Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1962)
A Challenge Does Oregon’s Greek System Have the Courage of Its Convictions University President Arthur S. Flemming in his release to the Emerald concerning dis crimination in fraternities and sororities was in essence saying that if fraternities and sororities pledge non-Christian or non-cau casian members, and because of this run into difficulties with their national organiza tions, the University will stand behind the local chapters 100 per cent. The president obviously is in favor of in dependent and autonomous local chapters, able to make their own decisions and stand by them. He is aware that many national organiza tions have removed the clause in their constitutions that prohibits non-caucasion members, and have merely substituted un written clauses. He is urging local chapters to have the courage and conviction to test these unwritten clauses to the utmost. But the president is in no way saying that fraternities and sororities must pledge non-caucasians or non-christians. He recog nizes that greek organizations by their very nature are selective. President Flemming himself, probably made his stand clearest in his final para graph : "1 urge that, consistent with the con cept of the dignity and worth of each hu man being, the living groups on the Uni versity of Oregon campus consider persons for membership solely on their merits and without regard to their race, color, national ity, or creed. Groups that act in this manner will have the complete support of the Uni versity if they are subjected! to any pressure from the outside to follow a contrary pol icy.” We cannot think of a better time for the president to have made his stand. There will be many groups on this campus facing just such a decision this week. We hope that they will realize that the president has spoken to them, to each of them. We agree with President Flemming, that if they do not realize this and demonstrate that they realize it. "they are standing in the way of this University's achieving its highest po tential. The Long, Slow Line At one time people thought that registra tion by IBM machine, although efficient, was a thing to avoid because it tended to “dehumanize" the student. Wednesday’s line of students waiting at McArthur Court to register for English courses has adequately demonstrated that long lines also have a dehumanizing influ ence and cause a great deal of trouble as well. Now, the main cause for concern should be whether Wednesday’s confusion will be repeated before an IBM or other efficient system can be adopted. Those who have the unenviable job of planning registration procedures expect that things will get better. Winter and spring terms should not cause trouble, they be lieve, because reservations will be made for students w ho desire to continue a sequence in the same section. Students then won't have to fight for available class places. Next Fall shouldn’t be too rough either, because many freshmen will register during the summer and most other students prob ably will have registered the preceding spring. These are still sort of stop-gap plans, how ever. as officials work towards the ultimate goal of complete registration and schedul ing by using IBM machines. According to Dean of Students Donald DuShane, students may some day come to the University Sun day night and start classes the following Monday morning. By then, we suppose, there will probably be lines for something else. Our Universities OK The following editorial is reprinted from the Oregonian, Saturday, September 15. * * * What gripes Dr. Robley William, the Uni versity of California’s faculty representative, who says the Oregon universities must ad just their entrance requirements before seeking membership in the “Big Six,” is that so many good California athletes come to the Oregon schools. In the early days of the Pacific Coast Conference, when the California universi ties had not yet been forced by the great numbers of college applicants to tighten up their own requirements, and when those schools constantly clobbered the smaller Northwest schools, there was no concern about our entrance requirements. Later the tremendous population growth in Califor niania made necessary the creation of an ex tensive state college and junior college sys tem. The universities had to limit their stu dent bodies and this they did by making it more difficult to enter. Washington has also developed a state college and junior college system to provide advanced education for those who may not be able or may not wish to attend its two universities. Less populous Oregon is just beginning to organize community colleges to meet this same problem. Meanwhile, our universities are constantly revising entrance requirements and performance standards. Students who can't keep up with the stiff curriculum are soon flunked out. This ap plies to athletes as well as to other students. The football tramp no longer exists. The California youths who come to Oregon, where the opportunity to play against the country’s topflight teams is greater, are intelligent, though brawny. So are the ath letes from Oregon and other states who en roll here. Their scholastic records prove this, as does the performance in business and the professions of a great number of them after graduation. The Oregon universities provide an excellent education, regardless of the snide remarks of persons such as l)r. Williams. Little Man on Campus --—. -t C-18 m$iNCE He <*wee me zxam —, MevEK $ee/v\ t<? pq weu. cxs/ macm/ne ecokzp Ttexs.* Letters to the Editor SORORITY RULES Emerald Editor: In reply to the editorial < Silly .Sorority Rules), the facts were basically correct The slant of the editorial, however, distorted these facts True, Panhellenie Council members may not participate in rush. This is so, first, because the rushees must have someone who is impartial to bring their questions to and to guide them Secondly, council members sim ply do not have time to rush. It is also true that council members are to sleep in Ger linger Hall during this rush. This must be regarded as a safe ty measure above all. which the girls requested since they do not finish their work until the late hours. Incidents involving unescorted girls late at night have occurred on many campus es. The statement that silly sor ority rules and a drop in the number of rushees have a correl ation should not have been made without some closer ex amination of other factors. The fact that all girls with stanines of 4 have been eliminated from rush (until these girls have proven their ability to do col lege work) certainly accounts for a smaller number of girls rushing. It does not seem likely that the number of girls rushing de pends upon where Panhellenie council members sleep. Dulcy Moran Panhellenie Publicity Chairman * * * CAMPUS CLIMBING Emerald Editor: At the very outset, this year, the Alpine Club would like to make known its policy regard ing a popular campus sport. The activity in question is the climb ing of campus buildings. The club will, in the future, refuse to recognize any climb which does not adhere to the following rules. 1. Ropes may be used for pro tection against falls only. Footnotes The old gag turned up again Sunday as a new student appar ently in all seriousness asked a Student Union employee “Is this the University of Oregon?” Informed that it was, the stu dent cheerfully replied, “Fine! Where do I register?” “Downstairs,” was the answer, “But have you applied for ad mission?” “I sure hope so!” responded the prospective student, and off he went. 2. No climbs may be made during mid-terms or finals; the administration might suspect burglary. 3 Be careful of the girders on the new Science build ing — the material with which they are covered crumbles easily. 4. Climbs on sororities and girl's dormitories must be adequately chaperoned 5. Do not drive bolts or pitons in conspicuous places. 6. Please do not establish base camps on the fire es capes. 7. Do not break windows to secure handholds 8 Do not drop bricks, ruck sacks, or ice axes on the campus policemen — they mean well, in their own way. 9. Hemove crampons before treading on the tar-covered "summits.” 10. Coeducational climbing is encouraged — no overnight climbs, however. Modification and or enforce ment procedures relating to these rules will be discussed at the first meeting of the season next Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. in room 30 science We will also plan group climbs and other ac tivities for the year, such as the New Year's party on the North Sister. All are welcome at the meeting David L. Smith Vice-President, Alpine Club OREGON DAILY EMERALD The Oregon Daily Emerald is pub lished seven times in September and five day* a week during the school year, ex cept during examination and vacation periods by the Student Publication Hoard of the University of Oregon. Entered as second clans matter at the post office, Eugene, Oregon. Subscription rates: $5 per year; $2 per term. Opinions expressed on the editorial page arc those of The Emerald and do not pretend to represent the opinion of the ASUO or the University. NON HU EE. Editor ANT EM1CE lUisincH* Manager TED MAHAN, Managing Editor MENKIK HUE!.. News Editor PHIL COCSWEEE, Editorial Page Editor M AN TV KETELS, Advertising Manager CHRIS CHl’NCH, Sport* Editor JANET (JOETZE Assistant Managing Editor K V E N KTTE I) E N MS. I > A V E SANDS, Assistant News Editor* DAVE STOREY, Assistant Sports Editor KANE BROOM. Photo Editor DUECY MOHAN, Women's Editor LINDA KNOWN, Entertainment Editor EDITORIAL HOARD : Non Hue!, Phil Cogswell, Ted Mahar, Mcrrie Hucl, Janet fJoctze. Everette Dennis, Dave Sands, Chris Church, l)uIcy Moran, Linda Krown, Hal Carpenter, Phil Sherburne, and Steve Hint*.
