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University Daily Kansan
Friday, May 9, 1952
Editorials
Campus Politics Provide Training
(Editor's Note: Campus political activities have been the target of many persons on our campus during recent weeks. The lack of concern which most students show for such matters has been explained by the statement, "What difference does it make?" The same question has arisen on other campuses and the following editorial appeared in the Purdue Exponent in answer to it.)
Tonight marks the beginning of the first mock political convention to be held on the University campus. It might be said that we here are playing a political game, just as small boys play soldier.
On the outside, and we shall all be there one day, people are playing the same game, but they are playing for keeps. The professional politician plays for keeps just as the soldier plays the same game which he played in his neighborhood as a small boy.
Yes we will participate in the convention as a game, but on the other hand, it will be a very important game. The fate of the nation or of our party will not be a stake for the next four years, and we will not be able to appoint men to the high positions in the patronage system.
No, the importance of our convention does not lie in the manipulation of political power. There will be a manipulation of delegation votes by the backers of favorite candidates, but this is only a
part of the over all importance of the convention. The importance of the convention lies in the fact that it is a learning situation for everyone who participates. It is not the usual type of collegiate learning process, but it is as important as any required course.
Just as the soldier plays the same game that he played as a small boy, in a few short years the college students of today will be the leaders of the nation. As leaders, we will be expected to participate in local and national politics.
Again, just as the soldier in basic training participates in war games to learn the rules and gain experience, we here can gain experience in politics so that we may be better players at a later date.
This is the underlying importance, although it will be hidden at the time by the noise and confusion that goes with any convention. It will be hidden by the brass bands and banners, but still it will be there.
For in a few years these same actors who will appear on the stage of our convention will again play their role in local, state, and national politics. The stage will be the same, but in the future the fate of men and nations will be at stake, and where could anyone get better experience in playing the role of an American citizen than at Purdue.
Feature
Classroom Smoking Opposed Most by Freshman Women
If you are a freshman woman, you are the least likely among students to approve of smoking in the classroom, according to results of the Associated College Press National Poll of Student Opinion.
Students in general disapprove of smoking in the classroom two to one, but freshmen and women are much stronger in their disapproval. Most frequently mentioned reason of those who oppose classroom smoking is consideration for non-smokers.
"It's downright irritating to the people who don't smoke," declares a senior woman studying to be a teacher.
Students across the nation were asked, "In general, do you approve or disapprove of students smoking during classroom sessions?"
The results of the survey are:
1. Approve ... 29 per cent
2. Disapprove ... 58 per cent
3. No opinion ... 9 per cent
4. Other ... 4 per cent
For men the figures are: Approve, 32 per cent; Disapprove, 54 per cent. For women they are: Approve, 24 per cent; Disapprove, 65 per cent.
"It's alright if there's proper ventilation," says a student at La Crosse (Wis.) State college.
And a coed majoring in physical education at Michigan Teachers college declares, "For safety purposes I don't think it would be wise. It might also make it uncomfortable for non-smokers, although you can get used to it."
GRADES AND DATING . . .
The director of the marriage counseling clinic at Ohio State university feels that both dating and average or above-average grades are a part of normal living for the well-adjusted modern student.
Vail Subscription rates: $3 a semester or 45 a year (add $1) a semester if in lawrence). Published in Lawrence, Kan., very afternoon during the University year, except Saturdays and Sundays. Universities holidays and examination dates in second chance at lawrence, Kan., Sep. 17, 1910; at lawrence, Kan., Post Office under act of March 3, 1874.
"A minimum of dating is necessary to prepare yourself for life," says Professor Merton Oyler. "Dating is a normal function of growing up."
Those who date, he says, make better grades because the dates fulfill certain desires which tend to educe worry and feelings of inferiority. Dating affords both social and intellectual experience.
There is an unmistakable trend toward "approval" from freshman to graduate students. Here's the way it stands:
Approve Disap.
1. Freshmen ... 25% 63%
2. Sophomores ... 25% 58%
3. Juniors ... 31% 56%
4. Seniors ... 34% 55%
5. Graduates ... 42% 46%
"There's a time and place for everything," says a disapproving freshman at Belleville Junior college, "and the classroom is not one of those places."
But a senior at Florida State university approves of classroom smoking and sums up his reasons in two words: "I smoke."
Comments
A BUST AND A BURN . . .
Comments . . .
A BUST AND A BURN ...
The science building at Houston University last week was, according to The Cougar, shaken by a "terrific explosion" in the chemistry lab.
Nobody was hurt, but all the graduate students working in the lab were helpless with laughter. Presently the head of the chemistry department, a Mr. Johnson, came rushing in to see what was going on.
The graduate students pointed to a red-faced fellow standing in a corner. Johnson took one look and walked out.
"Humphrey," he explained to a freshman, "was blowing up a balloon out of a rubber tube. It burst."
MUSIC . . .
Colleges next year will be offering plenty of business to name bands, according to Variety magazine. A survey of band bookers showed that many colleges have increased their budgets and are in the market for such top outfits as Ray Anthony, Elliot Lawrence and Les Brown.
Variety believes that the new enthusiasm for name bands is due to the younger age of the average student, as compared to the average student age four or five years ago. Former GI's weren't so interested in social life.
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