The Stetson Reporter

Vol. 83 Friday, March 19, 1971 No. 22 Student Bill Of Rights Given Eds. Note—As the student responsible for the presentation of this document, Chobee Ebbets feels it necessary to forward this short explanation of it's purpose before it is read. AN EXPLANATION... BY CHOBEE EBBETS The following is presented in the interest of the entire Stetson community. The spirit of presentation is one of an opportunity to create a definite manner in which student affairs may be carreid out. It does not mean that these interests or what are termed rights have all been violated. What it suggests is that a definite statement need be presented and understood by all factions of this University community. Please read it carefully and critically so _that when it is time to consider it for. university policy the mistakes of apathy and misunderstanding will not occur. Finally this is not an issue which simply concerns the student, it is hoped that faculty, administrators, benefactors parents and alumni will weigh these words that we for a lack of better phrases call our rights and responsibilities. PREAMBLE WE BELIEVE... . John B. Stetson University was founded on the Highest ideals of Christian character and intellectual purpose. As such she stands as a vessel seeking truth, creating understanding, acquiring knowledge and providing hope for those that are listed on her roles and the World in which she was constructed. Such a pursuit is ambitious and only when incorporated with the strength of our nation's belief can those goals be attained. It is therefore necessary for the institution, Stetson University, to perpetuate, those freedoms of expression, belief, inquiry, and action if the atmosphere of a country based on basic individual rights and responsibilities is expected to continue. These same goals are the bulwark for such an institution and it is only in that pursuit for truth and the application of critical judgement Parents Weekend Set Stetson University's thirteenth annual Parents' Weekend is set for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the DeLand campus with hundreds of parents expected to attend this year. Friday activities will include the Stover Theater production of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," directed by Mrs. Marjorie Gilbert, which will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Stetson's 1971 "Follies" will be held at 8 p.m. on the same nights in Elizabeth Hall Auditorium. Registration has been scheduled for Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ' Saturday's events will get under way with a morning coffee in the garden of the president's home for parents, faculty, and administration from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A seminar for parents of students planning year abroad participation will be held at 11:15 a.m. in th Carlton Union Building, followed by a students "Clothesline Art Show" which will be exhibited from 12 to 3 p.m. near Holler Fountain. Highlights of the day's activities will be "Stetson Today and Tomorrow," an informal panel discussion by administration, faculty and students concerning the present and future aims of the university. President Johns will address parents at the 2 p.m. meeting in Elizabeth Hall Auditorium. Open houses in the departmental offices and residence halls will be held from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. following the baseball game between the Stetson Hatters and the University of Cincinnati at 2 p.m. in Conrad Park. Stetson's newly-formed religious folk-rock group "The Rich Experience" will provide entertainment during the Baptist Student Union talent show at 4 p.m. in Allen Hall Auditorium. Parents and students can gather for an informal coffee hour at 9:30 p.m. in the Stetson Room of the Carlton Union Building. Fraternities will hold open houses at 10:30 p.m. Parents weekend will end Sunday morning with a leisurely continental breakfast hosted by student deans Etter Turner, Dean of Women & George Borders, Dean of Men in the Garden Room of the Carlton Union Building from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. ■ Heading this years' program are co-chairmen Kristi Bet- tendorf, Miami Beach and Ron Bostic, Jacksonville. Other committee members are registration: Rod Hanson, Orange City and Teresa Deen, Charlotte N.C; arrangements: Harland Merriam, Tampa; play: Lourelene Snedeker, DeLand; contental breakfast: Judie Hill, Jacksonville and Kay Miller, Tallahassee; reservations: Judy Bohl, Gulf Breeze, Fla. and Richard Herman, Sarasota, Fla. open houses: Lance Loria, Sarasota and Judy Green W. Palm Beach; Follies: Terrell Wimberley, Mayo and Paula Slusher, Raleigh, N.C. faculty coffee. and coffee hour; Lisa Statham, Brandon, publicity: Tom Hill, Vero Beach and Mary Smith, DeLand. that the aforementioned members of the institution can find true freedom. However no individual right was ever established without a more heavily weighted responsibilty upon, the persons claiming that right or freedom. The freedom to teach is reflected by the responsibility of providing a curriculum which provokes thought, by a faculty which is not limited by race, color or creed and by an administration which is ready to promote advancement when it is in the benefit of the goals of the University. The freedom to learn is only valuable when the student accepts the responsibility of applying that knowledge to ' the improvement of himself and his society. A wasted idea only gathers dust in one's mind and that dust pollutes the good that mind could have created. Any institution is established with certain rules by which the academic community is governed. Neither the rules nor the student should interfere with the pursuit of education and free thought, and neither should they be left stagnant, but always subject to reason and change which are the tools, of preservation. Never should change be decided by a few, but only the power of the majority of Stetson's academic community which hereafter shall refer to the administrators, faculty, benefactors and students. Only by them can the rights be limited or advanced. Finally it is the responsibility of each of those constituents of the community to-live by the rules which are created for the ECO Plans Earth Day On Tuesday, March 16, the Environmental Concern Organization (ECO) had its third meeting in its preparation for a campus observance of the second national Earth Day which will be held on April 22. OUver Walling was chosen as the chairman of the organization. ECO is planning an educational assault on ecologically poor practices and aiming at a year- • round recycling program. The immediate plans for Earth Day include: a collection of aluminum cans; classroom discussion in the morning; environmental films, information booths and demonstrations in the afternoon; and a main speaker in the evening. (Continued On Page 2) expediency of her goals and that those rules be consistent with the society which this institution desires to improve. IN LIGHT OF THESE BELIEFS^ WE ADVANCE THE FOLLOWING -PRIMARY BELIEFS I. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION That in pursuit of academic freedom the student has the right to express his opinions either verbally or in print and that the content of the expression being only limited when it infringes the rights and actions of other members of the academic community. This expression is basic to the beliefs an individual holds and therefore one should fear no reprisal for a statement which has. been properly forwarded by speech or pen. B. That it is the responsibilty that when one expresses an opinion that he consider the manner in which it is extended and has investigated in an academic fashion the subject about which the opinion is voiced. An open distortion of truth should expect the legal consequences, Florida Barge Canal Resumed Colonel A.S. Fullerton, Army District Engineer at Jacksonville, announced that authority has been received to resume work on the Culvert Structure at the Inglis Lock Bypass Channel near Inglis, Florida. The work is part of the Cross-Florida Barge Canal project which was recently halted by Presidential order. The culvert was being enlarged to increase the flow of water into the lower Withlacoochee River and was not directly related to navigation on the canal. Construction was thirty percent complete when halted. Cost for completing the work will be about $18,500 more than it would have cost to terminate the contract entirely. By completing the work, all options for future disposition of the western end of the canal can be considered. Stetson Wins Regional Discussion Contest for this institution.realizes that the pursuit of truth is inherent to progress but the practice of truth is necessary to existence. C. It is expected that when a member of the school press expresses an opinion and signs his name to it, that he can feel free from censorship at any level except when that statement is a jeopardy to the rights of others. Further it is the responsibility of Ihe administration not to practice censorship of. any nature congruent with the above nor to practice official action aimed at controlling editorial policy. D. The freedom to gather in support of causes which whether or not widely followed are orderly maintained and that said assembly does not-disrupt the regular and essential operation of the university. E. Finally, beliefs whether expressed by an individual or a group should not reflect the institution but be accountable only to the student or organization which forwarded. Continued On Page 16 Last year Stetson entered the National Contest in Public Discussion on the topic: "What should be the. roll of the University in American society." Stetson took first place in her region, and advanced to, the semifinals. This year five different Stetson students, enteredin the same contest and again took first in their region. The topic this year is: How can our society best deal with the problem of pollution. The discussion was taped here at Stetson and sent to three different judges; it took first place every time. The discussion will now be finals along with the First and entered in the National Semi- Second. Place winners of each region. The tape will be sent to three more judges: this time it must take First place in each round to qualify for the Finals. Stetson will be competing with eleven other schools; among' these are: Purdue University, Wisconsin State University, University of Houston, West Virginia. Iowa State, Fresno State, and Bradley University. Of these schools only 3 will .qualify for the finals. Participating in the contest representing Stetson are Bob Bugg, Sharon Beasley, Randy Klein, Mark Cleeland, and Chobee Ebbetts.