Ir GAN- DAILY
SUNMAY. NOVEMER 9. 1959
TifF MTCflh(~ tN 1) lILY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, I5S
Candidates
Discuss
Major
Issues
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means that he must go further
otof his way to recognize other
Ron Basse
points of view for the sake of fair-
ness rather than that he shouldI
1) The SGC member has two stand up for his own personal view
main responsibilities: 1) to recog- and be blind to all others. The
nize and express student opinion, whole area necessitates excellent
and 2) to use student opinion to communication between SGC and
its fullest advantage in furthering the students and in essence more
the goals of the University. This effective public relations, such as
may necessitate a compromise through the Speakers' Bureau
when both do not appear to be which brings SGC members into
the same. To accomplish this com- direct contact with student groups
promise, the SGC member must . . . and is presently relatively
make himself fully aware of all weak.
issues, no matter how small, and 2) The responsibility for recog-
of all sides of an issue, no matter nition and withdrawal of recogni-
how small a segment of campus tion from student organizations
represents them. ! should continue to turn gradually,
From the student body as a as it is now, toward responsible
whole the SGC member must seek student government. The history
out and recognize the majority of the Committee on Student Af-
opinion, but consciousness and fairs, that of giving the student
proper representation dictate that voice, then a vote, then a greater
he must be willing to go out of vote, and then finally eliminating
his way to be sure he is aware of it in favor of SGC, a body entirely
and recognizing properly all mi- made up of students, demonstrates
nority points of view, the willingness of the administra-
That an SGC member may come tion to recognize student responsi-'
from one segment on campus bility. It is only a matter of time
when the Board in-Review, will
cease to exist and Student Gov-
ernment will justly be given com-
plete responsibility.
3) Yes, most definitely. Our
primary aim in coming to this
University is for. an education of
the highest quality possible. What
more fitting responsibility can
SGC have than to concern itself
with bettering this education?
a) SGC should aid and encour-
age the publishing of final exam
schedules before registration.
b) A stronger role can be taken
by SGC toward the lecture com-
mittee more actively representing
student desires and educational
goals in bringing speakers to cam-
pus.
c) The honor system, although
defeated last year for the Literary
College has definite merits and
should not be dropped altogether.
SGC Public Relations chair- d) SGC should look into the
man; Publicity Director for SGC possibility of stronger action than;
Elections; SGC Education and it has taken toward bettering-the'
Student Welfare Committee marking systems,
member; Student Course Evalu- e) The Student Course Evalua-
ation Booklet committee; Tau tion Booklet is too valuable an
Delta Phi social fraternity asset to students to have been
alumni secretary, scholarship dropped in the hurried and in-
chairman; vice-president of Na- efficient manner in which it was.
tional Federation of Temple f) I thoroughly endorse the
Youth; Phi Eta Sigma Hon- exam file to be placed in the Un-
orary. dergrad library'.
OWN
SAM
SGC Aids Students
ITo Services
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Members Voice Student Opinion
To Reestablish Library's Hours
By JUDITH DONER
Although major policy and jurisdictional areas of Student Govern-
ment Council have gained most of the headlines this fall, the Council
has continuously been working to provide the campus with specific
services.
SOC's Education and Student Welfare Committee played a part
in reestablishing last semester's hours at the Undergraduate Library.
It proposed several plans for keeping the library open at more strategic
hours than were scheduled. at the same time expressing student-
opinion which called for the hours to be completely restored.
At its last meeting, the Council passed a resolution which author-
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POLLING PLACES-Voters may cast their ballots for SGC candidates in any one of five places at
varied times on Tuesday and Wednesday. A booth on the Diag will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. on both days. Students passing by the Undergraduate Library may vote from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Booths located at the Slab, the Natural
Science Museum and the Engine Arch will be open from 8 to 9:30 a.m., from 11 to 1:30 p.m. and
from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Irwin Dinn
Union officer committee try-
out; Union committee projects
staff; Anderson House social
chairman; Anderson House pres-
ident; East Quad Council rep-
resentative, treasurer; WCBN
disk jockey, news broadcaster;
Hillel choir; Men's Weekend
chairman; Soph Show Head
Usher; Phi Epsilon Pi pledge.
1) It is quite an impossible task
for a Council member to consult
with so large a group as our own
student body. One person could
not contact over 22,000 students,
even if it were a full time job.
Then, too, even if he consulted all
of them, it would be an exceed-
ingly difficult task to organize and
translate their many, varied opin-
ions to the Council.
It is not only possible, but es-
sential that a Council member
consult with specific segments of
the student body. The word seg-
ment is somewhat ambiguous. If
it means a particular housing unit,
social group, or club, with whom
the SGC member comes in con-
tact, he can sympathetically anda
conscientiously represent their
view as a whole to the Council.
2) With regard to the SGC-ad-
ministration controversy, SGC's
powers concerning recognition of
student organizations should be;
defined. If the administration
wishes to make the decisions con-
cerning recognition their own re-
sponsibility, then take the power
away from SGC. If, however, the
administration feels that SGC,
our highest student governinga
body, can intelligently regulate
such matters, let SGC have com-
plete authority to do so.
3) Perhaps one of the most im-
portant roles of SGC is the de-
velopment of new and broader
academic programs. SGC haso
succeeded in setting up a very
fine Health Insurance program,
has begun to cope with the bicycle'
situation, and has revised the Uni-
versity Calendar.
SGC has a forum committee
which is considering inviting well
known, perhaps controversial, fig-
ures to speak to the student body.
At the same time SGC should
concern itself with the mediocrity
of the present lecture series.
Rather than inviting speakers whoa
might be able to say something of
understandable insignificance on
questionable authority, invite
speakers who will be meaningful'
to various interest groups. Rather
than inviting speakers just to
Lloyd House Council; Home-
coming publicity committee; Al-
pha Signa Phi social fraternity
secretary, social chairman; In-
terfraternity Council rushing
counselor.
Elm-er
Prueske
1) I believe that a Student Gov-
ernment Council member should
consult with as many of the stu-
dents as possible when matters
concerning the whole student body
are before the Council. This could
be done by consulting with the
leaders of student organizations
and housing groups and securing
their opinions.
In matters concerning specific
segments of the student body, I
think it is very important that a
Council member consult with the
students and leaders most con-
cerned.
2) On the question of the re-
sponsibility for recognition and
withdrawal of recognition from
student organizations, I believe
that the administration of the
University should have the ulti-
mate responsibility; but that the
authority to decide what action is
to be taken should be delegated to
SGC as long as its decisions con-
cur with University policy.
3) I believe Student Government
Council has done a great deal in
the academic area. Such things as
the compilation of an exam file
to be put in the Undergraduate
Library and the Course evaluation
study are outstanding examples.
I do, however, think that there
are other projects in the academic
area which SGC could concern it-
self with. A most worthy project
would be a study of the academic
counseling system so that much
needed improvements could be
made.
I believe also that the follow-
ing changes and measures should
be studied and adopted.
a) To make SGC more reflec-
tive of student opinion:
Change the election system to
a plural method instead of the
Hare system, because I believe the
elected members should represent
the majority of voting students;
Have a Student Government
Council newsletter sent to all
housing groups each month in
order to better acquaint students
with what the Council is doin°e
Sue Rockne
Maize Team assistant chair-
man, Frosh Weekend; Office of
Religious Affairs advisory board;
Newberry House Judiciary; Pi
Beta Phi sorority; Co-chairman,
Speakers' Bureau, Student Gov-
ernment Council Public Rela-
tions Committee; SGC Public
Relations Chairman; SGC; De-
velopment Council Board of Di-
rectors; Student Relations
Committee, Development Coun-
eil; National Student Associa-
tion congress; International
Affairs Vice-Chairman, NSA
Michigan Region.
1) Each SGC member, by vir-
tue of his position, ought to con-
sult with the student body as
much as possible. The question is,
how much consultation is pos-
sible?
Present communication between
SGC members and the student
body is far from ideal and should
be increased especially in the
realm of personal contact. In the
end, however, the amount of con-
sultation will be largely deter-
mined by the time and issues in-
volved.
The most practical thing to do
is to consult - formally or in-
formally - with specific seg-
ments of the student body who
will be directly affected by a giv-
en decision.
Although it may appear that
SGC members do not always
take student opinion into account,
they usually do, because they are
considering all of it - not just
a vocal segment.
2) Responsibility for recogni-
tion and withdrawal of recogni-
tion from student organizations
is, with two outstanding excep-
tions, held by SOC. If one ac-
cepts, as I do, the premise that
students are capable of govern-
ing their own activities, this re-
sponsibility should lie with stu-
dent government. SGC was sup-
posedly established on this cam-
pus and recognized by regents,
students, faculty, and adminis-
tration on this premise.
Now SGC is confronted with
a practical reality. Where does
their jurisdiction lie in reference
to recognition withdrawal of fra-
ternities? SGC suddenly finds
that this jurisdiction is supposed
to be concurrent with that of the
administration.
Why this is so has never been
adequately explained - it may be
that SGC is now thought in-
capable of making these decisions,
which I doubt. If this is the case,
however, SGC: must share with
other University officials this
power until their confidence is
restored,
If fraternities are not merely
"student organizations" the power
to deal with them should never
have been given to SGC. But if
they are, the power to recognize
them and to withdraw this recog-
nition should be a power of stu-
dent government.
3) The academic area, a present
concern of SGC, can be greatly
developed. The Council could ef-
fectively work in at least two
areas:
Student-faculty relations leave
I mih a iav.ar nn .-.
SGC, after consultation with
both groups, could provide the
means for more student-faculty
meetings.
University needs deserve at-
tention. The decreasing student-
faculty ratio and cuts in library
hours are only two indications of
insufficient state aid. Outside in-
terest is needed. Students must
realize now their responsibility as
future alumni to help maintain,
if not raise, University standards.
SGC's role in this area is ob-
vious.,
ized the Education and Student
the possibility of innovating a
Junior Year Abroad plan at the
University. The committee will
work with the Literary College
Steering Committee, which has
already begun work in this area.
Initiate Insurance Program
The student health insurance
program was initiated by SGC in
1957 and continued this year. The
policy covers hospitalization and
treatment costs incurred within
a year after an accident, up to a
maximum of $3,000.
More students took out the pol-
icy during the 1958-59 academic
year than did a year ago, although
the cost of the plan increased.
Every semester, the Student
Book Exchange provides students
a place to sell their used textbooks
and buy others cheaply. It is a
cooperative service which Student
Government Council operates.
This year, for the first time
since the Council took over the
operation of the SBX, a profit was
recorded. When books are sold,
10 per cent is deducted from the
proceeds to cover advertising,
wages and supplies of the Ex-
clange. Money from sales and any
unsold books must be called for
within a specified time or Athey
become the property of SBX.
Must Terminate Activities
Within a 60-day period from the
beginning of each semester, the
activities of the Student Book
Exchange must be terminated.
The Summer; Reading Program
sponsored by the Council will be
carried to its completion next Sun-
day when five University professors
will discuss "The Pulsebeat of the
Twenties."
A list of books dealing with the
economy, culture, political thought
and psychology of the 1920's was
passed out to interested students
during the last few weeks of the
spring semester. The books were to
be read over the summer.
An examination file, compiled
by the Council, will soon be placed
in the basement of the Undergrad-
uate Library. It will be available
for the use of all interested stu-
dents.
Candidate Questions
The following questions were asked each SGC candidate in.
preparation for this supplement. The questions were optional; a
candidate could allot part or all of his space to a statement of
platform.
1) To what extent should an SGC member represent the
student body as a whole? Consult with specific p6otions of the
student body?
2) Does ultimate jurisdiction over recognition of student
organizations rest with SGC or with the administration?
3) Should SGC concern itself more fully with academic
areas? If so, what projects would you suggest?
Roger Mahey
1) A Council member elected'
from the campus at large has
many responsibilities to perform
which inevitably effect the whole
student body. It would seem, then,1
that a member should employr
every available opportunity to 1
determine the mandate of the ;
student body.
Since general student opinion'
on issues frequently lacks uni.-
formity, it is often necessary to
consult with different segments of >
the whole campus body. But this
should not be done to the exclu-
sion or exploitation of other seg-,
ments.
The purpose of consulting should4
be to get further insight and un-F
derstanding into many opinions
on issues. The member should not C Student Govern-
consult specific segments of the
campus body to such an extent ment Council elections commit-
that he becomes the instrument of tee; SGC Public Relations
a minority group; nor should he Committee; Director, All-cam-
1ignore the opinions of such a pus Elections; Young Republi-
group merely because it may re- cans executive board.
present a minority.
Council members should not ganization other than the all'
exist as an exclusive clique. I campus governing body, we can
believe that if real effort is made not make effective suggestions.
to initiate the mean of briin 1 3) SGC was not designed to be
Welfare committee to look into
Ronald
Gregg
SGC Education and Student
Welfare Committee chairman;
University Lecture Committee;
Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fra-
ternity.
1) One of the functions of a
Student Government Council
member is certainly to represent
student opinion. This becomes one
of his most important duties as
this is one function which he is
particularly well-equipped to ful-
fill. Of course there are many
instances when a Council member
need not consult the campus as a
whole.
Such things as calendaring spe-
cific activities, administering the
council's finances, and making ap-
pointments need not be backed
by extensive student opinion.
On the other hand such func-
tions of the council as originating
student projects, providing for
student discussion of campus prob-
lems, and representing student
opinion council members should
hear the voice of the student body,
and further, must encourage the
student body to express its opinion.
Looking at the situation realis-
tically, consultation with a por-
tion of the student body is needed
in two cases.
a) When a project or action
directly and only affects that por-
tion.
b) If a person is quite certain
that he has been elected by that
portion, and only by that portion.
But, in any case, a Council mem-
ber should, in my opinion, consult
with the Student body as often as
he can.
2) Although the direct responsi-
bility for recognition and with-
drawal of recognition for student
organizations rests with Student
Government Council, ultimate re-
sponsibility has to come from the
administration. In the recent ac-
tion concerning Sigma Kappa, a
lack of definition of responsibilities
was evident and as this area,
especially when concerning na-
tional organizations, is properly
within the jurisdiction of both the
administration and SOC "a joint
decision should have been reached
prior to any announcement.
This is something which must
be remedied for the future. Wher-
ever practicable, sole action should
rest with student government.
However, in the case of national
organizations, sole action should
be surplanted by a joint action.
3) In the last few semesters,
due to the work of a few people,
SGC has become more concerned
with academic problems. This has
been a fine development. By far,
the greatest significance that the
council can hope to attain will
come for representing student
opinion in educational matters,
We have planned several specific
projects and then several larger,
overall studies. Such things as in-
viting legislators to the campus to
arnuaint them with the TTniver.
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