University of Western Ontario - Occidentalia Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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WESTERN U GAZETTE 15 The Student ' s Council of the Student Body With the meeting ' held on Wednesday, April the twentieth, the Mork of the Stu- dent ' s Coiincil closed for the year 1920- 1921. At this, the end of its period of experimentation, the question in the minds of all is, lias the system been a suc- cess? The majority, I thing, would an- swer that it has vindicated itself. The Council has emerged from the melting pot of experience with much of the dross and much of the glamor per tain- ing to Student Goverimient washed away. At the beginning of the year a small group wei ' e elected, presented with a brand new constitution and given the task of piloting the school for the subse- quent two semesters. This group should- ered their new responsibility, filled Avith high ideals and inward trepadition. They have undoubtedly made many mistaken but many of them must be excused in view of the number of difficulties which faced them. Not only were the faculty and the student both unaccustomed to the new system but also the administration was absolutely inexperienced. The policy of the Council throughout the year has been to stress the clause in the constitution, dealing with the welfare of the student body; and to not enforce more than necessary the police clause. No students have been reprimanded, either individually or collectively, and the welfare of the student body has been greatly increased. For example, the Council acting as an intermediary between, the Committee of Deans and the Students, seciired the permission of the faculty to hold twice the number of parties specified by them. The collection of the Blanket Fee at the beginning of the year has re- lieved the students of the irritation of small collections. On account of this financial system, and one must add the capable executive, the University Gazette has completed the promised issue of twenty numbers, Avith money to spare! A situation, I believe, hitherto unprecedented. And above all, think of the advantages reai)ed from the Board Walk, the lights on the drive and the re- moval of the bumps at the entrance! These things and more have been accom- plished by tiie Council, but above all by the Prefei ' t. Tlu ' students cannot give Mr. Simpson too much credit and gratitude for the S];)lendid way in which he has car- ried on this year. The work of the Coun- cil has in many cases fallen on the should, ers of one man and the Prefect has at all times been ready to take over the resi)ons- ibility. In sj ite of the heavy course which he has carried he has devoted un- told time to the welfare of the students, and has done it ungrudgingly and unhesi- tatingly. To him we owe the fact that the system has been a success and the best fortune to be wished for the University in the future, is that she may number more such men among her students who are ready to unselfishly play their part in the life of Western. The Council has been the butt of much criticism during the year, both justifiable and unjustifiable. While it has been gratifying to know that the stu- dents took such an interest in the conduct of their affairs, they have at times over- stepped the bounds of leniency, perhaps necessarily, perhaps not. The students must not forget that in electing the Coun- cil at the beginning of the year they are- placing a responsibility not only upon the officers but also upon themselves. The Council has tried to remember always that they are not an autocratic govern- ment imposed by the authorities, but a democratic committee elected by the stu- dents, of the students and responsible to the students. If the system is to prove a success, the Council must have the wholehearted support of the body elect- ing it, including the benefit of friendly, rather than hostile criticism. The Coim- cil has been greatly handicapped this year in that its personnel did not include any of the constitutional experts of the Col- lege. Let us remember in electing our, committee next year that in doing them the honor of appointing them, we are not finishing our part of the work but just beginning. Western needs the support of every individual student, let us remem- ber to work for her before all things; so that in leaving every o ne of us may sin- cerely say that we have done our ]iart in the building up of our Alma Mater.

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18 WESTERN U GAZETTE THE GLEE CLUB Final Announcement For 1920-21. At this tiiiio of tlu ' year it seems cus- t ' Jiuary for tiie various organizations of the University to look back over the work of the year. Taking everything into eon- sideraticn the Glee Club supporters feel ery pleased with the results of their year ' s efforis. We say efforts because the job of putting the Glee Club on the map of the university has not been accomplish- ed without considerable work on the part oi those who felt themselves responsible for the success of the undertaking. In the general map-out of the year ' s activities of the Lit it was suggested that a Glee Club be formed, in order to provide music occasionally for the society meetings and also to be in the swim with other universities. After considerable de- lay a meeting was held of all those in- terested. The resiilt was that Bev. Baker war; elected chief head of the G!ee Club and the thing was started. Mr. Quanee, the supervisor of music in the public schools, was secured as musical conductor. The first rehearsal of the club showed fair promise indeed. The only trouble then and ever since has been that the male parts outbalanced the ladies ' parts. As good luck would have it the first meeting was held following the or- ganization meeting of the W. U. W. S. C, and many of the snowshoe stars were induced to stay and swell the chorus. Following the first rehearsal the pro- moters of the Glee Club put up a continu- ous fight to secure new members. For a day or so prior to each meeting of the chorus members of the club were as busy as they could be in the halls (despite the regulations against conversation there). Everyone Avho even had the appearance of a singer was butLon-holed and entreat- ed, urged, begged (what else shall we say), yes, threatened. The result was the Glee Club was kept going, although at times it seemed as if all was over. One rainy night there were so many out that they were all able to squeeze into Kitty AVhite ' s car and ride down town. The men would turn out willingly, but there was a constant shortage of girls. One eve- ning when about ten or a dozen boys had turned out and were all in readiness to ;hunder out the bass and tenor parts there were only about two or three girls si-ting over in one corner of the room looking sheepishly at each other. They were, however, greatly relieved to see a crowd of girls from Brescia College come in late, but better late than never. Slowly but surely the new members came along, until at the end of the term we can say that we have about fifteen or sixteen good, constant singers, who are ready to stick to the Glee Club through thick and thin. These ])eople are heartily interest- ed in the work of the chor is, and it would take a mighty big attraction to keep them away from their seats on Tuesday eve- nings. One of the first controversies was over the kind of music which was to be used. Some held that the name of the organiza- tion Glee Club implied that the music should be of a gleeful nature or in other words all popular music. There were others, however, who maintained that the original Anglo Saxon meaning of the word glee was harmony and that the music should be of as high a standard as it is possible to get. However, Mr. Quanee was able to solve the problem very satisfactorily by several popularl songs arranged for four-part harmony. These consisted of 1. The Bells of St. Marys. 2. The Road That Brought Me To You. 3. On Miami Shore. There were other songs of a more diffi- cult nature such as 4. There Is No Death. 5. Departure by Mendelssohn. and in a doubt in several other humorous and patriotic pieces which were kindly loaned by Mr. Quanee from his own libra- I ' y. Thus we have been able to work on music of different varieties and as a result everyone has been satisfied. Everything has gone along nicely this year for which the executive of the Glee Club extend their thanks to all those who by their untiring eff ' prts and constant support have made this possible. We have laid the foundation for an excellent club and next year will find Western with a Glee Club to be proud of. If all goes well probably about thirty voices will be select- ed from those who attend seventy-five per cent of the rehearsals to form a chorus to go around and give concerts at different points. All those who have gone out on concert trips know that they are more fun than a picnic, and any student who can sing and would like to take part in such trips had belter turn out to the first rehearsal of the Glee Club in the fall and keep on coming to every meeting. So let us get an early start next fall. See how much can be accomplished in 1921-22.