University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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T Q-AU Z' i Q I I if f 5 .,': - College JA Politics . To the college student of today the term Liberal Educa tion is suggestive of many phases of an increasingly complex life. It is suggestive not only of the class-room, but also of the lecture-hall, the athletic field and all the various activities which develop his spiritual and social nature, and enhance his intel- lectual power. ' ,There is today in student centers a growing sense of the necessity of preparing to meet the many calls for service now being made along all lines of social betterment. Organized effort is the result. No college faculty or curriculum, however excellent, can do more than merely contribute to or encourage these activities. They must be initiated and carried on by stu- dents and for students. Participation in any student enterprise is more than a privilege, it is a duty, for it involves the inter- ests and honor of the University. Marked loyalty to Alma Mater is evidenced in the hard-fought athletic contest, in, oratory, in debate, in the work involved in her publications, and in all other efforts that show University achievement, but the same spirit prompts the students who share in the councils that make these possible. It is into the conduct of these organizations that poli- tics may enter, manifested as ever, in its beneficial or evil effects. The spirit of self-seeking should have no part in a student's interest in University affairs. The possibilities of the abuse or the neglect of responsibilities imposed should be and are to a great extent avoided by the provisions that create the officers. Those who are not familiar with the changes of Student Body government in the University of Southern California dur- ing the years past, tell us that the constitution used by the Cam- pus Colleges became at last inadequate to their needs. The feeling grew that a new constitution should be made and that for the advancement of University interests, the co-operation of all the colleges should be secured by it. A committee appointed 27

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securely bloclcaded from the inside, or his bed-clothes put out to air in the rain 3 or he will be made the victim of some other pranks familiar to the members of the college boarding clubs. So there is little danger-and less use-of anyone long entertaining false notions as to his own importance in the Hodge Hall bunch. The above is not the only benefit to be de1'ived from the application of the club to the individual: for, thanks to the blithe spirits that haunt such places, it also proves a sure cu1'e for the blues and discouragements of any brand. The troubles of the few are laughed away by the joys of the many. lf, however. real difficulty is ever bold enough to present its unwel- come face before the resolute band of young men who a1'e to be the future presidents, statesmen, doctors, preachers and street- sweepers of this glorious land of ours, you can play your last dol- lar, if you have it, that it won't hang around l-lodge Hall very long. Since we have stumbled upon the question of gambling, it will not be amiss to note here a lesson that has been learned along that line by some of the Club members: for it has been positively proved that no Sophomore should ag'ree to let a lfresli- man eat his pie if a certain contest turns out in a manner deroga- tory to the Sophomore Class. lt borders upon the forbidden sport, anyhow, and besides may lead to something worse: for in- stance, indigestion for the Freshman who wins the dessert. To the bashful boy who has been brought to the dawn of manhood without being cured of a holy awe of the fairies so carefully guarded by watchful house-mothers, another valuable opportunity is offered at the boarding club, Arrangeincnts are made whereby it is possible for the lad afflicted with the afore- said malady to meet the dread goblins on sundry occasions, under various circumstances. At last. through the skillful co-ope1'ation of natural and supernatural powers, all foolish ideas are dis- pelled from his mind, but not until oft in the stilly nightl' he has longed for home and mother's arms. , 26

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by the Student Tlody presented the new Constitution which was unanimously adopted and became eiiiective january the first, ninteen hundred nine. This Constitution provided that the As- sociated Students of the University of Southern California shall elect officers annually, by the Australian ballot system. Election day may thus he permitted to assume a dignity sometimes un- known in the times of the former democratic elections. Ex- cellent supervision of the management of the weekly publication, The Courier is secured by the election of a Board of Control for that purpose. A similar lloard composed of faculty and stu- clent members, is given control of all the athletic interests of the University. The excellence of this document is evident to one who reads it. The personnel of the Executive Committee alone gives assurance that those who framed this constitution had at heart the best interests of the Student life of the University. The conviction should come to every loyal undergraduate that he owes his encouragement, which may be made manifest in many ways, to every activity that contributes to his own advance- ment ancl to the glory of his University. qi-.5 4141-1.4, gl. i I . ,1 The Triumvirale 28