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I'ngr I The l(«*d and Itlack. Friday, January 20, I07M
Simpson speaks
Thursday’s meeting between
the Arts and Sciences faculty
and University System Chancel
lor George Simpson wasn't the
confrontation we’d feared, but
neither did it allay our concern
over changes in the core
curriculum.
The faculty, for its part,
showed slight impatience with
Simpson's hour-long opening
statement and reserved its
applause for members from its
own number. Except for a polite
round at the end of the
chancellor’s statement, the facul
ty did not applaud during his
speech. Three faculty speakers
were applauded for their state
ments during the question-and-
answer session that followed.
Throughout the meeting, Simp
son took pains to say the changes
proposed for the core were not
final recommendations and were
subject to change.
• ••
The meeting arose from a
proposed standardized core cur
riculum for the entire University
system. The virtues of a
standard core are basically two:
—It more or less guarantees a
common base of knowledge for
all students in the system.
—It facilitates transfers from
one school of the system to
another.
The desirability of the first
point is open to debate. Our idea
on the second point was reflected
by a faculty member who said.
“If students are going to transfer
from junior colleges to the
University, then they must meet
the University’s criteria, not the
criteria of the schools they are
transferring from. So the Univer
sity should have a major role in
setting curriculum.”
The reasons for the proposed
change are laudable enough. The
chancellor is concerned over
declining literacy in the basic
“bonehead” areas of reading,
writing and arithmetic. His
approach, however—to turn in
struction in these areas over to
colleges—is way off the mark.
He might as well bid the tide to
go out.
If students do not gain basic
proficiency in English and math
at the grammar school or high
school level, then it’s pretty
unlikely that they will bloom into
intellectuals in college. Simpson
himself allowed that it would be
unrealistic to “find valedictor
ians in Special Studies.”
This is not to say basic
proficiency in language and
mathematical skills should be
ignored. Verbal skills and math
skills give a person the two basic
tools he needs to deal with
reality—concepts of quantity and
quality. But a student of 18 who
hasn’t yet mastered these skills
is already seriously impaired
and probably will never make a
full recovery from the failure of
his early education.
• ••
Although the time allowed for
questions was too short, the
faculty did present to Simpson
its concern that his proposals do
not accomplish his goals.
The faculty accepted the
chancellor’s offer to take an
active role in deciding what, if
any, common standards should
be applied to core courses in the
University System.
Again, however, the time
allowed may not be enough.
Talking to campus reporters
after the meeting—something we
were glad to see— Simpson said,
“I hope to have the studies on
individual campuses completed
in three months,” a goal we
consider too ambitious. A study
of Arts and Sciences curriculum
last year took a full academic
year, and at that was considered
a brisk pace.
The chancellor told reporters.
“This thing is complicated, more
complicated than I knew at
first." We agree. We would like
to add that a decision hastily
made may be worse than no
decision at all.
What haste makes
Sometimes the University
administration moves with grpat
deliberation. Sometimes it moves
with great speed The contrasts
are interesting.
A couple of years ago, the
University took its first steps
toward establishing a program
for interdisciplinary studies. The
first step was to survey other
schools to see whether—and
where—such programs were
offered.
On the other hand, no such
serious consideration went into
changing drop-add periods. The
University administration merely
announced that the time allowed
for drop-add would be shortened
to two days from three. It was
later discovered that some
classes didn't even meet during
the drop-add period, and now the
administration is considering a
switch back to three days.
Now we learn that other
schools around the South have
drop-add periods ranging from
six to 15 days. Withdrawal
periods at those schools range
from 15 days all the way till
finals.
Sometimes you wonder what
makes administrators do the
things they do.
fit THE RED AND BLACK
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BETH WHITESELL
Anew
Sunday is the fifth anniversary of Hoe
Wade, the I S Supreme Court decision
that struck down all state laws
prohibiting abortions in the first two
trimesters of pregnancy. During these
five years, four million legal abortions
have been per
formed in this coun
try.
The last five years
have also encom
passed the forma
tion and growth of a
new civil rights
movement, similar
in spirit and mili
tancy to the various movements of the
1960s This new movement, however, has
not been promoted by the mass media,
discussed in sociological seminars, or
celebrated at fashionable Manhattan
cocktail parties. It goes by the simple
name of “Right to Life" or "Pro-Life " I
am a part of this movement
Beth Whitesell. a junior in the College of
Arts and Sciences, is co-chairperson of
the Athens chapter of “Pro-Life**
Some readers may be startled to learn
that we consider ourselves a civil rights
movement, or offended that we use so
general a term as “life" to denote our
basic principle Is anvone opposed to
life 0
We are a civil rights movement, in
that. we assert the right to live of unborn
children who have no voice, no vote, no
means of defending their existence. We
are partisans of "life" because we regard
the preservation of human life as an
absolute value which must be sustained,
whatever the cost, if civilization is fo
survive the 20th century. Yes. we contend
that oui opponents are "anti-life"; we
believe that every argument for abortion
implies a degree of contempt for human
life, or subordinates the protection of life
to considerations of ideology or conven
ience.
We deny that abortion is a "private
matter." No one's "private" opinion can
alter the existence of human life.
We deny that abortion is "just a moral
issue." We reject the implied premise
that a clean conscience is justification for
destruction of a human life
We deny that abortion is a "women’s
issue." Women are often victims of
unjust circumstances leading up to an
abortion, and may rightly regard
pregnancy as a limitation on their
personal autonomy Other unfortunate
and often painful limitations include the
necessity of food, sleep, and shelter.
Pregnancy is a biological fact of life. We
deny that autonomy can be purchased at
LETTERS
civil rights movement
the price ol another s life.
We deny that abortion is an
"environmental" issue Current popula
tion pressures result from our success in
combatting the Malthusian checks of
war. disease and famine We reject the
suggestion that the population problem
be "solved" by encouraging a new type
of grim reaper Why not bring back the
Black Plague as well 0
We deny that abortion is justified in
cases where a child is "unwanted" or
may suffer from a birth defect We
condemn the arrogance of anyone who is
willing to decide, in advance, that
another’s life is not worth living.
We as a group, and I as an individual,
are appalled by the indifference we
encounter -particularly on this campus,
where much opportunity exists for the
study and discussion of pertinent issues
such as this Help will be needed in the
near future to assure that this vital civil
rights movement is a success.
THEY Biglly, Get a X*.
'LOAD or THIS, WERE- \
Supposed ro at on rhe A
EOuKOor FOK PH EXPEKIMEflWH-
KlLLER PfiBBir CPU you J
BELIEVE THAT.
‘John Guthrie should be fired’
TO THE EDITOR:
As avid basketball supporters here at
the University for the past three years,
we have seen tnc Georgia basketball
team at the pinnacles and the pits;
mostly the pits. The Tennessee game of
last year and the Louisville Classic of thi«
year are examples ol heights oi good
play On the other hand, the team has
managed to lose to such powerhouses as
Furman, Mississippi State and various
other cellar dwellers of the NCAA
We feel there Is enough talent on the
Georgia squad iwhich has included
several High School All-Americans' to be
top contenders in the SEC. What we ask
is why a Georgia varsity game resembles
a Stegeman pick up game- We feel that
all of this is due to the incompetant
coaching of John Guthrie.
This past Saturday night when Guthrie
sat on his duff, not calling a time-out,
watching Mississippi State take total
control of the tempo of the ball game
This is not a unique situation, for we
have seen Georgia fall apart many times
when a time-out was necessary to
regroup
We also question Guthrie’s judgment in
playing Lucius Foster and Lavon Mercer
to the point of exhaustion, which leads
them to foul trouble late in the game,
when they are needed the most. While
continuously playing Fosler. Mercer and
Walter Daniels, he refuses lo allow his
younger players to gam valuable plaung
experience
And why does he constantly play Mark
Slonaker when Jimmy Daughtry and
Charles Carter have proven to be more
effective on offense and defense?
Guthrie might be a nice person, but so
is my Aunt Louise, and she does not know
the first thing about basketball. With a
record of 35-70 over a five year period,
along with teams that show virtually no
improvement from year to year, we
wonder why John Guthrie is still head
basketball coach.
We ask all Georgia basketball
supporters to join us in requesting Joel
Eaves and the Athletic Board to remove
John Guthrie as coach and replace him
with a man who will establish a
successful basketball program here at
the University
BILLY FLORENCE
TIM OLIVER
TIM YANCEY
JOE LIVINGSTON
‘Defending film
from attack’
TO THE EDITOR:
In response to ‘Critic’s word not last
word.’ (Jan. 171, I must agree with
Thomas Hafley that the job of a critic is
not an easy one. nor without responsibi
lity. I can also agree with his description
of our local “critic's" wit.
A film critic, Hafley states, should
"divulge any information about a film
which he deems pertinent to the
formation of an opinion." What type of
information, though, should the critic
deem pertinent’’ Can one derive an
optimistic opinion from a "critic" who
has only negative attitudes about a film?
The altitudes ol our local “critic” give no
option.
If, as Hafley suggests, each individual
should make his own opinion about a
movie by using a critic’s review as the
basis for a decision, why did he have fo
form his opinion by reading my letter of
January ID?
What does our critic accomplish when
he derides a very enjoyable film, and
does not give opinion forming informa
tion. hut instead expounds his opinion so
vehemently that he influences someone
who would enjoy the "dickens" out of it?
Our critic never claims The World's
Greatest Lover will be a box office smash
nor attractive in the eyes of the general
public, as Hafley states some critics do,
but instead claims that Carol Kane’s
performance, which he says is very good,
actually hurts the film. Can any film be
acceptable in the eyes of this critic?
You, of all people, Hafley, I would
never have guessed would "accept his
word that it is a blah’ movie." I would
think that maybe you might have formed
an opinion if no one else had. but you
didn't. Not. that is, until you read my
letter No, Hafley. you didn’l form an
opinion of the film because our critic
never gave you half a chance. He formed
the opinion for you, and you only passed
judgment on the film in defense of our
critic, as your letter clearly suggests
If my "denunciation" of our critic has
caused Hafley and perhaps others to take
such defensive stands against this film,
then I am indeed sorry; and if, as Hafley
states, our critic has accomplished his
task, then 1 am really sorry, and I have
failed All I wanted to do was defend a
great film from a ravenous attack by a
critic unfit to review a motion picture of
such a caliber as is beyond his ability
R BURCH
possible to come out and have th<
picture made before the remake sessi
ends Friday, Jan. 20.
This photography is offered as
service to both the University and t
students On the one hand, one’s pictu
in the school yearbook becomes part
the permanent record of that particul
academic year And further, pictures
oneself are never "out of vogue,” beii
needed frequently in business (as wi
resumes!, and certainly to share wi
family and friends. You are, howevi
under no obligation to purchase the
pictures
The It sitting fee does not go back
the photography studio, but is depositi
directly to the Pandora’s uusine
account with the Department of Stude
Activities, to help offset the tremendo
costs incurred in the production of
480 page. $35-40.000 yearbook There w
a time when the book was complete
funded by Student Activity fees; toda
every dollar we have in our account h
been earned through the sale of bool
ads, page space and yes. even cla
picture sitting fees
Having previously edited the Georg
Tech yearbook where I also worked wi
Stevens Studios from Bangor. Maine
seems strange to me that year after ye
more than half the student body at Te
would consistently choose to be phoi
graphed for the yearbook (roughly 4C
out ol 8000 students), and here at tl
University we feel lucky to photograi
2000 out of 22,000. We can’t be th
apathetic—or can we?
In an attempt to make th
photography as convenient and acces
ble as possible, this year during the fi
quarter we set up in five dorms and twi
in Memorial over a three-week perio
We also sent out almost 16 0
advance-notice letters, had freqtie
PSAs and new notices run—and st
failed to attain the results we sought
Enough said. Becaue there we
enough requests to do so. t
renegotiated with Stevens for a week
remakes, daily 9 a m. to noon and 1 p i
to 5 p m in 210 Memorial. Dress as y
please, bring a buck and a smile. Tod
is the last day, so expect a potential
long line
Thanks, and here's looking at you.
‘Today is
the last day’
TO TIIE EDITOR:
SCOTT KINNEY. Editor
1*7* Pandora
‘Come see
the gymnasts’
I would appreciale the opportunity to
make a few comments about class
picture photography for the 1978
Pandora, if for no other reason than to
TO THE EDITOR:
“So you're on the gymnastics team,”
my friend says. Then comes the
inevitable question: “Can you do this?"
My friend makes fists in both hands and
thrusts them vaguely outward at about
shoulder height I translate this to mean.
Can you do an iron cross on rings?”
As a matter of fact, four or five of us
on the team can do iron crosses, but
those who can’t more than make up for it
by doing double back flips, schwaben
flankes, Tsukaharas, pirouettes, full-
twisters, and other exotic and exciting
things with their bodies
And to tell you the truth, I don’t think
anybody on the women's team can hold
an iron cross. But they sure will charm
you to death with their combination of
dynamic tumbling and artful dance
movements.
gymnastics Though 1 sense a lack ol
commitment in the statement, I slip into
my PH campaign, explaining the time
and place of our next meet, stressing the
quality of the competition, and of course
reminding my friend several times thal
the admission will be absolutely free.
My friend will nod animately and say
with finality, “Sounds great. I’ll b<
mere But when meet time arrives anc
1 scan the crowd of 42, my friend ii
nowhere to be found.
This lack of knowledge and interest ii
very discouraging to us, and we’vi
“ 0 lve wi,h 11 But we still don'I
e it. Let me tell you one thing abou
gymnasts We’re natural hams We al
ove our mums and dads, but whei
tney re not in front of seal backs, but ir
front of raucous, screaming bodies Jus
like any sports team reacts to far
support you’ll find we perform better it
front of lots of folks
our s P° rts world, particular);
‘ University, is oriented towarc
football and basketball These are hot!
fine sports, but we've got a good thin|
oo. and we d like you to come and checl
n out_ The women's meet starts at 11
a m. Saturday the 2lst at the Coliseum
K°“. n ** Cindy, Laine Cathy, Beth
„ „ rn - Diane and Bonnie prancini
gracefully about and you’ll fall in love
! ne " s meet starts at 7:30 tha
"‘ g . ht “ l the Coliseum You’ll see Marl
Inn a spin around 'he horizontal ba
whhe doing things with their shoulder
you never thought possible; you'll se.
t^rgias most talented pommel hors
team ever; and you’ll see Pepe, Paul, aw
„.“ C ^ eap “ ver the lon 8 horse doing on'
more flip than you expected
And it’» free!
JIM BEGG8
Letters policy -
Letters to the editor should:
Be typed, double spaced, on a
60-space line
Include name, address and phone
numoer of contributor