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IL 110
end.
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Veni, vidi, vici ... not really.
The job of Daily Nebraskan editor-in-chief has
come to an end for this journalist. As a closing
editorial gesture, it seems only fitting to comment
now on everything that I may or may not have
overlooked.
A number of interested parties have queried me
about the best news story of the semester. Instead of
citing a particular story, I have decided to comment
on each issue that I found to be significant.
The entire question of student fees, due to its
magnitude deserves first mention. It appears to have
no immediate solution. Chancellor Zumberge appears
not to be in the business of funding student
organizations in the future so the fee "question"
remains just that.
The most plausible solution would be funding the
Nebraska Union operations, the University Health
Center, Recreation and Intramurals and the Student
Activities Office directly with tuition. Other activities
such as the Daily Nebraskan, Union programs and
ASUN should be given a two to three year option on
the current fee schedule, in hopes that in that period
of time each would find an alternate means to
financial stability.
In that time, the Daily Nebraskan could fund its
own way with advertising revenue (yes Virginia, the
Rag has had lots more ads this semester, but it also
has had an unprecedented amount of news, too).
Union programs should become responsive only to
students willing to finance them. This may mean
reducing the number of full-time program assistants
working with the Union Program Office.
ASUN should creatively and immediately get out
of the program business and cease funding of other
campus organizations. Then it could concentrate on
improving the institution through rigorous and
sometimes forceful committee work.
Aha! . . . The Board of Regents.
What can I say that has not already been said.
Well, regents such as the inimitable Robert Prokop,
MD Ph.D., really don't deserve to be where they now
are Prokop represents more ot a tnreat man a
promise to the entire institution. Even disregarding
the obviously questionable academic ethics he now
professes, Prokop has contradicted himself too much.
Administrators now spend so much time watching
out for his next unpredictable move that they
scarcely have time to run the institution. 'Nuff said
about Regent Bob.
The rest of the board, I have to commend for
diligence. Overlooking some dubious stands taken by
Regents Moylan and Koefoot, the members are
indeed committed to the University and its growth.
Amen.
One of the significant items all semester has
happened recently. The University Governance
Committee is finally presenting its proposed set of
by-laws. They were assigned the task nearly a year
ago, and the fruits of many, long hours of labor are
now forthcoming.
One slight drawback. After 12 months of drafting
and committee work, they will only be available for
public hearing two days, Monday and Tuesday of
next week -right in the midst of finals and hour
exams for most students. Copies of the draft are still
amendable, and input from the whole community is
needed.
The Bert Evans fiasco ranks high in news this
semester too. His apparent subjection to harassment
by colleagues for no valid academic reason is most
regrettable.
The Daily Nebraskan has learned that the
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) had a
representative sit in on all of the committee hearings
concerning the case. The AFT observer's conclusion
was that if anyone was in the right, it was Evans, and
that his academic work was certainly credible. From
the evidence I have, that is an appropriate conclusion.
One big "bravo" also goes to Loyd Fischer of the
agricultural economics department for his ability to
"tell it like it is." His statements, to the press
concerning the entire Evans matter were most
authentic, and not tainted by any petty gripes or .
whims. Thanks for being truthful, Loyd Fischer.
Visitation in the 24-hour sense may be far off for
. the UNL campus, but a victory was scored this
semester surprising lots of people, including students.
Above all, the students who have weathered the
storm of imprisonment by the archaic visitation
policy for the past five years deserve credit.
Realizing that the construction of "degree factory
domiciles" was a mistake in the first place, the
regents shouldn't take it out on students. But it looks
like that will be happening for the next few years.
And now, a prospectus for the future of the
University. Under the tough administrative control of
James Zumberge, the quality of UNL academics can
only improve. But not until its students open up their
minds.
When faced with disagreement, most of the
students I dealt with interpreted my disagreement as
animosity. When I disagreed with someone, more
than likely they ended up hating me one way or
another. If this type of narrowmindedness
perpetuates itself the way it appears to be now, then
the entire concept of freedom will need constant
nurturing and attention. Usually it was the extremely
opioniated people who could not handle diverse
opinion. The very liberal and the very conservative
couldn't handle it. Too bad.
Minus any cynicism, the semester as editor-in-chief
of the sixth largest newspaper in the state was
profitable. A most talented and cooperative staff
paved the way for a great semester, and a fine salute
to the end of my five-year academic career.
If I had a college career to do over again, I think I
would probably go Greek, try to pull good grades and
gun for the meaningless honor of being named an
Innocent. Things just aren't the same as when I was a
freshman back in 1967.
Barry Pifeer
PAGE 4
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1972
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