EDITORIAL! Oh villanous Poli-Sci Students

Well here I go back up on my editorial soap-box to pontificate another unpopular appeal.

THREE! Count the little buggers! Three wonderful Letters to the Editor this week. Not only that, but I’ve got two personal opinion columns to squeeze in as well. I don’t know if I can take this sudden reversal of my perception of UPEI students as being apathetic. Not EVERY student at UPEI cares only their marks; a few out there get mad, or want to communicate, and are not afraid to bring up an issue or two.

My warmest congratulations to Darrell Cole, Dawn Lewis, and the two ‘names withheld’ letter writers for their submis- sions. You’re brave indeed to confront the Great UPEI Apathy Dragon.

But there’s more out there.

This week I’ll point a bony finger of accusation at those major- ing in Political Studies — perhaps the most politically aware students at UPEI. In their nest on the 3rd floor of Main some great discussions go on, I’m sure. National concerns, local mat- ters, and even (gasp) university concerns, if such a thing really exists, are probably debated with fanatical fervor. I say ‘proba- bly debated’ because who would know? Outside of this close-knit group of intellectual cynics, which students get to benefit from the analytic ability Political Studies, I assume, provides? Cer- tainly not readers of the Gem, which includes almost the entire Faculty and students of this University. So who’s left?

Responses to Editorials are encourged. Tack them to the door of the Gem office with a dagger, or drop them at the SU office in the Barn.

Lett epee...

Editor:

Apathy and ignorance, or just plain stupidity? Last Thursday evening was the Main Event of the Winter Carnival. The Hop- ping Penguins received comments ranging from “different kind of music - but I liked it just the same” to “fantastic! I only hope the Student Union can get them to come back again for senior week”. The Hopping Penguin event had a small turn out - not due to the caliber of the entertainment - but due to everyone’s favourite - Jim’s.

I cannot understand why anyone would miss “a main event” put on especially for the students, when “new Jim’s” is re- opening. It seems so stupid. Sure, everyone is curious what the new place looks like, but Jim’s is not going anywhere. It’ll be right there by the bank - where you get your money to pay the “new” higher prices. The Penguins have left - back to the South Pole, Isuppose. And what good did anyone really get from going to the new Jim’s on it’s opening night? A really crowded bar where people waited endlessly in lines for canned music and a Palm Tree in the middle of the floor. Surely, for just one night, you could have relaxed and gone to the Barn - where there’s room to move and the people are there to entertain you - not to make

Consider it: you missed a live band, comfortable breathing space, inexpensive entertainment, and a generally good time for what: a media-hyped, cramped and congested opening of an establishment who’s sole purpose is to extract the money from your pocket. Face it, if Jim’s was losing money, you can damn well bet it wouldn’t be open long. No way, it’d undergo another face lift. The Barn is owned and operated by the Student Union. It’s there so that you have somewhere on campus to enjoy a good time - where any of the profits made must go towards serving you better as students.

I certainly hope you had as much fun at Jim’s as you expected. Name withheld by request

“Weck, MISTER LETS- BRBAk ~ THE~ STUDENTS OUT-OF -THIMR-ReATHY, ANY mong izeas?"

SUBMISSIONS

Many submissions to the Gem are unsigned. Sadly, these must be put in a file folder marked ‘Gutless’ in hopes the author will somehow make himself known to the editor. Unsigned letters CAN NOT be printed. However, The Gem respects the desire of contibutors to remain anonymous and so WILL NOT print the author’s name, if so requested.

The Gem eagerly seeks submissions from readers. After all, you are why this paper is printed. Simply include your NAME

and ADDRESS on submissions and, if you wish, indicate clearly °

that you do not want your name used.

Drop submissions at the SU office in The Barn, at Rm. 401 Main Bldg, orif you compute, send it through VAX Mail to GEM. Deadline for all submissions is 5 pm Friday, except for computer submitted ones, which can be sent as late as Monday, 12 noon.

Dear Editor:

PATHETIC! This must be the noisiest library in Canada. Don’t believe me? Ask other students who have attended other universities. At times, last semester and this semes-

ter, one could have moved the “snake ‘pit” (library lounge) into the Library’s main lobby and one could not tell the dif- ference in the tone of talk.

At other university libraries you can hear a pin drop ay

place, any time. More then once I’ve had to tell people to shut up, politely or SSSHHHH them when I didn’t feel like making a spectacle of myself. A lot of students gather at a friend’s carrel and jaw, not paying too close attention to their neigh- bor’s “quiet space.” The can do this just as well in the snake pit and would not be disturb- ing anyone. ;

I’n not saying anyoneis per- fect; I jaw myself, but I try to keep the conversation as short as possible — 5 minutes max- imum — and I talkin a whisper rather than talking out loud. The conversation is even shor- ter around exam time. What is a library for?

Aconcerned student _ (Name and address withheld)

Sir:

Atthe recent student council meeting, we were honoured with the presence of the Minis- ter of Education, Betty Jean Brown.

During a very informative question and answer period, the minister noted that due to rapid changes in job require- ments and specializations over the next 10 years, more mature and part-time students will make up the population of the university student body.

The next MAPUS meeting will be after the spring break

"here rs 3.

on Tuesday, March 3rd in the

Bernardine MAPUS Lounge TOIN US

downstairs at 7:00 pm. See you THE GEM THE GEM there! THE GEM _ THE GEM THE GEM THE GEM THE GEM THE GEM

Vivian Huizenga MAPUS Council Rep

Student Services Relocated

The Dept. of Student Services is now located in the Robertson Library — 1st floor (space pre- viously occupied by Computer Centre). This is a temporary move due to renovations taking place in Main Bldg.

Wanted:

15,000 young Canadian volunteers to fast during Water for the World weekend; February 20-22, to help save the lives of children around the world.

To apply, call toll-free: 1-800-268-3950

No Experience Necessary Call Now! Water For The World

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Thursday, February 5th 1987 ==