Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GLENDA MILLER INTERIM EDITOR HOLLY GATLING ART FRANK INTERIM MNG. ED. AD MANAGER EDITORIALS 'Our gang '"Student Government in the past has been a useless instrument acting contrary to the needs of the students. A restructuring of the organization is needed to make the organization more germane to the students rather than a mechanism of administration dominance." We didn't say that. Harry Walker said it in his campaign on March 15, 1971. We could say It today and it would be just as true. What looked like a chance for a revolution in the basic structuring of student government and an increase In student power has turned into a frustrating realization that Harry Walker is no different from any other president Student Government has had. Walker was quoted in the March 15, 1971, issue of the Gamecock as saying, "student government back to the students." Walker and "Our Gang" made a weak attempt at this by holding rap sessions in the dorms. For the most part, the programs were rarely announced, poorly planned and not effective. The "Gang" made the rounds once and hasn't been heard from since. In late May, the Student Government established a table in the Undergraduate Library where it displayed its constitution and documents to keep the students informed about what It was doing. The table no longer exists, and it's just as well. Student government hasn't done anything. Walker also said, "We want to try to change this 'do nothing student government image.'' The best measure of how successful this effort has been is to ask what student government has done. Well, they....no that was the Student Union. But they established....no that was more of an individual effort supported by the Division of Student Affairs. Well anyway we all know they are loyal sup porters of the Gamecocks. Every game you'll see them right there on the front row cheering their little hearts out. The food situation on campus has improved. We can attribute that to Walker. In his campaign, he proposed to get Slater off campus. Slater has been replaced by University Dining Services. The change was handled beautifully. lt went so smoothly that anyone hardly noticed It. Walker said, ''The thought of students paying high prices to attend concerts in the Coliseum Is ridiculous.'' He was right, and he stIll Is. The thought Is ridiculous; the practice continues. We could continue to chastise ''Harry and the Gang,'' but it Is just another case of saying one thing to get elected and doing another once you're there. The novelty of Harry WAlker has worn off. The Incompetency of student government han't . ..., .. . The Capon 'Busi as BY SCOTT DERKS Columnist The housing office no longer appears to be concerned with providing a service to students. The Business Affairs Department has become slumlords with a virtual monopoly over 6,300 students. A monopoly in the sense that many students are forced to live on campus by University rules, parental pressure or a desire to live close to campus. Business Affairs, and the housing depart ment are no longer forced to make great efforts to please students, because more students will arrive next year. The number of persons wishing to move off-campus during the spring semester, but restricted by the year-long contract, may be one indication of the service provided. Mike Grier, University Om budsman, said that he has received "a couple dozen" complaints since December concerning the housing office and the inequities that students find there. The year-long contract that students are forced to sign is one major complaint, Grier said, but numerous students have been upset with maintence dif ficulties and an feeling of in sensitivity expressed by persons at housing. Students frequently reported ihat the personel told them that nothing could be done about their problem or that it was not housing's problem. In most cases housing showed no willingness to determine who was responsible or assist in rectifying the situation. Residents of University Terrace were stymied by this attitude when 'hey attempted to have their Aoor lighting replaced. Only N/4VE BULEY H L . . ness Al slumlo after a large number bikes were stolen was the situation rightened, and then with the assistance of Gri er. Al present Business Affairs makes all decisions, largely unimpeded by student input. The men who control the wealth of the University and its profit rate are also in the position to rule on student problems. If a tenant is not happy with the decision make by Joe Barnes, Director of Housing, he can only appeal the decision up the administrative ladder. A body should be set up to rule on student cases, involving fee assessed on students, contract disputes and other problems dealing with individual students. The board should be composed of representatives from the dorm governments, business affairs and student affairs. In addition, there appears to be major staffing problems in housing which forces some student to wait weeks for sputtering florescent light bulbs to be replaced or faulty heating system to be repaired. Many dorm counselors say that they have stopped turning in work request forms, terming the procedure useless. Priorities are constantly being shifted. Woodrow was slated for renovation before the start of the fall semester but when it became necessary to convert Baker to a women's dorm the priorities were shifted. The men in Woodrow are still waiting. Barnes, who has been with the University for 17 years, says that Woodrow will be taken care of eventually. He sees the problems as a continuing dilemma and if the work is not done this year it will be done next. The residents 9E1EA0/ E U| fairs' rd who live there don't see it that way. They paid their money and as tenants they expect the necessary repairs to be taken care of quickly and effeciently. Most of important while they are still living there and paying the rent. Frequently the housing office does come through in excellent form and does a good job. But sadly, often work is done poorly. The Horseshoe was renovated this summer, an action that has been needed for a long time. But instead of treating the dorms as the oldest part of the campus and 4 important to its atmosphere, they handled the job sloppily. Many windows were painted shut making them impossible to open. Radiators were painted with regular paint causing them to bubble and flake off as soor as the heat was turned on. There needs to be a resurgence in the philosophy of serving at the housing office and its boss, the Office of Business Affairs. The needs and importance of students the persons who pay the money should be re-evaluated Barnes says that he thinks that housing is providing a service to students. He even comments that he would be out of job if it were not for students. But housing has become a big business and a big job at the university. When Barnes began his work in 1954 there were only 1300 students who lived in University housing. The number increased almost five times to 63,758 and even a man like Barnes has to hussle in his attempt to keep up. Housing is a non-profit operation but did make some money last year. The money was pumped back into the university for im provements and essentiais like the Astro-turf carpeting on the sun roof of Columbia Hall. But Barnes is sincere when he says that he tries to be fair. Even that attitude is unique among some members of Business Affairs, but the fact remains that a great many students do not feel that housing is providing them a service or giving them their money's worth.4 Drug Issue 4pPostponed Pending 4 Further Information Watch For It!2