A Return to Reason in 1953?
The calm voice of reason cut through the current Conimun
ists-in-colleges hysteria \\ edncsday with the announcement
that the Oregon American Legion would not (1) ask the state
legislature for loyalty oaths or (2) push for investigation of
Oregon schools.
The statement released by Karl L. Wagner, state com
mander of the American Legion, declared that “existing af
firmative loyalty oaths now on the statute books are suffi
cient, if enforced by school authorities” and added that
“ . . . school officials and the Board of Education should be
fully qualified and should have the opportunity, if it is nec
essary, to clean their own house without being harassed by
outside organiaztions.”
The American Legion action is an encouraging sign at a time
when the House un-American Activities committee, headed by
Harold H. Yede (R-Ill.), and the Senate government opera
tions committee, under the leadership of Joe McCarthy, are
preparing to investigate U. S. colleges and universities for
signs of “Red Leanings.”
The freedom of U. S. education is threatened by the Com
munist bugaboo. The principles of free and open discussion
have, in recent years, been trampled upon by men who saw
a chance to turn the Red scare into a political advantage.
The declaration by the Oregon American Legion may have
national significance. It could mark the beginning of a return
to reason in respect to Communism and education in the U. S.
Frosh Council: Democratic Experiment
A few enterprising freshmen have gotten together and form
ed the “freshman election council" which will attempt to pick
a representative slate of officers to run in the Jan. 28 frosh
election.
It’s the first time, in our recollection, that freshmen have
taken the initative in organizing for the selection of their class
officers. We interpret it as a healthy-*sign of interest in student
government.
Too often in the past freshmen have become the tools of
Greek houses who wish to secure prestige by shoving one of
their pledges into a top class spot. The council lists as its goal
three points: (1) to further direct participation in student
government; (2) to create an awareness of the responsibilities
of the class officers; and (3) to acquaint candidates with the
needs of the freshman class.
There has been some question as to the legality of the group,
but both ASUO President Pat Dignan and ASUO vice-presi
dent Helen Jackson Frye have stated that the whole thing is
on the up and up.
The council has no real power but can only make public
recommendations. It works like this:
The core of the plan is the council as a representative group.
It will consist of two members from each freshman living or
ganization, chosen from high school activity sheets filled out
last term.
They suggest candidates who are then screened individually.
Four candidates will be chosen, one from each bloc of voters.
This is not a case of a few people wanting to grab a balance
of power, said John Feliz, council member. Vote trading is
exactly what they aim to prevent, he said.
“Freshmen elections are usually popularity contests,” Feliz
explained. “That’s all right for Joe College, but not for class
officers.”
It’s hoped the council can turn the emphasis toward the com
petency of candidates.
By virtue of its representative character and political sup
port, the council is expected to hold elected officers responsible.
“A candidate who is elected by a personal following is res
ponsible only to himself,” Feliz explained.
Feliz felt the group had lost support because of adverse
publicity. He said there was organized opposition in some
dormitories.
“Is the council a political party?” we asked. The answer was
emphatically negative.
Feliz termed it a democratic experiment.
The results may be interesting. (H. J.)
Orman Daily
EMERALD
The Oregon Daily Emerald published Monday through Friday during the college year
except Jan. 5; Mar. 9, 10 and 11; Mar. 13 through 30; June 1, 2 and 3 by the Student Publi
cations Board of the University of Oregon. Entered as second class matter at the post office,
Rugene, Oregon. Subscription rates: $5 per school year; $2 per term.
Opinions expressed on the editorial page are those of the writer and do not pretend to
represent the opinions of the ASUO or of the University. Initialed editorials are written by
•editorial staff members. Unsigned editorials are written by the editor.
Larry Hobart, Editor Sally Thurston, Business Manager
Helen Jones, Bill Gurney, Associate Editors
Jim Haycox, Editorial Assistant
Al Karr, Managing Editor
News Editor: Kitty Fraser
Asst. Managing Editors: Judy McLoughlm
Paul Keefe
sports Editor: Larry Lavelle
Wire Editors: Lorna Davis, Andy Salmins,
Virginia Dailey, Valera Vierra
Nat’l Advertising Manager: Carolyn Silva
Layout Manager: Jim Solidum
In Europe
Students Hiss,
Stamp Feet,
And Rap Pencils
By GUNTER FRIEDRICHS
Editor of Dor Kernfrogo
Frankfurt University
A German student is complete
ly free.
At Frankfurt university there
are studying about r>,000 stu
dents. There is no one living in
dorms, fraternities or rooming
houses. They all have their own
rooms on rent, with no kind of
regulations or restrictions.
And there is no student party
inside and outside of the Univer
sity without alcoholic drinks.
Hissing Popular
Students greet their professors
in class by knocking with pencils
on the desks. If they are not
agreeing with their professor,
they will demonstrate their con
trary opinion by scraping with
feet. Today, because most are
wearing crepe-shoes, it is more
popular to hiss by mouth.
Agreeing is expressed by
knocking with pencils or by
trampelling. It happens very oft
en that one part of the class
agr ees, while the rest is hissing—
in the same moment.
A Fundamental Difference
Between high school in the
U.S.A. and in Germany there is a
fundamental difference. The kids
in Germany enter high school at
the age of 10 and stay there for
nine years. During this time they
have to take:
Nine years English, six years
Latin, four years of a third lan
guage (French, Italian or Span
ish), one year of biology, five
years of chemistry, nine years of
geography, six years of physics
and nine years of mathematics.
In addition, they must take
sports, history, German, religion,
music and drawing.
About 45 per cent of all Ger
man children are going through
high school.
Study at Home
German universities expect
that a student will do the most
important part of his studies at
home by reading books. Courses
have only the functions of intro
ductions. There are no textbooks.
The professor names a certain
number of books. The student
has to decide what he wants to
read. In this way, it is possible
that a German university has
about six months vacation during
a year.
Register and Read
Eut a serious student has to
study rather hard during this
time.
Many students renounce cer
tain classes if the professor is not
outstanding. They will register
for the class and prefer to read
good books in the field at home.
There are no tests and examin
ations between the studies. After
three to four years the student
will pass a big and difficult ex
amination to get the master de
gree.
Only Two Degrees
He will apply for permission to
take the examination if he has
the feeling of being well pre
pared. But almost 30 per cent will
fail and can repeat the exam
after a certain time.
You can get only two academic
degrees at a German university,
the Masters and the Doctor. Be
tween German and other Euro
pean universities there is no real
difference.
From the Morgue
Ten years ago today:
• Greeks were celebrating a
victory in Freshman elections.
• Women’s co-ops reported
that they were forfeiting two
desserts a week, the money saved
to go into war bonds.
The College Crowd
_Campus Headlines Elsewhere
By Rae Thomas
Two universities, one northern
and one southern, met the racial
problem last term In exactly op
posite ways.
New York university an
nounced it was striking questions
of race and religion from its ap
plication forms.
And the University of Alabama
refused two Negro women admi
tance to the graduate school. The
women plan to file suit against
the University in federal court,
on grounds that their constitu
tional rights have been violated.
The Crimson-White, student
newspaper there, sided with the
administration. It declared in an
editorial. “We maintain there is
no race hatred among the vast
majority of southerners. Certain
ly we segregate our schools, bus
ses and social meetings. It’s only
good sense.
“. . .Equal rights for all can
never become a reality until we
all feel it, and want it, and think
we can live together without hat
ing each other.. ."
But the editorial granted that,
“These Negroes do, technically,
by the Constitution of the United
States . . . have the right to enter
the University. A court will con
firm it we are su».”
* * *
Princeton university adminis
trators discovered last term that
two members of the 1952 gradu
ating class forged their senior
theses in “one of the most flag
rant examples of plagiarism''
ever attempted at Princeton.
Both men, members of the
English and Modern Languages
department, were found to have
submitted almost exact copies of
master's theses stolen from the
Columbia university library last
winter. When faced with the evi
dence, both admitted the work
was not their own, but denied
outside help or having paid for
the theses.
No disciplinary measures have
been announced. Two years ago
there were numerous reports of
New York agents receiving up to
$700 for the forging of theses for
Princeton seniors.
* * *
The new GI bill is tougher than
the old one. A veteran now must
declare his major as soon as he
enters school, and he's entitled to
just one change during this col
lege career.
And the change is not easy to
get. The vet has to show he is
not guilty of misconduct, neglect
or lack of application. Then he
must take a battery of tents. If
he gets through unscathed, be
can change his major.
Here are the main points in the
new bill: The veteran will be paid
a lump sum each mouth. Out of
this sum he must pay tuition and
all other expenses. Tuition pay
ments generally run about one
third of his total allotment.
It's up to the campus vet's in
structors to turn in monthly
progress reports to the Veterans
Administration. Serious trouble
can result if these reports are de
layed or if they are not turned in
by the instructors.
• * •
The time-honored custom of
hazing is still a long way from
refinement on many campuses;
but at some colleges hazing is ac
tually becoming civilized.
At Valparaiso university. Ind.,
the custom is somewhere in be
tween. The Valparaiso Torch la 1.
week proudly pointed to its
"class float, stunt night," and
other evidences of sanity.
But the paper averted its eye :
from the "brick parties, gang
wars, paintod signs and noctur
nal processions of imprisoned
freshmen women . .
The Torch concluded with a
plea to "let this thing (hazing,
that is) slide slowly down hill.
It’s so much quieter that way. . ."
* * •
The girls at Texas State Col
lege for Women are still pulling
variations on the old gag of sell
ing the Brooklyn bridge to the
uninitiated. A freshman ther<‘
proudly told a friend that she
had bought a ticket from a senior
guaranteeing her a free ride in
the administration building ele
vator.
Men, if you think the ratio of
males on your campus is too
steep, try attending Davidson
college. Its enrollment: H2~> men,
one woman.
• * •
This letter was sent to the ed
itor of the Vermont Cynic, Uni
versity of Vermont:
"To the Editor: I like your
newspaper. It is good. It is some
times funny. My roommate lets
me read it. I read it. I have a dog.
His name is Rusty. He likes to
read it. I have a cat. Her name is
Kitty. She reads it. I am in the
1st grade. I am G9 years old.
Mother says I’m crazy. Mother
is always right. I like your news
paper. I am crazy.
A friend."
Liberal Education
“This is rather hard to understand. Miss Shagnasty
quite strict with her classes.’’
is generally