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UPS KflBKgSK (StiQDgMitE ' A Communication Gap
MEMBER
“The South's Most Controversial Collegiate Newspaper"
GARY JOHNSON JOHNNYTURNEP
Editor t associate Editor
CARL BROWN, Business Manager
LYNDON MAYES, Managing Editor
Asst. Editors: John Tyler Hammett, Ron Childs
Executive Editors: Tom Cauthorn, Bobby Phillips
(Unsigned editorials are the opinion o( the Clutter and should not be confuted with
news ttpries Signed columns and cartoons art the opinions of the authors and not the
Clutter )
Georgia Baptists
Must Face Reality
This is a very important day for both the
Georgia Baptist Convention and Mercer Univer
sity. As you probably already know, the Con
vention convened Monday and is scheduled to
continue through Wednesday. This afternoon
the Mercer University trustees’
report on applications for federal
aid is to be given. The trustees
were instructed earlier this year
I to be prepared to report to the
i convention by the executive
committee, following their appli-
i’ VScations for three federal con-
I t ry v t struction grants.
The convention has voted
Turner three times in the past five years
against federal aid for Baptist institutions, and
this afternoon they will have one more chance.
It is hoped that the delegates will consider a few
facts and vote for the federal aid. These facts are
not in any way secrets should be known by all
the delegates since they were printed in the offi
cial publications of the G.B.C., The Christian
Index.
The Executive Committee has on two differ
ent occasions overwhelmingly recommended to
the convention sanctioning the use of federal
loans by Mercer. Also Mercer has between 1956
and 1964 secured federal loans totaling over
$2,750,000 with the permission of the Georgia
Baptist Convention.
The precedent has been aet for borrowing
federal money. The federal government has
loaned the G.B.C. funds for the Georgia Baptist
Hospital Nurses Dormitory, the hospital itself,
the Baptist Village, Norman College, Shorter
College, Tift College, and Truett-McConnell Col
lege. The convention spends approximately
$100,000 a year to amortize the debt on the
Nurses Dormitory alone.
The delegates should also consider that any
action of the convention which might penalize
trustees for their decision would affect accredi
tation. Accrediting agencies such as the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and all those for professional schools, require
that university trustees make decisions on all
matters. The delegates should think long and
From the editor
Act Now!
Within the past few months, movements have been
organized and begun to stir and hopefully to eradicate
student apathy of Mercer Students that has been so
firmly implanted over the centuries.
Presently students are in the process of beginnings
new student newspaper. This is good. For once some
one has become upset and aroused. They are acting,
voicing their opposition and disagreement of Cluster
operations in a constructive manner. This the Ouster
commends, not saying that we agree with your pur
pose, tactics or methods, but saying that we’re glad
that your posteriors are now in a vertical rather than a
horizontal position.
Why do 1 commend this action and why have I
allowed the situation to come to this point? After the
campaign for office last Spring. I was elected with the
understanding (I thought evident) that this new posi
tion would not change my philosophy, ideas or recogni
tion of the many immoral and unjust acts committed in
this nation and on this campus. Still today this position
of editor has not clouded my eye to that reality. In fact
in the position of editor. I’ve been extremely moderate
in exposing my ideas and philosophy. I have tried to
face issues and to make stands on those issues. I’ve
taken great pains to cater to conservative as well as
liberal viewpoints. Thus it is no regret to me about
anything that has taken place this school year.
Mercer must become politically and socially active
and hat to comfront national and international issues.
Many schools in the Middle Georgia area are extremely
inactive politically in the past, hut they are now
coming alive. A case in point it the situation at Georgia
College fat MilledgeviBe. Presently there are three
student newspapers (The Paper, The Power, The Hu
manist) and the official college newspaper. Creation of
these underground newspapers war necesaary because
the college newspaper was not potitioti enough, and
concerned of the student wellhte. Abo the adndnletra-
tion at Georja College hat laM a firm bate on joMaal-
tiric aubtications. Tib the Clailar takas adlmeyeaml
THE
by Johnny Turner
hard about this before they iash out at the trus
tees for accepting federal aid.
In 1968 the Doak Campbell Study reported
that six Georgia Baptist colleges had serious
financial needs which could only be remedied
by an increase in the percentage of G.B.C. allo
cations for Mercer or acceptance of federal aid.
The G.B.C. presently accounts for 3.5% of^ler
cer’s operating budget which amounted to
$176,604 last year.
It is now a cold hard reality that Mercer must
have access to federal money. The Georgia Bap
tists can either accept that fact or get emotional
about it. They can not change the situation
without spending money. Hopefully they will
put aside their emotional objections and face
reality. To do this would be to both their and
Mercer’s advantage.
Apathy
Continues
by Roger Bell
The freedoms and liberties of Mercer stu
dents are a curious animal. When compared to
its brother at such schools as Bob Jones Univer
sity, it seems rather friendly and domesticated.
Yet, when compared to its first cousin at such
places u Columbia and Berkley,
it seems somewhat cold and un
friendly. However, the animal
can be what the students wish it
to be. To make it the “pride and
joy” of the campus, there must
be student involvement.
Student rights and liberties are
so limited on this campus that
the situation has almost reached
the ridiculous. Most students are
forced to live on campus. These same students
are forced to purchase a meal ticket whether
they desire one or not Female students are
forced to sign in and out of the dorm virtually
everywhere they go. All students are forced to
attend chapel once a week whether they want to
or not. Students must sign an honor code, and
then they are constantly haunted by informers
and stooges. The student newspaper b subject to
administrative censorship at any time. The stu
dent center has failed to live up to ita name and
proper function. There is little student involve
ment in regard to curriculum and univerisity
finances. This list could go on and on, but these
restrictions on student rights am enough to
exemplify the situation.
Once again we oome to the way to improve
the situation — student invohremenL Students
must organize discussions, dialogues with the
administration, petition campaigns, peaceful or
noo-peaceful demonstrations, in other words,
the student body must do whatever it takes to
change this situation. Without the student in
volvement, uttie will happen and one day we
might aee that Bob Jones has become one of the
South’s moat progressve universities. Can we
afford to wait that long???
encourages the student movement. Coodonemerit is ex
tended to these newspapers and to the enlightened
people who are aware of the situs bon on the local end
national scene, and who Intend to do something regard
ing the situation. These undaspoand papers are intend
ed to ehminate the ignorance of students and to help
the Individual realize the rights that he is entitled to In
an oppressed time. It is their purpose to promote hu
manitarian coocepts on campus. LocaBy, the papers
trig focus on the faculty faguetices, the disregard of
women's tights, and the abueae of student rights ht-
fticted by the collage's administration. After the issues
are focused definite slaps wfll be soupit to eradicate
the injustices that prevail Their undertaking cannot go
unnoticed. They have begun to aet
Thus in regard to the campus, wa have also got to
quM juri sighing, criticizing, and playing tide dHy game
of words. Middle Georgia is on the more and for Mer
cer to keep up to the pace we matt act now! If anyone
here it Marcat cases, don't writ t aecood longer!
As the Georgia Baptiat Convention la matting
in Atlanta this week, it aaoma appropriate to
diacuat vary briefly Mercer’* relationship with
the Convention. So modi haa been written
before that it teems ludicrous that anything new
could pogribly be said. Neverthe-
lev...
It it time for people to think
seriously about Mercer and about
the Convention and to discard all
stereotyped generalizations. This
may come as a shock to my
Georgia Baptists, but Mercer is
not a hotbed of heraey and the
average Mercer student la not a
WaHace radical who heats hit dormitory
room by burning his draft card and page* from
the Bible. Likewise, members of the Georgia
Baptist Convention were bom long after the
Dark Ages and they are not purposefully seeking
Greeks Are
Great!
by Ted Kandler and
Lynn Whatley
“Beyond the shadow of s doubt, the Mercer Greek
System is greet." In reply to s signed column by the
editor which was published in the last issue of the Clue-
ter, we, u Greeks, would like to express other facets of
several of the points which he made. Since opinions
expressed in a signed editorial are necessarily of a per
sonal nature, not meant to present all sides, we wish to
express a differing opinion.
We realize that there were certain good points in the
editorial. However, we feel that the points were pre
sented in such a way as not to encompass the general
feelinp. of the Greeks. Because of the context, the
statements were slanted and could not be looked upon
objectively by the reader.
"If one is a Greek, he has really made it ”
It is obvious that just because a person becomes a
Greek he does not have it made on the Mercer Campus.
The student leaders on campus oome from the Greeks,
Independents, and Unaffiliated segmenti. No Greek
would ever attempt to aigue that being a Greek is a
prerequisite to success at Mercer either politicaly,
socially or academically. One would expect that such a
statement would least likely come from the editor be
cause of his own achievements and perception.
At the same time, fellowship and friendship can cer
tainly not be associated exclusively with the Greek
Organizations. However, a fraternity offers a person the
opportunity to choose the type of people with whom
he wishes to associate Joining a fraternity does not
mean instant friendship. It means friendship that grows
out of working together for common interest; out of a
senior helping a freshman become adjusted to college
life; out of a social fimetion where everyone is ergoying
himself. It is ridiculous to say that only fraternity and
sorority people can enjoy this friendship. But it U just
as ridiculous to criticize them for enjoying it as Greeks.
"Although / hate some of my brother's gu ts, they we
basically nice guys ”
Out of a group of sixty or to people It is indeed
unrealistic to assume that everyone can get along with
everyone else all the time. However, hating "some of
my Brother's guts” is just not a factor within the frater
nity. There are many times when we have misunder
standings, but there is a certain amount of respect that
grows out of these disputes that results in a closer
friendship. Hate grows out of misunderstandings that
are not dealt with. The fraternity is conducive to an
atmosphere in which the members can frealy express
their opinions and argue their likes and dislikes.
"The symbol of what Greeks stand for is uncrili-
ciiable."
The symbols or ideals of what s fraternity stands
for are indeed "uncriticizable”. However, we would not
attempt to say that there is nothing wrong with the
Greek System. Wa realize that there ate some things
within the fraternity system that need re value ting and
changing, and we want to change them in the light of
these ideals.
"It is not a racist institution."
An individual Greek or an individual fraternity can
not be classified as racist rimpiy because they are
Greeks. Nor can an unaffiliate or Black student simply
be classified as liberal because ha is not a fraternity
member. Racial, religious or political visws within s
fraternity are just ts diversified as the individuals in the
fraternity itself. This is the main reason why many
white students, as well as Black students, hare not been
invited to join the fraternities at Mercer.
"You tee It's my parents. Don i you understand. ”
The point made In the article about attitudes being
fostered by the home is also true. Just as whites have
been brought up with reservations against blacks; the
blacks have beea brought ap with reservations against
the whites. W* do aot think that either segment can My
that tt is not so. TWs would aqt ha applied only to
Greeks or Mr'*?, this In chides Greeks, Independents,
Unaffitiatss and Blacks. Maay students, both Made and
white, haw* bean brought up to s is** prejudiced back-
round than their Mow Mntiants, but atony times wa
do not casa to look at this aspect of ths protean.
This has not beau a sacoadtegi Wa at Greeks are
tad of batog told by aim fhsski what tit* fraternity
system stands fbr. W* know what it atakds for and ass
know that the reticle by tha Oatoar Editor did aot
to dMtroy Mercer and Manor's academic In
tegrity.
Separation of Church and 8taM has ban a
allying ary of the Convention to prevent Mer
cer’s applying for Federal funds Unfortunately
too many people are fighting Cor a slogan and
an not looking at the proMnni nd lames
actually Involved. Do people Italy think that
the Board of Trustees wil be rapplanted by the
United Stats* Congrraa if Federal hinds in
acquired to help build a much needed infir
mary? The prindpie of separation may hr She
and necaaaary, but It should not he canted to n
unwarranted extreme in its application. I feel
that too many paraowa am not properly -kt-
formed a* to what all is involved la applying fbr
and accepting grants born the Federal Goraro-
ment, and lack of information la ahrwya a dan
gerous thing. • -.^SiSfUlir v
Any institution wham primary cwnertn la
Ideas will of necearity ewonmmfl
gent viewpoints; It wfll have |
thinking and not seek conformity. T rapine Bom
history should toll us that the mppmarioo of
new Idem and thought* rarely effect their
demlae (note what happened to ChrieHmlty
when the Romans sought to outlaw It). The aca
demic community moat be free from all outride
restraints on its teaching, for only then can tame
learning take place.
Most important of all, people should refrain
from incorporating their own biases and preju
dices Into their theology; this same yet difficult
and complex teak would serve to alleviate many
of the tendon* presently existing between Mer
cer and Georgia Baptist*. Let us seek to under
stand each other so that we might once again
have the mutual respect and cooperation derived
by both ride*.
On
Capitol
Hill
Given the strange circum
stances surrounding the financial
manipulations of Judge Clamant
F. Haynaworth, I was rather sur
prised at the endorsement of his
nomination to the Supreme
Court by the American Bar Aan>-
ciation’s Committee on the
Federal Judiciary. Evidently, I
was not alone In this raped, as
Hsklsta the following letter from a Pro
fessor at Harvard Law School points out
A majority of the American Bar Associa
tion’s Committee on the Federal Judiciary
has approved President Nixon’s nomination
of Judge Clement Haynesworth to the Su
preme Court of the United States despite the
evidence that Judge Haynaworth participated
in the decision of a number of cases in which
he had a conflict of interest.
Tha fact that the chairman of the A.B.A.
Committee, Lawrence E. Walsh, himself
holds his appointment from President Nixon
as special deputy to the Paris peace talks sug
gests that a majority of the committee doe*
not recognise conflict of interest when It see*
one.
Vera Countryman,
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, Maas.,
October 16,1969
What I found most encouraging about Profes
sor Countryman’s remarks was tha support they
have received from other legri academicians, as
reflected in tha following coatapondanea to
Senator Quentin Buidck of North Dakota:
October 25,1969
Hon. Quentin Burdick,
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.:
We share, and recommand to you, ths
views concerning tha value of the ABA JudE
ciary Committee’s aodonamant of Judge
Haynaworth Domination to tha Supreme
Court exp wad by Proftaoi Vam Country
man In hh letter to the editor of the New
York Times, Oct. 21,1969.
Dean Robert K. Rushing, Protamor Rom
C. Tisdale, Professor Robert E. Stick,
Associate Pro femur Alan Rambus, Amo-
, date Protaaor WUUam Flach, Aaristant
Prof amor Las Tdtaibaum, Aaristant Pro-
ftimor Inland Bui, Jr, Aaristant Pro feasor
Jompti Goldberg, and Aaristant Protaaor
Richard Kuhaa, Untvmrity of North
Dakota School of Law.
In daring. 1st mo rimpiy unpart them words
of wteloin. uttered by one. of our mod dtetin-
gukhad ptoftimon on campus. “Clamant Hayna-
worth reams to tia both moraly and ethloaly
dtoqarilflad to occupy a porition on the bench
of tha Supreme Court Tire greeted dKBasnce
between him and tha man ha would bt rawd
log (ABE FORTAS) is that Fortes admitted tea
conflicting interests by retunfc* hfc profits.”
CLUSTER • November 11. 1969*4