PACE TWO
ROGUE NEWS
Fri., Sept 17. 1971
THE TANK TOP BAN
Student participation in policy-making at Ashland High is totally
meaningless. Anytime the students do not do precisely as the school
administration wishes, the administration has the option of imposing
rules by administrative fiat.
A case in point is the Ashland High School student dress code.
The present code was drawn up during the 1969-70 school year,
with extensive work devoted to finding out just what the students,
faculty, and parents would agree upon. The code which finally
decided on, and sanctioned by the school board, is printed in the
student handbook.
However, one provision is listed in the handbook which was not in
the original dress code. Section 6 (under both Boys and Girls) states
that, "Tank tops are not to be worn." Where this restriction came
from is an interesting (and revealing) story.
During the first student council meeting of 1970-71, President
Scannell mentioned that Mr. Smith disapproved of tank tops. Rob
Merriman pointed out that, unless the council wished to go through
the time-consuming process of changing the dress code again, there
was no need to consider tank tops. This seemed to end discussion on
the topic.
The administration, however, did not take "No" for an answer.
Near the end of the school year, a senior boy was brought before the
review board for a "violation" of the dress code. His crime was
wearing a tank top. The fact that the review board voted 3-1 against
the student is no justification for the tank top rule. The review
board does not have the right to set precedent and formulate rules,
but only to adjudge violations of those which exist. Besides, the
student should never have had to face the review board in the first
place, for tank tops were not at that time forbidden by the dress
code.
According to Mr. Smith, the issue of tank tops was brought up by
the original group of students working on the dress code during
. 1969-70. He seemed to use this as some sort of substantiation of
student support for the tank top ban. As was seen during
registration, student opinion does not bear out this argument.
Student body Second Vice-President Paul Tumbleson decided to
find out what students felt about the new rule. In a secret ballot poll
dealing with the tank top rule, Tumbleson questioned 78 of the
student body. The poll revealed that 92 of the students questioned
favored allowing tank tops.
If regulations such as the dress code are to be workable, then they
must be respected by the administration as well as the students.
Furthermore, if students are to have a meaningful voice in school
affairs, then their decisions must not be arbitrarily overruled by the
administration. In the interest of legitimizing school regulations, and
in deference to the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the
student body, the tank top rule must be repealed.
COUNSELORS' ROLES CHANGE
By Debbie Tischhauser
Double roles imposed on individuals can result in undesirable
situations. A circumstance wherein an offender looks to his accuser
for guidance is ridiculous. No less absurd is the circumstance of the
student whose counselor is also cast in the role of disciplinarian.
This year the counselors no longer act on truancies or other
discipline. The student seeking advice will not be required to
confront the same individual who dealt punishment for last week's
unexcused absence. This alone will instill confidence in the advice
given, and should create a situation in which the student no longer
feels apprehensive about requesting counsel.
The modification, according to Principal Gaylord Smith, was
made with the students in mind. "Hopefully, the change will
encourage more students to discuss individual problems with the
deans, and also provide Mrs. Zwick and Mr. Mearns more time to
solve student difficulties," the principal commented.
Obviously, the extra time that the change will allow both
counselors is vital. As Dean William Mearns remarked, "In the past,
attendance became a fulltime job, leaving Mrs. Zwick and myself
little time for our counseling roles. This year, all attendance and
discipline will be handled by Mr. Smith, Mr. Silver, and Mr. Findlay,
allowing us to work on job placement and work experience
programs, in addition to advising students on their personal and
academic problems."
The counselors' dual roles have been attributed in part to budget
restrictions. This prevented the hiring of other individuals to handle
discipline problems.
The solution now being tried corrects the problem without
additional personnel. This suggests that it never was necessary to
place this duty in the hands of the deans. Hopefully, neither budget
problems or other considerations will result in a future reversion to
the old practice.
Innovations Committee
The Innovations Committee is now in the process of recruiting:;
:: new members. Nine teachers have been chosen for the committee. :
: Student openings include one senior and two sophomre:
students. To apply for membership, a student must write a paper:;
:: containing his qualifications which will include previous club
memberships and other activities. The applicant must also state;:
:jwhy he wishes to be a member of the committee. Anyone?
:: interested should contact Leslie Peterson or Mary Hoxie. :
: The Innovations Committee has been instrumental in such;
x ideas as the Earth Day Symposium and work of the Reading:
:: Room Project. :
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"A Kids' Way Of Doing Things"
Is man basically violent or
peaceful? Students like to think
themselves as peaceful, but one
would never know by the way
sophomores are treated, due to
the popular tradition known as
sophomore initiation.
During the first week of
school each year, sophomores
are subjected to humiliation by
upperclassmen. Rolling pencils
and pens, being served lunch
last, bowing to juniors' and
seniors' commands, and playing
other "fun" executive council
games are some of this year's
initiation activities.
The student handbook states
that, "Ashland High students
greet new students in a friendly
and helpful manner." This
tradition contrasts strongly with
the sophomore initation
practice, and also with the
opinion of student body
President Pat Overand, who
states that "it is necessary to
have sophomore initiation
because it quells the savageness
in the tough groups of juniors
and seniors." Overand believes
that, "if there was not
sophomore initiation, people
would be hurt." He stated that
the juniors and seniors would
turn violently on the
sophomores if it were not for
the organized initiation.
However, initiation seems to
work against Ashland High,
especially because the school has
always been heavy on loyalty
and unity. Sophomore
welcoming tends to split up the
studen body. It is a poor way
for sophomores to get
acquainted with Ashland High,
as they are greeted by a group of
eager sadists. Things cannot be
accomplished if there are three
hostile groups fighting against
one another.
Another member of the
Executive Committee also has
some surprising ideas on
initiation. Second Vice-President
Paul Tumbleson explains that,
"The ill will that is generated is
carried through the year until
next year, at which time they
carry on the tradition of
initiation as an instrument of
revenge." Tumbleson believes
that the problem cannot be
solved unless some action is
taken by the student council or
school administration. He
continues, "If the legal sanctions
on initiation were done away
with, there would probably
follow a couple of years of
sporadic illegal initiation. In the
long run, however, the
elimination of initiation would
provide Ashland High School
with a more unified student
body than present."
Taking action to abolish
initiation might seem like
making a fuss about a small,
inconsequential problem.
However, initiation is breaking
down the student body, as well
as being a childish way for
upperclassmen to have "fun." As
Mr. Smith put it, sophomore
initiation is "a kid's way of
doing things."
Pat Overand states that after
the first week of torture, the
juniors and seniors come to the
sophomores as friends, and try
to make them at home. That
sounds like "hitting yourself on
the head with a hammer because
it feels so good when you stop."
A-00"
) CIIOkACTtC J
THE ROGUE NEWS P""" I
Published bi-monthly, during the school months, by the
Associated Student Body of Ashland Senior High School. 201
Mountain Ave., Ashland, Oregon, 97520. Subscriptian cost $2. SO
per year.
Editor Lois Hill
Managing Editor Larry Taylor
Front Page Editor Debbie Tischhauser
Feature Editor Rick Stanek
Sports Editors Kevin Gandee, Mike Hocking
Advertising Manager Doyle Tabor
Advertisers Shirley Delsman
Sharon Hill, Jenlyn Lewis
Business Manager Mary Hoxie
Photographers Harold Berninghauser, Walter Vait
Illustrator and Cartoonist Dale Nelson
Reporters Rosario DeLatorre, Julie Harrison
Seanette Russell, Willie Thompson