University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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We, the Students . . . should be active citizens in the government of our University. by HAROLD JOSEPH THOMAS We, the students of the University of Miami, enjoy the privilege of self-government in its truest democratic form. Perhaps in no other college in America today, can there l e found a student body which governs itself and solves its own problems with the complete freedom from faculty domination that we enjoy here. Democratic government, to be efficient and to fulfill its purposed objectives, must be rendered the guidance of intelligent and open-minded persons whether in a college or national state. Only when the most gifted individuals in the University are selected for the Student Association offices can the student body direct, improve, and enjoy the activities of college life and become more enlightened in regard to the responsibilities they must assume in their respective communities a few years in the future. From time to time, as civilization becomes more highly developed and the duties of government grow more complex, it is necessary to revise the outline on which government is based. As the student body of the University has increased so have the demands on student government enlarged. To meet the new problems arising, the student constitution was subjected to a very thorough revision this year. One of the most obvious defects in the constitution, previous to the revision, was the manner in which a student could become a member of the executive de- Tlir Honor C nirt: Dorn. Iluinlltoii. Chief Juillcr Itrlon. Goe er, Miller. Maillxaii part men t of the Student Association. Heretofore anyone, in five minutes, could circulate a petition, secure the thirty-five required names, and project himself into a race for a high and responsible office. The revised constitution some-what parallels the mode of elections carried on in local, state, and national governments in that the following provisions were made: the student must have attended the University for three semesters prior to the election; ten percent of the signatures of the regularly enrolled students must be affixed to his petition, and in any case where there is a duplication of signatures on two or more petitions for the same office, the signature will be stricken from all petitions involved. This, the revision committee felt, would create more interest on the part of the students themselves. as well as for the candidates, and give them the feeling that they don’t have to sign all the petitions just to l e a jolly-good fellow. To have the political spoils system grip on whatever lies within its grasp is practically a foregone conclusion: to realize that the system does much to lower the efficiency of an organization is almost as readily recognized: but to take politics out is a serious question. The revision committee, after much debate and consideration, finally settled the publications controversy. and removed politics from its make-up. The entire student body will l c benefit ted by this action and those who work on the publications will no longer be bothered by meddling political group. It is common knowledge that all people are prone to neglect many of their important functions and entirely disregard their very pertinent privileges. Only through a practical as well as theoretical participation in affairs may people justify themselves. In the forms of democratic government this is especially true, and an excellent place for young people to learn how to [11] TtUimuo. I’r - l li'iit of the Stuilrnt AsvHrlnlluii

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Ilarry II. Provlti, J. itii Owrr. Mnry It. Mrrrlll. W. 1. Hratrr Administrators . . . cooperate to promote the welfare of the University. ronality, health, finance, home, and social life. Academic guidance in the form of advice on program of study, conference with faring students, and discussions with faculty members and parents about scholastic programs of students is on her list of duties. Miss Merrill also teaches English and freshman sociology, regarding this as a refreshing activity. She supervises social affairs for all students and extra-curricular activities for girls, together with discussing phases of vocational guidance. While Miss Merritt represents officially the girls of the school, Mr. Hiss holds a purely functional office in that he handles all the mechanics of finances. Although the jxjsition of business manager was created only two years ago. Mr. Hiss was assistant treasurer and auditor for the previous six years. C'oojierating with the President, Dr. Owre, and Mr. Hester. Mr. Hiss is responsible for a preparation and maintenance of budgets for all departments. The budgets are then approved or modified by the president and his staff. The subsequent supervision of the accounting of academic incomes and expenditures of the University is another of Mr. Hiss' duties. Tuitions, fees, instruction expenses, faculty salaries, library, laboratories, and supplies fall into this division, as do the auxiliary departments, comprising athletics, bookstore, cafeteria, dormitories, etc. Improvements as to building and equipment, are approved through the budget. Acting as Secretary of the University is I)r. Owre, general advisor to Latin-American students and teacher of Spanish. This “contact man for the president and faculty cooperates with Mr. Hiss in the collection and disbursement of many problems. Questions of courses, scheduling, bulletin, appointments. University correspondence, and inquiries are included in his work. Persons requiring interviews are met by Dr. Owre. To see that business is expedited more efficiently is another of this secretary’s tasks, who also works with the faculty committee, insuring the coordination of various departments. After coming here in 1935, Dr. Owre obtained his present position in February, 193S. Although Mr. Hester's work is closely related to that of Mr. Hiss and Dr. Owre. his is not entirely academic. His attention is directed largely to athletic and legal matters. Mr. Hester acts as secretary to both the faculty in law school and to the faculty athletic committee. He works with the athletic department in determining the eligibility of athletes; information about the scheduling of trips goes through the hands of Mr. Hester and Mr. Hiss. Dealing with the clearance of land titles of property owned by the University. together with tax questions, Mr. Hester, too. confers with Mr. Hiss when financial problems arise. He has been teaching law here since he received his [10] by HELENE PUTNAM To enforce their policies for the best interests of the University of Miami and its student body is the objective of the five administrative officials Miss Mary B. Merritt, Dean of Women; Dr. J. Riis Owre, Secretary; Mr. U. J. Hiss, Business Manager; Mr. W. J. Hester, administrative assistant; and Mr. Harry H. Provin, registrar, whose positions are closely connected. All five cooperate with the deans in promoting the work oi the various departments. Miss Merritt acts largely as a general personnel officer for the girls. Having been here since the organization of the school in 1925. and dean since the fall of 1929, Miss Merritt is well known by all current and past students. Together with coordinating the various academic and social interests of women students, our Dean of Women guides the girls in problems of per- buxintM Mmiancr U. J. Hiss (CONTINUKI) ON PA«K 198)

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The Srnnlr: Thntiui . president; Konlham, vlcr-|imklrnl; Goff, secretary; Krrdy k. treasurer; senior iron torn, lllccl, ShllUnjtton, Worth-itiKtoii: Junior senator , Olson, Ocspovlch, Lovett; sophomore senator . A hr. Ilolliitiun, Sul In; freshman senators, Turner. Putnam, Tucker; U« School, Parkinson. Feller. Crutchfield: Music School, VainlcnburR, Teeter. linuniKiirtrn. play an intelligent part is in the colleges and universities. The students at this University should be much more actively engaged in the affairs of government. They have a splendid opportunity here and this is shown, in part, by the fact that all senate sessions are open to everyone. Students are welcome to any of the senate meetings and it would gladden their hearts to hear the debates of the senators either for or against a measure. The remarkable turn out of the student body at the annual elections held recently, is a healthy sign. Seven hundred and fifteen votes were cast in the first election with twenty-three candidates seeking office: and in the run off election for President and Treasurer, six hundred and forty votes were cast. Over two-thirds of the student body participated in the elections. This sets an all time high in student |x litics at the University and gives evidence that students here appreciate self-government. The revised constitution was approver! 522 to 67. Again there is evidence that the Student body wanted a Stable constitution to meet the ever growing demands of organizations and activities. Since the government of the student association is patterned after that of the national government there are. in addition to the executive department, the legislative and judicial department. The legislative department is the Senate, composed of three senators from the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes, representing the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Music, and the School of business Administration: and three senators representing the School of Law. All are elected from ami by the members of each class. The chief jobs of the Senate is the allotment of the student activity fee. Six associate justices, elected from the school at large: a chief justice and prosecuting attorney, elected from the School of Law; and a clerk, appointed by the chief justice, are memlxrs of the Honor Court; they carry out the judicial duties. The duties of the Honor Court are divided into two phases. The penal jurisdiction of the court includes the hearing and determining of all cases arising out of breach of the Honor ('ode and violation of laws made by the Senate. The civil jurisdiction is to pass on the constitutionality of any law of the Student Body or Senate. An interest in a knowledge of student government affairs intensities one's enjoyment of school. It brings the students closer together and causes them to work for the benefit of all students. A student should know the powers and duties of the various departments of the student government, for knowing what is right will create a desire for a strong and efficient government. By taking advantage of our democratic system of government the students can secure training and experience in self-government. Trusting to the indulgence of those for whose benefit the new constitution is intended, and to the candor of critics who. while they find it easy to detect faults can at the same time appreciate difficulties, I conclude with a sincere statement 1 hope coming students will listen to: as long as student government is conducted without financial remuneration, and as long as the officers of the student government solve their problems, and carry out their policies fairly, justly, and do not over-step their authority. the students of the University of Miami in the future shall continue to enjoy the privilege of an unoppressed and unshackled government. Prosccutlnit Attorney Spar [12]