University of South Carolina Libraries
I Viewpoint THE GAMECOCK Monday, October 12, 1987 || AMY DELPO Editor in Chief STEPHEN GUILFOYLE Copy Desk Chief rpi BRENDA BLYTH News Editor 1 HC STEVE PRADARELL1 Viewpoint Editor t TAMARA WILLIS Features Editor uamecocK wayne washinhthn Qnnrfc - - .m - m. XV I 1 UJA/I lO LAJIIUI II KEITH JONES Photography Editor j I ROBB LANE Graphics Editor | PAULA WOJTOWICZ Beat Editor Tight times Faculty, students may fight I about requested pay increase There's a saying that you can't squeeze blood from a rock. But it looks like that's just what the USC Faculty Senate is going to have to do if it wants to raise faculty salaries to the Southeastern average. In a list compiled by the Faculty Welfare Committee of 10 southeastern state universities of comparable size, USC ranks sixth for assistant professors, ninth for associate professors and sixth for full professors. hor the past two years, average salaries at Clemson, which were considerably below those of USC in 1978-79, have risen to equal and surpass USC averages at all ranks. Even state teachers' salaries are higher than those at USC. All told, the faculty funding request would cost $1 million. It seems the faculty have a legitimate gripe. But they're going to find themselves in much the same boat USC students end up in when they argue against skyrocketing tuition. The administration will likely turn and say in a solemn and sorrowful voice, "Sorry, but the funds just aren't there." The arguments arc always the same. The university has only two financial sources: tuition, over which the administration does have control, and state appropriations, over which the administration does not have direct control. And unless one or the other is raised, the argument goes, all will have to suffer. With the tone thus set, USC faculty can expect to face a long, uphill battle. And in the face of an almost certain tuition increase next year, this mentality could easily pit students against faculty in a race for scarce funds. Rllt thPTP i? an illncinn in tW.** ; 1 T ? ^ " ' ' ? .....? .u u? uiujiv/ii in me iiiciPvin^. U3L, fresident James Holderman said in a Sept. 2 general faculty meeting that he is "disappointed" in the Faculty Welfare Committee's report. He insisted ? apparently in complete disregard of the facts ? that salaries continue to be the administration's "highest priority." Although there is no record of Holderman's expression when he made those remarks, it is hard to believe they were said with a straight face. The faculty has been told, first, that equitable salaries are a lop priority and, second, that there is no money with which to eliminate the salary disparity. Not to belabor the issue, it is common knowledge that Holderman has been in the middle of controversy ever since his use of a $3.2 million discretionary fund to buy gifts for public and private individuals was revealed and he paid out $337,778 to a visiting professor for teaching only three semesters at USC. The Faculty Welfare Committee, painfully aware of Holderman's spending habits and true sense of priority, observed, "There are no grounds for USC aspirations to regional (let alone national) distinction when its performance ? in respect of faculty salaries ? is mediocre within a substantially mediocre group." The committee finds the lack-of-money argument just as unconvincing. While it acknowledges South Carolina is not a rich state, it has given the administration a list of recommendations the committee considers both practical and attainable. It's time the faulty reasoning used by the administration to justify its actions is done away with and the university started taking care of its own. This may be a good time for representatives of students and faculty to unite to put pressure on the state and the university administration. If the two groups' reasons for a confrontation with the administration rliffw at looct *i-~ '** ?t ??. iwmoi nit i^auu is uic same 11 Holderman and his cronies win out: there'll be less money in everybody's pockets. the Staff | Assistant Copy Desk Chief Historian 4 4 Andy Bechtel Bobby Jones i Assistant News Kditors Adviser t Todd Hincs Bill Rogers | Jeff Shrewsbury Director of Student Media \ Assistant Features Kditor Bill Clements v Firdous Bamji Production (1 Assistant Sports Kditor Chuck Norris Rae Leigh Son Ha Assistant Photography Kditor Advertising Manager Jonathan Williams Margaret Michels Datebook Kditor Assistant Advertising Manager Jenny Sharpe Dau/n Miliar 1 ll l^tlrr* Policy: Th* (iam*?xk ?W try lo IMUn rwriwd lOlin <ko?M tw, hi nulaia, 1M 10 }00 oordi k>?f l,am Htttorialt ?koaM ool ticttd MM wor*?. W? mmi llw rifkl lo ?4tt ktt?n for M|W or pottlbW I1R? I r*/ (?n>iAi >111 not alikfcoM ^ urn ?4*1 ??> (IrOHMlIC* i ? i . i a ? L N* AFRO, tread carefully If the Association of Afro-American Students ?????? invites Black Muslim minister Louis Farrakhan to speak at USC during Black History Month, the ^kzi. organization had better be prepared to deal with the questions and concerns from the community. j . _ As a student organization that is respected and " "" K held in high regard by many, including non-blacks. _ . v^uuiuct AFRO should take into account the feelings and Starks perceptions of others if it wishes to maintain its ?hH reputation and image. 1 say this, not as one who is against^Farrakhan , ? btfil visiting USC, but as one who does not want to see : his visit stir controversy and cause damage to any ! individual or organization. As past visits by Farrakhan to cities such as Washington and New York indicate, Farrakhan's making anti-Semitic and racist sta public presence can put black leaders in the hot seat It is this type of unflenching a and the Jewish community in a frenzy. titude that creates and perpetuate a rnr\ * i? nrivv7, iiic oiuesi DiacK organization at USC, conflicts. should attempt to make it clear to the public and to I hope AFRO will consider the the university community its reasons for inviting munity and attempt to put Farrakl Farrakhan to speak here. proper context for those who are It is in the best interest of AFRO to quell any who may not understand, controversy and misconceptions that will likely Although this approach does no stem from Farrakhan's visit. there will not be problems, AFRO ( I understand many students feel it does not mat- as having told the community its r ter how the Jewish community or anyone else ing host to Farrakhan. reacts to a visit by Farrakhan, who is notorious for If these or similar steps are takt Is God giving legal ad" The Associated Press reports that Deborah Watkins, president of a PTL partners group imwmem-i known as PTL Par, ler Majority, told the court hearing the PTL bankruptcy case that she hoped to be given control of the ministry. ! ^ Watkins, who told the court she represented jBHHB about 75 to 100 PTL partners, appeared in court tviinuui un attorney, the AH story said. \ kf ^ When asked about her lack of legal representa- VJUIltOyiC ?|t (ion, Wat kins replied, "God is our lawyer. We're v'Ma, represented by His counsel. "We were given the wisdom to file this motion by divine guidance," she said. SSJwWSi "I don 7 want to get out with the Lord, but I'm going to have to rule against you," said bankrupt- 'Why?' you ask. Because I'm C cy Judge Rufus Reynolds after questioning harden or soften any jury's hearts Watkins, the story said. count if you're inbred Egyptian ro I guess Pat Robertson, Jim and Tammy Bakker I'm concerned, though, if Got and Oral Roberts aren't the only people that God lady's lawyer. I mean, the lady lost has been talking to recently. Apparently he's open- she won't even be considered a pa ed up a legal office somewhere. ings. She won't be considered as "God," the ad in the telephone book should say, management now that Jerry Falwc "attorney at law for the past 6,000 years. I handle PTL scene. anything from insurance claims to defense of the If God is so poor a lawyer, what': innocent. I don't handle divorce cases or surrogate like on the bench on Judgment Da motherhood cases, and all who are involved in such. shall be damned in a higher court. Mine. "Hear ye, hear ye, this court is i "Come give me your legal business. Remember. and vou better hHif?v*? it " Kerry Mason lost a case once. I never have. say. "His Honor, Judge God, pres Letters to the editor , i flfY^ ?f extremists. I will vot ***' Well, E. J., isn't that special? Do ra Iha4/?rk wc feel oursclvcs t0 bc a ,ittlc bit d iree-ininKer superior? I guess that all the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment were just a joke. No, E. J., those y\ 1 ] To the editor: rights were not a joke, though your I would like to respond to the letter letter certainly was. written by this campus' "favorite" The way you seem to define exnodcrate, E. J. Cousar. He sug- tremist in your letter is as any free- To the ested that there is no room for thinking individual or group. This While political groups and speakers with ex- word obviously does not apply to GuilfoyU reinist views and that students you. dicapped hould rally to the moderate cause. achievem le further suggested that these ex- Oh, by the way, E. J., I am a of logic. ,Bump-, unci inaiviauais member of the College Republicans greatness hould be banned from campus. and am shocked by such naive people ca 'ousar cited Students for America assumptions as you have made in because f nd Abbie Hoffman as his examples your letter. Not the type of president to attain with Farrakhan ""I no logical grounds for anyone say that AFRO's tj goals are aligned or parallel to those of Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. ! Farrakhan's insight into matters such as black "self help" and black pride would make a worthy topic for a Black History Month address. If this is f hp r/>Qcnn A CD A Jo L-? 11 * P. ?..w /-?? nu is iiivuillg II1II1, CVtTyOIlC U13CK , | white and Jewish should be able to live with his visit. However, AFRO should not welcome an address t v'Tvi/ Farrakhan about anti-Semitism. This has no place within a Black History Month observance at ^ USC or any other place. ?????J AFRO must remember it is not above the concerns of the community and must take into account tements. the perceptions of others, whether based on fact or nd uncaring at- fiction. is nroblemc Anrt N/inct imn^rin^i *cnri * ?'' i m.a%. ..?v/ui iuipv/i iaiii) nriwj nium rCcillZC IIItil WI131 has happened with other black public figures and university com- organizations linked to Farrakhan in the past can lan's visit in the just as easily happen here. concerned and The question for the members of AFRO is whether they are prepared to deal with the possible t guarantee that ramifications of playing host to Farrakhan. :an be on record easons for play- If they are, they should set the stage for his arrival. If they are not, they should dismiss the idea ;n, there will be and find someone who is less controversial. ice to PTL lady? * "How many cases on the docket tonight?" the Judge might say. "Untold billions, sir." 6ucas wc rc going to nave to put in a little overtime on this one today before we break for ' WM lunch," Judge God might respond. |^H "We can't break for lunch, sir; we've got to get them all done today." "What? Why today? What's the big deal?" "It's Judgment Day, sir." JES "Oh. Well, I can get this taken care of in a seMm cond. First split 'em up like sheen. Then ^u ? ??- | the guys and dolls on the left, chuck 'em i * downstairs, and take all the guys and dolls on my }od, and I can right, send 'em on upstairs, and what the heck, let ? special dis- them sit at my right hand forever." yalty." "I'm sorry, Judge, but there's a lady on the left ^ 1 really is this side who says you're her lawyer, and she wants to m her motion, so be represented by you." irt of the hear- "Oh, all right. Son, take over for me." possible other "Sure, Dad." rll has split the "Judge God the Son, I make a motion that sentence be reduced to time served for my client, s he going to be with time off for good behavior." y? "That's a good motion, Dad, but I'm sorry. Motion denied. All decisions are final. But this is a leiow in session, nient court, so we'll send Judge Reynolds down to y bailiff might dip your tongue in water every once in a while, iding." Debby, how's that?" v ?i:'. '/ & Y- ' " ?/v ; ... .. ? e e for in our next election. innate ideas, no instincts. They must choose their actions, and they must ChristODher Smith strnooli* tu ? oo ~ *? viiuv.iv. i iiv aviliCVCIIliTIll Kast Asian studies junior of greatness is an inspiration to ^ others to achieve greatness. HCl Moreover, logic not only tells us # that we should pursue happiness, it kllf |(f|01?* helps us identify the nature of hap***' piness and the means of achieving it. editor: Logic guides people in the discovery I agree with Stephen of their own minds as well as the : when he states that han- discovery of the world around them. Deonlc shoillfl for If? - ! . iui mi. uuiuuyit, uiciii is a rational lent, I resent his derogation animal. The corollaries to that stateThe human struggle for ment are that rights are rational, <(p} is logical precisely because achievement is rational and hapin attain it. Also, it is logical piness is rational. >cople have a profound need Colin Day it. Human beings possess no Mathematics graduate student