The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, December 15, 1969, Image 1
Facult by John Dvorak Nebraskan Staff Writer (EDITORS NOTE: This Btory is the final in a two part series on the Pass Fail program at the University.) Sentiment among many faculty members at the University of Nebraska seems to favor an expansion of the pass-fail system. In fact, the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee will consider such a proposal at a meeting Tuesday. "The proposal would extend the pass fail privilege to freshmen and sophomores," said Dr. Walter Bruning, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. P-f credit would also apply toward group requirements, according to Brun ing. And, instead of the current 12 hour limit, a student would take a maximum of 24 hours on a pass-fail basis. Favors expansion Bruning could not say whether the MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1969 ix peace rally u by Ron Whitten Nebraskan Staff Writer "If God can humble himself by placing Christ among the peasants, then the United States can certainly humble itself and admit it has been wrong in this terrible war in Vietnam," Rev. Carl A. Burkhardt Jr. said Friday at a peace Moratorium. Burkhardt, along with six other speakers, addressed a crowd of about 200 students in the Union Ballroom on the history of the Vietnam War, pro spects for peace and the consequences of the war upon the American people. After briefly discussing the fate of the Roman empire, Burkhardt told the crowd that unless the U.S. quickly leaves Vietnam, this country will become "just another decline-and-fall study for historians of the next century." The Bethany Christian Church minister said that lately "peace is a dirty word in the U.S. unless it involves a complete military victory." Burkhardt said that by pursuing a military victory in Vietnam the U.S. will "never create peace at all." But, added Burkhardt, this seems to be t h e policy we are now pursuing. "It is my duty as a Christian minister, to raise my voice at my country and say: We as a nation are not God." Condemnation Other speakers echoed Burkhardt 's condemnation of American policy In the war. Dr. Ivan Volgyes, professor of political science at NU, called the Nix on's American policy "politically in genious." Nixon, said Volyges, "is a political animal, and only knows what it means to be reelected." Consequently, explained Volyges, Nix on will withdraw all American combat forces from Vietnam by 1972, and thereby be reelected President. "Why should you die for one man's personal vanity?" Volyges asked his listeners. "Nixon's plan is fine for him. Richard Nixon won't die in Vietnam. Volyges claimed that the President has actually Impeded a conclusion to the War In Vietnam. "Averlll Harrlman at Paris was on the verge of negotiating n meaningful, full-fledged cense fire for the war when Nixon was elected. And Nixon refused to follow up Hurriman's proposals,'" he suld. Volyges concluded that the only vic Model U.N. delegates defeat v ; ' J Howard Rosenberg (left), representing Israel in the Model U.N., gives his views on the Palestine reso lution to the General Assembly. sentiment favors pass Curriculum Committee will approve the proposal, or even if the group will vote on it Tuesday. He personally favors ex panding the p-f system, though he has serious misgivings about extending the privilege to freshmen. Should the Curriculum Committee ap prove the proposal, it would probably go to the Faculty Senate Grading Com mittee and then the entire Faculty Senate before becoming official. A number of faculty members, and administrators too, strongly favor ex panding the p-f system, which is limited under present rules. At current, only juniors and seniors can take p-f courses. Pass-fail credit may not excede 12 hours in a student's college career, and the credit may not count as minor or group requirements. No pass-fail is permitted in a student's major department. All classes ought to be graded on a pass-fail basis, according to Dr. A. Stuart Hall, professor of economics. "There are a variety of reasons," he policy wrong in Vietnam tory which could ever be accomplished in Vietnam will be a victory over the Sdigjn regime. "The end of tyranny in Vietnam will be at the expense of Theiu and Ky," said Volyges. "Those two will soon retire to the French Riviera and live like fat pigs on our money." Dr. Phillip Scribner of the Centennial College called the President "an in credible manipulator of public opinion" concerning Vietnam. He said Nixon has "fooled" many people into believing that the U.S. is getting out of Vietnam. Scribner said Nixon's "half-steps toward withdrawal" will have combat troops out of Vietnam by the 1972 elec tions, but many supportive troops will still remain there. It is in Nixon's best interests to keep the war going until 1972, Scribner claimed. "Nixon knows he has to win the Sou'h and border states to be re elected. Nixon as a peace candidate will not appeal to the South or border states." "Nixon needs the war issue to win the presidency again," Scribner said, "and he'll have it with his plan of Viet namization." All that, can now be done to thwart Nixon's plan, said Scribner, "is to con tinue opposing the war and get everyone to see our point of view." Alternatives Two of the speakers offered alternatives to the present Nixon policy of gradual withdrawal. An NU philosophy professor, Dr. Edward Becker, told the audience that Nixon's plan is not designed to "end the war, but merely get us out of it." "Since our long term goal should be not just the end of American deaths In Vietnam, but the end of the entire war, we should follow a policy of total disengagement from the Saigon regime," Becker said. Becker admitted that the new South Vietnamese government that would be formed would probablv be Communist, but, he added, "at least Communists are dedicated to social justice, and in this Instance they are the lesser of two evils." Becker said that If both sides desired to continue fighting, the civil war In Vietnam would go on despite an American withdrawal. , Becker suggested that asylum be of fered to ull South Vietnamese who would bv continued. "But by grading A, B, C, D and F we are differentiating between students, something which we have no business doing.' Hall said that he, for one, is not competant to differentiate between students. Such differentiation is arbitrary, he added. The dean of academic services at NU, Lee W. Chatfield favors expansion of the pass-fail system. "I would heartily endorse an expansion of pass-fail to include all courses except those in the major field," Chatfield said. Ultimate Extension The dean of academic services added he would not oppose extension of the system into a student's major field. "I'm afraid, however, that a student might be handicapped in the future if all his courses were pass-fail," Chatfield O LINCOLN, speakers say not wish to remain in the country after the U.S. leaves. "This would pro bably eliminate any bloodshed, especially if the Saigon regime would leave with us," Becker said. Another rally speaker, John Lil jenstolpe, a Lincoln ministerial intern, suggested that the United States "step aside, just for a moment, and allow the corrupt Saigon regime to collapse." Into the impending void could step "any of the many political factions in Vietnam who are waiting in the wings to form a neutralist government," Lil jenstolpe said. Communist coalition The fact that the Communists have had to form coalitions within Vietnam added Liljenstolpe, proves that total Communist domination of South Vietnam would not evolve. "A coalition government would be very desirable if only because the Vietnamese will be dealing entirely with their own people and not outsiders," he said. Liljenstolpe contended that much of present American foreign policy is aim ed at "welfare colonialism." He ex plained that the U.S. evidently wants to share "its good life and freedom to Invest in capitalism" with the entire world. "If America does not want to be recognized as imperialists, then let them step out from behind the Saigon facade and leave Vietnam," he said. Liljenstolpe also urged war protesters to find new methods of bridging the "communications gap" which he says has develped between the public In general and the protesters. "We must explain our position without enraging the people," he said. "We must protest without violence." Dr. Wallace Peterson of the Economics Department, explained to the listeners some of the economic consequences of the war In Vietnam. He contended that the war hus contributed to Inflation in this, country, as well as increasing tht federal deficit. "Before -I9K6 the entire Defense Department allotment from the Federal budget was about $50.6 billion," said Peterson. "Since then, the war alone has cost annually about $30 billion." "In the same time period prices have gone up about 18 per cent," Peterson added. Peterson admitted that no value could continued. "An employer would look at a transcript, and see only passes or fails, even in a students' major field." Chatfield speculated that most students still want to be graded, however. Most students expect to use their transcripts to get a job or to graduate, he added. Even though Chatfield favors ex pansion of pass-fail, he and other ad ministrators are powerless to do anything about it. The responsibility for pass-fail rests with the Faculty Senate or the individual teaching departments, he pointed out. Dr. James H. Weber, chairman of the chemical engineering department, questions the need to expand pass-fail, although he emphasized that he does not oppose the principle. "It's not being used," he pointed out. "Students in engineering, particularly, make very little use of it. If there is no demand for something, you don't push it." Weber admitted that restrictions do NEBRASKA be given to the 40,000 American lives that have been lost in Vietnam, but said he calculated a rough estimate of the production potential which has been lost. "Those men could have produced about $18 billion," he said. "This is enough to run the university for 232 years or the entire state for about 4 decades." Defense spending Peterson suggested that the U.S. should also re-examine its entire "military preparedness" structure because, he said, "we have spent over a trillion dollars since World War II searching for national security. I think we were more secuie back in 1945 than we are now." Peterson also offered his own comment on the war. "We have blundered into this war," he said, "and we should get out of it as soon as possible." A professor of sociology, Dr. Jack Siegman, made some observations con cerning the war's impact upon society In America. "The most positive consequence of the Vietnam War has been the politicalization of the young people of this nation," Siegman said. "I don't believe this would have happened had we not had this war." Siegman also cited the break-up of "the fragile alliance" between liberals and the middle class as another conse quence of the war. "As the costs of engaging in this war the lives ,the economic situation, the polarization within t h e country become dearer, Siegman noted, "the become clearer, Siegman noted, "the accomplishment of peace will become that much more rewarding." Applications are now being taken for second semester staff positions on the Daily Nebraskan. Application forms may be picked up in Room 34, Nebraska Union. Those wishing to apply for editor, managing editor, news editor or business manager must turn in applications to the Nebraskun office by 5 p.m. Tuesday. seating of by Sara Schwirder Nebraskun Stuff Writer Resolutions on the Middle East Crisis, over-population and Southern Rhodesia were passed by the Model United Na tions at the Nebraska Center Saturday. A resolution that would have seated Red China In the U.N. was defeated on a tie vote. The Model U.N., composed of nearly 200 delegates representing 50 nations, is a simulation of the actual U.N. Delegates research the history of their countries and vote the way they think their country would vote. The bill that would have admitted Red China to the U.N. was defeated, along with an amendment which would have replaced Nationalist China with Red China, excluding Nationalist ?htna altogether. The original bill had provided scats for both countries. The Middle East resolution, passed with relatively large majority, pro vides that Israeli troops be withdrawn from territory gained during the 1967 Six-Day War. It also includes a statement on the refugee problem and a clause urging ". . . acknowledgement of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political in dependence of the people of every state In the area . . ." - fail expansion limit the use of pass-fail. Students in engineering must take lfi hours of humanities and social sciences, besides English, and the number using pass-fail is still infintesimally small, he said. Dr. Dudley Ashton, chairman of the Women's Physical Education Depart ment, also questions the need for pass fail expansion. Her department allows no pass-fail courses at all. "A student's major courses should never come under p-f,". she said. Miss Ashton was asked if she favored expansion of the pass-fail privilege to all courses except those in a student's major field. "No comment," she replied. The chairman of the NU Art Depart ment said that certain studio courses in art, as well as laboratory courses, do not lend themselves to pass-fail. "We don't have p-f in art and we haven't given it a lot of consideration one way or another," said Duard Laging. The style is on the right i rri nnr ; mi Ml. L Jl II 11, U -, J l ' 7 X r if; jv f ' -.uk s I -.!.. - . .AT ' k ' . 1$ i ' " ' t 'XT ... I 1 ; W ) ! jL. "" J r wiciticiiittiiitf tiiiiiiiiitiitfiiiiiaijiiittiiitiiiriiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiaiitiiiiiifiiittiiiiiiiiittiiiiiiiitiitiitiitiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiititiiiitiiiiiit iiimiiif Nebraskan positions to be open Interviews by the University Publica tions Board for these four positions will be Wednesday afternoon. Applications for other staff positions, Including reporters, copy editors, busi ness assistants can be turned In any time before mid January. The last edition of the Nebraskan for first semester will be next Wednesday. Communist China The over-population resolution sailed through the General Assembly with little opposition. It advocated the use of birth control and planned parenthood for ull member states and established a special committee to help disseminate Informa tion about birth control to un derdeveloped countries. The Southern Rhodesia resolution con demns policies of racial discrimination in Rhodeslu and it demands release of political prisoners. It also urges the repeal of repressive legislation. Five colleges and universities participated In the Model U.N., but the majority of delegates represented the University of Nebraska. According to Wally Dean, president of the General Assembly, the Model U.N, has a practical purpose in addition to being fun. "The Model U.N. Is one of the few truly educational experiences at the University," he said. "You're forced to apply what you learn In the classroom to actual situations." Echoing the same sentiment, Secretary General Katie Johnson said, "instead of having to regurgitate what you've learned, you have to apply It." She said this was especially tine in the Security Council meeting, where for the first time, hypothetical situations were discussed. A hypothetical question in which "I suspect pass-fail is all right it academically oriented courses." Would be flooded Laging speculated that if art courses were offered on a pass-fail basis, the department would be flooded with non majors. The department is limited in space and can only accomodate ma jors.he said. Dr. T. E. Beck, assistant professor of English, favors enlarging the pass-fail system, but he wonders if it would be cruel to the students. Students may feel insecure with grades, Beck added, and grades can be used to stimulate a student to , study. "With respect to the future of a stu dent, it could be harmful," he said. "Employers and graduate schools de pend heavily on grades, and something would be needed to replace them, if the University went to a pass-faii system." VOL. 93, NO. 47 the appeal is on the left. Czechoslovakia was being Invaded by Austria, Rumania and Poland was sent to the Security Council. Waves of simuluted panic spread throughout the diplomatic channels and discussion on the question began Immediately. Although a solution was not reached, the Council learned the frustrations en countered by the average diplomat hav ing to cope with Incomplete information mid communications problems with oilier nations' delegates. The same problems were encountered by the General Assembly during their debate of resolutions. Amendments came and went, were proposed and were either passed or rejected as delegates sorted out Issues. The Palestine resolution on the Middle East question had four amendments, dealing primarily with reparation payments by Israel and refugee rights. Two passed along with the original bill. Original bills were drawn up n com mittee meetings held Friday afternoon. Four committees discussed and wroto resolutions bused on the four main topics. Dean said there were no speakers this year because of the cost and because "kids didn't want to stay in on Friday and Saturday nights."