Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GLENDA MILLER INTERIM EDITOR HOLLY GATLING ART FRANK INTERIM MNG. ED. AD MANAGER EDITORIALS Prison re orm "Being a convict does not mean you are safe from injury or death," the inmate stated in his letter. (The State, Feb. 10) "Both assailant and victim came from v:orlds where it was impossible to conceive, much less articulate, the senselessness of murder arising from locked stares and nothing more."(The War Behind Walls," Harper's, Feb. 1972) The "War Behind Walls" Is the proper name, for prison has become an arena for expanding crime, not reducing It. San Quentin, as the Harper's article points out, is virtually a war zone. Knifings are as abundant as prisoners. San Quentin is a large institute, but the type of convict crime which affects the major prisons is spreading to the smaller ones. Columbia's Central Correctional Institution has ex perienced the same type of violence, with the recent murder of an inmate involved in a homosexual affair. Is the problem a result of the institution itself or the prisoner-prisoner relationship and its codes? The answer to that is probably both. But we must admit that we really don't know. But the articles in both The State and Harper's illustrate a situation that cries out for reform. The institution needs to be reformed because it has developed a factionalized "gang war" atmosphere and forced homosexuality. The criminals need to be reformed because crime doesn't stop once they are within the confines of prison. The rehabilitation aspect has failed. As the author of the Harper's piece *asks, if nothing is resolved within the prison is it "a precursor for society as a whole"'? /M~ GOV/$USY D/ED FROQM A MEWNTAL. BREAKDOWAV e b2,L/g -71(1, RA/N ' University analys Alumni < BY CHARLES FELLENBAUM Columnist In many instances, the loyalty a student feels toward USC vanishes immediately after he receives his diploma. But his continued post graduation interest in the university is vital to give the university needed financial and moral support. In an effort to increase alumni 'oyalty, members of the Division of Development and the Alumni Association met with ap proximately 25 student organization leaders and representatives from the Division of Student Affairs Wednesday in an informal, "Think Tank." Some excellent suggestions were made. Most concerned better communication between students and alumni, and methods for alumni, the Division of Development and the Alumni Association to be a positive in fluence on students' lives while they are enrolled. These suggestions could have a major but little-noticed impact on the university. Students are constantly con fronted with negative experiences here, and these are not likely to make them enthusiastic university Citizen Sanity USC Sani BY STAN SEARS Columnist Citizen Sanity passed two telephone men on the way into his apartment. They were emerging from his kitchen. One of the men was peeling a banana, freshly filched. "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" "Oh, we might coulda been checking your phone. You might could believe we were, or you might could not." "Oh, is something wrong with my phone?" "Sho' is. Been annoyin' yo neighbors ringin' all day and you ain't been 'round to answer it." "So, you gentlemen came over to answer it for me." "Yes sir, your phone company's always ready to help out," replied the short man, chomping on the banana. "I didn't know Southern Bell had that service, free of charge." "Oh, it ain't free of charge. We gettini' paid by Mr. Edsel." "Oh, is he your supervisor?" "Yessuh. He's the biggest customer for special services down at the company. Always got more phones for us to answer." "You mean this is a regular practice?" "Shootyeah," smiled the banana eating worker. "Well, thank Mr. Edsel for me. By the way, give me his address or phone number so that I can thank him myself." "Oh, Lordie, just yell your regards into your phone, Mr. Edsel's the City Sorcerer, he's here, he's there, rumor's got it that eat's everywhere." "By the way, who was calling?' "D)on't know. We got here too late." The two men left. Sanity knew somethingi was wrong. lie picked :an benefi supporters after they leave. Perhaps the most remembered, st ultifying event during a student's stay at USC is commencement. There is a hassle with Campus Shop about robes and hats, a drawn out, boring speech, long lines and a very tiring wait for that elusive diploma. Commencement may be changed from a meaningless, depersonalized event to an im pressive ceremony with diplomas handed out at each individual school with faculty present. This, of course, is only a suggestion, but it is being given serious con sideration. Most students also feel that alumni are not interested in things that are important problems or issues among students, such as dormitory rules and academic reform. There may be a move now to involve alumni in these areas in addition to their already strong participation in athletics. This could be quite important to USC's reputation as an educational institution. That reputation is presently quite tarnished -if it ever existed--and needs all the shining it can get. [ty and th4 "Roger, over and out, per mission to take off," replied Sanity. "Okay, Hiram, you on listening duty too?" "Yeah," replied Sanity. "Get any good stuff tonight?" "Yeah, man. Got some really juicy news." Sanity led on. "Tell me, tell me!" the voice pleaded. "No, man. This stuff is too juicy." "Come on Hiram. Tell me or I'll tell the Sorcerer on you. He might could punish you. I'll tell him to take you off listening duty." The voice let out an insane laugh. "Well, you're going to have to wait. See you later." Sanity hung up the phone. Well, at least he knew it was bugged. After reconciling the fact that he would have to watch his language on the phone, Sanity decided to make it a game. Gazing at his record rack, Sanity pulled out an old budget record someone had given him once, "Erotic Sounds for Young Lovers." Putting it on his stereo, he lifted the phone between the speakers and enjoyed the show. It was hard to tell who was panting harder, the couple on the record or his extended listening service. "I can't take no more of this. Y'all are horrible. You been sassin' an officer of the law. I'm gonna come in and bust things up. Li'l lady, I hope your mommy spanks you real good." Sanity sat back, continuing to listen to the record. "Don't worry young lady. I's com in' to save you andl your purity. IHere I might could be!" TIhe ox man burst through the dloor. Closing his eyes, he dove at the source of the sound. "'Iam , ('rack. crash. coomba,. bash! Sanity grabbed a baseball bat andl began heat ing the van (I ml''r It was noted that when the original plans for a University Senate were proposed, alumni were anxious to participate and appointed their delegates before any other group. No doubt they are wondering what will happen now that the faculty does not seem to approve of the idea. One suggestion to effectively involve alumni with students was for the academic departments to provide contact with successful alumni for students with the same career interest. This would also bring graduating students in contact with potential employers. Students may also be given a voice on the Alumni Council, more information about the considerable number and variety of alumni activities, and a chance to talk with alumni about hot campus issues. All of these ideas could establish better understanding and com munication between students and alumni, and both would benefit. It is clear that broader participation by almuni in university activities, particularly younger alumni, would be a positive factor in the university's long-term benefit. 3 sorcerer "Sorcerer Edsel, your man is defeated. Come over and disconnect your devices." A rolypoly figure with a gray crewcut and red leotards appeared at the door. "Fool! You shall do battle with Sorcerer Edsel now. I will arrest you, detest you, confess you, reverse-bless you, and after burning you with my dragon breath: I will digest you. No one dares challenge Sorcerer Edsel." "I accept your challenge, o supernatural one." The sorcerer whirled his cape around. Sanity was buried in marijuana. "I can dig it! I can dig it!" Sani:y exclainedj in delight. "Zap! Bam!" The evil weed was lit! Sanity took a long, healthy snort. He blew smoke into the Sorcerer's face. Choking, the Sorcerer cursed Sanity. "That's cheating. You foul smelling, scrungy, foul-minded, hippie-yankee-type." "Repent you Sorcerer! Take another hit." Sanity took another hit and passed on the fumes to the Sorc'erer. Sorcerer Edsel was at the edge of the fire now, breathing pure marijuana. "I relinquish my power, o p)eacejtul, kindly, yankee-type. \ oU have c'onqueredl me.'' The sorcerer'i whirled his cape dl"'Ur.nd again. The pile of mfarijuania rolled into joints. l'ogethe'r they' smokedl happily ae M(-r Ando no one elke got holtirr