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Show Opinion SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1990 PAGE 4 UTAH EDUCATION PAY RAISE NEEDED It can be truthfully said that education is the very cornerstone of civilization; it has transformed man from a paleolithic hunter living a short existence in a world that offered few, if any, comforts to the realization of his wildest dreams in a period spanning no more than 40,000 years. Yet, in the course of no less than 30 years, the United States in the very has witnessed a gradual decline and profession which perpetrates the educational machine. A small but vital group of students recognize that instructors of higher education have the power to change the world for the better. Moreso, they are aware that, unless steps are taken now to correct the problem, an exodus of educational professionals to better paying positions outside the state could affect everyones quality of life in the state of Utah. The adage when the going gets tough, the tough get going fits ASSUSC President Jan Shelton, and about 250 other e suit. concerned students from across the state, like a Together, this dedicated group have braved adverse weather, toiled long hours, and trudged through a sea of humanity at the Utah State Capital, eager to spread their message to both receptive, and less than cordial audiences as students, they have a vested interest in how teachers are treated in Utah. The situation has grown so grievous that administrators urge faculty members to earn their doctoral degrees at their own expense. As a result, once having earned the degree, many faculty members are unable to repay the loan a direct result of a salary that is not in parity with other states. We believe that such a mentality is counterproductive to the interests of higher education and serves to dissuade many capable postgraduates from reaching their full capability as Ph.Ds. Needless to say, students are not the only individuals harmed; society ultimately pays the full price in a competitive world where winners are measured by the yardstick of knowledge. Fortunately for all of us, chere is a solution: specifically, increased pay for our teaching professionals. The increase neednt be painful. There is no need to increase the burden of the taxpayer to facilitate this nor does the state have the luxury of an option. Utah has the fastest growing school age population in the nation, projected to exceed 500,000 students between the ages of by the year 2010. To meet this tidal wave of students, we must act now or sink beneath the swell. In spite of the tendency to believe that trying to change the system is much like trying to move Mount Everest, there is much that we as individuals can do. The recent efforts to gain university status for SUSC belies this. We urge you to think progressively, think about your future and the future of education in Utah. If you dont, our future may be bleak indeed. tailor-mad- 5-- The Thunderbird VOLUME 84, NUMBER 34 Editor Rachel Talbot Associate Editor Kathleen Midgley Opinion Director James Spainhower Photo Editor Jetf Dower Arts &. Leisure Editor Jason North Sports and Outdoors Editor Brent Richey Senior Staff Writer Natalie Coomhs Production Manager Lynn Dennett Pendleton Ad Manager To-JFaculty Adviser Larrv Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year bv and tor the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the Colleges department of communication. The views and opinions expressed in The Thundtrrtnrd are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general. The unsigned editorial directlv above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number. Only the name will be pnnttd. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing pm ileges. Letters must be submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions; 5 p.m. Tuesdavs for Thursday editions. The Thunderbird: editorial offices in SUSC Library 103; advertising in L brary 102. Mail at 58n7758 or SUSC Box 9384, Cedar Citv, UT 84720. Phone (801) Access Indoor range vital to teams success Access is a recurring column through which members of There are many prospective students from schools the campus community may address themselves to topics across the country looking for colleges and universities of concern andor interest. Todays column is by Richard that have rifle teams and scholarships available. Lee Hafen, a sophomore computer science and Although SUSC has these available for prospective mathematics major at SUSC. students, they are not overly excited about coming to SUSC for one reason lack of an indoor range. Because of this reason, the prospective students are College Athletic Association (NCAA) sporting choosing colleges and universities, such as the UTEP, events. One of the most recent NCAA sports that because they have indoor ranges available whereby SUSC has obtained and put into action is the rifle they are able to attract prospective students and thus team. The SUSC rifle team competes with other have a better team. colleges and universities such as San Francisco Since there is no indoor range available to the University (SFU), University of Texas, El Paso rifle team, the team must travel to other SUSC and the of Reno Nevada, (UTEP), (UNR). University Although the SUSC rifle team has done fairly well since it started, SUSC would be able to do even better if it was to have an indoor shooting range. If SUSC If SUSC is going to have a rifle were to build an indoor range for its rifle team, the team would be able to improve its marksmanship team, they should also have an skills, attract prospective team members by way of scholarships from other schools, and would be able indoor range for the team. to host shooting matches right here in Cedar City. Since the SUSC rifle team has started competing, members of the team have had to contend with colleges and universities in order to compete in weather problems while practicing for their shooting NCAA competition. By doing this, the SUSC rifle matches. Even though SUSC was able to build an team must invest a substantial amount of money for outdoor range with help from the ROTC and other travel expenses. If SUSC had an indoor range, the members of the community next to the Cedar Citv rifle team would be able to host teams from other Police Range, it is really not good enough for members colleges and universities. This would subsequently of the team to obtain maximum skill levels. Members reduce the amount of money needed for travcli'" of the team have to contend with weather problems such as wind, rain, and even srow. In the winter they expenses. are not even able to practice because of the freezing If SUSC is going to have a rifle team, they should are that also have an indoor range for the team. If this becomes commonplace. temperatures If SUSC was to bund an indoor range, team a reality, the SUSC rifle team will be able to sharpen members would not have to worry about the weather its skills, attract prospective students with scholarships problems that they now face and would be able to and be able to host NCAA competitions. It stands obtain their maximum skill levels which are needed to reason that this is our only alternative if we are for competition in this sporting event. going to foster competitive excellence. Southern Utah State College has many National |