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Show Page 6 Signpost Jan. 30, 1976 Is student govt, le by Dean Christensen Victor Hugo once wrote a sentence containing 823 words. The Preamble to the Constitution of the Associated Students of Weber State College (ASWSC) is not composed of as many words, but it rambles to the point of mundane rhetoric saying nothing. Eliminating the prose about accepting responsibilities of joint effort involving administration, faculty, and students in our campus community, and trying to establish a constitution in order to ensure an effective system of self government ; to act as both agent and servant to all members of the student community ; to enhance cooperation between students, administration faculty, and staff; to ingenerate positive change; to promote academic and social activities; and, ad nauseum, why can't the present student government simply construct a Preamble stating : "We, the students of Weber State College, working as a united body toward the common goal of higher education, establish this constitution as the basis of a fair and representative government." After the members of the Executive Council have pieced together a new introduction to a Constitution maybe they can then sit down together and develop a Constitution that is constitutional. The present Constitution of the ASWSC is one of the most nebulous pieces of material written, according to the Attorney General's office, state of Utah. Not only is it an unconstitutional Constitution, as legislated, but it is also an illegal piece of paper stipulating absolutely no control, no check, no power, or anything in particular to the Executive Council. The present council, consisting of seven members, the Dean of Students and the Coordinator of Student Government are voting on matters illegally, spending misappropriated money channeled from students' tuition and fees, and are spending monies illegally. To date, the Constitution has never been formally challenged by any faction affiliated with this college. As the present Constitution is written not legally constituted members of the Supreme Court are also completely powerless because they are appointed by the Execcutive Council. The Student Academic Assembly has no democratic function or organization. Without an article calling for ratification of the present Constitution everything at this college is accomplished in an undemocratic process. But, according to record, this has been going on at this institution of higher learning for three years. Why challenge it now ? We can't impeach. We can't elect. We can't recall nor can we amend as things are presently constituted. When an article guaranteeing the associated students the inherent right for ratification with the Board of Regents and the Institutional Council, plus a majority vote in a general election, then your questions as to where your money is going can honestly be answered. There is one democratic thing that can be accomplished. Abolish the present form of government at this college. That's quite simple. I strongly suggest abolishment immediately. I also suggest enactment of a Constitution that is legal, as well as incorporating a legislative branch in our government composed of two senators elected from each class, one senator elected from the students without a declared major, one senator elected from each division of the college, and one senator -at-large from the Associated Men Students and one from the Associated Women Students. I feel a Senate alone should have power to make appropriations from student association funds, and that the Senate alone may by a three-fifths vote refer any matter to the student association for a vote. IID-3QQ3s Gn CZDDIIQth;3 EEcOSQ!? gal It is indeed unfortunate that those who know the least criticize the most. This is in response to Merlin Daines' attack on five Weber State girls whom he calls "cheerleaders." First, had he been concerned about any changing image, he should have requested information from the WSC athletic director, whose decision it was to disband what Mr. Daines calls ''good old-fashioned cheerleaders." The decision was, I'm sure influenced by the financial strain of keeping a large cheering section, as well as a large marching group, the Chantonelles. In any event, the songleaders, who comprised half of the cheering group, were retained. They are not cheerleaders, and have never purported to be. Their assignment is to dance in unison to whatever music is provided at a game. Similar groups are at Utah State and BYU. If played during school recess and a band is not available, the songleaders can do very little without music. Moreover, they must abide by the restrictions placed on them on foreign courts. At the Marriot Center and at the Special Events Center, the girls were required to restrict their actions to a small corner of the court. Mr. Daines, without knowing any of these things, chooses to disparage some sweet girls who cannot defend themselves. His childish remarks have caused unnecessary anguish among the girls, one of whom continued to perform with a smile on Thursday evening, even after having endured the death of her mother a few days before. It is ironic, indeed tragic, that the same girls, who Mr. Daines feels offend the Weber State fans, received a standing ovation at Montana and Montana State last year. The 'fans there were impressed, not only with their ability to improvise in unison to any music, but also with their appeal as lovely representatives of Weber State College. Mr. Daines does not speak for all the fans. Buster Miya Published twice weekly by the Associated Students of Weber State College during fall, winter and spring quarters. Entered as second class mail at the Ogden, Utah Post Office. Mailing address: Weber State College, 37o0 Harrison Blvd., Ogden. The opinions expressed on the editorial page of the Signpost do not necessarily represent those of the studentbody or theadministration. Mary Wood head Editor-in-Chief Tara Harris Business Manager Lyle Smith News Editor Dean Christensen News Editor Bill Taylor Sports Editor Stephen Matlovv .. Photo Editor Debbie Carter Assistant Editor Dee Rose Assistant Editor Don Terry Assistant Editor Cathy Dieter copyreader Memberships: Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association, Collegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press,1 Freedom of Information Center, Student Press in American Archives, and the National Council of College Publications Advisors.Printed by the Roy Printing Company. V - . V- oost by George Salter In the Constitution of the United States, the 1st Amendment guarantees the freedom of the press. It specifically states that Congress shall not pass any law which infringes upon the freedom of the press. However, nowhere in the constitution, is the press given the right to infringe upon the rights of the people. Unfortunately some members of the press are little more than glory hunting sensationalists. They take any type of story, innuendo or rumor and twist and distort it to fit some notion of their own as to how it should be. All done in the name of the public's right to know. While it is not my intent to give a blanket condemnation to all members of the press; all too often; the stories of the sensationalists faroutshadow responsible journalism. All to often, persons accused of crimes are tried, convicted and sentenced by the all powerful press. What of their constitutional rights to a fair and impartial trial by a jury of their peers? More and more, some irresponsible journalists try to outdo one another in sensationalism. In today's world exposing classified materials, digging up mud about prominent figures and generally causing as many problems for as many people as possible is in vogue. Responsible journalists are all too often ignored or virtually overshadowed by the muckraking sensationalists. These journalists who produce scandal by the yard claim that what they print is in the public's interest. What of the C.I.A. agent who was killed because some glory-hunting journalist decided it was in the public interest to publish a list of previous overseas secret agents? As if that weren't lesson enough, irresponsible journalists, all in the name of the public's right to know, continue to publish lists of C.I.A. agents stationed overseas. What purpose is to be achieved by these disclosures continues to evade me. The journalists of today are faced with a grave responsibility. Not only are they charged with reporting the news, they must do so in a calm and unemotional manner. It is not the job of today's journalists to try, convict and sentence those persons charged with crimes. I don't believe in government censorship of the press but rather a type of self-imposed censorship. Imposed upon journalists and the press from within, not without. Although the majority of the press and journalists in general are responsible and dedicated, it is those few who are not, who give all a bad name. The power of the press is indeed an awesome power. When used for good, it can do tremendous good. However, when used for other than good, it can do tremendous harm and evil. The press is necessary to the world today but only if used in a productive manner. When used in counter productive ways, as so often witnessed, the press becomes not only unnecessary but perhaps even more detrimental to the world than the most powerful weapons known to mankind. |