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

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The Value of Student Polities ... is not in the inherent significance of campaigning, but in the training and experience which it offers. by NORMAS WORTHINGTON Dutiks and responsibilities are many and important in the advanced state of civilization in which we live. Foremost are the fundamental obligations emerging from the relationship between the individual and his government. Such is the primary source of citizenship. Democracy with its higher conceptions of political abstractions draws heavily upon the individual and demands the assumption of responsibilities that do not exist under other forms of government. An alert, enlightened, and active citizenry are prerequisite lor a successful democracy. Good citizenship is not a social heritage nor is it innate to any marked degree. It must be implanted, cultivated, and encouraged within each individual. To be sure, the basic trailing for future citizenship is to lie acquired in the home where the influence of the parents wields a telling effect on the attitude of the growing child. Our system of public schools from the elementary grades to the high-school level is patterned largely with the objective of making good citizens out of young Americans. It is during this state that the adolescent individual becomes acquainted with the organization and administration of government in general and aware of the real significance of citizenship. The most fertile field for the cultivation and growth of intellectual citizenship is found in college. American colleges and universities have long l een proud of the outstanding part that they have played in preparing the individual to meet the requirements of effective citizenship. In most of the institutions of higher learning. courses in government, history, and related subjects are offered with the purpose of giving the student a broader background in American institutions and practices. The more liberal and far-sighted colleges and universities approach the problem from a more practical point of view. In addition to the regular college courses mentioned above, the student is given the opportunity to actively participate in the regulation and control of student affairs. In many of the more advanced institutions of higher learning the students control, through their representatives, the important financial matters pertaining to the university activities. Problems arising out of the relations of the students among themselves, and between the student unit and the university government give ample opportunity for the individual application of ability and theoretical knowledge to the field of political and economic control. Problems that arise under such intimate conditions are sure to possess a more or less personal appeal to the student, thus inducing him to take an active part in effecting their solutions. This first hand experience is of an unestimable value in encouraging the wholesome and enlightened attitude necessary for efficient citizenship. The habit of participation and interest in the affairs of student government is readily engrained in the make-up of the individual and influences his actions in later life. The inhibition of indifference that is too prevalent in actual citizenship finds no place in student government. University citizenship is not an end within itself, and every student should lie aware of this fact. Too often students become so engrossed in the affairs of student government as to defeat the essential purpose for which they are attending college. Not only does this often lead to the formation of unethical political tactics on the part of the student but it may go so far as to exert undesirable influences on the student group thus smirching the reputation of the college or university itself. The value of student government lies not in the actual or inherent significance of the organization itself but in the training and experience that it offers for prospective citizens. [21]

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delegate to the Y.W.C.A. convention, head of the Big and Little Sister movement. not to mention her renown as champion pie-eater in the sororities. She is a member of Nu Kappa Tau and pledge-advisor in her sorority, ('hi Omega, and ritual master. So, although only a junior, she was elected to be a member of Who’s Who. Bon Hancf. is the most outstanding student in the Music School. In the absence of .Mr. Sheaffer, he ha--had a chance to show his ability as leader of the band, lie is a cornet soloist in the band, plays first trumpet in the Symphony Orchestra, and gives lessons on these instruments. He sings in the Glee Club, is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the music fraternity, and belongs to Iron Arrow, honorary fraternity. In our school of temperamental future geniuses. Bob is one of the most reliable and rcpsonsible. lie loves music and intends to make it his life work. Miot el Colas, president of Lead and Ink. honorary journalistic fraternity, is the only foreign student of the University of Miami to l c elected to Who’s Who and to be tapped for Iron Arrow in 1938. Mis contributions lie in the Pan-American field; he wants to help bring about a more complete understanding between the two Americas. He helped organize the International Relations Club, and has held executive positions in it; this year he was Pan American Chairman. Miguel believes in stressing the Latin-American thought to the young people of the United States. His weekly column, Latino .1 meric anas, in the school newspaper, besides helping those studying Spanish, has tended to promote greater interest and friendliness between the Latin and American students of the University. In the future, says Miguel, I would like to help counteract European cultural influences on South America by reflecting through journalism the economic and cultural life of the United States. Margaret Shillington worked on the Hurricane for a full year before anyone knew she was there. Under Flo Fowler, Shilly was made managing editor, and shed a bit of her mousiness. People began to notice lluuer. MrW . Mutlruon. Coin I-ViiIk-umi, SIlllllllKloli her around the print shop. She wouldn't liegin a conversation, but she would speak when sj oken to. Came 1939, with Margaret as editor. It developed that Shilly could talk. It further developed that she wasn't mousey at all. but a quiet and extremely determined young lady. Year by year, week by week, issue by issue, the Hurricane has grown, until finally last Spring, it made All-American the second highest honor a college newspaper can obtain in the Uniter! States. Margaret was one of the reasons for the paper's rise to these heights, and this year, with Shilly as editor, it has grown even l etter still. Without a doubt, it is the best paper in the Hurricane's twelve-year history. Besides ably editing the pajier, Margaret is a member of Lead and Ink, honorary journalistic society: President of Nu Kappa Tau, the highest honor a woman student can attain on the campus; member of the Honors Literary Society, Freshman Honor Society; and a charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Philip Fenigsox. Editor of this year's his, has spent his four years at the University quietly working for its betterment. During his first year here, he was selected as a member of Snarks. a creative writers' club. From this connection and from the well-written articles signed by him which appeared from time to time in the Hurricane, the student body gathered that Phil was a writer. Last year, he stepped into the limelight again, as editor of the Feature Section of the Ibis. Toward the end of that year, he was tapped by Iron Arrow. This year. Phil was instrumental in reviving Snarks, and in organizing the Campus Citizens, of which he is temporary chairman. He is also a member of Lead and Ink, the honorary journalistic fraternity, and of Honors Literary Society. After his graduation, Phil intends to work for his Master of Arts degree in the social studies at the University of Chicago. [20]

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An early Campus Cill rns' comuiltlrr liirrllng Active Campus Citizens . . . stir up constructive student opinion. What will be accomplished depends upon the cooperation of the entire student body. by ROBERTA BUTLER Oct of the school spirit and enthusiasm of students who desire to make the University of Miami go places there has risen the germ of an organization now known as Campus Citizens. It is composed of all those students who are interested in solving University problems and increasing University influence in the community. Every organization, honorary, social and religious, has been asked to send representatives to the meetings, but it is not limited to them alone. Anyone who is interested may help. Campus Citizens was not begun to take the place of any organization on campus. Its idea is to stir up constructive student opinion concerning our problems as an aid to solving them constructively. It can hardly lx called an organization at all. We have started to work on the problems that seem most outstanding right now, but how much will be done depends upon the student body as a whole. If it supports Campus Citizens, we cannot fail. What has been done so far? Three committees have been appointed by the chairman to work on the various purposes of the organization. First is the orientation committee, now working out plans to get a two day orientation period for freshmen next year. Whether this can l e accomplished will be decided by the administration. James Munley, I-oslic Mann. Harry Odell, Ray Creel, and others are working on the project. The cultural committee is designed to plan for free University dramatic presentations: a limited number of free concerts and extensive use of recordings of the orchestra and band in schools and civic clubs of the area: motion pictures of the University classrooms, campus and athletic activities, to be shown throughout Greater Miami: more radio programs from classrooms and radio lectures by our professors: Pan-American University programs in schools and clubs. Working on this committee are Henry Meyer, Jack Madigan, Steve McCrimmon. and others. Campus Citizens hopes to make the culture of the University indispensable to the city of Miami. The project committee is trying to improve student life in many ways. Their task is to plan promotion of a library browsing room: elimination of chatter in the library projjer: elimination of inconsequential announcements and calling students out of classrooms during the period: seeing that we get copies of all text books put on reserve in the library so that students will not get behind at the beginning of the term: suggesting that football players may In given their text l ooks permanently: helping to eliminate cheating; and starting an open forum for discussion of topics of general interest. Those serving on this committee are: Seymour Simon. Robert Hillstead, Lloyd Whyte, Ce-cile Gaddis. Mildred Zinn. Hetty Jean Vasary, Bernard Sokolow, and others. Further organization of the group is limited to a chairman, at present Philip Fenigson, and a secretary. Roberta Butler. As the group becomes more fixed, it will become more organized. Whether its purposes will be accomplished and new problems brought up to be solved depends upon your initiative, students of the University of Miami. [22]