Page 4 - ThePhoenix1985-86

Page 4lWe.tem Maryland College/October 3, 1985 Editorial Revitalized SGA still hanging tough Anyone sitting here watching people going into the Student Government Association would marvel at the fact that it is a month into the school year and the SGA is still functioning. The traffic that slips in and out of the suite is not that of strangers; they are actually regulars It is no secret that the SGA on this campus has been regarded as everything from a farce to a nice try. Most of the administrations are either inactive, or so completely mired in the workings of a college bureaucracy that action is impossible. There are some basic truths that can not be ignored by the administration or the student body. The SGA of any institution has a great deal of power if the office is healthy and is backed by a thinking and united student body. The problems of student governments all over the world, not just in Carroll County, range from power struggles with similar offices of the college, to incredible apathy. There is a , good reason for the existence of a student government; students have just not learned what a thinking body can do for them. 'WANT To CLEAN UP YOUR Senior Mike Miller is the SGA president and, right off the bat, he has a few things going for him that are new to the office of president. According to Peter Brooks, last year's NE I&HBoRHOOD? president, Miller has "revolutionized" the SGA. Miller has "streamlined" the number of senators and created a strong central core of advisors, a palace guard that will not only work, but grow in the process. Miller has first seen to the organization's textural needs. Each member was provided with an information packet as a --Letters to the Editor-- general reference. In addition, the new senators have a reason to stick around; their offices have been refurbished with a coat of paint, carpeting and furniture, which was provided by the though, is the cultivated desire to work for someone who has a First Prlnclples have SGA. Even greater than the spit-and-polish achievements, goal beyond the bid for homecoming. Indeed, to hear Miller speak is to realize that there are ideas that can be backed with -. action, for he has already cleared the highest hurdle-getting fallen by the wayside his staff to reappear. Editor, sibilities. Western Maryland a particular individual know- College according to these ingly provided false and mis- The Phoenix all important First Principles First Principles agrees to pro- leading information to the Whatever happened to the administration, as well as nu- vide and protect a humane that Western Maryland Col- lege so highly regards, as environment. In return, the merous professors and stu- If this alone is not dents. students will act according to well as the Student Rights administrative guidelines and enough, it is the same false Editor-in-Chief... . BiII Mann and Responsibilities upon rules which forbid "Dishon- information that is going to Managing Editor.. . Kelly Connor which all disciplinary action is esty, such as cheating, pla- allow this individual to walk Copy Editor Jonathan Slade based. In particular, those giarism, or knowingly across the stage in May with Production Supervisor C. Lloyd Hart principles and responsibilities furnishing false information to honors. Where is Western related to the creation of a Maryland's Code of Honor, News Editor.... . Leo Ryan "humane environment so that the college, and harassment, the community effort towards intimidation of an individual, Sports Editor . Cynthia Schafer they (the students) may see physical abuse of any person a common good and the Photography Editor... . Margaret Gemski and work toward their per- or conduct that threatens or promised disciplinary action Ursula Wiedmann· sonal goals while respecting endangers the health or of the administration? If the Business Manager Eric Greenberg others and sharing responsi- safety of any person on col- highly regarded First Princi- Advertising Manager .. . Carol O'Brien bility for the common good." lege premises or at college- ples and Student Rights and Reporting Staff,:Chuck .Weinstein, Chris Ginther, Robin The First Principles continue sponsored or college-super- Responsibilities are not appli- Adams, Sandy Brant, Beth Jones, Stefani "Western Maryland College vised functions." Western cable in a case as serious as Call, Roxanne Benjovsky, Wendy Haug, believes that liberally edu- Maryland asserts that viola- this... What is their purpose? Owen Limstrom, Karen Rex, Chuck Cruise, cated men and women think tors are subject to disciplinary It would appear the adminis- Joanne Colliflower and act critically, creatively action to be determined by tration does not take its part Advisor .. ....Dr. Eleanor l. Schreiner and humanely... In the class- the appropriate organization of the contract (to protect or administrator. student's rights) very seri- rooms, in the dormitories, in the laboratories, on the play- ously; for the entire student Published.by and for the studentsof WesternMaryland' ing fields, and in the lounges, For an institution which population, with or without its ccuece. Theopinionsexpressedin this publicationdo not Western Maryland College preaches these ideals with knowledge is a victim of one necessarilyreflectthoseof the staffor administration.The works to disseminate these such reverence, it is impossi- individual's dishonesty. It is a Phoenix reserves the right to headline,edit for length, First Principles." As in the b!e to conceptualize how that most disturbing and distress- clarityand libelouscontent.AU lettersto theeditormustbe case with any contact, which same institution can allow a ing phenomena in an institu- signed, authorshipwill be verified. in theory is the nature of the constant violator to remain a tion which claims to be We welcome commentsand/or suggestions.Please ad- relationship between the Stu- functional part of the college dedicated to higher educa- dress all mail to The Phoenix,WesternMarylandcouece. dents and Western Maryland community. The administra- tion; academic and social. Westminster,Md. 21157. there exists mutually agreed tion has on several different upon obligations and respon- occasions acknowledged that Name withheld upon request