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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1974)
w y, verify ediioriQ o surprise - " Gov. J. James Exon has never been known as a friend of education, so his budgetary recommendations and comments concerning UNL's proposed life sciences building should come as no surprise. Last month Exon called for a $2 million appropriation for the new building's capitai construction costs, although its actual price tag is expected to be closer to $6.2 million. Additionally, Exon said he preferred existing UNL buildings house life sciences activities. Ramshackle Bessey Hail, built 57 years ago, obviously is inadequate and possibly is unsafe as well. Housed in Bessey, the School of Life Sciences already relies on Lyman and Hamilton Halls for overflow classes and laboratories. As many as six persons work in one small Bessey office, causing one faculty member to joke, "We say 'excuse me' a lot" Bessey library shelve space-and thus reading space-is so scarce that rows of books line the hallways. Poorly designed laboratories include a one-faucet aquatic animal lab with no floor drains, with electric and gas outlets in short supply. Both Exon and state legislators should remember at least one reason why the state and federal office, buildings are being built: to consolidate offices scattered throughout town. Activities of the School of Life Sciences also should be consolidated in a new, $6,2 million building. The legislator should overrule Exon and give the school the money it needs for a new building. Unfortunately, the legislature also ' is not known for its generosity where education is concerned. Mary Voboril ,.--.. - j - '""P'yscr imww um w mm iii ww mnmuunmiy i iwniiu n nwi n iimiiiii H minimi ii jiimimiii I man n m I im mmiwn " '" J w- Folks in Farmingtpn avoid fisticuffs, use pens No one has asked me how crime and dishonesty are prevented in Farmington, the mystery-shrouded nation mentioned earlier in this space. But if someone does, I've got my answer all ready: they aren't. . People are always stealing things from each other, like cars and jewelry. Everyont drives five m.p.h. over the speed limit, people under age 1 9 drink beer and jaywalkinq is the national sport Really, it's a lot like any other place, except for one thing. folks in Farmington aren't at all convinced violence is a necessary ingredient of human life. They do, however, know their neighbors do things they don't like, so instead of shooting at each other and having fistfiohts, they send out nasty letters, and they all do it on the same dav. . Originally the event occurred annually, on Feb. 14, but soma of the surlier Fermingtonians felt one day i year simply wasn't enough. The event was arbitrarily changed to every three weeks, on Monday. What happens, exactly, is that every one sits down on Sunday night snd writes letters to anyone who's goofing things up. It's interesting to note the effect the practice has on literacy in Farmington. It seems kids just can't wait to start teiiing people off, so practically everyone over the age of five is literate. ,. , V v'"''-'' ill i desperate remedies As I said before, I've never been to Farmington and don't plan to go, but a friend of miit-i has and he sent me some of the every -ifyree-weeks letters. Here is a random selection from tha ores he sent me. "Dear Sir: I would gredtly appreciate it if you would trim your hedge. I drive by it every day and it just irks the hei! out of mi; to see tn.it one branch of wysteria sticking up, Nov get busy and trim it. (Signed) A Friend." "Dear Rose : We've been married now f or a month and l-well, I just can't hold it back any longer. There's .this one way you turn your head that really irritates me, and I don't know why exactly. Did you know I was subject to irrational fears and phobias when you married me? (Signed) A Husband." "Dear Shopper: You're a pretty good customer generally but the way you fooS around getting your money out drives me nuts. Four people behind you and my boss swearing at me and it's closing time and darn it, there you are, still digging in your wallet. I just wanted you to know it bothers me. (Signed) A Clerk." There are a few other letters in the collection, like one from a professor telling a student to get his papers in on time. And there's one from a student telling a professor to start getting papers back on time, but they all run along the same lines: little bits of constructive criticism and biting sarcasm. As always, the debate continues over whether to change the three week cycle, but probably nothing will happen. The people who want it oftener and those who want it less often call each other such hideous names that the bulk of the population stands, intimidated, upon the status quo. Besides, most Farmingtonians couldn't care less. Apathy to kill mass meeting? This evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Ballroom a mass meeting concerning campus alcohol and visitation policies will take place. The meeting can have significant effect on changing present policies. I can't predict what will actually happen at the meeting, or what influence this action will have in the end. Any measure of success that tn meeting might have, however, will be determined by the number of people that attend. The -title "Mass Student Meeting" is connotative of perhaps thousands of students rallying at the meeting, spirits high with the thought that at long la:t, control of the matter might be in their hiu. Thai i not z very rco!::t:c connotation on this campus, however, where student apathy is more the rule than the exception in nearly every matter. m Change in aicoho! and visitation policies cannot afford student apathy. There have been very laudable efforts by some students in the work for a change. The meeting ii just one other effort with the notable difference that it is a mass effort and can have influence exactly bfcau.3 of that reason. It is because I am tired of The err popular accusations that ASUN and otter t;.-.-ni 'Vrffncj bodies are powerless and meffeuLtfl Uiai ! t.u, concerned for the success of tonight's meeting by means of a large turnout. In event of failure the blame can be placed only whore it has lurked all the time. ,,X mu 'iin.i l i' T in"" -.iM..Miwi-MMl f .,.illOTI.iiiiiS i xTh-tM3U-4r--F -folio-. J !?l w , wn 'JO mi III L.?V ,v -Vp m i : : : - : . - ; - - -' - ' Emilie Crown daily nobraskan Wednesday, february 13, 1974i