The best part of the Chr- istmas fever which strikes campus about this time of year is the thought of going home. What this means in translation is getting out of this place for a few weeks in order to get your sanity back before the next semester. fix
The last four weeks on campus are unbearable. All the term papers, essays, book reports, assignments, seminar reports, required readings and general all around cramming takes place
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I'm for apathy. This is a peculiar statement to make. Surely it is self contra- dictory. How can an apathetic person be “for” anything? How can he be "for" apathy? Perhaps, then, I should call this c defence of.apathy. Apathy...apathy. The word is over used and much mal— igned. It has become a scape- goat for a multitude of sins. It is particularly popular with politicians — success- ful and otherwise. Let's look at apathy in a rather narrow political context{ Student political hope-
fuls (here in U.P.E.I. and elsewhere) often lament the low percentage of the stud— ent body which turns out for student council elections. "No one cares", they wail. "Apathy" they moan. But could they not look at the other side of the coin? What Student politician has look- ed into the mirror and ask- Ed himself,"Am I so uninsp- iring, so insipid that I
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in these last few weeks. But when that day finally rolls around when you can say "Thank God, I'm finally finished", the next immedi— ate thought is usually about goin' home.
Christmas break is that time of year when you get to visit all the kids you ‘went to high school with, all your relatives, your next-door neighbours, your grandmother, the people you used to "go with" and of course the family dog. There are also all the other thi-
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I think not. Apathy is Blam— ed; it's easier than facing .unacceptable truths about oneself.
Why can't the apathy mongers look upon the stud- ent electorate as a geolog- ist looks upon the earth? The latter knows there is a great potential of oil energy in the earth. He must tap it. The electorate
_contains a great potential
in votes. This must be tap- ped. The unsuccessful cand- idate rarely admits that he did not have the key. It's more convenient and face-saving to blame the ogre Apathy.
Perhaps apathy is a bless-
ing in disguise. Perhaps it's
the hidden force (or lack of force) which keeps things running quietly, although rarely smoothly. Why disturb the slumber of the student electorate? Those who bemoan the lack of interest in campus affairs may be the very ones devoured when the
inonsteriAgtivism‘rears its
gyggye apathy
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~3The Cadre, Tues, Dec,3,197h, page 5
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ngs which go along in goin" home for Christmas. Christ— mas shopping, cleaning the house, finding and decorat— ing the tree, wrapping and delivering gifts, visiting the liquor store for holiday supplies, and making plans for New Year's Eve. Even- though there is all this "work" entailed, it's not really work. I guess it's the spirit of the season that hits us all. That's what makes Christmas diff— erent from any other time of year. Through all the commercialism that comes with the Christmas season these days, the spirit of the whole thing doesn't seem
to change.
The whole world recognizes this phenomena, because even wars are halted for Christmas. It's the one day
alone. It's never done any— thing to you.
An Apathy Club anyone? No one is welcome and there will be no executive, no
A
of the year when everything and everybody seems to be at peace. Maybe we should have Christmas everyday.
It would sure make a nice change.
I
Have a great and peaceful holiday. Jo.
This weeks "Poke in the Ribs" goes to Rachael "THE FACE" Roy. She showed great style and finesse when she fell under the table at the Granada Lounge last
'Friday night.
Mention should also go to Bruce "peanuts" Matheson who probably broke the world's "waitress tipping" record. A ten cent tip for a bag of peanuts?
The Granada awaits their return.
minutes, not even a meeting. I won't write any more now because I can't be bothered. Apathy, don'* you know?
R.J. Wass
International Sqnir II Egypt
The World University Ser- .vice of Canada annually sponsors an international seminar. Last year, the seminar was held in the Caribbean and was attended by U.P.E.I. Home Economics student, Glenda MacWilliams, along with students and fac— ‘ulty from all across Canada.
Next year's seminar will ‘be held in Egypt during July and August of 1975. This is a unique opportun— ity for both travel and serious interdisciplinary learning.
The focus of the seminar in 1975 will be on five major areas:
1. Egyptian culture 2. Agricultural Development
3. Energy and Natural Resources
4. Tourism
5. Health, Education and Welfare
Students from all disci- plines and faculties are invited to apply. About fifty students and faculty from across Canada will be selected for the seminar and will work in Egypt with students and faculty from the host country.
Applications and further information can be obtained from Professor Andy Robb, Main 409. Applications sho- uld be completed and retur— ned to the above by Dec 19.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A UNIQUE FORM OF LEARNING AND THE CHANCE FOR AN UNUSUAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE.