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College education more than football i / This weekend's activities encompass just one of J * the many perks that come with the academic life. The Clemson-USC game tomorrow is nationally S recognized as one of the most heated rivalries. g While we think USC is the far superior school ^ both academically and athletically, there is a pro- ^ hlem that nlaenes the educational institutions in ? this state, as well as the entire nation. Today's students are astoundingly ignorant. -J Because these problems are not dealt with in ^ secondary educational institutions, today's universities are filled with unenlightened young adults. In 3 t a current issue of Public Opinion, Benjamin Stein |l| conducted a survey of college students at the TV University of Southern California and the Universi- k] ty of California ? Los Angeles and found students J| were basically unaware of the most elementary cur- ijj rent events,; history, politics, economics or just what goes on each day in the world outside of Los I Angeles. If This situation is exemplified by a junior from I Southern California who couldn't understand why ; the civilians of Poland, now under martial law, | didn't just leave and come to the United States. When asked to identify Vladimir Lenin few of the UCLA students interviewed could respond. (Was * he the drummer with the Beatles before Ringo Starr?) One would be sadly mistaken if he thought inepA *x.. J rv*orl/nf f r\r tVlIC ' lllUUC lb CU1UC1 CU 111 111C V,ail 1U1 ilia mai iwi iiiu phenomenon is rampant nationwide. In a nation as advanced as the United States, the education of our young should be a primary goal. However, over re- ? cent years Student Achievement Test scores have __ become progressively lower, while admissions stan- _ dards to most leading universities have become in- 1 creasingly higher. ? In South Carolina, the student is even more * disadvantaged, based on the present school system. ^ ^ ? i _ j A .j It a Soutn Carolina resiaeni warns a ueceiu cuucation, he must obtain it at a private school. Everyone deserves a decent education, but in America, one of the most advanced nations of the world, that education should not be merely decent, but superior. Such is not the case. Therefore, the majority of young Americans may well not be prepared for even the most basic responsibilities: understanding what the society is about. j ^ Tomorrow, the majority of the people in South 1 ^ Carolina will be watching two superb athletic teams in a contest to prove the "superior" school. 1 However, at half time, students should contemplate how the athletes on the field and the s students in the stands will be able to function in the a world after the final touchdown is scored. f We fear the ability to kick a field goal or lift a F can of beer will, in the long run, be a disappoint- ry ment when those on the field and in the stands realize the only thing this country's educational n 1 0 system has given them is a gooa lime. e n r??"Gomccoch v Editor in Chief Johnny Boggs } Copy Desk Chief Curt Cottle Copy Editor Beverly Simmons News Editor Chris Handal Copy Editor Leigh Jones \ Asst. News Editor David Hill Copy Editor Alan Seim Opinion Page Editor. . Ellen McCarthy Copy Editor Mark Farmer Entain. Editor Leslie Dunson Sports Editor Jeff Rogers General Manager Ron Emler { Asst. Sports Editor Andrew Miller Ad Manager Linda S. Haines Wire Editor Kevin Sullivan Business Manager . Carolyn Griffin Photo Editor Mary Ann Hollis Production Mgr. Mark McEwan Asst Phnto Editor Joe Jackson Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hite Graphics Editor Beth Harrison Adviser Mark Ethridge Jr. Copy Editor Mark Armstrong j * Newsroom 777 7181 Advertising 7774249 Business Office 777 3888 Production 777-2833 | The Gamecock welcomes letters and guest editorials. All letters and guest editorials must be typewritten, triple spaced on a 65 space-line. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and guest editorials should be limited to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guest editorials MUST be signed with the writer's name, telephone number, mailing address, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the circumstances warrant. ; We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and letters. i Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page Editor, Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Q Columbia, S C. 29208. OpinioN I^jj^ ft MM sJPPw^l^sf 11MSBgjn 'ipi ? ?1? i^e Wearing black show To the Editor: This changc On behalf of USC's cheerleaders, I James Holder would first like to thank you for the Marcum as at! high-spirited support you have given tinued with M Carolina athletics already this season. Morrison as li Also, I would like to solicit your help spired it in at the Carolina-Clemson game brought it out tomorrow. As you all have witnessed USC's Morrison h, football program and the students' at- , .ar? ^ titude toward it has improved beyond ni IoolDa" ie< belief during this season. an ima8e by c Seautification overb "o the Editor: Greene Street I have heard a lot of complaints * can see ^ow bout how much time and money is Greene Street pent on the upkeep of the university, ab'e 10 make nd I just want to express my support l"e middle of or the efforts to keep USC beautiful. ' have a suj ror instance, many people just don't anc* r ealize the only purpose of the nient for st iorseshoe is upkeep. university insl I am moved to tears whenever I open Horseshoe fit ny window and gaze out onto the lush Students rt ;reen grass (some exotic strain that nust be watered the day after a major hunderstorm), trees and leaf vacuumng machines. VUL Sometimes I wonder if the Horseshoe would actually be a \ * tO beautiful place if they'd ever stop \ *0^ ? i grooming it, but I realize we don't \ Ca' want the grounds staff to get restless \ v and bored. I also want to say 1 heartily approve of the Greene Street "beautification i-: project," designed to alleviate the 14 "psychological barrier" and make | \l\v USC "really look like a university." Yfc I'm all for this. I can remember several times I've \3rY*-y? been out by Russell House and have \v$ thought, "Where am I?" And then 1 Vfe| remember, "I'm at a university. But it sure doesn't look like one." And as for W the psychological barrier...well, I % know of several students who have * completely broken down because of ; the emotionally disturbing nature of : the roadblocks currently used. Si I'm sure wrought-iron gates just like the Horseshoe will do the trick. So what if students can still get killed by I ^ cars? They'll die content, knowing | I tterS rs spirit, senior says : started with President assistants in black ? an image of pride man's selection of Bob a?d distinction. hletic director, and con- 1 solicit the students to support Morarcum's selection of Joe rison and USC by also wearing black iead coach. He then in- to the game tomorrow. It would be a vis players, and they si8n from }'ou back to the team that of the fans. y?u believe in them and may further motivate them to beat the hell out of as created an image at Clemson. hat he has done through am. He has also created Elliott Locklair ireccino himcplf anH hie Piuil Fnninnnrinn enninr I.VUU...C learing, student says was beautiful. (Actually, insert a dime in the slot, and the the new gates will make sprinkler would stop running for 10 sp.fer: few cars will he seconds, allowing students to pass. it past the brick pillars in The new income could be put toward the road.) further beautification, such as 'gestion. To help pay for Gamecock toilet seats or little black nake things more conve- nametags for all the trees on campus, udents, I propose the instead of just the lucky ones in front all new sprinklers on the of the President's House. ted with coin slots. Robert Berry inning late could simply Media arts freshman