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KAMPER KANSAN
Tuesday, July 9, 1968
7
Badges and gripes
This is an interesting question, and one which a camper might ask Camp Director Russell L. Wiley. Unfortunately, it is one many of us should be asking ourselves.
If one were to ask a professor why the students are attending the Midwestern Music and Art Camp, he probably would reply they are here to take advantage of the education offered in the various fields of study. However, if a camper were asked the same question, he probably would give a much different answer. Among other things, some campers seem to be spending a better part of their time complaining.
In many educational systems, there are protests and complaints because no one is completely satisfied with his surroundings. It seems to be human nature to complain. Yet, somewhere in the shuffle, I feel some of us have forgotten why we are here. Perhaps we came here with the wrong ideas.
Camp means fun. Yet, from the first day of camp there has been one trivial complaint after another, ranging from lights out, dresses on Sunday, and now to the wearing of the Camp ID badges. I use the word trivial because when they are compared to the real reason we are here-for an education—they are trivial.
I'll be the first to admit the badges are unattractive, awkward, and give an impersonal feeling to the wearer, but they aren't such a tragedy that the Star of David is needed to protest them.
Basically, we all came here because we had a particular subject interest or ability. Many came on scholarships. There is time for fun and studies as well. Maybe it's time for us to sit down and ask ourselves again just what we are doing here.
It's good to complain now and then. Constructive criticism and a little dissent can do a lot of good. However, when the complaints are on such trivial matters as ID badges, maybe someone's homework isn't receiving enough attention.
—Rosanne Morgan
nd gripes Down with tags
There has been some controversy over the newly issued summer camp identification badges.
The badges have been called many things: The prison pin, military identification plates, and the red badges of courage.
Russell L. Wiley, director of camp, has given a reason for wearing the ID's. He said the tags were to be worn so campers could be easily distinguished from non-campers. This system is not entirely effective, though, because some campers take their badges off as soon as they leave their dormitories, and some have been offered money for their badges.
A student protest has started in Strong Hall among the art campers against the wearing of the badges. The students who are protesting wear yellow six-pointed stars similar to those the Jews wore when they were being persecuted by the Germans. The students say they will continue to protest and wear the stars until they are told they no longer have to wear the ID's.
We feel these campers have a right to protest the tags, because we see no real purpose in them.
Since almost anyone could either buy or steal a tag from a camper, it does not really keep the non-campers from seeing the campers or attending their dances. The tags do not give the person's name or where he is from. Therefore we see no real reason why campers should be made to wear them everywhere they go.
—Mike Magee
A creative gem
The creative Midwestern Music and Art Camp office has come up with a delightful new design in jewelry. The finery is composed of a simple rectangular red block, enhanced from within by a novel white design. This artwork is being awarded to all campers deserving recognition. It is assumed that all recipients will be delighted to display this proudly at all times. Of course, a nominal fee is being charged.
Is this America?
America soon may be the center of some of the worst racial violence in the history of mankind. From every direction, racial prejudice and discrimination threaten the very bonds which tie our nation together. Riots, marches, and protests have become everyday occurrences in our daily life, emphasizing the lack of communication and understanding between the American people.
Is this the fate of America? Will our nation never cease undermining the jurisdiction our forefathers prescribed in the words ... "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"?
How can there be an indivisible nation where there is the continuous threat of a second civil war?
How can there be liberty and justice for all citizens where there is a continuous prejudice for those who belong to a different racial, religious, or moral group?
It is the duty of each individual citizen, especially those of the younger generation, to observe the tragedies which have sprung from unwarranted hatred of minority group affiliation, and the promises of civil rights, and be determined to make America in their lifetime a place in which all individuals may enjoy the same freedom of existence.
—Sandy Barnett
kamper kansan
Kamper News Office-112 Flint Hall UN 4-3646
Camp Office—214 Murphy Hall UN 4-3755
The Kamper Kansan, camp newspaper at the Midwestern Music and Art Café on Friday, camp newspaper at the Kamper Camp on Fridays. It is written by members of the Journalism Division of Camp.
The opinions expressed in the editorial columns are those of the editorial staff of the newspaper. Guest editorial views are not necessarily those of the editorial staff. Any opinions expressed in the Kamper Kansan are not necessarily those of the Midwestern Music and Art Camp or the University of Kansas.
Accommodations $a_{goods}$, and employment offered in the Kamper Kansan are offered to students without regard to color, creed, or national origin.
Executive Staff
Photography Bill Seymour
Adviser Robert Stewours
Managing Editor Mary Gardens
News Editor Cheryl Gordon
Editorial Editor Sandy Barnett
Feature Editor Claudia Peebles
Sports Editor Craig Williams
Photographer Janette Clayton
Connie Bates, Mariel Bimm, Mike Dohn, Maureen Downey, Lucie Green, Sue Greenbaum, Patricia Hackney, Brenda Jones, Barbara Baillard, Kelly Slaughter, George Stradman, Lou Ann Thomas, Judy Bennett, Mike Magge, Leslie Seeman, and Tim Cine.
Four basic rules have been deemed necessary by the camp administration to keep everything running smoothly. In choosing to attend the camp, the students agreed to abide by these rules, which prohibit campers from:
- Dating non-campers.
Four rules called basic for campers
- Riding in cars unless their parents, a counselor or camp instructor is driving.
- Endangering their own lives or that of another camper.
- This editorial does not contest the validity of these rules, but it does protest the regulations that have been developed subsequently. Each of these added rules is fully covered in the four primary ones. The added rules demonstrate a lack of trust in the students.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages.
For example, the rule campers cannot enter any establishment selling alcoholic beverages (which includes most of Lawrence's pizza shops and restaurants) even if it is not their intention to purchase it.
Since there is the first regulation forbidding the consumption of alcoholic beverages, any camper following the rules would not have this purpose. Thus, the second rule is unnecessary and can only be considered evidence of lack of trust.
The administration should leave the obeying of the rules to the campers without adding limitations which often hamper legitimate activities. We are, for the most part, mature enough to accept the responsibility of following the basic regulations. We should be given the opportunity of doing so without these.
—Leslie Seeman
—Kansan Photo by Bill Seymour
Letters
I attended the meeting and later spoke to other representatives. We feel that Miss Peebles' letter is at best a gross exaggeration of what occurred. Judging from the manner in which she has twisted the facts, it appears that she was not even in attendance at the meeting.
July 1,1968
Dear Sir:
After reading Claudia Peebles' letter in the June 28th Kamper Kansan, I feel obligated to speak in defense of the camp council.
Her blanket condemnation of the camp rules is completely uncalled for. She claims that "The ENTIRE (my emphasis) council agreed that the rules of the camp were petty and ridiculous in their forms." This is not so I, and others with whom I have spoken are in agreement with most of the rules. In fairness to Miss Peebles, however, I must say that I feel that the co-eed sunbathing rule should be given serious consideration by the supervisors.
She says: "Most of the complaints the campers have are about repetitious and trite rules." The "trite rules" to which she refers must be the rules that we discussed in the meeting. The principal rules that we discussed concerned cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol, closing hours, and co-ed sunbathing. None of these seem very trite to me.
The council also discussed the possibility of permitting campers to enter places that serve alcohol, such as the Pizza Hut or Shakey's.
It was brought to the attention of the council that assigning a place for cigarette smoking would be in violation of a state law prohibiting the use of tobacco by minors.
Since there already is a rule prohibiting the possession or consumption of alcohol by campers, the council failed to see why the secondary rule must exist.
The question of closing hours also arose. It was suggested that lights out time be extended because of excessive homework given to students in some language classes.
The council also expressed the opinion that the rule concerning co-ed sunbathing should be cancelled.
In her letter, Miss Peebles said: "Suggestions and complaints were beaten into oblivion by Brummett's repeated comment, 'Yes, yes, you're right, but those are the rules and they can't be changed, so let's not waste our time.' Neither I nor any of the other persons that I have spoken to can remember Mr. Brummett making this statement. However, I do recall him saying that he would bring or had already brought each of the above salient topics to the attention of Mr. Wiley or other responsible persons.
The council suggested that the Sunday morning room check be discontinued. Several reasons were brought out why this should be done. As you know, this has already been favorably acted upon. Is this an example of the "deaf ear" into which our voice was funneled??
Criticism is the basis of democratic government. In an orderly society, responsible and TRUTHFUL criticism is essential. It is my sincere desire that any further criticism be confined to the facts.
Thank you,
David Lawrence
Music Division
A search for a ring
Recently, while hitting a volley ball back and forth on the court in competition for the Winning Wing Wiley Cup, a camper felt her ring fly from her finger and onto the court. She could not see where it hit, and she asked her fellow players to stop the game so that she could recover the valuable high school ring which belonged to her boyfriend in her home town.
The other players, however, would not stop their play, and the girl was forced to continue in the game. After it was over, she and her roommate searched the court for the ring, but were unable to find it.
Wouldn't it have been nice if the players had been considerate and helped her find the ring, instead of being indifferent to the plight of another individual? —Sandy Barnett