. PAGE MGRT TIME MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1957 PAGK !IGHT THE MICHIGAN DAIlY SGC Candidates Tell r blem Areas, Griticisms; 4 Bob Bruton SGC Administrative W i n g; Campus Affairs, Public Relations, 1956 Spring Elections Commit- tees; Sub-committee Chairman; Phi Kappa Tau House Manager. 1. The primary reason for SGC's existence on this campus is to serve as an intermediate body be- tween the students and the Uni- versity. It is the responsibility of SGC to heed student opinion and, at the same time, to help main- tain the University's purpose and policies. In fulfilling its capacity SGC must try to resolve any dif- ferences between them and to, bring about results that are satis- factory to both parties. 2. By an even closer cooperationa with the faculty and administra- tion, SGC should be able to find7 more satisfactory solutions to some of the present problems on, { the campus. The foremost of these should be to make improve- ments in the University Calen- dar. The housing problem, espe- cially in relation to raising of dor- mitory fees which cause a corres- ponding raise in rents, should beA an important consideration. Oth- er areas that merit SGC's atten- tion should include: the bicycle problem, the parking problem, and present methods of academic counseling. 3. Because of SGC's role as an intermediary body, it is the duty of each elected Council member to do all he can to keep the Uni- versity and the students working smoothly together. He needs to be in constant contact with the en- tire campus so ,that he is aware of student opinion, and he must be willing to contribute his time to this purpose. He must also be active in the Administrative Wing I Ron Gregg Education and Social Welf are, Library Hours (co - chairman), Student Representation Commit- tees; Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pledge; Gomberg House. I g s t p i b: c s -Daily-David Arnold NEW FACILITIES-SGC members Anne Woodard and Tom Saw- yer work in the Council's newly acquired offices in the Student Activities Bldg. Officers have their own rooms in the background. ri * 1 erio By MICHAEL KRAFT It's evaluation time for Student Government Council as the or- ganization nears the end of a two-year trial period. A committee headed by Prof. Lionel H. Laing, of the political science department, is preparing "an evaluation of the effectiveness of student government under the present program," as instructed by Vice-President for Student Affairs James A. Lewis. At its April meeting, the, Board of Regents is scheduled to re- ceive the report on SGC, first student government group to be of- ficially recognized by the Regents. SGC dPlan in Effect in 1955 The SGC Plan went into effect in March, 1955, after receiving approval from the Regents on Dec. 17, 1954. One week earlier, a ,.,campus-wide student referendum and willing to work on its pro- jects. 4. The topics to be considered ,t SGC Forums should be the problems of the campus not only as they arise, but those which are likely to come up for SGC action in the future. They should include such as those previously men- tioned 'in my answers and also such matters as the problems of an increasing enrollment, North Campus, and student conduct. 5. The principal weakness of SGC now, is not in its organiza- tional structure, but in its failure to gain student support. If SGC were to inform students of its functions and pending actions and then put more emphasis on stu- dent opinion, a good deal of the present apathy would be over- come. An expression of increased interest in SGC by the students would then undoubtedly result in the University placing more weight on SGC's decisions, thus giving it a freer hand to resolve the students' problems. 1. Student government's one great responsibility to both the tudent and to the University is o assist in providing the finest possible education available. This s achieved, at least through SGC, by the assurance of unique and concentrated opportunities to the student, both inside and outside of the classroom. In other words SGC helps the student to solve his problems and achieve his objec- tives. 2. Following from question one, which places the responsibility of assisting in the education of the whole student on the student gov- ernment, I would urge SGC to en- ter into these areas of responsi- bility and to provide some an- swers to important questions. Let me outline a representative pro- gram. We might ask these questions: What educational opportunities, both formal and informal, are there at the University, and how can the individual student gain I these pages. Duncan Garrett World University Service "Trea-t sure Van" Manager; WCBN Staff;I Pledge President; Junior Inter- Fraternity Council; Inter-Frater- nity Council; Tau Kappa Epsilon Chaplain, Treasurer, Vice-Presi- dent. 1. Student Government Council has the responsibility of repre- senting both the University's and the Student Body's views, inter- pretations, and opinions on ac- tions taken by either group. It should, in its legislation, respect the rights of the student whileI carrying out administrative and regental policy. Finally, SGC should function as an interme- diary between the Administration and the Student, expressing the student's point of view concern- ing administrative policy. 2 At present the SGC does not Questionnaires The Daily, as part of its annual all-campus election coverage, asked the following questions of the 13 candidates for Student Government Council in the coming elections: 1. What is your concept of SGC's responsibility to the student and to the University? 2. What are the important areas, issues, or problems that you will bring to SGC's attention during the next year? 3. What do you consider the duties of the individual SGC member? 4. What topics do you think should be discussed at future SGC forums? Why? 5. What is the major criticism you have of SGC? Candidates' answers are printed, with their experience, on C C 4 14 C h i 0 a LI t c t s It LI 4 Scott Chrysler SGC Mem b er;- Orientation Director; Education (co-chair- man), Health Insurance, Free' University of Berlin (chairman) C m it e; S u et A tvte Bldg. Open House Chairman; University Calendar Committee; Sigma Chi. > f L YJ 1r 1 7 r f I Ix ti By DAVID TARR One issue - Sigma Kappa - dominated the work of Student Government Council last semes- ter. Other studies and proposals, initiated and lost in the shuffle of the sorority debate, have been coming to the Council's attention in recent weeks, however. Initiation of SGC Forums, plus action on the Lecture Committee, the calendar, fraternity rushing and rising Residence Hall costs are among the major ones. Falf the Sigma -Kappa problem was settled Dec. 4 when SGC found the sorority in violation of University regulations and Feb. 13 when the Council took action; the other half will be settled in Sept. 1958 when the Council will de- cide whether the sorority will re- main on campus. Issue Raised backed the plan by a seven-to-two ratio. SOC replaced Student Legisla- ture, a group of 42 members elected from the campus at large, and the appointive 15-member StudentAffairs committee which included student, faculty and ad- ministration members. Organized to reflect and express student opinion, SL derived its authority from a student-ap- proved constitution and the SAC, but held no real Regental authori- zation.S I our-year Study 1. SGC has a dual responsibili-> ty: 1) Recognizing and expressing . student opinion, and 2) Imple- menting student opinion to further the ideals of the University. The first responsibility entails a con- stant alertness to be aware of all issues, no matter how small, which? any student expresses. When a general student issue is -at hand, : . SGC should be careful to support the majority, but never neglect thew minority, which could be very can contribute. Present internal large on a campus of this size. structure hinders this because' The whole area necessitates ex- elected members are tied down to cellent communication. As soon as particular committee areas. Singu- SGC and the students realize the lar interest in their committee of- importance of each other, this li hrcf- imprtnc o echoter tisten prohibits s, broader outlook , 1 k!4 I f k r SAC was delegated authority by the Regents to regulate student activities. It was not, however, a body set up to express student opinion. Combining the two functions of representation and regulation, the SGC Plan was completed after more than four years of study. First suggested by Malin Van Antwerp '55L, final plans were de- veloped by a student-faculty study committee headed by Prof. Laing and were presented to the Re- gents by Vice-President Lewis. Powers Given While giving SGC complete powers of regulation over student activities, the plan approved by flhp R tC i d Bn a.rd of The issue was raised last fall I after National- Sigma Kappa had Review empowe suspended, during the summer, Council action. the charter of its chapter at Cor- The basic con nell and withdrawn that of its government ine chapter at Tufts. campus groups r Neither the local chapters nor bers was selecte officials of those schools were able erendum in Ma to offer explanations for the sus- Today, SGC p pensions, but both chapters had the 11 elected t pledged Negro women the previ- presidents of th ous spring. Assembly Associ University regulations state: Association, Int "Recognition will not be granted Interfaternity any organization which prohibits Daily Editor. membership in the organization . because of race, religion or color." R eview Committee Set Meeting on Dec. 5, SGC voted Cheeks 12 to 5 that Sigma Kappa was not meeting the "conditions for main- tenance of recognition." A five- man committee was appointed two weeks later to propose courses Three times t of action on the sorority. view has beenc On Feb. 13 SGC, on advice of Student Govern the committee, instructed Sigma cisions, and th Kappa to remove its "discrimina- nodded assent. tory policies" by Sept. 1958, or ac- The Board ha tion would be taken to withdraw any SGC action recognition. question of jur The sorority's next national quires further convention is scheduled for the view of Regenta summer of 1958. istrative practic A committee established on Oct. Within four d u e a ru uu ered to examine cept of a student eluding heads of plus elected mem- by a student ref- rch 1947. olicy is decided by members and the ae Union, League, ation, Panhellenic er-House Council, Council and The Board Three 4ions the Board of Re- called to examine ment Council de- ree times it has s power to review which involves a risdiction or "re- consideration in 1 policy or admin- ve.". ays of publication communication will become more over all SGC problems. Replacing active. The second responsibility elected members with competent includes the careful weighing of Administrative Wing people as student opinion, along with in- committee chairmen would allow+ terpretation of University regula- the elected members more freedom tions, to achieve a solution in the and also create responsible incen- best interests of the students and tive in the Administrative Wing. the University, now and in the fu-_ ture 2. Health Insurance and the cal- E endar are two major issues facing students in the future. SGC should make sure that the students get Michigan Marching Band (two what they want in each case. This years) ; Kappa Kappa Psi (music means finding out if students honorary) ; Buildings, Grounds want a voluntary or compulsory Chairman, 1958 J-Hop Central insurance program and what stu- Committee; Finance Chairman, dents want their policy to cover. 1957 Spring Weekend Central SGC should be active in present- Committee; Student Activities ing student opinion and students' Bldg. Board; Theta Xi. ideas of calendars to the newly formed university calendar com- 1. I feel that SGC's main re- mittee. The student ' wants are sponsibility to the students is one the most important factors in ;which the name of the organiza- each case. ttion implies - representing the 3. The individual member is res- students. To accomplish this ponsible to the students. It is my there must be a methode of com- belief that he should representmunico ibt nthetuentsI student opinion and not manufac- and the council, and at the pres- ture it himself. This again in- ent, all channels seem to be volves communication. Communi- blocked. SOC's responsibility to cation can definitely be improved the University is one of represent- through ex-officio organizations. ing student opinion, which I feel I am in favor of establishing a the Conci1 is not doing. "lower-house Senate" with geo- 2. At the present I can think of graphical student representation no important issues or problems to express and initiate opinion. that should be brought to SGC's 4. Only very controversial issues attention during the next year should be discussed at forums. but I am sure that problems will Trivial, already decided issues are arise during the coming year that "dead" forum topics. The calen- can't be anticipated at the pres- dar and health insurance would ent. be excellent forum topics since 3. I feel the duties of the indi- each will affect every student. vidual SOC member are many, 5. Presently, SGC spends most. since it is their job to represent of its time deciding how to do the students, and because of the something, and the time left over nature of their job, they should doing it. To me, all the members be available to the students. Each should be concerned with every member should try to help the issue and understand it so they student in as many areas as pos- sible, but most important of ail, each member should reflect stu- an a esdent opinion to the best of his Number of candidates for ability. And, to represent the stu- Student Government Council dents, you must be available to this semester - 13 - repre- them. sents a drop in numbers over 4. I don't feel SGC Forums are i no + c , cf a c 1 f - - -1 +_ +1- r+,..- + .,_,,_ v. nvN cc v. have a constitution. I wish to see i that such a document is prepared' stating SOC's duties, authority, jurisdiction, and limitations. As , part of this constitution, I would s like to see a change in the selec- tn tion of Joint Judiciary members. At present, SGC serves as on ap-dC pointing body for the selection ofdti the members of Joint Judiciary. Id feel this is wrong because a legis- lative body should not select the the most from these opportuni- people to carry out its laws. I ties? This opens many areas of would also like to see The Daily, study. as part of its pre-election issue, a. Scholarships and loans - publish an explanation of the me- Are there enough diversifiede thod of voting so that each voter scholarships? Are they given understands how his vote helps with discrimination to people to elect a member of SOC who demonstrate real need? - 3. Each SO C member should b Study of the Curriculum - I represent to the best of his or What additions or deletionst4 her ability the opinion of the stu- could be made? Is there any way dent body on any issue. This in- to better inform students about cludes collection of both facts and particularcourses an l pro- opinions, determining their val- grams? How can we improve idity, and registering his or her the honors program? h conclusion by vote. c. Educational quality of ex- 4. Among the topics I would like tra curricular activities - How to see discussed at future SOC can these activities give the best Forums is the problem of parking possible experiences with the1 facilities. With the present driv- least waste of time? ing regulations it isimperative d. Libraries - Can library that more parking areas be vail- hours be changed or expanded to able to student drivers, provide better service to the stu- 5. My major criticism of SOC dent? is its undefined authority which These are just a few of the ques- does not permit the student body tions to be answered. They cannot to judge whether the student's be answered in one year, of course, rights under SOC jurisdiction are but this sort of program is essen- being infringed upon. tial and should be started imme- __________________________diately. 3. I suppose we couldsit down -. and name a great many duties of zan SOC representative. But I think that we would conclude that his greatest responsibility is to make a thorough study of all sides of an issue for himself, and then rt draw his own conclusion. This > study would naturally include the influences of the student elector- ate, involved parties, the adminis- tration and other SGC members. 4. Any major problem affecting the students and being studied by SfSGC should be put before the stu- dents in a forum discussion. Cer- tainly some of the most interest- ing and profitable subjects would t be inter-scholastic athietics, cur- riculum, and an improved honors_ program. The information from these forums would be invaluable to SGC insdetermining action in these areas. SOC must go directly to the stu- 5. There are two criticisms that dent residences to find out how I would make concerning SOC. The first is that SGC, in council, they feel on the present issues. concerns itself with little admin- At this time the member from istrative details leaving no time SGC could explain what SGC is for the discussion of major areas doing, present the thinking of in which it should be concerned. SGC on matters of current impor- For example let me quote from tance, and find out directly how the SGC Plan, Article 3, Func- the students feel on many of the tions. important issues. This, I feel, 1. To recognize new campus would result in the following im- organizations. provements in SGC: 2 To approve or deny approval for student-sponsored activities. a. It would bring SOC closer 3. To make rules governing eli- to the students by encouragng gibility of students participating their interest in student govern- in extra curricular activities aret; takinghey awouldtiv feel thaerest andthey above and beyond a grade point art aing S . average established by schools part in SGC and colleges. b. It would keep the students I These functions are valid and more informed on the issues cur- must be done, but they could be rently before SGC. handled. in a committee, leaving c. The Council would have the council free to consider areas more support from the students, concerning the whole student nrr nl n n - n hota en vi of }nr-.e a. ..-..,.,,. ,..,.;... Judy Martin Campus Affairs (assistant chair- nan), Student Activities, Lecture Committee Study (secretary) Committees; Michigan Y o u t h Commission; Michigan Youth Ad- visory Council; JunIor Panhel- lenic; Soph Show; Debate; Chi Omega Judiciary. 1. SGC should represent the highest element of informed and ntelligent student thought and opinion in furthering the ideals and educational standards of the University. First and most impor- tant, the Council should establish close relations and communica- tion with the student body to in- sure understanding of all SGC ac- tion and programs. It must carry out programs that will best help the entire University community, in addition to serving in a coor- dinating capacity for campus ac- tivities. In doing these things the Council must carry out, in a re- sponsible and efficient manner, ts many delegated functions. The Council as a governing body miust originate new programs and stimulate thought on important campus issues. SGC should con- tinue to carry out its responsibil- ity of cooperating and workb g with the Administration and Fac- ulty to promote the interests of the University. 2. The public relations function of SOC should be greatly ex- panded. This is an area where ex- officio members should play a more important role. The Speak- er's Bureau should operate throughout the year and the SOC Review should be published more frequently and have better distri- bution. I would like to see more emphasis placed on the educa- tional function of SGC, such as extensive work in the areas of student participation in curricu- lum planning and investigation of honor systems for more schools. Also, assistant chairmanships should be open on all committees for students on the Administra- tive Wing to build better leader- ship. 3. The individual SOC member should represent student opinion 4, and should contribute his own thoughts, experience and efforts to the Council in carrying out its responsibilities. The member must direct all committee projects and should attempt to initiate original thought in areas besides the com- mittee of which he is chairman. 4. The Council should not have to think up topics merely to have forums. Topics important to 94 majority of students such as the calendar should present them- selves. Then, a forum composed of Council members andothers, should be held with adequate op- portunity for the expression of student opinion. Possible sugges- tions for forums might be, one phase of the Evaluation Commit- tee,. such as the powers of SGC, or the University Curriculum. 5. My major criticism is the relationship of SOC to the stu- dents. Discontent stems from lack of knowledge and understanding, and constructive criticism only comes from an informed student body. Thus, an effective Speak- er's Bureau and Newsletter would contribute both to the student body and the Council's represen- tation of student opinion. The re- cently proposed All-Campus Sen- ate body which would provide for more adequate expression of stu- dent opinion might be the begin- ning of a solution to this prob- lem. James C. Park Education, Academic Freedom, H e alth Insurance (chairman) Committees; Inter - Fraternity Council; Inter-Fraternity Council Sing 1957 Chairman; Freshman Basketball; Football; S p a n is h Club; Greek Week Central Com- mittee; Sigma Phi Epsilon Rush- ing Chairman, Comptroller. 1. After two important years of the Student Government Coun- cil, I feel a definite evaluation is appropriate. Approval of the re- cently initiated SGC Plan, which was only a trial program, is not enough. a. The Council should con- tinue good relations with the ad- ministration. In this area the council has done a good job, but in the other responsibility - to+ the students-a favorable report is not easy.a b. Areas that have definite binding responsibility are: train- ing of leaders for student gov- ernment, housing, tuition, coun- seling, and catendaring. 2. Issues that need action (not blindly), but with less debate are the following: a. My work in the wing has been in the field of health in- surance and my feeling is that some type of acceptable-to-stu- dents policy could be effected next fall. b. A university book store seems very feasible. This would alleviate financial problems and concerns of students on campus. c. Progress in student repre- sentation on the lecture com- mittee is a must and should con- tinue until a new policy is estab- lished. d. Fourth, and maybe most important, is the problem and need for strong student repre- sentation on the calendar com- "mF.T. ,7 ... .. - _e. reia sr ~ 'A 3 11 duty of a member to always be thinking originally of new cam- pus needs. 4. Topics that need discussion at SOC forums- a. "Could the Structure of SGC be Improved?"-I feel the members of the council should have well-defined constituents (maybe elect 16), and even a second body has been suggested. b. "Health Insurance Needs" -Discussion on possible pro- grams is in line. c. "University Calendar For- um"-A definite need for student assertion is needed. 5. Criticism of SOC meetings seems in order because of detailed discussions over relatively minor items that might conceivably be handled in committee. This does not mean that substandard re- ports would be accepted, but that the council give some value and respect to the committee that has thoroughly investigated the prob- lem. More members on a com- mittee would increase chance of council approval since the recom- mendation came as a result of - - - - - - s. - - -4 ;- 3 to study the University Lecture of SGC action in The Daily Off i- Committee and Regent By-laws } cial Bulletin, any member can re- on outside speakers submitted a quest a Board meeting. report accepted by SGC March 6. First test came last March aft- It contained 12 recommenda- er SGC voted 10-8 in favor of de- tions calling for revisions in the ferred rushing for sororities. Lecture Committee. In December, the Board was also called to review SGC's deci- Evaluation Called sions limiting Galens' "bucket On Jan. 16 SGC called "for an drive" to off-campus areas and I I