La Salle Academy - Maroon and White Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 99 text:

til , 2- -g --- - 2 Q Q , L z Q ooqmrg and WHITE s well as regulating conduct, the entire organization of the Student Council is divided into four dis- tinct councils representing the four years of the Academy. A chairman of each council is elected to preside over the weekly meetings. All activi- ties and projects come under the control of these various councils and must be approved by them. Thus we see that our Student Council is an orga- nization established to promote the welfare of each individual as well as to maintain discipline. We should consider that we attend school not solely for mental development but for moral de- velopment as well. Character training is as im- portant, if not more so, than our mental acquire- ments. To make our mental education complete we must utilize the human reasoning-powers and God-given sanity, to check the strong uncontrolled cravings of our human-nature. For this reason we find in every school certain rules and regula- tions which tend to restrain to a certain extent these inevitable loose habits and natural inclina- tions. To comply with these regulations we must develop self-control and follow them to the letter if we wish to obtain the best possible moral edu- cation or character training. Naturally in a school as large as La Salle there are always those who care not for their moral education, unaware of the fact that it is as important as either their mental or physical devel- opment. It would be a great task to put all the responsibility into the hands of the faculty. There- fore, a part of this work of moral education at La Salle has been put in the hands of the Student Council. This organization in union with the per- sonal self-control of each individual should prove the most effective means of securing an excellent moral training. We have seen how the officers of the Student Council are charged with maintaining order and discipline throughout the school. To assist these officers in their work an elaborate system of courts has been established to try offenders. Under this system there are three different types of courts: the common court, general court, and court of appeals. Common courts for each year are held every Mon- day afternoon under the supervision of a lieuten- ant acting as judge. All who have received sum- monses must appear before these courts. Any serious or habitual offender of Student Council regulations must appear before the General Court, held every Wednesday afternoon and presided over by a jury of lieutenants. The court of ap- 95

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YI - - 2 f. 'A as 4 . 00N and WHITE g Sftuhent Glnumzil HE PURPOSE. of the general organiza- tion at this academy, known as the Student Council, is to effect a unification of all student activities and to afford a means of cozop- eration with the faculty in promoting and main- taining disciplinary measures. In the process of organization, it is to be expected that many diffi- culties will be encountered, and to this old rule the Student Council at La Salle has proven no exception. In the beginning, students erroneously con- ceived the idea that the Student Council of La Salle was solely for disciplinary purposes, hence they lost the true significance of this important phase of modern education which has for its sole object student self government. Indeed, this latest move at La Salle is but a repetition of what is taking place the country over, giving to the stu- dents every opportunity to manage their own af- fairs, thus preparing them for their civic responsi- bilities in later life. This organization was started a year ago last January and in spite of the dire predictions of a few radicals it has constantly grown in popularity and scope. The Student Council proper is composed of a president, vice-president, a small body of lieu- tenants and a corps of ofhcers who form the bulk of the organization. Executive business is left to the president and he may delegate any of his powers to the vice-president. Both these primary officers are elected by the entire student body by ballot. The president must be a Senior and the vice-president, a Junior. From each Junior and Senior class, lieutenants are elected who form the superior body of the Student Council. Their duties are general, since they preside at courts, make observations and are general overseers. The active body of the Student Council is comprised of the officers representing each class as delegates in the Student Council. They maintain order and discipline throughout the building and represent their classes in the various councils. For the purpose of controlling activities as 94 . 4. J '4..WfEtTf7Ui

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2 S 2 2 s gs 00N gpmxmjegg a11dWVI'IITE 5 I peals has been introduced for the benefit of those who want to appeal their case. The president pre- sides although he may delegate his power. A special court may be held for extreme cases. In this court the plaintiff may secure the services of a senior lieutenant to act as attorney for the defend- ant while another lieutenant acts as prosecuting attorney for the Student Council. It is hardly possible then for a student to be unjustly' repri- manded by the Student Council. Each case that comes before these courts is carefully recorded by means of a card index system. This system contains an accurate record of the students of La Salle and is known as the Personnel Department. It is evident that this organization at La Salle embraces all the details of a well-functioning form of student government. Under Brother Matthew's guidance we have almost perfected the Student Council. We hope that our organization is merely the foundation of an organization of a wider scope in the years to come. At any rate the Student Council is firmly established at La Salle and no radical influence can disturb its growth. Its good results have been manifest in both officers and students. A deeper sense of responsi- bility has been promoted among us all. All who have been scared by the council have seen the effects in their own conduct. Gentlemen of char- acter have replaced the indifferent student of loose habits. Those who have formed the personnel of the council have gained an invaluable knowledge of executive and judicial experience. We have no cause of complaint against our organization and we hope that in future years we may look back to see our Student Council a large flourishing body. controlling the activity and discipline of a greatly increased student body. L vp. FRESHMEN COUNCIL 96