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Show 1 I Office Hours Monday Friday 3 pm - 7 pm i Office -- Foster Hall 1st Floor f i Student Dissensions . by: Jerry Bowden and W. U. Smith Since February 19, 1963, students who have been critical of the personalities and policies governing this school have been labeled as divisive. Sincerely interested students have been characterized as erratic and ungrateful. A careful analysis of the personalities, policies and their concomitant charges is now in order. Faculty status and comment must be included in partial rebuttal to these charges. It is the contention of many students that orderly petitioning and solicitation are neither destructive not divisive. In the main, student protests have been carried out in the form of requests, not demands. Students have requested many things, but demanded only that: 1) their requests be considered in good faith; 2) that their established right to petition must hot be denied, and that 3) their vehicle of expression, the PARSON, should not be tampered with. The three key members of the administration have answered these requests and attitudes in a variety of ways, each reflecting a desire for increased student cooperation. Dr. Duddy expressed it as displeasure with an upset campus. He further revealed the underlying philosophy of the administration in regard to the students. In response Dr. to the student walk-ouare who those asked Duddy dissatisfied to leave Westminster and that he would be more than happy to assist in processing their transcripts. Mr. Boschs first reaction to was that it might the walk-ou- t have dangerous repercust, but that calmer heads have prevailed in subsequent student initiative. In response to a question on his reaction to further developments, Mr. Bosch felt that the attitude of the administration is one of expectancy in anticipating definite, itemized proposals sions and grievances which the ad- ministration could analyze. He felt that they have not been forthcoming. Dean Robinsons response to student initiative was captured in the statement, Students react like a group of hurt little children by petitioning and things like this (April 15). This key man in liaison went on to comment, Some of the more vocal students have somehow gotten into the student-administratio- n drivers seat. . . this has nothing to do with elected officers. (April 15) How these pseudo student leaders gained the drivers seat was said to be due in part to excessive More laxity in discipline. firmness in the interpretation of rules in many things would have reduced student discontentment. (April 15) With the advent of a new President there still remain unanswered questions relating to the basic problems. How much of an administrative will be made? Will such changes eradicate present problems? When student criticism of these practices became intolerable, student leaders were attacked as erratic rabble-rouserThese leaders have been publicly chastised. No concrete evidence has been given that these students are devisive, or if they are, how this has harmed the institution. In the past, students have been enjoined from full through the PARSON, student petitions have been filed permanently by Dr. Duddy, and requests have not been considered in good faith. It is evident that if these grievances had been baseless, they would have been ignored by other students and soon forgotten. No amount of winter doldrums (Dr. Duddy) could account for a successful walk-outhreeh d students and alumni at an evening rally, or fill a petition with nearly GO per cent participation. As of April 15, at least seven faculty members have revealed that they will not be back next year. Professor H. P. Sturm, Chairman of the Social Science Division, Dr. 0. T. Driggs, Chairman of the History Department, Mr. John Wolfer, Chairman of the Psychology Department, Professor Melissa Stanley, chairman of the Biology Department, Professor Harry Payne of the Music Department, Reverend Dr. McDowell, Chaplain and Professor of Religion, have formally resigned. Professor Thomas Miller, Chairman of the Mathematics Department had not decided at the time of writing. Professor Sturm gave his reason for resigning as due to a Change of the philosophy of the institution in the past He contended two years. this that change is not comwith my philosophy patible of education. I therefore feel that it is in the best interest of Westminster College as (Contd, Page 2, Col. 3) f . Faculty Resignations . face-liftin- g s. Chaplain McDowell Resigns Dr. Maurice McDowell recently announced his resignation as Chaplain and faculty member of Westminster College. It is the opinion of the PARSON publisher and staff that this resignation is the result of pressure from the administration. ex-presi- t, un-dre- PARSON Advisor Resigns On April 15, 1963, Warren H. Page submitted a letter of resignation as Advisor to the The present as well as the past two Editors were named in the letter. When asked his opinion, reWayne Smith stated: In I to me, references gard his take them as a personal insult. Jerry Bowden commented. The reasons given by Mr. Page do not jibe with the facts. His written reasoning was not consistent in emphasis with its verbal counter- PARSON. part. The resignation was reby the spectfully accepted Editor. PARSON staff and let(see page five for the ter of resignation) ; The New Breed by Karen Kelly The future of Westminster College is in the hands of the students, stated Dr. Maurice McDowell in a recent interview. Dr. McDowell, who has served as College Chaplain since 1959, recently resigned this position. The new breed of students, according to Dr. McDowell, is more mature, more goal directed, and demands more freedom and responsibility in his college life. He is a far swalcry from the gold-fis1940s of students the lowing and the panty-raistudents of the early 1950s. He is serious in his pursuit of education and sees his education and school experience not as a four-yea- r vacation from life, but as a preparation for his chosen vocation and for enriching his life. The student of today chooses involvement and demonstration as a responsible method of redress of wrong. It was not until sit-inthe lunch-counte- r the freedom riders, the picketing in the southland. that some of the major social problems of our society were broken. We should bear in mind that it was college student who carried the brunt of that battle. The students of today are no longer content to be treated as immature children, or s, non-viole- nt h d Rev. Maurice II. McDowell FROM THE PRES. Soon we will be in the midst of a student campaign for S.G.A. offices. These candidates will be stating view's on different issues, the least not being the Student Court, but there is something even more important than the issues of this particular campaign. This subject can be appropriately introduced by stating that the real meaning of Westminster College, student government, even student purposes in life, are at stake. We, the student body, have progressed through a walkout, protesting not just school policy limited to the Sugar Bowl incident, but that the cause of this student body must be recognized and respected by the administration. But before the student cause receives this respect from the administration, changes in attitudes, philosophy, and conscious purpose must occur. The question, what is the purpose of Westminster College, must not be answered exclusively in w'ords but in action and policy. Is Westminster to boast only of Is various new buildings? Westminster to depend upon statistics to future baby-boothe position that the justify rate is not retention student serious. The purpose of an educational institution should be to help minds learn the initial process of learning. Westminster College announced such a purpose several years ago, and a faculty has proceeded in this endeavor with success. Such success In fact that one campus element that showed the initial leadership is now in a stagnant position in relation to the student body and faculty. But does the administration see this? Actions such as: the claim that loyalty to Westminster is dependent upon administration definition, by declaring a whole student body to be a lot of rebels; by asking that an expanded social program be substituted for high academic standards; by saying that the student walk-ou- t wras a hanky-p- affair led by rebel-iou- s students who dont appreciate all that the administration is not doing for them; have answered the above questions with powerful reality. This ADMINISTRATION WANTS AN INSTITUTION WITH A REPUTATION OF MEDIOCRITY. Westminster stands at a point now that will determine its future. Unless emphasis is placed upon the importance of an academically challenged, respected student body, the reason for all the new buildings will have little meaning. Unless school public relations are dependent upon an academically satisfied student body and faculty, all the stu-- ' (Continued on Page 2) anky as objects of exploitation, but demand a fair hearing, respect, and consultation from their elders, Dr. McDowell said. He also noted that students tend to react In about the same manner that they are treated. If wre treat someone as if we do not trust him, there is a good chance that he will fulfill our expectation, but if we treat him as a mature person he will normally respond as a mature person. When asked about future plans, Dr. McDowell indicated that he did not have a college position for next year. He declined comment on the future of Westminster College on the basis that once a person has resigned, he should neither attempt to select his successor or to establish policy that would be burdensome to his successor. Dr. McDowell did commend the Westminster students for the mature way in which they handled the recent walkout and other demonstrations. He noted that they had been planned in such a way as not to reflect adversely upon either the college or individuals. Personally, I was deeply gratified by the fact that a large majority of the students petitioned, unbeknown to me, the Presidential Selection Committee on my be- half. It will always be a fond memory that the students held me in such esteem. I was not aware of either the studentss petition or the letter of nomination from the faculty, but their confidence in me is most gratifying. s I t n i i I t u i i t Requirements For Student Officers This year SGAC petitions will be due April 29, 1963. The primary elections will be held May 6 and the final elections, May 10. Nomination of candidates for the executive offices shall be made by petition filed with the Secretary of the Student Government Association, and must be signed by at least 20 members of the Student Government Association. Only those students who have been members of the Student Government Associa tion during the two previous semesters will be eligible. The candidate must also be in good standing. An officer must be a member of the class he represents, and file a petition signed with not fewer than 20 members of the Student Government Association, and must meet the academic requirements designed by the Dean of the College. Class petitions will be due on May 13 and primary elections will be held May 20. The final class elections will take place May 24. A student can hold only one major office or two minor offices. & i H 1 |