University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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and to consult and co-operate with the similar committee of the Academic Council of the Faculties. This committee is still in existence as one of the most important in student self-government. It investigates all such matters as may tend to disturb the peace of, or otherwise injure the interests of, the student body. In these various ways and along this path, the Executive Committee of the A. S. U. C. has come to be a continuous and responsible body, always progressing and retaining the confidence not only of the student members of the University public, but also of the members of the boards of instruction and administration. Its powers are exercised only by the consent of the governed and its meetings and actions are open to the inspection and criticism of its enlightened constituency. All departures from the established constitutional provision must be submitted to popular vote. We may trace in this way, and even more in detail did spa ce allow, the ' subordination of individual and group interest to class interests and the final rise of the idea of University interest. We may proceed further in tracing the gradual extension of the idea of student control from one activity to another as the realizing sense has come through practical experience that all different lines of action in which a student may be engaged must necessarily be considered and reckoned with, if the general welfare is to be safe-guarded. From general and indefinite supervision, attention was first directed to financial matters, then to social affairs and representation, and finally to the matter of the dual control of conduct both general and special. In these later days it is especially this narrower aspect of the general problem which is spoken of as Student Self-Government. In this more limited sense, student self-government has been the result of several factors. Beginning with the serious consideration instituted by President Wheeler in connection with the administration of discipline, encouraged by the attitude taken by the Committee on Student Affairs in mutual discussion of conditions and reasons for eliminating certain annoying and injurious actions, certain officers of the A. S. U. C. were led to investigate and search for a solution satisfactory alike to both students and Faculties. They introduced the discussion into the honor societies and other associations and clubs and at Senior meetings, until Senior Control became a reality. The control at first was slight, but as it became evident that its results were good, it was extended. Rushing was abolished and buried under the Big C on Charter Hill. Rallies were confined to the campus. Petty, but annoying, disorders were suppressed and eliminated, and finally even cheating in class- rooms and examinations has been placed under the ban. All this has been done without destroying, but rather with the result of increasing that Uni- versity spirit which is satisfying and productive of definite and salutary results. May the seed sown and the tree that is already of good size and nourishing continue to grow and to extend its protecting branches over us.

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constitution was again revised and practically the present conditions inaugurated. The task of carrying out the terms of the constitution and other matters decided upon by the Associated Students was placed in the hands of the officers elected by the whole membership and certain others selected in a definite way. This body was. and still is, known as the Executive Committee of the Associated Students of the University of California. By the revision of 1900. absolute financial control of athletics was given to the Executive Com- mittee, and in 1901 the first graduate manager was appointed. In 1901-02 a Rally Committee was appointed to organize and regulate this important side of student activity. In 1902-03 the Executive Committee, realizing that still further extension of its activity and responsibility was called for, appointed a Student Control Committee. which was replaced in the following year by an Honor Committee, which still exists. The year 1904-05 was marked by especially vigorous discussion as to the responsibilities of the student body in suppressing harmful disorders and of the duty and wisdom of co-operating with the Faculty in this matter. As a result, there was proposed to the Associated Students, and approved by them, a scheme for accomplishing this, and in 1906 there was appointed a ' ' Students ' Com- mittee on Student Affairs to consider all matters connected with discipline 21

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; i all Roberts, i i Hermann Hce.