PAGE FOUR Editorial Opinion An Evasion of Public Duty A profound belief in "freedom of expression" was one of the chief factors in the early settlement of this continent 350 years ago. In all important documents of the government of the nation and of this state, this fervid belief has been supported. But, when the phrase "frmdom of expression" is qualified by "out of the eyes of the public," it insults and abuses that very freedom which was so dearly won. Yet, within recent months one leading campus gov ernment—WC—has closed the doors of its legislative meetings to the people whom they were elected to govern and to the press. Two others, TIM and AWS, have balked at the publication of certain proceedings in their meetings. In all three cases, these groups _were dealing with "touchy subjects." They felt it was best or would have been better to discuss these subjects behind closed doors. It has been our experience that closed sessions often do more harm than good. It is time that people at this University realize that short range secrecy does not hide long range impact . . . that lack of publicity does not save face for long ... that the holding of a closed meeting is more injurious in the long run to an organization and to the student body than a hotly dehat.nl open controversy. A hotly debated issue is quickly resolved and the hatred forgotten. but a secret discussion and decision lies smouldering within defeated factions which wait for the chance to get even. it takes courage for the officers and members of an organization to conduct controversial business in the open. But we strongly telieve that this courage is demanded of good leaders. Those who choose the leaders of the various governing bodies on campus have a historic right to ex pect such courage. Throughout its history, The Daily Collegian has heard charges of "yellow journalism," "scandal sheet," and "un ethical operation." All of these cries have come from per sons or organizations who have read in the public record that which they did not want the public to know or that in which they felt they were unfairly represented. At this University can anything be done, any bdsiness conducted or any operations made by a representative government about which the student body is not entitled to know? We think not. We cannot condone the meeting of a representative body behind closed doors. We believe that a basic democratic principle demands that governing bodies hold business meetings open to the public, The "public eye" is big and glaring. It is extremely critical and often unfair. It is demanding and curious. It eventually sees all. It frightens Many. But it is the most precious safeguard of. our American freedoms. A Student-Operated Newspaper 58 Years of Editorial Freedom Bang Tollmitin Successor to The Free Lance, est. 1887 • rublished Tuesday through Seturday morning during the University year. The Daily Collegian is a student—operated newspaper. Entered as second—class matter July 6, 1931 at the State College, Pa. Post Office under the act of March 3, 1879. Mail Subscription Prioe: $6.00 a year Mailing Address Box 261, State College, Pa. ANN PALMER Editor Member of The Associated Press HERBERT WITMER Business Manager gin's s THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, UNIVERSITY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA Years ago a verbal picture of Joe College could easily have been painted—raccoon coat, col lege pennant and hat with the brim rolled back. The descrip tion has been made difficult to day, partially because there are more Joe Colleges to include in the "average guy" category. We were killing time the other night and got to wondering which of the traits we possess 'are aver age and which are the distinctive (others call them odd-ball) ten dencies we all like to think .we have. We decided_ that there real isn't any su e thing as an aver age PSU studei but there ai some very defin: characterizing lei tures of ye olf student body. This compos person studii reasonably ha but never gets academic honors. MISS MILLS When he pulls a 3.0, he lives on some faraway cloud until the next midterm grades appear. He or she does a tolerable amount of complaining about food,- 8 o'clock classes, his "really blind" date of the weekend just past, professors and bluebooks, or the progress of the Lions bas- Letters 'Third Party' TO THE EDITOR: Francis Conte's "defense" of University Party in Saturday's Collegian demonstrates once again that that political or ganization has no real conception of its obligations and responsibili ties to the student body. Mr. Conte referred to the agree ment signed by the political party chairmen regarding nomination of Congressional candidates as grounds ,for continuation of the self-nominating-procedure, forget ting or ignoring the fact that the agreement referred explicitly and solely to the elections held in Oc tober, 19G2. He stated that "the resolution was brought before the Congress." I HAVE DIFFICULV BREARNG„, I FEEL ALL CHOKED UP,,,. THINK IT EVEN AFFECTS Milo, i vi %If II %Ks,: i. ''' i ( k 7 , V 61AP1 # • 1 I ;I , 1., . IleT c l t .'eir , ii ,., \ V"' 4* 1 4 ' \:" -4 4411 4 ,d-).. Vision!! 11 kaleidoscop Joe College-1963 c 1 , 4 41 , !,n44 ketball team (in otter seasons, Mr. Egli, in other seasons). Movies are attended because they provide the necessary "some thing to do" more than because the acting or plot is of a par ticularly high caliber. Our friend is a habitual "skim mer" at newstands and leafs through the latest issue of TiMe magazine when it comes. With the advent, of "quality" paper backs, he is easily tempted into exploring great works of fiction and non-fiction as well. Working at the corner gas sta tion, for a local bookstore or clothing shop, in a University lab or in the campus dining halls en ables him to earn money for the little extravagances we all have. He probably lives for the week end, either to earn an extra buck on the job, to enjoy himself at a fraternity jammy or to do term paper research at "Fred's Place." This composite person finds he is constantly being charged with apathy or disinterest in the wel fare of the "University family as a whole." He could care less. He has interests in touch football, ham radio, ping pong and Play boy magazine, and she would rather spend her time talking in the HUB, doing the fruge, learn ing to he a doctor or nurse or teaching Sunday school. If he lives in a dormitory, there Tag Switched This is a glaring error, and a complete departure from the facts, since the party chairmen negoti ated the agreement among them-- selves alone. He also made the in-; teresting point that his party took an "active part" in the election, to a far greater degree than either of the other parties. Well, of course; how could we, since we didn't have the USG Vice Presi dent to date prospective female candidates? Furthermore, his assertion that the vacancies may have been caused by the other parties taking "such a detached role" in the fall election is so inconsistent as to be pitiable, since of the three mem bers of Congress who, while hold ing political affiliations, were de clared ineligible, two were mem bers of University Party. A word must be said regarding Mr. Conte's apparent concept of the nominating procedure. He im plied throughout his letter that nomination by petition is superior to party nomination. I think that, as applied to his own party, he's right, since University Party is constitutionally permitted to nom inate anybody, non-members as well as members. But Liberal Party is constitu tionally permitted to nominate only members of the party, thus making it absolutely necessary for a prospective candidate to show some interest by registering in the party, and to spell out his qualifi cations to his fellow party mem bers before receiving the party nomination. We are the only party with this stipulation in our consti tution. University Party goes through the motion of a grand procedure, even so far as calling their meet:. ings "conventions," but this - one giant loophole makes it regrettably easy and expedient for the party to nominate anyone, regardless of previous interest, experience,--or knowledge of the workings of the Undergraduate Student Govern ment. Recently, Liberal Party has been termed a "third party" at Penn State. I would like to call on 'Mr: Conte, Mr. Dzvonik, Mr. Baker, and USG President Dean Wharton to bring their own party up from the-level of a minor party, to take steps in their own constitution to insure interest and experience, and • to stop - practicing merely the ' showy frills of governmental re sponsibility and start acting like a political organization which understands and appreciates its obligations. —George Gordon . Liberal .Party Chairman TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1963 Edition by kay mills are probably nights when he is so noisy his friends would like to move him off campus—bodily. There are also times when his coed counterpart tires of hearing the housekeepers gossip outside her door at 8 a.m. but is too pooped to do anything about it. Sports interest him most in the fall unless he's discovered the glories of a gymnastics meet or re tains the boyhood dreams of being another Babe Ruth or Ted Wil liams. She's learning to play bridge and ponders her next bid between attempts to devise the new hair style of the week. We haven't any statistics at hand to show where our "aver age" friend is from or what his aspirations are—but chances are they're high. He's not really as familiar with fields outside his own and he's in a rut if he doesn't know it. If he's an engineer who braves an advanced English course or a French major who dives info dif ferential equations, then he's the "average" student the University propaganda says we need. And we do. Most of all, he's the nameless student you see daily on the Boucke to Sparks or Wagner to MechEng run. He's the backbone of the establishment, and his peers and potentates could do well to remember that. Perugini Hits Conte on Elex TO THE EDITOR: Thus far there has been no public statement ex plaining the reasons why Campus Party will back candidates for the USG Elections in two weeks. One should not be necessary. How ever, the letter_ published in Sat urday's Collegian by the chairman of the University Party, Fran Conte, presents a propitious op portunity to answer. The resolution - signed - this fall by the three party chairmen agreeing not to support, publicly, candidates in the congressional elections was a product of special circumstances pertaining only to the fall elections. In addition, the signatures on the resolution. are not the signatures of the present chairman. Mcire importantly, parties Should* now begin to function as year around operations if they ever hope to_ maintain their proper places on campus and contribute to the student - government. - Specifically, there is a need for them in special elections when in terest is at a low ebb. A good ex ample was the special election - for McElwain-Simmons during the fall term. Only one candidate ran for the available' position. To search for qualified people, to encourage them to run, and to provide them with the necessary aid as - an ,incentive is more impor tant than ever - in an off-term con test. - —Bob Peruginii Campus . party Chairman WDFM - tchedole TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1963 4 :15 "The Philadelphia" - Chopin : Les Sylphides Ballet Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe Suite 6:oo.Dinner Music 6:00 Thii Week at the United Nations: - Summary-of Week's events 6 :15 'Weatherscope Joel Myers 6 :20 Classical Concepts ? Smetana: Moldau Rimalty-Korsakov Havel :- Bolero ; La Valse ; Pavane 7:30 Highlight: Organizations: Tonight: WDFM-FM ' - 7:40 Sports Parade: Interview with Dean Billick, Collegian Sports Editor, by Joe Grata 8:00 SOUND "OF FOLK MUSIC: Live Talent John Friiik singing four folk tunes; the Weavers, Toss! Aaron, Oscar Brand, Joan Baez, - others - 8:65 Sports News - 9:00 Mostly Music: Light popular music 10:00- Symphonic Notebook: Schuman : • Quartet No. 3 Credendum (Article of Faith) Bartier: Act: I Vanessa Yaidtimlan": Psalm No. 180 Violin Concerto Capriccio
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers