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■THE WEST GEORGIAN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10,1984
Opinion
THE
WEST GEORGIAN
West Georgia College, Carrollton, Georgia
Editor Managing Editor
Don Stilwell Angela Webster
Advisor
Joe Cumming
News Editor Advertising Manager
Ris Cowan David Bryson
Absence policy needed
It is both unfortunate and unfair that Georgia’s Board
of Regents does not have a statewide policy concerning
classroom attendance. Not only is it a bad situation for
the students but for the professors as well. The BOR
should either have a policy that clearly tells all universi
ty system colleges how many days a student can miss in
a regular classroom or it must down a policy that states
that each college must have for itself a campus-wide
policy.
As it now stands, students are subject to a wide range
of absenteeism standards. It is left to each professor to
design his standards and thus standards range all the
way from an “I don’t care if you come to class” attitude
to an overly-strict one. Students are sometimes subject
to as many attendance policies as they have professors.
This situation is far removed from what takes place in
the outside-of-college work-a-day world.
There is a solution.
Because students at any one particular college have a
wide range of maturity levels, freshmen to seniors, it is
only common sense for there to be a range of policies.
Freshmen should be allowed to miss a certain percen
tage of classes before they are dropped from the role
with an “F.” Let us say that that figure is five percent.
Thus sophomores, because in general they are more
mature, should be allowed to miss 10 percent of their
classes. Juniors could miss 15 percent, and seniors could
miss 20 percent. This design also falls in line with the
fact that upper classmen often are leaders of student
organizations, and for that reason, are often forced to
miss a class.
Unless some kind of standard is set down by the BOR,
students and professors alike will continue to feel tossed
about by shifting attitudes toward classroom atten
dance.
Letters to the editor
Dear Editor :
I’m writing this letter concerning
the guest editorial by Joe Cumming
in the September 26, 1984, edition of
the West Georgian.
I am a Greek and have been for the
last three years, and I am appalled
and concerned with the destructive
comments concerning higher educa
tion, and the Greek system.
Mr. Cumming, I thoroughly
understand your point of disgust
about passive attitudes of learning,
but to call the Greek students as a
whole “intellectual deadweights,”
makes me wonder just how bias your
opinions are. I agree that there is a
less than willing desire to learn with
many college students, but to say the
Greeks “hamper classroom learn
ing,” is a trivial and predisposed
statement.
When I look around our fine cam
pus and see that these “intellectual
deadweights” are controlling the
student body as president of SGA,
senators of SGA, and leaders of
political awareness parties, I
wonder if the only research you did
was in your own classroom!
You cited an example that ONE
student helped you understand more
about Greeks and their learning
priorities, in a classroom exercise.
By his saying, “they just weren’t
Prmt Service
***} as& Feauna w& betor oft... w m oerne w
The Staff
Sports Editor Jimmy Espy
Fssturss Editor Brian Bakar
Photo Editor Warren Hogg
Business Manager Marty Sanborn
Office Manager Nikki Ovies
thinking about anything but their
damn Greek stuff,” a broad
generalization for a man of your
journalistic background.
Another example of your puzzled
attitude toward Greeks in a situation
that occurs in daily college classes.
You left papers on your desk labeled,
“Homework for next time. Take
one.” Just because all Greeks
weren’t present when you called roll,
were they at fault, or were you just
reaching for straws?
Let’s be fair! Next time, try put
ting on the board, All students in
cluding lifeless, uncaring, unwilling,
Greeks, please stay for class. I feel
ypu went overboard with this exam
ple.
In closing let me say that I hope
your editorial helped our spirited,
outstanding, Greek system to take a
look at their academic attitudes, but
in turn I have other hopes. I hope
that others are not taking this
narrow-minded and unrealistic path
that you have traveled down. Broad
generalizations and vague ex
amples, even in a campus paper,
make for easy targets to criticize!
See you in class, Joe!
Martin S. Jennings
Vice-President
Pi Kappa Alpha
832-9140
Guest Editorial
It is interesting to listen to the opi
nions of those who watch a presiden
tial ‘ ‘debate. ’ ’ The avid supporters of
each candidate declare that their
man won a “clear decision. ” One has
to wonder: can people listen to a
debate with an open mind?
Since I was asked to judge this
press conference, it became obvious
that my own personal bias would
need to be set aside so that a fair
evaluation could be made. The press
conference did not alter my political
preference, and it probably did not
alter the views of the vast majority
of Americans who have already
decided how they are going to vote.
Before examining some of the
specific issues that were urged it
should be stressed that one could
find a rationale for claiming that
Reagan won as easily as one could
claim that Mondale won. Our
predispositions often blind us to the
point that we lose our objectivity. As
a debate coach, I have judged
thousands of debates and have often
been forced to work very hard to
keep my own personal biases, either
toward the participants or toward
the issues, from influencing my deci
sion.
I do not claim to have the correct
answer to the question, “Who won?”
But I do have an opinion and reasons
to support my position. The easy way
out would be to say “Well, both men
won some points and we will wait on
the polls.” It is also tempting to say
“No one really won.” I will avoid
such escape values and say that, in
my opinion, Walter Mondale won the
preponderance of the issues raised in
this poorly structured press con
ference. This is not to say that
Ronald Reagan did not win some
critical arguments. He did. Nor
could one say that Walter Mondale
won enough debate points to offset a
compelling advantage that Reagan
has because of the significant reduc
tions in the unemployment rate and
inflation rate as well as a feeling that
economic recovery is proceeding at
To the Editor :
I am writing in response to the
Sept. 26 article concerning the “con
troversy” associated with the
casting of the fall quarter production
of Macbeth. In my opinion, the mat
ter was dealt with neither complete
ly or accurately. Also, several allu
sions were made which were not
wholly relevant to the matter. It is
my intention to clarify a few points
for your readers.
First, the assertion has been made
that the theatre company has at
tempted to do “professional theatre”
as opposed to “educational theatre.”
It must be understood that the two
terms are inseparable. In order for
theatre studies at the undergraduate
level to be a learning experience for
the individuals involved (particular
ly those students who aspire to
theatre as a future career), it is of
the utmost importance that a spirit
of professionalism be assumed. If we
are not permitted to work and learn
in an environment that prepares us
for the rigors of the theatre com
munity beyond the undergraduate
level, what do we gain from the
“educational” experience?
Furthermore, in reference to last
Spring’s mainstage production, the
comparison was made between the
Dear Editor:
After thoroughly reading Joe Cum
mings article on Greeks being
“Intellectual Deadweights” in the
classroom I am astounded at Mr.
Cummings broad Generalization.
I myself am a greek. Not only am I
in a fraternity I am president of Pi
Kappa Alpha, a 124 man organiza
tion. In some type of strange fashion
Mr. Cumming’s article made me feel
proud in that, if I am an “Intellectual
Deadweight” how do I work 28 hours
per week, carry a full load (16 hrs.)
of senior level classes, preside over
the campuses largest fraternity, han
dle a budget that rivals a wealthy
family’s income, and maintain a
steady girlfriend. Not to speak
highly of myself (because I know
many other greeks do the same
thing), but if a supposed intellectual
deadweight can excel with this type
of schedule just think what a smart
person could do.
A further dimension of this “Cum
mings Greek Belief” is the doors out
side of this protected atmosphere we
West Georgian Policies
Letters
Letters are welcome from readers concerning topics of
general and campus interest. In order for a letter to be published,
however, it MUST be signed by the writer. Under certain cir
cumstances, names will be withheld by request, but the letters
still must be signed.
Letters should be typed, double-spaced if possible, and must
include a valid mailing address or phone number for verification
purposes.
Letters are not to exceed 300 words and are subject to editing
for length, libel, clarity and'or style.
Chester Gibson
Debate Coach, West Georgia College
a steady pace. He probably did not.
However, Walter Mondale surpris
ed a lot of people, this writer includ
ed, with his performance in this
debate. First, we should consider the
issue of style. Experts had predicted
that Ronald Reagan’s style would be
sufficient to handle anything Mon
dale could produce. However, the
President was clearly not at his best.
The President had the arguments
out to beat most of what Mondale
said, but he clearly failed to take ad
vantage of the awkward press con
ference format as well as Mondale
did.
jP”*—'
Mondale frequently and blatantly
violated the intent if not the letter of
the agreed-upon guidelines by trying
to inject foreign policy issues. For
example, when Mondale was asked
to explain the leadership qualities
that he had which the President did
not have, Mondale attacked the
president’s handling of the terrorist
bombing in Lebanon. The President
never uttered the first word in
response to this charge or the
charges about “Star Wars.”
Fairness would say that Mondale
should stick to economic issues, but
President Reagan’s silence gives
Mondale the point. 4
Also in terms of style, the Presi
dent seemed to be on the defensive
most of the evening. An unusually
large number of hesitations coupled
with awkward adjustment to Mon
dale’s scattergun approach to the
issues left one with the impression
theatre company’s casting activities
and hiring the Atlanta Falcons to
play football here at West Georgia.
With all due respect to Dean Dangle,
this analogy is completely invalid. If
one examines the matter more close
ly, one discovers that the theatre
company had nothing whatsoever to
do with last Spring’s production,
aside from the fact that we built the
set and hung and positioned the
lights for the show. The theatre com
pany was in no way involved in the
casting of that production, in addi
tion, we have never hired any
“professionals” to take part in our
productions.
I would also like to clear up any
confusion concerning “pre - casting”
of roles for the upcoming
Shakepearean production. Several
former contributors to the theatre
program, most of them theatre ma
jors, left their summer jobs and
other responsibilities early and
traveled here at their own expense a
week before most of the rest of the
student body for the purpose of
“reading - thru” and closely examin
ing this extremely complex play.
The primary reason for this was to
find out whether or not we had actors
of the caliber necessary to undertake
such an endeavor it takes a great
deal of talent and technical! exper
m
call college, wnat aDout out m the
real world?
The real world is fast and furious
and the deadweights are pushed to
the side. A fraternal experience is a
small step into the real world; mea
ing that the guys who balance the
fraternity with the aspects of
classroom remain in school and
graduate. Those who can’t balance
this social and fraternal brotherhood
with class time flunk out, plain and
simple.
Another point: Are Ted Koppel
(anchorman), Fes Parker (actor),
Frank Sinkwich (Ga. Heisman
trophy winner), Ted Turner, Strom
Thurmond, Bennet A. Brown (Chrm.
of the Brd. of C&S Bank) as well as a
list of other successful greeks
“Intellectual Deadweights?” If so,
my future looks pretty bright as long
as I remain INTELLECTUALLY
DEAD.
Thank You,
Brandt K. Barber
President of Pi Kappa Alpha
that the President was not in control.
One wonders if he took the time in
the briefings to polish it up as it
should have been.
Mondale further enhanced his
credibility by telling everyone what
a nice guy the President was and
how Reagan had done a lot for the
spirit of the country and how he real
ly liked the President. Mondale also
praised the president for agreeing to
debate when he didn’t have to. Such
tactics accomplished the short range
objective of allowing Mondale to at
tack the policies of the president
without appearing to demean the
man or the presidency. One wonders
if the Reagan camp might willingly
lose a debate point to be able to use
statements from Walter Mondale
himself that supports one of their
major themes: that the president
has brought anew spirit of hope to
America. However, Mondale
managed quite successfully to
launch an attack without being so
deragotory as to the precipitate
backlash.
Both candidates were guilty of us
ing illustrations and statistics that
conceal more than they reveal.
Nevertheless, on the surface, some
of the arguments sound persuasive.
Mondale saved for his conclusion a
statistic which said that Reagan ter
minated 400,000 Americans from
disability. He claimed that they were
“put out in the streets.” Reagan had
no chance to respond so Mondale
scores another point on his theme
that Reagan cares more for the
wealthy than for the poor.
On the deficit issue, Mondale pins
his hopes on the fact that Reagan
broke a promise to balance the
budget. Reagan said that we have
cut the rate of increase in govern
ment spending. One wonders if Mon
dale did not spend too much time on
the deficit issue and too little time
telling the American public how his
administration would avoid a return
to the high interest rates and infla
tion that were experienced during
the Carter/Mondale administration.
tise to even attempt any
Shakespearean work,
particularly Macbeth. This was not
done to exclude anyone from par
ticipation in this production. We
were, in fact, doing what any football
team does in anticipation of an ex
tremely demanding season, or what
any musical ensemble does when
planning to undertake an extremely
difficult work by a great composer
we were attempting to discover our
strengths and weaknesses, giving
our best, most experienced former
“players” first chance at a “starting
position.”
For the record, I would like to
state that I am in concurance with
the actions taken by the administra
tion last week and the week before,
insofar as they are an attempt to
give all undergraduate students a
fair chance to participate in West
Georgia College drama productions.
The administration may not be
aware, however, that these produc
tions are already open to any student
(this is not the case at many schools,
where the requirements for par
ticipation in plays is more specific
and restrictive). This does not mean
tlxat just anyone may be cast in a
demanding role that calls for a cer
tain degree of talent and experience.
LIBRARY HAS “SERVICE AS USUAL”
AT AN UNUSUAL TIME
You are studying in the Library. You have got a lot done but
there is still more. Midterms are next week and there doesn’t
seem to be enough time to cover all that material. You glance at
your watch - 9:45 p.m. - time to think about leaving, finding
another place to spread out the books for another hour or so of
studying. Then you remember. This week is different. You don’t
have to leave the Library at 10:00 p.m. For your convenience the
Library will be open until 11:00 pm on October 22-25 and October
29-November 1. You can check out books, get assistance at the
Reference desk, use the typewriters and do photocopying. It is
“service as usual” at an unusual time.
In response to a request from the Student Government
Association the Library is extending its nighttime hours the
week before, and the week of midterms and finals (November
26-29, December 3-6). And for studying around the clock the Late
Study Room is still open 24 hours a day when school is in session.
It is hoped that the extra hours that the Library is open at ex
am time and the extended Sunday hours (2:00 pm-10:00 pm) that
are already in effect will make it easier for you to schedule time
to use the Library.
Letters should be addressed to the following: The West
Georgian, Student Center, West Georgia CoNege, Carrollton,
Ga. 30118.
Advertising
The West Georgian is a full-size newspaper published every
Wednesday during fall quarter. Ad rates are *2.50 per column
inch for local advertisers.
The West Georgian reserves the right to refuse any paid
space due to content or in the school’s best interest. Deadline
for ad space is Friday, 5:00 p.m., before the next publication
date.
Mondale did win some ground when
the President failed to provide any
plan other than economic growth for
eliminating the deficit.
No one really gained much ground
on the religious issue and the abor
tion issue. Mondale pressed the point
that a victim of rape or incest should
have a choice to abort. Reagan said
the issue is not religious but the con
stitutional protection of life, liberty
and property. Few people are likely
to alter their views on these emo
tionally charged issues, especially
when the panelists choose to focus on
such questions as the presidents at
tendance record at church.
Surely there are better ways to
evaluate their stand on the great
moral issues without counting the
number of days that each one goes to
church. This leads to my final com
ment which relates to the format for
the “debate.”
This writer has spent more than
twenty years listening to literally
thousands of students compete in
debates on a wide variety of topics.
What a pleasure it is to hear
debaters engage in a clash of ideas
using evidence and reasoning to ad
dress important issues. What a thrill
it is to realize that in courtrooms
legislatures and other forums, op
ponents can stand face to face grap
pling with issues that beg for clarity.
The decision making process is
always enhanced when a forum and
a format provided that will allow for
a clash of ideas.
What a pity that the candidates do
not have the courage to instruct their
advisors to set up a debate format
rather than a press conference for
mat. In the great tradition of the
Lincolm-Douglas debates, the
American public should demand that
the next debate be a real one and not
a glorified press conference. After
all, they will be discussing issues
that relate to the survival of
mankind. We deserve more than a
series of poorly thought out ques
tions presented in a format that is
unfair to everyone concerned.
Those who have proven their talent
and willingness to work hard are
more likely to be cast in roles of
greater visibility; those who are new
to the program and are less ex
perienced are more likely to be cast
in roles of lesser visibility (the terms
“major role” and “minor role” are
inapplicable all participants in
any team effort, such as theatre, are
of major significance).
The primary objective of the West
Georgia Theatre Company is to put
on the best show that we possibly
can. We are working, in good faith,
to that end. Anything less than our
collective best cheats not only the ac
tors and technicians, but especially
our audience, which is composed not
only of students, faculty, administra
tion and alumni of this institution,
but citizens of Carrollton and
members of surrounding com
munities as well. It is for the au
dience for you that we do what
we do; we aren’t in it just for
ourselves. I would like to add that in
no way is any faculty member
associated with these statements.
These are my views, and take full
responsibility for them. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Greg Fletcher