The Redbird (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, May 8, 1964 Page: 2 of 8
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THE REDBIRD
May 8, 1964
EDITORIM
By Mary Anne duPerier
The last edition of the 1963-64 REDBIRD staff has
a 11 empted to utilize the suggestions of readers as a
result of the recent survey. We have tried to satisfy
as many wishes as possible:
The reader may ask why this same thing has not
been done throughout the year. The answer is that
it took two weeks of work to put together this edition.
Although during the year we realized that the RED-
BIRD should be a publication of greater excellence,
for the most part, it was physically impossible.
During the year, week after week, this type of publi-
cation can only be put out if there is an adequate
staff. In this area, the paper has been seriously
handicapped for quite some time. With this defi-
ciency, any degree of effective reporting is practically
nil! F or this edition, we were fortunate enough to
have the help of additional writers. It is only because
of this and because of the time element that this
edition was possible.
Although we feel that there have been some
improvements this year, we regret that more
advances have not been made. We would like to
take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to
Ve rnon Issac who will take over the editorship next
year, and his staff. We sincerely hope that he will be
able to improve in the areas which still leave much
to be desired. We urge all students and student
organizations to back the paper and its editor in the
coming year, not only orally, but also through
reporting. A paper can only function well when it
has an adequate staff. We hope that the students will
take this responsibility upon themselves •
A paper isnot put out by the visible staff alone.
Behind the scenes are many; without whose efforts
the publication of the REDBIRD would be an impos-
sibility. We would like to personally thank Vi Richard,
Ed Pearson, and A1 Lucas of the Print Shop for
their help and patience. We realize that the latter
was often tried during the last two years and we
appreciate their understanding.
Thanks also goes to Mr. Dick Oliver, Mr. Joe Lee
Smith, and Miss Jane Maxwell of the News Service as
as well as to Mr. Bob Ward, photographer, who gave
welcome assistance during the year. An extra thanks
goes to Alpha Phi Omega for tneir fine job of distri-
buting the REDBIRD.
This edit or would in particular like to commend
the efforts of an overworked staff and thank them
for their loyalty and support._
201 Students Answer Poll
By Bitsy Barr
Two-hundred and one students of this institution
have the thanks and admiration of the Redbird staff
because they showed that they are truly concerne d
with the condition of this school in general and the
newspaper in particular by their participation in
the Redbird Survey. In particular, the staff wants to
than k t hose ninty-oue persons who obviously put
much tbought into their answers and then were not
afraid to sign their own work.
The following is a break down of who voted and
and participated in the Redbird Survey and how:
Seniors, showing that even on the eve of graduation
they are willing to take part in internal improve-
ments at Lamar, led the total number of survey
blanks filled out for a class. Their total number was
58; 26 signed and 32 not signed.
Showing that they are willing to give of their ideas
to a student institution so that it may be improved
and in turn improve the entire student situation at
Lamar Tech four faculty members filled out survey
blanks. Two were signed and two were not signed.
The questions asked on the survey and the answers
given follow:
1. Do you read the Redbird? Yes: 190, No: 11
2. Are vou satisfied witn the Redbird as it is?
Yes: 21, No: 180
3. Is coverage of campus activities fair? Yes: 91,
No: 110
4. Is coverage of campus activities adequate?
Yes: 51, No: 48
5. What would you like to see more of in the
Redbird?
News: 109, Features: 96, Editorials: 96,Sports: 2 8
Columns: 68
With these results taken into consideration the
staff has tried to put an issue of the Redbird which
will satisfy most of the students.
All that is needed to put out a truly good student
newspaper that does reflect student opinion and
activities and does inform the students of various
a c tivities is the coordination of the students and the
staff of the publication. This issue is exactly that---
the result of coordination and cooperation. We
thank you.
THE REDBIRD
Uecutive Editor .....Mary Anne du Perier
Associate Editor .............. Michael Rick
Business Manager............... «, Anna Porter
News Editor . < .......... . . . . . . Bitsy Barr
Features Editor ........... . Ginger Me Earl and
Circulation Manager ... ...... .... Betty 8ando
Faculty "Sponsor . . ............Joe Lee Smith
The REDBIRD is published weekly except during noli*
days, during dead week and final exams during the regular
school term. Opinions expressed are those of the student
editor and do not necessarily reflect those of the
faculty and attainistratiop.
LETTERS
The following two results
of the Redbird Survey most
nearly sumarize most of
the suggestions for im-
p r o v ement of the campus
newspaper. The staff
thanks all who participated
by filling outa survey
blank for their concern for
the condition of this insti-
tution ..
To the Staff:
1. The editorial section
sfiould contain mo re
editorials by different
persons. I say this be-
cause most of the editorials
in the past issues are one-
sided. I believe that there
should be a variety of
editorial views on any
given subject. These views
should be both pro and con.
2. There should be more
articles informing students
of campus events before
these events occur. In the
past it has been my ex-
perience to read about
campus activity after it has
happened.
3. There should be more
letters to the editor.
4. The paper should be
controlled by the students
and not by the faculty.
Thomas R. Chapman
To the Staff:
I feel that the Redbird as
a college publication should
p r i nt more Letters to the
Editor in order to reflect
the opinions of a broader
segment of the students and
organizations. And, if this
is contrary to the admin-
istrations viewpoints sub-
mit the logical arguments
behind the administrations
opinions on the subject s o
that we may all know why.
Robert M. Meeker
The R edbird has abso-
lutely no policy which in
any way involves not
printing Letters to the
Editor. In fact, these
endeavors by students or
faculty, if any were
received, would be wel-
come . These letters would
also be a step in showing
that Techsans are actually
concerend with the welfare
of the s chool and every
phase of it. The staff
be leaves that letters are
the very best way for a
great number of student's
opinions on a variety of
subjects to be made public
in the hope that student
apathy might be erased.
Dear Editor,
W h i le the recent poll on
the Redbird and the elec-
tion for the editorship
were going on, I had occa-
sion to discuss with several
people the matter of the
Redbird. I would like to
comment on some of the
ideas brought up.
I think the first conclusion
I drew was that the Redbird
has failed miserably in its
commitment to the students
as a student newspaper.
To this end, I would like to
bring out the following
points and comments.
1. The purpose of the
Redbird is not only to
repeat the news, but to
represent the students and
express a clear editorial
opinion on matters con-
cerning the students. This
the R edbird has failed to
do; indeed, it has seeme d
only a dim echo of the
dimmer policies handed
down from the clouds.
2. With the use of Con-
science of a Radical, it
s h ould have become clear
that controversey is the
greatest stimulant to an
a,pathetic student body to
think and take action.
Obviously, the Radical did
not arise without reason.
An issue was at hand,and
the students needed to be
r e a ched. The method was
satire and plainly the
Redbird was not the
vehicle . Since this is a
student paper for students,
by s tudents, let it take a
hand in arousing the stu-
dents out of their apathy.
A good "Effigy hanging" is
w o r th a ton of apathy. It,
at least, shows interest
and purpose.
3. The Redbird is not tfye
effective news organ it
could be and should be in
that the scope, depth,
a c c uracy and coverage of
the reporting are often
sorely lacking. To this
one staff member replied,
"No one asks to be on the
staff." When you have a
winner everyone w a n ts to
join. No one joins a losing
team freely. The world
isn't full of volunteers,
they won't hammer your
door down to join you.
Try asking someone to join
you.
Even with the effort and
skill they demonstrated, I
have yet to see an article
by a Radical writer.
To these three points I
would like to add a few
comm ents. In the recent
election, much interest was
shown in the editorship
race and the future of the
Redbird . Since it is an
elective office, perhaps
the editor should feel a
responsibility to his elect-
ors1, a r e sponsibility to
serve and represent them.
The interest shown in the
paper's future shows that
"hope still springs eter-
nal."
Also, that the Redbird is
serious need of developing
an editorial policy instead
of the "yes man" attitude
See LETTERS, p. 7
Should Big Red Be Ousted?
By Vina Porter
Is Big Red scrawny? A jaybird? Undignified? Just
plain outdated?
Results of The Redbird's recent student opinion poll
revealed starting results, to say the least. Among
suggestions for improvement of the school itself,
Charles Bilbo, s ophomore, suggested that "the
s chool emblem or symbol should be changed from a
jaybird, redbird, or what have you to something of
dignity or respect like a lion, tiger, eagle, panther,
elephant, etc." He also maintained that The Redbird
should push this idea.
Now, since The Redbird’s main interest is the
students, perhaps we should present the issue to you,
and follow your advice. Keeping in mind that because
of its short life span and nervous condition keeping a
cardinal caged is impractical, let's assume that with
another mascot we might be able to keep a live one.
Now, let's look the situation over closely.
First let's envision a lion replacing Big Red. This
certainly would not be as original as our present
mascot, but perhaps it has its good points. Think of
taking this new mascot to football games. Our cheer-
leaders could then be known as roarleaders, the
band could discard its hats in favor of manes . . . but
then again, think of the flea problem. Lions are
notorious for that.
Second, perhaps Lamar Tech would be best repre-
sented by an eagle. Just think of all the tons and tons
of s crambled eggs we could serve at a profit at the
football games.
Third , a tiger would certainly hold the respect of
the stud ents--a good long, distant respect at that.
The cheer lea de.rs would wear black and orange
striped uniforms. But, of course, we couldn't expect
to have our mascot "eat up our opposition", could
we? The price of catfood would surely "eat" into our
student funds, and prices of books in the bookstore
might have to be upped once again to make up the
deficit. But then again, a tiger would, by all means,
be more "dignified"
A panther is definitely out. Think of the problem
that the new school colors of black and black would
create for those students who have difficulty wearing
black. Unfortunately, Head'n Shoulders shampoo has
not as yet been universally recognized as the saviour
of mankind.
And, finally, Big Red might yield his position to an
elephant. This has its shortcomings, too. There
would be quite a complication in clearing housing for
this mascot through the administration. Besides, the
Young Democrats on campus would immediately
demand equal time, and the football field might be
quite cluttered with rival mascot factions.
Well, Student Body, what do you think? Should tra-
dition be shoved aside in a progressive movement
for something fatter and more dignified? Should Big
Red bow to a newcomer? Should the Cardinal fly the
cood for an elephant?
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du Perier, Mary Anne. The Redbird (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, May 8, 1964, newspaper, May 8, 1964; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth499284/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Lamar University.