• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1984-11-08_Vol49_No14_02

Western Carolinian/November 8, 1984 Editor's Page ning you Can't By Heather Frey Thoug Please 'em I think the past two weeks have been the hardest I have ever experienced, but especially these last few days have been killer. Last week Donna McClure (my lay-out assistant) & I were dealing with new salesmen who kept bringing us ads to be added to the paper (with no place to put them), late copy, type-setter problems, and a Halloween party- mood which prevented anyone from taking anything seriously. This week we have been paying for all our lack of disorganization with practically our lives, and atleast our hearts. Where should I begin to explain the disenchantment and disillusionment I and my staff have been going through? Perhaps with last week's article "Think and Vote November 6"? This front page story has caused more of an uproar than last year's beer Referendum. As the retraction below states, that piece was a complete mistake. It should not have even been in the paper, but since I am Editor-in-Chief, Design Editor, staff writer proofreader, type-setter and public relations manager for the paper, some things tend to slip by me. Donna has never worked on a newspaper before and is learning. People in training tend to make mistakes. Now, don't misunderstand me. I do not shrink from my responsibilities, and sometimes that means taking the blame. I should know everything that goes in this paper, where it is, and what it says. Donna may have laid that story down, but it was perfectly with in my power to catch that mistake and correct it. Sadly, it slipped by me and students and faculty alike have let me know about what an incompetent idiot I was to let that happen. Outrage at my mistake has come in two forms: letters & petition. Let me address the letters below that concern this issue first. To Mr. Newman's letter I can't make a reply, his comments were so ridiculous and asinine. Atleast he amused me enough to make me smile. Others on the staff just outright laughed. But to Professor Ben Anderson's letter I'll say this: To say the least, Professor Anderson, I was shocked by your reaction and expected something more from a journalism teacher. You raked me over the coals for running an editorial on the front page, letting it "masquerade" as a news piece, giving it a misleading headline, and presumptuously trying to tell WCU students how to vote. If you really felt that I did this on purpose, a, "Heather, you don't know how to run a newspsper.Let's talk," reprimand would have been more effective and more appreciated. To tell me it is not standard journalistic policy to run editorials anywhere but on the editorial page would have been better heeded than: "Editorials should run on the editorial page. A radical concept, I know, but one that's only fair to the reader." I know, basically, what journalism policy is. It's public record, though, that I've yet to take any journalism classes here at Western. Knowing that, has anyone offered us any help, guidance or advice? lam doing my best, but it seems to me the Univesity's professionals should be more involved with the paper, radio station and other such organizations as they are with, say, the dept. of speech and theatre arts, and SGA, just to name a few. As it is, when I won the election all I heard was, "Monica (the previous editor) will tell you What to do." My point is, if I have been doing such a bad job trying to run this paper, someone should've told me. I don't need to hear it from a snotty editorial in a local underground rag, or throught the grapevine. Now, the petition I have not seen, no one has brought me a copy of it and the people behind circulating it haven't talked to me, I don't know the charges, but allow me to try and explain a few things to you all, so that perhaps you'll think seriously before signing it. There are 6500 students attending Western. Last semester when I ran for editor, no one ran against me. That says 1 of 2 things: Either everyone thought I was qualified to do the job, or no one cared who was editor. When I say "no one," I mean all 600 and some students who voted. That's a pretty shameful number. It really accents student apathy, doesn't it? So, in my opinion, if you didn't bother to vote for or against me, you don't have the right to sign a petition against me. Next, let me point out that Western doesn't have a Journalism major. It has a "concentration" in it. What kind of newspaper can you expect from students who are criminal justice majors, math majors, social work majors, business majors, german majors, psychology majors... etc. There are three people on this staff that really are journalism majors, novel, ain't it? I hope you journalism students are learning a lot in the classroom. Such experience will benefit you in the real world, I'm sure. Another strike against the Western Carolinian is the type-setting machines. They arbitrarily confound us at every possible turn... and we've had them serviced THREE times. Perhaps our biggest problem up here is just being understaffed and plagued by come-and-go, irresponsible employees. A newspaper is hard work and long hours; ask my staff. However, some people who have tried to work here just couldn't cut it. We've gone through a couple of type-setters, several staff writers, a few lay-out people, and two or three sales people. I feel that now the staff has settled down and everyone is working hard on this paper. My employees (all of which are good friends) probably have no idea how much I appreciate them. But let's talk about being understaffed and how we're all up here doing a 100 jobs a piece. As I said earlier I do my Editor-in-Chief duties, plus I write a story when I can to help News/ Features Editor out. I prefer writing above everything, but most of my time is taken up planning, desinging and laying out the paper. My business manager does everything he's supposed to do, then he helps lay-out some ads. Our ad designer is a freshman who has never done this before in her life, but she likes it and is getting pretty good at it. The sports editor takes pictures, writes stories, develops the photos, plus lays-out the sports pages. The circulation manager does the last minute, touch-up stuff at the Mountaineer, plus she writes, and can type-set and do lay-out. The lay-out assistant draws in ads on the flats, does lay-out and type-sets...need I say more? We all started out this year with high hopes and ambitions, but we are whipped and beaten for every mistake and we rarely hear compliments. Believe me, it is rather disheartiening. RETRACTION I In the November 1 issue of the Western Carolinian we inadvertently printed the story, "'Think' and Vote Nov. 6." Putting in this story was a complete accident on our part, as we did not even intend to run the story. The piece in no way reflects the opinions or views of The Western Carolinian staff and we apologize to those among you who were offended by it. Heather Frey Donna McClure Danell Arnold As The Campus | Turns Kathy Sullivan New/Feature Editor As I was thinking about what to write in my column this week two ideas came to mind. One The Western Carolinian I ht- Western Carolinian. P.O. But 66. ( ullowhcc. N.C, 2872.V The Western Carolinian is published weekly at the Mountaineer Press n Waynesville, N.C. Subscriptions arc $10 per year for alumni and Big Cat Club Members. Sl(> lor all others. Editor: Heather Ftt\ Business Manager: J<» r-'ourmer Sports Editor: Mark Haskett Circulation Manager: Danell 4rmM Layout: Donna Mi (lure. Heather Frey. Mark Haskeu Photographers: /)«„„, Batten Mark Haskett Reporters: jerr\ \tuhel Sports Writer: Hilh Uraham Typesetters: James "Rabbit" Baker Sue Si /iln^.-i Maureen Murphi Katln Sutlltun Mien Hiothl dan Vrrrm A d Design: Ad Sales Cartoonist Lisa Remliard Brad Moses Jeff Burch Kerr\ Jenkins being the importance of a friendship and the other being how fatal driving while drinking can be. The later idea came to me because of the upcoming alcohol awareness week. After trying to decide which one to write on, I realized they both go hand-in- hand. A friendship can be broken when you let a friend get behind the wheel after he's been drinking. I realize, because of past experiences of my own, that it is hard to take a friends keys away in order to prevent him from driving while intoxicated, especially when they keep insisting they can drive. But the next morning after the alcohol had worn off, they were grateful for a friend that took responsibility for them and I was grateful to still have a friend—alive and well. Although at the time they were angry because I had taken their keys, I realized it was for their own good. While misunderstandings and hurt feelings can develop in any close Continued on page 10 President's Corner The Student Senate, last week, passed several pieces of legislation; one of which may have long lasting, positive effects on student input for years to come. They passed a resolution (19-2) drafted by the Executive Office recommending that the Faculty Senate allow student-conducted professor evaluations to be distributed in classrooms along with the standard departmental evaluations. The bill now goes to the Faculty Senate for consideration. Recognizing the fact that a move of this type will most likely be discussed for months before a decision is reached, we have decided to conduct the evaluations this semester even without classroom access in order to establish a student evaluation precedent from which to begin. It is our sincere desire that after this semester our evaluations will be distributed semesterly throughout all classrooms. On Monday, November 26, 1984 student-professor evaluations will be distributed throughout campus by both the Student Government Association and the Pre-Professional Health Club. Campus residents will receive evaluations in their mail boxes. Other forms will be made available in the cafeterias, on billboards, and in the SGA main office. You may either return the evaluatins to my office (second floor U.C.) or simply fold them across the dotted lines printed along the back and drop them in any campus mailbox. We are encouraging students to evaluate all of their current instructors. The information will be compiled over Christmas break and published before Spring Registration 1985; so all evaluations must be turned in before December 13, 1984. Please keep this in mind and help us. The evaluations will only be successful if we have good participation. In dealing with our ever- present parking problem, one complaint continues to surface: "There were no spaces near my dormitory because anywhere from ten to twenty freshmen were parked out of place." This is something that is not the fault of the Traffic and Security Committee but of the freshmen students. Realizing the enormity of the problem and remembering that we were all freshmen once, I've decided to do something about it. This week 1 will ask the senate to consider a resolution suggesting that the fine for freshmen parking in our spaces be increased to ten dollars, non- reduceable from the current fine of two dollars and fifty cents. lam sure that approximately one quarter of you may be infuriated with the idea. Make no doubt - understanding the situation and the possible repercussions, I support it. But I will put the question to the senate in order to get a representative response and then will carry on with their decision. Please consult with your respective Senator as to how you, as a constituent, would have his or her vote. Open House will be held again this weekend and again SGA will take part. Presidential Assistant, Mark Harrison, will be welcoming the visitors and other staffers will be assisting with tours. I also want to remind you again of the BACCHUS alternative beverage program to be held in Dodson on November 13 (4:00-6:00) and in which we will be participating. 1 will be leaving this Friday morning for a two day University of North Carolina Association of Student Government (UNCASG) President's meeting. This is the second of four such meetings. Items on the agenda this time include presentation by each president about his respective school, an introduction to the Board of Governors, a meeting with President Friday, and, oh yes - a football game. Thanks for your continued support. Rob Edwards SGA President Letters to the Editor To the editor: » 1 have no quarrel with the •Western Carolinian if it wants to print editorials that are sharply critical of President Reagan and his policies, as the piece " 'Think' and Vote Nov. 6" was. The newspaper certainly has a right to espouse whatever philosophy it wishes to. At the risk of sounding almost as condescending as the piece itself, however, I think several comments are in order: 1) Editorials should run on the editorial page. A radical concept, I know, but one that's only fair to the reader. 2) lt an opinion piece does appear on a news page, which the front page is in theory, the piece should be clearly labeled "opinion" or "analysis". lt should not masquerade as a news story minus the byline. Again, this seems only fair. 3) Accurate headlines should be written for editorials as well as news stories. The headline Think' and Vote Nov. 6" should have read, "Think and Vote for Mondale Nov. 6," as the piece obviously was expressing that opinion. 4) Some may disagree, but I think that most college students are capable of thinking for themselves. They don't need a disguised editorial telling them how to think or how to vote. By the time this is published the country will have chosen a president for the next four years. Regardless of who he is, I hope that in the future The Western Carolinian will limit editorials to the editorial page. I think most of its readers would welcome the change. Sincerely, Ben Anderson English Department To whom it may concern: This letter is in response to your front page article ("Think" and Vote Nov. 6) in last week's Western Carolinian. I hope your article was not intended to be an objective analysis of the presidential race. That "stimulating" article had about as much objectivity as Fritz Mondale has leadership ability. In fact, 1 would not be at all surprised if that article was written by Fritz himself (or maybe even his mother). I personally see nothing wrong with a newspaper endorsing a political candidate; however, I think it shows lack of journalistic credibility for an endorsement to be disguised as an objective analysis of the presidential race. Did you really believe that your readers would not be able to tell the difference? I noticed that your analysis of the "record" did not include anything about Mondale's "record." I must say that I do not blame you for failing to mention Mondale's past. In fact, I bet old Walter would even thank you for sparing everyone the agony of remembering Iran, Afghanistan, uncontrolled inflation, etc. I will admit that you did Walter Mondale a big favor, but in doing so you insulted the intelligence of each and every reader. If you had stated "Vote Mondale!" then I would have no objections to your article; however, by saying "Think'and Vote Nov.6" you are implying that those who "think" are for Mondale and those who do not "think" will vote Reagan. Your intellectual capacity overwhelms me. Face it—America is back,and Americans are tired of the ideas and policies advocated by bleeding heart liberals such as Walter Mondale, Ted Kennedy, Tip ONeil, and the Western Carolinian. Ronald Reagan is providing the leadership that this country so desperately needs. I know that most Americans will "think" before voting, and I predict a Reagan landslide. It may come as a shock to all of the liberal "Earth Mamas" and "Hep-Cats" down at the Western Carolinian, but a majority of the students are conservative. Your ideas would have fit in just fine back in the 1960's, but wake up! This is 1984. Please don't insinuate that your article reflects the views of most "thinking" students, because it certainly does not. The American people do not vote for the "image" or the "rhetoric". Americans vote their pocketbooks and, unfortunately for Walter Mondale, Americans have a good memory. The records of both candidats speak for themselves. Mondale is an ultra- liberal, while Reagan is a conservative. The Carter/ Mondale administration was a disaster, while the Reagan/ Bush administration is a success. This is what Americans "think" about. I would advise the editors of the Western Carolinian to just sit back in their bean-bag chairs, eat some granola bars, and watch reruns of "Ghandi" and "Woodstock", because it is obvious that you are out of touch with the realities of today. Meanwhile, the conservatives, under the leadership of President Continued on page 10 Sorry folks, i t uoas "Hie House '5 FAULT... rXJ&OKUOS

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: 1984-11-08
  • Date digitized: 2019-02-19
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 15"
  • Pages: 8 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_1984-11-08_Vol49_No14
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library