The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, March 05, 1973, Page PAGE 4, Image 4
--Vx V ' editorial Ifil page 4 K -. : ;Tk -til Wt 1.., , t W NOT Ac 0lJt. , Lot i 5S lit' JUL w : ti 4 iw r 1 1 4 I O I08 Dear editor: Several years ago on the UNL campus, fraternities generally held the view that physical hazing was necessary to instill the feeling of unity and spirit that was supposed to characterize a fraternity. In the past four years most houses have moved away from this concept, but there remains a small minority that hazes "once in a while." Feeling that hazing is counterproductive, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the IFC Judicial Board are interested in attacking this problem from two angles. On eis the model house program, which offers constructive alternatives without the use of demeaning practices toward pledges. The second approach is one of enforcing the IFC by-laws in this area. It has been the policy of the Judicial Board to act only when a complaint is brought before it, but in the last year no complaints concerning hazing have been entered. A more aggressive policy is needed, and it is high time the houses got together to eliminate the last few hazing hold outs. Ken Cobb Student fees Dear editor: The chance to agree with the editor of the Daily Nebraikan on a student fees issue is rare, and I'd like to take advantage of it while it lasts. Yes, the idea of cutting off student fees for speakers only is about as sound as Penn Central. There are two trains of thought in opposition to fees-one responsibly reacts to the possibility of imbalance in speaker and other programs by demanding an end to them. The other, and more sensibly, I think, is concerned with the ethical and philosophical problem of what amounts should be paid, like it or not, to a tax to pay for a newspaper and a whole slew of programs which are necessarily related to the purpose of John Z. Student's education. The contention is that he should have the choice of deciding to participate or not. Yes, this involves the rights of speech and press-but they involve the rights not to support a speaker and to revoke a newspaper subscription if you get tired of its editor-which are most assuredly rights of free speech and press. So I agree with the contention that the proposed amendment is a mistake, because to attack speakers and not the newspaper or other programs makes a mockery of the whole reason for the bill. Mary Cannon Too little, too late Dear editor: A brief note to CSL members and other administrators (staff or student) from the vantage point of an individual now on the outside of the University structure: Isn't it maybe a bit silly to concern yourselves with a "Discrimination Board" at this point. Financial Aid (E.O.G., etc.) isnow drying up for most Chicano, Indian and black students. PACE has become a liberal facade, all student energies there appear to be gone. Financial Aids employees and Regents have compromised the "Program for Active Commitment to Education" into oblivion. All in all, there may be a discrimination board, but who's it going to be there for? Maybe, after much politicking, there could come out of this land grant school a recruitment program for "minority cooks and custodians." (No disrespect meant for the working people of the University.) Bill Arfmann Minimum wage Dear editor: This is a call to anyone concerned about having a say in influencing legislation in the Legislature. Currently in the Unicameral's Standing Committee on Labor, LB343, a bill concerning Nebraska state minimum wages, is being considered. This bill proposes several major changes in Nebraska's current minimum wage structure which was first established in 1969. First, it proposes to increase the minimum wage from $1 to $1.40 for 1 973; $1.50 for 1974; and $1.60 for 1975. Second, it proposes to increase the minimum wage paid to those compensated by gratuities from 75 cents to 90 cents per hour in 1973; $1 in 1974; and $1.10 in 1975. Last, it proposes to include those people employed for three months or less under the state minimum wage law for the first time. It seems rather obvious that this bill would better the lot of many people, mostly students. With more student support, it is very conceivable that this bill could become law. ASUN Legislative Liaison Committee daily nebraskan President Nixon, in another of his executive messages to Congress, announced his Human Resources Budget" late last week. The overriding spirit of the message seems to be a restatement of the President's inaugural admonition to Americans that they should be ready to do more for themselves and expect less help from their government. "The welfare mess cannot be permitted to continue," Nixon said. So he is ending some of what he called the well-intentioned socail programs of the past which he said have resulted in "dismal failure." Nixon announced that he is abandoning the broad welfare reform proposal that he made in 1969 and which was much touted in both of his most recent presidential campaigns. He will not push for the reforms "since the legislative outlook seems to preclude passage.. .in the immediate future." This means the President is giving up on his family assistance plan which would have strengthened welfare work requirements and, more importantly, established a guaranteed annual income. At the same time Nixon seems to be trying tc establish himself as a welfare crusader. He claims that his $125 billion human resources request is "nearly twice the amount that was being spent on such programs when I took office in 1969." But he fails to point out that most of his budget increases have resulted from additions to the Social Security program. Social Security is self-supporting through payroll taxes and, therefore, involves no greater commitment by the Nixon Administration. The possibility exists that, among other things, the Nixon budget would end federal aid for low and moderate income housing, cut health research, cut aid to education, reduce Medicare benefits for the aged and undermine efforts to strengthen rural America. In addition, the Presdient has impounded half the pollution control funds appropriated by Congress over his veto, and, by executive order, he has ended many housing and rural development proqrams. Apparently, President Nixon is not yet ready to begin treating America's domestic war wounds. " Tom Lansworth I'm -t-4? ef-ttelJiwm, fab-fat (qcxHtncr's bill I in a. S0t?l( jtrjcy Opto Stiver li-jo 1 HUtV Pitfdt fay eyzs monday, march 5, 1973 4kr -frr fl 'A 4 " ' - -mm .. y.m