Newspaper Page Text
»*•*«“ *
The Red andVIack. Wednesday October 7. 1979
Perceptions
Another year
of Davison?
University officials are keep
ing a cautious eye on a law suit
taking place in Pennsylvania
which concerns the drinking of
alcoholic beverages at college
functions.
The suit, Bradshaw v.
Rawlings, stems from an inci
dent which took place at
Deleware Valley College in
Doylestown, Pa. Donald
Bradshaw, a professor at the
school, went to a sophomore
class picnic, at which beer was
served.
After the picnic. Bradshaw-
accepted a ride back to campus
from Bruce Rawlings who was
also at the picnic.
On the way home, Rawlings’
car hit a parked car. In the
accident Bradshaw received a
cervical fracture which caused
quadriplegic paralysis.
Bradshaw then brought suit.
TO Tin: EDITOR:
I said goodbye to Richard Press the
other day He is. right now. on his way to
California -not by free choice alone but
definitely because of choices he made in
1977-78.
You remember Richard Press—the
library's black sheep—the only man in
the library administration who had a gut
honesty, an integrity. Dr Press was fired
from his position as assistant director for
collectin development when he could not
agree with the way in which the Director
of the libraries at that time was
addressing and proposing to solve some
se. ious problems occuring in the library
Dr Press's choices in 1977-78 were. 1
repeat. •<> take an independent stand on
the . sues He had nothing to gain
p i from,hit actions except the
satisfaction that he had acted in the
interests of his employees For his
courage, he suffered humiliation, deri
sion. a denial of his constitutional rights,
and professional rum.
Was his r iring the plan of the main
administration under President Davison
or was it a mistake <a miscalculation)
that has not been admitted 0 Is there a
similarity between Dr. Press' case and
that of Dean Edwards 0
Nov. on his way to California, Dr. Press
e . : ks on a new career He is deeply
Sv im-l. but not defeated If he were still
here h* would be supporting the rights of
hi: employees and his peers Those of us
who remain here must question the
administration's action against him
The facts indicate that these actions
and policies continue to exist like the
current of a broad and swift river. It is a
current full of controversy which
desperately needs to be justified
While it is easier. President Davison, to
condemn those who do not agree with
your thinking than it is to understand
them, you must make an attempt to
listen open-mindedly How many more
excellent employees will be fired by you
or will leave because of your policies and
decisions?
The list is already quite long Please.
Mr President, for the sake of this
university, take notice of the implications
of your actions lest we all grow indolent
or despondent
Those of you interested in academic
freedom (freedom and not abuse of that
freedom) will do well to remember
Richard Press He is a man of conviction
and humane fairness who exemplifies
academics of the highest caliber We can
survive without him. but should we?
Anyone could be next—perhaps you—or
don't you think so° Ask Dean Edwards
JONATHAN PERRY
‘Beaver Mansion
is dead’
TO THE EDITOR:
"Halloween doesn't seem the same in
the Classic City without a huge bash at
Beaver Mansion. The costume parties that
ravaged that house every October are
legends in Athens." Neil...I am sorry that
you either mentally or physically missed
claiming that the college was
negligent in overseeing the
picnic.
That’s the part that has
University officials concerned
They must first wait to see what
the decision in the suit is, but if
the college is held to be
negligent, it could have wide
spread effects for schools all
over the country.
But the University, like any
other school, is in a bind. It
would be difficult for the
University to attempt to regulate
college parties. It is not the right
or the responsibility of the
University to regulate student
drinking.
About the only restrictions the
University can enforce are those
dealing with the legal drinking
age or ones dealing with
THE Halloween party at ''The Zoo”
Wednesday night.
My son. Beaver Mansion is dead,
deceased, finished, washed up... “The
Zoo" lives forever. With rock and roll
bands like “Gangster" emerging into the
local scene, the future can onl> be
electrifying.
MICHAEL A. COLLINS
‘Criticisms are
easy to make'
TO THE EDITOR.
You and most students I’ve talked to
here show an appalling sense of apathy
toward student government Here only
temporarily from another university. I
have been amazed at the nonchalance
with which you accept your lack of a
responsible voice in university affairs
(which are, after all. your own*.
If you would research the issue, it is
possible that you would support a return
of student government to the University
Who is allocating the activity fee dollars
that you shell out each term’’ Do you
actually prefer that an administrator
sitting in his ivory tower decides who
receives what° Maybe the speech team
gets twich as much as it really needs
because the speech coach is a close
personal friend of his.
Administrators are perfectly willing to
listen to what students want, but when
students prove themselves irresponsible
and do away with what organized voice
they have, I wouldn't blame the
administration for saying to heck with
you and spending your money for a new
functions held on University
property.
What the University can do is
try to help students through
awareness programs. If they
can't restrict students from
drinking, they can warn them of
the possible consequences if they
do
What some schools have done
is supply shuttle buses to local
bars and drinking holes and then
back to the campus again at the
end of the night so that students
will not have to worry about
driving drunk.
The University, while not being
able to regulate drinking, can
take measures such as these to
help out the students who may
take just one too many trips to
the keg.
faculty lounge.
But I forgot. You are saving the
students $30,000 and that sounds good.
Your style of writing is one in which you
try to appeal to the students and be
popular with them And I don’t suppose
you'll put down "Editor. The Red and
Black" on your resume.
Surely, if you bothered to research the
facts you would find that the state system
of higher education in this state requires
you to have a student government (to
allocate fees, if nothing else). Granted,
the local administration might have
pared down those requirements to the
bare minimum, but it might behoove you
to at least check into it.
If student government was ineffective,
why didn’t or don't you try to implement
one that is effective? A student
government doesn't have to cost money.
A few years ago. another university in
my state’s system did what University
students did last spring and the
administration had to resort to paying
students to fill positions required by law.
Ii cost less than having to hire
administrators, but a lot more than had
they maintained student government and
tried to improve it to keep up with the
times.
Criticisms such as yours are easy to
make, it is one thing to criticize
constructively, and quite another to make
blatant statements that sound good to
your peers, but accomplish absolutely
nothing.
I applaud Assistant Dean of Student
Affairs Bill Mendenhall's efforts to
enhance student involvement in student-
related decisions. I hope he found a
sufficient number of people who cared
enough to attend his meeting Thursday.
Seth Cohen
In February there will he a presidential
election, or should I say re-election. There
is only one candidate “running" for the
office. His name is Fred Davison. Ihe
Board of Regents will decide whether or
not this man should enter his 15th year as
the leader of our university
Seth Cohen is a staff writer for The Red
and Black
From all indications. Davison will win his
bid for re-election, even though no one
quite knows how his constituents, that is.
the faculty and students, feel about the
prospect of another year of the Davison
administration.
The only votes of confidence in recent
years, those by the College of Arts and
Sciences in 1975 and 1977. showed that the
faculty in this school were overwhelmingly
dissatisfied with the way Davison runs this
university.
Interestingly enough the students have
never been polled on how they feel about
their president. This is very curious since
Davison is supposed to he our president.
After all. the University wouldn't quite be
the same without the student population.
Obviously, the administration would not
sponsor such a poll, but many groups on
this campus, including this newspaper,
could. But even if there were a poll, the
odds arc not many students would take the
time to vote. This is because students don’t
Millions of third-world babies suffer and
die needlessly every year.
In the coming weeks, the University
community will have the opportunity to
address itself to this controversial issue
wherein at stake are the lives of millions of
infants in developing countries.
Jeffrey Jowdy is a junior in the College of
Arts and Sciences
The issue is a question of profits versus
morality. As Senator Ted Kennedy asked
when opening Senate hearings. “Can a
product which requires clean water, good
sanitation, adequdTv family income and a
literate parent to follow printed instrut
tions be properly and safely used in areas
where water is contaminated, sewage runs
in the streets, poverty is severe, and
illiteracy high?"
The issue is of the immoral and unethical
promotion of infant formula in areas of the
world where misuse of the product is
inevitable. Over 10 million babies fed on
infant formula suffer each year from what
is termed “bottle baby disease at* a
result of the misuse, according to Dr.
realize that the wav the president runs the
University has a direct affect on them.
How?
If faculty members are constantly in fear
f being fired, denied tenure, or suddenly
transferred, what happens to the quality of
education? If faculty members are con
stantly pressured to "publish or perish”,
what happens to the quality of education?
When student’s requests to speak to the
Board of Regents are suppressed by
Davison, are only those students directly
involved injured?
The answers to these questions are
obvious. President Davison has controlled
this university in such a way. that faculty
members must think twice before daring to
criticize the administration. When students
who Davison feels are not acceptable,
attempt to address the Board of Regents,
the requests simply aren’t transferred.
Easy enough. Is this the kind of person we
really want running our school? Is this the
kind of man we can respect and admire as
the head of OUR university?
I think not.
“But what can be done?”, is the next
obvious question. Even if the students and
faculty don’t want Davison back, what the
hell can we do about it?
Realistically, wc have to admit that the
odds arc against the Board of Regents
turning Davison down. But that is no
reason not to give in without a fight. The
Derrick Jellife of the UCLA School of
PubU* Health.
Diarrhea, malnutrition, brain damage,
and death result. Documented studies
show that the mortality rate is two to three
times higher for bottle-fed babies than for
breast fed.
Third world mothers want the best for
their babies, and when they are given free
samples promoted to them as being the
modem miracle for their babies, they use
the product.
The sample runs out and the mother’s
breast milk has dried up; she must buy the
formula. Now she learns that the cost of the
formula is up to one half of the family
income. To make the formula last longer,
the mother dilutes it. making several days
supply of formula last for weeks.
It is diluted with tea. coffee, and polluted
water. Most families have little fuel to
sterilize and have no refrigeration to keep
the formula, which becomes contaminated.
Doctors and hospitals are given expen
sive medical equipment otherwise not
affordable in return for their promotion of
the formula. Doctors are also treated to
conferences, cars, and vacations gratis of
the multinational corporations peddling
their baby food formulas in the third world.
Nestle, the largest seller of infant
formula in the third world (with over one
half the market) and the most flagrant
violator of reasonable marketing, has been
targeted for boycott by a wide coalition of
church, political, and civic leaders and
organizations.
The purpose of the boycott is to get the
wholly Swiss-owned multinational corpora
tion (Nestle does one third of its business
in the II.S.. with plans to double the size of
its U S. subsidiaries by 1980) to stop its
unethical promotion of infant formula in
poor developing countries. Not to stop
selling the formula, but to stop the
atrocious promotion of the formula to
mothers who cannot properly use the
formula.
The issue is not a new one. For over
eight years, medical authorities, nutrition
ists. consumer, church and civic groups
have presented documented reports to
Nestle showing their promotion of infant
formula leads to the unnecessary and
tragic deaths of millions of babies in
developing countries.
Despite the many years of activism, in
what has become the largest non-union
boycott in American history. Nestle has
made only minor, superficial changes in its
tactics; frequently misinforming those
concerned about this issue.
first thing that needs to be done is to have a
student poll. Find out what the students
really feel about Davison. As I said, there
are many groups on this campus that could
arrange such a poll
Students could write letters to this
newspaper, and to members of the Board
of Regents, telling them that Davison is
unacceptable. Different groups on campus
could sponsor marches or demonstrations
to show the people of Athens and the state
that the students do care.
Even if all efforts appear fruitless, it is
ridiculous for those faculty members and
students who do not want Davison around
another year to simply stand by and watch.
And no matter how grim it looks, there is
always a chance, even if only a small
chance, that it might work. And if not this
year, then maybe the next. Who knows
what can happen?
And for all those who still aren’t sure
whether Davison is "really that bad.” just
sit back and recall a few names from the
recent past.
Remember Arts and Sciences Dean John
Stephens?
Remember assistant library director
Richard Press?
Remember students Marshall Dayan and
David Shelledy?
Remember Graduate Dean Hardy
Edwards?
Another year of Davison?
The boycott is working. A drop of sales
convinced Norway’s chccsemakers to end
their U.S. distribution contract with Nestle.
Nestle’s “good name" is being severely
tarnished. The company has set up a
special public relations office to handle
the over 500 letters they receive weekly (at
a response cost of $7 dollars per letter) and
other boycott activities.
On the University campus, the Infant
Formula Action Coalition is promoting the
Nestle boycott campaign in conjunction
with national and state INFACT organiza
tions.
In only 17 days. Circle K. Phi Kappa
Literary Society. .the Catnolic Center,
Bread for the Wt. u, Pastor Ed Ralph of
the Lutheran Church, Phi Kappa Thet^
fraternity, Idea Processing-Idea Pro
duction. Catherine Rogers, campus minis
ter for the Catholic Center, and the Grey
Panthers and the Dcmosthcnian Literary
Society endorsed the campaign.
The University community can become
active in the movement to prevent the
needless deaths of third world infants.
First, by initiating a personal boycott of
all Nestle products.
Second, by writing the Nestle Corpora
tion in America (100 Bloomingdale Rd.,
White Plains. N.Y. 10605) and in
Switzerland (Nestle S.A., Vevey
Switzerland). Expect a reply.
Third, by writing President Carter and
your representatives in the U.S. House and
Senate, telling them that you support the
Nestle boycott and legislation to halt the
immoral promotion of infant formulas in
the third world by U.S. companies.
In addition, individuals can become
better acquainted with the issue by
educational promts, getting involved with
INFACI-lGA. and encouraging organiza
tions to which they belong to endorse the
movement (informative programs can be
arranged).
An opportunity to learn more about thia
shocking issue v ill be given when
INFACT-coA prt v nts the TV docu
mentary "CBS Reports 'Into the Mouths
of Babes’" with Bill Moyers.
This documentary will be shown
Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. in the
Memorial Hall Small Ballroom. The
program gives glaring evidence of the
untruthfulness of the Infant Formula
Companies in dealing with the issue. An
issue in which they truly place profits over
morality with no concern for the lives of
millions of babies in developing countries.
CRUNCH NESTLE QUICK!
MARIE RIETMANN
1 wW&fflNP
THE O N 15 CONSlPEJMfr
/\ RESOLUTION TO
ms* m? re&ReT.,
Wk
‘ Press is a man of humane fairness ’
INFACT working to
stop needless deaths
Jeffrey Jowdy
m Red and *BlacK
Staff
IdMor an.kaet Bill Krurgrr
I editor Gary Fouc*
(•eweral mmurr Steve < rjbill
\d\ertnnitf mane«er Linda Spke.
I editor. Tom Kellev Minin Wilbatn*
Nara> Setherv
I imn< rdMar Juatm GUV
(Mi rdnar Jim Gannam
Iralarr. rdMar Tamm> Savage
» menaiamroi rdMar Bvrd
IHala rdMar t* Talh- Nunnallv III
^9an« rdMar Frank Mallm
I’romolMM. dare, lor ' lari*-. Ku%aett
\..H4aM rant*. rdMarv ».4m lo»ki. 1 hut k Kr.i l
W.niaat rNv rdMar. Tim Burner Salvnn H- vie.
\.«t.latM feature* rdMar ln«rid N»h«irr
\..i.lan« mien a'lament editor Ruber' Holland
\.«t.laoi pUata rdMar Sail. Kroehnkr
\.*Mtant «#aru rdMar. barren Rarv V-r- I
Mire editor Lewi. Patter**)
t«.\ Tadat raardtaaiar Ko» Pepper.
1 rfitiMiul i.«HiM va< Kramer
I'r.atuiIIMi manatfrr Wetidv Wit>»w.hi f
\<t\.Mi.ta* rrytadalnr. John Baker Lrr Dull. Julie Neither Muhrlk- New hem Ik** |»rjrti I.,/
\r1. erli.ana a»MaM Nal'v Nolle,
i lj*>ilird ad.rrti.MlK manatrt t hri. Kill.
I'r.olu. iMoi vi*an Turn, i K.-nnx V>rk Terri FiSiar
lh. Krd and Hlotk .iitdm* nr* - pa per .4 the l MvrTMjv ei.e.<r«ire A'Ben* puMi.rxd Tut-da. 'hr<-ui«h
►' •• o. h Ihe e.. rfUMn .H e.amina’MOl (u-r..«K and h.4inav» and printed »a\ Wilke. PuMida .t* t -Kiipai
lr. Washing- -I tannua ’wvond ctgM portage l* paid in Alton. PimI <Hfke \thet.« l.-«tu •*
•'I 1 , 'i ,, n» • vpr»-..ed in The Krd and Rlatk her »han unsigned edit'ioal- .art the optm-*.' he writer.
• »4umn. .* <art<-ni«t. and are mu nr.ruanl. •h.**- .4 *he Imver.itv Utmim.'ra'i r hr B-ard >*
Begem* • * The K**d and Hlack
e na'MKial and mterna'ional nr*, in The Krd and Hlaak i» tr.-m the wire. .4 l ruled l»r... InternalMdial
ft. entire • •■mem* >4 The Ked and Rlatk are r*p» right 1*0* The Ked and Rlatk nrwapaprr \l| right*
* if ** np*t.*i ra»e i* 117 ••• prr vrar lnt«man<«i available a' huan*-.. "Hue. PM >42 MM
Letters policy
latter. will be printed at apace permit* TV Rad and Black rtaervea IV n*h*»n edit letter* fur length and
11 hr I* *i. material Letter* mual
• he ' v prd double spaced matt spare line 0
• in* nadr the name addre*a and telephone number of tV writer'•' We can omit your name in print far a
valid reason
• to* limited to tf> line*
e to- addrr.>ed To the editor TV tied and Black SOS Journalism Athens Georgia JOWQ
When submitting mlumna follow letter policy with length held to too line*
Contacts
V«. riminbuiinn. m '-pird by l»tet>hnn» i«mi WM .1 ft* <dit«n.l attxn. Jnurulbm Buildiia
i • .TWV .1 • ;~>r,ia inquire, cunormn, uh«imn»U»ild b, mnd. at lb, buurcu .<!.«. i«M M3-MI.
-» 'SoM b» Mdrereud to IV mnyrn. Mure ,i ra J.„nuli,m Butldina l iu.reuly re
taeorfM Athen. (.eorgia W03