Page 60 - ThePhoenix1984-85

CollegelDecember 6, 1984 Editorial It's Christmas time and we've got 'Holiday' trees? Decker College Center has boughs of holly but don't try to sneak anything else in. Pressure from a select few- of the WMC community has narrowed down the Jist of major holiday decorations to tinsel, stockings, bells. and holiday Grievance policy not responsive trees. Look for a Christmas tree, a Hanukkah bush, an angel or the Star of David, and you will find none. Let's start analyzing this situation from the top. First of Editor, Dean Sayre listened to my student population of Western all, soon you will be departing for semester break. While on , am extremely disturbed wlth appeal and seemed to be Maryland College. He treats semester break, you may decorate your holiday tree. There the way this administration very helpful. I told him of my his subjects more as numbers will be not stars, angels or elves on the tree. You may put handled my disciplinary case, dissatisfaction with Mr. Medoff Ihan individuals. He is also reindeer on your tree, but not a Santa Claus. Reindeer are in particular Area Coordinator and how upset he had made obsessed by his own power. non-sectarian end items. Because of their status with the Dave Medoff and Dean Sayre. me. I asked him to intervene For a man who rules by the Catholic church, candles are questionable, but snow flakes In my case with Mr. Medoff, and make a decision based book, he is in violation of the are coot. . I was treated very harshly, on my plea, but he sent me published First Principles of When passing the bookstore all people offended by even admittedly so by Medoff back to meel again with Me- this college. His behavior the sight of a nativity scene are asked to. avert their eyes himself. Instead of being able doff. By "washing his hands" conflicts with the function of and instead gaze upon the bare holiday tree in the pub. We to discuss the event calmly, I of the matter, the Dean failed . this school which is "to pro- find it quite difficult to understand the aversion to some of was forced to lobby vehe- to take control of the situation vide an academic and social the subtle religous connotations of Christmas (or whatever mently to have several serious which became even more out environment that promotes name you wish to give to the holiday). After all, this holiday offenses dismissed. I came to of hand. liberal learning." Should this was originally designated as-a religious one, and with that help him resolve the matter, My second meeting with Mr. attitude be tolerated from an many.traditions holy, and otherwise, have developed. Why but I was met by an angry Medoff, along with the CA administrator? should we change them now? If you don't feel like prosecutor who spent more on duty during the incident, Mr. Medoff also overlooked celebrating any of the holidays which occur at this time of time lecturing to me out of his produced no change, but in his sacred handbook one the year_)why ruin the spirit of the season for the rest of the many manuals than talking to several interesting things statement on the proscriptions school~ me. I left his office bewil- came to light. Mr. Medoff on conduct. It specifically If Santa, elves, stars, angels, carols, candles, and dered, feeling lucky that I was stated that he treated me says that "discipline ls cookies present a problem to you, then we would not only charged with minor of- "guilty until I proved myself limited to incidents of student suggest leaving the confines of you Dickinesque Bah-hum- fenses, which incidently oc- innocent." For some reason misconduct that adversely af- bug room during the semester break season. cured from circumstances this close-minded comment fect the college community's beyond my control. did not surprise me. But, I pursuit' of its educational ob- Mr. Medoff passed judg- was shocked when the CA jectives." I suggest that if he ment on me without knowl- agreed with this type of treat- again reviews my case he edge. of my record or the ment. might reconsider his initial The report of the CA which impli- hear my guilt or innocence sentence. Again Mr. Medoff refused to cated me. ·AIl I had to answer I sincerely hope that my. Phoenix to were several charges writ- because it was apparentty case is an extreme example predecided. He told me di- ten in a derogatory letter sent of the way discipline is en- to me earlier by Mr. Medoff. rectly that I could not appeal forced at this school. If not. I Editor-in Chief Bill Mann He talked down to me the his decision, only his handling urge that someone in author- entire time and pointed out of the case. I then recognized Managing Editor Michael Kraig that I was "getting off easy" that.there was no way to deal ity revise the system and organize it so something like Layout Editor C. Lloyd Hart compared to several other with the man. this does not happen again. Copy Editor. Jonathan Slade cases. Making no headway, I I think that Mr. Medoff has Features Editor Barbara Abel went to appeal to the Dean. failed to adjust to the smaller Bill Benson Sports Editor Elizabeth Leik Photography Editor Stacey Pucci Registration process needs revision Photography.....-.Margaret Gemski, Ursula Wiedmann BUSinessManager Eric Greenberg Editor, don't always like what the student spends a lot of time Advertising Manager Carol O'Brien I would just like to say that I advisor has suggested. sitting down trying to decide Reporting Staff Robert Miller, Steven Rossman, am very glad that registration Therefore, changes must be what courses he or she would is finally over. Since this was Jill Grabowski, Cindy Schafer, Melissa the first real registration made which is time consum- like to take. Then he or she goes to the Registrar's Office Renehan, Jennifer Martin, Hillery Han- process that I have taken part ing and sometimes frustrating only to find out that the to both of them. But somehow sen, Sandra Carlson, Leo Ryan, in, I found it to be a big the advisors always seem to courses they chose are either Rhonda Myers, Kelly Connor, Andrew hassle for everyone. work something out for the cancelled or closed. So then P. Jung, Thomas Garfand I am not critiCizing anyone needs of their students. .the student has to spend involved with registration like The workers in the Regis- even more time trying to fig- Published.by and for the studentsof WesternMaryland the advisors, workers in the trar's Office undoubtedly have ure out other courses that will College.Theopinionsexpressedin this publicationdo not Registrar's Office, or the stu- the busiest job during the few compensate for those they necessarilyreflectthoseof the staffor administration.The dents; in fact,' I am sympathiz- weeks of registration. These couldn't get into. It is highly Phoenix reservesthe right to headline,edit for length, ing with them. people should be given some unusuat if the majority. of the clarityand libelouscontent.AUlettersto theeditormustbe Take the job of an advisor credit because not too many, students get all the courses signed, authorshipwiUbe verified for example. It must get pretty people enjoy sitting behind a that they originally had hoped We welcome commentsandlor suggestions.Pleasead- complicated trying to figure computer from 8:30 a.m. until for. dress all mail to ThePhoenix,WesternMarylandCollege, out not only what courses his 9:30 p.m. constantly punching Since I am only a freshman Westminster,Md. 21157. or her students have to take in course selections Ihat the I have to go through the but what courses they want to students wish to take. That process of registration seven more times. Let's just hope it Memberof the AssociatedCollegiatePress IP take. Sure, an advisor can has to be a very tiring job. get easier as time goes on. make up a good academic Finally there is the student's schedule for their students, part in registration. What but most likely their students could be more frustrating? A JiH GribOWski