University of South Carolina Libraries
Gibbes Mall: Deplorable In its never-ending crusade against greenery, trees and the American way, the university has once more taken steps to remove one of the few remaining non concrete areas on the USC campus. Gibbes Green, that run-down, dust bowl someplace near Pickens Street is the latest meaningless endeavor on the university's part in what appears to be a con certed effort to finally cover the campus with a dome and artificial sunlight. But the conflict and controversy surrounding Gibbes Green is beginning to look like it goes much further than a simple destruction of nature, in view of the recent resignation of campus architect John Califf. For it appears that there is a major difference of opinion one of the highest administrative levels on this campus. Without question, Gibbes Green is one of the university's eyesores. But it is also one of the school's few remaining open areas; an area that has degenerated in recent years to its present. state; an area that, with a lot less money and problems, could be restored to its pre-dirt days. Yet, without any solicitation of student opinion, the school has forged through with its plan to turn Gibbes Green into a concrete playground; overturning or ignoring any suggestions by Califf. This demonstrates a dangerous problem that could be reasonably detrimental to future university plans. We all might just as well accept the fact that this school is eventually going to one of the concrete wonders of the world, despite our complaints. But if the upper-echelon nature-killers are going to battle each other over what an area is going to look like, serious questions con cerning university standards arise. First, what is the actual purpose Gibbes Green is go ng to serve? Obviously, only the interests of Mr. Brunton and his Business Affairs cronies. They expect :students to treat the issue with their usual apathy,, eventually Faccepting- the project because it's there. Second, what is the point of a campus architect like John Califf if Brunton & Co,. is going to make the ultimate decision anyway? Third, why such a gross expenditure of funds for something as mundane as a concrete playground when residence conditions, health policies, etc. are getting so disgustingly poor? To say nothing of the fact that the Student Allocations Commission doesn't even have enough money to fund all of its budget requests from various student organizations. As usual, a competent decision concerning priorities has not been made. Gibbes Green is an -unnecessary fiasco that should be deplored.. Furthermore, the chain of command at the Business Affairs level obviously leaves something to be desired. Nevertheless, the school plods on in its own inimitable fashion, arbitrarily acting in what it gauges to be the interest of Carolina students. When all that's actually being done is extracting some money that could be better spent on a project that has caused nothing but problems. More of the kind of problems this university really doesn't need. Kudos No.1 Strange as it may seem, someone at this university actually did something good for the students. During spring break, when the wind reached near-hurricane status, the window of a Capstone resident's car was blown out. As the car was in an enviable position for any hoodlum to come in and rip it apart, the university police brought the auto down to the station to ensure that nothing evil befell it. As amazing as it may sound, we thank you. NIXON SAID- .NIXOW s TWE WAR WAS THE ENEl OVER............ CRISIS W MORE WAN PASSED.. 975, OO I WA\TE1 VIETfWAMESE IN U.NE NAVE BEEN YEST6RC KILLED,WOUIED, TO BUY C OR MADE AT 96.1 NOMELESS SNCE GA.0O PEACE WAS DECL.ARED. r " }/, 'Streaking Epidemic' Reply To The Editor: A "blooming" ambassador of rather native wit has appeared in the forefront of the moral debate over streaking. We know of her not only from her stench of attendant infirmity and "ill will," but also from her basking Christian superfluity, as the .virtue-laden "Ann Doe." Reeking with the notorious bane of Puritan resen timent and perverted will, she thrusts herself forth .as that"sole Bird", masturbating the engine of "Monday Morality". Who did not long for and rejoice in the dithyrambic effusionof those two glorious nights, when those flagellating arid castrating shackles of popish morality and moral prostration were consumed? How enduring that spirit has been ever since! For once the weak, morbid and decrepit was not the order, was not the abyss where idealistic self-expression is irrevocably lost. There was no "fall" on that Monday evening, or on the previous '"hallowed" Sunday, when "we" enshrined our innocence and asserted our felicity of being alive! Oh how those words exorcise the dyspeptic pestilence which you and other teething carrion like you engender in the unassuming hearts of the noble, and all those who say yes to life! There is an eye in your lacerating Christian dogma "Miss" Doe, that kills as soon as it sees the sublimity of youthful self expression and unaffected levity. In your rabid and bloated rec titude, you indiscriminately and collectively indict the participants in the early March "regeneration" with moral execration and dementia. Perhaps, your pubescent treks to school have contributed to your present Puritan cholera, and inability to abide in the innocent and un conditional happiness of others. Seek not to express the idle rhapsodies of the "Kanting" Franciscan and self-assumed moral curator, until your ultimate "garland" has been achieved. Like Phineus, you rail because others dine with "liberal hedn" on the coveted delights of natural social expression and exchange. In the final resonne tn yurn 1D NIXON SAID NIXC tGY TMERE WIl,t. E NO N . E..CESSION.... RE T.WAS LAID OFF MY 4 >AyAV. AS grl/ E// -. ..... Dur Mail impulsive Christian summons and Magdelinian plea for "God's help," I refer you the greatest of all "Christians," Friedrich Nietzsche, who responded to Victorian catamites like your revered self with the conclusive reply: "Show me one more Godless than I, so that I may rejoice in his instruction"! Charles A. Roberts Mall May Be Improvement To The Editor: Concerning the Gibbes Green Mall construction, I'm a bit bewildered. Knowing Brunton's track record, I. expected the worst and bummed considerably. But. opir "It is a newspap the news, an, --Wilbur F The Chicagc I-:di D)oug \l lHill GrantU The Ga Although The G;ameco, students of the Univers is not an official publicati Opin ions ex pressed herei resent those of thc univ or all the staff members p rs I-:dito............. \ssistai New S-:ditor p( t \is1:itoriiu lI~I '... )N SAIDr W4 V R after looking over the pictorial layout I(on a signboard at the site) it didn't look bad at all. Ap parently, no trees will be removed, the brick walkways now existing will remain, the mall itself will be brick (not raw concrete), and more grass will be planted and cultivated. Judging from the pictorial alone, this appears to be a definite improvement and preservation. Added to the proposed renovation of Longstreet Theatre tone of the few really attractive architectural achievements on me campus), I'm pleasantly surprised. However, I remain skeptical and would like to see more detailed descriptions of both proposed restorations. Could such be ob tained and printed in the Gamecock? Alva Lumpkin, III 0ion ers duty to print d raise hell." .Storey. T imes, 186 1 tor hilliamis .\ti .\anager mecoc k e'k is a publication of the ity of South Carolina, it ion of the un iversity. The n do not necessarnly rep ersity, the student body of The G;amecock. ...... i ian (ooerjt' ........ter e Il'a rker4' ........~i%uss .leilroat ......('ari I;aab%l ...... I~ id eli ir