Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 4, 1986)
Opinion Student response to ASG forum almost nil By Dave Holmes Editor-In-Chief After two ousters, a “misunderstanding” in a con tract negotiation, and much internal turmoil, the Associated Student Government got itself together on Feb. 26 and held an open forum to listen to students air grievances and give suggestions. What had been anticipated by ASG’s members, and the press, was an organized discussion and criti que of the College’s student government. Unfor tunately, this did not happen. The reason? Only five students bothered to show up. Just when suggestion boxes are finally starting to generate some constructive comments and observa tions, a reasonable assumption would be that an open forum would be the next step in improving student-ASG communications. This time, ASG cannot be held responsible for the failure of a planned event. The forum was well publicized and students were given plenty of advance notice. ASG members even held a special meeting that was geared to help them prepare for the open forum. That preparation appears to have been in vain. Blame for the demise of the forum can be justly placed on the student body, not ASG. Motivation is the key word in attempting to stir zombied students to become a part of what little “college life” can, indeed, be offered at Clackamas. Perhaps a small push is all that would be necessary to get students involved. If tlic ganic i uum in ilic Cuiiunuiiily Center was to become empty over some weekend and closed in definitely, ASG could expect a fair-sized, angry crowd to gather at the Student Services window. While a lot of students might not notice, the sud den absence of noon-time concerts and performances would most likely cause a few irate voices to be raised in ASG’s direction. Also, the refusal of ASG to acknowledge campus clubs could be met with some heated discussion. To some of the smaller clubs, the loss of ASG’s support and the $50 grant that goes towards their club ac tivities could make the difference between an organized club or wishful thinking. While none of these things have happened, and are unlikely to, the fact remains that they could. But why should students wait until something bad happens to let themselves be heard? ASG does quite a bit of social and political work, which includes projects that are not just activities for students, but things students can become a part of. Volunteer work looks incredibly good on a resume, but also offers some intangible benefits. ASG is making a true effort to find out what their constituency wants and needs. Petitions and surveys aren’t going to provide the kind of input they need to serve the student body best. They need students to speak up and be heard, no matter what the sugges tion, idea, or criticism might be. From my side of the pool By Dave Holmes Obsession turns to lunacy Editor-In-Chief The video age has caught up with me. Cable TV has produced a few surprises since it was in stalled at my house last Mon day. Most are pleasant, but a few are really unnerving. One great thing was the price. On a chilly night in February a very cold person came to the door and asked if he could talk to us about cable TV. There was no harm in talking, I figured, so I invited him in. As it turned out, the in stallation was free, we got “Showtime” free for three months, and the rate was ac ceptable. I think what really sold me was the fact that the guy graduated from Southern Oregon State College and ma jored in Journalism. I was ready to sign as soon as I realized that I, too, could be selling cable TV door-to-door in the near future. Like a kid with a new toy, I spent hours flipping the chan- Page 2 nels and watching whatever popped up on the TV screen. For two days, I don’t think I watched even a half hour pro gram in its entirety. Except for basketball. Obsession turned into lunacy as I stayed up until five in the morning watching repeats of the Sunbelt Con ference championships. I wat ched Syracuse tackle St. John’s, Oregon State beat Stanford, the University of Somewhere take on the Somebody’s from Backroad State. I watched everything. I think I’m even starting to talk with a distinct, clipped ESPN broadcaster’s accent. Things were beginning to look bad when I somehow managed to gather some will power and turn the channel, Unfortunately I stumbled on something with as great a magnetism as basketball: MTV. I’ve never been the type of person who really likes music videos, but by watching MTV I’ve found one of the fun damental laws of the universe: You can’t watch just one video. Another irritating thing is having to choose between three different episodes of “Leave It To Beaver” on three different stations, all of which air the show at the same time. Sure, the stations are in three different time zones, but they ought to be thinking of the millions of people who have cable. In particular, me. The College even has its own channel. Various tele courses can be watched on it so that students don’t have to sit in those little booths up in McLoughlin Hall. I’ve always hated those headphones. And during the evening, you can always stare at the Com modore 64 screen that’s displayed with its “power-up” message and blinking curser. It’s the best cure for insomnia I’ve found to date. Cable TV has a lot going for it. Variety is, perhaps, its best case for existence, although SOMETIMES IT TAKES AN ARMY TO RAY BACK YOUR COLLEGE LOAN. Paying back your college loan can be a long, uphill battle. But the Army’s Loan Repayment Program makes it easy. Each year you serve as a soldier, the Army will reduce your college debt by V3 or $1,500, whichever amount is greater. So after serving just 3 years, your college loan will be completely paid off. You’re eligible for this program with a National Direct Student Loan or a Guaranteed Student Loan or a Federally Insured Student Loan made after October 1,1975. And the loan can’t be in default. And just because you’ve left college, don’t think you’ll stop learning in the Army. Our skill training offers a wealth of valuable high-tech, career-oriented skills. Call your local Army Recruiter to find out more. SSG Glen Sakamura 659-1525 ARMY. BE ALL YOU CAM BE. the premium channels help out a lot. “But,” the salesman asked us just before he left, “will having cable TV cut down on your movie going?” I told him I didn’t think so. He asked for a reason. “They don’t show movies on ESPN.” Clackamas Community College
