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

Page 19 text:

can secure training and experience in self-government. Here, at the University of Miami, student government is the manifestation of that great ideal. The student body, since 1926. has conducted its own affairs in an efficient, democratic manner, and has, with minor exceptions, constantly sought to raise the standards of this government. Those minor exceptions were a result of the part played l y practical politics: it is impossible to do without this phase. To have the political sjmils 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 practical application of democracy is the most tangible, and sometimes the faultiest, part of the system. Nomination for election to Student Association offices is by | etition. The president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer are then elected in secret ballot from and by the student body at large. These officers make up the executive department. The judicial department is the Honor Court, composed of six associate justices from the school at large, a chief justice and prosecuting attorney from the School of Law, and a clerk appointed by the chief justice. The associate justices, chief justices, and prosecuting attorney are elected in the same manner as the executive officers. 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 and by the members of each class. The duties of the executive officers are identical with the duties performed by those officers in any governmental organization. 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 a breach of the Honor Code and violation of laws made by the Senate or members of the executive department. The civil jurisdiction is to pass U| on the constitutionality of any law of the Student body, Senate or decree of the President. The chief work of the Stu- dent Senate is the allotment of the student activity fund. This year, the Student Association succeeded in obtaining a permanent senate room for meetings and holding elections. This senate chamber has now been furnished with files, desks, and chairs. The Student Association is a member of the Florida Student Government Association, composed of similar bodies in the universities and colleges of the State of Florida. This year, the University held the office of Alternate President of the organization, which ratified a new constitution at the 1940 convention. The 1941 state Student Government Convention will be held at the University of Miami. This will afford our student body as a whole the opportunity for more acquaintance with Student Government affairs. If the student body is to continue to have the free power in governing its affairs that it has had in the past and holds today, the students must continue to show an ever-increasing interest in the student government. Ray Fordham served as president of the student body this year; Charlotte Meggs was vice-president; Dorothy Ashe, secretary: and Hob Hillstead, treasurer. Associate Justices of the Honor Court were: !.cwis Dorn. Hill Varrington. Hetty Lou Baker, Jane Johnson, Lloyd Whyte, and Harry Jacobsen. Hny Ford hum, I'rcuUImt 19

Page 18 text:

StudentGov’t l-'onlhitm uJilro M » ■ wcllxti of th 1 oliulml wnnlr, which k | rrtrii lltiK In rnjn) llw wlwcrnch. ■ Democracy is on trial. The dictators are the prosecuting attorney. The counsel for the defense is making every sacrifice not only to convince the world’s conscience (which is the jury), but the prosecutors themselves. The success of this effort is dependent upon more than military success; it is dependent upon democracy’s successful operation in every endeavor. We. the active participants, must know what democracy does mean, and what it should mean. Is it idealism or is it practicalism ? Neither theory is an answer to the democratic system: idealism is beyond the reach of man's imperfection and weaknesses; practicalism falls short of the goal; it is chaotic and formless; therefore, applied democracy is a fusion of the two. 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 in a 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 Itecome more enlightened in regard to the responsibilities they must assume in their respective communities a few years in the future. It is common knowledge that all | eop1e are prone to neglect many of their im| ortant 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 play an intelligent | art is in the colleges and universities. All senate meetings are open to any students who may wish to attend. In this way, the students are given the opportunity to ascertain just how well their representatives are functioning. While students at the University do show an interest in student government, there is still a lack of real interest in many cases. If conduct of the student officers and the association is to improve. the students must have an active part and see that there is improvement. An interest in a knowledge of student government affairs intensifies 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 18

Page 20 text:

Assnriatrb ffiribgiat Jfrrss uf 5J. JI.A. l»» AM -AMERICAN NEWSPAPER CK1MCAI. SERVICE £Ik Utinmi hurricane In f««jn liMi of alt mint,. it oworJtJ auainmcnn Junior bating in ihr MmrUrntlt National Nen-tpnfnr CrilitJ St mrr of A tintUltJ CJItfUlt Pit Ml Al. lit Xjmtretiily of Mimtumlo, Drpoifntnl of ..u w ra. lliii FillI Jay J M j. 1959. The Hurricane ■ This year ihe Hurricane reached an all time high in Hurricanism — more errors, more good stories muffed, more inefficiency, more enemies, and more fun. A general view of the Hurricane reveals that it took on the usual small quota of students who really intended to do something about it. Once this year the Hurricane came out by 12:30 Friday. It suffered through an abnormally long period of adjustment; after two months of juggling, the masthead finally settled down. Regular contributors were so preoccupied with enchanting each other with “sharp” remarks and actions they scarcely had time to prepare their choice humor for publication. So the Hurricane as it is. Mechanical changes also took place this year. A nice, neat hole was cut in the office wall so the Ibis could share the phone. It is kept on the Hurricane side mostly because notices from the business office requesting that the number of personal calls be reduced are addressed to the Hurricane. In spite of all notices it is purely a communistic phone. Half the words spoken in the office are in explanation of the phone situation; half the words spoken arc ignored. Some day the Hurricane is going to awaken its crusading spirit and campaign to exterminate phone moochcrs. Then what will the music school do? The walls of the office have increased in value for they have become a source of student opinion (biased). The numerous pictures have been fully captioned and annotated; the bulletin board has l een well marked with sage bits. Along with mechanical additions we might as well add sound effects. These are produced by Al Collins. Since Al has devoted his all to radio there has been no peace in the Hurricane office. He goes there to practice and collect news briefs for his scripts. He tries to glean criticisms and pointers for his announcing. Now for the stories during the year that showed possibilities. First off there was the Hospitalization plan. The Hurricane really went crusading for a few issues, but the plan and story just fizzled out. The election story would have been swell meat but it came in the Hooeycane. We had some fun with Gracie Allen and her Surprise Party. But if only the Senate had impeached the student government president that would have lx en the story. There's only one way to attempt to understand how the staff achiever! the new degree of Hurricanism. Take any week of the Hurricane year and analyze it. After picking the week apart one is amazed that the amazing Hurricane ever makes an appearance. Monday, the entire staff looks chipper and has intentions of getting things off early this week. The first day is devoted to getting into the mood. Corky Corrigan, managing editor, spends by far the most time getting in the mood. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he spends three solid hours of the morning in the office translating two pages of French. He is there to receive, with special Corrigan grace, all visitors and phone calls. He calmly sits by and watches the Hurricane public dash in and out (mostly out) while he absorbs the atmosphere that is most conducive to his type of work. Monday morning, Franklin, editor, wheezes into the office, gasps out what he thinks alx ut it all, and wheezes out again. The office is deserted at an early hour in the afternoon. A few staff meml ers move over to the Ibis office to attend an imitation of a Monday staff meeting. Thus Monday goes by uneventfully in the way of copy (except for B.S.U. news). By Tuesday, maybe three staff members are in the mood to produce. If these three exert enough pressure they can force a little copy out of numerous writers. Late Tuesday afternoon the office is in 20