Honor—How Much?
“High minded character or principles: fine sense of one’s
obligations: credit or reputation for behavior that is becom
ing or worthy; high public esteem.”
We have always maintained that we could not stand women
in mass. They seem so much smaller and pettier than men.
But the conduct of our campus honoraries rather puts that
little theory to shame. If Kwama, Phi Theta Upsilon and
Mortar Board have failed to live up to their standards of serv
ice, leadership and scholarship on occasion, we have some
times wondered if Skull and Dagger or Druids even bother to
profess standards for selecting membership.
Skull and Dagger uses a mixed system of house quota and
house loyalties to choose their members. It often appears to
be an organization made up of two men from each of the
largest and most active living organizations on campus. If
that is to be the way members are to be chosen, we suggest
each house elect its representatives and forego the artificial
petition system for this select little social group.
Honoraries will probably always be in line for criticism from
those on the outside. But when the members of these honoraries
disregard the fundamental definition of the word, we wonder
if they can even justify their existence.
Take for example. Skull and Dagger as a service honorary.
Other than help with new student week activities—carrying
suitcases for freshman women at Carson and Hendricks halls,
which also provides opportunity to get the first look at the new
est and prettiest additions to the campus—and cleaning up
after the Junior weekend picnic, the group does very little.
“He hasn’t done so much but he’s a real smooth guy.” is the
recommendation which many members of these select groups
receive. But they get the membership. For the fellow that is
crazy enough to work his head off, get high grades and hold
responsible offices on campus, it’s the “cold shoulder” unless
lie's also a fraternity brother or typical Joe College type.
This by no means reflects on all present members of these
two honoraries. But if a group disregards “honor” in their
selection, than they as a group receive no honor from other
campus groups.
About the only thing we can say for Druids as a group is that
they don’t wear sweaters. At least we don't have to constantly
be reminded of the fictious dogma that these are the “out
standing” junior men on this campus.
Druids often indulge in personalities in selecting member
ship. They receive membership only on the recommendation of
present members, which leaves plenty of opportunity to pro
mote “favored” candidates. We’ve heard about trading votes
and refusing to accept a qualified candidate unless all the “spon
sored” men have been voted in. And offhand, we could name
three outstanding men on campus today who have never re
ceived a nod from Druids or Skull and Dagger for similar
xeasons,
i\ot only does Druids use the limiting method of member
xjominating for considering candidates, but their bright and
shining halos, seem to prevent them from doing anything once
they become a member of the group.
„ •, True,-Druids at least avoid the fiction of a service hon
orary. They make no claims to bp an active organization.
And surely there is truth in the philosophy that someone
.who is busy enough with activities and studies to deserve
an honorary needn’t be further burdened selling icky stickies
or mums. But we question if Druids are any busier than other
people that hold membership in campus honoraries.
Friars, like Mortar Board, has a much better record than
■either of the lower class honoraries. We could name several
outstanding men who have gone through three years of col
lege, ignored by Druids or Skull and Daggers, to be recog
nized in their senior year by Friars. Friars occasionally over
look a qualified member, but their “secret” method of selection
leaves us little room for other than general criticism.
But because Friars have maintained themselves as an honor
ary, and usually make an effort to include the really top men
on campus, the “honor” of the name Friars continues to mean
something to those of us who are pretty disillusioned by the
Other two men’s organiaztions.
An honorary is no place to indulge in personalities and
catty remarks about candidates under consideration. Once it
becomes such a place, it is no longer an honorary.
We think there is a place on campus for recognition of a job
well done. We think that place could very well be the present
System of campus honoraries. But, without honorable purposes,
honorably carried out, these organizations can give honor to
none. If you don’t take your job seriously, no one else can.
Before you cast that opposing vote or that “aye” vote for
Joe’s candidate—Friars, Mortar Board, Druids, Skull and Dag
ger, Phi Theta, and Kwama—think!
Go over those standards, those high-minded ideals you pro
fess. Take everything out in the light, recognize the fact
that some of your members will be pushing their favorites,
that some of your members will want to keep out people
whom they don’t like, that yours is the toughest job in the
world if you want to do it right.
And think! and think! and think! It’s your organization and
you know what you want to give your members in the way of
honor. But to us, the name alone doesn’t mean a thing.
Oteaon Daily
EMERALD
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday during the college year
from Sept. 15 to June 3, except Nov. lf>, 25 through Dec. 7 through 9, 11'through Jan. I i
March ^through 10, 12 through 29, May 3, and 31 through June 2, with issues on Nov. 21.
Jan. 23, and May 15, by the Student Publications Hoard of the University of Oregon En ,
tered as second class matter at the post office, Eugene, 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 t<»
represent the opinions of the AStTO or of the University. Unsigned editorials arc written by !
the editor; initialed editorials by the associate editors.
We Wonder
eN<SlN€€RiK(G
“I don’t know why I take this class with AIX boys—I just don’t
know the first thing about trains."
Eettersjto the Editor
Poor Showing?
Emerald Editor:
This letter is directed to Bob
Robinson, who is supposedly the
Emerald sports editor. The sub
ject is the -article printed about
Ted Anderson being a flop so far
this track season, which was
printed in the Tuesday, April 20,
Emerald.
You ask, what has happened
to Ted Anderson? Hell, let me
tell you the reason hr his poor
showing last Saturday. For
over two weeks, Ted has had a
bad fever and muscle aches,
then two days before the Wash
ington meet he came down
with a very sore throat and
temperature of 102. Instead Of
complaining about it he went
out Saturday afternoon and
did the best he could for the
condition he was in. He now
has a very serious throat in
fection and will be lucky if he
can run next Saturday.
I now ask you, Robinson, is
this reason enough for a poor
showing or not? How about in
the future finding out the story
behind the story rather than
slurring an athlete's name in
print.
I think you owe Ted Ander
son a column of apology in the
next edition of the Emerald.
I myself do not know who
you are, Bob Robinson, but if
I were Ted Anderson, I sure
would find out fast enough.
Tom Elliott
Tom Swalm
Get the Facts
Emerald Editor:
This is in reference to your
(Bob Robinson, sports editor)
“What’s Happened to Anderson”
which appeared in the Tuesday,
April 20th, edition of the Emer
ald. I have just read your col
umn and from what you said I
can clearly see that you did not
bother to get the facts of the
case.
I will admit that maybe Ted
was not ready for the Portland
meet, but as far as the Wash
ington meet I have yet to see |
II
a man, whoever he may be, go
out and run the 440 which In
one of the toughest race* in
track, with a cold no bad that
he can barely breath and ex
pect to win.
He should be praised for even
running, instead of ridiculed as
you just did. I was in the train
ing room when Ted came in. He
was in such a condition that he
could barely breath, he was gasp
ing for breath. This from the ef
fects of a very severe cold.
In the future may I remind
you that it is the Job of a re
porter to get the facts of the
caae before reporting some- j
thing that may be entirely out
of line. ,
Don Hedgepeth
• Foreign students interested
in selling or exhibiting items at
the World University Service car
nival should leave these articles
at the YMCA office, Student
319, or with Ingrid Meijling at i
Delta Zeta by Thursday, Miss j
Meijling said.
Winners Get
Vodvil Tickets
Free tickets to the Vodvil show
will be given for correct answers
to quiz questions on the World
University Service program ov> r
KWAX tonight.
The radio show, from 8:15 to
8:30 p.m., will feuture several sol*
of clues on various foreign coun
tries. The first person to call
KWAX and correctly identify any
of the countries will receive two
tickets to the WU8 sponsored
Vodvil.
The 15-minute quiz program
will be piped into the Student fish
bowl, according to Pete Plumridge,
WUS radio promotion chairman.
Records of Kuropcnn and Orien
tal music will also be played din -
ing the program. Ted Goh, WUS
general chairman, will be inter
viewed by Plumridge ubout Re
work of WUS in other countries.
CAMPUS BRIEFS
Deadline (nr Itemi for thin column i» at 4
p m. the day prior to publication.
0 The Duck Preview housing
commute will_jnect Thursdny at
4 p.m. in the Student Union, ac
cording to Nan Hagedom, com
mittee member.
0 Recent pledges during spring
term open rush include Carolyn
Lemley, Alpha Omieron Pi; Claud
elle Fills, Joan McKenzie, and Pat
Smith, Delta Delta Delta; and
Laura Harper, Sigma Kappa.
0 Junior Weekend float chair
men will meet at 3 p.m, today in
SU 313. according to Mary Wilson
and Ann Hopkins, co-chairmen.
0 Sub-chairmen of the Junior
Weekend luncheon committee will
met at 4 p.m. today in the Student
Union, according to Corky Horton
and Marcia Hodgson, co-chairmen.
0 Duck Preview program com
mttee chairmen will meet at 2 p.m.
today in the Student Union.
§ The Hawaiian club will met
today at 8 p.m. In the Student
Union, according to President
Lorna Mrakawa.
0 WRA intramural swimming
matches scheduled for today and
next Wednesday have been can
celled, according to Olivia Tharald
son.
^ Druids, junior men's honor
ary, will meet at 6:30 p.m. today
in the Oregana office.
• The Order of the “O” will
meet at Sigma Nu at noon today,
according to President Doug Clem
ent. Plans^ for initiation will be
discussed.
0 The Red Cross Board will
meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the
Student Union, according to Mary
Wilson, president.
0 The YWCA cabinet will meet
today at noon in Cerlinger hail,
according to Sally Stadleman,
publicity chairman.
Your Official Ring
If you want your ring by the end of
Spring Term—
ORDER NOW
You have your choice of Four Different Stones—
Onyx, Synthetic Ruby, Blue Spinel, Synthetic
Tourmaline.
Greek Letters May Be Inscribed Upon Stones
If Desired
U. of 0. Alumni Association
Room 110-M, Student Union