I
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Artistic dirt pile eliminates grassy eyesore
That pile of dirt: there's something
very beautiful about it That pile of
dirt might tell more about the UNL
campus than anyone really wants to
know.
That pile of dirt, of course, is the
one between Andrews Hall and
Teachers College. The reason for
contemplating it is that it seems as if it
may be with us for a long time.
Besides, it's pretty.
It had a name this summer, Mt.
Wright or something like that.
Eventually it became anonymous, but
because it preferred to. It is entitled to
a name, for it has come a long way.
But it knew it wasn't a mountain.
To say it has come a long way is
gross understatement, for it probably
began as an ugly green space. Green
spaces, especially green spaces with
trees on them, fell from favor in the
automobile age and the area was
paved. It became a parking lot.
A parking lot is a giant step up
from a green space. It doesn't require
mowing and cars can be kept on it
But this parking lot was destined for
greater things and eventually it became
what it is, a pile of dirt As a-pile of
dirt it is tremendous, for it combines
keith hndgren desperate remedies
the finest in aesthetic and practical
values.
Its most obvious use is as an
obstruction. Persons can't see Andrews
Hall very well because of it and that's
certainly a virtue. Hamilton Hall is
nearly invisible now and so is Teachers
College. Parts of these buildings are
still visible from other directions,
;
I if.i civ
ED MT. WRISOT
MONUMENT
unfortunately, but the pile of dirt is at
least a beginning.
The pile of dirt is artistic at times,
thanks to Nebraska weather. On rainy
days the pile of dirt covers all the dull
gray sidewalks around it with brown
goo. In windy weather it coats people
and animals, well, everything, with
pretty beige dust The UNL campus is
lucky to have a pile of dirt with such
taste.
It has a unifying function, because
it is the only geological formation of
any consequence on the campus. It's
no mountain and will never be one,
but it is ours. Other universities might
boast of their natural splendors,
mighty oak trees or particularly bright
freshmen, but UNL has a' pile of dirt
What of the future?
Oh, it will probably be with us
through the winter but no longer. A
pity, that, because on a campus where
two buildings like Teachers College
and the Administration Bldg. can
stand together without blinking, the
despicable thing seems to fit But it is
unfair to expect a structure grown to
such heights from a mere green space
to remain a pile of dirt. Maybe it will
turn into a garbage dump.
Letters appear in the Daily Nebraskan at the editor's
discretion. A Ifitter's appearance is based on its timeliness,
originality, coherence and interest. All letters must be
accompanied bv the writer's true name, but may be
submitted for publication under a pen name or initials. Use
of such letters will be determined by the editor. Brevity is
encouraged. All letters are subject to condensation and
editing.
Facts of case
Dear editor,
I find it necessary to write a letter to the editor in
order to clarify the more important facts in my case
with Millard Lefler Junior High School Principal
Robert Knaub and UNL.
Some of the facts are: 1. There is no dress code
for the Lincoln Public Schools; therefore I violated
no policy as Knaub contends. 2. I was not relieved
from student teaching until a week and a half into my
semester. Nothing was said at the outset about
wearing blue jeans. 3. Many other student teachers in
various schools in Lincoln are allowed to wear blue
jeans. Why not me? 4. I did not elect to leave Millard
Lefler as Bert Alfrey contends, but was kicked out
formally by Knaub. 5. I offered to give in and abide
by the supposed dress code, but was banned from
student teaching for no given reason.
sx BPiHG US TOG ETWEE"
Knaub hides behind what he says is his right to
refuse a "guest" student teacher in his school. "It's a
privilege that you are here," he told me. I'd like to
know what kind of privilege it is to student teach,
since I had to pay over $200 for the right to take nine
hours of student teaching? Are student teachers
"paying guests?"
Knaub thinks he can downgrade me by making
false allegations about my dress also, (e.g., wearing
workshirts.) I never wore a workshirt as he contends,
and he knows this.
Knaub said I was kicked out for not dressing like
other teachers. He would rather lie back on this
position than to face me in an open discussion. Why
didn't he kick me out for my hair length? No one else
in that school wore their hair like me.
The worst part of this is the lack of support I
received from University officials. Contrary to what
Alfrey says, I have seen the mysterious "Mike
Johnson file" in his office and I have not been able to
read it. In an attempt to cover up the true facts,
Alfrey h;is continuously given rearranged accounts of
my dilenma to the press and faculty members. To
top this all off, it was he who ordered me to take the
alternative course from John Lux.
Lux has insisted that I take what Alfrey calls
"Mickey Mouse courses" to make up for my student
teaching. These courses include the NUSTEP courses
in Teachers College which I took more than a year
ago and in which I received straight A's. This was not
something I agreed upon, but was the only course
forced upon mc by the University.
Although Knaub was lying in his allegations
against nie, he was right in one thing: I don't intend
to give an inch. I'm not about to let anyone screw me
the way he and certain University staff members are
trying to do. If a policy applies to one person, it
applies to all, and not just a few, or else there is no
policy.
If anyone doubts my sincerity in this fiasco, I
would remind them of one thing: By making this
stand I will probably never teach in any school. But
all my education will have been worth it if I can get
rid of just one more piece of crap that no one will
ever have to face again. Mike Johnson
Wrong way
Dear editor,
I believe Mike Johnson went about seeking a
change in the wrong way. He can't change the school
system's dress rules by rebelling as he did. He should
have approached the board on the subject. He reacted
undiplomatically and didn't think of possible
consequences.
What will this do to the possibilities of others in
student '.caching or who plan to student teach? He
was given the rules, but still went ahead and wore
blue jeans. Was he told not to return until he changed
his style of dress? Principal Robert Knaub thinks
not: "Johnson was not 'dismissed' from student
teaching at Millard Lefler, but chose not to come
back."
Rules are rules: we all have to give in sometimes.
Face it, Johnson, this is one of those times. There's a
difference between casual and sloppy dress. Save the
legal fees and invest them in something better, or find
a field in which jeans are accepted.
Lynn Wesslund
False alarm
Dear editor,
I would like to say a few words regarding the
setting of f of the fire aldims in the residence halls on
Sept. 25 during the power failure. It seems the
residence hall occupants continuously are proving
their immaturity by their senseless and foolish abuse
of the file alarm systems.
I wonder how many of these jokers realize that
pulling on those "little red boxes" when no fire
exists, it creates undue chaos and is committing a
felony punishable by both sentence and fine. It also
may be the eventual cause of death or serious injury.
Also, each fire alarm that the Lincoln Fire
Department answers is charged to the University. If
you haven't figured it out yet, whatever costs the
University costs the taxpayers of Nebraska and
whoever pays your tuition and housing. It is fine if
you or your parents have the money to throw away,
but some students have to work long hours just so
they can go to college and get an education.
Just as important, the Board of Regents is aware
what is going on and pranks don't help our image as
mature adults. It is clear why the regents won't give
us any more favors. It is because they don't think
that we are old enough or responsible enough to
handle ourselves in a mature manner.
If we want to see longer guest hours, closed doors,
and possibly alcohol on campus, we are going to have
to prove ourselves. We already live together. Let's see
if maybe'we can't grow up together and possibly
reach these goals.
Scott Steen
Few cheers
Dear editor,
What concerns me is the lack of cheering at
Nebraska football games for anything other than "Go
Big Red." To many, cheering and showing emotion
and excitement is just part of the game and makes it
more enjoyable.
r At fir- couldn't understand why the card
section ' .... njiVt. It took a while to realize that
you ;iy i .r the yell-leader even with the
loud i! it syoten
IV ! t'j qc'. 'jots rough is when a team needs
fan :, Lu ,( NU that's when it's lacking the
most, w; my "juple require the prodding of an
enthusiastic yell leader. What we have is one whose
expressionless monotone voice sounds as if there is a
live bomb under his platform and he's afraid of
yelling too loud and setting it off.
Maybe the yell leader isn't really supposed to
"lead" cheers and show emotion. Perhaps, as here, he
'dont mcp ol mv tape
should just recite a cheer and offer it to the students.
Few persons can become excited owr a system like
that.
I'm unsure how to solve the problem. I think the
present yell leader could do the job if he took it
seriously. If his performance at tryouts was anything
like his Saturday afternoon fiascos, I really can't see
how he was legitimately selected. I remember a year
or two ajo there was some controversy over yell
squad selections, especially the male members.
Apparently this problem was not solved. More people
need to be involved in the selection process, so that a
yell leader like we have now isn't a self-perpetuating
entity.
This would 1)0 a good place to start regaining the
old "school spirit", so visibly lacking at NU.
Bill Rocsler
thursday, October 4, 1973
daily nebraskan
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