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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1955)
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 Send a friend a. Funny April Fool Card. On display at the HOLDEIinOD J15 North 14th St f",' til "V: I IV, - V I, ft EllIIN CIGARETTES ODERN SIZE FILTER TIP TAREYTON brings you the true taste of Tareyton's famous quality tobacco PEODUCT OF r " BY A ' u 15 MADE UrTi STONE-HEARTED I OF STONE.? FOSDrCK.?-J miss 1 killer.'?' r.rK 7-7 TT SOMEONE'S jPIMPLETONI."' J 'ZrZW7Z TfL. BEHIND NO----vr fjtlC Y" m Ji? CENTS? I CUIliNCj sJUST fc-NOLXjH Vrti IP SALARY TO Vlt PER WEEK.? 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