Page Two LIONS EYE May, 1969 EDITORIAL Better Late Than Never The LION'S EYE applauds any student or group who shows an interest in making the University and this campus more effective. We particularly applaud the inter- est shown by members of the Young Americans For Freedom who have submitted their suggestions (wisely termed “requests” and not “demands”) to the Campus ‘administration. We are in agreement with most of the demands, but in the case of several of them, that is like saying we're in favor of harmony, peace, love, understanding and Mom. Some of the requests are original; some came so late that measures have been taken to remedy the par- ticular situation long before the Y.A.F. joined the band- wagon. We are not herein endorsing nor criticizing the Y.A.F. demands. We merely wish to comment on several ~ of them as a point of information to the student body. The demands are listed on Page One of this issue. 1) The first issue of the LION’S EYE editorially called for the same action. SGA, still experiencing some growing pains this year, realized some of its mistakes and moved quickly to establish a more equitable system of student representation. We, too, hope that solicitation of councilmen next fall will be delayed for several weeks or at least until all the students can familiarize themselves with the organization. 2) A week before the Y.A.F. demands were issued, Mrs. Anne Karmatz, assistant to the dean of student affairs, prepared an official “room request” form for any student organization desiring a meeting room. They need only to be picked up and filled out in Room 111. 3) We have no comment. We feel this is an organiza- tional problem which must be resolved between SGA and the student groups involved. 4) We support this kind of program but we’d suggest that Y.A.F. check the catalogue for courses listed as “Honors Courses” to determine if such programs are already in existence. If not, we feel they should be. 5) This is one request that rests more solidly on the Y.A.F. political philosophy and since our purpose here is not to argue, agree or condemn on such grounds (although , we heartily disagree with this proposal), we reserve comment. : 6) The entire registration system is constantly under review. The specific suggestion made by the Y.A.F. has been under study for some time and there is some likeli- hood that this will come to be. At the same time, Penn State’s registration system has been a model for schools of similar size throughout the country for its efficiency. Our registration at this campus has been getting pro- gressively smoother. We congratulate the people involved with making it so. : 7) In reviewing the course offerings of the past year, we. have discovered that Soc 1, Pl Sc 3 and Psy 2 have in fact been offered twice during the three-term year. Econ 14 was offered in two sections in the fall, Econ 2 and Econ 4, one each. The problem that must be realized by Y.A.F. and others is one of any administration’s major headaches—qualified instructors and budgets. If enough money and enough qualified people were available, the president of any university or the director of any campus would be more than happy to offer as many courses as could possibly be filled. 8) A student referendum might well be called on issues involving things over which students have control. As for course offerings, registration, etc., these are ad- ministrative decisions which must be made under the control of the State Legislature or under the control of physical and financial limitations. Students should con- tinue making suggestions, but they must also realize these limitations. (Y.A.F., of all groups, should not disregard the University’s financial situation.) To conclude, while we have had some additional facts and considerations to mention, we support any student group who will approach the Campus Administration in a mature fashion and indicate its interest in making this campus a better place to function. A Word From The Major On R.O.T.C. By Tim_Rumsey Major Peter W. H. Van Dine, assistant professor of military science at the Delaware County Campus, is a man dedicated to his job.. That job, as he sees it, is to instruct the men enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and build them into leaders. Van Dine is coolly confident about his job. This is somewhat of a remark- able attribute when one considers his position in a University in 1969. As a Regular Army Officer, he is part - of the U.S. Military, an organization under severe attack on the nation’s campuses. As an assistant - professor of military science, he is a prime target for the current double-pronged anti- ROTC protest. Student demonstrators cite the ROTC program as contributing to the U. S. military and war efforts. They claim that its goals are “antithetical” to a University’s goals. : In addition to student dissen- ters, a new school of critics has sprung up, many of them hailing from the administra- tions and faculties of the Ivy League institutions. Their argu- ment is that officer-professors such as Van Dine should not be given “rank equal to other faculty members.” Van Dine, although very much aware of the controversies, re- mains unruffled, despite being in the veritable “eye of the storm.” Van Dine, the son of a retired Army colonel, was graduated from Oregon State University in 1960 with a bachelor of science degree in education. While a student there, he enrolled in the ROTC program and upon graduation was commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Army. ‘While in the Army he received training in the Special Forces. Since then he has been to Vietnam three times and has received thirteen distinguished honors. Van Dine is apparently pained to see the rampant anti-militarism raging on the college campuses. However, he remains poised and soft-spoken when discussing the situation. ‘In his calm, collected voice he, answered the following questions concerning the ROTC program, student protests, the military, and his position in a University. EYE: What is the purpose of the ROTC program as you see it? VAN DINE: The most impor- tant purpose is to develop leader- ship qualities in every man who enrolls in the program. Not only Army leadership, designed for potential officers—that’s only half of it. ROTC develops the com- plete man, whether he is an Army officer or a civilian. College-age men have leadership potential. ROTC strives to bring that po- tential out. EYE: Is the program fulfilling its purpose? VAN DINE: 1 think so. Our crew is young, but time and ex- perience are going to produce some fine men and some very capable leaders. EYE: Do you feel that the ROTC program is an integral part: of a student’s total education? VAN DINE: Yes. Once again, ROTC develops the total man, not just a military leader. It’s more than just a college subject or a drill session. The program is teaching these men to assume re- “rotsee’. Major Van Dine sponsibility for themselves and others. As an example, I spend more time in personal guidance with my students than I do in class. I am concerned with them as people, not as Army men. EYE: Are the goals of the ROTC and the military in general contradictory to the goals of a University? VAN DINE: The goals of ROTC are to produce mature men, cap- able of making responsible and honest judgments. Isn’t that what a University wants to do? EYE: Is the college classroom the place to teach military tactics and violence? VAN DINE: ROTC is merely teaching methods of Army war- fare. The Army does not wage war; it supports the government. It is an instrument of national policy, not an initiator. For ex- ample, it wasn’t the Army’s de- cision to enter Vietnam. That decision was made by the poli- ticians. Once the decision is made, however, it is our duty to support it. A democracy calls for following the orders of the Com- mander-in-Chief without question. EYE: What is your reaction to the student demonstrations pro- testing ROTC? VAN DINE: No one is forced to enroll in the ROTC program. It’s an individual choice. The demonstrators are trying to take away an individual’s right of choice by forcing him not to take the course. These certain students don’t approve of the ROTC pro- gram and they are forcing their will on an entire University. I believe in the slogan: “If you don’t like America, leave it.” EYE: What do you think about the protests registered by the Ivy League faculties concerning the academic rank given to officer- instructors such as yourself? VAN DINE: Officer-instructors are screened by the President of the University before they are granted the job. In other words, they are approved by the academic institution as well as the Army. ‘These men are qualified, not only as military personnel but as teachers. I'd stack my credentials up against any faculty member at this school. : “5 EYE: Why is credit given for ROTC courses? VAN DINE: ROTC students at- tend classes just like students in other courses. Army is in the catalogue, the same as English, economics, philosophy, and all the others. If these men spend time on a course, they deserve credit for it. EYE: Isn't ROTC designed to prepare men to serve their coun- try? If so, should one of its. pur- poses be to gain academic credit? VAN DINE: All students have different reasons for taking courses. Some of their reasons no doubt include gaining academic credit. If the ROTC man is en- rolled in the program simply to add a few-extra credits or to get an Army commission upon gradua- tion, that is his privilege. No one has the right to question his purpose. THE LIONS EYE Published by the students of the Delaware County Campus of The Pennsylvania State University, 6th and Penn Streets, Chester, Pa. 19013. DAVID BERGER Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Managing News Sports Photographers: Jim West, Edgar Hollingsworth, Sol Cooper- son, George Lewis. Contributors: Paula Levin, Joe Bacanskas, Joe DiCostanza, John Powell, Carolyn Hayward, Ginny Roberts, Fred Schray, Vaughn Morrison. wa : 3%
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