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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1938)
From where I SIT By CLARE IGOE An oddity of campus fashion is presented by the Pi Phi las sies, who greet these days rain clad in white rain-coats and shapeless, none - too - becoming white hats. It seems thatfl. cou-. pie of girls bought them, the sisters thought they were just too cute, the thing grew and grew, and now the line of ghost ly figures makes a weird pro cession through late afternoon crowds at the Side. The coats we don't mind, but the hats—hmmmm. * * * A strange thing indeed came to pass the other night. With one of our friends, we journeyed around dinner time, to the Gamma Phi house for a bit of discussion with one of the mem bers thereof. Up to the door we marched, rang the doorbell and waited. No response. We peered in. The place was lit up like the proverbial church, but not a soul could be seen. Doors to the dining room were shut. We rang again. Ting-a-ling went the bell, echoing, we felt sure, to the farthest reaches of the house. Still no answer. Not a sound, not a voice. The rooms had a neat, pleasant, vacuous look of complete emptiness. It was as if everyone, gathered ehummily at the dinner table, had been stricken suddenly with a plague, and we pictured their, sitting there still, a charming smile frozen on their dead far, es, hands, stilled forever, poised beside their plates. By this time the thing was getting pretty sinister. We rang again, and again. Still that deathly silence. We leaned on the bell. No answer. Well, we thought, if that is their attitude, all right, and we turned away, remembering with relish the remark made by Poll ster Jack Bryant, who once mused "Let’s see . . . how would the Gamma Phis vote? They’d vote 'no' on anything, wouldn’t they?” Per haps, we thought, this business of not answering the bell was just a part of the general negative policy of the Gamma Phis. Walking along with these thoughts in find, we heard the sound of merry voices in the air. Turning, we saw the door to the Gamma Phi house open, and out walked two girls, laughing and talking, quite alive and showing no evidence of the plague epidemic we by now firmly lielleved in. Oh well, we said. In the Mail FOR FRIEDMAN To the Editor: I hear that Benny Friedman is interested in Oregon’s coach ing job. With all due respect to our favorite son condidate (and ail respect is due him for the strong Oregon lines lie has built year in and year out) I feel that if Friedman is available he ought to be signed. Outside of the big name angle, which in modern highly publicized foot ball does carry weight, a bril liant performer like Friedman is certain to inspire smarter football at Oregon. Moreover, his years of graduate study and experience in big-time profes sional football equip him for this job. The next few years are sure to mark a swing to coaches trained in the graduate school of professional football. Why shouldn’t Oregon get the jump on this trend and build some championship teams in the next few years? Yours for Benny Friedman. — W. W. FALSE PANACEA To the Editor: The case for a new grading system has been ably stated. It seems only too evident that the present plan puts too much emphasis on grades as the only valuation of the student, and that these grades arc not al ways a true indication of the student's worth. However, be fore tossing the whole method of grading out the window, it m Today’s Emerald s IS made possible by the following advertisers ■ & &•] pi I Consequently they deserve |g your support! 8 1 8 l University Hus. ( oil. Quuekenbush Ducky Strike t ollejje Side Inn Merriek’s Dance Studio Office Much. A Supply Dotson’s Dudley field (JiesUr field I’ATKOMZC THEM! SlSEM2ISJciEJSI2JSIS!SISI2EI2EIfiISSEEiu would' be only wise to study thoroughly the proposed rem edy. Entrance requirements at Oregon are lamentably low. Mo dern educators realize that everybody is not fit for college work. Professor Linn, of Chi cago university, said in a recent article “in our state universi ties which must admit any young person whom any state high school has permitted to pass through in such institu tions a large proportion of the undergraduates are being edu cated beyond their capacities,’’ and later, “the trouble with us is that we continue to educate the JinrAblt', or in permitting them to clutter up our educa tional institutions.” This is, I am afraid, only too true of the University. In a system without grades and without failures we would only be encouraging those unfit for academical training to remain here indefi nitely. But the damage would not stop here. The point has been raised that some students fail to take certain courses because they are reputed to be stiff. These students, using the term to designate all those registered in the University, do so in ninety-nine cases out of a hun dred because they are not will ing to do the work required. And while quite probably they would sign up for the courses under the new plan, I fail to see that they would change their minds about studying. This group would swell the en rollment of the “good content” courses, but it would also slow up class work. The instructor could either go slower to help these students learn something, thus harming the content of the course for the better students; or he could go at his usual pace, thus soon leaving the poor student hope lessly behind so that they would lose the benefit of the class; or he could run the class on two or more standards, thus doubling the work of the already over burdened Oregon professor. One of the most serious con sequences of large class enroll ments would be the elimination of the personal contact between student and professor which is so helpful in those “stiff" courses which only students willing to work sign up for. The student will still desire to take the easy courses in order to get "passings" to take home. The solution for the “pipe" course is not to make it impossible to tail any course. While the present grading system should be revised, this remedy may be worse than the disease. EDWIN BOBBINS Bend the Emerald home to Dad very morning. He will like to read he University happenings. Quackenbushs HARDWARE, GLANbW ARE LEROY MATTINGLY, Editor WALTER R. VERNSTROM, Manager LLOYD TUPLING, Managing Editor Associate Editors: Paul Deutsebmann, Clare Igoe. The Oregon Daily Emerald, official student publication of the University of Oregon, published daily during the college year excej t Sundays, Mondays, holidays and final examination periods. Entered as second-class mail matter at the postffice, Eugene, Oregon. _ Editorial Board : Darrel Ellis, Bill Peace, Margaret Ray, Edwin Robbins, A1 Dickhart, Kenneth Kirtley, Bernardine Bowman. Gag Rule jPOK the past four years, at least, there lias been one salient point in the poliey of every Emerald editor. That is the refusal to permit the appearanee in the paper's columns, wherever possible, of any material of such a nature as to be derogatory t<, our neighboring institution and fellow unit in the Oregon state system of higher education—Oregon State college. On a few occasions, untimely and ill-ad vised references have slipped in, just as such stories slip into any paper. Hut these occa sional slips have always been accidental and there has been strong reproof awaiting those in error. The “rule” was formed with several rea sons in mind. It, seemed to be a waste of good space to carry on the bickerings back and forth which once characterized the columns of The Emerald and the Barometer and which had little appeal for the student reader. The “exchanges” were in poor taste. The com parisons gained were not good ones, for the two schools could both profit more by looking further afield and to schools of their own lypes to find new and applicable ideas for self-improvement. And. above all, they were, when the policy was inaugurated, and still are units in the same system — bedfellows nursing from the same bottle and with the same parents and the same ultimate objec tives. # . # # ^^NE of the valuable opportunities which the so-called “love feast” at Corvallis last term produced was the opportunity to talk over with intelligent Barometer Editor Etl Burchell such matters of policy. Mr. Bur chcll confirmed the abstinent policy explained above in his own words and the policies of the two papers are, it seems, very similar on this point. The meeting also produced a couple of other things of note. A student committee chosen from among those present was named by ASUO President Barney Hall and ASOSC President Bob Henderson. It was instructed to meet for the consideration of inter-school problems, a duty which opens a wide field in which the committee should, eventually, do a great deal of good. The most important event of the evening was the diversion of the general discussion by Director of Athletics Percy Loeey to the matter of compulsory fees. 'y^’ATl'llINd the progress of the evening (and subsequent perusal of the Baro meter) revealed that Director Looey had ad dressed a student convo, or assembly, that morning, telling of the tremendous deficit of thousands of dollars with which USD was faced. Director Locey told the gathering of stu dent leaders, early in the evening, that. Ore gon State must return to the compulsory fees system if ASOSO is to continue in business. Throughout the evening the subject kept recurring. Oregon State students, in general, seemed to believe it feasible- -the I’uiversity’s representatives, with one exception, hail little to say in t he matter. Now, when anyone talks compulsory fees around here, that’s news—-and despite rather pointed statements about no “publicity” the story appeared in The Kmerald and in other papers. Although it has little connection with the occurence of a recent incident, of which all I' this rather lengthy explanation is prepara tory, it should be said that Mr. Loeey’s pro posal for a return to compulsory fees made no distinction between educational and ath letic fees but, rather, specifically asked the return of both. There has long been a great deal of doubt that the people of Oregon or the state board would sanction the collection of fees on a com pulsory basis to support athletics. This is admitted even by a good many of those who believe educational activities deserve the com pulsory fee return because of theifl educa tional qualities. # * JJEFORE Saturday’s basketball game the committee appointed at the “feast” held a meeting. Oregon State students, it develop ed, have investigated the fees problem and modified their beliefs, generally, and now ad vance the suggestion that the battle for edu cational activities on a compulsory basis be und crtaken. But the committee, it seems (and it should be remembered that it includes an equal num ber of students from both, schools) was also asked to consider the possibility of a “gag rule” for the press connected directly with both institutions. The measure was wisely rejected. In part, it was designed to stop uncompli mentary references to the two schools in the student dailies. The avoidance of such in stances, it has already been explained, has been a part of Emerald policy under at least four editors. It is, also, the aim of the Baro meter under Editor Burchell. w * # JgUT the salient factor which makes the matter worthy of such lengthy discussion (and a tender topic it is, too) was that this proposal meant censorship. Censorship—not the exercise of editorial discretion from with in but the’hand of suppression from without. And the main purpose of this suppression was to he the prevention of the publication of any thing which might oppose the battle for com pulsory fees. We don’t know the situation at Corvallis, but there are so many newspapers in this state and so many correspondents on this campus that such an action would have been futile. It it were possible, it seems highly im probable that The Emerald woidd submit. It has struggled along for 40 years, now, without benefit of censor. * ’fc # \yhl ilon't believe that Editor Burchell had any hand in the suggestion. He is prob ably undergoing the same feelings in regard to it that the staff of The Emerald is—not so much relief, for the suggestion Vas asinine, bin of more than slightly amused incredulity that a college-trained mind could produce such a medieval idea. There is not much use referring to the tascistic nations where censorship is rampant toda.d. A map of the world with those parts under a censored press colored black appear ’d in the editorial section of Sunday’s abbre viated Oregonian—and there was more black Ilian white, excluding the high seas. But this proposal does indicate one thing —the extremes to which the human mind can torture its logic. If Oregon and Oregon State students can conceive and venture to suggest such an idea, it seems more explainable that entire European nations have fallen for fascism. i SIDE SHOW Edited by .... Bill Cummings, Campus I’aul Deutsehmann, National Campus I'anut'il !>> the excitement (>t a basketliall thriller Saturday night at Corvallis, the tradition al <|iirit between Oregon anil Oregon State blazed again over the weekend, and, on the part ot Oregon state, almost reached the point ot another victory pa rade. TUe game could almost—but not quite be classified as an upset. The Heavers played over their heads, taking advantage ot the crippled Oregon quintet; and. too, their scientific, slow break with it • set plays was demoralizing and exasperating to the fast-breaking Ducks As a consequence sparks flow. A couple of mid-floor free-for-alls were narrowly averted Ore gon's superior team should wm both ot the tiual games m the "Civil War" series, and the de feat of the Ducks Saturday night should, in the long run, do them more good than harm. It's heads-up ball from now on, or else. No sparks flew at the pood will meeting held in eonjuiietion with the liasketltall game. The lineup for Oregon’s diplomatic ipiintet was Klizubeth Turner, V irginia Began, Noel Benson, and Zaire Kenrler, along with Vsl O l*re\\ Barney Hall. Com pulsory fees were again djs eussed hut no important action was taken,’ according to the Ouch Diplomats. Oregon seems to he lined up against, and Ore gon State for, the issue. « * * Officials of the University Ski club have joined officials of the Mitt and Mat club in a drive to have their respective activities listed as minor sports for inter collegiate competition The ski ers have already lined up tenta tive meets with several coast universities. Members of the Mitt aud Mat club have made considerable headway toward the minor sport goal, but seem to have neglect ed the all-important step of tak ing the matter before the edu cational activities board, which decides such questions. Both skiing and the mat sports are officially recognized by several colleges and universities on the coast as minor sports, so the student-organizers have good reason to expect success. Orides Members To Sell Turnovers Members of Orides are conduct ing an apple turnover sale on the campus tomorrow, "turnovers just like the ones your mother makes," Vivian Ruute. Orides president an nounced at last night's meeting Elizabeth Linn is general chair man of the sale which will last from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. tieud the Emerald home to Dad every morning. He will like to read the University happening;. Enrollment Emphasis Make 'Grades Problem uimcun LSEWHERE in today’s editorial page ap pears a communication from one of the ablest and keenest-minded students on this campus, Edwin Robbins, in whiclx he ques tions whether the substitution of a new sys tem for the old alphabetical grading isn't applying a cure worse than the disease. Robbins’ letter, as do most adverse com ments, hits indirectly at the central weakness of the proposed system—that it is a compro mise measure, a step in the direction of Con tinental and English systems, which both emphasize individual study and study organi zation. The plan as proposed here by Dr. Warren 1). Smith would remove some evils of the present system and would emphasize those things, to a certain extent, which makes the English .sytsem desirable. But it does not include the final comprehensive examination which puts the teeth in this most liberal type of education—therein it is weak. J^OBBINS indicates the weaknesses of the American or Oregon system when he says “entrance requirements are lamentably low.” But he is wrong in assuming that the grade system serves ns a substitute for entrance examinations. It may force a student to cheat to avoid hard labor and makes grades, yes; but the percentage of those it flunks out of school is negligible. Flunking out of Oregon is a lengthy and difficult process indeed. Dr. Smith’s proposed change is not the ideal answer to the problem. If no other reason than that it stops the process of mak ing unprincipled cheaters out of students who under no impetus will become scholars, the change is justifiable. Grades do not eliminate the unfit—but the pressure of obtaining them keeps many cap able students from taking all the difficult courses they wish to take. The good students are affected by the pressure for grades just as much as are the poor students—in the 7 long run they are hurt most because they, too. must make concessions to GPA, which prevent them from achieving their higher potentialities. * * * TTrHEN educators say our colleges are at ’ ’ tempting to educate the unfit and the un-educatable, their statements are not criti cisms of a grade or grade-less system. True, everyone has the right in this demociacy to advance himself to the full extent of his opportunities and his capabilities; and those opportunities should be increased. But in creasing those opportunities for those who have no educational capabilities is not the duty of the university. It may be the duty of ^ the general college. Educators, condemning the laxity of our system, are hitting at the efforts to make university education univer sal—thus usurping for higher education the field of the general college. * # # Z"'* KEG ON, in a recent survey, was eighth from the bottom on the list of states ranked according to the money spent, pro portionate to population, on higher education. This state rates, if not first, very high in the percentage of eligible students who attend its colleges. The source of error in the system is ob vious. It is the enrollment-hungry policy of taking in everyone to gain more appropria tions which makes it difficult to establish any successful grading system. But the same or equal difficulties face the competitive system as face the less competitive approach. There are a certain number of students whom no system will help to become scholars; and it is no use making unethical cheaters and cor ner-cutters of them in the attempt to do so. Campus Calendar House librarians will meet in the browsing room at 4 p.m. today. There will be a WAA council meeting this evening at 8 o’clock in the women’s lounge in Gerlin ger hall. The staff of “Lemon Punch” meets today in the Journalism building at 7:15, it has been an nounced by Don Seaman. Phi Beta IJpsilon meeting at 5 o'clock in the AWS rooms in Ger linger. YMCA cabinet members will meet at 5 o'clock this afternoon in the Y hut. Heads of the houses meet today at 4:45 in the AWS room in Ger linger. Kwama meeting today at 4:30 in the AW® room of Gerlinger hall. Members of the senior ball di rectorate are asked to attend a meeting today at 4:00. Phi Delta Theta fraternity will entertain Kappa Alpha Theta so rority at an exchange dessert Wed nesday. Their informal dance will be held February 19. Theta Chi fraternity held an in itiation for 13 men last Sunday. Full Program (Continued from paje one) Erb to Speak The annual banquet will be held in the Osburn hotel with Dean Eric W. Allen of the school of journalism acting as toastmaster. Then banquet features a talk. "Professor and the Press,” by Don ald M. Erb. president-elect of the University. The Eugene Gleemen conducted by John Stark Evans will give a complimentary request appearance, honoring the editors and publishers: and William Lamme. contest chairman. Sigma Delta Chi, will present the best weekly newspaper contest awards. Following the banque.t the pub lishers will attend the basketball game between the University of Montaua and the University of Oregon at McArthur Court. Ladies of the conference will be entertained by Theta Sigma Phi at the home of Miss Margaret Kay, 1307 E. 19th avenue from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Art Men Meet Saturday Saturday morning the advertis ing managers will have their inn ing under the direction of Harry S. Schenck, McMinnville Tele phone-Register. president of the advertising managers' department. Following their meeting. William W. Loomis, publisher of the La Grange. Illinois. Citnen. and presi dent of the National Editorial association, will address the gen eral session on “Facing New Problems.” Adjournment for luncheon will follow the semi-an nual business meeting with Mr. Baker presiding. The luncheon in John Straub Memorial hall will be in observ ance of the twenty-fifth anniver sary of the Oregon chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, journalism fra ternity. Speakers will be Mr. Loomis, who is also national hon orary president of the fraternity; Governor Charles H. Martin; Frederick M. Hunter, chancellor of the state system; and C. Valen tine Boyer, retiring president of the University. Henry N. Fowler, Bend Bulletin, will act as toast master. The election of new offi cers will close the conference for another year. Delta Phi Alpha Meets Delta Phi Alpha, German hon orary, will meet at Gerlinger hall Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. to make plans for this term and talk over the initiation program. New Waterfall Mile-High, Now Seen by Flyer NEW YORK, Jan. 17.—Report of a mile high waterfall in Ven ezuela, discovered by an Ameri can aviator while flying over the interior region, was made here tonight by an instructor in the College of New York. According to Jimmy Angel, the aviator, the stream of wa ter falls from a high plateau above the clouds and into jun gles 5000 feet below. 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