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PAGE 2-THE MERCER CLU8TER-PEBRUARY 28,1983
EDITORIAL
Why. When opportunities are delivered on silver platters, do we turn away or take
advantage of them? Do we expect the opportunity to be given to us because of our own
good or our $2000.00 a quarter? I wonder how many of us will indeed receive an
education by earning through careful work and intended participation. Otherwise we
will simply accumulate hours, record a G.P.A. and get our money’s worth.
Who will allow their silver platter to tarnish and who will polish it with the care of a
treasure?
Open Letter
Mercer Sports is another area not utilized by students. The "Golden Opportunity'
for "something to do" is given with little enthusiasm or attendance. Bear Basketball.
Baseball, and Soccer do not receive the attendance deserved of their quality. Most
universities require a nominal charge from students for attending sporting events, yet
Mercer Sports offers events free of charge. Attendance shows that students are still
complaining rather than taking their opportunities in hand. This can be said of all
student activities. Too often the cry that Mercer offers nothing to do goes up from the
ranks, yet when the Student Union Activities Board produces the activities begged for.
there is no thanks, much less attendance.
Mercerian Gratitude
’66) i* someone to wbom S.U.A.B. is
deeply indebted for all hie help during
Homecoming week end for the greet job
be did but Friday as our emcee.
Once again, our deepest gratitude to
all of the Merceriane who made it all
possible.
Tamara Jarrell
President. S.U.A.B
Mercer Cluster
Sf i#
Editor
Sally C. Shoemaker
Buxines* Manager
Andrew M. Eisenberg
Spring Fever - Mercer Epidemic
However, with three more weeks
ahead of us, end finale yet to go, our
spring fever will have to be cured fast,
or at least temporarily put on bold.
Thankfully, the days are passing quickly
and this quarter will soon be over. So
for now many hours are limited to
enjoying it through classroom windows
To those who are graduating this
quarter, may it be a happy occasion and
may all of you, seniors to part or not.
have success on your finals.
And. if the weather reverts and gives
us more golden and sapphire-sky days,
there's nothing wrong with enjoying it.
But I really don’t think we study on the
sun deck, no matter what our intentions
be!
We’re all tired of rain, rain, rain! The
recent burst of spring weather has. I’m
afraid left myself and the rest of the
campus with a severe case of spring
weather.
The last week saw the tennis courts
busy, the sun deck wall to wall with
bodies and happy faces outside, study
ing under trees and enjoying it all. Not
exactly was it condusive to mid-term
studying, but'it was* a welcome break
from the damp chill.
Most of us feel a "slump" during this
last part of the quarter, especially winter
quarter, and find ourselves longing for
spring break, envisioning a golden tan
and good weather, perhaps we start
longing for the beach.
Silver Platter
By Sally C. Shoemaker
We are all waiting for that "Golden Opportunity” to come knock on our door ai d
offer to us all that we behave will make us happy, fulfilled, and successful
wonder if we acknowledge the true value of opportunity. Opportunities are offered to
us daily in the pursuit of success or in the quest for self-enrichment. As college
students we are living in a society that emphasizes meism a great deal. We oft-’n
complain about the difficulty of our lives, about the hardships afforded to us by hea y
class loads, dorm Ufe, and the persecutions through restrictions and cafeteria food
What do we expect from a university that has afforded us every opportunity?
The opportunities are at every turn; it is our fault that we are not taking advantage
of them. Work Study is an opportunity for those who qualify through federal
assessments, but so many who have the opportunity to earn money toward their
education take these positions for granted. Work Study students too often see their job
as a punishment. I know of no job assignment from the financial aid office that is too
strenuous or time consuming. At many jobs, students are able to study while fulfilling
their perscribed duties. Many students recognize .the benefit of "Connections" from
working in administrative or academic offices. Other students do not feel it is
important to be on time to their assigned jobs or to do the job well. They often do not
show up at all If they take the particular notion to belittle the responsibility. Work
9ludy jobs are jobs, they are not "busy work” tasks to fulfill a time-sfe^and
requirement for financial aid. There are a great many students who do not fall within
the lines to qualify for the jobs, and seek them in their need to pay tuition and fees
These students cannot have the jobs. Those who do have them do not see the Value oi
the opportunity. Who then should polish the silver platter?
The Learning Skills Center is another "Golden Opportunity.” I hear too much
complaining about the lack of study help and the pushing of the fault for lower grades
on someone or something else. Tutoring is offered by the Center to help in the
preparation for exams. Students with writing assignments can receive help in the
correct step by step method. The Center offers help in note-taking methods, study
aids, and how to,handle stress. Why then do students place the stigma that those who
choose to utilize this opportunity are "special” students? Why has the one actively
seeking to better the self been bestowed the name * ‘dummy?”
Student Development is another such opportunity that is not utilized enough.
Counselors are available for any situation. These individuals are there and are too
often overlooked when they could be a great d$al of help. Many students carry the
"Undecided” major label with no thought as to a specific vocational goal. Career
Counseling helps the student pin-point areas of strength that pight help them excel in
several particular areas. Why are we still sitting, content to wallow in our own
self-pity? If Ufe is to be Uved, we must live it.