representative: Nations Advertising Service,
Incorporated
Tfca lhrfcaa la punllnhsd fey tlnt at the VnU
awrmijr of Neimssfca under t)t authnrliatl'Hi of the
M ia;!"'" en Stul-n Affalra m aa axirtsta of stu
, cnl (!"'" PiMtrtlvn under she Jurisdiction of the
fctihconuMittaa on Htudeot lo Mirations hall Im frer from
t mriiti ewisorsblp on tba part of the Sdbenmmlttrc,
dt on part of any person eutnlae ths University. The
Butmtm of The Nehrasksva staff ars personally res
tf.,ni:)i for what tkey aay, r to. ar cans so b
tMxxrrtBiton rasaa art It a anaasttv. fl.M Bulled at
lor in collet year, 04 naile4. atari ceoy Sc. Pab
I hJ Wires l'ms a wee derma aa sckeol year except
, . ,cns sa sjaastitiltoa periods. l ton Is euhiubed
0 Auisud Of ti UalarsH of Nebraska ander the
-... the Comainee an tttadtm Potmrs items.
t as second class asanas at taa Post tJllire la
tiatutu. ft' tonus, and ad banana. Marc SJ lala.
and at eaeclal rat at aastaa aeanaad for a Heefloa
1103, Act of ton trees a October . 1U17. aalooricM
IV. 192Z.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Kdltor
KdltorM Pace Editor
Manaxin KdttOf
News Mttor
Snorts Kdifor
Copy Editors
Jan Harrison
Has Nosky
Mariana Hrsm-b
Dick D'elimaa
Bruce Branmana
. frrsl Daly, Koaet Henkle,
Saw Jensen. Marilyn Mitchell
At Kdltor lo Damkroeer
Mcht Sews Editor t'rrd Dalr
Reporter . . . evert Deep. Joanna J tints. Bub
Jstoerhats. Lacujnicc Hwilrer. Jnlie Mart, Herb sharp,
Jere DeVilbiu. Barbara Hulllrse, Klraaoi Pilar, fexay
Volzfce, Corrine Kkttrom, F'raii Beltdrft, Jddy Host, Koa
Warloski. Lillian iJascnolldiia. Annette Meat, Connie
Hurst, Kothe Jtosenqulst, fat Brown, Marietta Santin,
Jean Johnson, Hay Lawson, Roger Walt,
BUSINESS STAFF
BxhMM Manaaer
ass't Bhsumm Manaaor
Clrctslalioa Uaaaatf ...
Chet Kmrei
Bra Belmont, Barbara r.icke,
Georte Madsen, Andj Hn
tiea Blaaei
Campus Capers
6
By Bruce Conner
fi ifeto
"Edith sure does look different since she got pinned."
Where There's Smoke
NU Picture Bright
In Spite Of Apathy
By JOHN GOURLAY
and
MIKE SHUGRUE
to be a campus men are fighting for the coveted
"ra iff
Apathy seems
byword. Time and again one hears
individuals panning the Univer
sity, its athletics, its activities,
and its social events. If any in
terest is shown at all, that interest
is critical in nature. There is a
bright side to the Nebraska scene.
First of all, Nebraska is a good
school. In any department of the
University one can find eminent
scholars. A diploma from the Uni
versity is worth something in any
part of the country. For example,
the agriculture program here is
nationally prominent in industrial
circles as well as academic
circles.
Special events such as the Mont
gomery Lectures grace the aca
demic scene throughout tl.e year.
N e b r a ska's
ine art col
lection is
avail able to
the campus
population at
all times in a
series of ex-
K4 -yl :ellent shows.
I With a knowl"
Y edge of some
1,,., 4 L of the good
points of this
university, one
could easly rise above the general
apathy of the student body and
take an active interest in univer
sity affairs.
Athletically speaking, one can
see bright spots as well as the
more publicized black ones. Ne
braska has made a commendable
showing in almost every sport.
We have cause to be especially
thankful for the fine intramural
program run by the athletic de
partment. Fraternities and inde
pendent teams by the dozen com
pete for trophies in a well-rounded,
all-year program.
Activities are flourishing. Corn
Cobs has just completed one of its
most successful years. Nearly 30
Shugrue
16 positions of membership. Stand
ards for membership this year are
at new heights. Comhusker sales
have increased greatly, while the
book Itself Is smoothly approach
ing completion. Builders Student
Directory was a sell-out from ve
very start. The Student Union has
brought such fine artists as Fred
Waring and Dave Brubeck to the
Nebraska campus. The Student
Council has taken an active inter
est in promoting a more well
rounded activities program under
higher University standards. Re
ligious houses are enjoying record
attendance at their activities.
Nearly three hundred, for example,
celebrated the anniversary of the
Newman Club two weeks ago.
On the social scene, fraternity
and sorority parties are in full
swing, while the dorms plan their
own inte -house
func
tions. The IFC
is b r i n ging
ing Louis
Armstrong to
the cam puj
this F r i day.
Omaha's Civic
A u d i t orium
has been at
tracting top
name shows
which are
drawing more and more Univer
sity students. The prospect of
warm weather has already led
many to discuss plans for tra
ditional spring outings.
In general, the picture at this
University is bright. There are op
portunities and activities which
should be able to interest every
student. Perhaps, if more students
realized the great many available
ways of spending their time, the
apathy which characterizes too
many of them would disappear.
Not only would they begin to take
pride in these opportunities, but
they might even take part in them.
If ;' I
1 liM
Gourlay
Nebraskan Schneid remarks
The Needle Brigade
Brings Crazy Fate.
By STAN SCHNEIDER
Let's consider the poor souls who
received their summer camp shots
these past few weeks. They're eas
ily distinguishable from the rest
of the group in that they have to
stand up in classes, take notes with
their feet, sleep on their stomachs
and be fed at dinner.
Here's a story of a typical day
at student health for a man who is
receiving his shots.
He started the day pretty hap
pily and things looked even
brighter when he read his name
on the bulletin board. After three
years in the corps he finally got
his name on the board. What a
happy day. What bliss. Now he
was somebody. He threw out his
chest, waved to the crowd, flexed,
smiled cockily and continued to
read the notice. It said he should
report for his shots.
He bounded into student health,
saw a nurse hammering needle
points, tapped her softly on the
head and said confidently:
"Of course you know who I am."
"Let me see," said the nurse
puzzled, "Gina Lollibrigida?"
"Oh you kid," said he. "Guess
again."
"Enough of this child's play,
Fenton. I -know you didn't come
over here to fill hot water bottles.
What's on your mind?" (She called
him Fenton because that's vhat
he has written on his bowling
shoes.)
"Well, Florence. (He called her
Florence cause that was her
name. ) I'm a ROTC cadet and
I came over here to get my sum
mer - camp shots and I like girls.
Let's neck."
Well, Florence dropped her up
pers and backed slowly, cautiously
to the corner. Her frightened eyes
glaring him, her palpitating heart
pumped pure vinegar for such a
.uncouth youth. She yelled for sub
stitutes and immediately a corps
of 14 anxious broads rushed to her
aid.
The cry of the head nurse rang
through the halls with the sicken
ing tang of barbaric ferocity.
(Wow) CHARGE ... The thunder
ous roar of multitudinous feet
shook the building as they ran for
Fenton. Down the hall rode the 14.
Fat girls, skinny girls, female
girls. Girls to the right of him,
girls to the left of him, each waving
a three - foot sparkling, blunt
needle. They were on him now, jab
bing, poking, slashing, digging.
Needles in the arms, the fingers,
the legs, the (censored). It was
horrible. Shots for Berry-berry.
Shots for inflamation of the Psyche.
Shots for Floyd's disease. Shots for
hybiscu? rash. Shots to counteract
the other shots so they could give
him more shots. Fenton could
stand it no more. He collapsed.
When he awoke he was weak.
He tried to walk but the bottom
of his feet were sore. He tried to
sit down but there was no chair.
(Got around that pretty clever
huh?) What could he do but hang
by his thumbs until he was healed?
If you should pass by the ROTC
building in the next few days, stop
in. Craziest thing you ever saw.
Thirty eight grown men hanging
by their thumbs. What a crazy
world. 4
Givin' 'Em Ell
Principles, Not
Prestige, Honorable
tr V WIS" f?f T f ATT
By ELLIE ELLIOTT
By ELLIE ELLIOTT
An event that is the direct con
cern of every University student
took place last week when Jack
Rogers resigned from the Inno
cents Society. The fact that the oc
currance was unprecedented is in
teresting but trivial; but the prin
ciples that stand behind his resig
nation are, I think, terribly sig
nificant. In a democracy, where the wel
fare of the state depends upon the
integrity of each one of its citizens;
where the most vital crusade is
that for the truth that is inherent
in freedom; and where the heroes
must be not the warriors but the
martyrs for truth, we, as citizens
or future citizens, are obliged to
give utmost consideration and
recognition to those few persons
who are willing to jeopardize their
social and political security in or
der to benefit our civilization.
In the person of Jack Rogers, we
have a young man who is a quali
fied and capable student and
It
Letterip
fkdllor'i Nole: Letters to Th Nebraskan
must be typewritten, double spaced and m at
not exceed a maximum of 150 words. Th
Nebraskan reserve th rlsht to edit Inters
submitted. No letter will bs printed If It
Is not accompanied by the name of th
author. Names will b omitted from publi
cation upon request.)
Good Topic For Lent
Dear Editor:
Re: Reprint from Varsity News,
University of Detroit, which ap
peared Wednesday, March 2.
I wish to commend you on the
choice of article "Indifference De
nies Basic Proposition of Brother
hood." It is very appropriate in
this Lenten Season.
HAROLD BROCKMAN
President, Newman Club
Quick
Quips
"Doctor, my son has cholera,
and the worst of it is, he admits he
caughtiit from kissing the maid."
"Well, well. Young people do
thoughtless things, don't they?"
"Yeah, but Doctor, I've been
kissing the maid myself."
"Too bad."
"And what's more, I've been
kissing my wife.".
"What? Oh, my gosh! Now we'll
all have it."
a
Frosh (finishing a letisr) "I'd
send you that five I owe you, but
I've already sealed the letter."
As the FBI agent passed through
the village he noted amazing evi
dence of target shooting. There
were numberless bull's - eyes on
fences with a bullet hole exactly
through the center. He wanted to
meet the marksman and was in
troduced to the village idiot. "How
do you shoot like that?" he asked.
"Easy," was the answer. "I
shoot first and draw the circle
afterwards."
leader. In his studies and In his
activities, he has given evidence
that he is conscientious, honest,
selfless and mature. Moreover, he
Is a total human being, and a good
friend. He also has, as my con
temporaries put It, "guts."
The Innocents Society has al
ways been regarded by most stu
dents with awe and admiration.
Some men go to college for the ex
press purpose of becoming Inno
cents. Our
k n o wledge of
the society and
its f u n c tions
are nebulous;
its position has
been that of
The Thing, and
It Vet. s a, uuauon
fl has not been
questioned.
Since the
Society has been almost wor
shipped in this manner, I think
that we all must admit that such
a resignation constituted an act of
reflection, introspection, grave
evaluation, and courage. Each one
of us is hesitant to sacrifice pres
tige to principles. Most of us,
when we recognize serious faults
in our organizations, merely shrug
our shoulders, mutter something to
the effect that everything has its
faults and maintain our member
ship. The fact that I do not approve of
self-propagating activity organiza
tions must have become evident
throughout this year. I think that
they are not an element agreeable
to the democratic tradition which
we profess to maintain. I suppose
that if such an organization is be
ing of valuable service to a greater
organization that is not self-propagating,
then it is endurable; but it
is not good.
I am very much concerned with
this paradox that exists in our
democracy, , and I do not think
that I am alone in my concern. I
look to our generation, and the
next, to eradicate our mania for
social elevation and our admiration
for the other connected elements
that endanger, in the very essence
of their natures, our democracy.
For this reason, Jack is not sim
ply one young man in one univer
sity who has resigned from one
small organization because his con
science would not allow him to re
man a part of it. His actions are
symbolic of our duties to ourselves
nd to our ideals. His resignation
is a challenge to us; shall we rise
to meet it?
APRIL FOOL
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