The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, November 30, 1966, Page Page 2, Image 2
Page 2 The Daily Nebraskan Wednesday, November 30, 1966 40 Years And No Clmimc I t ft 5 . 6... l rv 'J ? ft u w '4 J, 4 4 "K 1 The Daily Nebraskan this semester has .often questioned the almost non existent intellectual atmosphere and en couragement "provided at the University. Perhaps and In fact very likely a great deal of blame for this con-educational situation rests with the students as suggested by one professor In today's let ters to the editor. But regardless of who is to blame, the important thing is that a void does exist and should somehow be changed or improved- V" In one of the paper's most recent 11- lustrations of this educational void, we pointed out that only some .012 cents per student is provided at the University for Scrip magazine and the encouragement "xt creative writing. Unfortunately, this is not a new sit uation. Nebraska has long been behind other schools in both enjoying and pro viding the extras that make a school an "educational institution" as illustrated by the following column printed in the Ne braskan during 1925. "Iowa's greatest claim to culture is the approximation of a literary or aca demic atmosphere which the state uni versity has. We speak, in particular, of the institution at Iowa City. "There is, to be sure, considerable debating and that sort of thing, but at the same time, there is evinced a real in terest in the world of books. In Nebras ka, the situation needs little remark. We dropped in at a meeting of one of the so cieties after the University Player's show last Friday, and found them play ing some kind of a game where the wom en chase the men around a big circle . . . or perhaps it was the reverse. "At any rate, we inquired whether that was not a game of drop-the-hand-kerchief. One of the officers replied, with a look of shocked and pained surprise upon his face, that such was not the case. The game, he went on to explain, with dignity, was three-deep . . . "That is an index of the character of Nebraska's literary societies. As we have suggested before they should be called Bean-bag Societies. "Iowa shows herself to be several years ahead of Nehraska in that she has the Iowa Literary Magazine upon the campus. Not only does she have it, but she supports it. "It ii a bi-monthly affair, of forty eight pages, and the members, of the nine literary societies get out every two months and sell between five and six hun dred copies. Last year when "Nebraska Verse, 1923-1924" was issued, although the work was of a much higher cali bre than most of the poetry printed in the Iowa magazine, less than three hun dred copies were sold." The quoted column was written more than 40 years ago and Nebraska's stu dent literary efforts in 1966 still aren't on an equal level with those of Iowa at the time the column was written. n'T -- --m, ---Til ' 1 1 IT FACTS ... By Gale Pokorny Column Introduction Several weeks ago, Alice Watts, an exchange student from the all-Negro Still man College, told the Daily Nebraskan that the University has only "token inte gration." ; , Miss Watts said that in her opinion ; Negroes Sere feel they are "not wanted" in campus life. She used campus activities to illus trate how Negroes are little accepted and she said the Negro student on this cam pus has few opportunities in all aspects of life outside the classroom because he is a Negro. Shortly after the story was published, a common feeling among many students seemed to be disbelief. Almost all students who commented to the paper after the story was printed said they had not rea lized that this type of situation might exist at Nebraska. One student Brenda Lyle who came to the paper's office immediately after the story was printed was not sur prised. Miss Lyle, who is a Negro, was ex cited that someone had finally said some thing about the Negro's role at the Uni versity. She said she had often considered transferring from Nebraska because she felt like a second class citizen and few people except for the Negroes themselves even realize that a problem does exist. A sophomore majoring in history, Miss Lyle had many additional things to say about the University's "token integra tion." She explained that she was per sonally tired of ignoring the problem and wanted to let other students know how at least one Negro student feels about the University. Printed Below ft the first in' a "seven part series by Miss Lyle on how she feels about being i Negro student at Nebraska. Miss Lyle is from Kansas City, Mo., and AWS recently chose her one of the ten best dressed coeds at the University. She is presently working with the ASUN Student Welfare Committee in investigat ing and discussing the Negro problem with other students. pmnHmmnnmnniumiiiiiiiiim I BRENDA LYLE'S..: I The Other Sheep f If I were to receive a penny for ev ery thought that so sorrowfully ran through my mind each day as I walk back and forth to class, I would be a millionaire. And then again, if I were to give away pennies for every remark made about this column and the ones to follow, I would probably be broke. At first I had refused to comment on the campus life s I saw it here at the University but now I see where I have nothing to lose and far more to fear. People often ask me why I chose Ne braska to further my education and now I am wondering myself. I look at the buildings in which I attend classes, the dorms in which I live, and maybe the nnion in which my fellow classmates con gregate and I ask myself if these struc tures and the human beings that dwell in side are offering me an equal chance to receive a well-rounded college education. As one of the few Negro girls on cam pus, I have run into many "stone walls" and I have been bruised by the every day facets of collegiate life. I can remember when I was asked to move out of my room in the dorm be cause my roommate had refused to live with a Negro girl. A few weeks later, she began to date a Negro guy. ; I can recall the days when some of my professors accused me of cutting classes in classes where attendance was never takeri. Because I was the only Ne gro girl, it was quite obvious that I was not there. I can also remember the times when members of my own race expressed their beliefs that they would not date a Negro girl that she was not good enough for them to date. But in return, if a Negro girl would walk in a party or in the Union with a member of another race she would be condemned and so would he. When I received the honor of being selected one of the "Ten Best Dressed Coeds" on campus I was told that the only reason I had won was merely be cause there were many Negro athletes and I was only a representative in behalf of what they had done for the team and the University. I was not given credit for winning because I had earned the honor. I cannot be one to condemn the Negro athletes or the Negroes In general but I am one to recognize that we have a prob lemlack of unity. But this is a problem that we must solve within our own group and the "whites" can only help by may be opening up campus activities to ns, breaking down the barrier that keeps Negroes from joining sororities and fra ternities, and starting to recognize us not just as athletes or Negro girls and boys, but as members of the University. At home, the Negro female is within her own rights far more superior than she is here. She is respected and recognized for her character, her abilities, and her ev ery day way of life. This is what I hoped to achieve in the long run, and when I graduate I am sure that the many pressures that have been bestowed upon me, will aid in making mi become a mature woman of the world. Well students, the long awaited booklet has finally made its appearance on campus. One would think that with the kind of history it has and with all the diffi culties endured or overcome in the process of its publi cation, one might be able to find it in Lincoln's New est Bookstore. For like many it has escaped at tempts to censor, ban or: maim in some fashion. So sacrifice that quarter, after all you really don't need that extra pack of cof fin nails and if you try, I'm sure you can do with out a couple of the Union's glasses of Big Red. Spend those twnety five pennies on Nebraska's latest liter ary smash, the Faculty's Evaluation Booklet. No, I really haven't made a mistake, the title is right just as you see it above. Few people around here realize it yet, but the stu dent body wasn't the only group evaluating and ana lysing last year. The facul ty was fighting back with their own work of art. They were quietly observing the masses that oozed in and out of their plassrooms every fifty minutes and al , so made several generaliza tions and guesses just as the student element did. Quite obviously however, it would be slightly impos sible as well . as slightly useless for the instructor to evaluate and describe every individual student. There fore, the book is divided into sections where certain kinds of students are pointed out along with their distinguishing characteris tics. In order that I may en tice you into spending half of your monthly budget on this booklet, let me com ment on a few types of students described within its pages. I will not elabor ate too extensively however because I do want you to spend-donate a quarter to the faculty's cause. The money that exists as a profit in the end from this particular endeavor is to be used to supplement the s a 1 a r 1 e s of starving graduate assistants and similar needy types who are presently sewing black arm bands to wear the day the University's suddenly expanded budget goes be fore the executioner's axe in the state house. But enough of dark trag dy. Let us proceed with a few examples of what ac tually confronts a typical University instructor who is ' able to make it to his classes. Apparently one of the more annoying types that quite commonly appear in our classrooms, according to the booklet, is appropri ately tagged R. Van Winkle along with his female coun terpart, S. Beauty. This type usually enters the room early in order to secure one of the valuable front row seats and then awaits the arrival of the instructor with bright eyed anticipa tion. The moment that the pro fessor passes through the door, Van Winkle's eyelids roll shut like an overhead garage door, his head sinks to the desk and he calmly proceeds to catch up on all the sleep he lost last night while partaking of various cultural attractions. Another type, called the Bottomless Pit, never fails to arrive with anything less than a nine course meal neatly stuffed in pockets or purse. Bottomless usually allows the lecture to pro ceed unaided for about ten minutes before he begins to extract goodies from his apparel. Never anything much you understand, he, just seems to survive on the usual classroom diet, thermos of coffee, five or six Almond Joys, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, an occasional turkey leg, (it's that time of year again). He never fails to add variety to what might have .otherwise been a dull lec ture. I say "might have been" because I'm not sure. Once Bottomless starts to eat, no one can hear the lecture. The crackling of the cellophane, the rustling of the sand wich bags, and the swal lowing, gulping and chew that accompany everything else (especially the cran berry salad) drowns out all other sound. Still another variety, to which a special section has been devoted In the book let, is that of the compul sive questioner. This is the guy who deems it necessary to constantly ask questions, all of which, of course, are of a very important na ture, pertinent as always to the current subject matter. "Hey, what day is today? Oh yeah, well how do ya spell Monday anyway? How do you spell November, Physical Education, my name?" etc. Well friends, there you have but a few of the many characters aptly summed up in L I n c o 1 n ' s Newest Evaluation Booklet so buy a copy today, remember the instructor you save from the grasp of starvation may be your own. Our Man Hoppe- Professor Speaks On 'Scrip' Dear Editor: I address this to you on the assumption that you are the author of that (justifiably) pained editorial (17 Sept.) on lack of support for "Scrip." The problem is an old one approximately 40 years at least. But the blame does not really lie now (any more than it did In 1925-26) on the English department as such. It lies with (and I hate to use this word at all, if only be cause It has been so widely overused) "student apathy." In the years 1924-27 several attempts were made to set up a student literary magazine; all failed, for lack of circulation and a natural lack of ability to get advertising. The "Prairie Schooner" was founded, and carried along on the personality of the late Dr- L. C. Wimberly; as I recall, he wangled a subsidy (approximately $200 a year) out of the University; but that was not a "student" maga zine by intent, and it did provide a kind of cultural facade to advertise the University outside the state's borders. I have nothing to do with the founding or operation of "Scrip," and what little I know of its affairs I get from its various editors. But, by the nature of my courses, I have been interested in it from the start, and before. As early as 1950 or 1951, attempts were made to get a student literary magazine going; these aroused no in terest except among small groups of literary ax-grinders (I suppose the current term would be either "beatniks" or "protesters"), who (a) did not have any source of funds and (b) could not have, by the nature of their interests, won support from the department or the Publications Board. As to funds, it is necessary to remark that in 1956 the English Department had a staff of 30; this year we have about 128. Money can be stretched only so far. When Pro fessor Orin (not, by the way, Owen) Stepanek died, some of us raised a memorial fund, the interest on which pro vides at least part of the support of "Scrip." Stepanek had a great fondness for young people who had anything on the ball and were willing to work toward their goals. Aside from the number of copies of "Scrip" which students buy, we must note the number of people who con tribute. If Frank McClanahan's figures are correct, the contributions to "Scrip" are submitted by a relatively co hesive little group of about 30 people, out of an enrollment of 17,000. The proportion seems to remain about the same; in the days when my "group" and age-group were trying to get a campus magazine, we had about 5,000 students on the campus and about 10 people who wrote (or at least were willing to admit that they were trying to write for publication). On the other hand, we also had a cultural dichotomy: the "literati" looked down their noses at J-School, and the J-School people in turn scorned the "literati." This was rather too bad, for in that particular period we had quite a handful of remarkably good people in journalism courses who would have scorned "creative writing" as such. This intellectual split naturally drained off some of the talent which, if combined, might have made a magazine possible. At any rate, the basic problem boils down to this: somewhere there must be a. money-fountain as yet un tapped; and somehow, the "Ireative minds" must find among their own numbers (or recruit from outside, say business administration, a good, vocal P.R. man.) As to P.R., I can make no suggestions; as to money, the best idea, it seems to me, is that somewhere in the not really poor state of Nebraska there must be a par ent, or an uncle or aunt, who wouldn't miss, say $1,000 a year and note that if this were donated to the NU Foundation, to be applied to a student literary magazine, this could be (I think) used as a tax-deduction. At any rate, it seems obvious that a student maga zine on this campus, at least cannot survive without a subsidy; therefore, study the subsidy sources. But it also cannot survive without contributors; and out of my 30 writing-class students per semester, perhaps one gets up courage enough to submit pieces to Scrip. (And some turn out some remarkably good stuff, but never get around to offering it). A Professor Lurleen And George Arthur Hoppe Daily Nebraskan Vol. , Ho. 41 Hov. 30, Mot Second -clans postage Mid it Lincoln. Neb. Member Associated Collegiate Press, National Advertising Service, Incorporated, Published at Room 51 Nebraska Union, Lincoln, Neb., 68518. TELEPHONE; 477-8711, Extensions 2588, 2589 and 2590. Subscription rate arc M per semester or 16 lor the academic year. Publishes Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the school year, except during vacations and exam periods, by the student of the University of Nebraska under the Jurisdiction of the Faculty Subcommittee on Student Publications. Publications hall be tree from censorship by the Subcommittee or any person outside the University. Member of the Nebraska! are responsible (or what they cause to be printed. EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Wayne Kretucher; Managing editor Lois Qulnnet; Newt Editor Jan Itldnt Ntfht News Editor Bill Minieri Sports Editor Bob Flaanicki Senior Staff Writers. Julie Morris, Randy Irey, Tonl Victor, Nancy Headiickaoni Junior Staff Writers. Cheryl Tritb Cheryl Dunlep, John Fyar. Bob Hebpurni Newa Assistant Eileen Wirthi Photographers Tom Rubin, Howard Kesslnger; Copy Editors, Peg Bennett. Barb Robertson. Jane Boas. Brace Giles. BUSINESS STAFF Boslnass Manager Bob Glani National Advertising Manager Dwlcht Clark I Local Advertising Manager Charles Baxter; Classified Advertising Manetsrs, Bae Ann Oinn. Mary Jo McDonnell; Secretary, Linda Lade l Business Assistants, Jerry Wolfe, Jim Walters, Chuck Salem. Busty Fuller, Oenn Frtendt, Brian Hala, Mike Eyster; Subscription Manager Jim Buntzj Circulation Manager Lynn Rathjenj Circulation Assistant Gary Uayag. Good morning, house wives, small children and other watchers of daytime television. It's time for an other re-run of that rollick ing, impossible situation comedy, "I Love Lurleen." As we join them today, Lurleen is seated in the Governor's chair of a large Southern State, holding her very first press conference. Her husband, George, is standing by ber side. This makes him look loyal, ded icated and a half a head taller than she is. Lurleen: I just want to say . . . George: What my wife wants to say, gentlemen, is how proud she is to suc ceed me as Governor and how hard she'll try to em ulate) my great record. Lurleen: Yes, I know . . . George: What she knows, friends, is that she is mere ly a poor, frail woman and none too bright in the head when it comes to governing this great State. Lurleen: But . . . George: But she is confi dent she'll do a magnifi cent job because she has faith in the divine guidance of the Good Lord. The Good Lord and ma. Lurleen: As you know . . . George: Yep, as you know, she's promised to ap point me as her humble $1-a-year consultant. So when she has to make one of them monumental decisions of government, she'll pray for divine guidance. And then she can check it out with me. Lurleen: Of course, you have to realize . . . George: What she realiz es, of course, is that while she's technically Governor, the good voters were really voting for me. I mean what voter in his right mind is going to vote for some Eoor, frail woman who don't now a thing about running a big State like this? Lurleen: But . . . George: But won't worry,. I will faithfully discharge the duties of her office. Un less, of course, them beat niks and Commies up North don't do what I say and I got to run for President in 19 and 68. Lurleen: But what I want to add . . . George: But what she wants to add is that a smart handsome, go-getting fellow like me can run the United States with one hand tied behind his back and s t i 1 1 have plenty of time left over to take care of this great State here. Lurleen; All I want to say . . . George: ... is that she'll do her best to do what I tell her to do. And you got to admit, gentlemen, that she's done a bang-up job handling this here press conference. I reckon that's all she was trying to say. Right, honey? Lurleen (sweetly): Wrong George. Wha I've been try ing to say Is that I'm su ing you for divorce. George (aghast): Di vorce? Lurleen: But if you don't put up a custody fight, I'll give you reasonable visit ing privileges. George: Well, It will be nice to see our children once in a while. Lurleen: Oh, them, too. But I was referring to my State. Guards! Throw this gabby bum out! Well, tune in to the next episode of this impossible situation. And meanwhile never forget the old adage: "Hell hath no fury like a woman who doesn't get to talk."