Show Has pig wrestling really caught on? With the stressful issues of the Olympics abortion and Nicaragua pouring off the front pages of our newspapers what has turned out to be one of the hottest topics to confound residents of Ogden Utah? Pig wrestling The event was packaged as the Utah Pig Wrestling Championships and the Weber County Commission agreed to stage the event in the Golden Spike Arena at the Weber County Fairgrounds What commissioners got instead was a pig in a poke After agreeing to allow the event commissioners learned of an objection from the Humane Society of Utah The contest as described by sponsors of the Pig Wrestling Championships involves the chase of a pig by five human contestants Once the wrestlers tackle the porker — which weighs less than 200 pounds — they must dedrum The team that does it in the posit it into a least amount of time wins The Humane Society says that’s cruel The pigs will be terrified Their legs could be broken when they’re crammed into the barrels they say Hogwash proponents respond Pigs are sturdy farm animals that aren't going to be hurt with a little horseplay The Humane Society has gone so far as to threaten legal action against the Weber County Commission if it continues to condone the event “The society particularly objects to the fact that the eent is to be held in a public facility supported by taxpayer funds” said Craig S Cook society president and general counsel in a news release 55-gall- on “We believe that if citizens were aware of the cruelty in this activity the majority of them would not want to support it especially with their tax dollars” in-olv- ed Actually residents could profit from the venture not subsidize it if the Pig Wrestling Championships are the financial success the promoters say it will be Fees have to be paid to use the arena and concessions could a'dd a little more to the Weber County coffers But that doesn't seem to be the case Promoters say they need a minimum of 40 teams to make pig wrestling fly So far fewer than a dozen have signed up forcing the sponsors to postpone the event a few weeks ' ’ five-memb- er The Weber County Commission is collectively shrugging its shoulders over the situation Commissioners have agreed to do whatever the courts tell them to do if the matter is litigated ' It seems bizarre that with the numerous cultural diversions available to residents of Northern Utah it’s pig wrestling that has caught the headlines but not the fancy of too many who want to jostle around in a show ring with the porkers Could this apathy prove that many peo- pie are quietly thinking — pig wrestling stinks — RNV tO- - Public private educational institutions competing Public schools play special role by giving all a chance to attend For Scnpps Howard News Service Public higher education in the United States “should and does stand for high quality high standards and opportunities for all students regardless status of This uniquely American concept results in higher education that is affordable and accessible It places a priority on excellence emphasizes teaching and 'supports major research and public programs ( As the world’s leading liberal democracy we have established publicly supported education within each state as one of the cornerstones of our democratic society recognizing that an educated population is an essential foundation With the movement to create the first great state universities and later the public colleges 'and universities the states were responding to one of the fundamental yearnings of the human spirit and thus soon fostered the concept of a basic right to a free and public education The constitution of my own state of North Caroli- na in language echoed throughout the nation early declared that “the people have a right to the privisocio-econom- ic I land-gra- nt -- - lege of education” The wisdom and rightness of publicly supported institutions and systems of higher education will I predict become more and more evident as America becomes an increasingly multicultural society It is the regional institution that reaches most often into the levels of society where there has been less education and less opportunity That is why most college students attend state colleges and universities Public higher education is the great equalizer in a doors of opportunity it t democracy Because opens 'that exist nowhere else it equalizes opportunities that are not afforded by birth or economic status “ It is from these fundamentals that America’s pub- Iicly supported colleges and universities draw their strength It is why they are committed to the overarching philosophy of providing educational opportunity for all who can benefit from it state-support- ed ' first-generati- d i Myron l coulter This commitment is expressed in the development of strong programs of teaching research and service at state colleges and universities The hallmark of higher education springs from these public institutions This commitment is expressed in the affordable tuition of four-yepublic institutions that will average $1694 this year in contrast to the $8737 average at four-yeprivate schools This commitment is expressed in making accessible comprehensive academic programs of high quality that include rigorous programs in liberal arts classical sciences and humanities but also include top professional programs and schools that offer a diversity of career options This commitment is expressed in the development of demanding honors programs that attract the nation's best and brightest high school graduates in increasing numbers to our institutions This commitment is expressed at our public institutions in a dedication to excellence in teaching and research by some of the best professors and researchers and in an array of responsive continuing education programs Our state colleges and universities have a special role in society — providing educational opportunity for everyone capable of receiving it regardless of economic condition age race or sex But the egalitarian nature of our institutions — reflecting the egalitarian qualities of America — does not mean that our public institutions are less worthy or less significant in the educational fabric of the nation Instead throughout the country the state college and university constitute America’s unique contribution to modern education: the comprehensive pjblicly supported regional and statewide educational institution that combines the values of the humanities and liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation for meaningful careers while carrying on major programs of research and public teaching-researc- h-service ar ar state-support- service (Myron ed L Coulter is chancellor of H estere Caroli- na Vnnersity and chairman of the American of State Colleges and Cm vent ties ) Asuhi-ano- n Private schools offer more opportunities in a smaller setting Marcia with-teachi- Both public and private colleges play a vital role in the landscape of American higher education Our students have an opportunity unequaled anywhere in the world to find the college that best meets their needs Yet high school students and their parents may wonder how private colleges actually differ from public colleges and whether the difference is worth small class Private colleges focus on the undergraduate and ng they offer Studies show that a student's ability to participate in activities is affected by the size extra-curricul- ar of an institution Unfortunately too many parents and students shy away from private colleges due to the perceived cost According to the College Board average tuition fees room board and incidentals at a private colacademic lege total almost $13000 for the 1989-9- 0 year cost at a public college runs just over $6000 students per year for 7 Yet according to a study done in (the most recent year for which data is available) 65 percent of students enrolled in private colleges receive financial aid and the average award is $5617 Students who apply to private colleges often find that they can afford it after all In economic terms private colleges “add value” to their students Graduates attain top positions in business government the arts and the sciences To drop just a few names George Bush Meryl Streep Alice W'alker Bryant Gumbel and Joan Rivers are all private college grads Among CEO’s of the nation's leading corporations 60 percent attended private colleges of 20 leading banks 19 have CEO’s who attended these te ' ficult — task Unlike the majority of public universities established for the very worthy goal of educating as many people as possible private colleges were often founded for specific academic social or spiritual reasons Many of them still retain their original sometimes unique missions The atmosphere at private colleges is often steeped in values and academic tradition yet filled with a spirit of innovation and adventure Private colleges are devoted to providing a quality education to undergraduates The average student body at a private college is small — more than 80 percent of private schools that award the BA degree enroll 2500 students or less What do these numbers mean? At a private college or university students are less likely to find themselves lost in the midst of a large lecture hall and more likely to find themselves participating in a lively discussion at the center of a Savage faculty members are concerned first and foremost Students are taught by professors many of them nationally and internationally known rather than by graduate teaching assistants Most private colleges offer opportunities for internships interdisciplinary and international study not always as easily available at public colleges Because the colleges are funded and managed independently and do not have to‘ answer to large government bureaucracies they can be unusually flexible and innovative in the programs and courses !Fof Scnpps Howard News Service the cost Attending a private college is certainly worth the difference in price — and the difference may be smaller than people think It’s not easy to generalize about the nation's 1500-plu- s private colleges the term encompasses col- -' the Jvy League schools traditional single-se- x leges historically black colleges religious colleges small experimental schools and the hundreds of solid liberal arts institutions around the country Choosing among them is an exciting — albeit dif- A 1 1986-198- schools Employers seek out graduates from private schools because they know they have the ability to think critically analyze situations and communicate effectively Private colleges and universities do represent an investment but in the long run it’s an investment that pays (Marcia A Saage is president ofManhattanville College in Purchase Am York) |