University Daily Kansan Friday, March 11. 1955
Honor System-For Better or for Worse?
Honor System-F Editorial Board Gives Thumbs Down Policy
On the surface it looks as though there's going to be much said both pro and con concerning the honor system recently proposed by the United Veterans organization. And much that is said is going to be said out of much emotion and little study.
The Editorial Board of the University Daily Kansan has publicly stated its opposition to the proposal. But it should be re-emphasized that the Board is not in objection to any proposal; but it is definitely in objection to the UVO's proposed system.
It also should be emphasized that the opinions of the Board concerning the proposal are not based on emotion as such. They are based on emotions growing out of a study of the proposed plan.
There are two glaring reasons for these objections
1. Under the proposed system a person observing another person cheating—or supposedly cheating—is to confront the "cheater" and inform him that he has violated the honor system and that he will be reported. According to the proposed system two or three persons should investigate the alleged cheating and if they believe the accused to be guilty they will report it to the honor commission. To observe a person "in suspicious circumstances" and not to investigate, according to the proposal, is a breach of honor in itself.
In the opinion of the Editorial Board of the UDK this is nothing more than the foundation for a network of "spies." The Board feels that this is a violation of the rights of the student body. Under this system a student is obligated to investigate any instance of "suspicious circumstance." It is the opinion of the Board that many persons could be injured merely because "staring into space" while concentrating could be construed as "suspicious circumstance" especially if the staring happens to be in the general direction of another student.
2. "The right to appeal to the honor committee rests alone with the accused," according to the words of the proposed system.
The Board is not now, nor will it ever be under the present make-up, ready to subject itself and the student body to a condition where "suspicious circumstance" can be taken as guilt.
But, in no passage, does the proposal stipulate that the burden of proof rests with the accuser and not the accused. The closest the proposal comes to this is in saying that " . . . those who make the charges should have the precise breach of honor clearly fixed in their minds."
This, in the opinion of the Board, is not close enough.
Contrarily, it appears to the Board that the burden of proof does in fact, rest with the accused. And this is contrary to all legal procedure. Furthermore, how does one man—be he innocent or guilty of the charge of breach of honor—present an acceptable case for the honor commission when he has two or three persons testifying against him?
Carrying the same point a bit farther, it is the opinion of the board that the student body does not have the right to place such a blot as "dishonorable dismissal" from the University on the record of any student. These two condemnning words would follow that student from the time of his dismissal wherever he might go.
From the decision of the honor committee there would, in the words of the proposal, "be no appeal." If 10 of the 11 members of the committee should vote against the accused, his case would be closed.
The Editorial Board of the UDK is not opposed to honor.
But it is strongly opposed to the one honor system which has been offered the student body of the University.
As of this date, all letters concerning the proposed system addressed to the University Daily Kansan also are in opposition to it. The Editorial Board of the UDK welcomes any and every opinion, idea, and suggestion—be it pro or con—concerning this or any other system.
It is the opinion of the Editorial Board that honor first is in the individual. It further is the opinion of the Board that a person who is dishonorable is cheating himself.
If this dishonor in an individual carries over into life after college then the standing laws of society will act accordingly.
John Herringto
—John Herrington
Orchids to the one who observed that the spring shades on automobiles made them look like tooth paste advertisements—but for many they're ruining the thought of tooth paste.
With all the talk about the very wonderful honor system, we feel one point has been overlooked—namely, a convenient and conspicuous spot for the gallows.
Letters
Dear Sir:
Since it is an admitted fact that even this honor system cannot force anyone to be honest, at least we can make it damn uncomfortable for the dirty cheaters, what with examples and all that.
Steering committee members have been appointed, but the most important office of executioner remains to be filled.
Since we predict there will be many convictions we feel the gallows should be located in a handy place, such as the Hawk's Nest, Strong rotunda, or the Chi Omega fountain. To put more sport into the thing we suggest constructing a gallows with wheels, so that in it you can sit and watch the ball could be carried into Memorial stadium or the Allen fieldhouse for the pre-game and/or half-time amusement of fans.
Then too, each execution should be carried in the Official Bulletin so all will be properly notified.
The Chi O's have their fountain, the Alumni association its campanile, but we want our gallows!
Ted Blankenship
College junior
Stan Hamilton
Journalism senior
John McMillion
College junior
New York state has a town named Alabama, Pennsylvania has an Indiana, and Louisiana an Arizona. Five states have a California, three an Ohio, and seven a Wyoming. There is a Texas in Kentucky and a Tennessee in Illinois.
The "Carey Act" provides for grants of desert lands to states by the federal government, such lands to be irrigated or reclaimed by the states for disposal to bona fide settlers.
FREEZIN' REASON
Drive without worry — use chains and don't hurry. That's pretty good capsule ad- vice for the motorist who must drive on snow or ice. Tests show fire tire chains reduce the braking distance 40 to 70 per cent on wet roads, but they also reduce the wheels won't replace brakes at the wheel. They are a link to safety which will help the careful driver avoid mishap.
And Three Sad Cheers
"Three cheers for the honor system!" the student said, placing his crib notes carefully under his sleeve.
"Three cheers for the honor system!" another student said, reaching across the table to avoid tipping the bottle.
"Three cheers! Three cheers! Three cheers!" still another student said. "Lucky for us no one knows exactly what honor is."
"Luckier still that there is honor among us," the first student said "Honor among students. Honor among cheaters. Honor among thieves."
"Who will we rat on next," the second student squealed, taking one last look at the "preview" exam on the table.
"Who cares?" the third student said. "As long as we're honorable."
"Yeh, the first student said. "I like honor."
"More chickens around here," the second student said.
"That's what I like about us," the first student said. "We're the only honorable students on the Hill. Everyone else is afraid to turn his buddies in."
"You can't make a hero out of a chicken," the third student said. "But we'll bring a little honor out of cheaters who aren't smart enough not to get caught."
"Yeh," the first student said. "Cheaters will be cheaters—if they're caught. Otherwise, it's okay. I guess. I like honor."
"Let's drink to honor," the second student said
"Yeh" the third student said. "Let's drink to honor."
"To honor," the first student said, thinking many beautiful thoughts of dissinated honesty.
"to honor," they said. —Gene Shank
Looks like Jane Russell's bathing suit extravaganza "Underwater!" is going to go great guns with the moviegoers, even though she is allegedly swimming around in someone else's body on the billboards and the sharks who pursue her are reportedly unimpressed.
Waiting for Easter vacation is like waiting for a prison term to end. You begin to wonder what you're in for.
Come spring, come sunshine, come all things beautiful—also cometh mid-semester.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibler
"You're flunking Math 412 because the next term offering of Math 412 doesn't have enough student enrollment."
POSTALBYNOGATE
YOUR SONG WOULD HAVE TO BE
"WEET-WEAT WEET-VEAR, WEET
WEET-WEET-" ALSO "WURTY-
WURTY-WURTY"-ENDIN UP IN A
SHAPP "CLINK "-AN" IF YOU
SINGS LIKE THAT IN ST. LOOIE
YOU GONE WIND UP IN A
CLINK, SHARP OR NOT, AFORE
Daily Hansan
University of Kansas Student Newspaper News Room, KU 251 Ad Room, KU 376 Member of the Inland Daily Press association, Associated Collegiate Press association, The National Advertising service, 420 Madison Ave Mall Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year (add $1 a semester if in Kansas, every afternoon during Lawrence Kansas, every afternoon during university year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays and examination entries. Entered as second class student from 174 to post office under act of March 3, 1892.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial Editor Gene Shank
Editioned Elizabeth Wohlgemuth.
John Herrington