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November 06, 1960 - Image 4

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Michigan Daily, 1960-11-06

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THE MICHIGAN DAILY

Candidates'

Platforms

r . . .
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pus activities going on the same
night, I feel that SGC should be
mainly concerned with educational
and service projects such as the
Willopolitan Bus Service, Student
Book Exchange, and Student-Fac-
ulty Dinners administered by the
Education Committee. There are
many areas that need to be ex-
plored further, such as the estab-
lishment of a student parking
structure near campifs, possibili-
ties of chartering planes and
busses for student travel at vaca-
tion time, 'possibilities of inde-
pendent study programs and ways
in which students can get courses
that are not now being offered.
According to the SOC Plan, one
of the functions of the Council is
to "participate in the discussion
of University policy and to serve
as official liaison between Uni-
versity policy-making agencies and
the student community." It is in
this role as liaison where SOC can
help further the educational aims
of the students. The student body
should be able to work more close-
ly with the faculty in planning
curriculum changes and other
policy matters. Also, it is im-
portant for students to become
acquainted with more of the fac-
ulty members outside the class-
room. Here is where I feel SOC
can enlarge its program. Students
should be encouraged to come to
the Council with suggestions and
criticisms about University policy
and faculty, and to work in carry-
ing them out.
One area where I definitely
think SOC is lacking is that of
relations with the individual stu-
dent. The majority of students do
not even know what SGC does
outside of what they may happen
to hear about some big issue. I
would suggest that every housing
unit that wishes to, should select
one interested person to serve as
a liaison between his house and
SGC. This group of representatives
should meet weekly or bi-weekly
with a member or members of the
Council to hear the background
and views on all issues being con-
sidered by the Council, as well as
information about projects the
council is carrying out and pro-
posing. They could then carry
this information back to other;
members of their houses and
sometimes take straw votes to give
SGC some idea of what opinions
are on programs and policies. I
would be very willing to meet with
such a group and if other council
members would do the same it
could be a very successful pro-
gram.
I also feel that along with the
minutes now being sent to every
house, there should be a report of
what various Administrative Wing
committees are doing at least
every other week. Many people
don't even know this large part of
SGC even exists and some of their'
work is as important as what
comes before the Council for de-
bate.
SGC should be working with1
students and for students if it isj
to be considered a representative
of the 'student community. It is
said that the student body is apa-
thetic, but I maintain that it is a:
matter of ignorance to what is
going on that creates much ofr
this, and that SGC should workr
to bring the student closer to it1
and its programs.t

which all the facts were not
known. The long debates which
ensued were entirely unnecessary'
and would not have taken place if
the basis of the accusation had
been more thoroughly investigated
before any action was taken.
In taking a, stand on "sit-ins"
and picketing of local variety,
stores SGC was expressing the
views of a small group and not
those of the whole student body.
SGC programs should be cen-
tered around such things as sum-
mer reading programs, bike auc-
tions and similar functions of local
campus interest. It should not
concern itself with national issues.
I am in support of the 1949 and
May, 1950 SOC forming the Com-
mittee on Membership in Student
Organization. However, I believe
that fraternities and sororities
should also be able to choose their
members without feeling a neces-
sity to prove to the University that
they are not biased. Through this
Committee SGC should move slow-
ly, investigating the consequences
of every step it plans to make be-
fpre it makes such a step. I feel
a meeting of all fraternity and
sorority presidents, called to dis-

Michigan Daily Business Staff,
Wolverine Club-Pep Rally Sub-
Committee Chairman, Phi Sig-
ma Sigma Sorority--Public Re-
lations.
The Student Government Coun-
cil being an organization com-
posed of people working together
for the benefit and betterment of
the University should be, and is
interested in all matters' of any
nature that concern the students:
both as an .individual and as a
group. This organization should
not be limited to any one field for
discussion, but rather should ex-
tend itself to encompass such is-
sues as National Educational Serv-
ices and the Big Ten Mock Elec-
tion. SGC supports local auton-
omy, but it cannot function in this
capacity without the help of you
the student whether undergradu-
ate or graduate.
For the University as an entity,
SGC is the liaison between the
administration and the student
body. The individual student must
make his views known to SGC be-
fore they can represent him. This
includes voting in the SGC elec-
tions. Only then can they function
as an organization.
The most controversial issue at
present is that of Membership
Selection in Student Organiza-
tions. It is directed toward the
sororities and fraternities, but does
include clubs of. any nature. SGC
has taken a stand- which should
be supported by you, the individ-
ual, and you, the group. You have
already formed sympathy picket
lines and have given support to
those participa'.ng in sit-ins. As
an individual you say you want
integration. Now try it as an or-
ganization. Clean up your own
mess. Submit a notarized state-
ment that gives your membership
clauses. Give your interpretation
of these statements. By submitting
this you are not calling yourself
guilty but rather, you are estab-
lishing your innocence. Your stu-
dent government is composed of a
group of responsible people that
you put into office. Why are lyou
now afraid to let them do any-
thing? The only way to eleviate
discrimination is to eliminate the
environment in which is exists.
Choose your friends and house-
mates solely on their merit as an
individual. Leave group classifica-
tion out.
I feel that once you have sub-
mitted this notarized statement
you should not have to submit, at
a further date, your Constitution
or Rituals and Traditions. In sum-
nation, I feel that the Student
Government Council should be al-
lowed to exercise its powers in any
field that it so chooses but, in
order for it to be effective, SGC
needs the full support of you, the
student body!

won"1
rwrrp

T
r
f
e
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a

cuss this problem, and the pro-
posed requirement of turning in
membership clauses, would be
beneficial to all involved.
SGC should play the role of a
middleman, acting between the
student body and the University.
Opinions of the former should be
carried to the University-deci-
sions of the University down to
the student. SOC is in no position
to make policy statements based
on -their own views concerning
national issues, since they are rep-
resenting only one-eighth to one-
fifth of the student body. If
elected I will attempt to find out
student opinion before voting on
a statement concerning national
policy. In its relations with stu-
dent organizations, SGC seems to
place too many restrictions on stu-
dent organizations. I see no reason
why a recognized student group
should be forced to obtain ap-
proval for each speaker it wishes
to have. I also question the neces-
sity of a central accounting sys-
tem for student organizations.
It is my goal to make SOC a
more meaningful and more repre-
sentative body of students working
effectively in the behalf of the
entire student body.

These pages are a paid ad-
vertisement of Student Gov-
ernment Council. The Daily
staff compiles the information
and the Council pays the stu-
dent rate for the pages.

SEMESTER RECORD:
Council Considers Constitutions Issue .
By PHILIP SHERMAN
to see all or parts of this confi- last semester that student organi- With referent to, so called "off-
A great deal of the argument dential file. zations must select members on campus" issues, the Council has
between Student Government Basic Reasons the basis of personal merit and taken two actions:
Council candidates revolves The basic reason for obtaining not race, color, creed, religion, '1) It urged repeal of the local
around what the Council should the constitutions, or the member- national origin or ancestry. ordinances against sale of liquor
do ship selection information appears The second issue has been the by the glass.
A brief review of what the to be a desire to implement the appointment of the membership Writes Letters
Council has done this semester regulation, passed by the Council selection committee. 2) It wrote letters to the gov-
may be valid as an evaluation of2)I rt eertoheg-
candidates' opinions. ernor of Georgia, the Mayor of
The big issue has been that of Atlanta and the Student Non-
access to fraternity and sorority Violent Coordinating Committee,
constitutions or to parts thereof. asking repeal of Georgia "anti-
Motions that have been on the trespassing" laws that have been
floor at various times would re- used in what the Councilfelt was
quire fraternities and sororities to unjust harassment of sit-in dem-
surrender their constitutions, con- | || Onstrators.
stitutionlforms. which eepron ddi:s:st N Cucl ot1ammittaeshave' been

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7 7.

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