Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 2, 1950)
It Would Take Time to Develop No doubt about it—the hon or system is a corkin’ good idea. But—is it good for Ore gon? If not—what would make it so? Two things: Students would have to be honest enough not to take advan tage of the convenience of the setup, and—students would have to perfect the habit of “squealing” on others who did take advantage of the sys tem. That’s a large order. It’s too large to be foisted upon a student body unexposed to, or unaware of, traditions nec essary to the proper function ing of an honor system. Therein lies the key to the matter—without suitable spadework beforehand, the system would be certain to fail. For professional (or profes sorial) opinion on the subject, we approached a number of faculty members. Consensus was the honor system would not be practical at U. O. The reasons cited were essentially the same as above. However—some interesting commentaries were made on the matter. Such as— “The best way to install the system would be to for mulate an orientation pro gram for freshmen. A select student body composed of the pick of high school graduates would expedite the process greatly. But to institute the system without prior prepa ration would prove foolhardy and successful.” The question was also raised as to whether students would actually want it. Thus : “Many students, especially the better ones, would be whole-heartedly against the honor system. For them the present policing is sufficient.” And a different point of view: "I don’t care about cheating. Let them settle their conscience if they’re tempted too much.” (This, naturally enough, comes from a philosophy professor.) Also: “The attitude of stu dents on this campus would wreck the ethics of the plan. Cheating would flare up even more than it does now. The students would have to have the proper indoctrination— namely, start them out when they’re young, in the pri mary and secondary schools.” Said a law professor, com menting on the fact that the law school employs the honor system: ‘‘Law school is dif ferent. Students have one exam a term and cheating is of no real help. As for the rest of the University, I don’t be lieve cheating helps on essay tests.” And another : “Tradition is the main ingredient, and tra dition would be hard to form Wild /Voted. Beware Amidst the grovelling cries to “beware of the welfare state,” another co-op has been designated to save the desperate student a few more pennies. Conveniently lo cated in Springfield and Eu gene, these drive-in co-ops should make pigging a pay^ ing proposition. Musically, it's suggested that the Crystal Room be visited and the Don Palmer trio be heard. The star of the shpw is the very versatile Ed die Shu. Recently of the new Charlie Barnet band and with Lionel Hampton last sum mer, Shu has recorded with the brilliant Barbara Carroll and played w i t h George Shearing. Shu blows a very modern tenor, that is, when he isn’t playing clarinet, trumpet, harmonica, or piano. A rare treat you shouldn't miss. EMERALD The OREGON DAILY EMERALD, published daily during the college year except all Saturdays but Junior Weekend, Sunday, holidays, final examination periods, Monday pre ^ceding junior weekend in May, and the last Thursday in May by the Associated Students, University of Oregon. Entered as second class matter at the postoffice, Eugene, Oregon. Opinions expressed in editorials are those of the writer, and do not claim to represent the ^opinions of the ASUO or of the University. Initialed editorials are written by associate editors. Unsigned editorials are written by the editor. Opinions expressed in an editorial page by-lined column are those of the columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor or his associates. H>om A. Smith, Editor Joan Mimnaugh, Business Manager Anne Goodman, Tom King, Associate Editors Glxnn Gillespie, Managing Editor Shirley Hillard, Advertising Manager News Editors: Lorn a Larson, Ken Metrler. Assistant News Editor: Gretchen Grondahi. Assistant Managing Editors: Norman Ander son, Hal Coleman, Mac Epley. Merle Gors, Walt McKinney, Bill Stanfield. Snorts Editors: John Barton, Sam hidiuan. Cnief Night Editor: Mary Hall. Copy Editor: Marjory Bnsh. Desk Editors: Marjory Bush, Bill Frve, Gretchcn Gromlahl, Larry Meiser, Jackie Pritaen. ■Office Manager: Karla Van Loan. National Advertising Manager: Bonnie Birk* tneir Assistant Business Manager: Don Thompson Zone malingers: Sue Bachelder, Virginia Kel logg. Jeanne Hoffman, Fran Neel, Barbara \\ illiams, Margie Wells. Layout manager: Martel Scroggin. Circulation Manager: Jean Lovell at a school this size. The sys tem would be neither prac tical nor worthwhile.” Another: “Professors them selves, by their lack of proper relationships with their clas ses, are responsible for cheat ing in many instances. In any event, students simply will not tell on one another. I was told by one instructor that 50 per cent of the student body cheated. Although I don’t be lieve this is a true figure', nevertheless, the honor sys tem would not work. For the desire to cheat will be preva lent as long as there is so much emphasis on grades. Moreover, I wonder whether the honor system is desirable. I studied under it and wasn’t satisfied. Thus—the honor system is impractical for Oregon. If it ever develops, it will be a long time in coming.—Tom King. The Seal Steps Out How far can a tradition be carried? After almost 40 years of peacefully lying in the walk north of Villard Hall, watching the sun, the clouds, and students on their way to and from the Anchorage or the Millrace, the famed Oregon seal will be moved to a new location in front of the Student Union entrance. A plaque, explaining the move, will be placed in the original spot. Cement will be poured the first day weather permits. And a ceremony and final touches will finish the move on Alumni Day, June 10. Many alumni will recall the days when Villard was consid ered half the campus, and will be sad at the thought of moving the seal. But the event has received the approval of the class of 1912—the same one that installed it—and is even being paid for by its treasury. The move has been considered for a good 10 months. It was discussed by a student group last spring term. This is carrying a tradition pretty far—approximately 1,000 feet. Now students will have something new to worry about. For the essence of the seal tradition, to the uninformed, is not to have students walk on it. Now, also, the Order of the O will be kept busier during Junior Weekends. More students will be paddled and dunked for trespassing on the “sacred” seal. All this confuses us. If you don’t want students to walk on the seal, why go to all the bother of having it moved to a busier place? Traditions.—A.G. Afiten One yean, Not Everyone Has a White Telephone VlewA of a tfotieuju Student (What'does a foreign student think of one year at an American University? The best answer to that question can be given by the students themselves. In the following article, the first of several, Gisela Schmidt of Finland comments on her year at Ore gon. Miss Schmidt lived Fall term at University House, and is now living at Alpha Phi sorority. Living organizations which wish to be host next year to a foreign student may make application this week to J. D. Kline, foreign student adviser.—Editor.) By GISELA SCHMIDT Foreign Student from Finland Living at Alpha Phi The first sensational thing about America that I am going to launch when I go home to Finland is that life over here is not a copy of that rosy dream the Hollywood movies make it out to be—everybody does not possess a white telephone, and very few American girls find a“guy”whose father is a millionaire. No, Americans are hard workers; they know what they want and they take out all their energy in order to reach their goal. This I would not have found out so soon if I had not had the wonderful opportunity to study at an American University and live the life of an American “coed.” There is something unique in this country and that is the friendliness one meets wher ever one goes. People don’t lock themselves up in an ivory tower. A foreigner is not forced to spend weeks and months at making stiff. impersonal conversation. People are candid and informal and the foreigner can soon pene trate to the core of the American way of life. Coming from a country upon which the events of the last ten years have set a stamp of austerity, I have been very much impres seel by the American optimism. Here I have learnt that to be gay, to make the best of things, to have faith in life, is the normal way of living. This attitude I shall try to import to my country. A feature in American life that appeals very much to me is the lack of an engrained class-distinction. Neither a pedigree nor a title makes people get carried away with awe. Everybody talks to everybody else as if he were his equal. One need not look up to one’s professor like to a semi-god; but can •' speak to him as a human being. I wish I could do something for less complicated social liv ing when I go back to Finland. People in Europe often think of America in terms of national isolation and disinterest in universal political affairs. The best proof against this is the fact that the U. S. is will ing to take foreign students and show them such grand hospitality. Again and again I have been impressed by the good will Ameri cans feel towards my country, and their ser ious concern about our situation. One year in America means breaking out of a long isola tion; it means broadening of one’s outlook. It is the best encouragement a small couu *try that has had a rough time can receive. Two weeks at an American college means learning and using American $lang, that is not to speak like an English grammar book. And now I know all about the mysterious terms like “dating,” “necking,” and “getting pinned.” Though these things are less seri ous, nobody could deny their importance in the development of humanity. fWltar£ in GltGSUfC cMesie Too Late: The * Horse is Stolen hu Rod Smith Looking- over the recent letters in the Em erald directed at the columnists, I noticed that all of them carried one similar character istic : they all tried to have the barn door closed after the horse was stolen. The law students, in both their gripe against the traf fic court and their complaint about the con stitutional election, might have been far more beneficial to the University if they had done something to correct the difficulties in the be ginning. At present, the whole set-up seems more humorous than serious to the average stu dent, and even appears to some as just plain “hammy.” The same could be said for the squawking of the “crow” (KRO) which was sent in by my friends, the “radio-rowdies.” Either a lot of the gals have been making weekend trips to the coast or they still are trying to dope out the hidden mechanisms of that treacherous weapon, the sun-lamp. Re member, three minutes is the limit! Four is one too many; ask the girl who seems to be always blushing. 4