Broward Community College - Silver Sands Yearbook (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

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HE Comte Joseph Marie de Maistre, a nine- :eenth century diplomat remarked that, Every :ountry has the government it deserves. Assuming that Mssr. de Maistre was correct, and we have no reason to believe that he was not, it is also safe to assume that the same can be said of a student body on a somewhat smaller scale. l Before we even begin to examine the question of who deserves whom we must first accept the fact :hat too large a number of students have no concept Jf a Student Government whatsoever. As tragic as :his might seem it points up the fact that these :tudents either don't wish to have a voice or they frouldn't care less - the latter hypothesis being the ore likely. Needless to say, this situation presents limitless pportunities to drag out trite axioms like, Of the eople, by the people and for the people, etc. ad finitum. As for those students who have taken notice of 'he SGA most of them have pointed an accusing inger and charged ineptitude. Although this charge s not altogether untrue it is, for the most part, ianfair. If the SGA has been inept in the past, and most certainly has been, it is not because of lack ,mf good intention or lack of effort but rather due to a lack of communication with the student. And iere is where we can finally place the blame with omeone. Communication is a two way street and the BGA has never hesitated to make use of all the acilities at hand to bring the Student Government o the students. It's just that for some unexplainable feason the students have resisted all efforts to be :ommunicated with. With each new fall term comes the hope that this might be the year that the SGA reaches its Jotential and no one ever seems to be too surprised hen the semester ends and everyone says, What GA? And why should they be surprised? The SGA .ponsored the dances that they never attended. The BGA threw the picnic that only a fraction of the itudent body attended. It was the SGA that was responsible for the political forums that tempted grand total of fifteen or sixteen people. And who as it that served as arbitrator when the students requested better food but lacked the courage and he means to do something about it? The Student p overnment Association. l Because no one showed up for the dances, be- ause local, state and national politicians spoke to n empty house and because the food situation is till far from ideal the SGA has been accused of efficacy. But, we know where the real blame be- ngs. The present SGA administration has been active may not be seem to be the correct either Presi- Jean Holder over the summer and although they better than past administrations they finally attacking the problem from angle-the student. When approached, dent Terry LaBelle or Vice-President will state vehemently that they cannot operate effectively or reach their full potential without the assistance and support of the student body. To admit this is already the start of a decisive if minor, victory. If problem is half the half way to go. More than ever to the student and the students forget that. Calendars of special events will be made available to everyone and SGA's Publicity Committee doesn't intend to let anyone rest until they at least know What's going on. As in the past all Student Government Associa- tion meetings will be open to the public but for the first time the veil of aloofness that hung per- petually over the SGA will be lifted. In our American society an individual accused of a crime is entitled to a fair trial before a jury of his peers. To find an entire body guilty of the crime of incompetence Without this trial would be an unspeakable injustice. Therefore you, the stu- dents, must serve as judge and jury to the Student Government Association. But remember if you find them guilty you must also find yourselves guilty for you also stand accused of the same crimes. it is true that recognizing the battle than the SGA has only this year everything is geared the SGA doesn't intend to let , - i V .ff-'- m H 'ii I -1-if 'I J 'LY . ..l..-- E E Fi we A I PULLS --.J is 2 'tp-, jr 'S' WY S f steam, g X ig g . I g ,- , l V NWI . mg, in x MV.. jg? tim.. 9 .

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iff 1,14 ff 'r gy: ,A,f'..lll if Vx ' T 1 79' SGA meetings are characterized by neither the most gratifying nor the most encouraging atmosphere on campus. Their business is serious and it's taken that way. However, they are plagued by one consistently overbearing problem - how do you help a student body that is completely indifferent to your efforts? y uv W ' 1 1 i 7-'X s sa..- me Pell: ef 'X fx .ff

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t STUDENT GOVERNIVIENTQASSOCIATION JUNIOR COLI.lEGE.OF BROWARD COUNTY i . DAVIE ROAD FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33314 November, 1966 The Student Body junior College of Broward County Fort Lauderdale, Florida To Whom It May Concern: Question: Whatever happened to the student body? Apparently it has been swallowed up in the sand dunes or possibly succumbed to a widget attack. However, an interesting fact remains. There appear to be students here. All these warm bodies in the Student Center could not be mirages or figments of one's imagination. But that's all we can be sure of as no one seems to have heard from them. It seems odd to me and to other people who have noticed this problem, that the Student Activities opera- tion on this campus which includes the Silver Sands, the Venetian Crier, the Tri-C radio program, and the Student Government Association, is being run by approximately ten people. Not ten people to each activity, the same ten people are running the entire show! Where does the fault lie? Is it within the organizations themselves? I don't believe so. Rather, I believe the fault lies with the student body in general. I was GREATLY impressed with the freshman class at the orientation program. They seemed to exhibit a tremendous amount of spirit. They all wore their rat caps and seemed to be determined in their attempt at transforming themselves from high school kids to college men and women. What happened in that week between orientation and the beginning of school, I do not know. For some strange reason the rat caps disappeared and the spirit followed close behind. Admittedly, there are a number of freshmen who have planted their chubby little feet on the ground, and decided to make a go of it as students at JCBC. I don't mean the student who simply goes to class and scurries home. leaving behind all that our college Offers him. I am writing of the student who takes advantage of the recreational and cultural activities on campus. But the college can only provide the opportunities. It is up to the student to take advantage of them. Many students consider our little gathering out here in Davie-by-the-cows their thirteenth and fourteenth grades. It can seem so very easily, for no one is forced to attend anything after class. The person who comes to this college looking for his next two years of high school will find it. Not because that's what it is, but simply because his mind is already made up. If he decides he is going to college and is going to benefit not only from the academic program but also from the whole social life, he will find all that, too. He will also be taking another step out of adolescence. Dr. jack D. Taylor, our acting president, has spoken many times on the subject of education. One of his main themes is about the motivation a student has toward study. His ideas can be applied to what I am saying. If a student has the motivation to become involved in college life, he can certainly do it at BJC. If you are interested in writing, there is the little literary endeavor you are reading now, the SILVER SANDS. And the VENETIAN CRIER always appreciates help from writers and photogra- phers. Both of these top publications won more awards last year than any other junior college in the state, including big Miami-Dade. The Student Government Association represents 'Awe the students. If you didn't run for a senate seat. then by all means attend the student government meetings. We put on a helluva show and get quite a bit of work accomplished for the students. Whatever a student chooses is for his Own benefit. College life can enrich a student, but you will only get back what you put into it. It is your own life you are building-or neglecting. I remain. T Sm , erry.LgBel President, ,..- Concerned Student Govern nt Association 10