The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 19, 1970 Page: 3 of 10
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Pluymen: an entire environment
Believing- that the education of a person in-
volves much more than the attendance of clas-
ses and a study of books; believing that the pur-
pose of the Student Association is to help provide
a University atmosphere conducive to the dev-
elopment of the "whole student"; believing that
this encompasses the entire environment of the
educational experience from curriculum require-
ments to college life and a myriad of social and
cultural extra-curricular activities; and with a
firm belief in the necessity for the members of
the University community to work together -in
a common, fruitful effort, I am a candidate for
SA President.
Due to the revision in Senate membership (to
consist of the seven college presidents, an off-
campus senator, and the four officers), the com-
ing year can be one of substantial progress. The
power which formerly lay with the Council of
Presidents is now the nucleus of the Senate and
gives it the opportunity to finally be a vital uni-
fying force. It has been the case in the past that
when the seven colleges (which presently include
the off-campus membership) work together, there
exists great strength in such unity. The pre-
servation of the University community during
last year's Presidential crisis is a vital example.
Another is the acquisition of present Open-House
privileges.
The SA Social and Forum Committees have
successfully incorporated the college chairmen
and programs chairmen, respectively, in order to
unify their efforts. Dreams of sponsoring such
top concert entertainment as Peter, Paul, and
Mary, or Blood, Sweat, and Tears, speakers of
the caliber of Eugene McCarthy or Edward Ken-
nedy, and entertainers such as Bob Hope or Bill
Cosby can become part of the University ex-
perience Aivith a united effort. The college pub-
licity chairmen and representatives of KTRU
and the Thresher could be incorporated into an
SA Publicity Committee to rectify the apparent
incredible lack of vital communication between
the Senate and the student body, and between
other parts of the University.
Rice University is renowned in the academic
field, but is presently lacking many attributes
which are vital to the university experience. The
university desperately needs an adequate Student
Center where students can go to enjoy them-
selves (eg. SMU, UH, UT). Incorporation of
teaching ability as an important factor in consi-
deration of tenure for Faculty members is vital
if the University intends to produce scholars. A
successful form of co-educational housing could
revitalize the dormant social structure. Curri-
culum changes even more thorough in allowing
a student to determine his own program than
those now being considered are essential to the
development of complete scholars. Minor but im-
portant things like hootenannies at Willie's
Statue, bumper stickers supporting the Owls, bus
trips to boost a surging Owl Basketball Team,
and a band playing in the RMC courtyard are all
an important part of the university experience.
These things and many others can be accomp-
lished only if the colleges work together, and it
is the task of the President to coordinate and
direct their efforts.
BERT PLUYMEN
Tomlinson: a fulcrum for motivation
As a philosophy of the Presidency of the Stu-
dent Association, I feel that the office should
be recognized as a fulcrum to provide the moti-
vating force to enable the Student Association,
meaning the body of undergraduates, to become
an influential voice in university affairs, which is
its just potential.
There are several points on which I would
like to focus, from the view point of the Pres-
idency: (1) The conditions of Senate interaction
with the undergraduate student body, (2) The
proposed University Council, (3) The proposed
off-campus "college," and (4) student representa-
tion on the Board of Governors.
Concerning the first point, the recent changes
in Senate structuring, while minimizing the
number of elected positions composing the Sen-
ate; should effectively facilitate the need for a
mobile responsive representative body. In con-
junction with this rationale it seems advisable
that the Senate publish, through the Thresher,
a summary of what issues were acted upon and
by what vote; as well as an agenda for the next
meeting, specifying what issues will be acted
upon. This implies an automatic seven day wait-
ing period on all isues, excepting issues arising
during the interim which demand immediate
action.
In regards to the proposed University Council,
to be composed of members of all segments of
the university community; 1 can not emphasize
too strongly the importance of such a body for
the continued growth and improvement of the
University. The Council would enable students
to gain a more effective voice within the Uni-
versity, and aid in improving the interfacing of
students with other groups in the university
community. Along these lines the Student Associ-
ation should improve independent communicative
links with the Alumni, and the graduate SA.
The concept of an off-campus "college" is vital,
if off-campus students are to become actively in-
volved in the University, and attain satisfactory
representation within the SA. This is perhaps
the first significant step towards integrating a
growing segment of the university community
into the dynamics of that community.
The last point, concerning student representa-
tion on the Board of Governors, is an area which
has been explored during the last year and is one
which must not be allowed to stagnate. Such
representation is quite as vital, as the other areas
I have mentioned, in gaining a reasonable balance
of power in the overall governing of the Uni-
versity.
A few other areas of activity, which I heartily
endorse, are those pertaining to the Campus
Bookstore, Sammy's, and the RMC. These are
important areas of immediate interest to all
students.
It seems clear that there are students who are
desirous of becoming involved in the affairs of
policy concerning the "undergraduate"; however,
due to a feeling of impotency, they have not done
so. In this respect the officers and Senate of the
SA must function in a manner which reflects to
those concerned students not impotency of posi-
tion but effective aggressiveness of purpose.
These statements should not be taken as empty
campaign promises nor as idealizations of a hope-
leesly powerless organization. They are, correctly,
reflective ideas, concerning the role of the Pres-
ident and the SA in university affairs during
the term of office of the next administration.
CHRISTOPHER "TURQUE" TOMLINSON
important issues? Elder: Knows the procedure
To the Editor
It is a shame that none of
the. candidates for SA office
have seen fit to address them-
selves to the important issues
which will be facing the SA in
the near future. What do they
think about upcoming Spring
Mobilization against the war,
the National Environmental
Teach-In on April 22, the im-
portance of teaching in tenure
decisions, or curriculum • re-
form? At least up until now,
the candidates have campaigned
on the basis of college gnome-
work, constitutional revision,
and the ability to get sack
lunches for freshman basketball
games.
jeff cox
vice president for
external affairs
The office of secretary-treas-
urer may be pretty much of a
gnome job this year. In his
capacity as a senator, however,
the secretary-treasurer will vote,
on every matter which comes up
before the senate. With only
12 senators this year, each vote,
and efaoh senator, becomes very
important.
In sharp contrast to my op-
ponent, I have regularly attend-
ed the senate meetings this past
year, often as a proxy, and
knew the procedure of the sen-
ate quite well. Overall, the sen-
ate functioned fairly well, but
on a few important matters, the
senate really bit the bag. I
think I can do better.
I'd like to interest more peo-
ple in the senate, especially
through KTRU broadcasts and
the posting of senate minutes
in all the colleges. I'd like to
review the distribution of blan-
ket tax money, since some or-
ganizations seem to have a
surplus. Also, I'd like to intro-
duce a bill to the Senate which
would prohibit the use of loud-
speakers on the field at Rice
Stadium. Our cheerleaders don't
use loudspeakers, and I feel
that the crowd shouldn't be sub-
jected to amplified screams of
"sooie pig," "Texas fight," or
any other such obnoxious noise.
I think my experience in the
Senate and my new ideas make
me the better candidate.
SPEED ELDER
SA Election Candidates
The following individuals have filed for Student Associ-
ation offices:
SA President: Ed Emmett, Bob Parks, Bert Pluymen,
Chris "Turque" Tomlinson.
Internal Affairs Vice-President: John Clark, Doug Fried-
enberg, Tom Greene, Tom McGarity, Dale Rye.
External Affairs Vice-President: Frank Brevoort, Bill
Haymes, Glen Van Slyke.
Secretary-Treasurer: Melissa Crowfoot, Speed Elder.
CAMPANILE Editor: Patsy Marburger.
Inter-College Court Chairman: Andrew Hagan.
HONOR COUNCIL:
Sophomores: Chuck Allen, Kate DeSomma, Dorothy Ed
wards, Susan Larson, Gale Morrow, Yvonne Senturia, Mary
Weeks.
Juniors: Colleen Jennings.
Cheerleaders: Bill Bartlett, Allen Dixon, John Gowdy,
Ken Holder, Steve Kroyer, Stewart Morris, Phil Sheridan,
Chuck Spencer, Jim Wilson, Jim Marchand, Cathy Allen,
Pat Barnes, Laura Davis, Debby Filip, Mary Goodman,
Jacquelyn Keller, Paula Van Parys, Quita Russell, Kathleen
Ryan, Gayle Woodson.
Coed college plans postponed for
more discussion and information
Plans for a co-ed college ar-
rangement have been postponed,
probably for a couple of weeks,
pending further information on
the physical and organizational
setup of newly-formed Richard-
son College. Variations on the
current proposals will be dis-
cuss'ed in the interim.
The proposal drafted by a
joint committee of the seven
colleges calls for a temporary
plan and a permanent plan. The
temporary plan was pushed
through primarily because Jones
decided not to participate in a
permanent co-ed dorm system
next year unless it is subject to
a trial period.
The proposed system would
try to provide greater "flexibili-
ty" in the college system by-
offering a variety of living sit-
uations for the individual to
choose. It suggests one all-male
and one all-female dorm and
several colleges with men anil
women in different living areas
but sharing lobby and dining
facilities.
Changes in living conditions
are apparently needed to alle-
viate the increased overcrowd-
ing in the women's colleges, the
increased off-campus exodus in
all colleges, and the lack of
"communication and intellectual
exchange between men and
women due to the isolation of
the women's colleges and the
difficulty in meeting people
from different colleges on a
casual basis." These factors
have teamed up to put a strain
on college governments by de-
creasing the sense of communi-
ty and spawning competition
between off- and on-campus in-
terest groups.
The temporary plan involves
an exchange between Brown
and about three of the men's
colleges not yet selected for the
period from Spring- Break thru
finals. All exchanges will bo
voluntary, and parental permis-
sion will be required for Brown
exchangees.
Special provisions for fe-
males in the men's colleges in-
volve installation of chain locks
on the doors, college lot parking
for all girls with cars, female
maintenance personnel in areas
assigned to women, provisions
for signouts, and appointment
of a mail courier in each college
to deliver mail to female reci-
pients.
In view of increased prob-
lems with security, sections con-
taining only females will be
locked at a specific time, and
students will be asked to co-
operate in notifying Campus
Security of any non-students
loitering who are not guests of
any college members.
It is hoped that a co-ed living
situation will "provide a more
relaxed and normal atmosphere
hopefully alleviating some of
the tension that occurs in this
university."
Crowfoot: Willing to work
The office of super-gnome,
secretary-treasurer to the Stu-
dent Association is closely anal-
ogous to the greased-pig- race;
both jobs require great organ-
izational technique and little ac-
tual intellect, a good bit of hard
work and time backed up by
patience and dedication, and
each offers only a trivial and
fleeting glory. For what does
one have when the job is ac-
complished ? the greased pig.
Wow. The next question is why
would anyone actively campaign
for such a .prize? Both the out-
going secretary and treasurer
concurred on a single word of
advice: withdraw.
But I'm staying in primarily
because I'd enjoy the chance to
work with both the newly re-
organized Senate and the Cam-
panilestaff, and somebody has
to do the gnome work. There
is also a certain personal satis-
faction, a certain assurance of
one's own posterity in "She's
the one who managed to catch
the greased pig." "Melissa?
She's the one who worked hard
and well for the SA." With your
support, I can and will. Thank
you. 0
—MELISSA CROWFOOT
the rice thresher, february 19, 1970—page 3
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Murray, Jack. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 19, 1970, newspaper, February 19, 1970; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245076/m1/3/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.