Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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viewpoints Ballroom liquor inciden At Admmistr; The recent party held by staff members of the Office of Student Affairs in the Russell House Ballroom, which included the consumption of liauor. raises Questions ahnnt -J ? -? ?VWIAVkl U1IU professional integrity of those involved. Guidelines regulating the use of the ballroom state that beer and wine may be served in the ballroom when purchased through and supervised by the manager of the Golden Spur nightclub. A decision by the USC Board of Trustees on Dec. 10, 1976, prohibited the use of alcohol within the ballroom. It seems that the organizers of the nartv W - X J ? which include James B. Campbell, vice president of student affairs; Robert Dalrymple, director of intramural sports; Kevin King, of the counseling center; Gerry Strumpf, of campus relations and Jo Foster, of Residential Life Services decided to disregard a decision of the university's governing body. This leads one to wonder what other regulations or rules concerning the operation of student affairs and the welfare of students have ) ti 1 J * ? * vttu viui<iLtni.ii wouia De looiisn to think that other regulations are followed to the letter if this one was broken. "I knew the regulation by verbal agreement," Campbell said and added that he did not think there was any written policy regarding the consumption of liquor in the ballroom. But isn't a verbal' agreement, and a board decision no less, sufficient grounds on which to halt the consumption of liquor in the koll?-swxro?> r* 1- -1- -- 1 uaiu win ; xuc UdlllCUUCK UCllCVeb SO J 0D~ viously the administrators did not. Campbell also said there was no other place to hold the party that week except the ballroom and that the organizers did not want to postpone it. In view of the regulations, it should have been postponed and held at a location where liquor may be served, such as the Faculty Maiico AI? fVin TT iauuov wi uic uiuvci any nuuse. UALL"ROO/V\ aT AD*I i Ni 5 TRATiON thfct v - i - I You have to have ' *' ?. 'A ' ' * ? #4 I ' t I 4 < 1 f ' V . < . ' ' ' * t * t * ' < i r 4 t i : , . til# 3 t ators' ethics Nothing is wrong with the employees of the university getting together for a few drinks; a little relaxation. Social events of this type are probably beneficial to those people who must work together day in and day out. This seems to have been the intent of student affairs in organizing the June 8 party and the previous party held in the Residence Life offices. The fact remains, though, that regulations were broken at the June 8 Dartv. & V A point in Campbell's favor is that he made no effort to hide the fact that the party did indeed occur. He also said he had qualms about serving liquor and admitted he was wrong. Hurray for Jim Campbell. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone who had violated university regulations, or the law, would do as he did. Tom Otts, director of the Russell House University Union, the organization which administers the ballroom, said "I work for Dr. Campbell and I would not exercise the right over him (not to allow him to have liquor at the ballroom party)." Otts should have, immediately upon hearing that liquor would be served, restricted the use of the ballroom and not allowed the use of liquor within it. This he obviously did not do since he was present at the nartv. X ^ * The Gamecock learned that at a recent staff meeting Dalrymple expressed a mocking concern about the consumption of liquor at the upcoming party. His concern was relieved when Dean of Students Robert E. Alexander said, referring to Campbell, that a vice president did not have to worry about such things. Again, it seems that rules do not weigh ioo neaviiy on the minds of some student affairs staffers. These same administrators claim to be concerned about the drinking of liquor by n i I 1 mt t*?rarr i T~Vl T^v i 1 i i a rn.iJ. to drink liquor at USC. *>>*? ? 1 ? ( t 4 . ; : : > ? * l > J > : > > > i > I * > * i 1 i * > * ? I i ? i i * ; questioned Carolina students. Residential Life Services tightened the rules of consumption of beer and wine in the residence halls last summer and claim there is an alcohol problem on campus. No liquor is available to students on campus, only beer and wine. How are students supposed to respect administrators or even learn from them and follow their example when liquor is readily available to them in the Faculty House and at various events? How are students supposed to learn respect for authority and law when administrators directly involved with students break the rules? USC President James B. Holderman said he would take no action because of the party and added, "I support Jim Campbell and I don't want his contributions to the university to be measured by this one incident." The Gamecock does not want his contributions to USC measured by this one incident either, but the circumstances warrant some sort of reprimand by the president. The organizers of the party, excluding those guests innocent of the regulations, if any, should be reprimanded and warned that rules are made to be followed, not to be broken. If allowed to go unpunished for this action, 1 he persons involved may get the idea that their actions are exempt from university regulations. Indoort if thnv Hn n* , u v?u gu mi|iuiiifliicU) heir actions are exempt from such regulations, it is not in the interest of the students or the university as a whole for this to be permitted. The one result of the incident which the participants should have considered seriously before going ahead with the party is the lack of respect which will be present in the student body. yamecocK Founded 1901 y. Mark J. Lundgren Editor in Chief - fx Don Fobes News Editor Skot Garrick Entertainment Editor Mike Hunt Sports Editor Barbara Mathews Codv Desk Chief Lynn Shook photography Editor Gordon Hirsch Viewpoints Editor Bill Fitzpatrick Advertising Mgr. CPrfffi, Jon Clemmensen General Manager , W Sam McKee Business Manager J v?v Karen Wooten Production Manager The Gamecock welcomes letters from its z readers. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must be signed with the B writer's correct name. Pseudonyms or T other aliases are not acceptable, but the _ _ .in 3 name win t>? withheld if ' W L# I requested and circumstances warrant. foj, 'tLr I Please include the telephone number and , ft mailing address where you can be -- reached to assist us in verliving the identity of the writer. Also, Include class V standing and major. We reserve the right I to edit all letters for space limitations, but not ,or content. Please oddress letters c/wiUtK. to: Campus Opinion, The Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. Opinions expressed In the Gamecock are those, if signed, of the writer and, If unsigned, of the senior editorial staff. hiV.V.V/.WV. *