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Show The PARSON Page 2 Guest Editorial x so-calle- d During the Christmas vaca- tion a group of students met at the home of one of our leading faculty members to discuss if Westminster had some serious internal problems, and if so, what they were. The general concensus of opinion was that there were some problems and that some of the solutions to these problems must come from the-students- These meetings . resulted in the formation of two committees to deal with separate parts of the problems and the formation of the pep band. One of these committees Is the one which haS, after much study, drawn up a proposal for a sort of social reorganization aimed at possible correction of the problems, In part at least, on our campus. Before I attempt to define these problems or go into any personal opinions concerning them, if in reality they do exist, I should point, out that if nothing more comes of the movement than a lively discussion of opinion and some recognition of the problems that exist, the work that has gone into the movement will not have been entirely in vain. - The problems which we face at Westminster are a chain of elements in which no one factor is supreme, be it academic,. social, lack of leadership, or lack of basic school spirit and pride. As possible proof that these, or at least some problems do exist, I want to point out that Westminster, with comparatively low standards of admittance and low basic costs as compared to other inter-relate- d private institutions, is far behind the growth rate of almost every other college and university in the country even to the point of a diminishing student-bod- y, and has an attrition rate of over sixty percent of each years freshman class. There must be some basic reasons for this poor record of growth. I propose four areas in which improvement must be realized. First, Westminster is obviously lacking in many of the facilities which many students need or desire. Second, in some cases there are problems in obtaining and retaining competent professors, resulting in much dissatisfaction on the part of the students. Third, there are too few and not well enough organized activities which are, and should be, a part of college life. Fourth, there is a lack of a large number of especially gifted students re r Where to begin in attempting to solve these problems is a question which may have as many answers as there are individuals interested. In my opinion the first thing should be to stimulate new interest in all areas related to campus life, aimed at a larger appeal to new students and larger retention of those students who begin at Westminster. By achieving this end, the solution to other problems, if not reached, will at least be furthered considerably. At this point it appears as if the big question is how. This I do not know I can answer, but the social reorganization part of Propect 64 offers at least one possible solution. This plan, as it presently stands, is a complieven cated amalgamation, more so than many of its opposition realize, of ideas and structures presently in practice (and rather successfully, I might add) on other campuses roughly similar to Westminster, and personal opinions and ideas related to the problems peculiar to Westminster of the group of students who have drawn up the proposal as it presently stands. The proposal, as such, is much too long and complicated to describe in detail here, but in essence it pos-essthe following characteristics: A division of the es stu-dentbo- into ten organizations, five of which would be composed of male students, and five of which would be composed of female students, somewhat similar to the fraternity-sorority system except eliminating many of the disadvantages of the traditional Greek organizations, such as pledging and rushing. The groups would select Greek letters as a name and e have group affiliations. The organizations would operate under a central committee headed by the By Ron Shelly So now we have a plan to fill each need Of college life. Our Social Plan 3-- A Restructures our whole campus guaranteed To make each student live the college way. Not yet please dont vote yes or no Because weve got another super plan Which promises to make the campus grow. But yet, it seems, to minimize the man. So we won't vote today, my student friends But rather hear the harbingers of all Our many plans. Though this semester ends Quite soon, weve time to vote before next fall. Then by the time we start to organize To make the final draft reality We may find out to our complete surprise The plan has just been dropped by NNC. y male-femal- Questioned By G. B. Lee Barker The students life is thrown upon the sea Of dominance of undesired things. Those qualities of life that make it free Are never quite what revolution brings. sulting in the dissatisfaction of many professors and a low 7 academic atmosphere. It is my contention that most of these conditions arise from one basic central problem, a lack of money. In the first place it is impossible for a school which is equipped to handle approximately eight hundred students to operate effectively with only half that number, which brings us back to the question of the large attrition rate. With a larger student-bodmore revenue would come into the school from tuition sources and the area from which to draw personal endowments would be , much With more money higher. with which to work, the school would be in a much better position to broaden the facilities of the college with such improvements as new buildings and improved laboratories. There would be more money for social activities and would facilitate the return of football on a large scale. There would be more money to hire a larger and more complete facility. Finally, it would be possible to have a wider and more appealing scholarship program to draw more students of high caliber. - 19&1 Moss Actions From The Doghouse Social Problems And Reorganization t By G. Kay MsBride In the last few weeks there has been a lot of talk, mainly in the vein of rumor, but also assuming soap-boproa social of portions, reorganization entitled Project 64. Much controversy has arisen concerning this student movement which can possibly be attributed to a lack of adequate presentation and description of the structure and motives therein. Possibly the best way to begin a coverage of this movement is to give a little of the background from where it emerged. February 28, I was both perplexed and astonished to learn that in the crucial vote on the Ribicoff amendment to the tax bill (the one permitting tax credits for the cost of sending students to college) Utah's Senator Moss managed to play both sides of the street. First, he Sen. Ribicoffs amendment, thereby ingratiating himself with parents of college students but then he turned around and voted AGAINST the amendment when it reached the floor of the Senate. The only way I can figure all this out is that (a) Sen. Moss thinks the voters are so stupid they wont realize what he did, or (b) the senator himself doesn't understand what is going on, or (c) the senator wilted when the pressure was applied by those who oppose the amendment. And all those schools that lent us verbal aid To help us do what all schools do today Have seen the one-tim- e benefits all fade And all the once-greprogress now decay. at But wont it still be valuable to use? Of course it wont. We must begin to mold A campus filled with spirit. We must lose An artificial face or well grow old. Unfortunately for Sen. Frank Moss, none of these three alternatives makes him look very good. Perhaps, my friends, theres more here than we see. Perhaps our very campus is unique. It's true we never ever will agree But maybe we possess just what we seek. So look around you. Each and every day Is one more reason why you Just may want to stay. Congratulations And . . . ... what would its value be? I . answer that by offering that Kudos Go To it would give more oppor(EDITORS NOTE; Thia tunity. to students who wish section will be a regular to participate in activities feature 6f the Parson. To any by creating a better organ- one we failed to mention, ized student structure; by we apologize and congratuyou collectively. If you giving all students, whether late of an individual or know they be , new or. already ori- group who deserves comto ented life, and college mendation, please notify a This now brings us .to the .Westminster more specificParson staff member.) of ally, a closer identification fundamental question function these of what the with a personal organization THE CHEERLEADERS organizations would be and created out of varied interwhat would be the motivatests and fields of academic who by themselves, sponsored, ing force behind them. The pursuit not Just tied by one built and carried off a very common interest; to give successful dance recently. driving force and basic principle behind the proposal is students who need assistance - They are to be commended the age old factor of compein any area a closer tie with for their interest and willingtition. The organizations members of the upper ness to add to the school sowould be set up in such a classes. cial life as well as their vigway that all areas of endeavorous efforts in support of or would be on a competitive I the Basketball Team. have what said Though basis. As an example I can is lengthy it has no means by mention the elemental ath- covered the subject DON HOPPY HOPKINS, letic competition involved in ly. I do not feel adequatethis pro- whose efforts both scholastithe intramural program, gram is the last word in an- cally, and athletically earned which would no longer be on swering the problems we face a columnists editorial In the vague and at Westminster, but I do feel him a Salt Lake paper. recent class basis and should result it will lead to something that in much .wider participation mil benefit the entire school. and interest. But this is only Now, before you either FRANCIS BANDER and praise a small part of the competior condemn the proposal look TERRY LEE These two tion. Areas such as individinto the many aspects of its students were rewarded by ual academic rating could structure and .obtain a clear LaSertoma Club for their be computed for each organof it. I believe voluntary donation of. time ization in competition with understanding there are a great number of and effort to the care and all other organizations. Small possibilities in this proposal training of mentally retardtrophies could be awarded to and I would hate to see it ed children at Holladay Chithe winner of each competikilled out of ldrens Center for Mentally tive area with a grand prize Retarded. trophy given at the end of the year to the organization achieving the best results. But then the question is raised of what would come of the interest groups and vice-preside- nt of S. G. A. C. which would coordinate the activities of the organizations. There are various ways in which the individual organizations could be operated in relation to funds and government, but that is not of major importance here. . , all-ov- er THE PARSON clubs. Credit could be given an organization for having its members active in interest groups, for holding offices in the interest groups, and in S.G.A.C. This would help stimulate badly needed support for the interest groups, as well as in all of the activities of Westminster. Now the question is raised, what is the purpose of all this mass of organization and STAFF Editor Managerial Staff News Editor Feature Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Photographer . Kathy Schwertz .Barbara Smith, Jerry Dodd Rand Murray ........... ... Louie Campbell Marty Bernstein John Tornquist Stan Clark Contributors: Lee Barker, Mike Jinks, Joe Yasquez, Larry Ilollis, Nina Rushmore, Kay McBride, Terry Lee, Judy Durfee, Ron Shelly. Adviser Mrs. Jay Lees |