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30, 1967 THE MERCER CLUSTER tfthe ^Nercer Cluster September 39, 1967 Volume XLIX, No. 2 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AAIXfc ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ton Cautbom Wright Daria BUSINESS MANAGER MANAGING EDITORS Bob Lanier Becky Sima, Steve Wright Buaineas Specialiat Christy Tyler BHiaiga Editor — Ruaa Drummond Encudre Editors Bill Dayton, Bobby Phillips Sporta Editor Art Hapner Feature Staff Ed Beckwith, Karen Rivera, Milton Moore, Roger Bell, Reid Banka Social Editors *— Leonard Bone, Carol Bruce Cartoons Roger Poston Photographer Bob Johnson Staff Wardlyn Mills, Dori Ripley, Cris Greis Special Correspondents BUI Wehunt, Ed Bacon Codp Editor Open For Application Faculty Advisors Prof. Anthony Stansfeld, J. O. Paine SuW. Soob \Wln?ro«&/ "fcvA vKo ^ , '* Dulcimer's Status Not Clear In SGA By Tom Cauthorn The clearest issue at stake in the argument concerning Mercer’s plea for Federal assistance is one of good economy. The type of private loan that Mercer could obtain would have a compounded interest of 6*^% over a relatively short period of time. But, any federal loan would entail a compound ed interest rate of up to 3% spread across a rather long period of repayment. Certainly a saving of 3^% does not sound like a large amount but when it is thought of in light of hundreds of thou sands of dollars the real saving becomes apparent. Also the availability of long term federal loans over short-term private loans brings to the university an opportunity to save money. The savings in the long-term loan are made by paying out relatively small amounts over a long period of time instead of large amounts over a shorter period of time. If the university can make these small payments then it can have the rest of the money that would be paid out soon in a private loan to keep invested as a principal. This principal is a steady amount of money invested that is not spent but rather earns other money by the very strength of its investment. One of the most important advantages in the long-term federal loan is inflation. Clearly if the purchasing power of money becomes less over a period of time then if payments are made over a long period of time they will be less; not less at a numerical face-value but less because their purchasing power is less. THINK BEFORE YOU GRIPE No student is anything short of an expert when it comes to dealing with what he puts in his stomach but often studenta tend to magnify inaquitiea and distort facts in an effort to find a cause to complaii- Because students tike to complan and probably because of other fac tors it has oome to the attention of this paper that some of us am al ready dissatisfied with the food in the cafeteria. This is indeed un fortunate. Unfortunate because of two facta: » No adariaistrator, not even in a come to grips For better or for worse the edi torial policy of the Cluster toward the cafeteria will be one of coopera tion and understanding. Mr. .Kra kow has inherited a sinking ship and bacauet of all the holes la it them h a gnat probability that his patching jab will tab* sot Troy State Editor Removed; For Controversial Editorial Enters Auburn Instead; Story From Auburn Pg. 4 If a college president takes issue with the governor of his state over the question of academic freedom it would seem natural that college newspaper editors should take up the cause to promote wider latitude in the edu cational process. Gary Dickey of Troy State College in Ala bama is sitting out his senior year, presuma bly because he saw fit to support editorially the premise that the course of learning should not be charted around the whims of the state. Gary’s predicament arose out of his support of the position of University of Ala bama President Dr. Frank Rose, who has en countered opposition to the academic free dom issue from the Governor and certain members of the. Alabama Legislature. The President of Troy State College, Dr. Ralph Adams, is a long-time friend of former gover nor George Wallace, and he tried unsuccess fully to censor the editorial. A short time after publication, Editor Dic key was removed from his post and later told that he would not be permitted to return to Troy in the Fall quarter to complete his sen ior year. Dickey has filed suit in Federal Court at Montgomery in an effort to regain admission. It must be admitted that just as a certain relationship exists between state collefpt presidents and state administrations, there must also be a certain loyalty by college newspapers to college administrators. But if the traditional freedom and independence of the press is to be preserved these loyalties must be based on principles that do not cut across the lines of conviction. Friendships that cannot surmount the differences in the individuals seldom survive, and then only because of — or in the interest of — mutual benefits or influences. A state school owes its existence, to state money, but certain prin ciples— such as freedom of speech — should not be included as a part of the ante in the contest for academic dollars. Hie public vote, whether directed at the college student or to the world at large, must remain non-negoti- •ble. - i Troy State College officials insist that Dickey was denied lenrftynoe because he disobeyed instructions from a faculty advisor not to publish the editorial, but obedience or disobedience is not thermal issue at stake. Hie Plucked Dulcimer, Mercer’s literal magazine, now has a status which is not cle to many members of SGA. The present ed tor, Bill Dayton, who has guided the Dull mer through its infancy will be leaving Me cer after fall quarter. Also, because of tl ratification by the student body of the pi sent Student Government Constitution la spring it has become necessary for the Edit of the Dulcimer to be an elective position Tuesday night, September 26, the SG discussed the status of the Dulcimer b came to no permanent decision (a committ was set up to study the problem). It is a wi known fact that Bill Dayton has carried tl magazine on his own bade for the past y and without his leadership it is not qui clear to the duster what the position of th infant publication will be. Some members of the SGA felt that money in the Dulcimer Budget would be be ter spent if applied to the Cauldron or da ter budgets. Others voiced a strong suppo for the continuance of the publication b cause of the respectable place of a literal magazine in an academic community. What the answer is should be left up to tl publications Committee headed by Hell Glenn, Dean of Women, and the students Mercer. The money that the duster or Cat dron would gain by the Dulcimer’s demise negligible. President of SGA, David Hudson, pi posed that the position for editor be open for election during the Freshman election Friday, October 6. This is a very real and we feel should be implemented commendations from the Publications’ mittee as to possible candidates for the tion. In the interest of continuity the Chis proposes that the Editor of the Dulcimer elected on October 6, and become a co-edi t with Bill Dayton until the beginning of Wi ter quarter. The co-editorship will prefer the experience of Editor Dayton as a val able fund for the new leadership to dn upon. The editorial efforts of a college newspej should not be subjected to a policy of quired approval” by faculty or administJi tion. If an idea is born under conditions of pre-deetined meeting with a censor, it ia I most certain even from the beginning th mutations will occur that could result in fortuity or even death. The answer to the current question Troy will now be determined in the court Perhaps this conflict could be avoided in f" future if educators granted the earns freed to newspapers that they themsahree now se We are; proud that a stand can be taken The duster without seeking approval yond our own office. This trust, srtanrin the administration, generates within sense of responsibility because it makes know that, without the crutch of “requir approval” we must gain acceptance throu integrity or be indicted by our own failu It keeps us constantly aware that star -must not be takan lightly, and that poaitia . should be assumed with the idea of buikU rather than tearing dorm. We recommend pu* system to Troy, or Static; bqt the iSTto^toke asLndfisnot us