Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Union sei -? cited as pr Bv Kannv Pnlnrh Chairman. Cinematic Arts Committee. Russell House University Union This past week's editorial entitled "University Union needs organization" was indeed observant and direct tl?.. *1 l: * 1 vv/ me jwini, nuwcvcr, iiic euuuriai errs in lis implication of where the disorganization exists. There is a distinct difference between the two major divisions of the Ilussell House University Union: programming and services. The lack of organization to which the Gamecock referred exists in the services area of thp lininn nnt in fht? nrnorammino THE BASIC GOAL of programming is to provide programs which students may attend to diversify their interests and relieve the boredom of the traditional classroom experience. Examples of these include concerts, films, lectures and cultural series events. Aside from providing interesting and entertaining programs on a large scale, the union provides a double educative function. (Contrary to popular opinion, a good portion of a student's learning experience takes places outside the classroom). For the programmers, the students actually involved in the planning and nnoratinn nf nrnrtrnmo thn nninn * ~ ui pi uf,iunio, un, uiuuii j^i uviuro uic ctuuiiy lu use their creative forces and receive practical exj perience in planning, management, budgets and | operations. | In executing their responsibilities to the student oody, tne union programming area utilizes the largest budget of all student organizations. This money is funded through Student Government's Student Allocations Commission (by way of student activity On lettere ?&&&*& The (Jamecotk welcomes letters from its necoc?s readers. Letters should be a maximum of 300 : words and must be signed with the writer's xxlB^Hw correct name, telephone, mailing address, x\ class standing and major Pseudonyms are , unacceptable, but the writer's name may be withheld by request if circumstances warrant. We reserve the right to edit letters for space. Fran George Production Manager Sam McKoe Business Manager Sole reproduction rights granted to the ^5^ - ' ^ Associated Press All other material contained A8S' jfi&r 1 .** r herein may not be reprinted without the Ska IkI ?~f f' ? Guest Column ?? rviV.PS not nrncrrs A ^ y AX vy v/ A. y/y^jL v 'oblem by union c ietss;, ana me programs are administered by the Russell House University Union Executive Council. * The council consists of nine student chairpersons and four student officers as voting members. The director of the union, the business director, the assistant director of programming, the program coordinator and graduate assistants serve as ex-officio and nonvoting members. Although it is not the only programming organisation dn campus, the executive council provides the major force and overall direction of campus programming. ON THE OTHER HAND, and auite a different storv * a " ~ ' is the services area of the union. The primary purpose of union services is to provide essential services to students. A place to eat, study, relax, and make major and minor purchases. These services are provided by the various departments of the union; the Union Station, the Golden Spur, the Gameroom, the Print Shop, etc. Department heads are responsible for the direction of a large number of student and non-student employees as well as the daily operation of union services. In addition, department heads are directly responsible to either the union director or business director, depending on the department. The Gamecock's assertion that the union needs overall organization should be directed toward services and not programming. But the assertions are completely true and nave been evident for quite some time. The problem has been that until this point, the question of inadequate services and mismanagement has remained within Russell House itself. iTrimmer :hairman HOWEVER, within the past two months there has been a growing awareness among persons outside Russell House that services are not what they should be. The point of the matter is that we are a major college union and the time has come for us to begin functioning as such. The practice within the upper levels of the union to hold back authority from the department mariQOorc lonrac omnln?r/vn? ^ 'J - ? * ...u>auBv> -J ivu V vo tiiipiujCTO WI HI IIU U1I tX'HUII. A manager without authority is virtually equivalent to no manager at all and contributes to the weak leadership syndrome. This in turn affects the services that students receive as well as the reputation of the j union as a whole. THE TIME has come for the replacement of weak 1 1 u:_ i -i - - icdueisuip uy a strong program 01 overall direction for Russell House University Union. It is absurd that no long-range financial plan exists for a union that j generates enormous revenues. It is even more absurd that those employees who desire direction and exhibit a willingness to work hard, are allowed to waste away with no management and no direction. And it is ! downright shameful that the morale of the union has been allowed to sink to the lowest level in years. The union services division stands at a crossroads. It is time for competent leadership, instead of worthless indecision Thincfs must phancrp cnnn r\r- nntiro ! union, including our expanding program area, will j become a joke. WEAK LEADERSHIP of the union services area j should change immediately or be forced to justify its j existence. hh^xi^now' ititw