HA

&£S&V$&

seniors selected for who's who

Sister M. de Montfort, Dean of
Students, has released the results
of nominations and balloting of
Mercyhurst seniors to "Who's Who
in American Colleges and Univers-
1
ities/ Based upon scholastic excel-
lence, leadership, citizenship, and
potential usefulness to society, thir-
teen students were selected by the
vote of full-time faculty members
and seniors.
i^ The students chosen for "Who's
Who" include: Elizabeth Barczak,
AnnejMarie Canali, Jane | Carney,
Judith Fitzgerald, Kathleen Fitz-
gerald, Katherine Icardi, Teresa
Jones, {Jeanne Keim, Sally Koss,
Sharon Labosky, Linnie McAllister,
Linda Salem, and Karen Zmys-
linski.
Betty Barczak is a sociology ma-
jor from Buffalo, New York. She is
presently Chairman of the Cultural
Committee and was also sophomore
and junior class representative to
SGA. Her past activities include
membership in Y. C. S. and on
the merciad staff. ,%
English major Anne Marie Canali
is a native of Canandaigua, New
York. She is active in Y. C. S.,
PSEA, and! Glee Club and is a
member of the Student Affairs
Committee.!*Anne*has also been a mittees.
member of Dorm Council and a
page editor for the merciad. i Sally Koss is a business educa-
tion major from Beaver, Pennsyl-
Senior class president Jane Car- vania. She has been secretary of
ney is an English major from Erie. SGA as well as of her sophomore
Jane was editor-in-chief | of the and senior classes. Sally is active
the merciad during her junior year. in OGA;and was president of the
She is presently a member of the organization last year.;'
Glee Club, PSEA, DSO, and the
Praeterita staff. A native of DuBois, Pennsyl-
vania, Sharon Labosky is a "math
Judy Fitzgerald is a biology ma- major. She is president of Dorm
jor presently engaged in cancer Council and of Sigma Tau Sigma.
research. A -native of Oil City, Sharon is also a member of the
Pennsylvania, Judy is vice-presi- Student Affairs Committee and
dent of the senior class and a mem- PSEA and is a past member of the
ber of Dorm Council and Sigma Policy Committee and the Prae-
Tau Sigma* During Intersession terita staff. She will work at the
she will participate in an internship Data Processing Institute of Erie
program with the Food and Drug during this year's Intersession.
Administration in Washington, D.C.
Home Economics major Linnie
Kathy Fitzgerald is an elemen- McAllister is a native of Wayland,
tary education major from Man- New York. Linnie is president of
chester, 4 Connecticut.! She is pre- the Home Economics Club and
sently the co-ordinator of Mercy- secretary of the Pennsylvania
hurst's Y.C.S, 3 activities and is a Home Economics Association, Col-
member of PSEA. Kathy was also lege Chapter Section. She has also
junior class vice-president. served as freshman class repre-
SGA president Kathy Icardi has sentative to SGA and junior class
also served as treasurer and vice- president and has been a member
president of SGA. A sociology ma- of Glee Club and Y. C. S.l
jor from Bridgevilie, Pennsylvania, Linda Salem is a sociology major
Kathy has been active in Y. C. S. from Tenafly, New Jersey. She has
and on the merciad staff. served as chairman of the Civic
Math major Terry Jones is a na- and National Affairs Committee
tive of Adelphi, Maryland. She is and is ^presently SGA reporter to
presently active in the American the merciad. Her past activities in-

merci Chemical Society and Y.C.S. Terry clude membership in Y. C. S. and

has also served as Parliamentarian on Dorm Council.
of SGA, NSA Co-ordinator, and Elementary education major
member of the Policy Committee. Karen Zmyslinski, from Erie, is a
Jeanne Keim is an elementary member of the Cadet Teacher Pro-
vol. xxxix, no. 3 mercyhurst college, erie, pa. december 4, 1967 education major from Erie. She is gram. She is presently teaching
now editor-in-chief of the Prae- sixth, seventh, and eighth grades
terita, president of PSEA,, and a at St. Mary's School in Erie. Dur-
member of DSO. She has also ser- ing her freshman and sophomore
mercyhurst college statement of purpose ved as freshman class* vice-presi-
dent, sophomore class president, years at Mercyhurst, Karen served
and Orientation* Chairman. Her on J the staffs of the merciad and
Mercyhurct College is a liberal depend upon a capacity to react and fto live according to it, the
past activities include membership Praeterita. She was also sophmore
arts college for women, founded with sensitivity, creativity and ap- right 61 an individual to legal equa-
by the Sisters of Mercy, a religious preciation to human£ experience. lity and to a standard of living be- on the merciad staff!and on the class representative to SGA and a
congregation of the Roman Catholic Moreover, the liberally educated fitting a human being; the obli- Policy and Academic Affairs Com- member of DSO.
Church. person requires skill in solving pro- gation of all men, by virtue of their
Through the liberal arts, Mercy- blems, i. e., in observation, defini-
hurst seeks to inspire in her stu- tion! and! critical analysis, * and in
participation in the human com-
munity, to contribute tot its de- analysis: issues and action
dents a range of interests, a depth the formulation of hypotheses and velopment; the special responsibi-
of appreciation $and facility of conclusions validated by evidence.
thoughtjand action needed for ef- Secondly, a liberal education at
lity in this era of human history
to put at the disposal of the family in campus war protests
fective living in a complex and free Mercyhurst dictates competence in of men every talent for world
peace. (Ed. note: The following article
society. Within t h e | framework of areas of knowledge appropriate to was originally printed in the Octo- At the convention the policies
liberal studies and grounded in an all educated men. This common The synthesis of skilll, values and ber 27 edition of the Collegiate voted on did not include tactical
awareness of the educational needs learning includes concern for man knowledge that Mercyhurst defines Press .Service .bulletin .and .was questions. According to Spiegel,
of woman, the curriculum provides as a total person, for the physical as essential to? an educated person written .by .Richard .Anthony .of questions of strategy and tactics
perspectives that can lead to in- universe, for his social relation- is manifest in devotion to the pre- CPS. See page(5 for a report on are left up to individual SDS chap-
tellectual and moral fulfillment, to ships, his aesthetic achievements paration of teachers. "The art of the attitudes of Mercyhurst stu- ters. It was probably inevitable
rational understanding of the uni- and his attempt to organize and teaching," Mortimer Adler has dents toward the draft and the that the tactics would be in the di-
verse and to participation in the interpret his human condition. Such written, "is nothing but the liberal Viet Nam war.) | rection of sit-ins, however, because
political, social and religious as- concern necessitates true refine- arts exercised on the intellect of SDS has stressed the need for mill-
pects! of contemporary life. ment of judgment and a sense of another." (Adler, Mortimer, Art One the face of it, the wave of tant action against military invol-
Through participation in activities appropriateness in action. and Prudence. New York, 1937, protests against recruiters and vement on campuses.
that translate theoretical know- Finally, at Mercyhurst the stu- P. 434). It is evident that the great military projects that has swept
Spiegel said that militant action
ledge into practical wisdom, each dent is encouraged to recognize and teacher is one who, in awakening college campuses in the past two
weeks would appear to be a direct has been emphasized because past
student learns the responsibilities to act upon certain values funda- curiosity and reflection, illumines outgrowth of the Oct. 21st Mobili- protests have shown it to be the
of social involvement and prepares mental to Christianity and to a free
the meaning of life., Mercyhurst zation. In fact, however, the two most successful method of raising
to share with others the heritage society. These include: the inher-
of truth and beauty. | | ent dignity and liberty of each accepts as its special mission the are connected only in the sense the issues that SDS wants to raise
that both are working against U.S. among university people at large
The life of man suggests for him human being as a creature of God, education of intellectually, spirit-
• • •

three essential tasks. One of these the responsibility consequent upon ually, socially,*and culturally sen- military undertakings . • .
is to participate humanely in the that dignity to search for truth sitive teachers. Another result of militant action
As to the reason for the pro-
social order' through an under- has been the increased use of out-
tests, if there is any one event that
standing of the concepts basic to side police, as in the protests at
well ordered society. A second is
to develop his ^resources of mind
fellowship nominees named may be singled out as their cause
it is not the Moblization but the
the University of Wisconsin and
at Brooklyn College. For SDS the
The Mercyhurst College faculty Students for a Democratic Society
and body in a manner consonant Sociology major Bonnie Hordin- introduction of the police can be
(SDS) national convention last
with his apprehension of the ul- has recently ^nominated eight sen- ski, of Erie, was sponsored by Miss
July.
advantageous but is not always an
timate meaning| of human exis- iors as worthy of consideration by Judith .Wieczorek, .Instructor of unmixed blessing. According to
tence. A third task is to attain the Board of the Woodrow Wilson Sociology. At the convention the delegates Spiegel it can turn the controversy
a professional proficiency and so Fellowship Foundation. Announce- Pat Leon, a music major from decided to direct their efforts this away from the question of military
make possible the achievement of ment of the nominations was made DuBois, Pennsylvania, was! spon- year toward reducing military in- involvement on campuses to that
a satisfactory role in the contem- by Sister M. de Montfort, Dean of sored by Sister M. Helen! Jean, volvement on university campuses. of police brutality . . .
porary world. i Students and Campus Representa- Associate Professor of Music. The idea of making this effort did
There are, according to one SDS
Aware that these three tasks of tive for the Woodrow Wilson Foun- Sister M. Charles, Chairman of not originate at the convention. As estimate, approximately 900 colle-
life are interrelated, liberal edu- dation. the] Natural Science Department, Mike Spiegel, national secretary ges and universities that have de-
cation at Mercyhurst strives to The nominees are: Kathryn Will- acted as faculty sponsor for four of the organization, admits, "We fence department or CIA grants,
bring them into harmony for the ems,! Bonnie Hordinski, Patronella students: Sylvia King, a math ma- really decided after the fact. There and many of those will be the tar-
individual student. The college pro- Leon, Sylvia King, Sharon Jenkins, jor from Wesleyville, Pennsylvania; was a lot of this kind of activity gets during the coming year. What-
gram lis designed specifically to Maureen Good, Donna Rossoni, and Maureen Good, a chemistry 'major going on last year on various cam- ever else comes out of the year,
foster the skills, knowledge, and Kathleen Airo. from Bogota, New Jersey; biology puses." •? there is little question that SDS
values that lead to humane and Kathryn Willems is a French major Sharon Jenkins and chemis-
Christian living. major from Jamestown, New York. It is also true that SDS has been will emerge as the most-hated stu-
try^ major Donna Rossoni, both of
Essentially the liberally educated Kay was sponsored by three Mercy- Erie. the sole impetus behind each of the dent organization in the country's
person needs skill in communication hurst faculty members: Sister M. campus protests of the past two history—with most of the ill-will
Kathleen Airo is a math major weeks. On the other hand, SDS
that is the 5 product of critical and Gabriel, Professor of\French; Mr. from Saddle Brook, New. Jersey. members have been involved to coming from two sourses—the fe-
j§J comprehensive reading, logical or- Igor Stalski, Assistant Professor of
dering of ideas, coherent writing, French; and Mr. John Lincourt, Kathy was sponsored by Sister M. some extent in all of them, and deral government and college and
and effective speech. These in turn Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Celine, Professor of Mathematics. have organized some of them. university administrators.
 Page 2 the merciad December 4, 1967

feffers/effers/efffeffers/effersfeffers/effers
The following letter is valuable
for two reasons. First, it repre-
sents the large segment of student
opinion which ^entirely missed the
point of Alicia King's article in the
last issue of the merciad. It re-
veals Just how unable we are, as
James Baldwin wrote, "to get in-
side another man's skin." We are
locked in our race. This is as
inevitable as it is obvious. Secondly,
this letter also speaks for the large
majority of girls who would say
to Alicia: Keep your culture—and
even share it with us—if you pos-
sibly can. We don't want you to
lose through | our association your
singularly Negro values. We would
rather that you "stirred" us as we
"stir" you. f C S.
* * * * * * * * * *
thefcontractmethod
same quote" . . . of conformity to possible to escape this ego for a
standards and values that hold moment and to understand in a by Emily Fatica j
little meaning or enrichment]for limited way the psychology which
J The fall term held something of a new learnnig experi-
Negroes « . £ " The entire state- Alicia presented: A ence for about 60 junior education majors. This experience
ment and with regard tot the con-
(1) The "isolation" she men- was provided by the CONTRACT METHOD used by Mr.
text in which it was used seems, Bryan with his Foundations of Education classes. It was
to me, to be very contrary to tioned is not the Thoreau-like so- a teacher-pupil contract which defined the work to be done
anything I have been taught at litude of the individual spirit which
this letter mistakes it for. This is- and the grade to be received. !
Mercyhurst. I am white; but I have Mr. Bryan defined the requirements necessary to re-
olation is a concept far beyond the
not been taught conformity/ to ceive an A, B, or C, and every student contracted for a de-
realm of the white experience.
white standards merely for the sired grade in terms of the amount of work they were willing
sake of conformity. Rather, I have (2) "I have not been taught con-
to do. The requirement for an A was to write eight three-
been impressed i with the idea and formity to white standards merely page papers on topics in education ranging from "A Socratic
values of being an individual. for the sake of conformity." No—
Dialogue" to "Education in the Modem World." Of the eight
H*1 am oil being mixed with wa- neither has Alicia—merely for the papers three were original works, and the other five were re-
ter; and as long as I am constantly sake of conformity. Brft all of us
search papers stressing original souces. The requirements for
being stirred, I mingle; but once (though not in so many words) a B grade were to write five of the suggested papers and also
the stirring stops, I am oil again." have learned conformity to white
achieve an 80% on the final test. Those who contracted for
That is just the point! Being a standards for the sake of I survival a C grade were obliged to write three papers and also achieve
minority in a group makes you in a white world, *We are all un- an 80 % on the final exam. Anyone who contracted for an A
different; but not necessarily in the fortunately and unknowingly taught was not required to take a final exam as the final essay to
* * *

negative sense. If standing alone is conformity—and at Mercyhurst as

Dear Editor,
I can not speak for anyone else;
but, for myself, I can. "Reflections
of Negro on White Campus" was
perhaps, one of the most distur-
bing articles -in the November 3,
1967 issue of the merciad. Distur-
bing, not because it reflected pre-
judice on the part of the Caucasion
members of) this campus, but rat-
her, it reflected the fear that too
many of us experience—the fear of
being an individual.
How did I arrive at that conclu-
sion? Let me restate a few of the
quotes from the article" . . . a
feeling of isolation, of conforming
to standards and values that hold
little meaning i- or enrichment for
Negroes. Sfjjl " The first part of
this quote "a feeling of isolation"
is a point worthy of praise. It says
to me—an individual at times must
positively projected—as being an much as, if not more than, else-
individual—then Alicia's point is where. And if not to white stan-
well taken. However, if it is to dards, then to what? It is only
be regarded with i reference to a necessary to escape our white ego
race, I think it was stated in poor long enough to recongnize this as
taste. It reflects a serious lacking true. I am not speaking cynically
when we begin to excuse or sym- here at all. But the truth—when
pathize with ourselves because God it is disturbing—need not be glos-
created us each in a different way. sed over with triteisms or hushed-
In reference to our speaking a up for* harmony's sake. It has a
"different tongue," This to me, is way of insistently warping the
great! Many of us come from gloss and breaking the silence.
culturally or socially different
(3) Alicia—if I, too, may risk
areas. Yet the experience of com- interpreting her—did not mean to
municating with each other is, per- project her minority identity as
haps, an extension to the education "negative." On the contrary, her
we are received by attending clas- interest was at an opposite pole.
ses. It is|a real chance for us to This was, as a matter of fact, the
come out of ourselves and to learn most central theme of her article.
what makes other—"tick". >
Sincerely, Ij (4) She stated outright that nei-
* d. el. ther 1"sympathy" -nor controversy
was being elicited. There was no-
* * * * * * * * * * * *
be written acted as a final.
I The papers were graded on an acceptable-unacceptable
basis. There was no real letter grade, but it was pointed out
that anything of a C or higher quality was acceptable, and
anything less was unacceptable. Any unacceptable paper was
to be rewritten making the changes Mr. Bryan suggested. If
the paper was still unacceptable after the second try, the
contract was broken and the grade resulted from the quality
of the other papers.
II The CONTRACT METHOD presented quite a work load
for both Mr. Bryan and his students; Mr. Bryan was com-
mitted tojreading and evaluating roughly 50 papers weekly
and many time rereading and reevaluating corrected?.ones.
The student contracted to write "a gem a week." Obviously,
neither side completely fulfilled the bargain, but we recog-
nize both sides as making whole hearted attempts J
Mr. Bryan asked for an evaluation of the course under
the CONTRACT METHOD|and from the?36 who evaluated,
the results were quite favorable. Approximately 91 % were in
favor of the method, and all except 3 % would be willing to
try it again! (with some changes I specified by many). About
84% likeed the CM better or much better than the basic
lecture-test method. In the same comparison, less than half
or 44% felt that it was easier! to achieve an A under CM

stand alone; must!not be|swayed This letter isija veryjrepresent- thing maudlin or militant in her
writing and nothing that called for than the usual lecture-test*method, and 20%«felt that there
to move with the crowd in an area active reaction. The intention is very was not much difference between the two.
he is not thoroughly convinced of: a maudlin or militant reaction.
fine, the concern heartening. But Also, in the evaluation some of the problems were
must risk being himself and adher- an understanding of what Alicia I apologize to d. el. for my dis- pointed out suggesting improvement of it rather than
ing to his personal convictions rat- wrotef is missing entirely. There sent but I consider it a very neces- scratching it. Many students felt that more specific require-
her than sliding into the realm of are a|few comments I wouldjlike sary and fundamental one. I am ments should have been made|for acceptable papers. Many
conformity. It is * inevitable for to make on this letter—purely per- speaking for myself alone, not for felt that the contract presented too much work for one course
anyonefwho seeks to be an indivi- sonal thoughts on the locked-in ego the newspaper. —A or no A11 Others fcdt jjthat CM encouraged cutting, fos-
dual to experience isolation. of our race which, of course, II Christine strong tered a tendency to ignore notes, and that it made the course
Now to the second portion of the share. But I do think that it is too cut and dried. A few other problems were mentioned in a
The Merciad Wishes to different light, i. e.: that "eight A papers should be expected
If Thank Sister Gabriel for Re- for a studentito get an* A grade," and that the CM destroys
CAM. fori fun and profit" opening the Snack Bar. We
appreciate the time and effort
the initiative of a good student.
Mr. Bryan was pleased with the course andfthe CON-
she expended in doing so. TRACT METHOD. Even though!he admits it could be Jim-
' Mr Art Buchwald, noted political satirist, spoke at Gan- proved, he will be willing to try it again. As he put it, "It
non Auditorium recently using the title, "The C. I. A. for takes the game out of learning and teaching."
Pun and Profit" as the theme of his address. The title set Dear Editor, Many of the students agree what they learned will be
the tone of his remarks and after one hour he had proven £ In my opinion, the Merciad is a remembered; that they enjoyed faking a class with out the
that the abilityiix> satirize and to laughiat current events fine newspaper for a relatively "final test threat" (that, of course, applies to those who con-
jjB&truly a vital asset. jpl' pf| 5 If I small girls' school. This, however, tracted for an A ) ; and thatlthe wor k load was heavy but
Mr. Buchwald is the author of a column!which appears does not begin to make up for the that it was evenly paced throughout the entire term—week-
in three hundred ten international newspapers and is fol- many and varied mistakes in gram- ly Wednesday evening cramming instead of final cramming!
lowed avidly by many readers, including the politicians about mar which are found throughout
whom he writes. He has also written several books, the latest the publication. There can be no
two offwhich are "And Then I told The President" and "Son excuse for these errors!
of the Great Society". Through'his columns and books he I am under the impression that
spectrum
makes the reader aware of Several* crucial! problems that the bulk of the newspaper's staff is by Isabella D. Hagelstein more than the locality they share.
involve not only^our own country, but the entire world. In made up of English majors. If they ?A short television commentary Theirs is the indigent countryside,
his Gannon address, he spoke with wit about several political are unable to cope with simple on Adrew Wyeth has drawn a the rural, durable world which
topics ranging from the CJl. A. scandel to the war in Viet grammer, perhaps some students persistent comparison. in my mind Thoreau and Emerson before them
Nam. Some comments were ironic, some serious, and some from other departments should be to Robert Frost. Certain mutual nurtured in the American mind.
refreshingly humorus. | I f p g % considered for the positions of page qualities are immediately notice- Pop, op art, modern poetry have
able. Here are two Americans, a j no place in the Frost-Wyeth syn-
Buchwald made several comments about President John- editors. M
few generations apart, both accom- drome. Both men have gained a
son during the course of his lecture. In answering a question Our newspaper is read not only plished artists but working with sense of life and reality through
posed to him by a member of the audience he said that Presi- by Mercyhurst students, but also different media. Both depict rural, j their attention to detail. Readers
dent Johnson has a better sense of humor than Charles De by their parents and friends. I common place situations in New feel a kinship with Frost with his
Gaulle especially .when Bobby Kennedy is in trouble. Speaking would be ashamed to admit that England. Though Wyeth divides ear for the vernacular and rhythm
on executive strategy, he maintainedfthat Johnson seems to a college like Mercyhurst could be his time between Maine and Penn- in American speech. His poems are
have all the answers. All he needs now are the questions. responsible for a product like this. sylvania, his works exhibit that conversational pictures. While with
He also stated that from his personal experiences, the further sturdy hardiness associated with Wyeth viewers return again and
away from Washington, D. C. one is, the morelstable the A proud
Mercyhurst Girl New England. It is the quality again to gaze on a face, a view£
political situation seems to become. * They are there and want to be!
£4 As he satirized many pertinent current issues, one fact i Published every three weeks The solitary quality of Wyeth's
about Mr. Buchwald's style became ^evident. * Though the MERCYHURST COLLEGE, ERIE, PA. paintings isolate and enhance. The
listener's immediate reaction is to laugh at the wit and $.35 per issue $3.00 per year viewer is alone in a crowed gal-
supreme irony, he cannot help but see the underlying realty. Editor-in-Chief , .j: Chriss Strong lery. He knows he has seen yet
Buchwald made a proposition. He suggested a "Bus-A-Com- Executive Editor . . . . . . . . Mary Ann Morton never seen before. Wyeth and Frost
mie" program whereby each American town would import its Page Editors Elaine March give us a second chance at per-
own ready made Communist and pay him to be a scapegoat •A' Mary Ann D'Urso, Judith Bradley, ception, and without LSD.
for its own fear and hatred. The wit is there and the urge Pam Poyer, Rosalie Hodas, Chris These two unassuming craftsmen
to laugh follows, but the laughter comes because the mind is f' Bodanski have touched the hearts of in-
able to recognize the irony of the statement, the realities Photography Editor Kathy Kelly dividuals of all ages with their
of fear of Communism and hatred of minority groups. There Typing and Copy Editor Cathy Varca concentration on the intrinsic and
•S is reality, an inner truth brought forth by Mr. Buchwald's Exchange Editor . . . Emily Fatica timeless. Is it these very qualities
humor. His satire makes the truth more real and more signi- Business Editor Lorraine Tucker which attract? Or is it quest for
ficant. It influences more profoundly. Club News Co-Editor Kathy Humphries security in the past? Or a desire
There are questions in the mind of every well-read Moderator Mr. Barry McAndrew for a simplicity which is lacking |
American today, questions concerning the future of America, Editorial Staff . . yf| Linda Colvin today? Could there be rededica-
the situation in Viet Nam, the racial tension and poverty in Sykvia Kergersky, Pat J Herman, tion of values ? Perhaps the Hippie
our country. American needs people like Mr. Buchwald, people has dramatized a basic truth. Cer-
who know the political situation and present it to the public 5 Kathy Causgrove, Kathy Hum-
* phries, Kathy Zozlowski, Mary tainly the formally attired gallery
in such a way that it is forced to face the vital reality of viewer and the pensive reader are
life in today's world. One faces the questions of modern life, Zins, Margaret Fox, Danise Bona-
dio, Eileen Kraus, - Linda Salem, far removed from Haight-Ashbury
questions for some of which jthere are no easy answers and Street. Are we subconsciously be-
inevitably one begins questioning too. It is only through this Mary Stanton, Jackie Flynn, Mary ginning to shake off hypocrisy, sta-
questioning and searching that solution is found. Jo McCarthy, Mary Pat McGary. tus, materialism.
*«
December 4,1967 the merciad Page 3

theatre:? am abused medium

by Christine Strong cus. It is not adequate prepara- pates intellectually and morally as
H

tion for participation in an artis- well as emotionally in it; and that

|The Talisman Players of Gannon tic £ experience, j he gives reflection later in solitude
College recently staged The Alche- to the immediate reactions he gave
mist, an Elizabethean comedy by This is accepted in literary and to the performance. (This last is
Ben Johnson. This was a distinct musical fields. Literature, for ex- debatable). No work of art of the
change of pace for a theater im- ample, requires not only interpre- magnitude of a three-act play seen
mersed for the past three years tation and analysis. It must first in an isolated two-hour period can
in period farce and musical comedy. be read. This alone places a demand be given pull—or even more than
Although, it was played to small on the individual; but it is taken superficial—participation.
and often unresponsive houses, the for granted. The pace and care with
production was on the whole which he reads, the supplementary Theater, moreover, is not judged
admirably executed. It was heart- research and thought which he by the amateur critic on theatrical
ening to find Gannon venturing brings to the book, all heighten his
into more academic theater, dis- experience in reading it. The edu-
grounds;
parable
TV.
in
He

Because
considers
medium
he is
to
versed
drama
the film
in the
com-
or to
lat-
fernand vega at inn
tinguishing showmanship from dra- cated person assumes this response
ma. This is not a facile distinction ter two, he considers himself {part As a welcome change from folk This is Femando's fifth year in
bility automatically. Because drama of the theatrical milieu. He is songs, occasionally one?.can sit at the United States. He attended one
to make, it seems.
is wrapped and delivered and does wrong. Consequently, Agatha the Inn Secure and listen to ballads year of high school here and is pre-
Good theatre is, theoretically, en- not necessarily require the initial ef- Christie nonsense like Wait Until sang in both English and Spanish. sently completing his senior year
Dark is presented at exorbitant These are sung by Fernando Vega at Gannon. To those who know him
joyable. Good theatre is, in fact, fort, it is presumed that it makes prices at a local theatre. Conse-
Merida from Mexico. personally, he is friendly and inter-
anathema to most audiences. This no participatory demands on the in- quently, the Erie Civic Theater's
esting to talk to. He considers each
is perhaps because the equation dividual! (the same is often true of incredibly poor production of Completely entrancing his audi- individual as a new experience and
of theater and entertainment is ac- art, sculpture). Because'the indivi- Thousand Clowns is given rave re- ence, Fernando expertly plays the loves to meet people. His radiant
guitar and sings his favorites
curate but misinterpreted. In other dual is watching, he is passive. views. This is almost unbelievable. personality comes forth in his bal-
which include "Laura" and "Yo-Soy lads. Fernando intends to remain in
words, the same.Broadway audience And, of course, every spectator in lot the three plays staged one -Auuel." He also enjoys singing the
will attend Pinter's Homecoming the theater considers himself a cri- weekend this month, Gannon's bossa|nova sounds. He is particu- the United States for two more
and Hello Dolly in the same spirit: tic of credit (This is not as true in Alchemist was certainly the most larly .noted for his2transition of years andj pursue a { career in
I am present; I am going to sit music and in literature—more true significant, even the most enjoy- keys in the middle of a song which singing.
able, and assuredly the*most thea- is a difficult feat. Fernando 3also
back and relax; engage my atten- though in art). He uses his pleasure trical production. It is understand-
sings favorites such as "Ebb Tide," f£ Talent such as Fernando Vega
tion, interest and affect me; and as a yardstick of judgement. It is able, of course, that the mass media "More," and "Love Me With All of can be found at the Inn Secure.
I may be pleased. Pleasure in one an accurate measurement, but only would not consider Ben Jonson en- YourlHeart." k ) 1 Stop in for an enjoyable evening.
on certain conditions: that the*in- joyable. But'then the Erie com-
case will not be forthcoming. Re-1 w^^ m ™- munity is hardly a barometer of
taxation is an adequate prepara- dividual is prepared for the thea- cultural quality. Alchemist was a
tion for a Peyton Place or a cir- trical experience, that he partici- step well taken. It I shows some- conklin on marine biology
thing that the Mercyhurst theater
has been demonstrating for fmany On Sunday, November 12, Mercy- nical problems to contend with,
years—that {the academic theater hurst was priviledged to have na- breakthroughs may happen soon

concert in rehearsal has a contribution to make to the

community, a contribution that
every other theatre refuses to offer.
One timeless debate is, therefore
outdated: Is the college theater's
first responsibility an educational
one to the students and to the dra-
matists themselves or is any
theater only justified in the public
reception! it receives ? ObviouBly,
the academic theatre has something
to give the public as well. Whether
the public is prepared to receive
it is another.-question. Whether it
is possible for academic theater to
force an audience to educate itself
and to participate in the creative
dramatic experience is still another.
Mr. Conklin, producing two rusty
metal nodules, explained that they
turalist andlauthor Roger Conklin
sa guest speaker for the 1967 Reli-
han Memorial Lecture Series. Mr.
Conklin, a graduate;: of the Uni-
versity of Miami and currently with
the aquarium, the largest tropical
marine aquarium i n | the world,
spoke on "The Little Known World
of Inner Space."
The treasures of our "blue-green
basement," as Mr. Conklin terms
the oceans, are almost limitless. We
are "just beginning to get our feet
wet" in an area that comprises
71% of our world. It is nine times
greater than the area of the moon,
and though we have been sailing
its surfaces for thousands of years,
we are still in the "covered wagon
stage."
due to experiments being carried
on at such places as the Sea-Lab
Station off the coast of California.
Life at the depth of 1,000 feet is
said to be only a few years?away
for ocean explorers. Mr. Conklin
described: what a day in one of
these undersea projects might be
like. A man would wake to a blue-
green morning, liquid and lonely
outside the-portholes special sub-
marines, such as those developed
for James Bond series would carry
him on his various tasks in a world
almost as "pressure conscious" as
ours. Life could be quite livable,
once man adapted, and the threat
of nuclear war lends this possibility
a new importance.
Another aspect of the treasures
of the sea is its inhabitants. Mr.
Conklin showed various examples
of underwater existence such as a

The Mercyhurst College Glee spends her Monday evenings mak-

Club will present their annual
Christmas concert on December 10,
1967 in the Little Theatre. The first
part of the program will include
familiar carols sung by the Chorus
and the Madrigal Singers, and harp
selections by Mrs.Elaine Schuster,
who is a member of the Erie Phil-
harmonic Orchestra. Benjamin
Brittern's "A Ceremony of Carols,"
which has become a tradition at
Mercyhurst will make up the se-
cond portion of the program. This
work will be accompanied by Mrs.
Schuster.
Extramusicai T
Speaking of music, students of
the music department are putting
their spare time to good use. Mari-
lyn Schauble is teaching guitar and
violin at the Music House and has
started her own string quartet.
She is ialso a member of the Erie
Symphonic Singers. Mary Grace
Cross and Mary Jo Pasikoski are
busy with weekend jobs as organ-
ists while Cecily Cottrill teaches
piano. Kathy Nelson ,Marlene Kelly
and Suzette Aleci are also members
of the Erie Symphonic Singers.
Marlene and Suzette are co-direc-
tors of the Mercyhurst Madrigal
Singers, who perform \at various
events throughout the Erie area.
Bruce Wright is a busy member
of the Intruders. John Kuhn teaches
at Osieki's and Georgej Hughes
sings in St. Paul's| Episcopal
Cathedral Choir, Lending a musical
hand! at Booker T. are Helen
Cozma, Gloria Sevinsky, and Mar-
cia Quinn while | Kathy Nelson
ing music with her church youth
organization.
Music Club
On November 3, 1967, there was
a Music Club meeting with guest
speaker, Mr. Paul B. McCandless,
well-known music educator and
teacher from the Meadville area.
Mr. McCandless gave a very inte-
resting talk on the future of music
education and the future role of
music teachers. The question arose
whether to re-open a student chap-
ter off MENS (MUSIC EDUCA-
TOR'S! N A T I 0 N A L
CONFER-
ENCE). It was decided in favor of
the student chapter after careful
consideration into the activities of
the organization. An organization
such as this trys to come to ••grips
with problems in teaching and jail
the activities found in the schools
with regard to music. General
music, band, orchestra, chorus, in-
strumental and vocal instruction
and ensembles, music literature,
composition, theory, litening pro-
grams, adult education, community
services, and related activities to
mention a few. It makes students
eligible to attend the national music
conventions and encourages parti-
cipation in workshops with other
student chapters in nearby colleges.
There was a discussion in prepar-
ation for the Philharmonic concert
in November 13th featuring Sidney
Harth a violinist. The meeting was
presided over by Music Club Pre-
sident; Bruce Wright, assisted by
Secretary - Treasurer; Kathy
Nelson, and Publicity Manager;
Suzette Aleci,
social events were evidence of a 10,000,000 for-
tune in maganese located off the Venus' Flower Basket, which in
coasts of Florida and Georiga in reality is the lovely skeleton of a
in retrospect the Atlantic deeps. Manganese is
precious to the steel industry and
j glassy sponge. More practically
however, the Dolphin and the Shark
'Hurst studets enjoyed a lively this deposit is perhaps the richest are becoming important to man.
social calendar the weekend before yet found on earth.
finals. Friday, November 10, The Dolphin whose brain is six
Sophomores sponsored a Sadie He predicted the founding of un- times the size of ours, is "helping"
Hawkin's Dance; Saturday, Gan- dersea cities before the turn of the in scientific research. The Navy has
non's J TKE concert featured the century. These mining towns could studied its skin and adapted the
be composed of glassy compounds,
Pozo - Seco Singers; and the fol- principles of rippling, laminar flow
lowing Monday, Seniors entertained which research has shown streng- in the manufacture of topedos, no-
their little sisters. thens under powerful ocean pres- ting that this cuts resistance to
sures. Oxygen would have to be movement by fifty percent.
The Sadie Hawkin's Dance mark- extracted from the salt water and
ed two "firsts" for Mercyhurst. It
though there are many such tech- Sharks, commonly thought of as
was the first dance in the new
killers, may soon come to be known
Student Union, and the first) to
as saviors in the fight against
which girls were permitted to wear
cancer. At j Cape Hayes Labs in
cut-offs and jeans. The dance was is now folk rock, but something
Sarasota J Florida, a group of wo-
sponsored primarily for enjoyment all its own." They have played at
men Researchees have extracted
rather than profit. Although 84 the country's top night clubs and
Restin from shark livers, and made
couples attended, the Sophomores concerts stages and at the L6J
the amazing discovery that this
did not quite break even. General Ranch.
substance apparently halts cancer
chairman, Alicia King, maintained,
On| Monday, Seniors entertained in research animals and turns the
however, that "taking all things in-
Sophs from 6 to 7:80. After a course of destruction backwards.
to consideration, I'm pleased with
chicken buffet dinner, a number of Tests are being processed now
the outcome." Jamie Shayne and
Big Sister-Little Sister teams were which mayenable science to utilize
the Fine Line -provided music for
chosen to do a rendition of "Old this man's battle with cancer. Mr.
the dance.
Mac Donald." Little sisters were in- Conklin commented that a wise
The TKE - sponsored Pozo-Seco structed to act the part of a frog, creator hadjhidden the answers to
Singers drew almost 1 a capacity lizard, elephant, bird, giraffe, don- some* of man's questions in the
crowd at Gannon Auditorium. The key, and other barnyard friends, unlikeliest places.
talented Texas threesome sang then "awarded" corn cob pipes with
their former best-sellers, "Time" cherry tobacco to smoke on the The theme of his talk was sum-
and "111 Be Gone," and earned a spot. After this, Elaine Wilson and med up with the words "more be-
standing ovation and two encores. Ann Dysinger provided guitar mu- yond." There is indeed much more
Their sound, says Cash Box, a sic , for impromptu songs and dan- than man has realized thus far in
music trade «weekly, is "a^ folk ces. Jane Carney, senior class pres- the sea and even beyond this, in
sound combined with a beat, which ident, managed the affair. the mystery of life itself.
 the merciad December 4,1907
—

a.a.if.p.: speak up - - meditation for

Jircfenf power questioned £ The Mercyhurst Chapter of AAUP requests this space so that the

m
~\ . . .

%m
"Zfolf MtoiTa Salem 4
I

#£'• fluence, decisionsJbut the ability to Faculty may speak up. AA UP may disagree with what is said but
endorses the idea of saying it.
modern life
r i t ^lieemS dangerous to- begin make decisions . .f. let this pron-
tdJscussioii of students rights with ciple apply—he who must obey the % by John M. Lincourt by Judith Bradley
<KkMi M jjj- Communication is naturally a central concern of contemporary phil- i k
thffifeuirently-used
^^-^^^—SSksafi^L-^Ji- '{student
phrase; ^ ^ rule ' should make it/* (Edward
-,=. At times it seems that mantis
power*!? That impact, depending! Schwarti, NSA President)! Practi- osophers. What makes it possible ? When does it succeed ? What are its trapped on a mad merry-go-round
0|U whicgi i l d a of the fence one cally, NSA is implementing its po- varied forms ? These are all questions tofwhich philosophers in both that has somehow gone out of con-
chdosesi;o stand, .is inevitably an licy through a student power move- Europe and America have been addressing themselves. Some have trol whirling to a shrieking caco-
e m ^ & n a l one. Conjecturing college ment! A student power desk is be- done so in the more technical form of analyzing language, others in phony of mechanized conformity
faculty and administimtion reac- ing established on a national level the more psychological form of analyzing man's personal world. But and ^shattering f de-personalization.
tipnsfto student power, it does not for various purposes, among them at the center of these complementary enterprises lies a common concern How does one escape the merry-go-
seem difficult to imagine their res- "to legally defend the student who with man's daily life and with his communication in a world that is round ? When can one wander in the
ponse measured by disgust and lack are challenging the university au- acknowledged by all to be too complex for words. Modern Philosophy is solitary dusk and look up at the
of tolerance, Within a student thority in civil cases." (NSA Pro- not? the philosophy of despair, decadence,* and anguish that it is so stars in blessed silence ?
orientation,* the issue of student gram Mandate on Student Power). often depicted. It recognizes these aspects of our lives, but only in
:
power is easily accepted; students order to overcome them and to resolve our daily confusion. Much of Modem man seems to prefer im-
Obviously, NSA's concern here
appear the underdogs and the is with student rights. Why, then, Modem Philosophy comes to grips with thejj central problem? each of mersement in waves of insistent
faculty and administration assume are they focusing upon student us must face these days—what men and, more particularly, we as noise and faceless crowds of people.
the role of shifty authoritarians power? The shift is a significant individuals must do in order to produce something constructive in the He hears, but does he listen?;He
who delight, in crushing student one, for power in this context is an midst of all our destructiveness. Modern Philosophy is a philosophy of knows many people, but has he any
creativity. The problem, however, end rather than a means. It seems difficulty. It asserts once and for all that there is no cheap hope for friends? He strives for the ever-
has been oversimplified and not that a bitter conflict between fa- man. Hence, we must work hard to communicate with the other or we new, with mobility his cardinal vir-
considered in true perspectivex will not survive in this complex world. tue-new sights, new sounds, new
culty, administration* and the stu-
Student power^must be related dents is inevitable from this ap- In order to confront this world of harsh realities, a common medium people, new situations. But for
to students rights. Admittedly, the proach. Yet, is this conflict neces- of communication must be developed. Agreement in judgements, and what—a new self? He has a multi-
area of student rights is a complex sary to achieve student rights? constancy and community of some experience, are preliminary con- tude of interests, but wants no
often sticky situation. The problem Admittedly, there are grave dif- ditions for this communication. Without this common basis of experience involvement. Can he become in-
focuses less upon abstract ideas re- ferences between^ students and ad- people could notf communicate with one another; v their worlds would volved? What can he involve?
garding rights of students, than ministration concerning student be too disparate, regardless of the agreements they might have made The existential emptiness of the
upon the practical implementation rights (at Mercyhurst, for one in the realm'!? of rules or laws. This common basis of experience can modern scene is expressed again
of these- rights—what the extension example, choice of courses), but possibly^be found in one aspect of communicationi itself, namely, in and agaih in man's search for self.
of student rights should be, that is, does this require a student power learning. If learning theorists and educators were to agree on a specific A self is delineated against a back-
w h a | t 1 a r e a s of decision- movement which could seriously structure regarding the teaching of subject matter, a common denomi- ground of personal, essential, even
making should be' available to stu- isolate the two groups? Within nator may yet be found. spiritual relationships. But if man
dents. In 3:964V UCLA's Berkeley NSA, student power has become a Matter, form and awareness, in a rising order of importance, could has no self, how can he have any
campus vwas -confronted .with the movement, in a small way similar be utilized at the standard for educational procedure. A student will be true and meaningful relationships?
awesome problem of student rights to the Black Power coup d'etat. taught the matter of a discipline in a certain form and, most impor- The modern Situation seems to of-
through Mario Savio and the free Just as the vital and complex pro- tantly, he will be urged regularly to relate this formal knowledge to fer few alternatives to the dilem-
speech ^oyen^ent. The faculty and blem off civil rights and equality his "person" and to his immediate environment. By this practice of mak- ma: to deny, any absence of self
administration felt the impact of has surrendered to the violent and ing the student aware of the human implications of his personal aca- by using noise, material^comforts,
student power expressed through arbitrary whims of Black Power, demic endeavor, a common basis of communication is established. Even people to block out any semblance
riots, demonstrations, andi teach- the essential problem of ' student if disciplines are different essentially, their natures must be explained of emptiness; to create a pre-fabri-
v
ins.'' Th!s is 'precisely thellevel at rights is yielding to the emotions in relation to their goal, namely, their significance in this age in which cated self through non-thinking
which student power enters the is- of a Student Power ideology. we all share. conformity; to simulate an expand-
sue off students rights; students ed self through drugs, free "love,"
en masse, can fuse the force of prejudice, war. The crucial ques-
numbers to obtain what they inter-
pret? as student's rights, that lis,
pass-fail again system evaluated tion arises from logical necessity—
are these the only alternatives? Is
student power. Here, power is a there any answer, or is man con-
means to an end; it is a technique In the last issue of the merciad, lative average; the college repre- California Institute of Techno- demned to a horrifying futility?
for acquisition of rights. Within this the pass-fail system of J grading sentative felt that, while some stu- logy uses the pass-fail system-for Therefis an answer, but to find
context, ^student power should not was presented as opera ted by va- dents do manipulate the pass-fail all* courses in the \freshman curri-J it, man must see rather than look,
be interpreted fas the end of any rious colleges and universities. option to improve their grade point culum, but only one course in the listen rather than hear. The answer
action.»However, power as an end Since then, the Office of Institu- average, "valid uses far outnum- upper divisions. This policy was is not part of mechanical, program-
seems to be precisely the extent tional Studies • in Amhurst, Mass. ber possible abuses." adopted to "encourage the deve- med, information-oriented instruc-
of contemporary involvement with has released the results of its na- Ohio State University allows sen- lopment of anj atitude in which tion; it partakes of intuitive, con-
the issue! The NSA' Congress this tional survey of the effectiveness iors, graduate students, and pro- a student sees himself<fas a \ self- templative, wisdom-oriented under-
summer extensively considered stu- Of this system. f fessional students to take certain guilded scholar rather than as a standing. It is a simply profound
dent power onfa theoretical and-a competing gra"de-getter." As a re- answer—to know the self, man
At Pomona College, ail freshman courses in selected schols and col-
practical level. Theoretically, |stu- seminars are pass-fail and juniors sult, the freshman attrition rate must experience the existence of
leges in the pass-fail plan; there
power was interpreted "not as^a and seniors may ; opt for pass-fail deceased considerably and anxiety Being. He must know Supreme Be-
is no specific limitation on the was not so evident. The {morale
negation of the rules—it is' a in elective courses outside their number of such courses that a ing with his mind and with his
creation of a new process for the major fields. Students may take up of- the sophomores who had par- heart and with his soul;;'he can
student may take. Credit hours ticipated in the program was* also
enactment of rules. Student power to two courses per semester under are received for the pass grade, then recognize in himself and in
is Hot the elimination of authority . this option, with a maximum of higher. The only disadvantage was others the potential to participate
but neither pass nor faiifcounts in the psychological shock to compe-
.. . It is the development of J a four such courses counting toward the grade point average. The pro- in the existence of that Being.
titive students when were no longer
democratic'standard of authority . graduation. Neither grade is re- gram is considered successful by "rewarded" in terms of high If you are willing to listen, you
. . not simply -the ability! to in- gistered! in the student's accumu- the university. grades. L will learn; if you give heed, you
will be wise . . . . Reflect on the
model Vatican council convened Of the other six colleges exa-
mined—Stanford University, the 'precepts of the Lord, let his com-
University of California at Berkley, mandments be your constant me-
Every college student is familiar students: "Many gladly accept advised: "Students and parents Oberlin College, Tufts, Mount ditation; then He will enlighten
with the Model U.N. and with the these terms, but—in an age in must reconize their own personal Holyoke College, and Lehigh Uni- your mind, and the wisdom you
mock J political conventions which which schooling is compulsary on rights, formulate meaningful pro- versity—all limit the student to one desire He will grant. (Sirach
nave become part of collegiate ex- the lower levels and imperative grams tution grants, and tell their pass-fail course per *term, with VII: 33 & 37) |& |
perience. John Carroll University in on the higher—many students who story clearly and politically to the varying restrictions as to the num-
Cleveland has initiated a particu- dissent from stated schooling- but federal government and to the leg- With the concept of self derived
ber of such courses allowed during from this wisdom, man will he free.
lar type of symposium never be- who lack resources are being ec- islatures of their respective states." the entire college career. In ail He can ileave the futile existence
fore ^attemped by any university onomically coerced into sittting at The rest of the Model Vatican II cases, the passing grade was not of the merry-go-round ^to partici-
large or small—a model Vatican the feet of state educators. This is was centered on discussion of the included in the grade point aver- pate in the vital existance of Being.
II Council. The Model Vatican II an intolerable offence against the original*documents of the council. age, but in half the fail grade was He will be able to act purposefully,
held earlier''this year was a most personal rights of these students Five vitall issues were presented included. In general, the survey guided by the flight of a^ wisdom
significant and gratifying event. to academic freedom of mind and for student discussion: Birth Con-
conscience.1tt (continued! on page 6) that will never fail. I
Much of the Second Vatican Coun- trol, War and Peace, Catholic Ed-
cil was directed toward youth and The state claims that public ucation, the Clerical Mystique, and tf£3§$SS^9K!3$5
r
"^~*^^--"~*

the updating of the Church, the *ag-
gornamento" of which Pope John
XXIII spoke. Both he and Pope
Paul VI were interested in the
opinion of youth and especially
the opinion of responsible colleg-
ians because of the increased role
of the layman iri the Church.fThe
Model Vatican Council provided
an opportunity for the Church and
schools transmit neutral, public
values, acceptable to 1 all American
students and that church and pri-
vate schools, | which transmit only
individually-defined, personal lval-
ues, have, therefore, no claim on
educational monies. Dr. Brown dis-
agrees; \he maintained that stu-
dent rights are relevant in the
matter: "they have the personal
the Liturgy. Understanding of *feM
these issues requires a background is»
of in-depth information; any stu- ifid
dent who is interested in study of
any of these issues may obtain
information in the SGA office.
In retrospect, Vatican II may be
recognizedf at the agent which
produced widespread—and some-
*'t
J*
times spectaular—change in the • • *? -

the world to hear the apinions of
college students. %•
The main speaker at the Model
Vatican was Dr. Francis J. Brown,
professor of economics at De Paul
rights to academic freedom and to Church. Even now a history-making
individual conscience in education synod of bishops lisi convened in
and therefore to an equitable share
of the education tax." Vatican II,
Rome to discuss problems outlined
by the Council. It is important that
§snpti.. lib w f f i n ©ti9m
in its Declaration on Christian change resulting from the Council A *
*»J»-->_
L*
* * * " # * ' * , * # *

University in Chicago and chair- Education and its Declaration on and from the synod be universally i

man of the National Association
for Personalj Rights in Education
who spoke on "The American State
and the Student." He claimed that,
in government 'attempts to widen
educational opportunity through
increased funds, the public schools
Religious Freedom, condemned understood. The question of how
state monopoly in education for this understanding can be achieved
militating against the rights—both is a significant one. Today, when
academic and religious—of the^in- change is I so rapid in all areas,
dividual. % * when new knowledge makes text-
• Dr. Brown contended that in | a books obsolete even as they are 3M*tl<#i**, •s*

have maintained a monopoly on ed-

pluralistic society, tax-supported
educational opportunity must not
being printed, when misunder-
standings arise because of infor- <M*A • w Safe %*jlb
ucational monies; students must
either attend these schools or for-
be limited tok a monolithic edu-
cational system. He urged greater
mation lag, meaningful dialogue is
an essential educational instrument.
^B&^MM >sa

SNV
- <- ;-:

feit any ^benefit of their support use of tuition grants to enable stu- The ModelfVatican II Council pro- ra v*v*^a r«ywil
ifW

to education, a violation of the per- dents to attend the school of their vided an opportunity for many to '« «•

sonal and academic rights of the choise, whatever^ it may be. He engage in this kind of dialogue. r^^k^3&5£
December 4, 1967
the merciad Page 5

Vietnam and mercy hurst: two separate wor

by Margaret Pox I think the war is a mess—-it our men, or rather our boys, which
|v Recently, signs were posted and is unfortunate—but it has hap- will make them a lot: more con-
questionnaires were made available pened, and we must do something cerned with world affairs, with
to the entire student body request- about i t 4 . I feel the |war is humanity, and much more mature
ing that each student respond to a worthwhile if for no other reason than they would have become sit-
poll of student opinion on Viet- than to champion! the ^individual ting back enjoying the luxuries of
nam. Thirty-one Mercyhurst girls right of a people to govern and American life* A lot of our guys
found the time and took the effort ^preserve their own nation . . . The are fighting for a cause, even'if
to let their views be known. A 4 war is worthwhile if it is being it be a small scale i one, and for
percent turnout hardly provides an waged to prevent the spread of once in their lives, for many .the
adequate representation of our en- Communism (the threat). The last, they are fighting whole-heart-
tire student body. Could it possibly tactics used and ^ the fact that we edly. "Isnt itbetter to try and may-
be that only thirty-one students in even intervened are hard to sto- be lose, than never to try at all?"
this college keep themselves in- mach, but we can't-leave now . . . 2. What is the role of the civilian
formed {'of the world situation? I don't think we should {(have be- and what is his obligation to the
Does this speak well for the col- come * involved to the extent that American soilder stationed in Viet-
lege itself? I think many people we are now. The fighting is up to nam?
would be interested in the reasons the Southeast Asian people — not
behind this lack of interest in cur- to the Americans . . . I can under- Among other things, he is ob-
rent events. By that I mean events stand that' there is a definate rea- ligated to help the morale of the
outside the realm of the Gannon- • son why we are there, but I really soldier. This is not done by peace
Mercyhurst social affairs. don't thinklthat the South Viet- demonstrations! . . . I don't want
Perhaps the justification lies in namese people care about the to see our guys there—I want them
the fact that the women of Mercy- American G.I./ It's a waste of our home too. But they've found a
hurst are too involved in academic good men . . . I think the cause reason to stay, a reason to fight—
enlightenment. The Mercyhurst Ca- we fare fighting for in Vietnam they need and deserve our sup-
talog states that Mercyhurst is (i.e., freedom from Communist op- port . . . I believe in "my coun-
"uniquely equipped to present the pression) is worthwhile, but the try, right or wrong" and as such
individual instruction and guidance way we are going about it is com- I feel that the civilian should sup-
a young woman needs in preparing pletely ineffectual . . . The only port our foreign policy. If he does
for her role in a changing world." thing it seems to be accomplishing not choose to do this, he should
Are the students even aware that is continued escalation and the make his feelings known in a con-
there is a constantly changing needlesss killing of our boys . . . structive, not demonstrative and
world outside of suburban 5 Erie, Outwardly this war looks totally emotional way . . . The civilian
Pennsylvania ? vBfc should and must back up the sold-
political, but I've talked to too
ier because the soldier is risking
m
Certainly not everyone supports many boys from Vietnam. I get the his life and future years of hap-
the war in Vietnam. Many people impression they are fighting to give piness f orthe civilian's country and
*SanN§fttfl|ift g04Bg!ttoa*4 s t v i ^ f j a g r I \m i
are anti-war, but at least they ex- a nation a chance for survival and well being . . . The least one can lize my responsibilities;?. . . I'd Neither solution is the best on
press their concern. It would ap- freedom in a chaotic world. They do—if he can't find it in his make- hate it—but it's a reality, and when there are too many doubts and
pear that the majority of the stu- aren't fighting politics. They want . you have an obligation and respon- suspicions in our world relations
up to advocate the cause—is -1SL to sibility—well can you kick the right.now. If we continue, so will
dents do not care about the war; to help people who do not have it
that is, as long fas their boyfriend as good as we do . . . I think the keep quiet and not cause j* upsets world in the face and have an the killings—if we pull ^out de-
to the a soldiers through demon- "every man for himself" philosphy ? mocracy loses face and there's 'a
or fiance is in no danger of being war is a waste of American lives strations . . . It is the duty of the
drafted. That criterion- is a poor and money. The idea containing . . . I don't think I'd particularly Communist take-over. Perhaps an
civilian to support the American like putting in four years of college occupational peacekeeping force af-
one for the formation of any op- Communist expansion in Asia may soldier wherever he is stationed.
be a high ideal, but I don't think to be placed in a jungle in Viet- ter a cease fire would be the best
inion. ^ We must support our government nam, but if I were drafted I'd cer- bet. But there are drawbacks here
•rtiis criticism is not directed it is worth what we are paying for and its action because a house tainly go without all the fuss and too—like getting the communists
toward this poll, but at a real pro- it. Advice and aid are fine, but we divided against itself J will fall. shame some men do . . . I feel the to agree . . . I could choose either
blem on this icampus. Indifference should not sacrifice the lives of our Through the next election the peo- draft is unconstitutional because of one because neither one will ac-
seems to be an accepted mode of men in this limited action . . . ple can voice their opinions.;Riots the due process clause in the 13th complish anything without good
behavior on many levels, e. g., the I certainly think that this war is and demonstrations are not the Amendment concerning involuntary HONEST talks on both sides . . .
cultural series, the various coffee worthwhile for many reasons. We way—rather, elections are the most servitude. I feel that to draft a We should most probably give the
hours, and the voting. What seems made a promise to these people effective way of influencing the person to fight a war against his North Vietnamese .an ultimatum—
to~be the trouble ? Are the academic and we must stay so that they can policies of our nation . .'. As long religion, political or fphilosphical either hostilities ceasewithin a cer-
requirements that stiff? Is it nec- have their freedom too, or at least as the soldiers are fighting and conscience is wrong andv undemo- tain period of time or the U.S. will
essary to spend 16 full hours a day try to fight for it. If we pulled dying in Vietnam we, as Ameri- cratic . . .fThe same way 5 feel resort to nuclear weapons , . . It's
in study fin order -vto pass out now, Communism would and cans, owe them our support . . . as long as my country was at war no longer a question of should we
courses? The members of our fa- could spread so much faster. Our Each citizen should try to support it would be my duty to do my part continue the war or not—We're
culty also carry a full work load. public image would-be ruined too. and help the soldiers in his own toward it . . . If I were a male, I'd in it and we have to stay in it
Approach any one of them and ask That to some people may not seem way . . . We are secure in our be disappointed if I couldn't finish until we win or lose. If we pull out,
if they have an opinion. I think too important, but when a country homes; the soldiers are far from my education* right away, but I we've lost the wholeof Southeast
you can predict the result of your like ours, which so many nations anything they have ever known. would probably want to go over Asia and proven to the rest of the
attempt. 'i look to for guidance and \which is a We should show them we care by and fight. What good J would my world that we are failures . . .
We are too far removed? from major world power and a large responding ton their requests for education do me if the U. S. would Communist takeover in South Viet-
the realities of life in this idyllic influence in other societies, makes correspondence. There is no need be over-run by Communism? nam and from world opinion there
atmosphere of academia. We are a withdrawal or refuses to help for them 'to be without mail . . . 4. Do you think we should continue doesn't seem to be much being ac-
not directly affected by the war another because it is losing itself, The American citizen has the right the war or pull our troops out of complished while we are there.
so we don't care to know that there then the consequences would be of free speech and, therefore, a Southeast Asia? As a final note, one student add-
is a war. j|£. jj much more far-reaching and dis- right to criticize the war. He
should realize, however, that the ed this to her commentary:
1. What is your personal opinion astrous than if we stay. Also, I Either choice, in my opinion, I think the demonstrations are a
of the war in Vietnam? think that it is an experience for soldier can do nothing about his would accomplish the same thing— !| means for people to gain publicity
situation and that war is always losing money andmen; if we leave
anfugly thing. The American ci- the: communist, the a next line of — and nothing else. If you're
tizen should not respond with a defense I would be shifted further against the war, do something con-
s. e.a. active on campus cry of "Murderer!" if Vietnamese south, toward i Indonesia and the structive — join the PeaceCorps
citizens are hurt in battles. and bring thoughts of peace to
Australian mainland . . . I think other countries. But don't tear
3. If you were a male of draft age, we should convert all our war
R One of the largest and most active clubs at Mercyhurst, the stu- how would you feel toward the down the only thing our boys have 3!
dent Pennsylvania State!;Education Association (PSEA was organized draft and the war? equipment to peace-time efforts of —the USA and its freedom.
for the primary purpose of teaching its members more about their massive, not paltry (as previously) My brother is in Vietnam. Is he
special field of education and acquainting them with the different as- foreign aid (and not military for- "glad" of it? He gave up a scho-
pects of teaching. The Mercyhurst Chapter of PSEA, along with Edin- As for the draft, I would resent eign aid) and direct our surplus larship because he felt he should
boro State College, its campus in Warren, Pennsylvania, and Gannon the presence of this obstacle in manpower of draft age to "do his part." If he dies should I
and Villa Maria Colleges, are members of^ the Northwestern Re- making my future plans. And the voluntary skilled foreign aid, es- say he did his part in keeping me
gion. war, I would resent\the potential pecially agriculture and education free? Or should I say—the war is
situation of having to fight for . . . To pull out would be to admit stupid. There is no reason for us to
Under the direction of Miss Barbara Weigert, PSEA advisor, and something which I did not believe
club officers>,Jeanne Keim, President; Chris Syguda, Vice-President; in . . . If I were a college student defeat. To stay would show the be there. Why should my brother die
Ann Cunningham, Secretary-Treasurer; and Freda Nappi, Corresponding and dwelled in fear of being ta- world our position on cases like there. Why should my brother die
Secretary, PSEA meets once a month. Committee chairmen Bobbi Car- ken away from my education I this . . . We should continue in the for a Vietnamese? I think my bro-
son,^ Membership; Donna Costanzo, Program; and'.Denise Steadman, would consider it unfair. (I do war. At the moment this is not ac- ther would want me to say that he
Publicity; manage all club affairs. Members are involved inHeacher- now). Otherwise, I would consider complishing much, but to pull out died for a reason—to keep us free
aid programs in surrounding Erie schools and in the St. Joseph's home. it valuable training, but I feel that would defeat what little has been from Communism. And if I can say
Their tasks include correcting papers, tutoring a slow student, or just young guys of 18 or 19 should not done . , . To remain would mean this after losing my J brother'—
being a friend to a lonely orphan. Every month' members receive the be "sent" to Vietnam. If they vo- acceleration—which could finish it how can anyone say differently?
Pennsylvania State Journal and National Education Association Maga- lunteer it is entirely different . . . quickly or get, us into lots of .May I express my appreciation
zine. PSEA has thus far sponsored three programs in which Mr. Samuel I would consider the draft as my trouble with neighboring countries. to those who participated in this
Huang and Mr. Jagjeet Ahluwalia spoke on the educational systems way of giving something to my Pulling out would probably be giv- poll. Your comments were all most
in their respective countries, and Father Pagano gave a speech on country in return for all it has gi- ing the Commnists a go-ahead sign. interesting. In closing, a friend
Mental Illness. These lectures were open not only to PSEA members, ven me. But I still consider the We should end it quickly . . . I once told me, "I would rather fight
but to the entire student body. Recently members attended a regional war unjust . . •$! would feel that would personally prefer that our the Communists now in Southeast
meeting at Edinboro State College in conjunction with National Educa- it was my duty to help in my own troops be home, but I think we Asia, than wait and have to fight
tion Week. Two Mercyhurst girls have been honored as region officers. individual way. If I was college should stay until the job is finished. in my own back-yard. At least now
They are Mary Lee McGraw, Vice-President; and Mary Stanton, Re- material, I would go to college and Hopefully this may show the Com- my mind is content because I know
cording Secretary. munists that we mean business . . . that those I love are safe at home.
help to build a strong nation. I feel that we should continue un-
What would it" be like if I had to
Tentative plans on PSEA's future schedule include tours of pro- Otherwise I would enlist in the til South Vietnam is capable of ru- worry about their well-being, while
gressive schools and a study of the various grading systems. During the service . . . 1 would not be in fa- ling itself and economically sound in combat?" I think what he says
Spring term, Miss Lucy Valero, PSEA state consultant, will appear at vor of the war, but since the U.S. . . . Continuing is death for more is very true.
Mercyhurst to speak on the importance of PSEA. *5 has entered' into it, I would go people—on the other hand—pulling
PSEA keeps its members busy and interested. If you are an elemen- along and fight for my country out is death for more people. Whose "Sometime they'll give a war
in an attempt to end the war. I "death" is more important? The and nobody will come."
tary or a secondary education major, stir up some personal interest and
join this profitable organization. would be afraid, but I would rea- U.S. or the South Vietnamese ? . . . Carl Sandburg
 ^

Page 6 the merciad december 4, 1967

do roommates affect grades faculty focus: clubs expand activities

A study was made recently by
Robert LA| Pierce, instructor in
choose roommates who achieve
similarly to themselves, whereas,
Rochester School of Medicine and the women seem to iignore this ' ^ S ^ ^ ^ S ^ ^ S ^ ^ S ^ ^ ^ ' '
clinical psychologist in the Uni- dimension. si
versity's Student Health Service, it
The conclusion reached was that
on "Roommate Choice and Academic
"among certain groups of stu- rai
Achievement." The results showed
dents, school achievement? cor-
that college roommates affect each
relates positively between room-
other's academic performance for
mates" and often when a student's
certain groups of students.!
standing at the end of the semester
Housing arrangements are often or the academic year is higher than
regarded by colleges and univer- his ability as measured by Col-
sities as a service for their stu- lege Board scores, that is, he over-
dents. However, Dr. Pierce found achieved, it is because of a room-
that they do appear to have edu- mates influence.
cational implications. He surveyed
In the total group of students,
two groups of students and their
more pairs showed mutual over and
roommates and found that the stu-
underachievement than pairs show-
dents in the fall semester of a class
ing convergence-the brighter stu-
in Introductory Psychology tended
bright student overachieved—or
to achieve at a level similar to that
divergence—the brighter student
of their roomates. Breaking the
overachieved * and the less bright
group down by sex and class, how-
student underachieved. | Dr. Pierce
ever, caused interesting differences.
feels that this suggests that room-
mates often arrive at a common
For the most part, only men's
understanding about the value of
achievement levels were of any
grades and of studying, then study
significant relation to those of their
roommates, but when broken down acordingly, therefore overachieving
by class the study showed that or underachieving together.
freshmen, who are assigned to each Women of Mercyhurst, examine
other, usually accommodate their your roommate and yourself and
level of achievement to that of their decide in which of these categories
roommates. The upperclassmen you belong
other experiences in f 3-3
by Kathy Causgrove doesn't do much for the fine arts
curriculum. The fact that there is
less stress Ion class and lab avail-
Carleton College of Northfield,
Minnesota has a term system close- ability means that a lab can £ be
used fori three different courses
ly resembling that of; Mercyhurst.
during > the fyear, instead of just
The 3/8 system has been tried two. A wider selection of courses
and debated not only by the stu- is available. This selection, how-
dents themselves, but also by var- ever, doesn't seem to favor the
ious college curriculums. At Carle- 1
freshmen? who are faced with the
ton, the natural science curriculum long sequences of math-science
seems to favor the 3/8 system be- courses.
cause it allows for a longer se-
quence of courses. The fine arts, The problem is to determine
however, have taken an opposite whether or not^the pros of such
viewpoint. They feel that the sys- a system outweigh the cons, or
tem allows ftittle time to "digest? visa versa.
all the material. The fundecided
social sciences tendrto take their
stand somewhere in|the middle.
The general consensus of opinion C O P E N H A G E N , Denmark
seems to be anti-3/3. The main cry (CPS)—The independent republic
is the insufficient Itime available of Bird Island, situated in the mid-
for reflection and maturation of dle of a city lake here, has declared
ideas. |This lack of time causes total war on the United States,
stress oh an already overworked according to the British news ser-
memory, resulting in a shorter vice reporters. * •
term|of recall. In order to cover all The newly proclaimed republic
the material, classes tend to be more has a population of six. It would
lecture and less discussion. The have been seven, but one of the
mechanics of tests, registrations founding fathers fell overboard
and papers just addf to the pres- from the landing craft—a dinghy—
sures felt on both sides of the desk. and had to swim back to shore.
Another j problem is the fact that
Danish i police on the Banks of
teachers are faced withi midterm
Lake Sortedamssoeem were making
grades before they even get to
invasion plans today because the
know their students. This lack of
Bird Islanders — students from
time also| makes it impossible for
an | organization called Zenith—re-
a teacherito alter a course during
fused to give up their 1200 square-
the middle of the term. The
yard country.
scarcity of reading periods just
adds to the confusion. Due to the The group has sent a telegram
tightness of the schedule, there is to the United ^Nations seeking
no margin for error. An illness can membership and a cable to the U.S.
easily ruin i a whole term for a Embassy here declaring total war.
student.
Barbote's
Such a system does have Site
Italian Restaurant
drawbacks, but it is not without and Pizzeria
its advantages too. The quick se- 1707 State St. Erie, Pa.
quential build-up of courses does
Phone 521-2158
favor the natural sciences, but
Large New Selection!of Mono-
1 grammed Pins,Pierced Earrings,
Diamond House in Erie
and other Gift Items.
D A V»D Christmas Hours:
J e welers Mon.-Fri. 9:30 till 9:00
Sat. till 5:30
Corner 8th and State Street
BREAKIRON JEWELERS
Phone 455-2123
"The Pierced Earring Store of Erie"
3702 Pine Avenue—Erie, Pa.
mrJ ah lu walia by Kathy Humphries
'^W^fiiiKSBt'^ /Now that winter is upon us, it's
time to say a few words about the
ski club. Gannon and Mercyhurst
ISP are both participating this year.
Headquarters is Peak V Peak,
president is Bob Smith of Gannon,
and Debby Korwicki is in charge
of organizing activities at the
'Hurst.
Everyone interested in the ski
club should know these facts: mem-
bership is five dollars for new
members and $2.50 for last years'
members; a season pass at Peak 'n'
Peak is fifty dollars; including ski-
ing lessons, the season pass is $55;
lessons alone, which include a one
by Mary Zens
hour lesson j and one hour of free
Being a professor at Mercyhurst skiing are $20; ski rental is $1.50.
isn't exactly an easy task, it takes
At their November meeting, the
an exceptionally complete educa- club had several movies on skiing
tion, infinite patience, and a sense and planned their skit weekend a-
of humor. If to these you j add a long with their party at Peak *n'
unique charm and perceptive aura Peak, the first weekend in Decem-
you will come up with the essence ber. This year plans are being made
of Mr. Ahliwalia, chemistry pro-
for intercollegiate ski races and
fessor and valuable addition to our
races^between individual members
teaching staff.
of the Gannon - Mercyhurst ski
Mr. Ahliwalia is a native of club.
India and received his master's
degree in ^chemistry at Mankato Here are some of the other club
State College. After five years in activities of the past two months:
American he ably expresses his The Lit Club had a coffee hour on
views on the differences between December 5th featuring movies on
American and Indian college life.
Contrary to wide spread opinion,
Indian girls do have a great a-
mount of freedom, but not as much pass-foil cont'd.
as does the American co-ed. The (continued from page 4)
Indian students have a more study- showed that several practices were
orientated college career; they are widespread: the pass-fail option
more absorbed in life on campus was*; not generally extended to
then the Mercyhurst girl. The In- freshman and upperclassmen were
dian college, however,!offers more usually allowed one pass-fail course
in the line of cultural activities per term, freguently with a max-
and entertainment ranging from imum |number |of credits to be
lecture series to folk music. Con- earned this $way, and then not
sequently, the students have no generally in the major field; ^in-
need to seek off-campus enter- dividual departments were allowed
tainment.
to determine which courses could
Mr. Ahliwalia also commented on be taken under the pass-fail sys-
our forms of entertainment, tele- tem; and whereas pass does not af-
vision in particular. He mentioned fect the grade point average, fail
that Indian television was more often does.
of an educational * media than the
American television. In his opinion The University of California at
English T. V.<is superior to both Santa Cruz, whichf has |had con-
in all areas of education and enter- siderable experience with pass-fail
tainment. grading, found that pass-fail gives
"courage eto explore" to the stu-
Mr. Ahliwalia's students mention
dents and that, while many suffer
that his classes are formal and
very business-like and that his pa- some initial disorientation, most ad-
just and learn! to be self-guided
tience is indepletable. Donna Saun-
scholars. There are, however, un-
ders, freshman- home ec. major,
resolved problems regarding tran-
says "His wit and interest in his
scripts, class rank, and draft status.
students is almost overwelming.
He always seems to have enough The Yale University faculty has
time to help everybody." voted to replace numercial grading
j Besides Mercyhurst, Mr. Ahli- with a system under which students
walia likes the snow and cold wea- will be given oneof four designa-
ther.
tions for their work-fail, pass, high
He is truly a charming as well pass or honors.
as a brilliant man, and a most
fascinating addition to our faculty. The nevv systa^i will begin next
year and continue on an experi-
mental basis for at least f.ive
Calendar years.
December Yale's present system makes use
of a grading scale from ^0 to 100
5- Sidney Callahan to speak at
witfi 60 as the lowest passing
|'Hurst on The Man-Woman
Relationship grade. The university at present
complies cumulative {averages for
8- Feast of the Immaculate each student, but it will no longer
Conception do so when the new systei.i goes
into effect.
15- Intercession Ends
The change at Yale is largely the
16- Christmas Vacation begins result of recommendations made by
the faculty's Course of Study Com-
January
mittee, according to Strobe Talbott,
3- • Registration for Term II
chairman of the Yale Daily News.
Some student organizations, how-
4- Classes begin
10- Lecture classes meet-no labs
DARLING FLOWER SHOP
12-iWilliam Glenesk to speak at
109 West} 7th Street
'Hurst on The New Morality
Phone 454-8792
30- Movie: The Idiot
Best in Corsages and Bouquets
Burhenn's Pharmacy QualityJ Dry Cleaning
Shirts Laundry Service
Cornea* 38th St. and Pine Ave.
Paris Cleaners
|Phone 456-7762
4025 Pine Ave. Brie, Pa.
Erie, Pa..
866-7641
Ireland. Other movies, correspond-
ing with Sister Anne -Francis' in-
tercession offering, were shown at
7:30 every evening through Decem-
ber 8th. I ;• \
5
At their last meeting, the Edu-
cation Club heard Father Pagano, a
member of Gannon's i Psychology
department, speak on mental health
He gave the girls many ideas to
help improve their outlook. In their
future careers,; they may be able to
put his advice to good use.
Late in November, the -Latin
American Club hosted girls from
Latin American countries who spoke
about their homelands. The girls
brought different articles from
their native lands to display for the
club members. Eileen Kraus, who
spent her summer in the British
Honduras, also spoke to the girls.
Earlier in November, the club tra-
velled to St. Michael's | where a
Spanish Mass is celebrated every
third Sunday of the month to ac-
commodate the Spanish - speaking
people of the area. The girls are
presently seeking means to help
the poor and needy of the area. &
The Home Ec Club-initiated its
Freshman members at their last
meeting. They also heard reports
on the two meetings to which they
sent delegates. The first | was a
meeting of the Pennsylvania Col-
:
lege Chapter of Home i Economics
in Philadelphia and the second was
to Pittsburgh for the Western Area
Conference on. Home Economics,
sponsored by the Carnegie-Mellon
Institute.
ever, also have been working to
end the numerical system.
Derek Shearer, head of the Stu-
dent Advisory Board, said the new
system "moves away from| the
pseudo-scientific claims of the num-
bers system". He added that "It
should make for an improved class
atmosphere for there will be no
quibbling about numbers. There
would, I hope, be more concern for
the quality of a student's work in
terms of his own ability.
Still undecided is the question
whether or notV the university's
two academic honor Ilists — the
dean's list and ranking scholarship
designation are to be contin-
ued. Talbott is hopeful they'will
be abolished, but indicated that the
new grading system will have im-
portant consequences for students
regardless of what is done about
the honor lists.
When i« students apply to gradu-
ate school in the Xature, according
to Talbott, "recommendations are
going to be much more important
than they have been. Graduate
schools are going to have to look
much more closely at what faculty
members say about a student's
work,"
The new system is also likely
to end the campus-wide Cv mpetion
for grades. A student's perfor-
mance will be compared to the
performances of other students in
his department. At present, stu-
dents are ranked by grade average
in spite of the fact that some de-
partments give higher grades than
others. t-
Martucci's Tavern
2641 Myrtle Street
Delicious Spaghetti
. and
Ravioli J
Served from 4 to 10 p. m.
Make Reservations Now At
Cappabianca Travel Agency
Boston Store Erie, Pa.
Use Boston Store Charge
455-5411
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ERIE BOOK STORE
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Erie, Pa. 452-3354

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