THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
Editorials
Commentary
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1967
Page 2
Continue Free University
Responses to the Nebraska Free Uni
versity, an experiment in education
unique to this campus, indicate that there
is a diversity of opinion as to its general
success. Thus implied is the question of
whether or not NFU should be continued.
Reports from students and Instructors
who lead the classes show that attendance
in most cases dribbled down to just a few
students in the last sessions. Some group
leaders Implied that they felt the attitude
was discouraging and that for the most
part the results did not justify the amount
of work and time which went into struc
turing the courses.
Catch-All Category
Other criticisms of the Free Univer
sity fall into the catch-all category of pol
itics. Many people felt that the entire "in
stitution" was insulted and degraded
when some students used it as a selling
point in the campus political whirl. Fur
ther, they have criticized some of the peo
ple who were most interested in establish
ing the Free University of not following
through enough to even attend a class or
two.
The Daily Nebraskan feels that in part
these objections are valid. For the per
sons who dedicated scarce time to the
development of an idea which seemed ex
citing and plausible, the reaction of the
majority of students is of course dis
appointing. ; However, it can not be so discourag
ing as to warrant discontinuation of a pro
ject which has hardly had time to be
tested. First it must be remembered that
ths regular University has a load of
courses designed to get all the students
educated. The Free University is a sup
plement and hopefully a catalyst which
will stimulate change in the Institution.
Therefore it is somewhat irrelevant if
only a few students continued in their
Free University courses, if those few stu
dents were benefited by it.
Numbers Increase
Second, if numbers of students sin
cerely interested is a criterion for judging
the validity of continuing NFU, then it
should also be remembered that the Uni
versity is getting larger each year and
logically, the number of students inter
ested in some extra-curricular education
will also increase.
Also, the fact that NFU has now been
around for a while will help. Next semes
ter the Free University will not pop up
like it's the bandwagon to jump on . In
stead its goals will be more thoroughly
understood and some of its courses will
have gained sparkling reputations. Per
haps, then, student interest will be more
wide-spread and more sincere.
Regarding the accusations that the
Free University became a political tool,
the Daily Nebraskan feels that these are
hardly fair. Students who helped organize
NFU should not have to negate that fact.
Even if the mention of it was offensive to
some people, this should have nothing to
do with an evaluation of the Free Univer
sity itself.
The Daily Nebraskan urges the stu
dents and the Instructors who were Invol
ved in the Free University this semester
to get together to discuss its perpetuation.
The organization of it from semester to
semester will undoubedly have to take on
some structure or it may slip by and be
forgotten. This would be a set back in the
attempt to upgrade education at Nebraska.
Going To Europe
'Un-American'?
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Be nil Wyman
a University student from Germany,
wrote the following article on student ex
periences and travel in Europe. Wyman is
studying for his doctorate in economics.
He has guided students several times
throughout Europe and has traveled ex
tensively in Europe, Asia and the Middle
East.)
As you probably all know, we foreign
ers are all the same, just terrible. We
have all kinds of bad habits and many
of us don't even know how to use the
American language properly. Surely, any
one who has any culture, should know how
to use that language.
So Backward
But even if you keep all those disad
vantages in mind you still might consider
visiting our countries, because it will show
you how much better off you are at
home. If you just keep in mind that many
Dutchmen still use wooden shoes, most
Frenchmen drink wine because their
water is not as good, which is also the
same reason why the Germans have no
choice but to drink that terrible barley
juice (beer), and above all many Aus
trains and Swiss still live in the moun
tains, you can understand why Europe is
so backward.
It will make you real proud being an
American. But seriously, it makes a very
big difference whether you have been
abroad or not. If nothing else it will make
you look differently at your own country.
You will sec that other people live with
different values and that they are quite
happy living that way.
Union Beer
For example if you visit a European
university you probably will be surprised
to notice that there are no dormitories like
in the US and that coeds live any place
they want to. It might also surprise you
that at a student union (mensa) you will be
able to buy your beer and wine cheaper
than in town. You might also wonder why
most north-west European cities have
nice interiors and no slums. It might make
you wonder what happened to the twenty
percent of Europeans that might live in
conditions of poverty and why girls can
walk at night on city streets without great
danger.
Although there are many similar
ities between Europe and the USA, there
are also many differences. It might not
be an overstatement to suggest that most
probably your whole outlook on life will
be changed and most probably to your
advantage.
Different Light
You will see things In a different
light and will judge them differently. Also,
having once traveled on your own and
having been able to get along in foreign
countries will most likely give you a new
felling of confidence In yourself. And
last but not least, the company or the
school that is looking for "new material"
might favor you for some additional ex
perience and initiative.
But please don't go to Europe flying
from one place to the next, or use a big
American car and stay at the big hotel.
You are neither doing yourself, your coun
try nor Europe a favor. Go and try to
live with the Europeans.
Really Live
Don't lust look at them from your big
hotel window like you are In a too. If
one might try to compare Europeans with
Americans in that way, one might say
many Europeans are not si rich as Ameri
cans, but many more Europeans really
live.
Going there might give you a chance
to learn how to really live. By the way,
if the thought does not abhor you, you
might decide to use some of Europe's
thousands of camping places, in which
case you would find that for many Euro
peans both poor and rich, camping during
vacations has also become a way of life.
On your right you might find a newspaper
editor from Amsterdam in his expensive
trailer, on your left a professor from Aus
tralia and his family might have "put
up" their camping bus, and behind you a
group of students from Tunisia might
have put up their tents, you migni say
that international travel is also a way of
life in Europe.
Many Speak English
Many Americans are afraid that they
will have language difficulties. They will
be surprised how many Europeans speak
English. For example in Holland don't
feel bad about asking a street cleaner for
directions in English.
He probably will answer your question
without bothering to look up. In many
cities policemen indicate how many lan
guages they speak by displaying little
flags of the country of that language on
their uniform.
UbIub Jack
But don't look for the American flag.
You will have to do with the Union Jack.
Also keep In mind that any city of signifi
cance has a municipal tourist office,
where people speak all major European
languages and where you can obtain free
tourist city maps, information material
and arrange for low price student accom
modation, at a Student hostel, an inn or
a youth hostel.
While speaking of hostels be sure to
stay at the "Af Champman" while In
Stockholm. It Is an old sailing vessel
made into a youth hostel. Of the about
700 German youth hostels, about 50 are
actually old castles.
Little Money
You meet at them students from
around the world and pay often no more
than 25 cents. And don't think that spend
ing little money Is being "cheap." Euro
peans think it Is smart. But that
again might be a different way of looking
at life and perhaps It might be a little
"un-American"
When you hit a university town In
Europe, be sure to stop by at the local
student office to find out where you can
find reasonable accommodations, student
restaurants and if you like, student beer
and-or Jazz cellars. You might also be
able to obtain reduced tickets for sights
seeing and free passes to museums.
But make sure you have your Inter
national itudent ID card along. Also find
out the day when you can visit museums
For example for the Louvre it would
be on Sundays and national holidays.
Health Service
If you art afraid you might get sick,
sign up for low cost but high quality stu
dent health service throughout Europe.
Europe. Before leaving for Europe you
might want to write to the national tourist
offices in New York. Also the Foreign
Student Office at the Administration Buil
ding runs a pretty good information serv
ice on studying and traveling abroad.
But whatever you do please don't go
to Europe as the "big man." 1 honestly
think that Europeans would care abso
lutely less and would tend mora to tee
you at the "overbearing American stu
dent." Go to Europe and "live." You
might enjoy it so much you might never
want to come back
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Nebraskan Criticism Valid
Dear Editor:
A reporter (Mark Gordon) from the Daily Nebraskan
interviewed me last Wednesday about the fairness of the
campaign previous to ASUN elections. I said that elec
tions were important in a democratic republic, and then
I asked him if he was referring to the "Tombstone
Epitaph."
He said, "Yes." I said the contributors showed a
great deal of courage, and their criticism was done
in a humorous manner. I said that the Daily Nebraskan
has been very radical in its views, and the reporting
done in it has been very biased.
And when the contents are criticized, their reply is
that the critic is using "dirty tactics." (How closed can
a mind get?) At that, the reporter left and I felt my
comments would not be published (another example of
biased reporting), and so I am writing this.
I would like to comment that publishing a paper
such as the "Tombstone Epitaph" bad become a neces
sity, and its contributors are to be praised for their cour
age. In Its humor, I did not feel it was slanderous, but
in fact implied the truth of the situation at the Daily
Nebraskan office. And I do not feel that It affected the
voting of the informed student. But there Is need to in
form. Many, particularly radicals (left-winger), seem to
lack faith in the intelligence of the general public, and
feel that they must "think for them." Sucb Is the Com
munist ideology, and also that of "dictatorships" (some
of which are classified as right wing.)
Such is the "Battle for the Mind" In opposit ion to
the "Battle for the Heart" as espoused by honest Chris
tianity. My policy is to always to have an open mind and to
accept nothing a. fact, perse.. 0scar Blomstedt
Our Man Hoppe-
The Great Ruin Shortage
M
Arthur Hoppe
Athens
While the Greek econo
my has skyrocketed in the
past fifteen years, the hap
py people of this sunny
land now face a hitherto
unforseen problem name
ly a grave shortage of
ruins.
The problem was per
haps best explained by Mr.
Zorba K. Xenophilos, As
sistant Sub-director of the
Bureau of Ruins, during a
brief tour of this booming
city.
"Fifteen years ago," be
gan Mr. Xenophilos, "what
did we have to offer the
tourist? Ruins. We had
more ruins per capita than
any nation in the world.
Big ruins, little ruins -the
whole country was one
giant ruin.
"Now if there is one
tiling tourists love, it is
ruins. They came in droves.
Our economy soared. New
hotels, new apartment
buildings, new fiats. Look
at Athens today. We are
down to one ruined Acropo
lis, a couple of ruined
temples, half a ruined
aqueduct and some ruined
miscellaneous. And we are
All The Lonely People
... by bob samuelson
Asa "Call to Action" this column will have about as much
effect 2s a Superbali that has been dunked in liquid oxygen,
but here goes.
In the five years I have been at the University, there
has been much criticism leveled at the Innocents society,
none of it has done any apparent good although much of it
has been valid.
Gunning for personal glory, politicking, and omnipo
tently running student affairs have been frequently associ
ated with this honorary body, but Its tenacious hold on under
graduates has seldom been more than momentarily
loosened.
The greatest harm that this body does to the campus,
however, Is to force campus leadership into patterns of con
formity and conservatism.
In fact, lack of any leadership qualities at all have
made ' many Innocents In the past and there is no rea
son to think this year's selections will alter this sad trend.
For an honorary to be Justified, it must simply grant mem
bership to those deserving of it personal grudges and pol
itics aside.
One of the enigmas on this campus, and probably a
reflection of Its innate reactionary tendencies is the esteem
associated with "being an Innocent" not only by undergrad
uates, but by some members themselves!
This body, by mere fact that it is self-selecting is
conservative and potentially dangerous to Student Gov
ernment. Group pressure In itself is not a bad thing, but Inno
cents have been known to wave the red robes like a bribe
in front of a jockey.
An essential fact of good leadership li that it even
tually alienates almost all people at some times, yet
this Is what most prospective Innocents steer clear of
like athletes on Ivy Day.
It ii difficult when writing a column like thl u
My purpose, an Idealistic one, is to plead with the
protective innocents on campus this year to NOT limit
membwihip In Spring '68 to only thirteen. If this neces
Mates a change in ritual the change must take place
Instead, like the Mortar Boards, take those men, be
it ten or twenty-five, who have done the most work for
the University in their first three yean of college. The
idea that there are always thirteen qualified persons
and no more at any other time is, of course, inconsis
tent with the principles of an honorary organization.
Broadening the number eligible for selection will
have eeveral beneficial effects. One, it will liberate lead
ership among males from a middle-of-the-road path. Two,
It will increase the esteem of the organization in the
mindi of many who consider it now only a child's game
of petty politics. Three, it will give the aociety itself a
broader base of thought, and prohibit a one-minded par
anoiac fear that diversity is somehow bad.
expecting more than a mil
lion tourists!"
Mr. Xenophilos shook
his head sadly. "There
simply won't be enough
ruins to go around."
To meet this critical
shortage, Mr. Xenophilos
said the Bureau of R u i n s
has embarked on an am
bitious construction plan.
"For example," he said
proudly, stopping in front
of a busy construction pro
ject, "what you see going
up here is our new all
purpose ruin The Tem
ple of the Winged Aphro
dite St Church of the As
sumption Monastery. Let
me read you its description
in our Standard Revised
Guide Book:
" 'This classic example
of the Early Late Period
dates from circa 672 B.C.
and was believed used for
sacrificing vestigal virgins
to the Satyrs. (Note the
leer on the face of Dlnoy
sus above the Propylea.)
"The west and south
walls were added In the
Third Century presumably,
according to archaeologists,
to hold the roof up. The
floodlights are of a later
date.
"'Some interesting 11th
Century murals on the
north facade depicting a
bizarre Byzantine sex orgy
were uncovered (n 1931 by
Herr Professor Schlelmer
mann. Unfortunately, they
were covered the following
day by Frau Schleimer
mann. "'The famed West Por
tico offers a panoramic
vista of the Athens Hilton,
coffee, tea, dry martinis
and, for the discriminating
connisseur, souvenir post
cards of the Uth Century
Murals. Entrance fee: 100
drachmas.' "
Mr. Xenophilos said no
effort was being spared to
make each new ruin au
thentic. Each, he said, was
being fully constructed be
fore being hit with a wreck
ing ball, weathered by a
sandblaster and given three
finishing coats of outdoor
patina.
"These ruins," he said
proudly, "are built to last
a thousand years."
Mr. Zenophllos closed by
laying he felt these bigger,
better, more Interesting
ruins going up everywhere
would stand as monuments
to today's Greek culture
a symbol, at he put It, of
Greece's warm regard for
tourists.
"Our motto li if a visi
tor to our shores wanti
imnethlng," laid Mn. Xeno
philos, happily rubbing his
hands, "give it to him.
Good."
Union Is Hot
Dear Editor:
Recently when I was in the Nebraskan Union I
asked one of the managers why he didn't turn up the
air conditioning. "Turn it Tip," says he, they don t
even turn It on till July first."
Are the students who spend five or six or more
hours In the sweat house (only because it's the only
place on campus for day hops and apartment dwellers)
aware of this grave mismanagement? Arise fellow sweat
ers. Let's gross out the perpetrators of this atrocity.
The air conditioning is hers and they are appar
ently running some kind of blower so why not air con
ditioning Surelv not because of electricity. I'd appre
ciate any reply anyone would care to make.
Hot
Quality Of Speech Doubted
Dear Editor:
I would like to seriously question the quality of Mr.
Bundle's speech Thursday. Did he really say anything?
I am thankful that someone finally came here to
speak and Bunche is a respectable and dignified man,
but really this is supposed to be an educational Institu
tion. In The Audience
Professionalism Praised
Dear Editor:
I personally feel that the Dally Nebraskan has never
tried to be as much of a real newspaper as it has this
year.
The paper has a professional attitude and look. 1
commend you.
As for the paper being radical, only Nebraskan
could say that. .
Toot
Apathetics Arise
Dear Editor:
It is well known that we have had with us for some
time, representatives of the socio-political right wing in
the Young Republicans, and representatives of the left
wing In the SDS.
With great delight we now welcome a voice from the
middle wing in the form of the Tomstone Epitaph. At
last wo have, represented here on campus, the bird In its
entirety.
Seriously, we have had an anti-Establishment group
(in the SDS) in campus so long that it has become too
well established. Perhaps it is good that we also now
have established an anti-anti Establishment establishment,
but the time may come when this establishment, too,
becomes too well established. Let us now, then, unite into
a great and powerful anti-group group, an anti-society
society, a revolution of the crass class- Let there be an
establishment established which will prevent the estab
lishment of any more establishments! Enough is enough!
Apathetics arise!
A meeting for the Foundation of such a society will
be held following the conclusion of the next Happy Rock
Wlno Festival, say about 2 a.m. Everyone will be wel
come. T.II.E. Kldd
Daily Nebragkati
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