Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Students need effective lobby The S.C. State Student Legislature, meeting this week in the state Capitol, brought together some of the most:astute . collegians in the state. They discussed significant and interesting legislation and no doubt left with important new insights, plus a greater appreciation for politics and effictive legislative practices. Aside from the benefits to participants, however, the question remains: what good is SCSSL for the constituents of those participants? The answer, sadly enough, is very little. Bills passed by the SCSSL are "recommended" to state legislators. Yet publicity is scarce and results are scattered. In most cases, bills approved by SCSSL---however enlightened they may be---are considered merely as bills from a group of students having fun at their mock legislature. What SCSSL must become is not a play Senate, but a real --and continuing lobbying force for all South Carolina students. Bills passed must not merely reflect a game's results. They must be seriously considered and then actively supported in the state legislature. Few groups in today's society remain unorganized and politically helpless, but students fall snugly into the all mouth-but-little-power group. SCSSL could change that: by establishing a full-time, adequately financed lobbying agency in Columbia and other metropolitian areas, a lobby which would work for student interests and concerns, with broad student sup port. Such a lobby could become exceedingly successful. The time to get serious about SCSSL is now. It is time to ditch the play legislature concept and turn to students' real-life need for strong political voice. Open the door For years The Gamecock has sought, behind the scenes and in print, to have all meetings of public bodies open to the public. This, we believe, is common sense. Success in such ef forts has been slow, but this year has seen the Board of Trustees and the Student Affairs Committee affirm -policies of open meetings. This week The Gamecock requested that the faculty open its meetings to the press. A next step, we would hope, would be opening the meetings to any students interested enough to come. The request was made ''in the interest of free speech, open discussion of University issues and the right of students to know and hear faculty discussion of pertinent issues.'' The faculty is a powerful, public, policy-making body. Its members salaries are paid by the state of South Carolins Its powers involve such student-oriented matters as Saturday classes, curriculum requirements and class lengths. Its entire efforts, hopefully, center on making USC a better institution for educating students. It is curious, therefore, that a body who is paid by the public and works for' the students should exclude students from its meetings. While we recognize the need for oc casional executive sessions, we favor a general policy of open meetings until such need arises. We hope the Faculty Advisory Comm itteee and the full faculty will see fit to open their meetings to the press, so the faculty's ''student constituency'' may keep fully abreast of significant affairs which directly influencce them. Clean up elections Another in a long line of controversial Carolina elections has come and gone. With the ruling of the Joint Judicial Council, this semester's election results have become official. This is not to say the elections were without incident. The council has asked the Elections Commission to study them and make suggestions to make next semester's better. The study is a step in the right direction, but one of the greatest problems USC has had with elections is slop piness--ballots left unprotected, no provisions to stop cross-voting and poll oficials who don't know what's going on. With new rules and a more realistic attitude towards the elections, we hope to have a smooth, efficient spring election where protests are unnecessary. The word game The next time you're in Chicago, try shouting these 4 letter words at the cops: love, girl, pigs, grit, riot, work, life, Mary, kiss, word, dirt, head, drug, F BI, mile, roar, lips, and hate. I . .. . . ... . Letters Only Dear Mr. Stepp: This letter is in reference to the * one which appeared in your Monday issue under the brilliant headline "(Not) at the movies." The films committee is having a series of underground films this year. This is the kind of film program that is bound to raise some controversy, among other things, in "our Carolina Com munity." The films in question have never been seen by the committee because they simply have never been shown in this area, so the committee books them on the basis of critical reviews from out-of-town publications and the catalogue descriptions of the individual films. Because of this, the committee decided to view the films in ad vance so that a critical judgment could be made in this presentation of the films. At no time did the question of censorship arise until the films arrived here a week in advance of their playdate. In all, there were more than five illegal showings of these films before the scheduled preview by the committee on that Wednesday night. This included a totally illegal showing by Russell House employees and students on late Sunday night. Because of this the word got around that the committee was beginning to show "skin flicks" on campus. Then the question of censorship arose. Unfortunately we do have censorship on this university. If the Gamecock had its share of problems printing the word F we simply couldn't put it up there on the screen in living color. This precipitated many university officials to take the role of cen sorship. They say the films and handed down their verdict: "lovemaking" will not show. So, in a way, the committee was being censored for V-'unded .Jan 30t 19081 wi th I1'ibert Eli i-t \\F:( tt K is publbshed by and for the sIt trnweekly dlurmne the college yea ex(cpt dluri Thie'.tin,ions iexpressed herein do notr rotiiz. r,ati,on the facult y or the student otyi (th lies ofTill-: f( \\IEF(O'K are~ mi liitom < dimpul. Phones are 777-4249'< Editor mn-Chtief 777 HI 1 \ N'ewsroomin Tilt- Fa ~ \\I-:(M K is represented nattiona 'dlrS i ini The peubbeuat,on is a1 membel r ni rollemaili Pre's. Associat on Subscription ra E DITOR-1I Carl Si ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mike Krochmalny MANAGING EDITOR........ ASST. MANAGING EDITORS N EWS ED ITOR............. S PO RT S E D ITORS5.......... ASST. NEWS EDITOR.... F A C ULTY E D ITOR........... CH IE F OF R EPORT E RS.. CH IE F PHOTOGRAPH ER.... ADVERTISING MANAGER... ASST. ADVERTISING MANA CIRCULATION MANAGER... Ill'' t i i Its ttt I- l.ng,,ian 'Sinds 'iuriner \fcthm ii I miler liuh I.illespir \ical Iia mn \Ia fi iir Kiiir \is tin lnbi e 's,mt 'Sht s hiti l' m5 'ae' mir Iimhbert.. T*. Keller \ ic \las a ii ( ai fiirucker Ida \rh nii h.imi te /ralbs tlarrliett 1rMS com films which they never saw. This created a series of discussions and it ws finally agreed that the committee and only the committee (which is composed of students) will act as the censoring group. If we must have censorship, and we must, as the audience at the Friday showing indicated by their sometimes immature behavior, this censorship should be executed by the students who form the committee and no one else. I would recommend that if Jean Neal, Ellen Corley and Chip Galloway are so eager to watch the "sex films" they should go to the shows on Friday or join the committee. From now on the previewing of films will be closed and handled only by the committee so that obscene rumors will not circulate among "our Carolina Community" before the films are shown. MARIO BEGUIRISTAIN Films Committee Chairman P.S. There is no extra cost in film rental for previewing. What is SMC? Dear Mr. Stepp: The Student Mobilization Committee wishes to thank all those who have made our approval by the administration a fact. Thanks must go also to the vast majority of students at USC whose open-mindedness and concern for social values has created the climate in which such a positive step is possible. You may be asking now: "what is S.M.C? and "what can it do at USC?" We of SMC-USC recognize your right to have this information and offer here a brief answer to introduce ourselves to you. SMC-USC operates in the belief that contemporary concepts of government, including ours in the ott G;onzale's as the first editor. TiHE dents of the University of Soath Carolina ng holidays and examinations. ecessarily reflect the views of the ad s a whole 108 of the Riusselt House on the University . 777-4220 Business and Advertising) and Ity by Ntioinal Educational Advertising Associated Collegiate Press and the S C. es are SR per year I-CH IE F epp BUSINESS MANAGER Jack Padgett ............. Jim Wannamaker .......... Ed Chen, F red Monk ................... Milton Capps .Scott Derks, Bruce Honick .Susan Ross, Kitty McCaskiIl .................. Sherry Shealy ................ Alyce Youmans .................. Chuck Keefer ............. .. Glenn Godfrey G ER ............Bobby H itt .................M ike Fox k \Iikef i Iirri I-n5gli%h. C'harles tellenbaumn. "'""''~ "Ii",k'. Ilarr, leope. Jlmm, l.eppard ..h'ehn thnit,rr. .les Stonest reeti . l.eh Sloan. Kip hiler in. artgarei \Iiderman. I-laine Iiadgers. .line F.wards. hti Iindha,har er. \hike ( reswiell. h)nnnai lhenn,Is. eel' n, f aa r . ( arn l h' Ilseen, \ljie l'arsoens. I .c'.lie Letters Slater ' Dear Mr. Stepp: I am filing a public protest about Slater's flagrant abuse of e te wallets of the majority of Carolina students. Yes, we have been abused. During lunch, on Wednesday I witnessed the worst act of disrespect for us that I have ever seen. Hippies were demonstrating against obvious low quality and high prices of Slater food when a representative of the cafeteria invited all of them to help them selves to free meals. No wonder prices are ao high. The profits from otn! meals are being taken to-bribe others to keep quiet about the food quality and current high prices. We're sup porting not only the Slater system, but also bearded freaks and anyone else the Slater people bribe to keep quiet. (It would, in my opinion, be less than wild speculation to suppose the USC administration might be included in those kept quiet). While I agree with the hippies' platform of protest, assuming that it was not designed soley to get the 15 to 20 free meals at our expense, I feel that any organization that can mittee w democratic tradition, create constantly vital and legitimate questions and alternatives. of policy which deserve the most careful and objective evaluation. We recognize sadly that often such evaluation is hampered by a lack of adequate information and some outdated methods lingering on as sacred cows of our system. We feel too that this condition carries over into some institutions which must function "under" our government - whith similarly disheartening results. We are a student organization because we feel that the university community bears a tremendous responsibility to contribute toward social enlightment and progress because of our access to knowledge, allegiance to truth, and our mandate by society to be places of "learning." After all, where can society learn if not in its schools? The word moblization describes the -method by which we will promote open-minded con sideration of the vital issues confronting us. The present war is the single most Important issue today. Its complexities should be recognized - but these same Jforthe9 This is the true fashior blazer for the pacemakin~ man- -the three-to button double breasted, decidely shaped, aggressively lapeled, deeply vented. We show it in a variety of solids and stripes. To show yourself best in sportswear, this is the coat 5500 to *5995 Use your ''Gamecock' Charge Account. If you don'i have one, easily open one by presenting your student I. D. card to our Credit Office. Park two hours FREE (with an; transaction) in the Municipa Parking Building OPENt TOSIgONT US4Tit 9 P bribes so freely throw away our money while operating an on-campus monopoly is asking for a campus wide boycott of its cafeterias. Personally, I think this is the only means of action left to us since the "councils" set up have proved so unproductive in freeing us from Slater's quality and price hang-up. NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST Bates failing Dear Mr. Stepp: I have decided to speak out on an issue which irritates myself and hundreds of others. It concerns Bates House. Bates House is supposed to be "the place for men to live on campus." As far as the actual condition of Bates House is con cerned, it is beautiful. However, in almost every other aspect of living, Bates House has failed miserably. Item one: the aesthetic appeal is terrible. From a very short distance away Bates House ap pears cold and hallowed. It ac tually appears to still be under construction. It cannot compare ill censoi complexities should not serve to frighten away those who seek a resolution. Other issues of vital concern involve the redress of racial injustice and a renewal of the commitment to cultural parity. Now to consider what SMC-USC can do at Carolina. As a part of our efforts to promote peace --now--we urge all students to support the Vietnam Moratorium activities. As a more direct approach we offer to each student and faculty member the opportunity to participate in the peace march in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 15. To this end we have organized transportation, food and lodging as a service to any individual whose conscience requires that a peaceful and meaningful effort be made to demonstrate to the current U.S. administration the American people's desire for peace. (And this despite the ad ministration's avowed disregard for both American opinion and the greater involvemant with human values which are at stake in the conflict). We hope that many more students and faculty members will join what promises to become a - f the Seasoi Wan &fthe '1 % ippies with South Tower or Capstone. Something needs to be done here. Item two: the location and convenience are utterly riciculous. Bates House borders on Bull Street. This street should have been extended across Blossom, Wheat and the railroad. So all right, it wasn't. Then why isn't a ramp being constructed there instead of two blocks over where it leads to the fraternity houses in stead of to the main campus. The method of walking from Bates House to campus goes something like this: cross over two railroad tracks; tumble (while trying to walk) down a short hill; cr9ss over a polluted creek; hike across a high school practice fiel dodging players and coaches; w47 past the high school; hop a fence; jog across Blossom in a full stream of traffic; hike up a long grade; level off and walk one more block. Hoorah! The campus is in sight. This is atrocious. I am speaking for the men at Bates House, and prospective residents, who feel thal that we have been slighted. It is almost as if we are told, "Here. Have a nice dorm, but we are going to make it hell to live there." TOM DIFIGLIO very significant historical and political event. Throughout the year at Carolina we hope to maintain a program of interest and value to all students and faculty. We hope you will be receptive to our ideas and give us your consideration and support. We invite you to attend our meetings -- to help shape our ac tivities toward productive ac complishments -- and if your conscience decides, to join in the march for peace. MARY GARRISON, PAUL GUMM (Membership Committee) Letter policy Letters to the editor should be brief, typewritten and about subjects pertinent to USC students. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for style, good taste, space limitations and libel laws. No unsigned letters will be printed, but names may be withheld on request. Letters should be sent to The Gamecock, Box U-5131, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. gr at