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Some questions about SCPIRG DEAR MS. MILLER: Below are questions and com ments which arise from reading the SCPIRG proposal. Some of the points made are not in criticism, but only ask for clarification in the wording (or in the idea behind the wording of the proposal. Other points bring up questions which, when answered clearly and exactly, will tell us more about the organization. Many students need to know more, since many who have signed realize only that SCPIRG is a group dedicated to public interest,'and that if they do not sign, they will continue to be accosted by Sign a Petition For SCPIRG fanatics. SCPRIG should welcome a chance to further ex plain itself. The opening sentence of SC PIRG's proposal states, "SCPIRG is an effort by South Carolina students to work within the existing educational system to analyse and help solve South Carolina's pressing problems in such areas as environmental preservation and consumer protection." (lines 1-4, p. 1). This statement indicated a vague purpose. South Carolina has numerous problems falling into several categories: law, economical, social, ecological, sonsumer protection. The phrase reading, "problems in such areas as environmental preservation and consumer protection" implies that other types of problems will be of interest to SCPIRG. Which other problems will SCPIRG en compass? SCPIRG in these first four lines manifests its intention to study environment preservation and consumer protection. Can anyone in SCPIRG list as least five specific, individual problems which need investigation? Or, in both these categories together, can anyone list at least five problems, and present an outline explaining how each investigation will be conducted? "SCPIRG's goals can be simply stated: 1. to provide students with a means whereby their concern with the state's problems can be translated into constructive ac tivity through in depth studies accompanied by professional G AME The GAMECOCK is published tIn semesters with the exception of Uni Changes of address forms, subscrip should be sent to Drawer A, USC, Co $3 per semester or $6 for both semesi GAMECOCK this year received $50, entitling full-time students to a subs GAMECOCK are in Rooms 316 an University campus. Phones are 771 class postage paid at Columbia, S. publication of the students of the Uni' official publication of the University not necessarily represent those of th4 staff members of the GAMECOCK. Editor......... . .. .... Managing Editor.... .. .. .. Associate Editor.... .. .. .. Assistant Managing Editor. . ... Business Manager.... .. .. Sports Editor..... .. .. .. Asst. Sports Editor..... .. .. Photo Editor... .. .-.-.-.-. Chief Reporter ..... ....... News Editors.... .. .. .. Feature Editor.... .. .... Circulation..... .. .. .. .. Classified Advertising. .. .. , Staff Writers .. .. .. .. .. ...La Gilbert, Bob Grondahl, Julie LumI Ellen Murray, K ris Schweickert, Va Betty Woodruff, Charlie Fellenbaul Sports Writers.... .. .. .. .. Bill C Photographers..........Courtr Ste Advertising Manager . . .. guidance". (p. 1, lines 4, 10-13.) With what organizations is this professional guidance to be associated? How will these in depth studies be conducted? SCPIRG's purpose (cont.); "2. to provide the South Carolina public with a professional and volunteer group dedicated to serving the public interest." (p.1, lines 14-16.) Has anyone in the volunteer group mentioned begun or even attempted to begin an in depth study? It seems that a volunteer group, although it might function better with professional guidance, would be as dedicated with funds as without funds. This volunteer group should be able to present some results of its dedication. Even though it is poor, this volunteer group should already be working towards the interests of society. In order to prove to USC students that SC PIRG can do something, the volunteer group should use its ingenuity, intelligence, dedication, and free time (qualities which it must have in order to improve society) to do something without money. It would be wise for SC PIRG to prove itself. "Students on each campus who contribute to SCPIRG will elect the Local Board members for a term of one year. Local members shall be duly-enrolled students." (p. 2, lines 8-10.) Are Local Board members to be paid or will they be volunteers? Ideally, they should not recieve a salary. If the students elected to the board are interested enough to willingly give their extra time and energy for a good cause, there is no point in paying them. "Each campus which adopts SCPIRG's financial procedurepill be entitled to represented on the State Board of Directors by one director for each 4,000 students who contribute to SCPIRG." (p. 3, lines 2-5.) Does the number of students contributing include those who are refunded? In fairness, it shouldn't. Only those who wish to contribute, rather than all who actually do contribute, should be included in figuring the representation USC is to have. What, then, is the point in having fees raised rather than having individual contribution? Lines 11-12, p. 3, already quoted read "issues of concern within the COCK -weekly during the fall a versity holidays and exar lion requests and other n lumbia, S. C. Subscription ers. Bulk copies are $6 pe 000 from the student acti cription to the paper. Offi 1 318 of the Russell Hou 8178, 777-4249 and 777-386 C. Although the GAMEC 'ersity of South Carolina,i .The opinions expressed University, the student b - . . . . . Glent ... .. .. ...@HoIl . .... .. ....John . .. ..-. ......Share ... .. .. ....Ut. ... .. .. ...Doug . .... ........ Rusty . .. .....Karin |I Vic . .. .. . Mon .. .. .. .. ..Patty rry Evans, K. Wayne Fo ikin, Ruthie Lyon, Hugh n Steiglitz, Lou Tenant, A ii, and Fran Zupan. krant, Jim Hersh, Gary V Hefner, Che ey Dicely, Doug Holladas ve Kish, Lewis Phillips, ding staff orannization. Letters general public interest of the state of South Carolina." This indicated that only the state of South Carolina could benefit from SC P IRG. Actually, what the students of USC will pay will be more like a compulsory tax which goes to a state -organization that will not directly benefit this university. Fifteen per cent of the students attending USC are from other states. This means that SCPIRG will be receiving approximately $7200 from out of state students. These students may find it more beneficial to send $3 to some organization in their own state which would be dedicated to the same goals as SCPIRG. "The State Board of Directors will meet once each month. All contracts must be approved by the Board of Directors. The Chair man, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Directors will be elected by a majority and are moved by a two thirds (2-3) vote of the State Board of Directors." (p. 3, lines 15-19) How long are the terms of the members of the State Board of Directors? Is membership a paid or volunteer position? Are the offices held paid or volunteer positions? "The staff will consist of professionals hired to assist the State Board of Directors to fulfill the purposes of SCPIRG." (p. 3, lines 20-22) What kind of professionals will be hired? How will they assist? Into what departments or levels, if any, will the staff be divided? What type of subordination will exist-withine the staff? "...there should be a simple procedure whereby the majority can contribute. Thus, SCPIRG will be financed by a registration assessment of an additional three dollars per year per student." (p.4, lines 8-11) What is so complicated about having a majority, if a majority wishes to contribute, contribute voluntarily? At registration, SCPIRG could easily set up a table at the coliseum. That way students could contribute as they register or pay other fees. It would be more efficient and ECONOMICAL for SCPIRG to LII U C This is a chance to vi for a minim u approach the problem of financing in this manner. Or, if SCPIRG must impose mandatory fees, why not impose a fee only on those who have signed the petition? Although this is not as economical and ef ficient as voluntary contribution, it allows uninterested parties to remain uninvolved. If refunds are given, record keeping and checking will detain, and possibly frustrate, students in the refund office. Such detention will be necessary if SCPIRG suceeds in charging all students. Otherwise, SCPIRG will find itself refunding the same people more than once. "Any students who does not wish to contribute will be entitled to a full refund during the third week of each term at a conveniently located office." (p. 4, lines 11-13) How will this office be publicized, and will there be someone on duty constantly? The SCPIRG office on the third floor of Russell House didn't always have someone on duty even during posted office hours, when the office hours were posted. Why can't a prospective office be procured NOW? Then students will be sure that it will be conveniently located in some building such as Russell House.. The best assurance of a convenient location is to find a refund office (or at least have a number of possible offices under con sideration) and to publicize its possible location. "And further, the majority should have the opportunity to pursuade the minority to its point of view." (p. 4, lines 15-17) To force the minority to pay a fee, and then to offer a refund if the monority feels like going to the trouble to get it, is not exactly an idea, system of persuasion. Is every one of the petitioners various students have encountered an example of majority persuasion? Some petitioners have a way of obtaining signatures which are based on a desire to be left alone, rather than on convictions about SCPIRG. "Upon dissolution , no distribution of the Corporations funds may be made without the approval of the United Stated District Court for the District of South Carolina." (lines 27-30, p. 4.) This again emphasizes the fact that SCPIRG is a SOUTH CAROLINA Public Interest Research Group. Why is the university being asked to support 3NDAY NIG TH E 3N'S H EAD 741 Saluda S. Choice Sirloin hoice of Potato alad Bar $2.99 sit Columbia 's most exc n price this organization? It seems that for such a group funds should be obtained from the public. SCPIRG is attempting to improve the state of South Carolina, not USC which is concentrated in one city of South Carolina. It is more reasonable to tax citizens of South Carolina in stead of assessing students of USC 15 per cent of whom are from other states. If SCPIRG is really anxious to refund fees, it could issue refunds to citizens who do not want to contribute. If citizens were taxed, a smaller amount of money could be requested from each person If 16,000 students are ccch charged $3, SCPIRG will have $48,000. However, South Carolina has a population of approximately 2,590,000. If only 10c (recieved from a tax increase, of course) were obtained from each person, SCPIRG would have $259,000. Even if 75 per cent of this were refunded, SCPIRG would still have nearly $17,000 more than it would if each student contributes $3, and no refunds are made. Also, USC students should not decide what is at PUBLIC interest. "It will be relatively small, with a mimited budget, and therefore must be selective in choosing its "issues." (p. 5, lines 20-23.) Assuming no refunds are issued, SCPIRG will have nearly $48,000. Even if 25 per cent of the money received is refunded, which is doubtful, SCPIRG will have $36,000. SCPIRG may also be attempting to obtain fees from other campuses in South Carolina. Even if only USC contributed, $36,000 is no small sum. Any organization has a "limited budget". "Because SCPIRG is a South Carolina organization, it will be limited to problems within the state of South Carolina." (p. 5, lines 23-25). Since this organization does not directly benefit USC, and since students cannot always be representative of the public, why not start an organization such as a USC Student Interest Research Gi oup? This university also needs im provement. A USCSIRG could investigate problems of the grading system, the qualifications of professors, efficient teaching and learning methods, drugs, library space, course content student government effectiveness. (Continued on page 12) HT Reservations Please 252-5141 luLsive restaurant