Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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But Knobi StLld( Has Student Government bow effective at USC under the Barr3 Knobel administration? "At the moment Studeni Government is virtually powerless and I'm pretty depressed with ot progress," said Knobel, presideni of the student body. "But progress is hard te measure. We have a lot of things is the fire and a lot of things I'm proud of. "Our greatest achievement is the setting of a foundation for work that can be carried on In full nei semester. What is so depressing Is that many of our programs cannol be completed In one year. "Our greatest problem is our relationship.to the -,tudat on thi campus. We want to know whethei the average student feels that our government is relevant and if not why," he added. Student Body Vice Presiden Mike Spears is also concerned about this relationship - in par "At the moment Stud powerless and I'm p progress. But progress I lot of things In the fire proud of.' --Barry Kn( ticular that of the Senate and th4 student body. "Dorm life is handled b; counselors and dorm govern ments. Academic life by student and their professors. We conside only cases of importance to th entire community. "It's the sort of stuff that doesn reach into dorm life. We handl relations and moods betwee faculty, administration an students. This is harder for peopl to see and so they don't see it. "When students line up fc registration, they don't knoi we've done that. For exampli they think the faculty just kindl got rid of Saturday classes. We's been lobbying for that for year "Women are going to have bett hours. We lobbyed with AU (Associated Women Students) bring this need to their attentia . "We have fought for more ar better parking and it became pa iat h !' list. We have.evA rT---fought Slater for lower prices ai better quality food," Spears sail Knobel also commented on tk "fight" with Slater. He said th the new director is trying to rela with the students. "SGA is going beyond a ministrative committees. We ha formed food service committe by cafeterias." At a regular meeting with Slal students were informed of t Mike Spears Spears' platform examined Mike Spears, student body '5 president, made two propo during his campaign last spr 1. An effective commi system should be set up so hills may be thoroughly ret ched before they are brol before the Senate. e . "This year a committee sym was set up and every other vi the Senate period is given committee meetings." 2. The mechanics of the Sei should be Improved. "The quorum has been proved. Everything has g amoothly and straight to whog was supposed to." of things z vernm University can be brought about within the structure of the Student Govern ment which concern the Univer sity. "We have a better relationship with the Board of Trustees than ever before. We now have a non voting member on the board. But he may get the vote if he proves to be an active and meaningful part. A voting member would be the most dynamic thing this University could do to take a lead in area universities." He added that Student Govern ment has also found' a way to communicate better with the Taculty. "The Student Faculty Relations Committee has been expanded. It is no longer an advisory com mittee. It is now a full committee and will have to be reconstituted. "For the next academic semester the committee will try to attain a balance. For example, six students, three faculty and three administrators. "For the next academic semester the committee will try to attain a balance: for example six students, three faculty and three administrators. "By tradition the committee chairman has been the student body president but in order to have someone who can attend faculty meetings a student-faculty co is our relationship to the t want to know-whther the that our government Is P" --Barry Knobel chairmanship will be necessary." Spears said that Senate has gained prestige this year. "Mike Greer, assistant to President Jones, and Jerry Beasley, governmental liaison for Jones both defended ad ministration positions before the senate. To my knowledge, this has never been done before. "Always before the ad ministration has done what they wanted to do and hoped the students would agree. Now they ask our opinion. "They are seeking a vote of the "Always before the adn they wanted to do and I agree. Now they ask our oi students and think that the student's vote is important enough and powerful enough to be ac counted for in their decisions. We are recognized. They think we are powerful, important and relevant. "In short, I see that the ad ministration has finally realized the student's power. They have come to what they consider to be the most important voice of the student body and acknowledge that the Senate is the most important organ of student power and opinion on campus." According to Spears, the relationship of the Senate to the I branch is very weak...All mnstitution." --Mike Spears Student Government executive branch has been a good one this year. "There Is not much controversy between us this year. We are after the same goals and heading the same way. "The new physical plant has also helped us. We have Improved our efficiency and the Image of Student Government Is Improving. At least people know where we are this year." lnside The S'Non-view from the top' B urnette against giving 4 STwo Carolina women gra Posoffce finally to et 4 n fire ent vi of South Carolina, Columbia, Stories by ALYCE YOUMANS Chief of Reporters Knobel said that he had only one slight disagreement with the Senate. The Senate passed a bill which Knobel vetoed. It required that the student body president come before the Senate and ex plain why he vetoed or passed each bill. Knobel said that he felt no need for an extra check on his branch. He said that the facts were simple. If he okayed a bill it was because he approved of it. 'if he vetoed one, he would always return it with a statement explaining his action. "MaIor candidates need I make this a necessity. They platform in a debate that w advance to bring in a crowd Spears explained the framework of the Student Government. "As a whole the judicial branch is very weak. There is hardly any controversy between them and the Senate. All they do is interpret the "The executive branch is co equal with the legislative. It can veto, recommend, bring up stuff and, if the Senate allows, it can work without its approval. The Senate has the right to view many things but only if it asks for a review. Knobel added, "We are working toward constitutional revision. It will include a judicial section and new election regulations and 'will encompass much that Is needed as the present document is outmoded and miserable. The committee will work on the bill until after exams. "A commission that will meet after semester break has been set up to review election procedures. These must be okayed by the Joint tinistration has done what toped the students would pinion." -- Mike Spears Judicial Committee and submitted to the Senate. "We need to make a complete review of elections on this campus. They must be revised and im proved. This has been a thorn in the side of student government for years. "Major candidates need to debate. We are going to make this a necessity. They will have to present their platform In a debate that would go publicized well In advance to bring in a crowd. "I for one, am for the abolish ment of class officers unless we find a reason for them. All they do is clutter the ballot. "But the freshman class officers have been very active. It Is a good start. I hope they will keep that enthusiasm. This Is the sort of thing that will get people out to vote." Spears said that the Joint Judicial appointed him to get a committee to improve election procedures. "All elections have been en .joined until the elections have been improved by my committee. We are in the process of Improving them." Knobel said. "One of the most Important things done this year has been the establishment of the Residence Hall Commission. It includes all dorm presidents, the SGamecock epill'......... p*0 a*S b.............. pes 3 :..k........... PSea 3 rtualF 5. C. 2920 presidents of AWS and IFC. All: factions are represented on the committee. "All proposals are sent directly to the housing office or business office or wherever necessary. Since all presidents are represented, it carries a great deal of weight. "This is the first time a group of non-Student Government officers have worked together under Student Government. "We hope to encompass all governments under Student Government. With this type of umbrella effect maybe we can be more effective. But the present committee has to be used often. It will be continued next semester and hopefully next year. "During this semester, I have suggested several changes in dorm o debate. We are going to will have to present their ould be publicized well in --Barry Knobel regulations (overnight guests, weight lifting equipment, musical instruments, decorations and appliances) out have gotten few results. "We have lagged on our Great Issues (a lecture series) program but I do not consider it a part of "I for one am for the abo unless we find a reason for tl the ballot." -- Barry Knob< Student Government. We have too much to be involved in besides this. The program has been virtually turned over to the Union Lectures Committee since they are the experts in this area. "MEF (Metropolitan Education Foundation) Is still a part of Student Government but It is autonomous. We are not sure what our role is with it. Right now Scottle Barnes is trying to discover this." He added, 'I don't think om budsmen can be effective under the present system. We would keep a smaller committee to handle off campus students and set up a residence hall committee. There would be an ombudsmen In every dorm. "He must be willing to serve 24 hours a day. If a student has been wronged, the ombudsman must want to find out why and work to correct it. "The ombudsmen system has almost died this semester." Spears said. "Students do not have faith in Knobel evalua H as S Last spring Barry Knobel listed in his campaign platform six major alms. In an interview he explained how Student Govern ment has attempted to achieve them. 1. All final exams should be placed on an optional or voluntary basis. "I do not believe that a student's grade should depend on one major test. As of now I am still trying to find out if this type system is feasible at USC." 2. A curriculum -revision program should be formed. "A committee headed by Scottle Barnes is finishing in-depth research on the Arts and Science curriculum and is nearly ready to present the program to the students and faculty. "As for the details of the changes proposed they are sweeping. in conjunction to this Carlton Larmon and a committee headed a faculty evaluation program this semaeter" ?l claims .'lo1 Wnt Go' Vol. LX - No. 47 curtailment of service in several cafeterias. "I was at the meeting. I suppose the changes were made to give the students the best for the least. I ent Government is virtually retty depressed with our i hard to measure. We have a and a lot of things that I'm abel made the proposal to the com mittee that USC review the present situation to see if it would be - feasible to bring in either an in s dependent or corporate food r service to organize the closed a cafeterias. "Personally, if the changes are t needed to help the food service I e am for them but I can't understand 1i the curtailment of service if no I investigation is made to find e someone else to take over the services. r "Regardless of the curtailment V of food services, the committees b, are functioning. Student opinion is y the thing that is needed. It keeps e Slater on their toes," said Knobel. According to him, Student Government has had one major r blow. 's "The Senate met in a hasty to session to prevent the removal of rt "Our greatest problem rt stod- t an this campus. W4 id average student feels d. relevant, and if not, why at privately owned refrigerators, but te they were overruled by the refrigerator committee. Senate d- met again and I issued an ve executive order. es "In concurrence with the Senate, I in essence called for the ad er ministration to rescend its Dec. 20 he deadline on removal of privately owned refrigerators and said If this executive order is not followed, we will take immediate and effective ..action. n' "They then removed only the ones that were oversized. Those using the same wattage were left. "I don't see why a student should F 'have to rent from the university. If he is not violating fire or sanitation laws, why should he have to remove his own property. It is his room. He pays rent for it. Student Government will fight the removal of all privately owned refrigerators. "I feel that this was a blow to the power of the Student Senate. That is precisely why we had to backtrack and come at them again. The Senate called for Brunton to come before them and explain the administration's policy in detail. He has not done this yet." Spears explained the incident simply. "Senate passed a bill. "We were overruled.. "Their (the refrigeratior committee) reason was that the Christmas holidays were longer than semester break and would "As a whole the judicia they do is interpert the ci give students more time to get rid of their refrigerators. "Large refrigerators were taken out at that time. "I think that the committee and Dean Cooper were very fair. ice- Knobel said, "Student Govern aiss ment should be the leader. The ing. University should delegate more tee authority to it. I have and haven't that seen it this year. Assee it -as ear- president. I have had more aght authority than others have had. Student Government as a whole - Lem no. eek "It is still an interest group. A to governing body yes, but it is just one of many governing bodies. iate Although it is elected, campus wide Student Government has not im- been given the authority it needs. one "It's only powers are to implore, n it to coerce and to recommend. There are very few changs which pow Monday, January 12, 1970 the ombudsmen. There is a faculty ombudsman and he is the most important aspect of the system. Few students even know he exists." Knobel said he proposed a daily charge for use of the new Coliseum parking lot but did not make a "I think Student Govern! in its infancy. It has impi become involved. We hai stream of campus life. The --Mike Spears suggestion for the use of the money since it could be used in many areas. He added that the Student Speakers Bureau will be started again next semester. "We have a form letter set up. A Student Government committee will decide which applicants qualify. The purpose of the bureau is to go out and inform people of the University and its atmosphere. We usually travel to civic groups and schools." Knobel said that the student government legislative branch is igradually obtaining more power. "Student Senate will move toward handling all of the allocations chartered under Student Affairs. We want to assume the duties of the Student Affairs Committee in allocating th)e budgets .that normally .come under them. "This is the first budget presented to the Senate and not the lishment of class officers mm. All they do is clufter Student Affairs Committee. This Is a needed step." Spears said, "Senate has been pushing very hard for a student nightclub that will sell beer. This te8 GA met 3. There is a need for reorganization of the student government executive branch. "The executive branch was revised by changes that I made in the cabinet system. "I eliminated the title of Secretary for Athletic Affairs and combined the duties of the positions of Secretary for In tercommunity Affairs and Secretary for Public Welfare under the position of Secretary for Public Welfare. "I also added the position of Press Secretary and filled this position with a journalism major. By these changes I feel that I changed the cabinet to a degre which made it easy for me to work with it." 4. The student parking situation should be improved. "This is a thorn in my side. We have been to Brunton and been to Brunton. The situation is still se In the arde ans are on tha erless proposal will go before the Board of Trusteew shortly. "There has always been a quorum problem but this semester the senate has only had to disband once and this was after a three hour meeting two days before vacation. "We are also acting on more pertinent issues than before. "We have been instrumental in several registration changes. We have revamped the means for registration for classes. "Also we have instigated and worked out the priorities system. This gives students with special needs a chance to register ahead of their class. Student Senate does this as a special service to the student. "We have complete control of basketball and football ticket distribution. We set up the ways to get tickets. "We are trying to get a new Carolina ring; one sponsored by Student Government." Knobel said, "We are trying to ment started this year off -oved all along...We have re moved into the main Senate has come of age." get a measure of efficiency into Student Government now. I am proud of our relocation into the new office space. We have more space to work in. The office is staffed from 9 to 5 every day by a secretarial pool. "Second semester has shown a sliding down of Student Govern ment in past years but, if we are going to be a help on this campus, our progreps has to be continual. We've made a start. "We will be working next semester. We are going to work as hard as we can and do as much as we can." Spears added, "I think that Studgnt Government started this year off in its infancy. It has im proved all along. We have spent an awful lot of time on internal matters. We have become in -volved.- We- -inoved ihe mainstream of cam fife. "The Senate has tome of age. Student Government was founded under the premise that the function was to practice self government. It has gone beyond that. "Student Government doesn't just effect the students now - the faculty pays attention and the administration listens. "Their respect for the students has increased. I think we have a mature senate. It is informed and responsible." Tnobel goals? drawing boards. Although no progress is visible to the students on this campus the committee is still functioning. "We have also had a meeting with Gray Olive, the asst. city manager and have made sever'al suggestions which might alleviate some problems at the University. t)ut no longer range solutions seem apparant." 5. A feasible solution for the ticket distribution problem should bue round. "Such a solution came out of the Student Senate working with Joe Usry. Both the football and basketball ticket distribution have been effective, We are pleased that Student Senate could come~ with a workable shutkn." '6. The consenupion of aleuo bvaesonR USC pa ty should be allowed. "At the end,4Vma was allowed in . 1in6I the firstu .