Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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We Shald, We M, Are Anericans really an uninformed mass of people who go through life unconcerned with what is taking place around them and in their neighboring countries? Are we as students doing whatever we can to assure the peace of our nation in the future? Are newspapers failing to give us a true and complete picture of today's wo;ld events? These are some of the many questions that spring forth in the minds of many peo ple today. And in truth it seems that many United States citizens are uninformed and satisfied with remaining so, that the nation's newspapers are failing to provide thorough information to the reading public, and that we as students are not showing enough con cern with the future of our country and of the world. When articles dealing with such occur rences as the Cuban Revolution a'nd the crisis in the Middle East are finally plastered across the front pages of our newspapers, we should not have to wonder about and try to seek out the incidents which led to these climaxes; we should know from the first evidence of turmoil what is taking place. But, unfortunately, this is not the case. When an average student at Carolina, as well as at the other colleges throughout the nation, reads a newspaper, he is not con cerned with reading the articles which deal with rebellions in foreign countries. We seem to feel that we are secure in our little shells, and we just trust that matters will take care of themselves. Well they will not!! Within three or four years, almost every person who is now in college will have the privilege of helping to govern our country, and in the near future, the college students Ellis Boatmon .. Fratern it The University of South Caro- Freshman lina has a sick patient on its We can note b hands - the fraternity system, several interestir which is suffering from a weak freshman figure o heart. Seldom in the history of ing. Some of the this institution has the fraternity disillusioned and system been so weak and so low "bids," others wi in rating and calibre. pledgeship from Certainly those who belong to another, and othe a social fraternity, and are inter- to return later. ested in its maintenance and wel- In other word fare, should rise up from their tion rolls around lethargy and do something about 225 men who pre the deplorable condition into for rites; it will which fraternity row has sunk. than that. The first misfortune that hits The sophomore the eye of the Independent (which reveals that not is the name often used to describe man fatalities the non-fraternity man) is that many frosh pledf the overwhelming majority of it to membership Carolina's male enrollment does year at Carolin not belong to a fraternity, and nances, grades, seemingly has no desire to do so. opinions account Quality vs. Quantity Junior Of;ten the reply comes back The junior fig from smug, sophisticated circles healthy one. It p on the Row, that this is as it a sophomore mal4 should be - Fraternity Row is bership he usual only interested in "quality" and which is one of tli not "quantity" - the fewer the hopes out of all better. Well, this reasoning is not The senior fig only faulty, it is also hpyocritical. veals the normal During Rush Week-that tire- the total junior e some period of indoctrination and to the senior tot propaganda - fraternity men many seniors "lei preach the beneffits of "the sys- frat work to de tern," and how it has made them semesters of thei better men and brothers; yet to books and pla, when their pledging totals are Thus, we note low, they smilingly say that, after ation "just arot~ all, these benefits were good the senior figure enough only for a precious few! Frat Row, and If there is anything to be throw the hopes gained from membership in a na.. ing 531 men, as tional social fraternity, then 2,541 Independe those benefits should be presented To quote a Bib in such a way, and by competent "the field is in< men who have advanced beyond harvest." adolescence, so that all Inde- Second pendents will at least be encour- The second n aged to examine a frat's claims, Row is the mann whether they join or not. tain of Carolina Facts and Figures ternities dismiss In case you doubt our first tenrity Council point, permit me to present some wash. Actually, figures which I believe will bear Frat Row has lie out our claim. It has been said IFC has, fron that "facts do not lie," and they sought to get th are here in print for all to see. Frat Row. They These figures have been compiled encouragement, and checked with the offices of not getting much the Registrar and the Dean of The situation 1 Student Activities. .tunate last sem< Fall semester, 1958-59, showed Penny requestet a count of 3,126 undergraduate -presidents to at male students: 1,332 freshmen, meeting in whic 676 sophomores, 633 juniors, and the line" that II 585 seniors. The alarming fact is guide Frat Row that only 661 of the total under-- ternity not likir graduate males belong to frater- render its charte nities, or less than 21.2 per cent. the Carolina scei Of this 661 total, 225 are fresh- tion still stands. men (16.6 per cent), 128 are The IFC must sophomores (22.25 per cent), 178 thority of Frat I are juniors (28.1 per cent), and be given the r'ei 127 are seniors (21.7) per cent). ence due it, fori In case you are good at adding obvious to those you'll note we run three men that no fraternit short in our total of 661. This is stronger than its because we were unable to Interfratern classify them as to their status. The Interfrate There are also two gradua,te composed of two students, twelve law students, fraternity. The and one special student in fra- ways one membe ternities, riounding out the total should be a jun to 676 citizens of Frat Row. thing on the b wst Be Informed >f today will be holding the government in heir hands and deciding the policies'that >ur country will follow. We are indeed living in a troubled age, n age in which man must think seriously tbout his actions. It is only through a knowl !dge and understanding of our neighbors around the world and the events taking place in their countries that we can ever hope to insure peace among nations. It is our duty to ourselves and in working for the peace of the world to keep ourselves informed on international occurrences. There is no lack of news coverage abroad, but there is a lack of interest among the people who buy and read the newspapers. It js for this reason that a great deal of news which should be called to the attention of the American public lies dormant at the editor's desk. Most newspapers are indeed in a struggle for survival and therefore print the type news in which the readers have shown inter est; news of the seemingly unimportant for eign affairs which may in time lead to world crises are often omitted from papers in pref erence of less important matters. We should and we must be informed in the matters which have the potentiality of affecting the future of our nation and of the world. Only an informed people can control the government of a nation. Only an informed people can dare risk the possibility of war. And only we can be this informed people of the coming generation. The newspapers will give us whatever we request, so there is no reason why we as South Carolinians, United States citizens, and Americans should ever have to wonder when and how an interna tionally important issue began. y System Has A Figure hanger-on who just warms a V these figures chair, smokes a cigarette, and g points. The "listens." ,f 225 is deceiv- Another glaring weakness of m will become fraternity row is its lack of d r o p their brotherhood. Since the entire sys I change their tem exists for that purpose, it is one House to odd that it is one lesson some frat rs will drop out men never learn. It is true that several fraternities on campus i, when initia- are well-known for their "stick it will not be ing together," their fine spirit of sent themselves brotherhood, and their admirable je a figure less attitude of cooperation. Chapter Feuds figure of 128 rhus these remarks here will only are fresh- not apply to them; but there are, iigh, but that on the other hand, several fra es never make ternities which carry their nor by their second mal chapter-room feuds out into i. Reason? Fi- public, openly snub their brothers and changed as leper patients, and worst of for much of it. all, "stab them behind their Figure backs'" before Independents or aire of 178 is a other frat men. How can a system roves that once long endure with such going on? es it into uiem- These are only three glaring ly stays active, 'weaknesses. Many others stand in e few promising need of immediate improvement. hese facts. A t this point, however, let us ure of 127 re- miake one thing clear. No one turn-over from wishes the fraternity system to irollment of 633 leave Carolina. It is an invaluable al of 585. Also, asset wvhen fulfilling its more -down" on their noble ambitions, and it is as rote the closing suredly nio great sin to make mis r college career takes. We all do. :ements exams. The tragedy is wvhen wve refuse hat with gradu- to recognize our mistakes for nd the corner" what they arc and decline to do of 127 is lost to anything about them. The picture he system must is indeed black wvith spots, but on the remain- it is likewise encouraging to no opposed to the tice several proposals open to nts remaining, those who are sincere and honest ical expression, in their desire for a better fra Ieed white unto ternity systenm at Carolina. No Fool-Prooxf Plan MishaP Certainly there is no fool-proof ishap on Frat plan; nothing that can rise up er' in which cer- overnight and solve every prob 's fourteen fra- 1em. But, if one thing is clear the Interfra- about Frat Row, it is that we 5s so much hog- will solve nothing by remaining the only hope silent about it; and we will march s in the IFC- nowhere until we niake our first the beginning, steps. i cooperation of Some points wvorthy of consid needed help and eration are: and they were 1. Cooperate with IFC whole of it. hieartedly, realizing that each fra eccame so unfor- ternity will be helping itself, as ~ster that Dean well as the system. Attend meet all fraternity ings regularly,. contribute to dis bend a top-level eutssionts and p)lans, and do not u he "put it on constantly attempt to delay prog 'C was going to ress for the selfish purpose of ,and any fra- your own advancement alone. g it could sur- Rush ues r and pass from 2. Abide by rush rules, looking ie. This proposi- for ways to make them better, anid not for~ ways to get around be the final au- them. Hypocrisy loses more good tow, and it must men than cheating a,t the rules pect and defer- will ever gain. Despite all the should be quite smirks and testimonials to the who really care contrary, there is no substitute y system is any for honesty, and most people are IFC- honest enough to belIeve it. Ity Council 3. Strive for effeotive leader rnity Council is ship in your own fraternity and men from each on campus. Many of the finest president Is al- men on Carolina's campus are r, and the other fraternity men. One fraternity on lor "with some- the Row alone holds six or seven all" and not a ton keyv atudents posts. 'Phis is a Get back in )i Russ Burns... Culpril (Editor's Note: This is the third in the series of columns on "What is wrong with Caro lini's spirit?") No, we are not going to say "we told you so," but did any of you by chance try to gain en trance to Drayton Hall on the pretense of watching stunt night this week? Weak Hea fine "feather in their caps." Other frats should spur their budding leaders to join organiza tions, develop their talents, and contribute to the Carolina Com munity. The'member will develop his own potential, his frat will benefit, the system and the Uni versity are better for it. Remem her, fraternity men have no monopoly on leadership potenti ality at Carolina, and for many student positions, fraternity mem bership is not a prerequisite. Greek Week 4. Plan a Greek Week that will encompass more than a social hour. Certainly the dances and concerts are high points of the week, but include seminars, dis cussions, guest speakers from the frat world, and conduct commit tee groups on wvays to improve the system, introducing into Caro lina's Frat Row some of the best ideas of other colleges and uni versities. 5. Work for brotherhood. Elim inate the hangers-on, the leeches, the indifferent, the riders, and the snobs. These people will never help you, and who knows, the air may breathe sweeter after they're gone. 6. Present a united front on campus. Fights and disagree ments should be confined to the halls of the IIouse. No Inde pendlent is ever impressed by the dleroga tory statements you make about some other fraternity or one of your own frat brothers. Sorority Row 7. Work with sorority row. A close alliance exists between the two, and Pan-Hellenic is likewise making efforts to improve itself. 8. Gather honorary members into your ranks, invite men and women of note as guest speakers, launch out into a program of good public relations, cooperate with the other fraternities on the row, and with the administration and staff. 9. Emphasize scholarship. No matter howv good a pledge may b)e, he is no good to a fraternity if his grades remain poor. 10. Vary your social programs. Dances, smokers, etc., are fine, but let Indlependents know that fraternity row is not the last oasis of the alcoholic, the social misfit, and the extrovert as so many people think. Visit Programs 11. Visit Columbia's churches, museum, community theatre, res taurants, and b)usinesses. The CROWINC FO UNIVERSITY OF! Member of Associa Founded January 80, 1908, . first editor, "The ('aecock" is s the University of South Carolina w year except en holiday. and during The opinion. expressed by col necessarily those 'of "The Gamsee Lettera to the Editor, but all lette not consatituate an endorsessent. TI peiatl.em. = t anylte I.....wvad 90 ere and take your pop quiz like a m Undermines No, we are not going to say "an auditorium is vitally neces sary," but we wonder why police had to turn away crowds of in terested spectators from this stu dent function. We are not going to say that student opinion of this school and its facilities is about to hit rock-bottom. We are not even going to say rt community is always proud to see fraternity men exhibit interest in the city. The University will profit from your good public re lations. 12. Develop an extensive ath letic intra-mural program. You may not win every game, but it's the effort that counts. 13. Continue rushing all year by personal contact. Show the Independent that a fraternity man is not a boor, a snob, and an illiterate free-loader. It is true that some of them are, but each fraternity should regulate these liabilities. 14. Cooperate with the Admin istration, and do not add to its problems by carelessness and in difference. The men from Frat Row are good citizens of the Carolina Community and should prove it. Additional Itemis I am sure that as you read this article you though of addi tional items that could be men tioned. And I hope you will men tion them at the next meeting of your own fraternity or at IFC. This project of improvement of the fraternity system is a big projeot indeed. Fortunately for Frat Row, Dean Clotworthy and Dean Penny are vitally interested in fraterni ties and sororities. Their help and advice will prove invaluable. I speak as a fraternity man who believes in the principles for which the fraternity system stands. I would like nothing more than to see it succeed and prosper. But it will have difficulty doing so as long as it continues in the rut into which it has fallen. End Result The end result will not be Im mediate, but I believe the upward trek has begun. However, the ultimate success-or failure-of the system at Carolina will de pend on the individual member, his 'attitudes, his behavior, and his decisions. Let us hope he con ducts these wisely. When each fraternity improves itself, the Row will become bet ter, and the University will ad vance in its extra-curricular pro gram. Remember, Frat Row has no contract registered in Heaven that it will stay on this campus forever. We must prove ourselves to the Administration, to the In dependent, and to the doubter. It can be done, and I believe we can do it. K A GREATER SOUTH CAROLINA ted Collegiate Press 4th Robert EWlit Oesles s .blihed b ad for the stedet af Bekly, 0n ye, deing the muBg. examinations. unmists and lt writers are not sek." "The Oanmecek" eneswsses ....bt .a.m. satNPnn=a ian, Dudley. Spirit that reporters, who could carry the proceedings to those turned away, were themselves turned away. Student Opinion We will just let student opinion speak for itself . . . Do we need an adequate, close-at-hand audi torium? Well, on with the business at hand. You know, there is nothing much worse than someone who "rubs salt into the wounds," so the old saying goes. Having just gotten off our little tirade about the need for space in which students and ad ministration (faculty included) can meet, we behold with great sensitivity how the meager room we do have is being withheld from the above mentioned groups and instead is being offered to outside interests. Oops ... did we say interests; freeloaders would probably be a better name. Denied Space WHY, just why should an offi cial U.S.C. meeting be denied space in Russell House so that a church league can use the audi torium in this building. And just what right do Cub Scouts have that gets them special attention; or flower shows; or any of the numerous outside civic organiza tions? This building - and for that matter, any U.S.C. meeting place -is s student and official Uni versity servant, not slave to the Junior Girls Sewing League or the Amalgamated Daughters of the Eastern Slalbovian War. How about a little more atten tion to the needs of the home folks and a little less emphasis on "civic politics," you people in charge of parcelling out meeting space. O.K.? A President Now . .. may we raise a ques tion which should have been buried months ago? Whaen in heaven's name are we going to get a president for this school. With all due respects to acting President Sumwalt, we must get a solid "head man" to silence the dissention within and the criti cism without. Right now Carolina's so-called "stonewall officialdom" is break ing up Into groups and blocs and is beginning to slash each others throats. This world has enough internal strife and rebellion. Get a president now before this school falls apart at the top level. 'Rat Week' Our last topic of conversation is another question . .. WHY was "Rat Week" done away with? Were we a fr a id that some mother's child would get harmed by the big, bad, bullying upper classmen? Was there not enough interest among these upperclassmen to see that "Rat Week" would be properly carried out? Why? If a person does not undergo a little Initiation when entering a society, he more of.ten than not finds himsel'f without the feeling that he has Withstood the test and become an integral part of said society. Yes, when "Rat Week" died, so died another segment of Carolina's spirit. Our Culprit Our culprit in this series of articles, as you can see, does not show himself In any one particu lar form; rather, he ohips away at our University society, thus gradually undermining our school spirIt in many ways. We will renew our attack on him next week as we Investigate "What Is wrong with Carolina's :ARL M. REYNOLDS . . . Still More About A Cup * Of Coffee - As we've said before ... there's ;omething about a cup of coffee . . and/or a refill.., that makes you stop and think of many ,hings . . . and school ... friends . in general. Perhaps the echo Is weak . . . ays no ... but we believe Caro. ina does .have a spirit . . . but itop to think . . . what is "spirit" except belonging . . . and proudAN to be . . . and a number of other% !ommendable attributes ... which Carolina has ... its many attrac tions ... happenings ... takings and undertakings . . . E Pluribus Unum ... diversions and differ ences ... but common ground ... ground broken . . . perhaps some lay for an Auditorium ... being a part of such a school is an ex perience . . . of which everyone can be proud . . . more affirma tive ... enthusiastic ... and con firm that there is . . . up and coming ... a Carolina spirit. * * * FROM THE LOOKS of things . elections are just around the corner . . . and, already strategy is being planned . . . like the one student we know who plans to run ... and his cohort has a case of "beriberi" which they're sav ing for a campaign rally ... since a number of alleged constituents will drink almost anything. * 0 * IT COULD BE just a pipe dream ... but several have been talking about a shot in the arm for school spirit . . . something like a burning torch (specifica tions could be approved by the fire department) which could burn all night prior to games . . . some talk about this . . . a little planning . . . and maybe a suit able location could be found . . . it would seem that a local concern would be willing to furnish nat ural gas ... as on other campus' where this has been done . . . perhaps in front of new library ... flame could be ceremoniously lit . . . at pep rally . . . guarded all night . . . and could possibly cost only the pipe . . . perhaps somebody .. . some day . . . will be interested in such a project which could make a pipe dream ... come true. * * * PERHAPS YOU GOT one of the many copies of last week's "Gamecock" which appeared with the head missing from the bird on the front page masthead . . . from which we can only conclude . . . "The Gamecock" hit the campus last week like a chicken with its head cut off. BUT TALKING ABOUT birds ...not so much because we are strictly for them . . . but we did hear a friend . . . we assume... speak of naval adventures in the Arctic . . . talking about throw ing rocks at the birds . . . and knowing the fellow pretty well . .. and how usually thorough he is . . . we suspect that he didn't leave a tern unstoned.* * * * THEN THIERE IS -a group which is trying . . . to get up a party ..,. for which they are very sure they don't need a chaperone . .. but the question arises ..,. in . this case . . . what'll be the point . .. in going ..,. out on a limb. * * * WE SAW ONE coed eyeing a sign in a nearby drug store... about losing up to 14 pounds i two weeks . . . but, perhaps . . she'd be interested in a testi monia'l from the "London Times" in which a lady reported losing 2,000 pounds on one train ride. * * * IF YOU'VE EVER had trou ble cashing a check . .. good, bad or indifferent . . . and they ask that loaded question . . . are you a University student . . . tell'vn no. .. admit you're a tourist .. . it's a quicker refusal. * * * BUT SPEAKING OF refusals . .. we heard a novel one . .. the other day . . . a sweet young thing . . . most everybody knows ...was willing to elope . . . ex cept she had four cuts in each class already .., .just kidding. * * * WE'RE NOT ONES to live in the past ..,. but we can't help but wonder . . . when there'll be an other Mason-Dixon line.. * * * WE'VE NOT BEEN too in formed on campus politics . . but we assume . . . with WS . '. alias . . . that his inquiry of the last fortnight., will be affirma tive. It seems so obv'ious. * * * WE MAY BE in next week .. . then again . . . we may not... who knows . . . who carom . . . ini any event . . . until tihen... helno?