University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

Page 24 text:

If we don ' t know what the young are thinking about, we don ' t know anything. Margaret Mead Margaret Mead, world renowned anthropologist, graciously spent the fall semester lecturing at the University of Rhode Island. Although generally well received, Dr. Mead was the object of some criticism. Dr. Mead was criticized by some members of the out- side community for her controversial views on con- temporary society. Rare and somewhat erroneously, Dr. Mead was also criticized by members of the col- lege community. Dr. Mead was brought to URI by the Alumni Associa- tion ' s Distinguished Professorship Award to lecture the pre-arranged Sociology course: Cultural Behavior and the Environment. Investigation revealed that Dr. Mead was not satisfied with the course structure or the reading, (not to mention the rented limousine and chauffeur). Students legitimately complained that inf ormal con- tact with Dr. Mead outside the classroom was rare. Most of Dr. Mead ' s free time had been scheduled by her employers for luncheons and public relation ap- pearances. Phillip Leis, Sociology Department Chair- man at Brown, stated the situation quite aptly; Hav- ing her at URI is a stroke of genius . . . Dr. Mead attracted the public attention and interest URI desperately needs. Unfortunately, the students were left with the bitter-sweet taste of what URI could be and what it is today . . .

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The grill in the Ram ' s Den closes at 5:30 because no one likes to eat after that hour; the Pub opens at 6:00 because everyone likes to drink after six or so: there is a half-hour break to allow rest from these favorite pastimes. Tuitions and education taxes support military instruction on campus, and indirectly, the war effort; these tuitions arid taxes also help sup- port radic-lib professors and students, radi- cal-list guest speakers, and bus rides to Wash- ington, and directly the anti-war effort; they also pay university administrators to insure the above’s continuance. As always, it is the unsuspecting student who loses. And why shouldn ' t he? He is saturated with inconsistencies, yet persists in absorbing more. It is he who reads the shock-statistics Barry Solomon employed in drawing state- wide attention to the abortion and venereal disease problems at URI; and, it is the same he who reads with but minor discomfort Dr. Baum’s observation that the statistics are about right for a university of our size. On the one hand, Dr. Baum, if you will remember, de- manded that Solomon substantiate the fig- ures; on the other, he himself does so. Baum ' s demand betrayed the statistic ' s significance; his observation implied their insignificance. 22