OCR Text |
Show State of the Campus Address ler, "We shall deliver a message for higher education and push for implimentation of planks and for personal commitments to higher education. We must gather strength and support for pur cause and for the .future of the state of Utah." Student Power "Perhaps for many," he said, "even to attempt such an ambitious program seems unrealistic, however, how-ever, we feel that student power in the long run rests with those who take advantage of the democratic demo-cratic processes and the established methods and lines of communication; communica-tion; and not through protest, picketing pick-eting and marching." He pointed out the organization and achievements of various campus cam-pus groups such as Community Action, Ac-tion, Free University, Advertising Council, Mock Conventions, Choice 1968 and others. "Student government does not always al-ways deserve praise and is often the legitimate object of jokes, about the ASUU sand-box. It is striving to get the sand out of its toes and to stride to the firm ground of meaningful and significant activi ties for students," commented Kes-ler. Kes-ler. Tradition is Important Tradition plays an important role at the University, he said, and we will support "whole heartedly" the University teams. "A great University should be more than a group of buildings in which classes are taught," he said, "There should be the opportunity to identify with the institution and to get excited about the achievements achieve-ments of individuals or groups who are representing your university, whether it be a chemistry professor profes-sor receiving a national award, a university athletic team defeating another school, or a successful debate de-bate squad in a regional tournament." tourna-ment." Student needs are not constant, he added, so a polling committee was established to obtain student consensus. In the area of academics, Kesler indicated it might be wise for ASUU to investigate the student-faculty student-faculty ratio and the possibility of the University raising its entrance requirements. 'iuMMUMnmnjiii.jLMj wu niwim 'J' c : Ji:rij-p-Tnrr-iTicnni in 1 1 1 1 n i ! i. 1111 iii n rv wi rifvr"'rrTr-TT "-'. I ) f V ' i iv'V- I ..(WW"" i f - r- : i The effectiveness of student government gov-ernment when judged on the basis of student participation alone will always fail. It can only be evaluated evaluat-ed in terms of providing a place in the academic community for the many people at the University, responding re-sponding to the students' needs and representing their interests. John T. Kesler, ASUU president, told student leaders and administrators adminis-trators gathered Tuesday night at the Presidential Buffet ASUU government gov-ernment must offer more than opportunities op-portunities for student participation. "I would like to point out however," how-ever," he said, "that about 80 per cent of the University of Utah students stu-dents are commuters. Nearly one third of the students will never participate par-ticipate in student activities." Success or Failure In his State of the Campus address, add-ress, Kesler described what has been happening on the University campus and where student government govern-ment has succeeded or failed. "The State of the Campus Address Add-ress cannot tell of mechanical precision pre-cision or of totally effective leadership, leader-ship, for student government is a part time government," he said. According to Kesler, student government gov-ernment must defend students' rights in opposition to the administration admin-istration when necessary. He believes, be-lieves, however, that cooperation and communication with the administration admin-istration should be utilized. : "Our administration has been more progressive and liberal in areas of academic freedom, and reform re-form and general outlook than has been the general studentbody," stated Kesler. Campus Politics Moving into the area of political activity, Kesler clarified the ASUU policy. "Student government at the University Uni-versity of Utah will represent students stu-dents and make commitments on those issues that effect students as students," he said. As examples, he cited the meeting meet-ing of two Executive Council members mem-bers with the head of the Selective Service and student government taking the cutback to higher education edu-cation to the governor and the people peo-ple of the state. "We are going to attempt to organize or-ganize students to attend mass meetings in force and to elect delegates dele-gates to county and even state conventions if possible," said Kes- -.,. -ASUU' President John T. Kesler described the activities of ASUU government to student leaders and administrators at a buffet. |