PAGE FOUR Editorial Opinion Take the Good Points; Progress from There Many incidents have occurred these past few weeks to arouse speculation as to the worth of the entire system of student government on this campus. Is student government on the rocks? Is this new sys tem ineffective? Has it been corrupted by dirty politics? First of all, lei us say that the new system did not appear on the scene unexpectedly, nor was it the product of one mastermind Interested in promoting his own personal gains. Reorganization came after years of careful study. The system was born out of extensive debates on its values and faults. It was designed to give the students a better degree of representation directly from the classes, so that the system could not be controlled by interest gioups which represent a small number of students. In essence the pur pose behind it was to create better student government. The important thing that is to be observed in viewing these recent events is that the SGA system as it now stands is dependent upon the responsibility and reliability of campus political parties. Through these parties, candidates for SGA positions are chosen to i un on a ballot in the hopes that the results will be determined by the student body, in hopes that the student body will have a choice as to which candidate would best fulfill his major duties of representing their views. Penn Stale has had a long-standing reputation among colleges throughout the nation for its effective system of student government. And student government for the most part deserved this reputation. At times accusations have been levied at actions taken by the student leaders —they have been declared Irresponsible. This may be true in some instances, but the good side of student govern ment far outweighs its bad angles. We do not think that student government will fail in its objectives if the students recognize how imperative it is to maintain good government and that the SGA mem bers represent the student body. Students may become disillusioned with these inci dents. They may lose faith in student government. But tills is the coward’s way out. They do not want to look at both sides of the story nor do they want to consider the many accomplishments that could be made under this new system if responsibility is inherent in its members. The facts are out on various incidents but these facts are not designed to dissuade the student body from the good side that student government has to offer. What would happen if there was no student govern ment? Or if the administration were obliged to take over where student government had failed? What are we going to do about it? We can all shrug our shoulders and say “why bother”. Why bother? So we can make our student government work. So we can clear up the bad spots in the system and leave no room for criticism. How to do this patching up? By cooperation on the part of all people directly and indirectly connected with SGA so that it can have the results that were intended last year. Cooperation cannot be forced upon the students. They must realize its necessity by themselves. But if the state ments that have been issued in the past week hold any truth, if party chairmen, candidates, and people within the SGA are sincerely concerned with producing a good sys tem of government, let us see them all working together for a common goal. This is the only way to make student government work for the students. Individuals, political parties, stu dent leaders should combine their efforts to maintain the party system and thus maintain the forum of the student body. /MV SRAMMA \ (.AST NiSHT tOE ALL WENT TO •' /IS STAVING WfTH] THE SHOW EXCEPT GRAMMA.. US FOR A FEW I SHE DOESN'T LIKE SHOWS... ( SO SHE STAYED ( NO, tOE GOT A Y~* VALONE THEN, HUH? J v A-SITTER' J i| V THE DAILY COLLEGIAN. STATE COLLEGE. PENNSYLVANIA Letters Brandt States Campus Party Principles TO THE EDITOR: In the past po litical parties have been, for tha most part, election clubs which have had as their sole purpose that of getmg people elected to office. More often than not, the candidates have been motivated by self gain and desire for recog nition by various pressure groups which, so it appears, admire the ability to control rather than to govern. The present Campus party con sists of a small group of people who feel that the establishment of a proper political party and tha holding of a real nominating con vention supercedes the desire to elect and particular candidate at the present time. Proper candidates will arise in the debate on the issues that form party planks and in the interac tion of actual factions that would come to exist in a properly-run political convention where the deck, for the first time, has not been dealt until the candidates votes are counted. Therefore, Campus party pro poses to make available a large room, a competent chairman, sev eral issues we feel are worthy of student support and an open de bate in which students may ex press themselves fully. If anyone feels like bringing forth such issues as the exemp tion of active reservists from ROTC, the participation of stu dent government in the affairs of borough, state and national gov ernments or the establishment of the students’ voice a force that cannot be ignored, then this is the time for all good men to form a parly. The opportunity for political activity on this campus and es pecially in Campus party is now possibly greater than It has ever been. The failure of students to par ticipate in behalf of their own in terests will result in interest groups picking away at our rep resentative government until it reverts back to the previous aris tocratic Cabinet system. Campus party feels that a two party system is essential to the continuance of an elected Assem bly. If public support is forth coming, we pledge not only to work and to win for candidates who represent the student inter ests, but to devote our time and energy to establish a proper po litical party which feels its mem bership and whose membership is felt If not, then we refuse to run a sham election. Gazette Center Stage, production of "An Italian Stiaw Hat,” 3 p.m C*ens, card party and ffldhion show, 1 p.m , HUB ballroom Freshman-Sophomore Dance Committee, 1 P.m., 212 HUB TIM Dance, 9-12 p.m., HUB ballroom tICA Faculty Committee and SCA, lecture by Dr. J. Neal Hughley, profe*ior of economic, North Carolina College, 8 p.m.. Chapel, topic: “The Christian Faith and the Capitalist-Socialist Controversy*’ TOMORROW Chem-Physlcs Student Council, 2 pm, 212 HUB Chens Club, 2pm, HUB cardroom Christian Fellowship, 2 p.m., 21? HUB Commerce 474 Planning Committee, 3:80 pm. 218 HUB Emerson Society, 6:30 p.m., 205 Roucke Executive Committee, 6 p m., 214 HUB Freshman Advisory Board, 3:30 pin., 203 HUB Graduate Students Bridge, 7 p.m., 212-13 HUB Management Meeting, 7 p.m., 217 HUB Newman Club, 7 p ni., 214-15 HUB Protestant Worship Service, 9 a.m., Chapel, Rev. William Kuhre Reception, S: 4 > -11 pm., HUB main lounge Roman Catholic Mass. 9 a.m , Schwab Sophomore Advisory Board, 1:30 p.m., HUB assembly room Swedcnborgan Service, 10:30 am., 212-13 HUB University Lecture Series, 8 p.m,, Schwab, Dr. Herman J. Muller, Topic: “Isie Fu ture Physical Development of Man" USF, 9*30 am, 217-18 HUB MONDAY A Phi O, 7 p.m., 212-13 HUB Botany Club, 7 p.m., Buckhout Lab Cht Lambda, 4 p.m., HUB main lounge Christian Fellowship, 12:45 p.m., 218 HUB College of Mineral Industries, lecture by Dr. W. S. von Arx, 10 am., 317 Wil lard, topic: “Heat Balance of the Oceans” Engineering Mechanics Seminar, 4:15 pm., 2UJ Eng A, G. T, Vavouras, topic: “Special Stress Problems Caused by Two- Dimensional Temperature Distributions" Faculty Luncheon Club, noon, HUB din* ing room A, Wallace F. Workmaster, topic: “Conserving our Historical Re sources” IFC, 7 p ru., HUB assembly room lUFC, 7 pm., 217 HUB BGA, • .218 HUB —John Brandt, '6l TODAY Little Man on Campus by Dick Bibler •Wight ee ms •© a rjoilty Mmm to immtmi aw* MENCEMEHT SPEAKER.—TME/RE lISEOT&QIW<SB>-MINWE LKTUffiS.* Students Comment on Parties TO THE EDITOR: It seems to me that the talk of party sell outs, party collapses and elec tion fixes points up the fact that the two political parties now stand for little more than the personalities that run them. Campus party must stand for something more than a campus, and the University party a university, but not much more. How then can we blame anyone for leaving his party if such action will further his political career? If a two-party system is necessary to good student gov ernment, and if the parties must stand for something to hold their members, it is ob vious that these two parties must find something, some is sue, on which they will per manently disagree. Because both parties are composed entirely of students it is not enough for a candi date to say that he will work for the bettermen of the stu dent's position. He must say how he will do this. There are, it seems to me, at least two alternatives. One can take a liberal or a conservative attitude toward cooperation with the administration. The conservative attitude would amount to a close cooperation with the administration in the hope that favors would be ... And Propose Alternatives TO THE EDITOR: Although I saw some truth in your edi torial, “Party Sell-Out,” I feel that I must disagree with some points. It is certain that we need two political parties, or more, if our system of student gov ernment is to be successful at all. It is a sorry thing when a strong political machine is able to entice candidates to de sert their party. It also seems that Messrs, Crosby and Darran are show ing a definite Judas tendency in switching parties. What I dislike is the hanging of How ard Byers from the same dog wood as the other two. Each of these three were charged with “trying to fur ther his own interest forget ting his primary job of ade quately representing the stu dents and his secondary job of supporting the party. It was Successor to The Free Lance, est. 1887 PablUhed Tntsdsj through Saturda, morning during tho Unlaonlt, rear. Tha Daily Collegian is a atadent-operated newspaper. Entered aa aecond-claaa matter Joir 9. 1934 at the State College, Pa. Poet Offico ander the act of March 8, 1879. Mill Subscription Price) 83.09 per eemeater 85.00 per rear. DENNIS MALICK GEORGE McTURK Editor Businas* Manager STAFF THIS ISSUE: Headline Editor, Jerrie Markos; Wire Editor, Pat Dyerj Night Copy Editor, Sue Eberly, Assistants: Carol Kunklem&n, Ellis Hummer, Sue Taylor, Jo*zt Karen SaldutU, Kathy Kuchta* . SATURDAY. MARCH 12. 1960 r-^ granted. The liberal attitude would be that of very directly representing the student, of criticizing administration pol icy when it adversely affects the students, of trying to force aclion with a “damn the tor pedoes” attitude. Comparing the student situ ation with that of labor, the conservative element would favor a sort of company union. The liberal element would of course, claim that a company union is no union at all. The union comparison is not at all unrealistic when one considers that the administra tion, like management, makes all the important decisions. The students have the power to criticize, to demonstrate and to demand action. But the final decision on such action rests with the administration. I don’t claim that the sug gested party philosophies are the only ones possible. Parties could divide on the basis of fraternity-sorority versus inde pendent and fight eternally over the best way to live. They could divide according to cur riculum and fight over tha relative merits of technical and liberal educations. I do claim that this division would be one with the inherent pow er to improve the student’s position. —Robert Biesterfeldt, '6O also stated that these people were unable to have their “in terests . . . transcend the mere level of personal gain." I do not see how the charges fit Mr. Byers. Although he has severed the ties with the party which elected him, this action may not be without reason. Is it not true that Mr. Byers found it necessary, earlier in tha term, to resign from his posi tion of minority leader and from the Rules Committee? As for the charge of seeking personal gain, how can this ba true in the case of Mr. Byers? He is a senior and will have no use for future office in the As sembly. As for representing students, it seems to me that his name has been outstanding in your paper when you gave cover age to any SGA business which had an effect on us, the stu dents. —Lawrence Royer. '6O
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers