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Jerry Stehlik
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Kris Umbo
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friday, September 8, 1972
"STILL A LITTLE WORRIED
ABOUT THE FUTURE .. ."
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(EIRSAHMMBTE
fje personality of a University is in
many ways a composite reflection of
the personalities of its students. In
today's Daily Nebraskan staff writer
Chris Harper examines the political
and social reflections of a few of the
University's newest personalities its
freshmen.
The Young man lounged on the
Naugahyde couch, puffed on his
cigarette and remarked, "I go to
college because I want to get into a
professional field and make better
money."
A return to the 1960s? Maybe. But
he's only one of six pragmatic,
job-oriented UNL freshmen students
interviewed last week by the Daily
Nebraskan.
The ballot box appears to be a
more effective tool for change in the
minds of these freshmen. And they
seem more interested in confronting a
textbook than a University
administrator.
Why did these freshmen students
come to college?
"My relatives have always come to
college, so I just wanted to come. I
didn't really think about it. I always
took it for granted that I would go to
college," said Nancy Mohrman, of
Fargo, N.D.
The Kappa Kappa Gamma pledge
said she believes politics are important
but she "hasn't really followed them
since I 've just become able to vote."
A better job is the reason Kendall
Binder, of Pawnee City came to
college.
"Nowadays you almost have to
have a college education," Binder said.
"You have to learn more about what's
going on. Most jobs are more
complex-you need the college
experience."
Another freshman, Kelly Buechler,
of Grand Island, ...said that student
demonstrations are useless.
"Protests are not an effective means
of change because most people pass
them off as a group of rowdy students.
No one pays much attention to what
they're saying," Buechler said. "I
believe in many of the old American
traditions but I also agree that we do
need some changes."
Buechler, who is a Sigma Alpha
Epsilon pledge, cited the Vietnam War
as the most important American issue.
Although another student also cited
the war as America's most pressing
political issue, most felt the country's
economic condition was the most
urgent problem.
Maria Norman, a freshman from
Ord, termed herself "apathetic and a
bit cynical" about politics.
Centennial College freshman, Shiela
Boler, 17 of Omaha, said she believes
the student protest movement has had
some positive affects, but said
demonstrators should opt for ballots
rather than marches.
One positive result of the student
movement has been that young people
have won the right to vote, she said.
Politicians now must address
themselves to youth issues in order to
gain students' votes, she added. And
other groups, such as the elderly
citizens, realize they can protest as a
result of the student movement, she
said.
Boler, however, was harshly critical
of some student activists, who she
termed "intellectual moochers."
"Students could be heard better if
they did more constructive work in
our society. Many older people
consider a person's worth by the
amount of hard work he does. Many
students' original ideas are good but
they often evolve into pure rhetoric,"
Boler said.
Freshmen agree on drugs, abortion
The emphasis was on personal freedom specifically,
personal choice. On questions like abortion, drugs, religion and
women's liberation, the answers lie with the individual,
according to seven UNL freshmen interviewed last week by the
Daily Nebraskan.
I'll never use drugs but I'm not down on anyone that
does," said Arlan Rielmnitz, of Mitchell, S.D.
"I guess it's something that I don't need," he added. "I can
do very well without drugs."
The pre-law major said he believes "Everyone has what they
feel they need and thus each person should have a choice of
what they need."
Carol Egger, of Hickman, said she doesn't need drugs.
"I don't use drugs because there are too many other things
to get high on. But I don't disapprove of someone that uses
drugs," she said. "I don't use drugs because I'm happy with
myself. If I wasn't happy, then I'd rather change reality."
Another coed, Lisa Peterson, of Elkhorn, said she doesn't
object to use of marijuana, but believes most other drugs are
harmful.
"I don't believe there is any physical effect with
marijuana it's only as bad as alcohol," Peterson said.
Marijuana is a "social mechanism," Peterson added. "I
don't approve of hard drugs. I think people who use them are
crazy."
Jerry Stehlik, of Kearney, urged decriminalization of,
marijuana.
"It's fine if you want to smoke marijuana," he said. "I've
seen no substantial proof that marijuana has negative effects."
However, he said he believes there is sufficient evidence
that hard drugs are harmful.
"I can't condemn other people for using hard drugs, but I
feel it's not worth it for myself," he added.
Most of the freshmen thought abortion should be a matter
of personal choice.
"I'm very liberal about abortion," Rielmnitz said. He cited
population growth, deformed and unwanted children as several
good reasons for more liberal abortion laws.
But physics major Bill Feay, of Omaha, was rather
skeptical. "I can see abortion in certain cases but not in others.
It should be up to the parents or individuals whether the
abortion is warranted," he said. "I put faith in those
individuals but abortions should not be a means to cop-out."
Egger was also skeptical, but contended it was a personal
decision.
"I wouldn't approve of abortion in most cases, but it would
depend on the circumstances," she said. "It would be much
better than bringing kids into homes where they wouldn't be
loved.
"I don't approve of it entirely because of the Puritan
instinct in me-l guess my mother got something through to
me," she added.
Stehlik said he favored legalized abortions.
"It should be up to the individual. Abortions should be
legalized for health purposes," he said. "Illegal abortions are
unsanitary and are not performed by qualified doctors in
many cases."
The need for an abortion should be determined by the
individual not the state, according to Kris Limbo, of Oakland,
and Lincolnite Linda Raymond,
"I couldn't have an abortion myself," said Limbo, "but I
can't say it's wrong for other people. Anyone that wants an
abortion should be able to have one."
Abortions should be legalized, Raymond agreed.
"I don't think an abortion is good but it's the lesser of
turn to p. 7
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Linda Raymond
Lisa Peterson
Bill Feay
Carol Egger
daily nebraskan
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