Newspaper Page Text
2 MARCH, 1966
The Panther
The Clark Panther
PURPOSE
A journal of college life published from September to June
by students.
To fill the vacuum of lack and effective communication be
tween students and administration; students and students.
An instrument for fostering constructive criticism of activi
ties pertaining to college life.
Reporters:
Millicent Betheo Jimmy Johnson
Earl Butler Jimmye Vaughn
Eddie Embry Jerrilyn McGhee
Wimbley Hale Lorraine Neal
Alma Hosch Shirley Slocum
Carrell Smith Editor-in-Chiei
Antonio Thomas Co-Editor
William Hammond Feature Editor
Marie Banks Greek Editor
Elijah Solomon & Rufus Hudson Sports Editors
Rozelle Poignard Cartoonist
Secretaries:
Lorraine Neal
Marie Banks
Proofreaders:
Millicent Bethea Betty Stembridge
Joethel Cooper Jimmye Vaughn
Typists:
Willie Lou Furges
Bernice Little
Teresa Thomas
Lelia Marshall
Ivy Sims
Advisors:
Miss Magby Mr. Hakeem Mr. Black
Mr. Fishman Miss D'Sousa
Clark Students Wake Up
James Widemon
In our society we supposedly look up to those who maturely
acknowledge their mistakes. Clark is an institution of higher
learning with one of its aims: To make a better integrated and
wholesome citizen out of each student. Is Clark practicing what
it preaches? I say no!
Let’s look at a specific area of immaturity and non-integration
on the part of Clark’s faculty and administration. At Clark Col
lege students have no justice regarding mistakes in grades (when
the instructors make the mistakes). Two examples, I feel, will
justify this statement. A very influential junior, because of a mis-
judgment, was given a mark of failure in English A-2 last year.
Thinking the mistake would be straightened out he went on to
English B-l. He did well in this course. On the day of the final
examination in English B-l he was informed that because of
this failing grade in English A-2 he would be unable to take the
final examination, and had just wasted his time in English B-l.
In other words he had to take the consequences of an instructor’s
grading mistake. A mistake can be understood on the part of any
human being, but to find out one’s mistake and try not to rectify
it is not understandable. Is this not injustice?
In another case a student with a C average in a College
Orientation class was given a D as a semester grade. When the
student challenged the grade before one of our most under
standing and able administrators and before the instructor—well
all the instructor could say in defense of himself was “I didn’t
feel he deserved a C.” This student had made a C average and
received a D. Is this not injustice? This example shows that even
instructors with irrational reasoning behind obvious grading mis
takes are given the benefit of the doubt.
What can be done about Clark’s present inhumanity to stu
dents? Our present facilities seemingly are unable or just will not
cope with the problem. The S.G.A. obviously hasn’t the power.
Hired counselors, paid for this type of assistance, won’t give as
sistance. The problem, and there is a serious problem, might be
helped by an independent intermediary body of students and
instructors for cases of grades challenged by students. But knowing
dear “OLD” Clark this is unlikely. The best solution would
probably rest in a maturing of administrators to the point of being
able to realize mistakes and the “good old college try” at rectifying
them.
The Destiny of Man .. .
Harold E. Craig
We are living in an age when this planet we live on could be
blown asunder by the press of a button. In Viet Nam the United
States has turned what was humorously called a “Cold War” into
a hot war with prospects of hotter conflicts to come. The diplomats
and statesmen worry over whether Viet Nam is to be democratic,
communistic or neutral, but the peasants in the villages, hamlets,
and rice-paddies of this country know nothing of governmental
policies; for they are interested in “peace,” a five letter word
which often seems to have alluded the scope of human under
standing.
Peace cannot be achieved with semi-automatic weapons or
with napalm bombs. Peace cannot be achieved if life no longer
has meaning or purpose. If man is to exist on this earth he
must find the ultimate purpose of life.
Man’s purpose is to stimulate his environment so that re
sponses which are favorable to future life are achieved. Man must
provide for a better world for his off-spring. Peace among all
nations must be achieved if future generations are to reap the
harvest of our endeavors.
Here lies man’s destiny, not in the battlefield, but at the
conference table.
£cUton, '& (Mantel , , ,
Change Has Come
Carrell Smith
President Henderson characterizes the type of strong and
influential leadership that Clark College really needs. His intelli
gent and energetic decisions represent the kind of progressive
nation in which we are now living.
In the short time that President Henderson has been at Clark,
he has displayed his liberal mindedness by attempting to create
an atmosphere of freedom of student expression. In the past be
cause students feared that they might be
dismissed from school, they were reluct
ant to express there opinions about ad
ministration and faculty policies. I’ve
noticed that students are now stating
their views and grievances more openly
without fear of being sent home. Only
four weeks ago, President Henderson
held a meeting with the men of Brawley
Hall to discuss many on the problems
students have with the personnel of the
dormitory. In this meeting students com
plained about the rules that daily con
front them. One of the main problems
pointed out by the residents was the pro
blem of not being able to get along well
with the present personnel of the dormitory. A situation of this
type seems highly inconceivable in a college environment, but
nevertheless it does exist. The president, I believe, will aid in
trying to solve some of these problems in the dormitories and
on the campus in general.
Although Clark students are beginning to speak out for what
they feel is right, the complaints and views must be organized in
order to get some changes brought about for a better environment
for students.
Many of the rules and regulations that exist at Clark help con
stitute much of the unrest on campus. Sure, rules and regulations
are essential in every society or culture, but the breaking point
comes when people who are in power take these rules to ex
tremes. This makes life unpleasant and in many instances unbear
able. In Clark’s “A Guide For Wholesome Living”, many of the
rules and regulations are very ineffective. The rules in this book
should be completely revised in order to cope with difficulties that
students now endure.
The problems mentioned are just a few of the ones that the
president of the college and students must work diligently to
solve.
How do you feel about the attitude that the students at Clark
take concerning their problems? What is your position in the
“student unrest?”
PANTHER INTERVIEW
Question: Concerning the electing of Indira Gandhi as prime
minister of India, do you think the world is ready for women
administrators?
Answers:
1. Frederick Crowell—“Judging from the present predicament
of our chaotic society the world is ready for anything.”
2. Dallas Wingo—“Qualities of leadership are irrespective of
race or sex. I feel that if she has leadership quality and/or capabil
ities then I’m all for her. It is not a question of whether the world
is ready for a woman leader of a country but whether the woman
herself is ready for an undertaking like that.”
3. William Price—“Yes, I feel the women are ready. Women
are more rational in judgment than men and since she is a mature
woman she is not apt to act on impulse.”
4. Antonio Thomas—“I don’t think it’s a matter of whether
or not a woman should be in that position. I think it’s a matter
of getting the best qualified person to fill the position and after
considering the qualifications of Mrs. Gandhi, I think she is
eminently qualified.”
5. Blondcile Shaw—“Yes, if a woman has the ability of lead
ership, society should let her use it.”
6. Harold Craig—“In the case of Mrs. Gandhi’s election, I
am sure that she has the capability to hold such an important
office in world politics. The fact that she is a woman is secondary.”
7. Sylvia Bennett—“Yes, what’s the world without women?
If Mrs. Gandhi is prepared for administration, the world is ready
for her. There’s no good administrator—like a woman adminis
trator.” (Whatever the case may be.)
8. James A. Barnett—“No, I don’t believe women are ‘ready’
to assume the roles of leaders in these harrowing times of chaos
and apathy. It will take more than education and intelligence to
make leaders. I believe women lack the needed ‘perseverance’ and
physical zeal to command the top executive offices.”
Anything Con Happen
On the night of February 17,
1966, the president of the
S.G.A. was denied entrance to
the game played between Clark
and Morris Brown simply be
cause he did not have his identi
fication card with him at that
time. Since the president of the
S.G.A., like any other person
is capable of error, he admitted
that he had left his I.D. card
back at the dormitory and would
kindly bring his I.D. card to the
business office the following
morning. Nevertheless the Clark
College faculty member and one
of the administration’s personnel
workers on the door denied Mr.
Phillips entrance into the game
until he had walked over a half
mile back to the dormitory and
that distance back with his I.D.
card. This situation seems highly
inconceivable but nevertheless it
did happen. It seems to me that
there are some personal ani
mosities involved in this par
ticular situation. The reason I
say this is because many stu
dents are admitted to games
without the l.D.’s upon promis
ing that they would bring them
in the next day. Just because
Mr. Phillips’ views may differ
from mine or other people on
campus this is no reason to treat
him or any other student unjust
ly or cruelly. It is occurrences of
this nature that students must
protest and deplore. This again
is another example of the great
lack of effective communication
between students and faculty
and students and certain people
of the administration.
"Sunday Dress Frustration"
The men of Clark are con
tinuously being thrown out of
the dining hall on Sunday for a
very illogical reason, simply be
cause he may wish to wear a
sweater with his tie and shirt
instead of wearing a suit coat.
On Sunday after entering the
cafeteria young men are told
they can’t eat if they don’t go
back to the dormitory and
put on a suit coat. The
question that frequently re
appears in my mind is why must
a student wear a suit coat in
stead of a sweater if he chooses
to do so. There should be some
action taken to eliminate the
strict dress code for students on
Sunday anyway. Many students
are annoyed and sometimes be
come depressed by the stupidity
of the dress rules in the school
cafeteria. As of present there
can be very little done about the
condition of the food in the din
ing hall, however, there should
be some accommodations made
for the type dress students have
to wear. I think the “dining
hall committee” of the S.G.A.
should immediately re-examine
some of the rules and regula
tions they have set up and try
to eliminate some of the ridicu
lous ones that are already in ex
istence. It is very unfair for some
faculty member or dining hall
official to ask a person to go
back to the dormitory and put
on a suit coat when he is al
ready dressed with his sweater
on. I would like some response
to this letter from the “dining
hall committee” of the S.G.A.
or faculty members if there is a
defense for some of the absurd
rules that the cafeteria has. Stu
dents, are you satisfied with the
present condition of the dining
hall?