Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Off -camp ffered m ff-campus students will be offered on-campus mail boxes in the fall, according to Doug Fitz gerald, director of auxiliary services. The trial plan was suggested by persons attending the Think Tank conferences to "try to improve communication," according to former student body president, Mike Spears. 153 boxes will be constructed in Maxcey dormitory, each to be shared by two people. This will free about 300 boxes In the Russell sub-station post office for ampus students who desire them, Fitzgerald said. The boxes will be rented for about $2.50 per semester. Boxes at the U.S. Post Office at Five Points coast $.90 a month, or about $3.60 per semester. Russell House boxes will be rented on a first come-first serve basis, Fitzgerald said. On-campus students are not charged for their boxes because of a long-standing unwritten rule that box is paid for as part of the housing fee, he ad Housing ('oMinued from 1) Tank three main issues came up," says Miss Jennings. "One was the food policy, another was the housing policy," she said. I1 feel that the responsibility of using should be under student affairs instead of business af fairs," says Miss Jennings. "The people in the housing office should be more 'sensitized' to the students needs. They could make the selection of a roommate or dorm more personal." Another problem is the visitation policy. "There is a lot of unrest," says Miss Jennings. Some dorms present special problems because they are not equipped to have the conviences of others. Wade Hampton, McClintock and Sims are structurally the samie but are different inside. This must be dealt with in order to provide a reasonable effective visitation policy." "Doug Fitzgerald Is now doing a review on housing policies at other ies," says Miss Jennings, ~ut I think USC has Its own problems which will necessitate certain alterations from what other school present." Miss .jennings had asked for any specific suggestions that students may have. She may be contacted at the SGA office. MADD ENYGUE Friday M4YV21 u18 students ail boxes ded. "We are not sure that students will use these boxes that will be available, so that's why it is being tried only on a trial basis," Fitzgerald said. "And if we were to put boxes in all dorms, mail delivery costs will increase to at least $10,000 for the first year. We will have to hire another person to deliver the mail to have efficient service and buy another truck. But if the demand is great enough, we can do it easily." Off-campus students have been able to rent boxes for $5 a Aud semester, but none have been rented this year and few in the A trial plan for the use of past, Fitzgerald said. off-campus students has beer Board . . * (Co member when Gamecock editor elections for this semester were held. T1he Board set them at 2.0 overall and selected the current editor on that basis. The election was illegal. This member asked for a clarification at a January meeting only to be brushed aside with "there are more pressing issues." No member thought to check the Board's charter; indeed, no copy of the charter was used at most meetings. Incompetency flavored other Board action, or lack of action. The Board charter states media heads and Board members should have "due process" in cases of impeachment; but no procedures have been for mulated to make this provision effective, even existent. "Due process" was discussed and Board members generally agreed something must be done. No action has been taken. h'lhe Gamecock business manager asked the Board for help and advice about collecting large delinquent bills. A WUSC spokesman also asked for advice on the matter. The Board failed to take action other than suggesting the bill collectors ask the University lawyer to write a letter to the outstanding accounts. 'lhe Board took action after a semester's debate about revising its statement of principles. At Board meeting "Number 6," the Board was informed its principles still were effective; most members thought they had been replaced by the Student Handbook statement on publications as voted by the Board last school year.-Dean Charles Witten said President Jones had rejected the change in principles. Committees and sub committees were formed and two sets of principles were proposed; last week the Board approved a new, compact set of principles only to have them rejected again by President Jones. Discussion about the principles centered around rhetorical vagueries, now still effective. Principle two states the University "has an obligation to see that 'all publications which bear its name) are in keeping with the aims and character of the institution." Principle four states "editors are expected to exhibit good taste in the contents of their publications." Terms such as "aims and character of the institution" and "good taste" are not defined. Arbitrariness then is the key to at least two Board principles. Each individual has his own idea as to what each phrase means. But as they exist, these can be used as tools through which to exercise influence, whether threats or censorship. As such, the vagueries are dangerous. Principle five states' "Editors must avoid harsh and intemperate criticisms where personalities are involved. Discussion of state political affairs should be limited to issues and policies and should not contain personal attacks on individuals." Beyond being vague, this principle contradicts recent Supreme Court rulings permiting criticism of "public figures" Yet tbe principle remains in effect. ARRI Six (6) Story ficiencies - (29 Ready For Oc Directly in Fri the University Plush wall to ditioning - RE Convenient Fr I.ha.ESmcs&u,.the first floor barber shop, restaurant. Applications a CAPITAL CIT PANY HNEN JE4LErBWN lable to off-campus students mailboxes by an attempt at better campus com v Initiated for munications. atinued from page 2) The Board "used" much of its time talking about vague rhetoric, failing to change it ettectively. It talks in its latest statement about "current practices in the field of student journalism" but offers guidelines that are restrictive and "confusing" at best. Perhaps it would serve all interests if the Board limits itself to a consultory function and presents each new editor with a journalism text of its choice. This type of action is indicative of most Board activity this school year. At one time, it was decided the Board didn't know its own functions. Dean Wit ten was asked to appear before the Board and explain what the Hoard's role in the University community is. But his words were not recorded as by-laws or embodied in charter form. So it is not wWkely that the same problem will arise next semester with new Board members. It is unrealistic to expect a Board to operated without a clear delination of what it can and cannot do. Clearly a new charter or constitution for the Hoard Is needed. 'lhe current charter defines the Board's purpose: "to help mainthin tw highest standards in the operation of student media." Vague as the definition Is, it implies individuals with a working knowlee of jour nalism to enforce. Present Board membership lacks a journalistic flavor. One member is a lawyer, one a history major, one a biology professor. A lawyer is needed but a journalism faculty meinber specializes in law and is a member of the Board. Why aren't decisions about communications made by those best qualified to reach them - persons with jounaim experience. How can one decide about something with which he or she has no previous acquaintance? Is the Board as presently constituted really qualified to make major decisions effecting the University com munity? It is highly doubtful. M97-7i was a wasted year for the Board of Publications. It has operated ineffectively, inefficiently and detrimentally. Its "action" has served only to hinder communications media with threats, vagueness and confusing rhetoric. Possibly it coula nave served a positive, useful func tion, though under its present charter such is unlikely at best. So for the Hoard has been immune to criticism. The real communications medium of the University community - The Gamecock - while not operating en tirely by professional standards (whatever they may be), has been under constant attack. Yet by serving as a communications facility (one of the few at USC), it is serving a positive function. Now the possibility that the Gamecock may die after this semester has become a reality. Still nobody questionied the Board's existence. In other words, a positive force is a target while a negative, incompetent entity is not criticized. It appears somebody's priorities are confused. Why kBi something serving the University community well and allow a source of problems to exist? It appears that if anything is to be discontinued, the Board of Publications would be first on the list. NGTON MANORS A PARTMENTS ~College & Oak Streets Columbia, South Carolina High-Rise Apartment Comples -- (14) Ef } one-bedroom - (12) Two Bedroom (Will Be cupancy By August 1, 1971) >nt of Valley Park and about 6 blocks from of South Carolina wall carpeting - Electric Heat - Air Con frigerator - Range - Garbage Disposal se Parking, For the tenant's convenience, shall contain a laundromat, beauty shop, boutique shop, whiskey store, club and re now being taken, For inforrnation Cell Y REAL ESTATE & INSURANCE COM 1527 Lyon Street Columbia, S.C. 779-3596