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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