Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL. LXII - NO. 59 University of South Carolina, Columbia, S. C. 29208 Wednesday, February 23, 1972 Students to protest dissolving Senate Rev. Porter speaks Bob Bensn The Rev. John Porter, director of Chicago Center for Black Religious Studies, spoke to a group on the center's ideas for a model black society. Sketching a plan whereby students take various courses for training in dynamics of human system, the Rev. Porter explained that students yoke experiences in the community with courses to obtain their credit. First Secretary as governmental By BOB GRONDAHL Staff Writer Editor's Note: This is the fifth of a nine part series of interviews with the Student Government cabinet. The cabinet is composed of students appointed by Pres. Harry Walker and is an unofficial' part of the executive branch. "My job is to act as a liaison between the senate and Harry . Walkers's office," said Patty Wall, a cabinet First Secretary. Ms. Wall is a sophomore English major and was a student senator for two years. "This is the newest cabinet post created and the purpose is to let the views of the executive branch be known on proposed legislation," she said. -MrySl About the effectiveness of theAs.W l Student Senate Ms. Wall said she bl a ob asdb h tdn felt there were two problems: anSeaetnaprvdbPes archaic system and lack of student Wle.Fo hr h ilhst interest,.esbitdtoteFcly "The Student Senate has to deal SuetRltosCmite with a bureaucratic and archaic ThbiltegosoteFauy system," she said. Ms. Wall stated SeaetntoPsintJe. that for a bill to be passed into law,Fialthbllasobeprvd it had to followlthisssequence:sthe by the BadoTr stde A bill to dissolve USC student government will be considered today by the Student Senate, and a group of student plan to be there to protest. According to Sen. Wayne Hembree, the purpose of the bill is to force the faculty to accept a. University Senate, since abolish ment of all student government would cost the University its ac accreditation. Preston Hall Governor Chuck Motte said about 30 students plan Rev. ] on m By JUDITH NIEWIADOMSKI Staff Writer "Only those with models have the vision to recreate 'The New Society,"' said the Rev. John R. Porter, speaking in the second of a series of lectures sponsored by the Department of Afro-American Studies. The Rev. Porter emphasizes the importance of models in his program as director of the Chicago Center for Black Religious Studies. "If you don't have a model, you're living an immoral life. If you don't have a direction for life, you're living an immoral life. If you don't have a model, you're living in someone else's model." The Rev. Porter outlined the curriculum of the first year of the four-year program, which centers around the Theology of the Black Experience. The philosophy is community centered, and despite the Rev. Porter's belief that, "we're acts ias.on "Under the present system it is very hard for student views to be represented much less passed into law," she said. Some worthwhile legislation has been passed including a workable student judicial system, a com mittee to issue and revoke charters of campus organizations, revoc ation of curfews and the establish ment of a coed dorm, Ms. Wall said. When asked to evaluate Walker's' performance as the student body president, Ms. Wall said the relationship with the Student Senate has generally been good and that Walker has also had a good rapport with the faculty, administration and the Board of Trustees. "For someone who had no previous political experience Walker has done well in working with the Student Senate, selecting a competent cabinet and focusing attention on campus by being the first black student president," she to protest the bill. Motte charged the bill's supporters with "behind the scenes dealings." "They haven't come to the students with this at all," he said. "It's completely wrong for a handful of students to do away with student government." Motte charged the bill's sup porters %with "trying to keep themeleves in office for another year." "The bill would do away with .spring elections, so the people Porter 1 odel so basically a sick society," he is optimistic. "Whatever we are to be in the future must be partially existent in the present.. .we have the power, the ability to create the future," the reverend said. The intensive weekend study group, which takes place about the middle of the semester, is one of the most distinctive features of the program. "The power of all knowledge," said the Rev. Porter, "comes from a community of people, not an individual." People from the community are urged to participate along with the full-time students in the Black Religious Studies Program. Zeigler di election, 7 "I believe that Sen. Thurmond has come to the end of his usefulness," state Sen. Nick Ziegler, D-Florence, said. Speaking before USC's Young Democrats, Ziegler said he thought it was time to "find a new way to do things. Unless we do, we will find things falling apart in this country." Ziegler has said he will oppose incumbent Sen. Strom Thurmond this year if he can find the financial backing for his campaign. Ziegler said a poll had shown Sen. Thurmond could be beaten. "Sen. Thurmond is vulnerable," he said. "He can be defeated given a strong opponent with good financial backing." The Democratic party has only one statewide election to worry about this year, according to Ziegler, and he hopes to receive the needed support. "I realize that I have this problem of recognition," he said. "But I believe it's time for someone else--someone who can identify with the people of today. "Thurmond represents a negative approach to problems," Ziegler said. "His negativism on social change has been fairly evident." Ziegler said he hopes to appeal to the groups that feel alienated. "I would not offer myself for office if I didn't think I cnould npu11 them they'll have to use in the Univer sity Senate would have to be those who hold office this semester," he said. The bill, which was introduced by Senators Wayne Hembree, Jay Smith and Mike Boliver would continue the functioning of the legislative and executive branches until the end of spring semester, 1972. All activities not pertaining to these standing committees would cease. La1ks ciety No one is denied the opportunity to participate in the weekend study group, which is held either on the University of Chicago campus or a seminary, for lack of money to pay the tuition fee. Periods of reflection on "whence we have come and why and when we have come as a people" and celebration of life itself are some of the means employed to develop the whole man. In closing, the Rev. Porter stressed the importance of the interrelationship of living ex periences. He said, "We believe that as the model grows, more people will be able to see the connecting links in life." scusses 'hurmond together. I want to be a process of bringing the alienated back together." After the brief talk on his in tentions, Ziegler answered questions from the audience on his policies and platform. Ziegler has authored a bill in the S.C. Senate allowing students to register on the campus of the school they attend. He said he thought a more definite policy should be established on voter registration. He said he thought the state should set some definite residency requirements instead of the policy of allowing people to say they intend to reside in a county for ar indefinite time. The student should not be discriminated against, he said, just because he's caught up in the four year curriculum. Ziegler pointed out that bank tellers who are rotated every two years are allowed to register under the in definite residency clause. Talking about narcotics, Ziegler said he didn't "know that much about marijuana. I've heard both sides. "The legislature passed this year what I consider a com passionate and liberal bill." the bill provided that no criminal record would be established for a (ontinued on Pag 4)A