PAGE SIX UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1949 The Editorial Page Virginia University Alumnus Charges Fraternities Undemocratic, Adolescent A letter written by a University of Virginia alumnus to the student paper of that school has attracted the attention of students and educators throughout the country. It deals with an old controversial subject, and yet by its emphatic tone seems to justify the reopening of an issue that has troubled many American universities. Declares the Virginia alumnus, a former fraternity man: "Seriously now, isn't all this college fraternity business barbaric and just so much bunk? Is it in the spirit of the times, is it Jeffersonian, is it adult?" 1 The writer then describes fraternity ritual as "adolescent . . . mumbo jumbo." The Virginian then brings up the very pertinent question as to whether it is fair to maintain at a public school organizations whose exclusiveness are one of their principal selling points. "Why can't you, now, do something to see that Virginia is among the first to get in step with the trend in social progress?" he cor-cludes. Practically every American university has had this question put before it in various forms. Perhaps the Virginia alumnus has best stated the argument against the frats. However, not to be forgotten are the advantages offered by the fraternity greater social life, deeper friendships, better contacts, and the social "polishing" which many declare only a fraternity can give the youth. Certainly these arguments on behalf of the fraternal system are not to be disregarded. It would seem that they are not without their part in the University education. However, the system should be kept within certain bounds. Certainly, when the fraternity cliques become so closely-knit that they prohibit democratic mingling with non-fraternity students or with members of other fraternities, their harm outweighs their good. This is the danger against which college fraternities must be continually on guard. "In short," says a magazine in an article on Hitler's Strength Through Joy movement, "the aim would be to insure a happy and harmonious home life for each family, and social security for every member of National Socialistic Germanl." This harmonious home life must be somewhat disturbed by the empty chairs at the dinner table, thanks to the Russians. From the Salina Journal this little prayer: Oh Lord! Help me to keep my big mouth shut till I know what I'm talking about. Amen. "Snort" Brown of the Atchison Globe tells of one letter he received from a soldier: "The army is all right, except that I think there is too much drilling and fussing around between meals." Bridge club members in a Tennessee town canceled their subscriptions to the town's newspaper when the publisher pre-fixed Negro names in the colored social news with Mr. and Mrs.And the spirit of democracy marches on! OFFICIAL BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Vol. 40 Tuesday, November 17, 1942 No.35 Notices due at News Bureau, 8 Journalism, at 10 a.m. on day of publication during the week, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday for Sunday issue. --completely on a basis of physical training, retaining a few of the outmoded academic courses merely as a concession to tradition. Under the new system, a sample schedule might read something as follows: QUACK CLUB-will meet Wednesday evening at 7:30. Please bring dues. Nada Clifton, President. CATHOLIC STUDENTS: The Rev. E. J. Weissenberg will be at his office in room 415, Watson library, Thursday afternoon from 1 to 5 o'clock for personal consultations. W. S.G.A. Meeting 7:00 tonight in the Pine Room.—Marge Rader, President. KAPPA PHI—Kappa Beta sorority has invited Kappa Phi girls to come to Myers Hall Tuesday evening November 17th from 6:45 until 7:45 to hear a talk by Stella Tramaine, a missionary who very recently returned from China. Eleanor Patty, Publicity Mgr. NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS: All students completing the requirements for state teachers certificates this semester and any others who are interested in securing teaching positions for the second semester should register in the Teachers Appointment Bureau, 121 Frank Strong Hall, at once. Calls are now being listed for second semester positions. H. E. Chandler, Secretary. El Ateneo se reunira jueves el 19 de noviembre a las 4:30 en la sala 113 Frank Strong Hall. Margaret Welch, presidente. English majors, faculty, and all others interested are invited to hear Dr. John Ashton, Chairman of the Department of English, speak on "Traditional Ballads." Thursday, Nov. 19, at 4:30 in the Kansas Room, Union Building. Helen R. Hoopes, Chairman of Committee in English Department meetings. NOTICE TO SENIORS: Any senior in the Teacher Training Program who plans to do practice teaching during the spring semester must make application in 103 Fraser before November 28. If you have already applied once but for any reason did not do practice teaching this fall, you may submit another application for the Committee's consideration. The Committee on Admissions and Guidance passes on all candidates for practice teaching before their enrollment is approved. Committee on A. H. Turney, Chairman, on Committee on Admissions and Guidance. UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher ... John Conard NEWS STAFF Feature Editor ... Joy Miller Editor-in-chief J. Donald Keown Associate Editors Bob Coleman, Bill Feeney, ... Managing Editor ... Glee Smith Campus Editors ... Dale Robinson, Scott Hookins, Eleanor Fry Sports Editor ... J. Donald Keown Society Editor ... Ruth Tippin News Editor ... Dean Sims Sunday Editor ... Virginia Tieman NATIONAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION 1942 Active Member Subscription rates, in advance, $3.00 per year, $1.75 per semester. Published at Lawrence, Kansas, daily during the school year except September 17, 1910, at Tuesday. Entered as the matter September 17, 1910, at the office post at Lawrence, Kansas, under act of March 3, 1879. Just Wondering Since the GREVVD has lost much of its significance with the postponement of gasoline rationing, why don't the girls just call the dance the PHLD—Patriotism. Hell! Let's Dance. --completely on a basis of physical training, retaining a few of the outmoded academic courses merely as a concession to tradition. Under the new system, a sample schedule might read something as follows: A lieutenant from an Alabama army post was being questioned on conditions and customs of the fort. The lieutenant nodded: "They are selected for work which will fit their physical ability." "Tell me," asked a friend, "Are there any officers from the last war in the service there?" "What are their titles?" was the next question. *** "What are their titles?" was the next question. "Oh, we just call them 'rereads down there'" Dorothy Burkhead, Chi O, and Jack Kendall, 1737 Mississippi, who are often seen together, both made Phi Beta last week. It is rumored that to celebrate the occasion—they went to the library to study! Actives at the Pi Phi house last week gave a surprise skit for the pledges. Betty Rowton, as a part of the skit, was dressed in a bride's costume. The other girls decided to embarrass her and pushed her out in front of the house where a group of sailors were standing. Upon seeing Betty in the white dress and veil, they shouted, "Oh, let's all kiss the bride!" ***** Betty made a hasty retreat into the Pi Phi house. Virginia Scott and Jeanne Popham, Kappa's, decided to get breakfast for the other girls Sunday morning, since their cooks were asked to leave for nitiation ceremonies which were about to take place. The girls broke sixty eggs into a dish and added a cup of milk. After the milk had been added, they noticed that it was exceptionally thick. They tasted it. It was the sourest cream they had ever tasted. Nevertheless, the girls scrambled the eggs and served them for breakfast. They claim that not one girl knew the difference. * * * Wendell Good, Jolliffe Hall, was telling a high school student from his home town last weekend about some fellows living at Jolliffe. "Then there's Bill Imel," Good boasted, "His dad is a Bama Pie man." (Imel's father is affiliated with the Bama Pie company in Topeka.) "Bamma Pi?" queried the high school chap. "Fraternity?" Danny Bachmann and four band members are going to Kansas City tonight to jam with the bands at Tootie's Mayfair and Mary's. After which they should be really hot for the I. S. A. hour dance coming off in the Kansas room Wednesday night. Either that or they won't come back at all. FACULTY FLASHES Brawny Brain-Trusts New Proposal It is with great satisfaction that I read in the Kansan of the plan to suspend all professors unable to pass an army officer's physical examination. It should be apparent to every thinking student that a man who is underweight could never deliver a clear, intelligent lecture. I should like to cite the case of a midwestern junior college which let itself slip on this sort of thing. The school of which I fortune to $ ^{\circ}$ TUES To the On of the vacati I should like to cite which let itself slip on this son speak had the misfortune to hire a Spanish professor who had a flat left metatarsal arch. Of course, when the story got out, the student body went wild. They tramped through the streets chanting "Send him back to wherever he came from," and finished the thing off by setting fire to all the buildings on the campus. I only bring this up as an example of what might happen if we don't stop concentrating so much on the intellectual powers of our faculty. New Schedule Suggested In my opinion, the best thing to do would be to run the university In low t extent home To week Depa T were plete serv appe depa wor worl Elementary biceps-flexing 5 hours Advanced push-ups 3 hours Mexican basketball 2 5 hours Running in place for honors 1 hour Algebra (three meetings T won won weekly) 1 hour Faculty members would be rated as professor, associate, assistant, etc. on the basis of their speed over the obstacle course, and Phi Beta Kappa the us leng (continued to page seven)