Newspaper Page Text
- Page Two
THE MERCER CLUSTER
October 19, 1956
Rat Court Unsuccessful,
Complete Change Asked
Rat Court last week was a disgrace to
Mercer University. Yet it need not be so.
Must university students remain passive
when within themselves is the answer?
Yes, it’s true that the fun of all was
spoiled by the rebellion of a few. It’s also
true that much hard work had gone into
this program which was abruptly ended
by the riot. Added factors, too, were the
upperclass students’ encouragement of this
upheaval and the lack of support by the
sophomore class.
And faculty disapproval rained heavily
upon the heads of both classes. Rather
than creating greater school spirit. Rat
Court merely served to alienate the sopho
more and freshmen classes.
We could readily point the finger of
blame on a number of reasons why Rat
Court failed. But this serves no ultimate
purpose. Rather, the task before us is to
discover what we can do to make Rat Court
the highlight it is expected to be. <
Perhaps the most drastic solution, but
probably the best one, would be a com
plete change in the entire orientation pro
gram. It should be extended to include a
period of getting acquainted with the stu
dent body, registration, and ratting.
Orientation, as orginally intended, is to
acquaint the freshman with this new and
strange place. Orientation classes the first
week serve a good purpose, but they alone
are not enough. Along with learning about
the school, the freshman needs to meet
the people who make up the school.
What better way to become oriented
to Mercer than meeting its people—facul
ty, students, and staff—in a wholesome
way? Perhaps this could be instilled
through the legendary pushball game or
some type of get acquainted parties.
The nights of registration days pro
vide excellent opportunities by being free
of homework and by affording all the girls
date privileges. And it’s true that only as
Mercer develops a feeling of one big family
which knows its members and what they
are like can real school spirit be developed.
As a grand finale to this extended week
of orientation, rat initation could take place
on Friday after registration week. This
would avoid test conflicts and leave later
weeks free for study and rush season.
Freshmen would be in better spirits and
the whole theme of ratting would still be
exciting.
A more effective ratting program would
evolve if the limitations placed up6n the
sophomore class by the administration were
not so strict and if ratting were not ex
tended over such a long period of time.
Ratting should be fun for both classes.
It should never involve physical danger nor
intensive personal embrassment but needs
all the elements of harrassing which make
it a time of good sportsmanship rather
than a tedious and boring requirement
which serves no purpose.
One day of intensive ratting could be
climaxed with a Rat Parade in the after
noon and Rat Court that night. Thus, being
built up as a crescendo, Rat Court could
become something great for the whole cam
pus. But only as we at Mercer realize its
possibilities, recognize its faults, and work
to improve it, can Rat Court lose its stigma
and become something to be fondly re
membered.
J. W.
Theft of Coke Bottles
May Remove Machines
President George B. Connell told a
Cluster reporter in a recent interview that
Mercer students had taken over 24 cases
of Coke bottles from the dormitories in
the first four weeks of school.
President Connell said that neighbor
hood merchants had told him Mercer stu
dents had been turning the stolen bottles
in and obtaining the deposit fee.
The editors of the Cluster are shocked
to hear of this larceny on the part of some
of the students.
Profit from the sale of one case of
Coca-Cola is 16 cents. The cost of a case
of empties in 30 cents. For every stolen
case of empties the University loses 15
cents.
The Ouster realizes that many of these
missing bottles are lost through breakage
and some because students place empties
in trash cans. However, the number of
bottles lost in these ways could not con
ceivably amount to 24 cases in four weeks.
Unless this loss of empties stops the
administration will be forced to take the
Coca-Cola machines from the dormitories.
This would punish and inconvenience not
only the people who are responsible for
the theft of the empties, but the innocent
students as well.
The Ouster, therefore urges all stu
dents to return the bottles to the racks
and suggests, that, in the interest of their
fellow students, the persons who are tak
ing the empties and turning them in for
refunds stop this larceny before the ad
ministration removes the machines.
B. S.
MIDTERMS!
(Thla cartoon haa become a Cluster “classic", having been lined In
three different iaaues of the f taster.)
STUD'S
Cluster
Comments
How would you like to pick up your copy of the fluster, (If you
ever pick up a copy of thla ragi and see In the headlines. “Mercer
Defeats Wesleyan. 78 to 40." Thut will be the day.
Thf day may not be too far away however, as the powers to be at
the "big W" have thrown Wesleyan open to male atudenta. Malt students
have always been uble to get a degree In music from the school but
now they can obtain a liberal arts sheepskin too.
The announcement that Wesleyan was admitting boys was a big
surprise to me. I thought they had always had male students. Every
time I go out there I see Leman Lindsey. Gene Roach, and Lonnie
Pope. They must have been visiting.
I-ast week all of us Were shocked to hear that Coach Smith's
five-year-old son had been hit by an automobile In front of his College
Street home.
The reports from the hospital say that the boy will lie alright, but
for a while he was In critical condition
Although the motorist Involved was not speeding this case made it
more evident that something must lie done to make drivers on College
Street more aware of the congested Mercer campus.
Many editorials have been written about the situation that exists
In front of MEP. hut every day Ml' co-eds have to dodge their wuy
across this street.
Parked cars on the street and speeding cars In the street make
this spot one of the most dangerous on our campus.
Last week end I noticed that West Oeorgla College In Carrollton.
Ga had placed "speed-breakers" In the road that goes through the
campus.
These "breakers'' are nothing more than eight-inch recesses in
the pavement. If a car goes over these holes at a speed of 20 m.p.h. or
more the driver may find his head protruding from the top of his car.
The holes in the road do not cost anything,' are easy to Install
and have been proved very effective.
Whatever measures are taken they should he taken soon so motorists
will slow down when passing through the campus.
3TJj« Mtrttt Cluster
■uten uNivtmsiTT. macon. cbobgla
OCTOBF31 IS. 1»6« VOLUME >7, NUMBER I
Mercer Opinions
by Bob Stevens
(The question this week Is, “What du you think of Kills Presleyf*!
Jeanne Roberts, sophomore--I think Kills Is rrude, hut I love his
songs. He’s Just too emotional.
Carolyn Jackson, sophomore Elvis has something If he would Just
settle down and sing.
Norman Calender. Junior-1 guess with Time. He could only be
■Mils lanChlaf
Ormthta Max
Masadac Utter
Outer in puMUha4 sisMf, suat tetaf MUnj ul anamteattun riifc, hr tea
mt M? mt Marcar Unlvarnky,Miiml Georgia. mate ten Mtfcarttj of tea (Mat Guar a -
Aueciatian. It in written adhatf. mmi pMhiteil hr tea phkpMkh till ha4j mt
Marcar UnbvarMtr. All auruihiJ apMaaa hilt an 4a apWaaa af tea Rail attara, and
■at aitiaaarfly tea Ualvasuity'a rtew-pateL AO latten ta tea oiUar must ha nigud; names will
ha withhsli an request. Letters 4a aat nsesnsarflj rafted tea aaUry mt tea paper ar tea aata-
iaaa mt tea editors. Latten teen Id aat ha lugir thaa Mt warJa. A44raaa ill Utter* ta: Miter,
Tha Marear Outer, Baa B, Maraar University. Mpaaa, Giur^a
the product of a Republican administration.
Roau Martin, freshman—1 like his singing If 1 don't look at him.
W. H. Steadman, senior He Is no worse than Marilyn Monroe or
Jane Russell
Clifford keaarj, fr.
seen 1 can tolerate him. His'
me he Is not a favorite.
Beth While, sophomore—Some of Ills Tecords ar|
for Elvis himself—No thanks!
Asa Geer, freshman—1 think he’s funny.
Tam jlahnson, sophomore Vsry obscene -appeals to person's baser
Instincts.
Lather Mills, sophomore A sad commentary on the level of the
nation's tastes.
“J#" Bess Smith, freshman—I think he ts absolutely “great'' and
I believe that the reaaon so many boys don't like him I* that they are
Jealous.
IU Kidd, freshman—1 tell you, he doesn’t shake m« up too much.
(Ed. Note—Moat of the student* polled said that they did not dare
give their true opinions.)