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Editorials And Other Thoughts...
The Office Of Residential Life
Personal View
Karen’s Korner
Photo by: Nelson Valentine
by Karen M. Burroughs
Editor-in-Chief
Dear Readers,
I address this month’s column
to the indifferent and un
concerned instructors which
seem to be sprinkled throughout
the faculty at Spelman College.
Spelman has a fine reputation for
academic excellence, but upon
close scrutiny, one will find that
there is something rotten in the
state of Georgia. (sorry
Shakespeare.)
For the exorbitant prices that
Spelman charges, students
should not have to contend with
instructors who seem to derive a
sadistic pleasure from tampering
with students’ forward progres
sion at this institution. Students
should not have to be in
convenienced by professors who
take two years to remove an
incomplete grade, nor should
seniors have to be in distress over
an instructor who waits until
three days before graduation to
turn in a grade.
I think it is a shame for thereto
be instructors at Spelman who
are known among the students
as "get over” teachers because
the student does little or no work
and can receive a grade
anywhere from a "C” to an “A.”
Unfortunately, in these much-
sought-after courses, the student
learns nothing — and isn’t that
the purpose of college?
On the other side of the coin,
does it seem fair for students to
have to be subjected to teachers
who give work as though theirs is
the only course that students are
registered for? Enthusiastic in
structors are welcome, but some
of Spelman's teachers take their
zeal a bit too far. I don’t expect
for instructors to make it easy on
students, (after all, this is
college), but such acts as assign
ing a paper and an exam for the
same day isabit much, don’t you
think?
There are also instructors at
this institution who have ab
solutely no sympathy for
student’s illnesses. I will admit
that there are students who use
phony illness as an excuse, but I
think it is slightly ridiculous for
teachers to state that they will
only excuse students if they are
in the hospital. Students very
often do have legitimate illnesses
that prevent them from atten
ding class or doing homework. I
know it is a difficult task for
teachers to discern the genuine
illnesses from the phony ex
cuses, but in most cases, I feel
that the student should receive
the benefit of the doubt.
Finally, why does Spelman
continue to employ instructors
that have received frequent
complaints by students?
What does it take to remove an
incompetent instructor from the
faculty of Spelman? For two years
I labored under the erroneous
impression that via the semi
annual evaluations, students had
a voice in such decisions.
However, it appears that these
evaluations exist solely to give
students a 20-minute break from
their classwork — I see no other
advantage. For the excessive
prices that students must pay to
attend Spelman, we at least
should be able to receive a
quality education from instruc
tors who are genuinely concern
ed with the advancement of their
students. Something has got to
change.
by Kimberly Collins
News Reporter
Since 1979, when Dean Sadie
Allen resigned, there have been
constant changes within the
personnel staff of the residential
life department. These changes
include the recent removal of
former director of housing, Ms.
Andre Strong. Yet, to address
Ms. Strong's removal, one must
first take in to consideration
those who held the position
before her.
Dean Allen, who was director
of residential life in 1972, ab
dicated her office to our present
dean, Dr. Carmen Cox. At this
time the responsibilities of dean
had expanded. Whereas Dean
Allen had only a staff of five,
Dean Cox has a staff of a much
greater number. When she took
over the office, not only Was she
to be responsible for the student
life division, but for the office of
admissions as well. It is from this
time where the constant changes
in personnel began.
The big question is why? Why
did Ms. Sandra Cummings,
former Director of Student Life,
(although she was functioning
under a differenttitle) relinquish
her duties in 1981 after serving
only 2 years? There is also Dean
Saunders who only lasted from
1981-82. Similarly, Dr. Pane,
Dean Saunders successor, en
dured the position from 1982-83.
Finally, Ms. Andre Strong who
began in July of ’83, was
transferred or resigned in
February. Presently, Ms. Darnita
Killian is occuping the hot seat
that her predecessors have
vacated. How long will she last?
Furthermore, does the con
sistency of staff have anything to
do with the consistency of ideas,
which effect housing decisions?
Granted, the housing problem
did escalate after 1979, because
of the economy changes, and
forced many students back into
the dorms, which was a cheaper
way of living. Thus, available
space became a problem and is
still a problem.
But with an efficient staff that
works hand in hand some of
these problems should have
lessened by 1984. Or maybe that
is the problem in residential life?
Everyone has ideas, so many that
they conflict and rank is pulled
instead of compromises being
made.
Could it be possible that the
reason for so many changes
within personnel are due to
incompatibility with the Dean?
After all, the director of resident
life must stay in constant touch
with the Dean. It is rumored that
Ms. Strong was fired. Yet, it is
officially known or said that she’s
been transferred to Alumni
Continued on Page 10
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Recently the residents of
Morehouse-James dormitory
have received a live-in guest, the
"Super Rats!” All you have to do
is look out the back window one
night and you will discover that
they are taking over. The other
night I heard music and laughter
in the back parking lot. I couldn’t
understand who was having such
a good time a 1 o’clock in the
morning in the back parking lot.
I looked out the window and lo
and behold the Super Rats were
having a local jam. Some played
theirghetto blasters while others
danced on the roof of my car.The
party was going strong until 6
a.m., then it died out at the break
of dawn. The party wasdefinitely
a success and they had plenty to
eat. I discovered this when a
friend of mine’s windshield
wipers weren’t working because
a rat ate through the wires of the
car. Now the residents of
Morehouse-James don't even
have a safe place to park their
cars. Either they park one mile
away around Chadwick, in front
of Morehouse James and get
their car plastered with those
stupid yellow stickers, or risk
having a riding partner in their
car. I, for one, think that a visit
from the Orkin man is definitely
in order.
A concerned Resident
Dear Editor:
I would like to offer my thanks
to all of my Spelman Sisters who
were there when Lisa and I
needed them while putting
together the Pageant and Cor
onation.
However, I would like to
address the mass of apathetic
students that are enrolled hereat
Spelman. The S.G.A. decided to
have a Blue & White Week it was
because we wanted to have a
special time of the year so that
ALL Spelmanites could celebrate
our own school. We put a lot of
hard work into this week
because we wanted it to be
special.
We did not expect for only
about 6 or 7 of the 30 some odd
girls who were nominated to
show up for the interviews. It is
understandable for some people
not to want to run for Miss Blue &
White, but for the high number
who did not call or leave a note
to let us know you're not coming
is inexcusable.
From having watched some of
the students here at Spelman
during the past 3'A years I really
believe that this would not have
happened to the extent that it
did had these been the Miss
Maroon & White interviews.
I cannot understand why it is
not more important to be chosen
by your peers to represent your
own school. Believe it or not, the
S.G.A. did not initiate Miss Blue
& White so that she could appear
in Ebony Magazine (as one
"Morehouse Man” did suggest).
Miss Blue & White was in
itiated for several reasons. One
of the primary being the lack of
respect given to us by the Mr.
Blue & White contestants in
1981-82. The “gentlemen” did
not deem it necessary to attend
rehearsals or take the pageant
seriously. Because of their at
titude the pageant was cancelled
for that year.
Secondly, as many seem to
believe, Spelman is not an exten
sion of Morehouse College and
Miss Maroon & White is not
Spelman’s Queen. She is a
Spelmanite we should be proud
of for winning the honor; but
she is not our Queen.
As a Spelmanite, SPELMAN
should come first in our hearts,
not Morehouse. Many
Morehouse students will be the
first ones to tell you that Bennett
is their sister school,not Spelman.
They do not generally afford us
the respect we are entitled to
and many Spelmanites do not
demand it.
Spelman sisters if you cannot
see the error in supporting
Morehouse before supporting
Spelman please open your eyes,
if only to the fact the Morehouse
students are definitely not guilty
of the same oversight.
I would also like to take this
time to congratulate Jennifer
Harkness, Valarie Binford, E.
Anthony Palmer, and Gerald
McKinney. I think the selection
committee did a wonderful job
because all the contestants were
great to work with and very
supportive of Spelman.
Sincerely, Jennise Hall