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by stephen foster

The nolonger silent majority (?) was finally heard last week. Mr. Nixon should be gratified —- it’s not often he finds people with. the same mental capacity as his vice-president. It’s easy to see why the “majority”: has remained silent for so long -— and why they should have continued to do so. In the words of the immortal Peter Wariian, last-but- one president of the CUS, “the assininity and fut- ility of mental masturbation is self-evident.”

Other statements preceding this article should include that I am not a member of the (Education Committee. I do, however, sympathize with their intentions. It is about time the stud‘ents’ union con. templated action along the lines outlined by the Education Committee. I hope the movement toward action will not be killed by the people still willing to drag their feet, ignoring the realities of the situation around them.

THE PREAMBLE

On the 15th of November I pick-ed up a copy of the “proposed revision of activities and budget of UPEI student education committee”. I recom- mend i-t as highly amusing trivia to those who have so far managed to pass it up. The ration'alizations are enlightening to say the least.

In the first paragraph (p. 2) the: anonymous writers declare that an Education Committee is re- levant but should not be given its present high priority. I might ask What the priorities of stud- ents attending university should be if the leading one is not to be education? Evidently athletics, cheerleading, campus police, etc. should: all come first. I thought education was the basic function, of the university — and the search ,for knowledge, truth, etc. the primary objective of the student, indeed the whole academic community. But no, I learn student committees come first. It’s a strange, strange world we live in, to quote a former hit record.

While I can see the “majority’s” point about possible overlapping, in one case, I do not feel they have “made a case for the 50% plus cut-s they ad- vocate. More on that later. A

It is also contended that the Development Plan and other agencies (presumably Government) could, and" would, deal with some of the projects more ef- ficiently and effectively. Somehow I doubt that. I’ve never felt that government’s were models of efficiency and effectiveness. There is also the dan- ger that the Plan will become a political football—— which would negate some of its value as far as accomplishing things goes.

PLEASE NOTE The CADRE office number has been changed to 894-9585

spiderelephant —— an

Pior amler’s SPIDERELEPHAN creates a fantastic science fiction. universe in whlch the animal which is part spider and) part elephant —-- searches for his genetic

CHARLOTTETOWN, P. E. 1.

NOVEMBER 28, 1969

or the results- iof:no-t-so-siile’nt

I really begin tolwonder when I see the equa-

tion between leftist and useless. The rationalizas

tion escapes me. If the people involved here are concerned with the left I might point out that the Plan they espouse could be said to have its origins with Marx —— certainly the Soviet Union’s five-year, ten-year plans are fore-runners of the fifteen year plan. I suggest a study of some sort into the his- tory and philosophies of the left and less emphasis on the Readers Digest type of hysteria.

THE BUDGET

Community Work

The cutting out of the rent’money and trans- portation costs is minor. I think, however, that it would be better to leave the $50.00 in, in case a hall is not donated and in the event transportation difficulties arise. I would hate to see such a worth-

«while endeavour lost because of such a small

amount. The writers contend that it is “generally” felt (on what basis?) that these people should solve such internal problems themselves. I think it is better to spend the $50.00 to ensure a start. instead of forcing unnecessary problems into their path. At a later date the responsibility for these matters could and should be solved internally —— but let’s start by giving them a bit of a break.

The “rationale” behind the elimination of the Farmers’ Union grant is ridiculous. While farmers may not be interested in student problems today they could become interested if students showed interest and sympathy toward‘ their problems. Don’t forget, and I see you haven’t completely, farmers have children —— and if your enrollment figures are correct, then they should be more concerned than anyone about student problems. The other 40 % of the student body is not really familiar with the problems of the farmer — in an agricultural so- ciety I think it is imperative that they learn. about those problems. If we work together, from a point of mutual understanding, then possibly we can help each other solve our respective problems. The pro- blem with the Plan. has been pointed out earlier in this article.

Literature )

I notice in a number of cases you put the bur- den of printing material on the back of the CADRE. I think this is wrong for a couple of reasons. First, you are taking up space that could) be devoted to particular local problems and second, national groups have lower printing costs. While the CADRE pays between $40 - 50 per page the ICUS can give you 2000 copies of an article (eg. Student as Nig— ger) at the same price — or cheaper. I also believe that we should set up a separate library for par- ticular periodicals, reference material, etc. so that

it will be on hand for immediate use. Specific.

items could then be marked or clipped and placed

in files for future use. These could be usedl to sup-

plement the library’s holdings.

identity. Kamler’s film from Paris is one of the 26 films from, ten countries included: in “The Kinetic Art,” the threenprogram film series which will open Sunday, December 7th, in the Duffy

Amphitheatre.

mentally masturbation

High Schools

The situation in high schools is generally in- tolerable. It may be getting better, in some cases, but very slowly. I do not agree we should be over- ly concerned with public displeasure if we happen to start high school students agitating for needed reforms. The university should not follow a given society; it should lead. A certain amount of back- lash always accompanies action — we should not back down in the face of censure promoted by self- interest and ignorance. I also do not agree that we should be concerned with by AU-OC. If we must curb our freedom, our action, and our rights as individuals then we should not be in oper- ation at all. I think this is just a red herring any- way, accreditation is quite routine, except in a few

, cases — none of which include community involve-

ment. The high school visitation programs in the past have been successful only within their limi- tations —— a broader program is necessary — yes- terdlay.

cc and a-c

I think the course critiques and the anti-calen- dar could be combined, to a certain extent. The findings should be reported to the Senate for use as one guideline in determing re—hiring or firing of faculty. Obviously if a prof gets bad reports for three years running then there must be something wrong —‘ either with the students or the prof. Evaluations of the courses should be printed: in an anti-calendar. The outlines of courses in the cal-en- dar are sometimes wrong and, more important, the student has a right to know what other students have thought of the course.

communications

As pointed out before the CADRE cannot be expected to handle the total‘communications need of the campus. Nor will a radio help —- not this year at any- rate. It is necessary to provide for mote outlets of information. This need not continue ad infinitum — as the newspaper gets better and big- ger, and when a radiois in operation it may be possible to cut back this expenditure. Not this year, however. 7 ,

slow and tell

’Ilhere is a definite need for more speakers, films, and teachdins. There is no need to cut back on these items. If there is a lack of interest today among students for these events interest will not

~ be achieved by cutting down on. the activities. There

are students who are interested 5 why should they be deprived? Possibly going for quality rather than quantity is a good idea (re speakers). If,’ on. the other hand, we can get qualified people, at cheap rates, then by all means we should do so.

bzzz - b-xxx

If the Union is prepared to pay for office sup— plies and telephone calls then this item could be eliminated. Agreement should} be reached between th Union and the Committee before it is out“; This will prevent needless hassles at a later date.

hired help v ’ \ A full time researcher is not a luxury — he

is a necessity. The person would be of use to the

student body as a whole. He, or she, could act as

coordinator for the various projects as well as a researcher. My only question would relate to» the

possibility of getting a person for such a small

amount. It can. be done- but the people interested are few in numbers -— in other words We should act fast. The chairman’s honorarium should be in line

:with the work done. If the full—time person is out ‘then tuition should be the least amount offered. With a full-time person $255.00 seems to be a‘

reasonable figure.

HOW

I think there is a definite need for a strong Education Committee, not an. emasculated one as the “majority proposes. The time has come for resL pons-ible, positive action. We must start to leave the ivory tower in order to maintain contact with

the realities of the world around us. The search“

for truth, for the “good” (in the Platonic Sense), has been dropped} from the university curriculum. We must start that search again. —— but we must be active at the same time, accomplishing what is possible. And let us not forget the “majority” when we act. They need help as urgently as the under-privileged — possibly they need more help.