PARE TWO
The Daily Collegian Editorial Page
Editorials ■nd columns ■ppeering in The Daily Collegian represent tiro Willem' of the writer. Thar make no tfitim to reflect Student or 11:1'ntvirrsftg ninuienses. Unsigned editorials aN 11, 1 1 0 14 40f S 01001.!'
With Our Help .
Now that the Liberal Arts Student Council is
taking recommendations from students in order to
investigate various professors, the Council expects
and should receive our utmost cooperation and
assistance.
How many times have we complained of an
instructor practicing discrimination in the class
room and exhibiting prejudice toward a student?
How many times have we heard biting remarks
being flung at one of our classmates? And what
have we been able to do about this situation up
to now? Nothing!
The LA Student Council has taken over a tre
mendous and somewhat dangerous responsibility.
It is trying to discover which profs lack adequate
teaching qualifications as well as those who enter
tain prejudices. But the only way the Council can
achieve any success with this job is through our
cooperation.
Penn State has long been considered a liberal
and progressive college. However, recent occur
rences have created some doubt of this in many
students' minds. We cannot hope for or expect any
progressive action when faculty representatives
show antagonism. After all, who cares what a per
son believes or what religion he was born into?
That shouldn't be of any importance to the pro
fessors, yet it is to many of them.
The students come here to receive an education
and learn the truth and perhaps change their be
liefs, if what they have learned warrants it. How
then, can a professor whose duty it is to instill in
these students a desire to want to learn the truth
hamper them by showing racial or religious dis
crimination?
If an instructor wishes to retain prejudices,
poison his mind, and become less a man because
of this, it's his own business. But when this preju
dice takes the form of discrimination and stepping
on the rights of others, something has to be done.
Several names have already been handed to the
LA Council and the investigations and ratings
have started. Notify the council of any complaints
you may have and let them know exactly what
you think about the prof in question. This is the
only way in which accurate information can be
obtained. No student's name will be mentioned.
If, however, one of the Council representatives
approaches you and asks questions concerning a
certain instructor, don't hesitate to commit your
self. You will only be harming yourself and your
fellow students if you refuse to give your true
opinion. If you do have well-founded and authen
tic complaints about any professor, here is your
chance to air them.
The present plan of the Liberal Arts Student
Council needs our help. Let's give it tb them and
help ourselves at the same time.
Science Foundation
Student scientists manifestly should interest
themselves in the future of science in America.
As appreciation that the term "scientist" is grad
ually encompassing all conscientious seekers-after
knowledge increases, so should widespread inter
est in a National Science Foundation.
Announcement that Dr. Dael Wolfie, executive
secretary of the American Psychological Society,
and a member of the inter-society committee for
a National Science Foundation, will discuss legis
lation leading toward the establishment of an
agency to channel all federal funds for basic re
search should arouse the interest of virtually
every technical student on the campus. Certainly
Sigma Xi, science honorary, is to be commended
for bringing so distinguished a person to the Col
lege to speak on so timely a topic.
President Truman's proposal that acceptable
legiglation setting up the National Science Foun
dation be passed as speedily as possible indicates
that highest-ranking political thinkers are seri
ously concerned for our nation's research front.
His veto last summer of a similar program was
based on an administrative objection that seems
already to have been ironed out by the lawmakers.
Scientists have long called for such an organiza
tion, especially through the inter-society commit
tee which Dr. Wolfie represents.
The impact of the A-bomb served a very loud
notice on the world that the real implications of
2cientific research are not usually clear to those
who control the federal purse strings. It is unques
tionably true that unless the funds are forthcoming,
such work is apt to stagnate. An 11-year lag be
tween the discovery of and the beginning of real
work on penicillin is a particularly dramatic
example.
As a committee of distinguished Washington sci
entists put it, "the Foundation should be free to
investigate problems in any scientific area by any
appropriate method, for it is impossible to deter
mine in advance which problems will lead to
fruitful results and which method will be suc
cessful."
While details of administration might well be
left to experts like Dr. Wolfle, future scientists
will do well to notice that lack of grass-roots pres
sure by individuals had much to do with the form
of the recent vetoed measure.
One congressman has remarked that if it were
a labor issue he would have heard from every
labor leader in his district. Instead, he was forced
to conclude that scientists are not very much in
terested one way or the other.
National Science policy will be decided with or
without the participation of scientists. But the
wisdom of the decisions will in large measure
depend upon the forcefulness with which they
express their preferences.
Dr. Wolfle's address should be required listening
any student scientist with horizons beyond his
personal test-tube. —Makolas White.
`lt's Those Israelites Again, 0 Mighty Pharaoh!'
—Myrna Tex.
If the Class of '49 could write the saga of the "Last of the 4-Year
Men," it probably would be a most unusual and even significant
document. The post-war period which academically began in late
October, 1945, has been one of rapid and colorful moods.
Numerous campaigns ranging from anti-slacks to food-gripes
were examples of the return of the veteran. The emphasis was on
studying and getting out as soon as possible, especially for the Fresh
man, '42 gang. Pre-war social activities reactivated and big week
ends were once again the usual unforgettable affairs.
But while trying to regain the knack of living in a peaceful
world, the postwar students were planning and working and dream
ing of expanded facilities to meet the expanded student body and
campus.
A student union was one of the first items on the theoretical
agenda. Interested students and College officials' set up committees
to study the project. Plans are now being devised and the commit
tees are continually planning ideas and methods of bringing an SU
to campus as soon as financial and other pertinent considerations are
met.
Out of the Gl's Deed to stretch $75 a month, the co-op was born.
After a year-and-a-half of careful planning and convincing the
Board of Trustees that private enterprise was not being endangered,
a modified store selling used books and student supplies will open
next semester.
The never-ending fight to eliminate discrimination was finally
>rought to a head in the boycott and picket lines. Student coopera
tion showed that prejudice can be broken down, but the experience
pointed the way to a long, hard and uphill fight to convince the
barbers.
A student press is a possibility that may become, a probability
within a year. The invaluable aid to student publications and other
activity groups is immeasurable.
These are the foundations of but a few student projects. It's
taken much hard work and more perseverance to achieve anything
that's been gained thus far. It'll take more hard work and even more
perseverance to follow them through to their final completion.
It's been a wonderful experience helping in an , infinitesimal way
to further these plans. It will be even more wonderful to come back
when they've been completed and watch the class of '5? use the
increased facilities, yet still continuing the fight for a "Better Penn
State."
• The weathermen have been trying so hard to hit the weather
correctly that they now predict "cold and colder" every day. With
a look at MI building you would think that they were hanging out
their wash, instead of the weather flags. They'll have to stop it soon
as Spring is just, around the corner.
On Cramming
Voices drone
Buzzing phone
Radios blasting
Time's passing
Sleepless nights
Burning lights
Student crams
For exams.
Closed door
Hour—four
Papers wild
Basket piled
Troubled looks
Dull books
Student crams
For exams
Last of the 4-Year Men '
Day here
All fear
Seats taken
Hope forsaken
Closed books
Worried looks
Can't cram
For exam.
Marks come
Better run
Heart sunk
Can't flunk
Luck lasts
Just passed
Don't cram
For exams.
—Ruche B. Phillips
--Selma Zuofsky
B-X, Manana
Tomorrow the Student Book Exchange will open
at the TUB to receive used text books. Once again
the opportunity is presented for the students to
make a success of this cooperative effort.
At the beginning and end of every semester the
same gripes and complaints are heard about the
unfair prices paid for used books and the exorbi
tant prices demanded for new books at the down
town bookstores
One way to help eliminate this is to sell and
buy as many books as possible at the Exchange.
Here each student selling a book has the oppor
tunity to name his own price for it instead of just
accepting the few cents offered by the out-of-town
buyers.
The complaint often registered against the Book
Exchange is that it does not have a sufficient num
ber of books of the type the students require. The
best remedy for this is with the students them
selves because the only books available are those
turned in to the Exchange when the students are
through with them.
By turning in old text books now, a greaten°
number will be on hand in the B-X at the begin
ning of next semester when the rush for texts
begins.
Most colleges and universities have already a
well-established cooperative system for buying
and selling books. Penn State has been slow 'in
starting but now that the B-X has finally been
set up, its success depends on how much.theithi
dent body supports it.
Here is the opportunity to do something besides
gripe about the low resale price of used books and
the high cost of new text books in the bookstores.
—Doti• Wes Mach.
The SaMy Val,.
'Nazi-Inspired'?
TO THE EDITOR: Congratulations to all the
Don Quixotes at The Pennsylvania State College
who are trying to uproot the greatest farce and
destruction this college has experienced in many
years. Those vicious Nazi-inspired "Keep off the
grass" signs or "Wear out the walk" signs,. (it all
means the same), have no place on an American
campus. It is unfortunate that frustrated students
have to take this problem in their own hands. The
committee that indiscriminately planted these
signs should have cleaned up the mess as soon ass
their campaign was defeated.
The conservation and planning of grass areas on
campus is not the responsibility of any "Fly-by
night" student committee. The problem is serious
and it should be approached and studied by seri
ous minded, trained landscape designers.
If the authorities at The Pennsylvania State
College continue to pass the buck to student com
mittees our campus will be a blanket of mud. The
walks on campus should be designed with the
student interests in mind and not to conform with
our Greek Temples.
• Thomas W, Sears, nationally recognised
Philadelphia landscape architect, is the Colleges
regular consultant on landscape design.
Far from being the recipients of buck-pass
ing, serious, civic-minded, regularly-appointed
student committees have eagerly seised the op
nortunity to attempt a project to better the
Ipnearance of their campus.
Their efforts are unfortunately impeded by
the obstructive tactics of an obstreperous mi
nority whose inverse sense of _values obviously
issues from twisted mentalities.
(More Letters on Page 3)
Collegian Gazette
Sunday. January 23
PENN STATE Bible Fellowship, 410 Old Main,
4 p.m.
College Hospital
Admitted Wednesday: Arch Ritts, George Betts,
larry Salmon, Joann Einodshofer.
Discharged Wednesday: Keith Bentley.
Admitted Thursday: Donald Watkins.
Discharged Thursday: Margaret Malone.
At the Movies •
CATHAUM—Sat. and Mon., The Paleface.
STATE—Sat, and Mon., Whiplash.
NITTANY—Sat., Triggerman; Mon., Furls.
Zile Elatig Collegian
Senecas& t. THIS PREZ LANCE alt. INN
Published Tuesday through Saturday mornings Inclusive dear
,eg the Co llege year by the staff of The Daily Collign ad The
peousylrenia State College, Entered as seems, Age matter
July 6, 1934, at the State College. Pa.. Post °Mee wader OM
‘et of Kara S. 1119. Sublimerle ions —if a sausUr. U taw
4 ehool year.
Editor
Lew Stone
managing Ed., dilikrt Shapiro; News M., Makoios Whidel
Sports Ed., Tom Morgan; Edit. Dir. Arai Gertoist Feitione
do Foe; Society Ed.. Frances Keeney; Ansi. Gm Rid..
Neville; Photo ■d.. Betty Gibbon** Poinnodon Um.
&Loofahs 1 Senior Board, Claire Lee. •
sTArr THIS ISSUE
\ Red WOO
.. Chweill llowa
Managiso , Editor
Nowa Editor —_
Copy Editor - --
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Assistant, _ —-- --- ------- ----- 111111 Masse. Me
A Adve dva r rtklei Aisigetaisitising Mansgsv ----... Earl =
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—Harris Sanders.
4inio., V u cmi C. Klepper