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PAGE 2-THE CLUSTER, FEBRUARY t, 19M
S
Editorials
Letter To The Editor
(Appreciate Or Berate? You Rate!
Dear Editor.
I commend those students who
joined the faculty in their daily
fealk around the administration
building on Valentine’s Day. This
welcome, display of unity in protest
against Godsey and his henchmen
effectively served two purposes:
first, the February 14 march coupl
ed with the overnight vigil con
ducted in the quad by several of
Mercer’s most diligent activists
prompted Godsey to descend from
his perch and acknowledge the
widespread disgust with the half-
truths promulgated by his ad
ministration; secondly, the show of
student support lifted the spirits of
the disheartened and frustrated
faculty and showed them that some
of the students truly care.
The accomplishment of these two
immediate objectives should have
motivated more of both the faculty
and students to further action; in
stead. the momentum fizzled. On
February 15 a paltry twenty-five
students and faculty followed the
deteriorated brick and concrete
walk that surrounds the admin,
budding. A reporter questioned me
about the poor turnout as compared
to die day before, and I could do
little more than express disappoint
ment at the rampant apathy that
seems to pervade this campus.
Admittedly, marching around the
admin, building has become a
benign form of protest. Mercenans
passing by hardly notice the com
monplace stroll, which is now as
much a pan of the campus scenery
as the budding itself. The daily
march, though viewed by many as
ineffectual and futde, will continue,
but otdy due to the indefatigable pa
tience of a few faculty members
However, patience alone does not
win a battle, and this conflict must
be viewed as such, a battle that re
quires unified and adventurous,
perhaps even risky, measures. The
daily march should not cease, even
if only one professor were to show
up each day; nevertheless, other
forms of protest should be under
taken, and these should be geared
toward rallying and motivating the
Mercer community
in regard to this battle, which is
currently being waged by the facul
ty (and a handful of students)
against Godsey in the name of
academic integrity, the student
body can be classified into three
groups. The first is a minority of
student activists, many of whom
are seniors, who side with the
faculty in demanding Godsey's im
mediate resignation. Most students
fall into the second category, that
of apathy and ignorance ("Things
can't be that bad; besides. Godsey
will never resign, anyway, so why
bother?”). A third group, one that
is quiet and fragmented, consists of
the few remaining students who
support Godsey (though they find
it difficult to say just why). Which
of these groups do you think is
Godsey's greatest ally? The second
group, in their unwillingness to
commit themselves to one side or
the other, perpetuates to those ouu
side the campus the false notion
that everything is A-OK between
Godsey and Mercer. Though few
people favor Godsey, not many ex
press negative opinions of him,
either; therefore, he must be doing
a good job. In this way. students
who wish to remain neutral and
disinterested end up being
manipulated as a group to achieve
the end of positive Godsey P.R.
Furthermore, by avoiding dialogue
between active pro- and anti-
Godsey factions. Godsey himself
need not face public scrutiny,
^which is his most dangerous
enemy.
I'm not necessarily advocating
that every student come out and
join the march around the admin,
building; many students and facul
ty have busy midday schedules,
whereas some, like myself, choose
Note!
In last week’s Cluster
the editorial entitled
“Students on the offen
sive” was submitted by
Mike Hardin and
Jaronae Gautreaux.
Mercer University
Date:
Tuesday, February 27, 1990
WrAesrtay, February 2*, 1990
That:
10:50 AM*4:00 PM
to focus their efforts in ways that
appear to them jo be more produc
tive forms of protest, such as a for
thcoming petition and the alienation
of Godsey from graduation
ceremonies. What I advocate,
however, is that every student take
a stand and act accordingly. Each
student, as an individual or collec
tively with others, can make a
viable contribution to a cause,
whatever it may be: if you are fed
up with the currc ' ^ministration,
wearing a black armband is one
form of protest. Creativity and uni
ty, however, arc the keys to mak
ing headway in this battle—an arm-
band. like patience, is simply not
enough. But it is a start, and it
shows that you are not willing to
be manipulated and used to glorify
Godsey and his deficient ad
ministration. Similarly, bolder
forms of protest show you refusal
to accept anything less than a
university president who accepts
accountability for his wrongdoings,
and they express your demands for
honest answers to previously avoid
ed questions. Many students have
undertaken a campaign of such pro
tests.. I hope yob'll join us.
Sincerely.
Jeff Bowers
By HEATHER KIMBLE Scale: A-Friendly, helpful and
■ Recently, I’ve heard several dependable
J comments (1 won't say negative or B-Typically helpful, but could be
| positive) about various services and improved.
| departments on Mercer's campus. C-Gets job done eventually, but
| In spite of the turmoil on campus, leaves much to be desired.
I students must continue their daily D-Sometimes helpful, but usually
I routines. Few days go by that this not very effective.
I daily routine doesn’t include a trip F-'Td rather have bamboo
I to the post office or a swing shootwsw shoved under my fingcr-
I through the registrar's office, nails than deal with these people! ”
I Because the services ^ffcred by N-Nevw used this service.
I Mercer are so crucial to all Admissions
| students, and because 1 have heard Book Store
j several horror stories as well as Bursars* office
j praises of these departments. I Cafeteria
j thought it would be quite in- Check cashing service
j tercsting to get a broader view of Copy center
j how Mercer students would grade Cooperative Education
| them. No. this isn’t intended to be Financial Aid office _
| an editorial cop-out, but a sincere Infirmary
■ attempt to get some input on this Intramural office
I subject. I intend to report back to Learning Skills Center
■ you in the next couple of weeks on Library
* L. .1.^. /I.N.rtnu>nfc rilOfl \t*rrpr 1
how these departments rated. Mercer Police
■ Now’s your chance to blast/praise Physical plant
j your most hated/ favorte offices and Placement office —
J services on Mercer’s campus. I Post Office
J realize that this list is by no means Registrar’s office
j complete, but these are the most ReUgiops Activities
| frequently utilized services. If you Snack Bar
I would, take a few moments to rate Student Activities
I the following Mercer services with Student Development
I the supplied scale. Drop these If you have any specific com
I ballots into Box A at the post of- ments about any of these depart
I fice or in the envelope outside the ments, please write them on a
I Cluster office separate sheet and attach to ballot
BRING A FRIEND
Mnttt pb Cluster
Editor-In-Chief Heather Kimble
Associate Editor . Marcus Durham
Activities Page Editor Jennifer Neai
Business/Advertising Manager Darcy Johnson
Features Editor Chris Carrollton
Entertainment Editor Rich Benson
Sports Editor Ahthony Hooker
Chief Photographer Michael Lake
Photographers Danielle Underferth
and Stephanie Nordenhaug
Advisor : Gary Blackburn
Technical Consultant David Tucker
Staff Writers
Bryant Chitwood, Gwen Pollock, Chuck Junkins, Jodie Evans, Tobie Gass,
Travis Graveil, Rhett Thomas, Mark Rosen, Michelle Reno, Jarome Gautreaux,
Drew Nord, Trish Warrick, Terry Browning and Aviil Young.
Address: Box A, Mercer. Office located on third floor of the Student Center.
752-2*71. #
The Mercer Cluster welcomes letters to the editor. They should be concise and
typewritten. Letters must be signed and should be accompanied by a current
address and telephone number. JLetters should be addressed to the
Editor-In-Chief.
Opinions expressed in The Mercer Cluster are those of the editor or the writer
of the article and are not necessarily those of the university or student body.