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Show c News - Page Twenty Three Openings 1988 I 4 editorial "7 I Tax cuis spell dSsasteir foir Ua V 1 f 4 nobles who rise up among us if we leave the people to ignorance." --Thomas Jefferson These days, as University of Utah students busy themselves about their daily affairs, purchasing textbooks, registering for courses and preparing for fall quarter classes, a devastating threat to the future of this community looms in the immediate horizon. The time has come for U. students, faculty and staff, as well as businessmen, government workers and all other members of the community concerned about the fate of an enlightened' society, to put aside their duties for a moment and take a thorough look at the single most important issue facing the state of Utah today: the tax proposals on the November ballot. Contrary to the claims of tax rollback advocates, the tax initiatives are nor the product of illuminated minds. Rather, they are the manifestation of avarice arid ignorance during a period of economic hardship. If passed, they will have an irreversibly crippling effect on higher education, as well as Utah's economy on the whole. The Chronicle applauds the efforts of the community, the U. administration and campus groups like Participation '88 for their efforts to educate the public about the monumental impact these tax proposals will have if passed. Educated and activated voters are a necessary y first step in the maintainance of colleges, universities and public schools. ' But simply informing the public about the potential of tax proposals to lay waste on Utah's higher education system is not suffihigh-qualit- cient. 1 L 4 it '.''Vv'' .The Chronicle urges all men and women to register and vote against the tax initiatives in November. As it now stands, a $63 million backlog in funding has accumulated as a result of a lack of support for higher education. The University of Utah itself can ill afford any further cuts. If the tax initiatives are passed in November, $35 "million may be cut out of higher education. This means a loss of up to $20 million in state which constitutes the funds to the 'vital organs of this university. - Tossing out these vague figures means nothing to voters unless they have a concrete idea of the horrible fate higher education will meet in the event the initiatives are passed. For starters, there will, in all probability, be a U.-mo- ney - 1 ti- - rX- -- !: t (i T f ' . i - --r-rr 'Tie to wiich wii be paid or the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and 1 I -- is. foiled tax cuts. n 70. m v v ; ;J II .-- It should be emphasized that the harm from mass departure of faculty unprecedented in the history of Utah's colleges and universities. If the tax initiatives is not confined to the U. the initiatves are passed, the greatest minds in alone. The taxpayers of this state will be among this state will go elsewhere in search of better the first to feel the Shockwaves from the tax employment opportunities and higher pay. rollbacks. Utah will be reduced to an intellectual wasteland..' U. President Chase Peterson has already warned salaries at the U. may be reduced if the initiatives are approved. Heavily burdened professors would be forced to increase their loads. And. many faculty members have indicated they will go elsewhere if the initiatives are passed. This summer, Cecil Miskel, a nationally respected scholar at the U., resigned to work at tha University of Michigan. Miskel cited "the potential for very negative events" that the tax initiatives would create as one of his main reasons for leaving. Countless other irreplaceable scholars will likely follow Miskel if the rollbacks are approved by voters. While the U.'s roster of academics will be reduced, professors are but a small number of people who will suffer from the demolishing blows of the tax initiatives. The Utah Board of Regents has estimated that 8,000 to 10,000 students will be barred from Utah's higher education institutions. The Regents also predicted enrolled students could face a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in tuition costs as a result of tax cuts. Not only would the U. be forced to turn away thousands of students, but economically disadvantaged students would be weeded out as well. " ; Anthony Morgan, U. vice president for budget and planning, has pointed out that the U. has generated a 1 return on state, investments. While the U. only receives $110 million in funds from the state, it generates more than $400 million in revenue. This has allowed the U. to provide vital assistance to the development of 57 companies which provide some 4-- 4,200 jobs. If the tax initiatives pass, these accomplishments, which are beneficial to the entire state, will suffer immeasurably. Thus, the public has a vested interest in preserving higher education. Citing statistics is one thing, but the only way the tax initiatives will meet their demise is if people act. TtnY means continued education and organization. Concerned citizens who are not registered to vote should call the Salt Lake if County Elections Department at for no other. reason than. to vote against the potentially ruinous tax proposals. The inconvenience of paying taxes is incomparable to the tyranny inflicted by those who would deprive the citizens of Utah of a high- education. For the sake of maintaining Suality of enlightenment for future generations, it is the duty of all Utahns to see to it the tax proposals on the November ballot are ' defeated. . : . 468-342- 7, ... Justin Toth-- Greek membership offers positive, lasting benefits Wild parties, gorgeous girls, handsome guys and good times all converge to create the picture of a typical Greek system. While the University of Utah's fraternities and sororities certainly offer these benefits, they also offer a great deal more. Beginning with Rush, the Greeks embark series of social and philanon a year-lon- g thropic activities that consist of everything from quarterly formals to friendly inter-Gree- k competitions for charity. Rush, however, is the initial chance incoming students have to meet other new students. For many older Greeks, Rush offers the opportunity to reaffirm the brotherhood or sisterhood of their own houses and share that feeling with prospective Rushees. However, the Greek system's most notable characteristic is its ability to transcend the boundaries of Greek Row and involve itself in all aspects of U. life. Greeks point proudly to the sense of family and community they share with their fellow Greeks. Few other campus organizations engender the same qualities for such a large number of people. ' The U.'s Greek system fosters a feeling of personal involvement on a campus which inherently lacks that feeling ; because of its "commuter" student body. While most U. students remain on camoften ; pus only to attend classes, Greeks spend hours relaxing at their respective houses chatting with friends or watching TV. Belonging to a fraternity or sorority offers stability which is often lost in the naturally transitory nature of college life. On a more personal level, each fraternicharacterty or sorority possesses unique istics. Unlike stereotyped fraternity or sororitv images, the U.'s Greek houses con tain distinctive members whose personalities create the uniqueness of the house. Though Greeks may share the same Hellenistic letters, their houses are as individual as their members. Any Rushee will attest to the diversity among houses and members. The Greek system also continues to serve its members after they have left the confines of their alma mater. Though most fraternities and sororities sponsor numerous alumni activities throughout the year, the Greeks welcome their older affiliates with particular zeal during homecoming week. The network of Greek alumni that returns to the U. to visit the active Greeks illustrates the affinity they feel for their houses. Conversely, the contacts and friendships established through the years in a Greek house can benefit active members as they enter the job market. Many of Salt Lake City's business leaders are directly affiliated with the U. Greek system. The opportunities for leadership are nearly unparalleled for Greeks. Those who seize the opportunities afforded to them are often rewarded , ; . - with superior careers upon graduation. However, the emphasis for U. Greeks is the years spent at the U. Fraternity and sorority members find their aca- demic life complemented with a diverse and exciting social life. College is much more than studying, and U Greeks have discovered that Greek life provides that balance between fun and work. Justin Toth, a senior majoring in political science, is the editorial editor of the Chronicle. , |
