• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1990-09-20_Vol56_No06_03

Volume 56 Number 6 Voices The Western Carolinian Page 3 Thursday, September 20, 1990 John Marshall Dennis Editor-in-Chief Wandering Nomad will return in the Spring I wrote back in the summer that Nomad, after wandering off somewhere, was well on its way back to Western's campus and would be seen in the light of day sometime in November. That's all changed as of the new academic year at Western. The Nomad will not be out in November after all. But for sure in the spring. Yeah, I know, promises, promises. But this time I believe it may actually happen, a meeting was held in Belk Building between the literary and art staff members to discuss what each side wanted for the Nomad. What was finally decided after another meeting with the literary staff was that the 1990 issue would be held back until the 1991 issue was ready and the two would be combined into a double issue due out during the academic year in the spring and should coincide with the Cullowhee Arts Festival in April. Literary contributors as well as sponsors of Nomad should know that every attempt was made to publish the 1990 issue during the summer. But because of the lack of funds for this, a publication of quality the Nomad is used to was just not possible. What little remaining funds from the 1989-90 year will be combined with 1990-91 funds from the office of S tudent Development to publish the double issue. All this means what? First, the literary side of Nomad, of which I am a part, will hold a general interest meeting September 25 in Killian 104. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the Nomad staff is encouraged to attend. All majors should find magazine publishing a rewarding experience (especially when we get it finished this time). In the meantime, all writers and artists should be polishing up their works in order to submit them to the magazine. The call for works will be going out shortly. Lisa Majors Letters to the Editor Credit goes to Financial Aid Caring attitude impresses students r I am writing in response to the article in the August 27, 1990 issue of the Western Carolinian concerning the excellent credit history of Western students. I am not surprised that the loan default rate at Western is so low. After all, when you have people in an office who really care, and really try to help students, and when students receive a quality education that allows them to become personally and financially successful, how can they not want to repay what they owe? Allow me to put this in a personal perspective. In the spring of 1986, at age 35, my life seemed to have come to a standstill. For the past four years, I had suffered through a series of going-nowherejobs. My self-confidence and self-esteem were at an all- time low. I knew I needed a change of careers, so I applied and was accepted at WCU. When I discovered that I was turned down for a Pell Grant, I was devastated! How could I ever hope to afford college? I wept bitter tears, thinking that all was lost. A friend who was somewhat knowledgeable about the "ways of the financial aid system" suggested that I go to the financial aid office at Western to ask about loan money. As I entered the financial aid office, I choked back my nervousness and apprehension. I feared rejection, and the cold aloofness that often accompanies any bureaucracy. I quickly discovered that my fears were needless. After explaining my plight to Ms. Yvonne Ferguson, I was taken to the office of Mr. Glenn Hardesty, who took the time to sit down and talk to me about the "system", and about my life in general. He made me feel completely at ease, and helped me through my financial "crisis." By the time I left his office, I had been assured of enough loan money and work/study money to get me through my first year of school. To think that someone would have that kind of faith and trust in someone he didn't even know! I was elated! It is important to note that this had been my first person-to- person contact with an employee from Western. I was very impressed with the sincere caring and helpfulness of Mr. Hardesty and his staff. I was treated like a person, not like a number. This initial positive experience set the mood for many other positive interactions with Western staff and faculty. This is one student who is thoroughly satisfied with the "system," and with the education that I have received. As I prepare to leave Western to begin my career as a speech- language pathologist, I often think back to that first experience with the Financial Aid Office. I am so grateful for the help that has been given to me throughout my college career by Financial Aid. I couldn't have made it without them! I want all of the folks at Financial Aid to know that they are appreciated by myself and by many other students. Keep up the good work. Sandra K. Butt "N Freshmen penalized in Fall Rush Waiting until Spring would give students a chance T/te Western CaroCinian Western Carolina University The Old Student Union P.O. Box 66 Cullowhee, NC 28723 John Marshall Dennis Editor-in-Chief Laura Lee Adams Assistant to the Editor Associate Editors Jeffrey L. Oakes- Copy Editor Lisa Majors - News Tony Bolick- Sports Douglas R Pease - Design & Layout Design & Layout Stephanie L. Messer Photographer Jonathan Fondow Typesetters Emily Gill Sheila Sharp Kim Miller Business Manager Kendra A. Blackwell I Advisor John Moore Writers David Lange Michelle Mathis Cassandra Barnett Suzanne Kenndell Robbie Robertson Chris A. Smith Robert Sorrells Emily Gill Advertising Sales & Design & Layout Mike Bernstein Christa Humphrey J It's Friday night on campus, and sounds of revelry permeate the darkness. All week it's been like this: noisy laughter, happy whoops from passing cars, gut-thumping music, and conspicuous fun. Every few minutes, it seems, I hear the grind of shifting gears as an ancient firetruck lumbers up the hill, covered with students. Handbills fill every bulletin board, and hand-lettered exhortations crowd car windows. What's wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. It's an annual ritual known as "rush," and besides providing a great excuse for parties, it gives Greek organizations a chance to get to know — and be known by — prospective members. For many students, rush offers a chance to choose the fraternity or sorority where they best fit in; for others (like myself at 18), it pledge. In either case, it's a healthy process. I have only one suggestion: let's move rush to the spring semester. Freshmen have enough adjustments to make during their first semester at college without adding the pressure of rush. Most of them are still getting used to sleeping in a dorm and eating strange food and studying more than they ever to make such a serious decision when they're already feeling overwhelmed? Why not give them a chance to get settled first, personally and academically? The social side of college is important, but you can't have a social life here if you bomb out after one semester. Having rush in the spring would help students keep their priorities straight. Other universities have culminates in a decision not to dreamed necessary. Why force them successfully adopted this plan. At Vanderbilt, for example, students strongly endorse spring rush. They say it gives them some breathing room — and more time to get to know Greek organizations in an unhurried, informal way. Let's give the idea some thought. After all, spring rush would also liven up those boring weeks after Christmas break. Terrye Newkirk Leftist professors should stick to teaching Leave political indoctrination to government officials It seems rather ironic nowadays that we hear shouts of protest from the political Left over what they perceive to be the unfair practice of the Right in imposing extreme views on others, when in fact it is the Left who actually engages in the most deceitful form of propaganda—the imposing of its political views on college students. In transferring to WCU from another state university, I had hoped to escape the ignorant political rhetoric of professors who were teaching NOT the subject matter of the course, but rather their own political beliefs. For example, at my former college I was sitting in a film studies course when out of the clear blue the professor launched into a speech detailing the virtues and pleasures of flag burning. I was under the impression that in a film studies course you actually discussed and studied films. Evidently, I was grossly mistaken. Secure in my belief that professors at WCU would be above such childishness, I held no apprehension in transferring here. Again, I was grossly mistaken. This past week my theatre professor was talking about the different faces we wear in life: the face we wear around our parents as opposed to the one we wear at fraternity or sorority functions. He then brought up presidents and the acting they do, specifically mentioning Ronald Reagan's past as a Hollywood B-movie actor, and how he used that training as president. A very good analogy by all accounts. But then the professor launched into a tirade against Reagan, his economic policies, and his administration in general, informing us of the doom and the destruction that await us as we grow into mature, tax-paying adults. He then finally confessed his left-leaning political sensibilities, as if any doubt still existed. Let's face it, this is ridiculous. Since when did an appreciation of theatre require discussion of economic policies of former presidents? And I use the term "discussion" lightly. Had the professor allowed true discussion of such a topic (even though it has nothing whatsoever to do with the course), perhaps it would have seemed a bit more fair. We don't pay thousands of dollars in college tuition to hear a professor espouse his or her political beliefs. We pay that money in order to gain a well-rounded education. A person's political beliefs will form on their o wn. No prodding is needed from so-called intellectuals. Let's require teachers to get back to their original job. What we need is teaching, not indoctrinating. Joshua Standi The Western Carolinian welcomes editorial input from students, faculty, and staff on matters of public interest. Please address correspondence to: Voices P.O. Box 66 Cullowhee, NC 28723 All submissions will be considered, but The Western Carolinian reserves the right to refuse publication of offensive Or otherwise unsuitable material The Carolinian is not responsible for opinions expressed on the Editorial Page. (f Student On The Street Do you think the declining balance meal plan is a good idea? If not, what other options should the cafeteria offer? Name: David Curlee Home town: Wilmington Major: Criminal Justice Year: Sophomore No, we need a Triple A food service. An all-u-can-eat buffet at a set price. We need better quality food, not what the school provides. Name: Janet Helderman Hometown: Mocksville Major: Management Year: Junior Yes, they should let the student decide on the prices. Not all students can afford the set prices now. The money left over should be refunded. Right now it's just wasted. Name: Jessica Flowers Hometown: Pittsboro Major: Psych./Criminal Justice Year: Junior No, we shouldn't have to pay the full amount. We should be able to pay into an open account. Students who have money unused should DEFINITELY get a refund. Name: Sophia Feaster Hometown: Gastonia Major: Criminal Justice Year: Senior I feel that it is not a good idea because Western doesn't offer the better food services like Appalachian. If they did, students would appreciate it more. We need a better variesty of food to choose from. Name: Jim West Hometown: Littleton Major: Social Science/Education Year: Senior Yes, I feel that the new system offers me the chance to use my card freely and when I want to. Best of all I get to see where my money is truly going to. It would, however, be nice to get back the money that is not used. Name: Les Moore Hometown: Harnett County Major: Natural Resource Managt. Year: Senior No. If you don't get your money back for what you don't eat, then you're getting ripped off. ^ 4>

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: 1990-09-20
  • Date digitized: 2019-09-30
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • 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_1990-09-20_Vol56_No06
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library