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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 1956)
Poos 2 THE NEBRASKAN Friday, March 9, 1955 Nebraskan Editorials: halleucje To Fraternities Fraternities at the University of Nebraska may be experiencing their first challenge from that numerous and nebulous group called the inde pendents. Recent scholarship reports might herald the beginning of worry and a new era. While the combined average of fraternities dropped, the grade average of men's co-ops and Selleck Quad rangle raised. If Cornhusker Co-op and Gus tavson House H, the leaders of the two divisions, had been placed within the fraternity ratings, they would have rated sixth and eighth respec tively. The average of the leading house in Selleck Quad was boosted by J15 and the lead ing house average of the Men's Co-ops was in creased oy the respectable percentage .379. The cuttiiJined fraternity average of 24 groups dropped .080 as compared with last semester's average. The lowest average on record this semester was recorded by a fraternity. Looking on the brighter side, fraternity men may still fall back on the actual averages of fraternities and independents. The All fraternity average is 5.409 and the combined average of Selleck Quad and the co-ops is approximately 5.260 a difference of .149. If fraternities had had accurate scholarship rolls in all cases the dif ference might have been less, however. Inde pendent houses dont have repledges or inactive members. Few fraternities can equal the actual physical facilities of Selleck Quadrangle, but most can better the food. Not many fraternities can match the housebill for the dorm, but they all possess such things as fellowship and prestige which are intangible and inestimable as to worth. AH the things which fraternities extol as com mon only to their Greek organizations, however, are meaningless if the purpose of University life is defeated. No matter how green an incoming freshman might be, it is very doubtful that he would join a mystic group which has a mediocre record in scholarship and the promise of fun and games which hardly can be termed as academic exercise. The hour comes, and it is very likely that it is here now, when fraternities should re-examine their position on scholarship. At a university, scholarship is decidedly a virtue and if fraterni ties are to remain a part of University life at Nebraska, it is imperative that scholarship becomes a year around concern starting now. SJ. A Successful VJeek Religious Emphasis Week for 1956 has come to an end. Nine speakers from across the nation have spoken to an undetermined number of students in seminars, addresses and "bull sessions" in the organized houses. All this was accomplished in five days, from Sunday to Thursday, after months of planning by various committees, all under the auspices of the City Campus Religious Council. And from a number of angles, it was a success. First, REW almost reached its goal of reach ing eery student on the campus. True, there were probably a large number of students who did not actually attend a seminar or a lecture, or who missed out on the informal discussions. But there scarcely could be any students who did not realize that Religious Emphasis Week was taking place on the campus, and that his fellow students were taking part in it and talk ing about it Even if an individual student did not take part, he very likely found himself in the middle of a private discussion prompted by what some one else picked up in REW. The most effective way of contacting the students was through the informal discussions held in the organized houses. Here students could sit down with the speakers and hash out their questions in an informal, unembarrasing manner. Students who would never think of at tending an organized lecture or seminar found themselves drawn into these informal sessions. The sort of contact with religion afforded by Religiouw Emphasis Week does not produce con verts. There is no attempt to win the individual over to the ways of one creed or faith. It does produce cognisance of the concern of religious men for the university student By talking with these men, and listening to their beliefs and the beliefs of their particular faiths, students could perhaps find something that explained their own beliefs, or lack of them. By realizing that men of good faith have interest in the religious life of the student, a new interest in spiritual matters might be roused in this student. Religious Emphasis Week has ended, for this year. Enough student interest in it was aroused to warrant it being continued. This, however, is not important. The important thing is that University students, by realizing that religion can hold something for them, and that others are interested in their problems, might find a way leading out of the maze in which modern man so often finds himself. F.TJ). Indications Of Success With a flurry of banners and back-room caucuses, the Mock Political Convention will invade the campus next week. All indications seem to point to a hugely successful meeting of genuinely interested students. NUCWA, sponsoring organization with the Student Council, should be congratulated for bringing the opportunity to University students. NUCWA leaders and the group's adviser, James Harrison, received only discouraging comments when they began work on the idea some months ago. Harrison said he had been told he would get only twenty students at such a meeting, if that many. At present, over 400 students are on delegation lists, and not all delegations have been taken. The convention itself is a healthy sign of po litical activity on the campus for students who will soon compose the country's electorate. It is an opportunity for students to learn the ins arid outs of the complicated American political system and how it functions to formulate some of the policies which will result in law. Politics is not a dull, academic concern and it is more than black cigars and baby-kissing. They should be regarded as free exchange of opinion on policy and a compromise intended to work the most benefit for the most people. Political matters cannot be ignored by citi zens. They crop out in everything from higher taxes on a national level to zoning ordinances. Politics are the backbone of society; Law pre supposes politics in this political system and law is the cohesive force of society. It is the purpose of NUCWA to encourage po litical awareness on the University campus. This is a laudable motive and the Convention is a much more effective device than NUCWA 's pre vious mock United Nations assemblies. The Nebraskan hopes that NUCWA will con tinue to give the campus such opportunities as this one. The group is to be commended for its effort and renewed vigor. The Nebraskan also urges that as many stu dents as possible attend the sessions. They will be more colorful, exciting and different than the daily coffee hour. They might be more profitable too, J.B. enhiskered Tradition AH colleges have traditions. This is an estab lished fact. No self-respecting school would dare open its doors to .prospective students without a few traditions and legends hanging around. The University of .Nebraska, although some times a little sun-bleached from the prairie sun, has managed to build up a few traditions itself, and displays these with the proper amount of pride and enthusiasm. One of these is the annual Whisker King con test, which opens next Monday, and closes May 13 during the Farmers Fair. To qualify, a male student must present his clean-shaven face when he turns in his application. Contestants are judged for fullness, texture and originality. All in all it is a fine tradition, well suited for our agricultural state, and to the Farmers Fair. Although modern Nebraska farmers are seldom seen with whisker-feated chins, their sons seem to have a line old time growing beards every spring. "The reasons for a healthy young male grow ing a beard in the springtime are a little ob scure, however. Aside from the personal pres tige sained from having the most whiskers on the campus and in pushing the Farmers Fair, there doesn't seem to be much else in favor of the idea. Some habitual woman-haters might like the idea, or those who have just broken up with a "true love" and wish to hide their broken hearts behind three inches of bristle. There also may be certain advantages in grow ing a beard if one was hiding from the Federal authorities, or trying to keep from paying a housebill. The main disadvantage is in the thwarting of most amorous endeavors during the period in which the beard is flowering into full maturity. As one time-honored young maiden said, long ago: "It tickles!" F.TJD. Afterthoughts Amazing Medium Advertising is an amazing medium. Even at fhe University, hard-hitting, bright-eyed pub licity chairmen have learned to hold their fingers to the student pulse. A new poster in the Union begins: "MARTINIS are not what we are interested in, but now that we have, your attention .. It was accompanied by a picture of the big gest and driest martini to hit this compus in years. The Mebroskcn FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OLD . mm to be printed. February R. lmn Kntarad mm aaewnd alnaa matter at tan pout ofllea hi ElCTUbcr: Associated Collegiate Press Wacom, Hum, im Mt nt Auut , ion. intercollegiate Pre.. E,1Ujr EMTOMAI. ETAJT JSsfjresentative: National Advertising Service, kaiuium icntr "..!.!....... ihiit Incorporated Maaln (ulltar . ...... . am Jiuhk published at: Room 2, gtnoeat unio ?Sl?:r:":::::::r:::rMi'&l!!SS 11th it. K IHWt JUIIlaaj . ........ LiMldnHMt nn-IUar. Monroe ltnr, ., , . . T , Barbara Wwm, Hub "ok University of Nebraska wiht w editor hoi ;h Lincoln, wewrasKa Ni?raKan t writ mh Th Wtikn I rtiHihn TMwfay, W an HH..iv, arteiia Hrliak, Omthla Khan, Watt Ulrrre. ttntli t: iti . (Inrl.i mcntluM tuvnnmnt l.lnrta Irrv , Moll inland, I'm Tntroa, Naimr -mm prnmH, d na (aaaa In pm.l'l during- ltiii. Maflann Thygaaan, Hani Atoxamltar, lat n-z.-nni atwimiM of the lin.lJf of Khrk miliar Irraua, Diana Karmond, Alyae httUihtmu, Hob Win, na iMJOmrfwiiom of Mm t;oMmlM an Mtu.l-nt Aflnlra (motm Horn and Well raleoaar. an wmn-MMtaai t atwtont mnmi.wi. rawiimlm amiar tibttt"!o on m ttm r'im trt Mte n!awimUt-a tm Mmrftrt P1IKII- X i; C liN 1. S 3 BlA.tr toa hiul I fr from .adlorial .nnr.i on nHaM MatMMrar Gwrrm iiaoMn Hit f M(.-.nmiitta. rr an Um part at aw . .. . . ... ... ttm 'i of tna i.nirijr, an tua part of any " ""'' T iT ' "'"""r"; ... Hit Nn fnlTrltv. 1M mmttimn of tna trtaMta Hum, Van UmtU .ii.nt-.Mun ara wnmmlisr tmihhm!om tar want Mm SHvmatttaa Manatar t ............. ... mabmtt KmUttx Little man on campus by Dick Bi'bler 'ttOfctOL TOJ PREP-HE'S A flXI W XtU f2 ) intellectual 'Type1 Bluffs Criticism By CORBAN LePELL Much of the painting that is being done today is unintelligible for the lBy gallery goer who trav els the gallery halls infrequently, cannot expect to be familiar with all the many specialized fields which surround him in his society. Art is specialized as are many other fields of today, but the lay gallery goer tries to afford himself tne luxury of being an able art critic. The man who affords himself this false luxury must feel he under stands the problems, motives, de sires and needs of the contempor ary artist. The man who boasts of possession such a luxury is a fool. The product of a modern artist is of a personal nature. Modern painting has certainly reduced its audience from the days of the Barbizon School of pretty landscape painting. Today painting has an extremely esoteric range. It is rarely conceivable that the University intellectual wo u 1 d think of himself as being excluded from that esotreic group. He can bluff his way through art history and then with all profoundness nay, '"I've discovered Velasquez. This intellectual Type is always lacking superficialities on to con temporary painting. He talks of art as philosophy, so ciology and grass culling, but never art as art. The University Intellectual is always explaining art to the people he is trying to impress. This God-Act makes him feel superior. There are no words which can replace vision, but this Type tries to do just that. The Type also tries to explicate music in terms of social enigma, giving intellectual meaning, or a message, importance greater than that of aural expression. From him expression built upon relationships The Image Nebraskan Leiterip Union Chapel Nof Constitutional The City Campus Religious Coun cil petition proposing the inclusion of a chapel or meditation room in the new Union, and The Nebras kan editorial ("A Logical Follow Through") supporting it, are ex amples of some of the least logical thinking I have ever seen in the Nebraskan. The writer of the editorial tries to differentiate between "church" and "religion" in a manner not very acceptable to either the re ligious man or the adherent of our national and state consitutions. . The concept of the separation of church and state is more than "traditional and it cannot be cir cumvented by omission of the word "church." The United States Constitution prohibits "an establishment of re ligion. Where does that leave the proposed chapel which is to be "identified with religion itself"? The language of the petition is just vague enough to make it en ticing to prospective signers. "The Student Union is to serve the needs of ail students. " Well, we students have a lot of different needs; and most of us do not expect the Un ion to supply them all. "A chapel or meditation room would serve as an opportunity to not susceptible of proof. How has the spirituality of UN debates been augmented by that organization's meditation room. "No specific place the fJnivrr city campus (emphasis mine) is provided for all students and fac ulty to worship and meditate.. ls this a criciticism of the University for abiding by the spirit of the na tional and state constitutions? And "Most major universities in the Midwest have a chapel or meditation for room for general campus use." This is frank "band wagon" technique. Should NU stu dents feel hopelessly underprivi. leged spiritually if theirs is the only school in the Big Seven with out a chapel on state property? If I seem harsh, it is because ob servation and experience have taught me that any weakening of the barrier between church and state the released-time system in public schools as a notorious ex ample) results in no advantage for either side, but rather in a loss of both power and function for each. "God does not need our lies" St. Gregory. Much less, I believe, does He need our illegalities and our logical absurdities. G. Thomas Fairclough. Presumptuous Headline in pitch and time does not have the value of expression built upon his own preconceived allegorical relationships. He has placed media above ex pression. He prefers opera with its literary value to the more ab stract chamber works, thus judg ing music by literary criteria. This is certainly a narrow approach, of the printed word. When Shakespeare comes to town in the form of a movie the Type really goes to work. He may be familiar with the play through the printed work or, and this is less likely, the stage. This Type who creates no art of his own, but is trapped in the shallow ground between the sensi tive critic and the artist serves no purpose but that of annoying and borinp both artist and critic. Whatever the functions of a student newspaper may be, pa rading its limitations before the public is not one of them. I refer, specif icaJy, to the story on the front page of Wednesday's Ne braskan beaded, "Speakers Clar ify Basis of Existence in Session." Ncrw there are those who believe the basis 'or bases) of existence has not vet been discovered, let alone clarified. Have these men isolated, in one week, what the greatest minds of every age have sought to locate? 1 cannot believe the speakers themselves are as presumptuous as the individual who write this headline. Wake Up, To The Editor: An open letter to the Committee on Students for Johnson, and to others -appearing to be robots: The following is a quote from .a letter sent to the fraternity and sorority system at Nebraska by the Students for Johnson Commit tee. "In our minds it matters not whether you are Democrat or Re publican or whether you are an advocate of Dick Johnson's poli cies or not the problem is this do you want a representative of your University who is also member of the Greek system, who is now crying for financial aid from that system, do you wish that fall to go unanswered?" And the story itself! Space is limited, I realize; but there is no excuse for tossing quotations from each speech (apparently picked at random) into this pseudo-electric ttew which is offered as a -clarification. Is this the intelligent summation rf significant discussions students have right to demand from their newspaper? I leave it up to you to decide. And let m say to those men who put considerable time and ef fort into preparing a lecture, that there are students who appreciate that time and effort. Barbara Farquar University The committee implices here that the only important thing is that we support this member of the University and Greek system. What, might I ask, ever posses sed the members of this commit tee to put such trivial things be fore their own beliefs and convic tions? Are we of the University or Greek system such thin-shelled in dividuals as to, put these two things above all else? Might I say, wake .up commit tee, University, Greeks, independ ents or whoever you may be lest you lose confidence in your self and become mere robots with some crackpot pushing the nut tons. Paul Zucker , ' ' ' I" I i - 6, I - - A i 1 1 t 6. .' 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Remember these jacts about Convair: Convair was awarded the Nation's first production missile contract and the first production contract for supersonic all-weather interceptors. Convair lias the greatest diversify of aircraft engineering projects in the country, including high performance fighters, heavy bombers, Jarge flying boats, transports, trainers, seaplane fighters, vertical take off aircraft and guided missiles. Convair has a completely integrated .electronic development pro gram devoted to advanced development and .design on missile guid ance, avionic projects, radar systems and special cathode fay tubes. Sow you are invited to get full information about your career K Convair. Talk it over with our Convair Engineers on your campus soon. GRADUATING CfVIL ENGINEERS interested in the field of aircraft structure are also invited to apply. Gfaduase degiae Candidate! in iinnineecing, Mauxmatic or Phyi u iffwiitxl to ducuM Convair opportunities hi the general field of advanced riginaafinf tMlyiis and design. CONVAIR ENGINEERS WILL INTERVIEW ON YOUR CAMPUS March 15 Please crrcnge eppointment now! socman FT) A Divikw of General Dynamic Corpotaiiuo 2unn, imoi ftee San Ttcgo on titt conn of Southern California offer, you way of hit judd by moat ai i Nation finetr for year-round climate, beauty and indoor outdoor living. Sailing, fiihinn, wimming, olf, tkiing, mountain and dmtett retorts, Hollywood and Old Mexico are all within minute.