• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-11-04_Vol47_No11_03

Editorial 3 Western Carolinian/November 4, 1982 Senate May Be Illegal by Larry Hardin The Senate met Monday night, and the funds have- been distributed it is all over hut the gnashing of teeth and dealing with the aftertaste experienced bv some clubs and organizations Perhaps this is not the case at all. 1 attended the senate meeting and tound the process bj which major decisions are made to be quite enlightening. It seems il a senator has a quick mouth and can Utter a second to a motion before another can raise an Objection, the matter at hand goes to the senator with the quickest tongue. I know this works both wavs tor all parties concerned, but it still seems to me an absurd way to interpret the process ol law making on this campus or any other governing bod> that lollows But back to the "perhaps not". It has come to the attention ot the Carolinian that certain elections were held illegally. It seems campus-wide elections are mandated to be held on Wednesdays thus insuring the maximum number of students may take part in the election process. A very good idea I here are a numberof senators who were elected to office in violation of this small rule. Ihe si/e of the rule is immaterial; it has been violated, and it is still a governing rule that has been broken. Other factors came to one's attention when considering the Attendance Policy that senators must follow. If I may quote. "All duly elected Student Senators shall be required to attend all meetings ot the Student Senate...Absences from all meetings of the Senate shall be kept on record by the Senate Secretary. Excuses for Senate absences shall be presented to the President of the Senate before the next regularly scheduled Senate meeting, or forty-eight (48) hours, whichever is greater..." 1 personally believe there are a number of senators who are in violation ol this section of the law. These same rules go on to explain that senators are allowed to miss four (4) Standing Committee meetings. These four committee absences constitute missing two Senate meetings. BrWrK Committees are also charged with keeping records ot these absences and committee excuses must follow the same process as w ith a Senate meeting, only they submit their excuses to the Chairman of that committee. I believe there are a number of senators who are also in violation of these rules. I his is not even dealing with leaving the meeting early, which is considered an absence in itselt. Why is any of this important? The situation is this, and 1 again quote. "Two unexcused Senate absences per academic year shall be grounds for immediate expulsion from the Senate." That is clear enough. If you are a member of the Senate and have missed two Senate meetings and have Uses Of Food Additives by Ashley Osment Food additives are used to dye, enrich, wax, thicken, and preserve most of the foods we buy today. While some additives are as unsavory as their chemical names sound, others are harmless and may even make foods safer, cheaper, and better-tasting. This and other information should be important to anyone concerned with nutrition. Ihe Center for Science in the Public Interest. Ralph Nader's Public Citizen Health Research Group, and similar organizations provide such information. Mere is a list of the most commonly used additives with informed judgements on their salety. Alginate: Propylene glycol alginate is considered safe as a thickening agent derived from seaweed. It maintains texture in cheese, ice-cream and soft drinks. Artificial Colorings: These are to be avoided Artificial colorings are, according to Dr. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Centei lor Science in the Public Interest, "Ihe most dangerous group of additives." Artificial Flavorings: Ingest with caution. These synthetics are developed according to original, natural chemical combinations. Real is best. Ascorbic Acid: Vitamin C used as a preservative, this additive is safe. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO): Permitted only BACCHUS Encourages Moderation In some cases, the problem it causes are minor: skipping classes, missing term-paper deadlines or having a hangover. But often the problems are much more serious, ranging from vandalism and accidents to violence and drunken driving. On college campuses across the country, alcohol abuse is taking its toll. Some colleges report that as much as 80 percent of campus vandalism is alcohol-related. Other studies show that over 90 percent of the deaths that occur as the result of fraternity hazing involve alcohol. Moreover, the leading cause of death among young people aged 18 to 24 is traffic accidents, more than half of them the result of drunk driving. With these staggering statistics in mind, everyone from deans to fraternity presidents are beginning to admit that America's higher education has a drinking problem, one with tremendous personal and economic costs. To combat the problem, a growing number of campuses have organized special programs. One of the most visible and, according to many, successful programs is provided through a national, non-profit organization called BACCHUS, which promotes responsible drinking through student-run chapters at more than 60 colleges in 28 states and Canada. In North Carolina, the first BACCHUS chapter was organized this summer at Western Carolina University. Like other BACCHUS groups, the one at Western encourages moderation in the use of alcohol among students who drink and respect for students who choose to abstain. "We're trying to promote responsible drinking. That's the main thing." said Sandy Bowman, a senior information systems major from Bethlehem, N.C. and president of WCU's BACCHUS chapter. "By that I mean just having a social drink or two and not getting obnoxiously drunk. We want people to be able to go to a party and drink one or two drinks or not drink at all and still feel comfortable." BACCHUS began in 1976 as a student task force on alcohol abuse at the University of Florida. Looking for a catchy name to indicate that it was not anti-alcohol, the group named itself BACCHUS after the god of wine. BACCHUS also stands for what later became the group's rarely used full name: "Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students." BACCHUS chapters are organized by students, usually with the aid of a faculty member or administrator who acts as advisor. Western's chapter, which now boosts nearly 30 members, was started with the help of Randy Rice. WCU's housing director. "From an administator's standpoint. I want to encourage them to establish their own objectives and programs." said Rice. "I think the reason BACCHUS is such a successful program is that it takes a peer approach and doesn't turn people off by saying. 'If you drink, we're going to punish you.'" Student participation, say supporters, isanother key ingredient. To encourage student involvement, the BACCHUS chapter at Western began its first year by co- sponsoring various activities for International Alcohol Awareness Week. Oct. 11-15. Their activities included a free movie, a contest for the classiest dorm room and a series of educational talks on topics ranging from how to throw a responsible party to drunken-driving laws. Co-sponsoring the events was Western's new Campus Alcohol Information Center, located in the Housing Office of Dodson Cafeteria. The information center works closely with the group, helping to distribute numerous publications—such as a "Tips on Sipping" pamphlet—which are provided by BACCHUS' national headquarters in Florida. Already university officials and students say they can tell a difference since BACCHUS came to Cullowhee. "I think it's made people stop and think not to take that extra drink." said Ferlin Frye. a junior information systems major from Winston-Salem and treasurer of BACCHUS. "I think it's helped some people find their limit so they can still have a good time but not get drunk." Frye said he became more aware of the dangers ol alcohol after one of his hometown friends got drunk and ran over a teenage girl, killing the driver's best friend who was in the car and maming the girl. . "Since then. I've gotton more involved with BACCHUS and have been real conscious of drinking. I'm a member of a fraternity and when we have parties, I don't get drunk." Randy Rice also sees improvements. "We can already see a decline in incidences and damages related to alcohol use, and housing officers haven't had to refer as many students to our alcohol discipline rcfererral program this year." he said. In addition toadvising BACCHUS. Rice lsleadinga nationwide effort against alcohol abuse as chairman of the Alcohol Education Committee for the Association of College and University Housing Officers. As such, he coordinates a national alcohol awarenes program for college dormitories and has just compiled a 56-page "Alcohol Education Program Resource Manual" for college housing officers throughout the country. In the future. Miss Bowman said the WCU BACCHUS group hopes to sponsor a run for fun, a softball tournament, a concert and a poster contest to stimulate student awareness. During the first week in November, officers of the group will travel to Washington University in St. Louis for the BACCHUS National General Assembly. At the assembly, the WCU delegation will receive special training and its official membership charter. On Nov. 18. the chapter will participate in WCU's annual Great American Escape, a full day of alcohol- related exhibits and demonstrations, including such things as a non-alcoholic bar and demonstrations of proper bartending. last year, more than 1.500 students attended the (ireat American Escape-an indication that many WCU students already realize that alcohol abuse is a problem that deserves attention. sr.Ftr=Ras*£>Tte not submitted an excuse, perhaps you are not Senators a all. If you have tour committee meeting absences and d( not have an excuse submitted to the appropriati individual, vou may not be- a senator by the law. All of this is saying that we may have a Senate that is no legal to vote upon such things as the student's budget, or anything else. This may not be the case. I am not a lawyer, so I cannot say. I do say this situation needs to be looked into. 1 urge all students to examine this matter. Find out if we have a legal senate body to conduct the business at hand. To be sure...we at the Carolinian are already looking into this matter. on an interim basis in the United States, BVO is banned in England and Sweden. American companies use BVO to keep flavorings mixed in fruit-flavored soft drinks. The FDA labels it with a suspect status. BVO should be avoided. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): Found in chewing gum. cooking oils, and cereal packaging, BHT is a preservative to avoid. It has been found concentrated in small amounts in body fat. Caffeine: Already publicly controversial, this stimulant has been linked to fibrocystic breast disease (noncancerous) and is being tested for additional ill effects. Caffeine is found in significant amounts in sugar- free and regular soft drinks, coffee and tea. It should be avoided. Casein: A safe protein found in milk, it is a thickener that is good for you. Corn Syrup and Dextrose: Merely other names for sugar as we know it, these sweetners are a lot of empty calories. Gums (arabic, furcelleran, ghatti guar, darya, locust bean, tragacanth): Taken from the sap of trees and bushes, these are safe thickeners. Heptyl Paraben: Use with caution. This preservative is used in beer but has never been adequately tested in combination with alcohol. Lecithin: This is a nutritious derivative of soy that preserves and keeps water and oil mixed. (Safe) Mannitol: The dust found on the surface of chewing gum, mannitol is a safe sweetner. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Found to destroy brain nerve cells in mice and linked to sleepiness, itching, sweating and headaches in humans, MSG should be avoided. Propyl Gallate: Prevents rancidity in fats. This additive is under attack by consumer groups as it has never been adequately tested. Use it with caution. Quinine: Used as a treatment for malaria, but known to cause deafness in developing fetuses, quinine is potentially dangerous to pregnant women. It is added to tonic water and lemon drinks as a flavoring. (Avoid) Saccharin: Congress voted a moratorium on an FDA proposed ban of this synthetic sweetner. Forbidden in Canada and most European countries, saccharin should be avoided. Sodium Nitrate and Sodium Nitrite: Linked to cancer, these agents are used to cure and to provide the pink coloring in meats such as bacon, ham and cold cuts. Food companies argue that the additives are less of a threat than botulism. Still, these additives are suggested to be avoided. Sorbitan Monostearate: Well-tested and deemed sale, this additive keeps oil and water from separating. There are basic precautions that can and should be taken to avoid the harmful effects of additives. Don't eat any one food excessively; variety breaks up the build-up of additives. Keep up the dosages of vitamins E and C as both detoxify potentially harmful additives. Eat foods rich in fiber, which hastens the passage of food through the intestines, thereby preventing toxics from lingering in your body. Also, keep in mind that fresh foods contain the fewest additives and that additives are most abundant in toods that should ordina'rily be avoided for other various reasons (packaged baked goods, cured meats, and junk food). For a poster-sized guide to additives called "Chemical Cuisine", write to : Center for Science in the Public Interest. 1755 S. Street. N.W.. Washington. D.C. 20009. On Staying The Course by M.J. Schutz America has had a two-and-a-half year taste of life during the conservation swing of the pendulum. This Tuesday voters had a chance to evaluate the effect the new Republicanism has had on their lives, and to ch( whether or not it shall continue. As 1 write, the polls aren't even closed vet, and 1 left mv crystal ball at home, so I won't venture a guess as to the results of the election. In a way, though, 1 hope that the return swing of the pendulum has begun. 1 an: encouraged by the drop in interest rates, mv husband and I would like to u*n our own home before we have children, and 1 was beginning to tear that we'd have to be able to pay cash to make that dream come true lamalso glad to see the stock market active, and American industry struggling to its feet. I lankly, 1 was convinced that Reagan would have us at war by now, but he seems to be working in the other direction So it seems that mv best hopes tor the country under conservativism have been realized. I am concerned now about the possible results ot slaving the course. The advertisements that the Republican party ran during the campaign seemed to break it right down for you and to make the choice easy: do we turn back like snivelling cowards, or Stay The Course like real Americans. Obviously, the decision isn't that simple to make. Staving the course could mean counting thedollai without considering the cost in human terms. Reagan and his followers indicated just how far they were willing to go to balance the budget with their proposed changes in PL 94-142(the laws on public education for handicapped children).They would have us forfeit the security of these children's well being for the sake of saving money on their education costs. 1 am not convinced that they are not equally willing to trade off the accessibility of higher education to the children of the less fortunate, for a reduced strain on the federal budget from student loans and grants. Nor do I see any real concern from the Republican party for the thousands of workers left jobless in the wake of American industry's illness. Yes. these companies are beginning to bounce back, yet unemployment continues to climb. Chrysler employees are beginning to wonder if they have been forgotten-they were willing to buckle their belts a little tighter to help the company survive, but the company seems to have forgotten its obligation to share with the workers its new good fortune. I find this to be a good analogy to current politics in America. The conservatives have kept their promises to corporate America, but they don't even throw around the term "trickle-down" any more. Working-class America, unsure of our future, is beginning to wonder how we will fit into the picture of new American prosperity. If we cannot count on bettering our lot through hard work and receiving the rewards of a tough job well done, if we cannot count on our children being able to better their lot through easily available post-secondary education, then we cannot help but feel that ours is a future of unending struggle to just get by. Perhaps this psuedo-slave labor is what is needed to gurantee the success of American industry. Republican-style. If so, 1 must choose to opt out of the conservative swing. On a lighter note, I'd like to thank Larry and Tina for a great party on Halloween night. No fights, no problems— it seemed appropriate to see a crowd of strange looking characters dancing around the fire in the light of a full moon that night. The music was dynamite, and the people were there for a reason- to support the Mountain Natural Guard. Unfortunately, the proceeds were reported to be disappointing- perhaps those who drank for free would like to settle a score with their consciences and come up with a small donation. Our problems with SGA continue, with little progress to be reported. More heads have rolled, as we attempt to cope with a truly impossible budget. Much thanks for the many expressions of support weVe received. We'll hang in there-y'all do so too. Let's hope we can continue to have a student newspaper- this is not a sure bet any more. Y'all know who to thank. Finally, congratulations are definitely in order to coach Bob Waters on a job well done. It sure made me proud to listen to the sportscasts Saturday night. This paper has never hesitated to let Waters have it when the Cats were losing. In the interest of fair play. I'd like to let him know that we up here are surprised and pleased with the performance of the Cats this season. Coach, team - keep up the good work. We're mighty proud. Cole Selected Tony Cole, 20, a junior Graphic Design major from Marshville. North Carolina, has been selected as the Student Coordinator for the 1983 New Student Orientation program. As the coordinator, Mr. Cole will be working directly with the Director of Orientation in the planning and implementation of the conferences. There are ten separate orientation programs beginning in January and ending just before the start of classes in August. Since coming to WCU in the Fall of 1980. Tony has been involved with a number of campus activities. While maintaining Dean's List academic credentials, he is working as a cartoonist for the Western Carolinian. As well as serving as a resident assistant in Leatherwood Hall. Mr. Cole has also held the position of Student Orientation Leader during the summers of 1981 and 1982. Cullowhee Weather Report I he cold tront over the nation's midsection last week has finally moved eastward as the high pressure area oft the coasl of North Carolina moved further east into the Atlantic. Accompanying the cold front are showers and thunderstorms in the eastern U.S. B\ later today, temperatures should plunge and winds will increase in speed. Wind direction will he gusting mu ot the north today and tomorrow Bv Saturday the precipitation should clear out when the high pressure system behind the cold from moves into ourarea. look lor significant!) cooler temperatures and improving skies h\ the weekend. temperatures'from the tarth Sciences IX-partment Weather Station atop the Natural Science Building. Ihursdav Oct. Zl (High. 7.1; low, 28) Friday, Oct. 2s> (High. 73; Low. 2X) Saturday, Oct. 30 (High. 75; I ow, .14) Sunday. Oct. 31 (High. 78: I ow. 42) Monday. Nov. I (High. 78; 1 ow. 44) ruesday, Nov. 2 (High. 77; Low, 47) Wednesday. Nov 3 (High. 68; I ow. 55)

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1982-11-04
  • Date digitized: 2018-11-19
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-11-04_Vol47_No11
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library