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The Red and Black
Tueaday. April 13. IM2
The Red and Black
1
GCPA
Established 1893 — Incorporated 1980
Charles H. Bussell, General Manager
Mack Browning, Editor-in-chief Tim Bonner, Managing Editor
An independent student newspaper not affiliated with the University of Georgia
No excuse
University Housing officials have a problem.
Thanks to a $390,000 appropriation from the
state legislature, they have new fire-safety
measures — including new alarms — in the
high-rise dormitories.
Alas, the alarms don’t work very well.
In fact, they work so poorly that the housing
department has all but given up hope of making
residents evacuate Russell Hall when an alarm
goes off. Russell has been hard-hit by a rash of
false alarms since the new system was in
stalled, thanks to defects in the system and to
student abuse. .Sources estimate the number of
false alarms in Russell Hall during the past two
weeks may have been as high as 30.
We can sympathize with the sheer frustration,
among both officials and building residents, that
resulted in a new policy of letting each student
decide for himself whether to evacuate when the
alarm goes off
But we cannot excuse the attitude the housing
department has displayed in its attempt to deal /
with this matter, nor can we accept the
proposition that there is no solution short of
putting lives at risk.
The danger of fire in Russell Hall is real. As
housing officials certainly recall, the third-floor
game room of the building was completely
destroyed by fire in late summer of 1978. The
fire marshal then suspected, but never proved,
arson. The same thing could happen again,
given that a minority of the building’s residents
act as if they grew up in a zoo. And there is no
guarantee the next serious fire will be confined
to a single room.
For precisely that reason, the press and the
state legislature last year grew concerned about
fire safety in the high-rise dorms.
The legislature convened a special com
mittee, which recommended and secured
passage of the highly unusual $390,000 ap
propriation.
Now the housing department, in its official
notice of the change in fire-alarm policy in
Russell, delivers itself of this: “University
Housing did not request this (alarm) system nor
do we want it. The decision to install this system
was made by the Georgia Legislative Com
mittee on Fire Safety in UGA Residence Halls
arid by the Board of Regents.”
The memo then says the housing department
had no input on the type of system installed, nor
was it told when the system would be turned on.
The memo also lists the groups that
“pressured” the legislature into mandating a
new system: Channel 11 in Atlanta, the Athens
Observer, parents and constituents of the
legislators on the fire-safety committee.
This little note is stunning, to say the least.
What the housing department seems to presume
is that the parents of dorm residents, state
legislators, the press and the regents have no
right to be concerned about the safety of the
students. What in bloody hell do they want, the
right to run their own show in any old way
without the slightest public scrutiny?
For our part we are glad the public and
politicians got involved, for it was abundantly
clear that the housing department was moving
slowly and inadequately to improve fire safety.
Again, we understand the frustration that led
to the new policy in Russell. But it should and
must be revoked promptly.
And the housing department deserves no
sympathy at all for giving its employees per
mission to turn off the fire alarms on some
weekends.
That is a direct violation of state law; it opens
the University to potential legal liability if
anyone is injured in a fire; and it is most unwise,
as it puts students’ lives in danger.
However frustrated Russell Hall officials and
residents are at the moment, we appeal to them
not to forget that last little point.
The Lighter Side: Dick West
Looking at the Falklands
with William Shakespeare
A lack of communication
Have you ever noticed how much
trouble results from little
misunderstandings?
And more often than not, these little
misunderstandings are simply the
result of a lack of communication bet
ween the parties involved.
Late last quarter, I had the unplea
sant task of writing an article involving
the Interfratemity Council Miss UGA
Pageant and former Black Student
Union President J. J. Frazier. Frazier
felt that black organizations may have
been unduly kept from participation in
the pageant despite all claims by IFC
officials that this was not the case.
Even after intense investigation, I
found it extremely difficult to gather
sufficient evidence to support either
case, but what I did find is that not
enough one-to-one communication ac
tually took place between Frazier and
IFC officials.
It was no wonder they were unsure of
the other's position.
What really made me stop and think,
however, was the almost total segrega
tion apparent at many events spon
sored by University organizations.
With the exception of a few cam
puswide events, mainly sports, most
events on this campus are either con
sidered a "white” function or a "black"
function.
Now I know this issue has come up
many times before, but for all the talk
that has gone on, nothing has been done
about it.
Let's face it, a great deal hasn't been
done to tie the bonds of communication
among students at this University.
Kevin Shurps
But whose fault is that? Is it anyone’s
fault?
Before we can continue to move in a
positive direction, some organizations
on campus will have to stop hindering
the gradual progress that is being
made.
Instead of bridging the obvious gaps
that exist, I often find that communica
tion is being served by "misunderstan
dings."
Recently, in the April Fool’s edition
of “The Rude and Bleak,” I was startl
ed by a cutline which read “University
President Ferd C. Denizen poses with
first shipment of black teachers.”
Now, believe it or not, I do have a
sense of humor, but that didn't exactly
tickle my funny bene. In fact, I thought
it was in extremely bad taste.
At first I felt insulted, a little angry,
but mostly dismayed.
Then I was politely reminded by
some of my colleagues to remember the
context in which this remark was writ
ten.
While discussing this insert with
some of the staff, one of the writers ask
ed me, “How are we to know what is of
fensive to you?”
Suddenly, I remember what Dr. Mar
tin Luther King Jr. said many times
Misunderstanding about people begins
with a lack of knowledge about the peo
ple involved. In other words, ignorance
And after talking with several of my
colleagues and friends, both black and
white, I was more than convinced that
that was the answer.
So where was I supposed to go from
here? It crossed my mind to compile a
list of the "do's and don'ts,” but that
seemed a little impractical.
This editorial was my final solution
An open plea to all students to let
themselves be heard on this issue of
“misunderstanding."
If you have any suggestions on how to
improve student relations and
understanding don't keep it to yourself.
I'm sure the rest of us would be more
than happy to hear about it.
Likewise, if you hear or read
anything on campus that is offensive to
you, in any form, stand up and be
counted.
The Red and Black is supposed to
serve the entire University community.
But if it lacks the knowledge to do its
job efficiently, we are all affected.
Passive resistance is not the answer.
Instead of murmuring to yourself or
setting the paper afire, give a holler.
For how are we to bridge the gap of
misunderstanding?
Kevin Sharps is a staff writer for the
Red and Black.
tlUST WNT YOU TO KNOW, MR. UPSHAW, THAT W. THINK IT’S ABSOLUTELY
SHAMEFUL THE WAY THOSE GREEDY OWNERS EXPLOIT YOU PLAYERS, AND YOU
SHOULD HOLD OUT FOR EVEN WORE THAN 55%, AND IF THAT WEANS A STRIKE.
WELL,THAT’S OK BY US, YESSIR-WEU UUST HAS/E TO WAKE THAT SACRIFICE/"
WASHINGTON (UPI) - By the time
the next campaign rolls around,
President Reagan's biggest political
asset may be the slogan, "He kept us
out of the Falklands "
Meanwhile, it might be instructive to
contemplate a penetrating analysis of
Ihe dispute by F.ngland's own William
Shakespeare
After all, the Immortal Bard made
his mark as a dramatist during the
flowering of the British Empire So who
is better qualified to detect any over
tones of colonialism in the current
contretemps?
If Shakespeare were alive today, I'm
sure he would be a guest on "Face the
Nation" or some such program The
interview might go something like this:
q Mr Shakespeare, do you detect
any overtones of colonialism in the
current contretemps?
A. "Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark."
Q Actually, sir, the Falklands are in
South America, where they are known
as the Malvinas
A "What's In a name? That which we
call a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet "
q I’m not sure they grow roses in the
Falklands, sir. What I'm trying to elicit
is your view of why Argentina invaded
a British possession
A. “Vaulting ambition, which
o'erleaps itself and (alls on the other.
What private griefs they have, alas! I
know not. But in the gross and scope of
my opinion, this bodes some strange
eruption to our state. ’’
Q. You agree that Britain should seek
to regain control of the islands by force
if necessary?
A. "Arm'd at points exactly, cap-a
pe. I am tied to the stake, and I must
stand the course There's a divinity that
shapes our ends, rough-hew them how
we will Let's do it after the high Roman
fashion Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the
dogs of war Blow, wind! Come, wrack!
At least we'll die with harness on our
back.”
q. Well-spoken, sir. But savage. You
like the way Prime Minister Thatcher
is handling the crisis?
A. "The lady doth protest too much,
COMFORTABLE IGNORANCE
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‘BOUT ’ORu&S MAKE SUu A UJRlTa.”
methinks. She is troubled with thick
coming fancies, that keep her from her
rest. She looks upon them with a
threatening eye Talks as familiarly of
roaring lions as maids of thirteen do of
puppy-dogs! There's language in her
eye, her cheer, her lip."
q. What about Britain’s allies?
A. "Stands Scotland where it did?”
q. I was thinking more of the United
States, sir. What would you say about
Reagan's reaction?
A. “Policy sits above conscience.
Who can be wise, amazed, temperate
and furious, loyal and neutral, in a
moment?”
q. What might I as an individual do?
A. "Gregory, remember they
smashing blow."
q My name isn't Gregory, sir. I was
asking what can America do short of
actual intervention.
A. "Hang like an icicle on a Dut
chman's beard.”
q. Thank you, Mr Shakespeare.
Dick West's column is distributed by
United Press International.
IM SUIK UAl 'rbui DON'T U*ITt
ARTICLES JUST RX 50I»C KtCVOUj
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7r ’s the duty of the British government’
TO THE EDITOR:
I am writing in response to the article
written by David Nelson in the April 7
Red and Black
It is most unfortunate that the serious
situation in the Falkland Islands should
be treated in such an irresponsible
fashion. The extent of Mr Nelson's
understanding of the problem is re
vealed by his suggestion that the United
Nations send in a force to kick out the
Argentines and the British.
The situation in the Falkland Islands
requires more constructive ideas than
this, and contrary to his thinking, I
don't believe even the 600,000 sheep
would support him. Seriously though,
the 600,000 sheep provide the income for
the 1,800 islanders who, in the main,
were born on the Falkland Islands and
have worked hard and invested their
money in the farms and sheep. It is the
ART ROCHE
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[XASgfuatFs.
duty of the British government to sup
port these citizens and allow them to
live in peace and tranquility in the land
of their choice.
I don't believe that there is any solid
evidence that there is substantial oil
under the Falkland Islands and that it
would be a viable project for the British
to become involved in oil exploration in
that region. After all, they are fully oc
cupied in the extraction of oil from the
North Sea. This oil provides all of the
petroleum needs of the United Kingdom
and, indeed, much of it is now exported.
Finally, I always thought that the
Americans and the British were united
in protecting democracy in any part of
the world Why should Mr Nelson think
the Falkland Islands an exception to
this general rule?
PETER L. LONG
'We're appalled’
TO THE EDITOR:
My roommate and I are appalled at
even the slightest intention to accept
the lax fire safety regulations now ex
isting in University dorms by adminis
tration and students.
Under existing fire safety regula
tions, my roommate and I envision
ourselves struggling violently, lurching
for a path to safety, while encountering
smoke and noxious asbestos fumes
Rushing to the stairwell, we find
pandemonium and total chaos as stunn
ed students and confused resident
assistants seeking the only clear path of
escape hurdle themselves through the
fifth floor window. Can you picture
this?
We stand prepared to exercise our
judicial fights if present fire safety con
ditions persist.
ROGER JACKSON
Senior, history
ARNOLDJAY
Junior, Interior design
‘ Thanks Reineke
for revelations'
TO THE EDITOR:
As one of the formerly ignorant,
faceless "children of the American pro
paganda machine” I am inspired by C.
E. Relneke's April 8 editorial. I must
thank that young iconoclast for
enlightening me with yet another of his
groundbreaking, original revelations of
the many malignancies which manifest
American democracy and — let’s face
It — humanity in general.
I can sleep better at night knowing
that we have this perceptive and
precocious young social critic to Il
luminate these inconsistencies for those
of us who are too blind to see them
LL'ANNE CLARK
Graduate student, English
Departments
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Homing
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