Page 2
The Daily Nebraskan
Wednesday, November 30, 1966
40 Years And No Clmimc
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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."
