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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 1963)
Crossing the Bridges With Freedom of Speech Go Certain Obvious Responsibilities There is a possibility that Harry Bridges, controversial president of the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen's Un ion, might be invited by the Young Demo crats to speak at the University this year. This would be likely to have serious reper cussions, for Bridges’ left wing views would be welcomed with the same eagerness with which Gus Hall was received. Unfortunately, this is a legislative year, and public reaction to Bridges’ appearance might have a detrimental influence on higher education appropriations. Obvious ly, from a public relations standpoint, it would be better for the University if he is not invited. This does not mean, however, that the University would take action to bar Bridges’ appearance if he is invited. The Gus Hall incident showed that the Univer sity will uphold its policy that any speaker may appear if he is invited by a recognized student or faculty group. With every freedom go certain responsi bilities. With the freedom to invite any speaker on any subject goes the responsi bility to give some consideration to the good of the University. Recklessly seek ing speakers because they are notorious, or merely to gain publicity for a group, is not justified. We hope the Young Democrats respon sibly assess whether Bridges’ appearance will benefit the students of this University. If it is their sincere and honest belief that it will, we would not discourage them in any way from extending an invitation, and hope that no other group offers such dis couragement. A Questionable Idea Governor Hatfield in his recent inaugural address suggested that the State Board of Higher Education and the Board of Educa tion be combined. Not presuming to be experts in the field, we would like to quote a few other opin ions. The Eugene Register-Guard: ‘ Both boards . . . have all they can do to keep up with the problems they now have. To double those problems, no matter how large the board were made, would be to add to the work loads of the members. Too few citizens now can afford the time it takes for this sort of service.” The Oregonian: “. . . we are not convinced that . . . pros pective benefits outweigh the prospective disadvantages . . . “. . . study should not necessarily be di rected toward a merger. Current efforts toward improved coordination between the two appear to be working very well in deed.” Chancellor Roy Lieuallen of the State Board of Higher Education: “There are practical reasons for not mak ing the move. The disadvantages of the plan outweigh any advantages that might accrue. “It might very well deprive us of the services of some outstanding lay peyple.” President William Walsh of the State Board of Higher Education: “I don't see how it could be possible to appoint board members and expect them to do a responsible job. Combining the boards would make the job even more complex and demanding. A member would need to neglect either the work of the Board or that of his full-time outside activities or occupa tion.” Statements such as these make one won der exactly what was behind the Gover nors suggestion to combine the two boards. Was it an honest attempt to provide for a great deal of overlap? Or was it, as one prominent Lane Coun ty Senator suggests, an attempt to take some of the punch out of the requests of the State Board of Higher Education’s budget requests by putting the Board on the defensive? Letters to the Editor NSA Emerald Editor: It is more than obvious that during the last few months, there has been considerable discussion and debate on the relationship of our student government to national and in ternational affairs and the join ing of the USNSA. I must ad mit that I agree with the goals of NSA, but at the present, even after the structural changes at the last congress, I am still not satisfied with its present structure and opera tion. Consequently, since wc have many of the same pro grams that NSA offers on our campus already, I sincerely feel that at the present time student government on this campus should continue to in volve itself with the problems of this campus. However, I think it would be wise to continue to observe and evaluate the oper ations of NSA. Dell Smith, ASUO Senator-at-large. Cultural Center? Emerald Editor: President Arthur S. Flem ming and those who brought to his attention the need for strong action in the problems of the fraternities are to be highly commended and should be thanked by the fraternity system itself. I say this for two major reasons. First, although the fraternity system is necessary to the full growth of this University and to the development of many in dividual students, its full good is obstructed by problems which need not exist. These problems exist with regard to hazing, fi nancial solvency and mutual aid, and IFC control. The problems exist and will continue to exist until directed actions are tak en to correct them. These ac tions should originate from within the fraternity system. Unfortunately, strong inter nal control and corrections were not possible. Hazing continued and the IFC again proved its in effectiveness. The action tak en by President Flemming now allows the fraternity system to reorganize and derive some type of strong internal control for the future. To do nothing this coming year would waste a good opportunity to strengthen the system. Second, the external control coming from our own campus indicates to others that we can handle these problems here. This alleviates most of the ar gument by outsiders that con trol through the state legisla ture is a necessity. And conceiv ably the legislature could take action, for the ire of some legis lators was raised last week. In fact, the legislature could place disastrous restrictions up on the entire Greek system. Perhaps with a movement to wipe out some evils of the fra ternity system the people of the State of Oregon will begin achieving a higher opinion of the University of Oregon. Per haps then opinions can be swayed to recognize the Univer sity of Oregon as an influential academic, cultural and research center. Howard Liebreich, Junior in Economics. * * # Warm Spot Emerald Editor: I am very glad I read Joyce L. Emrich’s letter concerning “fallout shelter” signs. I had thought that those responsible for the signs were following the Boy Scout motto, “ Be Prepar ed.” However, after reading Miss Emrich’s letter, I am cer tain that they are up to “condi tion us to accept a military way of life ...” Even in case of nuclear war, God forbid, I must enter my plea with Miss Em rich’s, that the “members of this university . . . refuse to participate in a program which is useless, at best ...” Just remember this: You will not go down without a cause. There will be a warm spot for you always in Miss Emrich’s heart and in mine. Robert A. Butler Freshman in History “CALORIES DON’T REALLY COUNT” Letters to the Editor Laud Loudly Emerald Editor: Some of our mass media have been doing an increasingly ex cellent job of news and educa tional coverage over the past few years. Yet the majority of us tend to accept and expect this to continue as if it is our right. Too often we criticise and too infrequently we praise when praise could do so much I suggest action—eight cents worth of action I propose a positive organi zation called I.AL'J) (L listen; A adjudge; U-urge action; D don t stopj. The membership rules are simple: 1. Buy two postcards (total —eight cents. Inis may be con sidered membership dues). 2. Whenever you see or hear an article or program of mer it. send the publisher or broad casting company a note of ap predation 3. Give the second card to a friend and ask him to do the same Never before could so little do so much for so many. Hurry! before membership dues go up again Jack K. Kollwagen, Grad. Student Anthrop. Emerald Editor: In Monday’s editorial on haz ing, the writer asks several questions concerning the char acter of students who partici pate in ‘ hell week” activities "What standards will they bring into business? Into society'' Into government?” he writes. Only one thing is wrong with this statement—it lacks sound reasoning. Let’s take one section of so ciety—government — and name a few of the fraternity men who have gained state and na tional prominence in this field. Gov. Mark Hatfield and Chief Justice Earl Warren, Beta Theta Pi; Adlai Stevenson, Phi Delta Theta; Estes Kefauver, Kappa Sigma; Sig Unander, ATO, ami Wayne Morse, Pi Kappa Alpha. These leaders became frater nity members when initiations and hazing were more severe than today. Can we judge them now merely as products of the fraternity system? If so, it seems the system hasn’t done too much damage. We cannot defend hazing, but we can defend logical rea soning. Stan Darling, Soph., Journalism. ❖ * * Effecting Policy Emerald Editor: IFC Tribunal Chairman Ken Wilson resigned in the middle of a Tribunal meeting held Jan. 17 in the midst of a dispute over policy determination con cerning flagrant violations of hazing rules. Throe days later University President Arthur S Flemming made the latest announcement of administration policy toward such violations: "There is no place on the University of Ore gon campus for any group that engages in ha/ing practices and thereby demonstrates its utter lack of concern for the dignity, worth, and well being of indivi duals." It might he inferred from this portion of the President's state ment that positive action on the part of the administration will be taken to effect this policy. There is, however, a disturb ing note to be found further on in the President's statement. Does he really wish to imply thal there could be "extenuat ing circumstances" which would justify ha/ing'1 If so, what con stitutes an "extenuating circum stance" in this situation'1 Since the administration takes the responsibility of framing policy, it must, of necessity, take the responsibility of effect ing policy. If the administra tion is not prepared to form a coherent policy and to match it with consistent enforcement, then the only viable alternative is to abdicate this responsibility. Simeon i. (Towther, Jr. in History; (iary li. Newton, Jr. in Math. William F. Komis, Jr. in History, t'atherine E. Taylor, Jr. in English; Catherine Simian!, Jr. in English. OREGON DAILY EMERALD The Oregon Daily Emerald is published seven times in September am! five day* a H'*rk during the school year, except dur ing examination and vacation period* by the Student Publications Hoard of the I'nivciMty of Oregon. Entered .* second • lass matter at the (Hint office, Eugene, Oregon. Stile enption rate*: $5 per year; $2 per term. Opinion* expressed on the editorial page a•< those of The Kmerald and do n»»t pre tend to represent the opinion* of the ASUO or tlie University. RON BUHL. Editor MARTY KICTKLS, Business Manager TKI) MAHAR, Managing Editor KVKRKTTK DENNIS, Nc\. Editor PH • I- COGSWELL, Editorial Pa&e Kditoi LARRY \V IJ.LIAMS, Advertising Manager LARRY GRAVES, Sports Editor Dt LCY MORAN. Assistant M.mailing Ed tor DAVK SANDS. JIM ERAKE, JANET GOET/'E, Assistant News Editors GEORGE BIGICAM, Phott Editor LINDA ORCWN, Entertainn ent Editor RON COWAN, CATHY NE IDLE, THORA WILLIAM: , Associate News Ed tot t EDITORIAL BOA RD: Ron Buel, Phil Cogswell, l ed Mahar Everette Dennis, Davt Sands Dulcy Moran, Linda frown Hal Carpenter, Eub F >r*yth Grant Lcdgerwood Dot t Ragen Janet Gretze, and 1 ill ii jtchi-on
