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Show Thursday, March 28, 1940. Page Two THE SIGNPOST JJul (jJ&bsiA. QollsuqjL ShpipnAt Publisha. Semimonthly During The College Year Official Student Paper of WEBER JUNIOR COLLEGE Ogden, Utah Editorial Offices 402 Moench Building NORMAN BOWEN, Editor-in-Chief GLEN BREWER, Business Manager JACK BRANHAM, Assistant Editor REED ANDERSON, News Editor EDITORIAL COUNCIL: Chairman Jesse Jensen Members: Helen Moore, Clyde Miller, Wilmcr Perry, Mildred West, Eugene Allen. SPORTS: Editor Donald Roush Assistant Editors: Olaf Zundel, Jack Wecker SOCIETY: Co-editors: Jenkins FEATURES: Joe Whltely, Rolfe Peterson, Mildred West, Donald Roush, Kathleen Davis CONTEST EDITOR Mary Muggins CIRCULATION AND EXCHANGE: Dick Thomas, Kent Baggs TYPISTS: Beth Wheelwright, Charlenc Clark Shirley Critchlow, Donna Tliekla Holmes CONSULTANT C. M. Nilsson REPORTERS Members of Journalitdn Class Member of Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Press Association Letters to the Editor EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION A little 8-year-old girl and a small 9-year-old boy have just been nominated as the politest school children in New York City. The competition, an annual one, is conducted by the school children themselves, and is sponsored by the Junior Inspectors' club of the New York city department of sanitaton, a pupil organization comprising upwards of 100,000 members. The incident is of minor importance except that it brings to mind certan neglected emphases in American public education. At a time when the tempo of daily life is greatly accelerated, and when human relations tend to become more and more impersonal, there is a grave danger that the amenities of civilized life will wither and die. Unless we specifically encourage the habit of kindness, respect for the rights of others, dependability and the more important virtues such as honesty, we shall fail to prepare the youth of today for the demands of tomorrow. During recent weeks a number of expert consultants have been present in Salt Lake City, conferring with the educational committee of 15, the authority charged to appraise our state system of education. The most recent battery of these outside experts has concerned itself exclusively, with higher education. From the reported accounts of their proceedings, such vital questions as costs and curricula have occupied their attention. But what about the intangible outcomes of education; can they be apprased? Do our schools, especially our institutions of higher learning, stress sufficiently the moral traits which, after all, are the basic qualities of good citizenship? It is, of course, hard to measure the school's influence upon such traits as courtesy, thoughtfulness, respect for public property, intellectual honesty, etc. But who will argue that such traits are unimportant? "It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain . . . "He knows that weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province and its limits. If he be an unbeliever, he will be too profound and large-minded to ridicule religion or to act against it; he is too wise to be a dogmatist or fanatic in his infidelity. He respects piety and devotion; he even supports institutions as venerable, beautiful, or useful, to which he does not assent; he honours the ministers of religion, and it contents him to decline its mysteries without assailing or denouncing them. Salt Lake Tribune. ON THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES The calendar says we have to wait until May the first. But we wonder whether popular sentiment says no. Promising an innovation this year, the administration has scheduled a spring vacation for the days of May I, 2 and 3. Originally planned to give the science students an opportunity to conduct lengthy field trips that ordinarily takes them away from regular school work, the vacation idea has met universal acclamation. But now a modifying note has been heard. A minority (?) of students suggest that May the first is much, much too late. That May the first is not spring. That after May the first there remain only four or five weeks of school and after all a break is not needed with only that rar to go to the finis. These persons recommend the date of April first, or even of April eighth. Such a change possesses justification. How-over, additional factors must be considered. Before such a change could be considered, there must be definite evidence of the majority's favor, including students and faculty. Thus, this editorial invites a poll of opinion. And then the advanced date would be acceptable only if it did not interfere with previously planned and scheduled activities. For this reason, it might be too late to make the change this year, but a policy for future years can be formulated. Also, abandonment of the old date would be possibie only if it did not produce repercussions from the science classes which have scheduled May trips. Suggestion: They could take the trips early; or they could take them per schedule in May and work ahead during the prospective April spring vacation. The school administration desires to secure reigning student opinion on the contemplated move. For this purpose the questionnaire is presented below. Your cooperation and serious consideration are solicited. Please fill out the ballot and deposit it in the receptacle provided in Moench Hall Thursday noon. The degree of student participation will determine future polls in regard to next year's cal-endar including date of commencement of school, length of Christmas holiday, etc., all of which are at present being formulated. COOPERATE! WEBER IS DEMOCRATIC. ONE MAN'S OPINION: In my estimation, the spring vacation, if conveniently possible, should occur: (check one) April I rn April 15 r-j May I r-j Not at all Between winter and spring quarters next year n LET'S HAVE A NEW LIBRARY Currently, the grade's the rage. Report cards are imminent. And some students might need justification for certain unexplainably unsatisfactory marks. Possibly, a contributing factor, minor though recognizably plausible, influencing the Weber college students' collective scholastic average, is that of stifled, shall we say, study facilities. Admittedly, in our present commendably efficient library system, there are cramped conditions. Especially in the reference room. Chairs and tables are too close together, and study room is at certain hours at a premium. Friction consequently exists in the study halls. That's right, HALLS. From the original reference room the Weber college library has absorbed three classrooms in the throes of its growing pains. The present reading room was appropriated five or six years ago. And then in rapid succession in this year of admirable growth a so-called fiction library and English library were born haphazardly from rooms scattered over two floors. With more to come. The present cafeteria will become untenanted upon the completion of our new Central cafetaria, with a resultant struggle between the library and science laboratories for possession of the much-coveted space. At present, the science laboratories reign the odds-on favorite. But now for close quarters behind the actual studying scene . . . There is a desperate, timely need for additional shelf room. "Another year and our books will be on the floor," protests our personable and popular librarian, Miss Browning. Additionally, a room for menchanized routine and work, repairing books, etc., is lacking and sorely needed. While our library possesses an unusually large and complete collection of books, in one or two respects, it is below par. Our library, at latest estimate, consists of some 16,000 volumes. Such1 a figure for a junior college is very commendable, as the standard for the accredited junior institution is set at 5,000. Our library boasts 132 magazine subscriptions, a figure which makes a very high percentage for a junior college. And Weber's standard reference sets compete favorably with those of most senior colleges. However, there is an apparent shortage of duplicate copies needed for current classes. Nearly every student has experienced the exquisite disappointment of seeing the book that he has waited patiently for go home in the hands of someone else with more patience, and more time. The daily five o'clock workout and book riot is becoming sort of legendary. Also, the library is definitely short on works of fiction and popular books. But funds and means are lacking. And, after all, why buy books to stack on the floor? The library is an institution vital to the welfare of Weber college. The providing of proper study facilities is and should be of first consideration in the establishment of the modern school. Our library is a complete department in itself, possessing besides the regular staff, a complement of 32 students working in service to the students. Library order, occasionally criticized, cannot conceivably be improved under the existent conditions and regime. And conditions are not as the librarians, faculty or students would have them. Expansion is inevitable, eventually. Why not now? LET'S KEEP GOOD RECORDS Once again we make a new start; and perhaps it is the hardest start of the whole year, for spring qurter has the greatest handicap of any of the three quarters Spring! We've registered; we have a complete new schedule; but we have found ourselves putting off attendance in our new classes. We dawdle in the halls, grasping at the slightest excuse to kill a liftle time. We loiter on the campus between buildings and even make unnecessary trips just for an excuse to get out in the "open." If we do awaken and find ourselves in a classromm with a class in progress, we do honestly try to follow the class discussion nd take a few notes. But the sky is so blue; and the trees are showing the faint green tracing which promises leaves; and the breeze that comes through the open window is just balmy enough to invite one out for a long, long walk. Yes, spring quarter is filled with handicaps. It is the last quarter a lot of us will be at Weber college; we are trying to pack it full of the things we always wanted to do but never got around to accomplishing. Spring quarter is going to be a big disappointment to a lot of us because it will be oer too soon. Many will not be coming back again next year. It will be full of memories of happiness because many of us are going to do just the things we hoped we could do. Spring quarter is here with its spring fever and "thoughts of love" and spring. But remember: it is here with its challenge to all to start afresh and make a record that will be worthy of spring. Dear Editor: Teachers generally agree that student participation and cooperation are essential if any learning is to take place. At Weber college during the opening week of the spring quarter some of the teachers were disconcerted because of excessive absences of students. Not only this but also the apathy and unresponsiveness of those present caused the teachers to wonder what had happened. Now since there must be causes for all effects we may list some of the reasons that were responsible for such conditions.In the first place many students were not entirely aware that the spring quarter was under way. It takes at least a week for some to make the necessary readjustments to the new classes and subjects, to new voices and ideas of new teachers, and to new class rooms. Another reason for certain lack of participation was perhaps the fact that about 150 students were engaged in the re-enactment of Victor Herbert's opera, "Naughty Marietta." The French and Italian settings of New Orleans, the songs, the costumes, the scenery, all these no doubt demanded sufficient attention and effort for proper staging. This in part, at least, compensated for the decline in pure academic interests. Thirdly, an appreciable number of Weber scholars participated in the Phi Rho Pi tournament as speakers, debaters, or judges. Experiences of these types are valuable but must, nevertheless, detract from the regular schedule. These few reasons with others too numerous to mention here should account for the fact that some of the teachers at Weber faced a novel situation during the first week of the spring quarter, namely, the experience of talking to four walls. Yours truly, James Luvaris. ENTHUSIASTIC DEBATERS RIDE RODS TO TOURNEY (Continued from Page One) pity on the pair, and got them rooms for the duration of the tournament. The climax of the incident came when Miss Marian Read reecived Wednesday two poems written by Kenny Mason. The poems follow: "Ogden The Friendly City" The city of the mountain lands; Where forests meet the mountain sands, When twilight falls upon this town, The noise and bustle of the round Of happenings of the day well meant, Gives to all a day hard spent. The night has come to lend its way, Of fun and laughter through the day, And out upon the avenue streets, The glad folks go to get their treats Of merrymaking, joy and laughter,In all the best, it's fun they're after. And so to you who haven't seen, This city wrapped in silver sheen, Where starlight falls so soft and clear, Where people meet througout the year. Come one and all to Ogden Town, And greet the folks who live around, They'll welcome you with open arms, And greet you with their western charms. One place out west the folks all say, Is Ogden Town the western way, So welcome all from east and west, And come to Ogden for a rest. "Sleepy Town" ' Out on the streets of a western town, The hot ol' sun beats straight down, The only sight of any life, Is a ragged old dog who fights his strife Of fleas that hop and come and go, The poor old dog doesn't show Any anguish, life or fear Of the dragged out days of the hottest year. Perhaps you can if you but see The bars all stacked with company,The men folks come to quench their thirst, In everthing, drink does this first, It's a lazy life, in a lazy town, Just like the movements of the lazy hound. I GOT YOUR BOOK, FOR VA'. Reviews AND SOME ARE CHOSEN SCENE IN THE HALL AFTER. TME 5 O'CLOCK UBPABY RUSH Vocational Interview EDUCATOR By MILDRED WEST Mr. John Benson is one of the best authorities in the field of education. He is not only the head of the department of education at Weber college, but he has had experience in various positions in the profession. He has been principal of elementary schools, teacher of high schools, superintendent of schools and college instructor. In his training Mr. Benson majored in psychology and minored in the social scienses. Educator . . . COLLEGIAN'S BROADWAY (Continued from Page One) naturally the students are desperate.They've appealed to Frank Buck, who's taken the matter under advisement. The snakes they want must be "toothless and well-bred." If you're afraid that evil days might come upon your pet rattler, be advised that if you ship him on, the campus magnificoes in charge of the show "solemnly promise not to swallow the snakes or to teach them to prattle Plato." EDUCATOR. John Benson Vocational guidance is his hobby. "I believed in guidance before it came forth as a science," he stated. "I watched it grow from the time when we were guided by the bumps on our heads until it has become j a science." Mr. Benson has had interviews and discussions with the leaders Sounds At Midnight On West Fifty-fourth street there is a nightly round of drama both comic and tragic. The back-drop is a dimly-lighted Sheaffer's Pen and Pencil Sets Al IKinds of School Supplies (Don Jones) Kent S. Bramwell Eugene T. Pingree BRAMWELL-PINGREE CO. 2362 Washington, Ogden The Home of the Big Pencil Every Order a Special Delivery room called "Night Court." Here come the derelicts and the drunks, the brawlers and the beggars, the meek and the magniloquent. They stand before the magistrate as they like it, bellicose or awed, watching with anout-of-the-world look something called Justice do her pirouettes. Sometimes there is a moment of high tragic-comedy, such as we caught last Saturday night, when a dishevelled gentleman swayed unevenly before hizzoner. It seemed that the judge knew Yorlck of old. "Well, professor," quote the legal one, "what'll it be this time? Thirty days?" "Sir," volleyed the defendant. "I am, as your honor is well aware, a man of no small learning and letters. Harvard knew me well in former times. Am I, a doctor of philosophy, to be treated as an ordinary vagabond of the night? Thirty, your eminence? Nay, Sire, I beg of you to remember the Crimson and show it due respect. Give me ninety." "Ninety It shall be," said the judge with a shrug. "The customer is always right." of the move for vocational guidance.Lists Qualities Teaching is an important profession. "In order to succeed, one contemplating teaching ing should possess the following should possess the following qualities: High ethical character, pleasing personality, leadership, human understanding, high intelligence, patience, love for humanity, a desire to help his fellow men, and he must be physically normal." He added, "Modern education requires these qualities so as to meet the demands of the modern parents and administrators." After September, 1941, a teacher must have four years of college training before he may instruct in any level of school in Utah. "As methods of education change, the teacher must keep up with the trends; however, he will be able to do this through reading the current educational magazines," Mr. Benson remarked. "How do teacher's salaries rank among the salaries of other professional people?" I asked. Should Get More Pay "The salaries are not as high as they should be when one considers the years of training a teacher must have," he replied. "In fact, some janitors with very little education receive as large as salary as do teachers; however, I believe that as the requirements for obtaining a school are increasing, there will be a shortage of teachers and the salaries will become higher." "Is there a chance for a beginning teacher to get a position after he has filled the requirements?" I quizzed. "Yes," he answered. "For the past few years In Utah there have been available positions for every elementary teacher and for part of the high school teachers." I asked, "What does the future hold for this profession?" "The future of the profession Is as good or better han ever providing one is adequately trained and adapted for it," Mr. Benson stated. "But for those who are using teaching as a stepping stone to another profession, being only partially trained and lacking interest, there is little or no fuure." By DON ROLSH "And Some Are Chosen." an article by Fred H. Turner, appearing in the Mar :h 2nd issue of one of our popular weekly magazines, is one that is well worth the consideration of the college, junior college or prospective college student alike. Turner gives you some inside dope of the American college fraternity system as he sees it from his position as dean of men at the University of Illincis. Much of his time is spent in working with these fraternities, and he should indeed be in a position to clarify the mystery of the college fraternity which behooves the American public if anyone should. Dean Turner places much importance on the campus Greek so-them before the university, but cieties. BUT HE does not place rather as almost a part of the university ritual itself. He contends that fraternities are a result of human nature and that if you don't have fraternities then you'll have some other form of organized life taking place. We can see this ourselves by observing our own campus. Because Weber is only a junior college we have no fraternities. But we do have the nearest possible substitute for them, social clubs. This is also true on other non-fraternity campuses such as B. Y. U where social units exist and are a prominent part of college life. Head Institution Names Fictitious names of individuals and fraternities are used in the article for obvious reasons. But Turner has given each case a specific example to put over his points. Dean Turner very definitely points out that a student should not get the idea that there is only one fraternity on the campus and unless they can "make this fra ternity" then a collegiate career is useless as far as he's concerned. There are several reasons why one should not be obsessed with such ideas. First, the individual may not click with this certain group, say Beta Nu for convenience. But he may click with the Psi Chi's and they may click with him. The author contends that a great deal of the student's happiness while at the university depends on joining the right group. Many come to college nowadays for the sole purpose of pledging a Greek-letter. Many girls come for a dual purpose, that of obtaining a sorority pin and a fraternity pin both. But Turner contends that the fraternities and sororities art not after these "two - semester" graduates. Scholarship he says is one of the goals of the organizations, therefore, they do not usually want to play around with this type of individual. Parents Have Greater Desire Surprising as though it may seem, it is often a case where the parent is more anxious for the son or daughter to pledge than they are themselves. Many students have received bids because of the pressure their parents have placed on a particular organization, and many students have withdrawn from the colleges and universities because they did not happen to make the fraternity or sorority which their parents were set on their joining. You who will transfer as a junior next year to a fraternity campus should not concede your chances of being pledged. Dean Turner says that fraternities like to keep a class balance in their organization. Therefore, it is not infrequent that they even pledge seniors and juniors. The main thing to do is to go to your chosen campus with a fairly good scholastic average at least. Greek organizations are not interested in pledging anyone who will tear down their rating scholastically because this they cannot afford to do. A point which Turner makes clearly emphasized in his article is not to go with the idea that you must "make" S. A. E., Pi. K. A., Sig, Beta, Pi Phi, Chi O. or any other particular organization. After a few days on the campus you may think that Phi Delt or K. K. G. is the only thing. So Dean Turner, speaking from experience says, "Shop around a little first before making your decision." TYPEWRITERS Sold, Rented Repaired Free Delivery (Dick Thomas) Wasatch Typewriter Company 2362 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah Phone 360 Charles Letz. "Hobbies? Oh yes! That's one of those things you do when you haven't anything else to do. Me?. Well, I never have any time to indulge, that is, until I go to bed. Then I read exciting stories so that their horrors will keep me awake the next day. Wheelbarrows Pneumatic Tire All Steel $7.95 Lawn Mowers Great American Garden Hose Goodrich and Pioneer Chicken Wire All Sizes Dandelion Rakes Round-Point Shovels $1.00 For First Quality Hardware Phone for Free Delivery from HARDWARE 350-24th St. Ph. 559 DOKOS (Jay Law) ROSS HAWKINS JACK CRANE ROSS & JACK LUNCH AND DINING ROOM Air Conditioned Fountain Service 364 25th Street Open All Night Ogden, Utah ENJOY! Delicious Sandwiches, Lunches and Soft Drinks While BOWLING OGDEN BOWLING CENTER (Gordon Huggina) "Play Billards In A Delightful Atmosphere" JII1HHIWXWWIHHHHHCHHHHHHHH Join the Weber College Alumni NOW tiltlltlli)ilMrtMMW)llllillllMrtWW NAME YOUR SCHOOL NEED WE HAVE IT (Dave Handy) The College Book Store |