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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 1972)
chi u thursday, february 17, 1972 lincoln, nebraska vol. 95, no. 70 Cancellation letter prompts explanation c by Bob Shanahan "We have received your somewhat vulgar and quite intemperate letter of Dec. 19 with reference to your incomplete registration. The record shows clearly that your registration is incomplete as a direct result of the worksheet you submitted. "Your expressed deep dissatisfaction with the University and its practices indicates that you could not possibly be happy in continued association with it Accordingly, we are cancelling your registration for the next semester and asking the Bursar to refund your class reservation deposit " That was the response UNL sophomore Larry Molczyk received to a letter he sent Student Academic Services after receiving his incomplete registration form last semester. According to Molczyk, 'There was no implication on my part that the degree of my frustration was such that I was going to give up and quit the University." According to Dean Lee Chatfield of Student Academic Services, the official who signed the letter to Molczyk, "Our primary concern is to teach the student that this kind of language, this kind of interpersonal relationship, isn't going to prove very profitable in the long run." Chatfield said the cancellation threat is always used in response to letters that contain "four letter words in the participial form." Molczyk is currently enrolled in the University, but he said his incident points out many of the problems and misunderstandings students may encounter in dealing with the University. Chatfield noted that while registration problems are very important to the individual, it isn't a major problem as. far as the entire student body is concerned. He explained that there were a few extra problems this year because the processing center was moved. He said he feels the vast majority of mistakes can be remedied if students take more care when filling out their registration. Molczyk said that at present, the burden of responsibility falls on the individual student. Students should come to the Student Requests office when they have a problem, Chatfield explained. Molczyk noted that "there's more action taken on a personal basis there." When asked if he thought the registration mix-up was caused by the increasing "dehumanization" of the University, Molczyk said, "One may accuse the University of being cold and impersonal. I agree that I should have found out the facts first, but I'm interested in the vast number of students who aren't at fault." "8 Molczyk. . ."vulgar and intemperate letter." Asked the same question, Chatfield replied, "Isn't this an indication of something more fundamental? How can we be accused of dehumanizing when we aren't at fault and when we then make an attempt to change the situation anyhow? Churches stress student programs Students are still attending church and are involved in many, church programs, according to UNL campps and local ministers. The ministers agreed that church attendance was not suffering although many said it had declined slightly in the past few years. Each expressed a desire to make church more relevant to young people. The Rev. A. J. Norden of the University Lutheran Chapel said about the same number of students attend his Sunday worship services as last year. This means there has been a slight percentage decline in attendance because more people attend, the University this year than last, he explained. "The decline is not due to a new indifference but to other factors," Norden said. A larger number of automobiles take more students away from the campus on weekends, he said. Pastor Alvin M. Peterson of the Lutheran Student Chapel said attendance at his church rose until two years ago, leveled off, dropped last year and has stayed at that level this year. "We are in a transition period," Peterson said. "Students want new things and there is somewhat more resistance to the traditional than there used to be." The Rev. Mel Luetchei's of Wesley Foundation Chapel and Student Center said it was dangerous to talk about church attendance. "There is a tendency to measure the temperature of a person's faith by the number of times he goes to church," he said. As far as denominations go, the Wesley Foundation might be called "fruit basket upset," according to Luetchens. At least one-th ird of the congregati on is not United Methodist preference, he said. An important thing is happening on the University campus when students can get away from the pattern of having to go to one church all the time, Luetchens commented. This is exciting because "we can deal more with the faith than with our brand or color of it," he said. "Strong denominationalism turns many students off ," Luetchens said. The T Rev. Otis Young of the First Plymouth Congregational Church at 20th and D Streets said many University students attend his church. "We have no specific programs yet," he said, "but we are working in that direction. "Immediately, we are trying to loosen our worship service. We want to make it more vibrant, more alive." Young said his church was trying various forms of worship that appeal particularly to younger people. The Rev. Thomas Kramer, youth director at First Baptist Church, 1340 K St., said student involvement was growing at his church. Since the church is off-campus "we don't overload our kids with activities during the week," he said. Most of the programs are on Sunday. Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2110 Sheridan has three programs for college students, .according to John Painter, director of education. About 20 college students serve as instructors to junior high clubs, he said. "We have students involved in Biblical interpretation study' groups and many helping in our celebration worship services, which are designed by college students," Painter said. Students are also active participants in campus churches. . Norden said his philosophy was that "students who chop their own wood get ' warmed up twice." Students run the University Lutheran Chapel, he said. "Our church is organized as a congregation, a training ground for church work after they leave here," he commented. "We try to see students' needs now and a iFew years from now." Students like a variety of expression in their worship, he said. "We have tried new forms of worship. Kids like folk worship services but don't really demand them. "Students aren't asking the church to proclaim a message to their liking, but just one that can be applied to their lives and needs," Norden said. This makes the work more challenging than it used to be, but the church won't be defeated if it doesn't adopt a defeatist attitude, he added. Luetchens said the Wesley Foundation was trying to have its service enough like those at the student's home church to establish an identity but fresh enough "to speak to the ;xitement of the young adult world." "We have fresh new forms of worship," he said, "like a folk setting with guitars." The practice of religious faith has a lot of emotion in it, Luetchens added. "People don't all at once turn on to" something they aren't used to. It must be done gradually." Peterson said the Lutheran Student Chapel was also run by the students. This is the first time they have had the experience of feeling "this is my church," he said. "We have a worship congregation approach with frequent communion," Peterson said. "Worship is our main concern and services range from folk rock to the traditional. "It doesn't matter how many come to each program," Peterson said. Each one is significant, he added. "It is my belief that more students take their faith seriously than the average population."