Smoking resolution
The ASC has again failed to pass a resolution opposing the Regent's ban on campus cigarette sales, this time because the council could not agree on proper wording.
An earlier attempt failed when, before the ASC could pass such a resolution, the Regents re-affirmed their policy. Since the Regents had made their decision council members apparently felt it was unnecessary to make known student objections to the ban.
THE CURRENT RESOLUTION before the council has been approved by representatives of all state colleges and universities last week at a Conference on Higher Education in Kansas (CHEK). At the time it was agreed that all would pass identical resolutions requesting that the Regents again reconsider the ban.
However, ASC members changed the wording of the resolution which left some doubt as to the effect the resolutions would have on the Regents.
This delay in passage of the resolution is unnecessary. Provided that a resolution passed by the ASC is opposed to the ban, we doubt that any change in wording will make a difference. It is far better to represent the student objections to the arbitrary action of the Regents than to sit by, trying to perfect the resolutions' wording.
The performance of both the newly elected student body president Al Martin, and the newly elected ASC Chairman Jim Praeger has been outstanding. Praeger, in particular, is one of the most experienced members of the council, and has long been one of the hardest working of student politicians, both in the ASC and in Vox Populi party affairs. Hopefully the ASC will continue to support both in their work.
Justin Beck
Kennedy lottery system better than present draft procedure
Senator Edward (Teddy) Kennedy (D., Mass.) has proposed that the present Selective Service System be replaced with a lottery plan of selecting men for military service. Kennedy's system would operate like a national lottery with numbers drawn by a random process from a common bank of all eligible men. Each man would become eligible for the annual drawing as soon as he turned 18. Once the drawing was completed, he would either go into the service or go free—exempt from further obligation except in extreme cases of national emergency.
THE PLAN KENNEDY has proposed is far more egalitarian than the present system of selection and deferment; it embodies the principle of equality before the law. Special deferments for reasons of health or conscience would still be available, of course. But selection from those willing and able to serve would be free of class, racial or occupational bias.
That is, it would be if Kennedy didn't provide for continuing deferments for college students. Since lower class persons do not attend college in the same proportion as the middle class, student deferments are one of the most discriminatory features of
the present system. Fostponing one's drawing for four years could be especially attractive in times of crisis and to merit serious consideration, Kennedy's proposal should extend the principle of equality to its natural conclusion by dropping the 2S category altogether.
ONCE THIS IS done, the proposal becomes extremely attractive in its removal of the pressure now felt by male college students.
With his military obligation taken care of—either by service or by not having been drawn—a student could feel free to drop out of school for independent research, travel or work.
Perhaps a permanent plan of alternative service could be attached to Kennedy's suggestion, exempting men from their military obligation if they would put the same amount of time into either the Peace Corps or Vista.
— Minnesota Daily
Pursuit of 'public image causes school censorship
The censure warning issued to Western State College by the Louisville professional chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, men's professional journalism society, hopefully will be a strong illustration of the disadvantages of censorship and denial of student rights.
Western's interest in punishing the students who wrote and published an article criticizing standards of morality at the Bowling Green campus apparently centered on the desire to preserve the
public image. As the situation turned out, Western received far more unfavorable publicity from the suspension of the students than the article ever might have brought.
"Watch It—Not Too Much This Way Faster—Slower—"
But the consideration of the public image certainly is not the major one. By clamping down on student expression, Western is placing limitations on the education its students may receive. One of the basic tenets of education is the provision for allowing students to express their views on any topic. Educators believe that an application of "book learning" to current problems in American society are an essential part of education and consider the value of free expression for students as important as academic freedom for the faculty members.
Another important effect of the Western incident is the demonstration of the quick attention which will be given the student point of view by outside organizations. Sigma Delta Chi is only one of many organizations and professional societies to which students may turn in seeking support for their basic rights.
It is unfortunate that the students at Western must now fight a question which was settled in more liberal universities two or three decades ago. The incident, however, has demonstrated two important points: the fallacy of devotion to the public image and the willingness of off-campus groups to speak up in behalf of the student.
- Kentucky Kernel
2
Daily Kansan editorial page Friday, May 13, 1966
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
"FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE NO, WORTHAL — JUST THE UNDERWEAR!"
The people say...
American Viet policy example for colleges
To the Editor:
I am fed up. I have had just about enough of these brash young students who condemn the "in loco parentis" policies of American universities. These students have obviously ignored the fact that our great country has taken its sustenance from the "loving parent" concept. Our country has reached the heights of Pax Americana only because government officials and university administrators have consistently recognized that the American people are unable to guide their own destinies. These patriotic leaders have graciously agreed to guide us all along the road to peace and freedom. Why cannot we American children appreciate what the government and the universities are doing for us?
On the government side of the fence, witness Viet Nam. The U.S. government, in her Dullesian parental role, understands that her Vietnamese children don't really know what they want. Our government LOVES these people (listen carefully, Fulbright—you traiter!), and as their mother, she is trying desperately to lead them from the darkness of Asian nationalism into the solemn light of American democracy. So what if she has burned their villages and slaughtered their young people and ravaged their land. A loving mother must not spare the rod, test she spoil the child—right?
On the university side, why don't administrators take a lesson from our policies in Viet Nam? Why don't our administrators accept their obligations as parents, and crack down on these wild-
SD
eyed students who think they are dignified merely because they are human beings—who think they can take it upon themselves to make America a truly good society? The administrators could send out "dossier spies" to determine where these trouble-makers live, their homes could be conveniently eliminated by a small $1.75 bomb, and that would be that. Or better yet—a more humane measure! Napalm and nausea gas could be spread over the entire campus! God! Think of it! All over the country students would be dancing wildly about the campuses, scratching their napalm burns and vomiting blood! What greater demonstration of respect for authority? What greater proof of the effectiveness of “in loco parentis?”
A distr Serv KU
Do I hear you asking what will happen if all the students vomit too much—and die? or if the Viet Nam situation develops into a nuclear war and humanity is blown to smithereens? Never fear! The greatest parent of them all—Lyndon Bainson Johnson—will walk majestically amongst the ruins, nose in the air, scar on the stomach. He will pat sonny Hubert on the head, kiss the great Wonder Bird, shake hands with the surviving university administrators, and hand in hand they will all march down to the "hill country"—while, off in the smoky distance, The New McNamara's Band begins that patriotic old song, "We Shall Overkill!"
T to I pres taki
Hooray! God save "in loco parentis!"
Hamilton J. Salsich
Graduate student—English
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