loss of speaker fees may only be first step
0ot Voegler is a senior majoring in political science.
by Doug Voegler .
Rumor is that the University is willing to drop its
support of mandatory student fees for campus
speakers. Apparently the University feels that if it
cuts out speakers, which have raised the most
controversy of all the fees-supported programs, things
will quiet down and UNL will be allowed to continue
fee support for other programs. This is a mistake.
The opposition to student fees apparently has
decided on the strategy that if they can get rid of fee
support for speakers, then by nature something
would replace the speakers as the most controversial
use of fees. That something might beome the Daily
Nebraskan. Efforts can then be concentrated on this
item and fees would then be eliminated just for this
item.
Then another, say ASUN, follows, and so forth
until all student fees are eliminated. If student fee
support is cut for speakers now, with University
approval, than all fees could be eliminated within a
few years. It is hard to accept the idea that the
University believes that, by sacrificing speakers, it can
save the other programs. .
If student fees are wrong, then they are wrong
regardless of what use they are put to-speakers,
ASUN, health center, newspaper. What la rrc.rj with
ttudent fees, what Is obiectionsble il thsir
mandatory. ccnscrlDUtorv 'nature; ?'&-!
The arguments beyond this point, how they are
allocated, are superfluous to the real issue. An
opponent of student fees must oppose all ttudent
fees if he is morally honest. He can not single out one
aspect of their use.
The Federal District Court and the Nebraska
Supreme Court (neither known for their liberalism)
believe that student fees are constitutional. In light of
this, efforts to cut out fee support just for speakers
must be viewed with apprehension. '"
It is argued that disinterested students are forced
to pay for speakers. Is the speakers program any
worse than any other aspect of student fees? How
many participate in ASUN or use the health center?
How much more can the students be interested in
speakers? Certainly every once in a while attendance
for a speaker is low. But this is no new phenomenon
to the University; 2,300 heard Jack Anderson, 1,800
heard Margaret Mead; 1,000 heard Betty Friedan.
When William Kunstler came, a symposium was held
with the Law College at Sheldon-450 students and
professors packed the auditorium.
Are they measuring disinterest by attendance?
What speaker in this nation or the world would draw
more than a few thousand for an appearance.
President Nixon drew only about 8,000 for his
campus appearance.
As a past chairman of the Union Talks and Topics
Committee, I, perhaps more than anyone else, have
been able to experience campus speakers. The idea
- bctiivd I speakers is to allow students an opportunity
o(irrteract with people who are knowledgeable in a
specific area or on a timely topic of interest pr who
have gained national recognition and prominence.
When or where else will the student have a chance
to ask Margaret Mead or Justice Tom Clark a
question, talk science-fiction with Arthur Clarke,
literature with Joseph Heller or politics with Sen.
Robert Taft or Birch Bayh?
All speakers are covered by the newspapers and
occasionally by television and radio. What the people
read and hear in the media is just as important as
hearing the speaker in person. Campus speakers have
served a valuable function for the University. A few
have stirred controversy. We live in controversial
times. , '
As long as we are stuck with student fees, it is wise
to use a part of them for a speakers series. The
continual visiting of the University by nationally
prominent people is a vital and important part of the
University.
As well as giving students a chance to hear, see and
speak to these people, it draws people from the
surrounding community to the University. It
upgrades the prestige of the University. It publicizes
Nebraska to prominent and well known people (most
come to Nebraska only for paid speaking
appearances).
Saving the majority of student fees at the expense
of student fees for speakers is doing the University no
service.
1 ! '
; r-"-v
ability
G.O.Y.A superior
experience,
Editor's note:The different drummer column is solely an
expression of John Vihstadt's opinion. The endorsements
included below should not be interpreted as those of the Daily
Nebraskan editorial staff.
With student government elections next Wednesday, March
14, endorsement time is once again upon me. Students are
fortunate in having one party-Get Off Your Apathy
(G.O.Y.A.)-that is clearly superior to the rest.
Fnr nresident of ASUN. Ann Henry merits selection.
Currently speaker pro tempore of the ASUN senate, she has
provided dynamic leadership in such "jreasjas' library and;
alcohol irefofm. Henry is qualified Dy ootn aDiniy am
1 i n n -u . 3t"-; i
'Mark Hoeger is probably the strongest person running for
anything this year, and I would not be surprised if he is the
top all-around vote-getter next Tuesday. Co-chairperson of the
Legislative Liaison Committee along with Henry, he is ASUN's
registered student lobbyist at the Legislature.
It is particularly important that student government has in
a position of high responsibility an informed and articulate
speaker for student concerns and Hoeger fits the bill. The
candidate for 1st Vice President also serves on the Union
Board and the Associated Student Ko-op Board.
For 2nd Vice President I urge the selection of Todd
McDaniel, an appointed senator and, like Hoeger, a member of
the Ko-op Board.
The platform of the Get Off Your Apathy Party may best
be described as a coherent blueprint for workable change. It
calls for ASUN funding of a lawyer to act both as a free legal,
adviser to students and as a legal expert for ASUN itself.
A student regent is supported, and it should be remembered
that Henry and Hoeger, along with the Legislative Liaison
Committee, introduced into the Legislation (with help from
State Sen. Richard Marvel), a bill providing a constitutional
amendment to be put before the people in 1974 calling for
such a student representative.
In the area of educational reform, G.O.Y.A. proposes a
reform whereby "D" and "F" grades may be completely
dropped from one's record (with no credit) should the student
so desire. .
john vihstodt
i... u. harmful ntura of State Sen.
The party recusm - - .
Dickinson's LB362, which would destroy valuable University
grams of intellectual and cultural enrichment due to lack of
d& housing, parking, visitation .and minority
student funding are addressed in a sympathetic, forthright
Because the top three executives will need cooperation in
implementing their platform and : carrying out needed reforms
I call for the election of the entire G.O.Y.A. slate for senate
and advisory board positions.
The Republican Party in Nebraska is usually a very
oredictable entity and the current race to see who succeeds
Milan D Bsh of Grand Island as State Chairperson is no
rxceotion Unless all evidence is inaccurate, insurance
Lecu?ive William Barret of Lexington will be elected by the
ToB member Republican State Central Committee this
Saturday ; to the Party's . top position ' tjJsk wi
be lo paVeThe way for a iurn to the statehouse, a job
for which Barret is wen-suusu.
"Of course they put the austerity burden on us-we got the most experience with
itl"
Discussion turning A.S.U.N.
executive candidates
March 8, Thursday, 3:30,
Nebr. Union, Main Lounge
Sponsored By:
Union Talks & Topics &
Daily Nebraskan .
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3
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page 5
daily nebraskan
thursday, march 8, 1973
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