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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1969)
'-WW A T,,e rrn si or dDqji WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1969 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA VOL. 92, NO.' 94 : a! m'lrw ' i IV t'V f i Q fi $;.. i A?1 J ;it pa A r feOaJ.J ''' 1 1 in iT llir' i, t i.inii..iinwfl HOMUVwi'i"ili,l Vernice Anderson and Edwin M asters express about campus disorders by Ron Talcott Nebraskan Staff Writer Campus unrest, college students and the meaning of success were discuss ed with concern but not without humor by the eight visiting Masters, alumni of the University of Nebraska, at a press conference Monday. Asked to give the formula for his success, each Master concurred with Vernice Anderson, secretary of the National Science Foundation Board, who answered, "It Is presumptuous to say one is successful." "In the past, the only patent formula has been to marry the boss's daughter," Edwin Faulkner, president of Woodmen Accident and Life in Lincoln, said. "If this avenue Isn't available, I suppose one should apply the Haratio Alger virtues of hard work and enthusiasm and hope for a break," he added. "IN MY LINE of work, success is not measured by a profit and loss statement," Governor N o r b e r t Tiemann said. "It is measured every four years at the polling place and the decision is final." "Also," he continued, "success Is determined by what is done in the legislative assembly to improve the government of the state." Generaliz ing, Tiemann said that success is not measured by the person Involved, but bv "somebody else, voter or stockholder." Commenting facetiously on campus disorders, Tiemann said that he "had even participated in one," in his col lege days. "IT WAS a nice spring day, and the fire department and police department needed a workout so we gave them one," he said. "We were to march to the state capltol but we ended up at the Bar and Grill, so you see how much it amounted to." More seriously, Tiemann agreed with Otto Kotouc, Nebraska attorney, who said, "the Board of Regents are to be commended on their policy on campus disorders." (permitting orderly assembly but prohibiting violence). "The Board of Regents are to be Black students skeptical, will adopt wait - and attitude - - Williams Black students are skeptical of the University administration's response to the twelve demands of the Afro American Collegiate Society (A-ACS) and they will adopt a wait-and-see at titude, according to Wayne Williams, A-ACS president. A meeting Monday afternoon. In volving administrators and black students leaders, served mainly to establish the intent behind the leinamis, Williams said. Black students are interested only In actual Implementation of the twelvt demands, be said Tuesday. Williams said he was happy with only a part of the administration's response. That segment involves the recruitment of a black counselor and a black coordinator, G. Robert Ross, vice chancellor for student affairs, has promised Williams orally that the University will hire a black counselor and a black coordi nator, according to Williams. This is J. Faulkner, two University Masters, JL complimented, but the students are also to toe complimented for their orderly behavior during the past week," Tiemann said. "MILITANT OR REACTIONARY movements cannot succeed on a campus unless there is student sup port and participation," Tiemann continued. "And here, students have shown they want no part of them. "At the University, the administra tion has always gone to the students and Che students have always gone to the administration," Tiemann said. "I hope it will continue thia way this communication, I think, is one of the reasons for the peace and calm on the Nebraska campus," he con cluded. Discussing campus disorders as a national problem, Marvin Schmidt, senior partner in an Omana law firm, said "Anything that gets out of the area of reason is out of the area of what is good for society." Referring to the Afro-American Collegiate Society demonstrations last week, Schmidt commented, "that's the kind of assembly that's worthwhile. It was orderly and the participants pollcled themselves." "HUMAN RIGHTS are downgraded toy those who espouse them when no respect Is shown for the dignity of others, Kotouc said, com. menting on violent campus disorders. "Freedom of speech and assembly are permlssable, but civil disobe dience and destruction of property are not written into the Constitution," he added. "If we continue to tolerate people who want to climb up the ladder themselves through Injury to others, chaos will result," Kotouc conclud ed. CARL OLSON, president of Olson Construction Company, called campus disrupters "a minority group who make themselves loud and clear." "J, Edgar Hoover has said that there are organized attempts by the first time that any commitment has been made to that affect by the University. The administration released a statement that said that the A-ACS will be directly involved In the elec tion of staff who will have specific assignments with black students and their programs. Financial ar rangements for the position will be completed no later than July 1, the statement said. Ross said that a person could be chosen by that date, although qualified black counselors are scarce. Funds for a temporary and part-time counseling personnel have been allocated since April 7, but no part-, time person has been hired. Involved in the Monday meeting was Williams, Lonetta Harrold of the A-ACS, and President Joseph Soshruk, Ross a?i C Peter Magrath, Dean of Faculties. Ross described tie meeting as speak at a press conference. concern anarchistic groups to create disrup tion on campuses," Olson continued. "I'm not saying this is true, but con sidering the source, I think it is a warning that should be recognized." I think the media should take another look at themselves," Edmund Steeves, General Motors public rela tions official, said. "There is a tendency to over-report and to report events on an anticipatory basis. Even in the school paper here, I've noticed much emphasis has been placed on events that might just happen." SEVERAL of the Masters agreed with Steeves, that the media has con tributed to the magnitude ot campus disturbances and that protestors and hippies are a small minority. This prompted a question from the floor that perhaps the "social ills" behind the protests are exaggerated, and that students shouldn't be so concerned about them. Faulkner, who had said earlier in the conference that "most un dergraudates deplore the tactics of the restive elements on campus," answered, "most of the objection is not with the concern of the students, "but with the methods that are employed even when the concerns are valid." When asked to compare the class of 1969 with his class of 1949, Governor Tiemann said, "the '69'ers are much better looking." ("They're younger," added one of the other Masters.) "Seriously," Tiemann continued, "If the students today aren't better in every way than the students of 20 years ago, then the educational system has failed miserably. "Students at all levels elemen tary, secondary and college are much more advanced than they were 20 years ago," he said. "This is one reason why I've been so vigorous in trying to get the voting age lowered to 18. By this age, students are m u c h better prepared and deserve a voice in the government. ' "Last year, an amendment to lower the voting age to 19 almost passed." Tiemann continued. "I think with another crack, we may make it" thoughtful and deliberate, involving free and open discussion. The state ment released after the meeting does not represent a change from the ad ministration's original viewpoint. Williams said the Society has not achieved, as of yet, all the things it is concerned about, but a definite step forward has been made. Discussions will continue, although none have been scheduled. The sessions may take a different form than the presentation of written statements, Ross said. The administration statement, which was written Sunday before the two and one half hour meeting Mon day, said "We recognize the existence of conditions and problems relating to human dignity and equality that require continuing and expanding af firmative action by all segments of the University community." The only black demand that the ad ministratioa frankly was not ia 'Raise in reduce may by Jim Pedersen Nebraskan Staff Writer Two students believe that the decision of the University to raise dormitory rates for the 1969-70 academic year may result in reduced occupancy levels forcing the University to prohibit students from moving off campus. Bill Gilpin, a student member of the Housing Policy Committee, said Monday that dormitory residents are upset over the raise in rates and the late date at which the administration announced the increase in rent. "Dorm contracts are more than a month late, and students want to plan where they will be living next year," he added. "The raise in rates may be justifiable but the lateness of the decision certainly is not." THE BOARD OF Regents Saturday approved the recommendation of the University administration to raise the rates from the present $800 per year to $880. According to M. Edward Bryan, director of housing, the rates will consist of eight monthly payments of $100 from September through April along with an $80 fee when the con tract is signed. "The actual raise in rates is $66." Bryan said. "The $80 increase will include a $14 linen fee which is now charged extra to dorm rent." Bryan added that the $5 now taken from the full year's dorm rate and returned to the residence hall student governments for their use will be in creased to $6. ' Bill Chaloupka, past president of Harper Hall, like Gilpin fears that occupancy may be seriously affected by the increased rent. "WHEN YOU JUST raise the rate like the administration has, there are some people who will move out because they can't afford to pay," he said. "But there are many other people who will regard the increase as the breaking point because they have not been given any reason for the increase." According to Chaloupka, the Student Affairs Committee ivaives grade requirements for candidates The Student Affairs Committee Monday reversed an earlier ruling of its Student Activities and Organiza tions sub-committee and waived the 2.0 grade average requirement for Bob Zucker thus allowing him to run for ASUN president. Two other students seeking to run for senate seats were also waived on the 2.0 requirement. They were Sue Langdon and Howard Walbaum. According to John McCollister, electoral commissioner, the com mission is now in some doubt as to whether the University rules and regulations should be used as a stan dard for qualifying candidates. "There is some question as to whether the committee used the same criteria in judging the appeals of all three candidates, ' McCollister said Tuesday. "Through conversation with Walbaum, I learned that he did not appear before the committee to present his case. "Many people are concerned over whether this case is a precedent to be used In future appeals on the grade rule," he added. Becky Broman, whose appeal was agreement with involved the estab lishing of a black studies program, staffed and directed by black school ars. "Our practice is to treat all persons and subject matter on the basis of equality, and for this reason black studies program staffed and directed by black scholars is inconsistent with our educational ideals and objec tives," the statement said. However the statement did say, "Consistent with the University's commitment to human dignity and equality, we are eager to have black and ether minority faculty participate in our academic programs. Another demand of the black students involved Increased t'ack enrollment by 200 next fall. The University will Intensify and enlarge its already initiated efforts to attract students from minority groups, the administration response said. No et act figures or dates were given. dormitory occupancy University should have informed the students through publication of an in tended rate increase just "to prepare them for the shock." "Although it is necessary for pro fessional people to make the decision on the technical matters of rates, students should know what is going on," he continued. "As recently as two weeks ago, the residence halls coordinator didn't know whether or not there would be a rasie or how much of a raise." "We were hoping that we could ride with our present rates," Bryan stated. "But as we gathered data and in formation, we found that we could not." THE REASONS for raising the rates, Bryan said, were tliree-fold. The Universitw was forced to raise the salaries of dormitory employees in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act minimum wage law. The raise in salaries amounted to a seven and one half per cent increase over the existing wage scale. The University anticipates a four per cent increase in food costs. This increase also reflects rising labor and transportation costs for food stores selling to the University. Other costs which include services and equipment in the dormitories are expected to rise by at least three per cent. Gilpin feels that the delay was unnecessary. "The University has known since 1966 that it would come under the minimum wage law and they should have anticipated the effect it would have on costs," he said. "I don't understand why the rate raise couldn't have been planned earlier and students informed." THE HOUSING OFFICE was aware of the implications of the Fair Labor Standards Act. according to Bryan. However, the University attempted to maintain the existing rates by being more efficient with staff wage scales. denied because she is a first semester freshman, said Tuesday she will challenge the ruling. "I don't think it is fair to allow people without the 2.0 average to run and at the same time deny a freshman who is really interested and concerned the right to run," she said. Miss Broman's appeal was denied on the basis of a University activity regulation which stipulates that a VP I V" X . .: w .... , .- " , Miss Susan Vanneman, a sophomore from Fremont who wowed the judges with a medley from "The King and I," grins after being crowned Miss University of Nebraska. Miss Vanneman also won tha talent portion of the contest. rates "The rising food and service costs were not as well documented," Bryan added. "It wasn't possible to know all the facts in advance." "If we could have put our data in file form and with accuracy we could have presented it to the Regents at their March meeting," he continued. "We could not do this and still be sufficiently accurate." According to Bryan, the delay may have saved at least $15 for each stu dent. The original figures of the. raise were set around $900, Bryan added. This figure was In accordance with the rates charged in most other Big Eight Schools, according to Bryan. "Because we took the time to fully develop the program with accuracy," he said, "we reduced the figure to $880." ALTHOUGH NOTHING was of- ficiaily published concerning the raise in rates, the housing office informed the Houing Committee three months ago that an increase in rates was under consideration. The committee, which is composed of three students, three faculty and two administrators, was never con sulted further onthe decision to in crease the rent. "Although the role of the committee has expanded a good deal since its formation, it has never been the con cern of the committee to deal with financial problems," Robert Hough, associate dean of the college of arts and sciences, said. "The actual role of the committee has never been defined," he added. "It should be decided between Student Affairs, the housing office and the committee just what in the world our role is." The committee was not drawn into the question of increased rates until last Friday. Hough continued. If the Housing Policy Committee is provided with the necessary information on financial issues, it can make decisions. - student cannot hold office student completes 12 hours until the of credit with a grade average of above 2.0. "They set a precedent by accepting Zucker and Langdon," she added, "and then the committee had to ac cept Walbaum." "If the 2.0 rule no longer stands.' Miss Broman said, "then there is no reason why the freshman rule with a required 2.0 should stand." - H I r J: 4. ' i" P. i V v