frfchy.cpril 30,1976
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It is an almost overpowering temptation to use
this final editorial as a last chance effort to make
one more point, to argue one last final issue for
this senior college editor.
Instead it is best, perhaps, to remain silent on
the weightier issues. The Daily Nebraskan has
generated a certain amount of comment this
semester. Let the paper rest on those issues; let
that be part of what the newspaper will be
remembered for.
There is much to be genuinely proud of for
those of us at the Nebraskan. With real modesty,
but also real truthfulness, we believe the paper
has been lively, well written and carefully edited.
Long days and some longer nights are part of the
reason, but more importantly, this product was
the outgrowth of the talents of some splendid
people among the staff members. The senior
editors have grown m their personal and profes
sional stature as they have invested a large chunk
of their college careers in this newspaper.
A lot of the younger talent will remain. One of
the brighter spots certainly belongs to my
successor, new editor-in-chief Theresa Forsman,
from whom I expect to see some fine things.
The senior staff editors are often so involved in
the paper, both in extent and in time, that they
live much of their lives with each other. Ve have
been living on a binge of little sleep, lots of coffee
and varying degrees of confidence throughout the
year. And we have loved it. Sharing so much has
brought some pleasure, and with closeness, some
profound disagreement between ourselves. Yet it
is the nature of journalism, and of budding
journalists, to pack it all in and start the cycle
over again the next day.
The Dairy Nebraskan, from time to time, is
accused through its editors, of being an elite
group. We are enthusiastic and we are close, but
we rarely like to believe we are elite. If we were
truly elite, wewould find it impossible to get
anything done. We can't afford to be an elite, for
we are only as good as our next story.
A sense of fairness, of seeking out injustices, is
a part of our profession. It is that instinct that has
compelled us to vigorously pursue several stories
over the course of the semester. We harbor no
grudges, but our tolerance for anything but the
straightforward and honest is very low.
So now we ask, at the same time with relief
and with disbelief, the question posed by Ralph's
friends: "Is this really the end?"
We are destined to split up, to make our own
lives, to go our separate ways. And probably for
some of us, in time, to lose touch.
One likes to think it won't happen, but it
seems to be an inescapable fact of our society and
of the mobility invoked in a journalism career.
No doubt our skills will grow more refined
with the years. Regretably, they probably also
will grow more staid, more established. This
enthusiasm that has been shared, as we have
struggled with our first media experience, could
not be sustained for the whole of our careers, but
the dedication that was refined throughout the
year won't leave us.
You, the reader, have been a part of our
experience at the Daily Nebraskan. For your
patience and your interest, we thank you.
As for myself, I have been pleased and
humbled to have been editor at the Daily
Nebraskan and worked with such fine people.
So I will say, at the end of my college career,
thanks Lois, Gina, Lori, Randy, Rex, Jim, Josie,
Kitty, Jerri, Randy, Michele and Ted. And count
less others whose names would fill the rest of the
page. And mom and dad.
April 30, 1976. The end.
Vince Boucher
guest
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Silenf majority is ignored
in the G
By Lyle George
Why was the most controversial issue faced by the Fees
Allocation Board (FAB) this year the financing of the Gay
Rap line? One reason is that the silent majority finally
deckled to say something." Unfortunately, FAB didn't
pay much attention to what the silent majority had to
say. They bureaucraticaBy allocated $500 to the Gay
Rap line anyway.
At least 1,492 people put their names on a petition
stating that they thought that the financing of the UNL
Gay Action Group does not enhance significant out-of-classroom
social, cultural, educational and recreational
opportunities which improve student life at UNL. It was
requested in the petition that FAB withhold financing of
the Gay Action Group and the Gay Rap line.
I think that it was very significant that there was no
organization or group, except John Q. Student, behind
the drive to get signatures. It was an individual effort.
If a few individuals can get such a response in a period of
only 1 5 days, I think it is very indicative of university-wide
opinion.
I am responding to the guest opinion written by David
Menter in the Dairy Nebraskan on April 21 , 1976.
. . Acts kgal
I have offered three main objections to Gay Rap line
financing. According to Chapter 28, Section 919 of
Nebraska Revised Statutes (reissued 1964), hv,...iivual
acts are illegal. I think that the financing of the Gay Rap
Line is a blatant endorsement of illegal activity. If
people think that the current Nebraska law is obsolete, it
should be changed by legislation, not by ignoring it.
Mr. Menter stated, "in the last 15 years antihomosexual
laws have been repealed in 13 states.0 If this is true, that
means there are 37 states that have not. I feel that 37
states is a good strong majority. Just because a few states
have repealed laws does not mean we should follow suit.
Mr. Menter also stated that in Heary vs. Jones (1971)
the U.S. Supreme Court required that universities recog
nize gay political groups. I suppose we do have to recog
nize them as a group, but we sure do not have to fund
them.
Dcpcstka of services
It has also been my contention that the Gay Rap Line
is a duplication of services already offered by Outreach.
All people have certain bask human emotbasl problems.
Each and every individual also is unique emotionally.
Outreach is adequate for all university students.
Many students think that the Gay Rap Line is un
necessary. We might as well have a Hsterosexual Rap
Line. Or how about a German-English Protestant Rap
rolph by ran v:hcc!r;
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Line? Or better yet, how about a rural student rap line?
No one really knows the trauma of being a rural student
who has been transplanted to the big city except one who
has been through it. Think of the social stigma attached
to being a hick or a hayseed. The Gay Rap Line is just
as ridiculous as the others I have proposed.
I find it hard to believe that there are, according to
Dr. Kinsey's . statistics, 2,000 to 4,000 gay people on
campus. If there really are, I am sure that city wide and
campus wide there are enough gays to support the Gay
Rap Line if they are convinced it is necessary.
In conclusion, 1 must state that it any activity cannot
exist without coercing money from sutdents, then that
activity should not exist. As Thomas Jefferson said:
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for
the propogation of opinions which he disbelieves is sin
ful and tyrannical.
Lyle George is a freshman agronomy major from Lincoln.
vine st
By ftlichsel iliigoss
Dear Yossarian and Leonik,
I'm sorry that my farewell to the both of you must
come in a letter. I had hoped that we could meet together
at least one more time before I left UNL, but it just
hasn't worked out. It has been a good year and I have
learned much about graduate student life from you. I'm
sure that much of what you taught me will serve me well
when I begin graduate studies of my own next fall.
The philosophy and outlook of tfcs Vine Street Irreg
ulars has influenced my selection of a department for
graduate work. I learned from you to look for a depart
ment where a graduate student can spend his time
working to satisfy intellects rather than egos. You have
taught me that a graduate program should be an exercise
in education, not in politics. But I also h?ve learned that
when a program goes sour, when it begins to value image
instead of honesty, then political activism must be
considered.
You have taught me to seek out professors whose
reputations rest on quality teaching, rather than on long
A farewell to grad gurus
sums up VSI philosophy
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lists of publications. You have taught me that instructors
must earn respect, not demand it because the title of
"professor" has been lowered about their ears like an ill
fitting halo.
I have learned from you that working with a professor
should not require submission and the forced acceptance
of the professor's own point of view. I have come to
expect a professor to be open to growth and innovation
while openly admitting his limitations and shortcomings.
You have taught me to be wary of the professor
who would flatter and encourage me as a means of in
creasing enrollment in his seminars. I have kamed
that caution is needed when entering a new depart
ment, that new graduate students are sometimes courted
by unscrupulous professors to increase their 44fol
lowmg in a department, that new grad students are
sometimes unwittingly enlisted as pawns ia departmental
powerplays.
You have rnsde me realize thrt cot all of my future
classmates will be motivated by a desire to learn, that
some will sell their souls and their integrity just to get an
advanced degree. I know that there will be moments of
bitterness when I see students who have just "flayed
the game gst through a program with much lass hassle.
Yet, I know that there wi3 be a few students, Eke you,
with whom I can work and share the joy of a new idea,
hard study, and honest critfdsa.
Thank you for this year of trust, comradeship, and
sharing.
Dest wishes,
P.S. The Dally Nebraskan has betn very open to my
weekly reports on the activities of the VSI and if you
wok around I'm sure you can find someone who will
continue to give expression to your views in the years
to follow. Be sure to encourage him to apply as a column
rust. Hell thank you for it.