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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1958)
0"-f - iiaj- i Tuesday, April 22, 1958 Paqe 2 TKe Daily Nebroskon Editorial Comment . , . n 1 1 1 t; J .. 1. ..it S U V; t Mysteries No More: Study Due Today Today, the University waits with an ticipation for the report of the hush-hush committee investigating teacher certifi cation. This committee, which has clammed up to the press over the extended period of time it has been in operation, should, we suspect, bring forth some interesting material. The information to be disclosed will hardly state the student viewpoint. That, seemingly, is unimportant. No students that we are aware of were called in to testify as to the quality of teacher train ing courses or the rigidity of the courses they received in the Arts College. So what we will end up with is an evalu ation of teacher training by teachers geared toward teachers. In the hopes that this editorial is read by some before the delivery of the re port of the committee's work at this aft ernoon's meeting of the Regents, let's pound out some specific idea of what some students feel would be the ac cepted program for teachers. The national congress of the country's leading forensics group suggested that teachers receive a minimum of methods courses and concentrate on the "beefy" courses. A national standard for teach ers which the congress suggested would be a minor in teacher methods for every one who will teach with the BA degree. For the teachers-to-be with a masters degree the congress suggested four hours of teacher training courses or a year of teaching assistanceship in the colleges. But remember that these are sugges tions for a national standard. What about Nebraska? Well, Eleven Professors called for a re-evaluation of the teachers training program, with an increased emphasis on the Arts courses and joint certification of teachers by the Arts and Teachers faculty. This measure was to insure that the teachers knew what they were teaching as well as how to put it across. An amended petition by the eleven professors in the Arts college called for 1) transfer of the certifying authority from the Teachers College to the Office of Registration and Records; 2) Aboli tion of the system of dual matricula tion; 3) Lowering by the legislature of the number of hours professional educa tion certification from 18 to 15. Now these are seemingly sound recom mendations. Let's look at them one by one and see why. , The first recommendations would transfer the certifying power from the hands of a single agency to an agency which would have an overall record of the young teacher's academic achieve ments. We presume that this office also has It Its fingertips information dealing with the individual's personality, adjust ment, etc. The recommended certifying office could be thoroughly objective, rigid and, additionally, would li a sound compromise to the origin 1 1 eeummend ation that certification be Jhared by the Teachers and Arts colleges. By abolishing the system of dual ma triculation a student would be in a po sition to concentrate his efforts more in a field which holds his interests. More important, the student would be able to concentrate on the "meaty" subjects which are necessary to a good teacher. Furthermore, the problems, the conflicts of personality and the just plain orneri ness which has been charged to the Teachers College when it comes to dual matriculation would be avoided. In fine, a student could concentrate on his sell improvement, his education without con centrating on red tape. The third recommendation would cut from the teacher curriculum three hours now essential for certification. This is apparently a small number, but in ef fect could make a big difference in the overall training program. As you are well aware many of the teachers col lege courses like those in other colleges are sequence courses. A student may be stymied if he can't fit in a 10 o'clock methods course, for example, which he need to finish a methods pattern. This course might not be available for an other year, thus slowing the entire edu cational process for that individual. Ad ditionally, the three hours could well be spent in the field of the teacher's major area. Three more hours of Eng lish, or three extra hours of history cer tainly couldn't harm anyone and might well contribute to the overall "making" of that teacher. The Daily Nebraskan has stood with the Arts College professors throughout this argument. We have been open in our biases, but have been willing to look over, to digest, arguments on both sides. We have never denied the argu ment that perhaps the programs in some Arts College departments could be stiff ened. However, we have not let this argument stand in the way of looking at the teacher certification situation. Aft er all it is hardly the point In question. The time has come for American col leges and universities to stiffen their programs, to answer unanswered ques tions from students, to build stronger educational systems by providing better teachers. We have confidence in the ability of the six-man committee which is study ing the recommendations of the Arts professors and which is, reportedly, ready to tender its report at the Regents meeting today. We trust that the men involved have studied the basic issues at stake and are willing to speak open ly, defiantly, of any body which would stand in the way of improving education on every level. If this should mean that they believe w hat we need is more hours of educa tion, then this should be given serious thought. But we sincerely doubt the validity of a stand like that in light of the empha sis the country has been placing the last few months in science, raw inves tigation and the challenge teachers are facing in answering questions of what and how and why. From the Editor private opinion They finally came in Monday morn ing's mail. The two life-size pictures I sent to General Mills for. One is of the Lone Ranger (six feet tall and looking as tough as ever) and the other is of Tonto better known to his friends as Jay Silverheels. The pictures only cost 50 cents and three box - tops from Wheaties. And now, dis played prominently in 1 the Daily Nebraskan of-1 fice, they strike a fiery picture calling for a re turn to the traditions of , the Old West Dick An-! drews is always talking about. At nv rate in mv opinion, these pictures Shugrue are something without which any fraternity bedroom cannot do. Send to General Mills in Minneapo lis after you have gathered the box tops from your brothers and sisters back home or from some kind cook. Motto for the week, culled from the Minneapolis Star via the World Herald: "Potestas scholarum educationis delen da est." dick shuzrue And as Allen Tate, prize-winning poet and critic and professor of English at the University of Minnesota noted: "Be cause in high school you were engaged in 'group dynamics' and not in the study of Latin, 1 will translate it: 'The power of the schools of education must be destroyed." In all fairness, 1 might mention that Tate was speaking to a group of college freshmen vehemently stating that the purpose of education "is not happiness; it is not social integration; it is neither for democracy, nor for aristocracy nor for any other social or political system." Tate implied that students have been talked down to in grammar school and in high school and told that the pur pose of education is happiness, social integration and democracy. Of course, if we want happy, smiling faces to come from our secondary schools, that's another thing. I would prefer to see the schoolboy's happiness tempered with a little sound reasoning, a little knowledge, a little bit of worry ing about where we're going. SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD University. Tha members of the Nebraska staff are personally responsible lor what they My. or do, or Member: Associated Collegiate Press t.auM , vtlaieit February 8. ism. Intercollegiate Press Subscription rates an fi.oO per semester ar 14 for Representative: National Advertising ' Entered as second class matter at ths post office .a Service Incorporated Uncnlo, Nebraska, tinder the act of augost , 1913. Published at: Room 20. Student Union editorial staff 11th jfc P Editor Dick Sangm ma an n Editorial Editor Ernest Hints Lincoln. Nebraska Managing Editor Mack l.nndstrom News Editor Emmie Llmpa Tha Dally Nebraska l published Monday, iuesdai. sports Editor George Moyer Wednesday and Friday during the school year, except ( p, editors Gary Rodrcrj, (liana Maxvrrll, durini vacations and exam periods, and one iasne is fat Flannlgan, Carroll Kraus, Grrtrhen Sides aahlished during- august, by atndcnts of the University Muht News Editor . Gary Kodgrr of Nebraska under the authorization of the t'omnilttea staff W riters . . Margaret W'errman, M student Affairs as an expression of student opinion. Herb Probasco, and f harles Smith Publications nnder the Jurisdiction of the Subenm- Bu.lness Manner Jerry Krllrntln snlttre on Student Publications shall he free fcons assistant BuMnrss Managers Tom Ncff, editorial censorship on the part of the Suhcommliiee Stan Kalman. Bob Smldt ar aa tint part f any member of too faculty of tha Circulation Manager Jerry Trap "Lewis Strauss Says That To Stop Nuclear Tests Would lie A Tragic Mistake" Buck Shot Wayward Wanderings By Ron Mold Mold It has been quite some time since I've been out on a limb. So, what with the trees bud ding and the grass greening, 1 thought this might be a good week for it. I have in mind a question which I've been ponder i n g for months. I probably risk being put on schola s t i c probation for even thinking such a ques tion, but I'm going to ask it anyway. My question is this: why poetry? Now, for those who haven't crumpled the paper and thrown it away in despair, please allow me to elaborate. Let me say at the outset that this is not a insurrection against the English depart ment. 1 am not trying to be facetious. I am not trying to be iconoclastic. I enjoy Eng lish, and I enjoy some poetry. But 1 have been unable to convince myself that poetry has any utility beyond that of entertainment. I have been repeatedly told since the third grade that poetry is good. But no one has ever been able to satisfactorily explain to my why it is "good." What is inherent in poetry which makes i' t h great intellectual stronghold it is alleged to be? Yes. I real ize that poetry involves in tricate usages a:ul nuances of meaning, and is probably the best example available of the flexibility of the English language. But if this be the sole purpose of poetry, it doesn't seem to me that the end is worth all that is in volved in the means. Let's take the poetry of Mil ton, for example, or Keats, or Tennyson (no particular relationship is implied here). When 1 read Milton, I find that I am experiencing a re action similar to that gained by working a Kingsley Double Crostic in the Saturday Re view. It is merely a mental exercise. Of course, it can be understood if one takes the time to plow through the clouded metaphors, ob scure allusions, and classical references. But this poetry is no longer rewarding (in any sense) after I have reached the twentieth line. Is this, then, the purpose of poetry a mental parlor game with which to entertain one's mind, a diversion for a dull evening? If so, then I'm in favor of it, and no more questions asked. But what is it in poetry which builds the intellectual cirrus cloud layer so many English professors (and a few students) walk on? Where am I missing the boat (provided, of course, that there is ac tually a boat to be missed and then there must be, be cause the English department says it is so)? At the risk of openly being declared a simpleton, I am forced to admit that I just don't see it. And I don't think 1 am entirely alone in this viewpoint - many of my fel low students have indicated that they loo find themselves confused. Undoubtedly, some of this confusion is the result of th" psychological wall of aMvv'K'nsion built up by many l',,i!4iisli teachers in the public schools. Bui I'm still not through ask ing questions. My next is this: doesn't most poetry actually oppose rational thinking? If poetry does contain certain truths about man, about hu man nature, or about the. uni verse, isn't it an awkward and tangetial way of getting at these truths? Isn't prose much more efficient than poetry? If some aspiring student or some inspiring professor would care to undertake the task of answering the questions I have raised, I am sure there are a number of us who would perhaps benefit. Please don't write in, however, for the sole purpose of pointing out how stupid I am. I'm becoming increasingly aware of this as each day passes. By Melvyn Eikleberry The sack dress has got to go. I suppose that we men had it coming; we were beginning to take the female figure for granted. The sack dress adds a touch of mystery. But real ly, girls, enough is enough! Several songs are now ex pressing the pained reaction of the male population. One has lyrics something like this : "You got the figure I adore, So whatcha hide it for?" Another describes the sack wearer as looking like a "pole," adding imperatively, "Take that gown back!" In the search for remedies, the idea of legis lation always pops up. It is often easier to pass a law against some-jf ming man to solve the real problem. 1 don't know of any legislation being pro posed to ban the sack dress; mere disapproval of the sack by hordes of handsome young men will be enough to Send the Sack Back. A classic of conformity was uttered in ROTC Lab recent ly: "You're at attention, Mis ter! Blow you nose some other time!" May I suggest: 1. A phone in every room of every dorm; 2. An educational firm ev ery day in every class; 3. Moderate application of the above suggestions. I suppose that while I am on the topic of improvements, "Buck" it Is a duty to mention The (drinking) Situation. In my opinion, to step off the cam pus for booze is not really too difficult. There is an interesting pos sibility that not all the land within the United States boundaries is actually United States territory. Various claims have been made that some Indian tribes, along with their land, form separ ate nations within the United States, and should be treated as foreign nations. I have a leaflet which says this: ... it is obvious that unless an Indian tribe, or other na tion, voluntarily agrees to transfer one or more of its soverign powers to the United States, neither the Congress, nor the President, nor the Supreme Court, has any au thority whatsoever over that tribe, or nation. Such, for ex ample, is the case with the Ilopi Indian Nation of Arizona which, as a distinct and rec ognizable political entity, has not delegated any of i t s sov erign powers to any other pol itical entity, not even to the United States. The Hopi Na tion, therefore, is not part of the United States. It is a sep arate nation. The United States of America, theefore, States of America, therefore, even pass over Hopi lands, much less establish a village thereon and attempt, both peacefully and by the use of force and violence, to set up and operate a competitive pol itical administration. Perhaps they will start set ting up signs on their "reser vation" saying, "Yanks Go Home!" My Weal Or Woe Basoco Yesterday one of my in structors treated his class to what to me was one of the most refreshing examples of a prof's genuine interest in his students that I've ex perienced in my college career. All two years of it. He walked in to class and announ c e d that he wanted to talk to us for about five minutes about something that didn't actual ly pertain to that class any more than it did to any class or anything else for that mat ter. "Good deal," I thought. Knowing that for him to limit himself to five minutes was about as probable as my lim iting this column to 12 inches, I stopped sweating not hav ing done the assignment, ceased ruffling the w o r n pages of the vocabulary sec tion of the book, and leaned back with what I hoped was an interested look on my face. I was about to try out my theory that a person can ac tually sleep with his eyes open and with a somewhat interested look on his face, ACP Poll USSR-American Cultural Exchanges Tabbed Good By US College Students College students appear to be overwhelmingly in favor of a recent cultural exchange agreement signed by the Unit ed States and Russia. Eighty eight of the college men and 95 of the coeds inter viewed in a recent survey agree that an agreement to exchange visits of scholars, artists and the like between Russia and the United States is a good idea. Associated Collegiate Press asked the question: Recently, the United States signed an agreement with Russia to exchange visits of students, scholars, artists and the like for the purpose of building up better relations between the two countries. Do you think that having such a program of allowing Russians to visit the United States and Americans to visit Russia is a good idea or a bad idea? of a representative group of students in colleges and uni versities throughout the na tion. The findings, in detail, are as follows: Mea Worn. Tot. Think exchange program Is a coed idea M M Think exchange program Is a had Idea 1 Undecided Men of the freshman class are' more favorably disposed toward the agreement than are the men in other classes interviewed. Ninety-four of the freshmen think the cultur al exchange program is a good idea, as opposed to 83 of the sophomores, 86 of the juniors and 84 of the sen iors. Fr. Sophs Jrt. 8rs. Think exeg. program Is a rood idea N 3M M Think exeg. program is a bad idea 11 1 tndeclded ' Not only are coed generally more favorably disposed to cultural exchange with Rus sia, but all the members of two classes interviewed the sophomores and the seniors iliink such a program is a good idea. Fr. Sophs Jri. Kri. Think exeg. program is a good Idea . . 3 100 78 100 Think exeg. program is a had idea ... 7 .... t Cndaeided Comments supporting opin ions that the program is a good idea on the issue are generally centered around the notion that it is only by ob serving each other's countries that the United States and Russia will develop ways to live peaceably. On the other hand, students who feel such an exchange is a bad idea most generally give as their reason the opinion that it is probably a mistaken idea to put too much faith in Rus sia's good intentions with re spect to the program. by dick basoco when I caught a tiny tidbit of what he was rambling on about. He was trying to tell us that it is of utmost importance that we make a decision as to what is important and what is not. It's time, he says, that we decide what we are going to do. I certainly appreciated the respite from parlez-vousing, but it goes a little deeper than that. It started me thinking (which, contrary to popular opinion, I am at times capa ble of) about what does mat ter, about what really is im portant. I mean, in ten years or ev en in two years, who is real ly going to give a big fat darn (I'd say "damn" but it'd get cut) about who are this year's Innocents or Mortar Boards. How many peope who were thus honored five years ago can you name? I can't name any, and the important thing is that I don't actually care who was what five years ago. Sure, it's nice to walk around looking important on Ivy Day, but is it really so important? I've never serious ly thought so, but it was brought sharply into focus while this prof talked. When you really stop to think it over, the only thing that is really important, is that each person, individually, makes up his mind, decides, if you will, what is important really important and then proceeds to do it. And if anyone can be hon est enough with him or her self to really think it out for himself, then what he or she does will be the right thing. The right thing, the import ant thing, is what counts. But deciding what is and what isn't is tough. I hope enough people are "tough" enough to do the right thing. This'll be a lot better place to live. The homespun philosopher has spoken. For what it's worth. The thing that some people have been smelling around this campus recently isn't whatever may still be rotten in Denmark. It's some of the politics that have been going on in recent weeks around here. I don't want to mention any names because I hate see ing mine in print, but the whole idea of people running around in secretive little groups is a little silly. Quite a little. But 1 guess it really isn't too important ... or is it? 1