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Show Page 2 SIGNPOST May 25, 1962 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Importance of Assemblies Lies ft S tC y Jk ,3 has pointed out. The percentage of students attending remains small. I feel that the solution of the assembly problem lies not in the hands of a few faculty committee members, nor in the hands of the administration. It is up to he students and their leaders to decide what importance will be placed upon the assembly program. It is up to them to decide how vital is each hour spent in the class room. By John Elzey Dear Editor: I am rather pleased that Dr. Seager took time last week to write concerning dismissal and rescheduling or classes for assemblies. Perhaps a brief discussion of the situation will clarify some of the issues. Throughout Weber's recent history, and until last year, a specific hour of the week was left open for assemblies. It was once taken for granted that the Moench auditorium would be filled each Friday 'at 11:00. Several purposes were served : student leaders were given the opportunity to appear before their constituents; precocious young people were permitted to display their talents ; the yarn of the "Weber Family" was more tightly knitted. ah f tv,PRP thinsrs were eood. . have been dismissed, ,as Dr. Seager As a former student officer, I can testify as to the benefits derived from weekly appearances before an audience. All in all, we were a contented group, bound together by a small, rather antiquated campus, ia veil of revered traditions, and the dream of something bigger and better. Moved Once the "Family" moved to the Harrison foothills, something began to happen. Students became less willing to participate ,and less willing to drive to the Moench Building. Assemblies dropped in number and in quality. It was the responsibility of the Assembly Committee to find a solution to the problem. Investigations were staged, question-niares were sent out, and imaginations were taxed. Certain facts emerged: more often than not, classes Were dismissed at eleven on Friday for no purpose; excellent assemblies were not well attended; poor assemblies were not well attended; three hour and two hour classes were interspersed m the schedule at eleven; classrooms were empty during a vital hour (our proletarian students desire labor for wages in the afternoon) ; the ratio of classroom space to students wias decreasing. Upon consideration of the fact that Weber's primary function is the achievement of academis excellence, and that social needs are being in craasingly satisfied by the Union and the fraternities, I supported the following suggestions:1. The Moench auditorium would no longer be used for assemblies; 2. .Classes would be scheduled for Friday at eleven 3. Attractions of a more limited nature but of a higher academic or cultural value would be presented in the Union meeting room; 4.. Classes would not be dismissed except at the. discretion of the instructor, and attendance would depend upon students who Were free at the moment; 5. The Administration could dismiss classes if it considered the assembly of sufficient magnitude, in which case the Union, cafeteria would be used; 6. If classes were dismissed, the hours would be so staggered that no one class would suffer. Unfortunately, too many classes Dorm Plans Completed Soon "Plans for the first construction of new dormitories will be completed by next fall." President Miller announced this week. One million six hundred thousand dollors has been appropriated by the Housing and Home Finance Agency for the construction of the building which should be ready in the summer of 1964. Tentative plans for the buildings, which will be built at thei south end of the campus, include 100 conventional dorms for men, 100 conventional dorms for women 72 housekeeping units for men, and 72 housekeeping Units for Women. Plans for the one million eight hundred thousand Fine Arts and Auditorium are nearing completion, and the building should be under construction by next fall. The gym will be completed during the summer and should be in use by next fall. Student Fees Raised by Board The cost of attending college has gone up with an increase in fees. The Board of Trustees approved a raise in the fees in lieu of the recent increases at the University of Utah and the BYU. Student fees increased were: athletic fees from $10 to $20; building fee from $20 to $30; and nonresident fee from $105 to $120. These increases will become effective next fall quarter. SIGNPOST STAFF Editor Victor Ferre Associate Editor Louise Taylor Sports Editor Reed Conger News Editor : - Karen Sue McLeod Feature Editor Dennis Berrett Editorial Writer Luther Stewart Drama Editor Catherine Harline Copy Editor Sharon Groothius Sports Writer - Jerry Newell Campus Editor Gary Hancock I By Ray London ine students oi tne umtea states must uik an acuvt interest in the problems of student life on their own cam puses, as well as other campuses throughout the world. We must express our ideas and aspirations. In order to do this we must unite with other students through their student governments. In 1947 this need was recognized when the United States National Student Association Vas organized. This organization enables students to voice their opinions on a national and international level. Face Problems These same ideas were expressed to the Orientation classes at the first of this school year. I was proud that our student leaders recognized the' problem that we face. However, many of these same people are now proclaiming that we should drop our membership in N.S.A One reason used is that NSA took a stand on some political issues in the last student congress. But if we as students are to prepare for future citizenship, we must become aware of the political problems and affairs we face today. We certainly have the right to voice our opinions on these matters. We should try to work with students in other countries to solve their problems, on their campuses and in-their governments. Second Point A second point used is that the Eastern schools have more votes than 'the western schools. On this argument we must remember that 60 of the colleges in the U. S. are in the New England States. The third contention is that the organization is becoming liberal in some of their political ideas. Certainly we need to become aware of all political ideas. While we are listening to other views, we can make our voices heard. If we drop out of this organization, our rights will be lost. The most important question facing us is, "What is NSA doing?" According to the "Codification of Policy" handbook, NSA is working for academic freedom, freedom of the student piess, higher honor systems, abolishment of loyalty oaths, leadership training, better human relations, and better scholarships for higher education, to name just a few. UTTLE MAN ON CAMPUS i U ' y ! .- UY, EE HOW POroU SfLU GKAPJAT?? |