Page 58 - Scrimshaw1978-79

SCRIMSHAW Letters to the Editor Open Discussion Writer Defends Quality A Solution? The Scrimshaw, WMC's_ very no! everything Granted, own newspaper, is under a con- write. The topics for articles here another. in the Scrtmshaw deserves of earth-shattering written are _just not Alcoholism and v~ndalis~ are generally acknowledged stant barrage of justified, as well quahty. I suppose if we had some an award, but most of the articles as maier problems on this campus, but is the Ad. as unjustified, criticism from murders, natural disasters, etc., are informative and well-written ministration coping with these problems in the best students and others who fail to see our readership would increase. It Some of the lighter, humorous possible way? All open fraternity parties and weeknight any value in its publication. to be a is a shame that unless an article is attempts were put in to entertain professing Not suffering human or some, parties have been banned. Although the Administration professional newspaper, the about of sensationalism, it doesn't and break up the monotony. complain sort So students many may thlnk.that this is the solution, banning parties isn't Scrimshaw tries to keep the appeal to the American public. about the poor quality of the going to step anything in itself. student body informed of college Besides, with a school as small as Scrimshaw, yet I fail to see those Both vandalism and alcohol abuse are growing problems happenings and other important this one, everyone would already people offer to write an article, Students at WMC but both are related to the even greater problem information. on the same are judging know what had happened before help with layout or give con- our paper level as of student attitudes more than toeach other. regular newspapers and are ob- the paper came out. in last structive criticism. All students at the meeting, held are welcome to the Editor In a Letter Perhaps thee.best way to cope with vandalism and viously finding many faults. They week's newspaper, the Scrimshaw on Mondays at 8 p.m. in the SGA alcoholism would be to talk to the students and let them fail to realize what the Scrimshaw was criticized for its particular conference area. Please bring your know what is going on without leaving any room for really is - a source of information brand of creative writing. talents and suggestions. by speculation about school policies. A panel discussion in- put together inexperienced volunteers of in "Creative" according to Webster's Sincerely, tarent somewhat .me~ns volving any and all involved- members of the Ad- theirsparetime. New. World Di~tionary imagination Debbie Wooden "having or showmg ministration would be an orderly and effective way to Most of the staff have not had and artistic or intellectual in- P.S. This rebuttal, one may note, answer the- questions of students. This would give all much, if any, experience in the ventiveness." What is creative to was not printed in the same issue students a voice-and an opportunity to quest-ion College field of newspaper reporting, one person is not necessarily so to as the Letter to the Editor one policies on alcoholism and vandalism. layout, etc. is Only offered course help in journalism to If Alumni Hall, the Forum, or even Big Baker were students with lheirwritingskiJls. If Let Mikey Try It! reserved for one evening, the discussion could be held WMC had a journalism major, there. Wide-spread publicity would be essential to the newspaper-minded students would discussion's effectiveness. The panel would be sitting on be flocking here and could lend us Dear Editor ,.-.1A poll of student opinion ~~~~'~d talents. But, the stage with microphones. They would each be allowed their is not the case, unfortunately, On Friday night Western an overwhelmingly strong so we must that to explain policies that they were involved in, taking as make do with what little resources Maryland College's cafeteria disapproval towards the menu long as necessary. Their part of the discussion should take we have. ~~::;,~~e~w~h~e~~~e~~cf~;~in~ t~ Stronger even than the opinions perhaps a half-hour or forty-five minutes. Then students Of course our work isn't top cafeteria help less than two hun- ~~~~:~~:~ a~l~e~;~~~o;~f;aus~~~ would be allowed to ask their questions or state any con. quality, but it is an honest effort by dred people, one fourth of the beef barbecue .are served. Some students sfructlve ideas. Microphones could be set up In the front of some of journalism. interested in the is normal number of students were students felt that Friday's meal field The staff for present each main aisle. Students would be allowed to ask one or small and can only devote limited establishments the all meal. over Eatmg should have been consumed with West- an open mind _ as an experiment! two questions each. In this way, no one could say they time to writing articles, doing minster were packed With those J, along with many other people didn't get to defend themselves or question the school's layout and collecting ads. We can't students that could afford a meal would prefer that such ex- policies. This is an idea, not a solution, but it would be a be full-time reporters and hope to elsewhere. What do these students periments would be confined to step in the right direction. And if it worked for this have adequate time for studying pay board for'? Many of those labratory rats in Lewis rather than After all, our main purpose here is problem, maybe it could be used again for similar to get an education. students that did show up, did so on students in our own cafeteria! problems. The Scrimshaw can only be so only to cat cottage cheese and Tim Streett Student attitudes and morale are low. If you take away interesting no matter how well we ~a~fs~t~~~;s~;!~~,l~e:::~~~ovell Samaritans the freedoms once allowed a group of indlvlduals, it is only RA Applieations • u .' Identified "1"'.' natural that the mejorlty that are not Involved in the Dear-Editor: vandalism will begin to show their resentment. Available In the last issue you published a It is becoming more apparent that there is a gap bet- I ween the ideals and expectations of the students and the Applications are now being Requirements include a 2.5 letter from a woman who fell in the library was two helped by and l Administration. It should not be surprising that the loss of accepted for Duties include hall average, activities, and in a good co- students and They a "handsome Crum- residence leadership gen- Sue Ueman." were assistants. curricular freedom and privileges should widen the gap. Increased record. Reim- of student input into the problems widening. this gap is supervision conditions, Residence reporting Hall citizenship is in the form of a cash baugh, Jamer Colyer Chamberlain "kind- and study bursement whose Dr. Stephen essential to improving the student attitudes towards the maintenance needs, personal salary. Application forms are ness and caring" deserve our Administration and the alcohol and vandalism problems. counseling, administrative duties, available in the Student Affairs hearUelt thanks and everybody's and assisting the Head Resident Office. Deadline for applications is admiration. with management responsibilities. March9,1979. The Library Staff Monastic Life Not What Exp_ected Cheryl Jane Walter we met our first sister. She showed day. The purpose of Vespers was to the greater use of candles and Many of our preconceived Donna Jo Rill us to our quarters and suggested reflect upon the activities of the flowers. Several of the older sisters notions about nuns dissipated in many resources for us to use in our day and put everything back into who were usually unable to attend this. short. but rich, experience With great apprehension, we practice of quie!_ prayer and perspective. After Vespers, one of services with the community were Rather than being a haven from arrived at the monastery to spend., contemplation. We were invited to the sisters joined us in the evening brought to Mass. We were allowed the world, the monastery is a place twenty-four hours learning about participate in all of the. daily meal. The same sister then took us to take communion, which made us where world issues are dealt with, the monastic life. While we were services but we did not eat WIth the to our rooms where she talked with feel as if we were a greater part of and on a much more intense revet used to unusual class assignments sisters nor sleep in their wing of us about contemplative prayer. them than we could ever have than von the outside." for our mysticism course (Ira the complex. Although this par- hoped to be. We felt the power of their life's- Zepp, instructor), this one seemed ucutar monastery . recei.ves She shared with us thoughts work of ceaseless prayer. We had to lop the rest. The only in- numerous guests, the prlvate.hves about prayer and the prayer lives After eating breakfast by our- no doubt that they were a positive formation we had been giveu prior of the cel.i~ates. are highly of both common people and selves we took our treasured influence beyond the monastery to our visit was that the members respected. VISItOrs interrupt their mystics throughout the ages. The readings outside, where we read walls. They seemed to radiate with of this order practiced almost daily routine of work and prayer history of their order came to life for hours. When "i,... e went back a sense of serenity and warmth complete silence. minimally. as the sister told us of the struggles. inside we were joined by another toward us although each sister AI! of our visions of a rigid, At 5pm we attended Vespers, a of thes nuns in their relationship to sister who filled our lunchtime retained her unique personality. gloomy life were dispelled when short service held at dusk every God and themselves. We were with amusing anecdotes about When we left the monastery we surprised to find that nuns have cloistered life. She expressed her some of the same problems that we views about the equality of nuns. felt more at peace than at any our in The Scrimshaw do! and priests, and her hopes of the other time life is a special lives. calling, monastic The evening service began at breaking-down of barriers between which requires more strength for Editor - in- chief Meg Hoyle eight, in silence, as all the services Christian denominations. an inner journey than most of us Ne_ws Editor' Chris Bohnka did. Afterwards, we went back to The afternoon was spent with possess. Eventhoughweca~notall Sports Editor Jim Teramani our rooms and read until very late. another sister who told us about be m~nkS and nUll:S'1th~ clol~te~ Feature Editor Tim Windsor It was all too new and fascinating Business Manager Sue Quinn for us to care about sleep. ~~:~~~e::so:~ee:;!~: s~~~~~:~ ! ~':d, ~~~ !eS~I:ha~ea~e a I~ma~ we rose at Morning early, came Ad Managers Jim Wellman 6:30and made our way through the entrance into religious life. way the peace-they have found. Pam Owen Vespers came quickly, and tHe 24 Sorry dark and cold passages to Lauds at hour cycle had now been com- Staff: Teresa Baker, Karl Bugenhagen, Steve seven. Lauds was a time of praise. pleted. We sat through the service Bainbridge, Bill Byrne, Dave Cleveland, Mary Cole, There was an air of expectancy for without any of the fears or ap-- The picture of the Maryland Ballet Ginny Davi., Sue Frost, Mimi Griffin, what the day would bring. Lauds, the prehension that we had had the printed in last week's SCRIMSHAW after Immediately Helga Hein, Ron Jones, Noot Mathias, Bill Spring priest arrived to hold Mass. The previous day. With much regret, was incorrectly identified. The pho- Jenifer lJrey, Debbie Wooden, Amanda Walker, Judy Walker importance of Mass was evident by we had to leave our new-found tograph was by Sue Quinn. Sorry L_ ~ friends. for the mistake.