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S • THE MERCER CLUSTER •
*, 1M7
S. G. A. Elections Present
A Time "7b Go Forward"
Ever since I entered Mercer three falls ago, 1 have noticed an extreme amount of indif
ference existing on its campus. This apathy is present in nearly every activity on campus,
extending from a panty raid (where only about twenty boys brave the perils of entering the
forbidden area) to the support of a Bear baseball game (where the perhaps 200 seating capa
city bleachers provide adequate facilities).
The most dramatic, and possibly the most discouraging evidence of this unconcern appa
rent is during student elections, where a minority of one-third is enough of a “majority’ to
secure a victory. There are many remedies that one might suggest for a problem such as this,
but most of them would fall upon deaf ears.
There is one possible solution as I see it which might help to arouse enthusiasm; and that
is to create student “parties” for student politics. This is a practice followed at most big
schools. The parties are responsible for nominating candidates (though independent candidates
can run), planning and carrying out a spirited campaign, creating a platform designed to be for
the students and their needs, and generally they are responsible for the voter turnout
Now there are many arguments that this type of suggestion might evoke (though due to
the apathetic situation I feel safe in assuming that I shall evoke but a very, very few if any)
and I shall attempt to consider both sides.
The first argument that comes to my mind is that the parties will eventually evolve in
popularity cliques, with perhaps the fraternities competing amongst themselves. This is a valid
argument in the sense that I cannot picture any of the top fraternities actually working
together unless it is in the sense of working against another fraternity. The solution to this
appears to be to have perhaps three major parties, their existence being based on issues rather
than on personalities. In this way it would be possible to have members of a fraternity in dif
ferent parties (Though this is probably not likely). In the same respect all non-fraternity
people would not necessarily be obliged to belong to the same party.
A second argument might be “Would the SGA go along with having student parties?” I
have not approached any of the student leaders on this point, but I believe that if they felt it
was in the best interest of the students themselves they would consent to the idea.
How would this work? In the past, the SGA itself 1ms sponsored and managed student
elections. Candidates were allowed to run by self-nomination; the only restriction being that
the applicant have a “C” average and be of good character. I feel that this in itself constitutes
grounds for changing. I don’t believe that all students who are capable of being leaders are
sure enough to nominate themselves. (Many of those who do qualify probably have been en
couraged by others.)
If Mercer had a student party system I feel that the students could get a better selection
since the parties themselves could screen possible candidates and pick the best qualified (based
on experience, intelligence, and desire). Lest I am being misunderstood at this point, I am not
critizing the present S.G.A. leaders but rather hoping to provide a system whereby the SGA
would be assured of the full support of the student body.
From another angle, party politics on campus would give the individual student a chance
to have his say before the votes are cast. In addition, this type of arrangement would permit
students to familiarize themselves with political procedure (which plays no small part in
everyday life).
Student Government Elections are in the early part of next quarter. Perhaps a start can
be made then; if so, preparation must be prior to elections.
Iu conclusion, I would like to say that I believe that this is a time of decision. It is a time
when Mercer’s students must choose whether to have a big college attitude or to remain silent
in this area of student growth. It is easy to sit back and criticize, riducule, or ignore proposals
x talma work, dedication, and more work to make progress. The first steps
are the hardest, no one knows better than I; but once you move out just a littie and then look
back, you will know that it was worth it
jSetteu to tke CcUtot
Dear Bobby and Chiatar Staff,
After lazily enjoying the luxury
end of the CLUSTER for the part
few iseuee, I have decided to make
at least a minor contribution.
I couldn’t find it in myself to
condem anything you and your new
staff have done since taking over
the paper, for you have the two
essential requirements for putting
out a good publication: interest and
effort There are many who havi
enough‘interest in the CLUSTER
to pick up a free copy once a week
a few who have ■enough interest to
write a critical letter, but very few
who have enough interest to put
forth any effort to help the CLUS
TER survive, much less improve
It'a true that our paper has its
blemishes but I can have nothing
but praise for a small staff working
against tremendous odds < including
an inherited reputation for 'being
undependable) to produce a paper
for an eternally ungrateful student
body.
Please don’t get discouraged. Per
haps someday those of us who do
have interest will pat around to
Dear Sir:
Three grievances stand to put
forth by the student body of Mer
cer University to the administra
tion of said University. They are as
follows: the high prices of the Mer
cer University Book Store; the
poor food and service of the Mer
cer University Cafeteria; and the
poor food, service, and sanitary
conditions of the Mercer University
Snack Bar.
In all three of the afore mention
ed conditions, one may see near
monopolies at work. Moreover,
Mercer University has a tax-exempt
status because it is an educational
institution. One knows that the
University needs money very badly
since the GBC failed to approve a
federal loan to Mercer. However,
is it fair for the student body to
provide the badly needed funds? All
expense of said student body? All
three of the previously mentioned
grievancs directly or indirectly pro
vide the University with the much
needed money at the expanse of
Mercer students.
Isn’t there any other way in
which the University may obtain
these funds than by punishing the
stduent body for sot
by the infamous GBC?
Sinearaly,
Christianity, Sex,
Capitalism Big 3
Or So It Seems
— Becky
Roper L Bell
Honor Council Vacancies
(apply before March 15)
Horrors! ! ! It has been reported
that the learned theologian. Dr.
Ray Brewster, has suddenly turned
capitalist Does this mean that he
has fallen prey to that treacherous
villian greed? Or could it be that
starvation has set in on our good
professor?
The story goes that Brewster set
up a do-it-your-ownself type of
book store to, as he put it, “make
space for new books and to replen
ish my own miniature Fort Knox."
Without denial it appears that the
genp has set itself upon the good
Dean. But all is not loot; students,
rebel, cut chapel, protest, cry,
burn money ; do anything you can
think of to help stamp out Capi
talism. Christianity has enough
competition as it is. (What with sex
and all).
Speaking of sex and capitalism
(notice how the former gets top
billing all of a sudden), how about
that big, hulking two hundred
pound joker (pardon the expres
sion) who came to Mercer giving
lass one on the art of self-defense.
Two easy lssians and "presto!" any
ninety-eight pound girl can not
only repel an assault but cripple,
marine, and perhaps even kill A
assailant Wennta bet? I’ll take on
any girl, anywhere, anytime, and I
bat I’ll come out on top. So glris,
the next time you have 3 bucks to
blow just let’s pick the place and
I’ll be them.
Faculty Corner. . .
(This week's column is
written by the Cluster ad
visor Mr. Tony Stansfeld)
Florence Disaster Is A
Blow To Western Culture
The disaster which struck the city of Florence last Novem
ber is no doubt the greatest single catastrophe suffered bj
Western culture since the fall of the Roman Empire. No one ao
of wartime destruction in this or any other century approach*
it.
Apart from the ruin of uniquely important works of art
such as Cimabue’s Crucifixion, one must consider the terribl
losses in manuscripts, books and records which together con
stituted one of our main sources of knowledge, not only
Italian, but also of the whole of Western culture. Florence’s log
is our own.
It is, perhaps, some small source of satisfaction to knoi
that, in the hours following the flood, amid the chaos of collap*
ing buildings, in the search and in the slime, there were Ameri
can Students, including almost 100 participants in the Floren
tine extension program sponsored by Florida State University
who played a considerable part in assisting in the first works a
salvage and rescue, often at considerable personal risk.
The artistic losses in terms of cold cash reach an astro
nomical figure, certainly hundreds of millions. The damage ti
private property and the ruin of many hundreds of small tradi
tional businesses — of the leatherworkers, the weavers, tin
mosaicists, the potters, the artists of filigree, who have lost then
stock, their shops, their tools, their livelihood — multiplies thi
loss both in terms of money and of human suffering. It seemei
for a time, in fact, as if this Florence, this art-lover’s greatea
goal for so many generations, the city of the Medici, of Galileo,
of Michelangelo, of Machiavelli, of Robert Browning, of Landoi
and of Bernard Berenson, was smothering under the pall ol
disaster, just as its streets and palaces lay festering under theii
crust of mud and oil and decay, a city defiled and broken.
But, miraculously, Florence is recovering. Somehow thi
city is shaking itself clear of the thousands of tons of filth and
debris. The dead are buried. The stink and the typhoid haw
gone. Bridges are repaired. Tottering buildings are being under
pinned. Small businesses have somehow found the heart ad
means to start again from their beginnings. Municipal servicw
function once more.
The outside world is helping, and already almost all West
ern countries have participated, Russia included, in aid botk
practical and financial. The CRIA program has raised hundred! «
of thousands of dollars. Volunteers from a dozen nations haw jj
gone to Florence to aid personally in the salvage efforts. Will ”
the Spring just ahead of us there will, we hope, be yet moia
But enormous efforts are still urgently needed if we are to saw
this precious and irreplaceable portion of what is, after all, td
heritage of all Western men.
JW^rcer Cluster
March 3, 1M7
Volume XLVIII, No. 11
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF j&jExi, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bobby PhilHpe Larry McConnell
MANAGING EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER
Sue Walker Nancy Barrett
Erfitor at Largo Clyde Hoover
Editorial Stall Tom Cauthorn.
Andregg. Joke Gutheri*
Nexre Editor ..... DrwmmMMl
Advertising Staff Barbara Gantt, Harvey
Ray, Renos Stanford
Sparta Editor _ ; Art
Aaristant Sports Editor ..!
Social Editor. Judy McQuaggn, Dumy Ballsy
Feature Editor. Claudia Yt
Copy Manager : !
Stat1 Becky Siam, Wardlyo MBs.
Micbrte Dubree, Dianna Dubroa, Ed
Ward, Larry Phillips, Dori Ripley,
Sharon Lincoln. Ann Cooper
Faculty Advisor „... Prof. Anthony