The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 58, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 25, 1971 Page: 4 of 8
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freeman
candidates for president
In the modern world, the state has become the
new idol. The great majority implicitly reverence the
state as the absolute source of all moral dogma and
social codes. "What is good is what the state decrees
is lawful. What is bad is what the sitate decrees is un-
lawful. " my question of individual responsibility be-
comes almost non-sencial in such an atmosphere of
abject dependence. Indeed, even the basic rights of in-
dividual human freedom are believed possible only
within the confines of statist decree; and even then,
whenever necessary, they must be subjugated to "the
greater good of the people as a whole" more truthfully
translated as "the good of the state". That this is true
not only in such authoritarian nations as the Soviet
Union, but also even in that protector of democracy
and freedom, the United States, is being realized by
ever increasing numbers of people. And yet the trend
continues, ever greater power is being concentrated
within the state; its control is beginning to be felt at
every level of life; indeed we are just approaching that
Brave New World in which all existence is predeter-
mined by statist decree.
Truly then, the state has become the new idol, and
government has been transformed into a pseudo-reli-
gious cult. It no longer exists for the sole purpose of
serving and preserving individual human freedom, but
lias become an institution dedicated to propagating
itself at all costs. The old pay tribute and homage to
the state through governmental agencies; and the
young are early indoctrinated and initiated into the
rites of the cult through that ludicrous invention of
futility and impotence, student government. But parti-
cipation in student government is no mere innocent
game which children are allowed to play in order to
give them the illusion of having some responsibility.
It is rather a program, semiconsciously designed by the
cultists, to subtely but effectively undermine belief in
individual human freedom and thereby seduce the
young into willing dependence upon government. It
thereby becomes a part of their lives; and any quest-
ions concerning the justification of its existence or the
reasons for individual participation become as meaning-
less as such irrelevent interrogatives as: "Why is
there air?", or "Why must I breathe it." And yet this
should not be the case. A child must learn early in his
life that government is neither an absolute good nor a
fun game in which he should gladly and willingly par-
ticipate; it is rather an unfortunate necessity at pre-
sent, which should be minimized ito the greatest extent
possible, whenever possible.
This maxim of minimalization should be applied to
student government as well, and, in particular, to the
Rice Student Association, which has too great an in-
fluence over campus life. Membership in the S. A. is
compulsory; and while this in itself is not objectionable,
(the blanket tax which every student is compelled to
pay is outright robbery. This tax goes to support such
organizations as the Social Committee, the Student
Center Board, and the Forum. A student is forced to
give money to these organizations, regardless of wheth-
er or not he wishes to participate in the activities which
his money supports. Such a situation is intolerable. A
student should have the option of paying or not paying
the blanket tax, and of further deciding how the money-
he donates will be partitioned among the various orga-
nizations to which it goes. Ideally, these extra-cur-
ricular organizations should be separated from the S.
A., and membership in them should be made voluntary.
But the S.A. does have two legitimate activities.
The first is the Honor Council, which facilitates great-
er student freedom in the taking of examinations. The
second is the protection of individual and collective stu-
dent freedom. It is precisely in this area, the primary
purpose of student government, that the present S.A.
demonstrated its incompetence during the Abbie Hoff-
man affair last spring. This demonstrates the danger
of extending the influence of government, for it looses
sight of its primary purpose.
In conclusion, the whole concept of student govern-
ment at Rice University is in need of a total revalua-
tion of purposes and goals. That this re-evaluation
should be directed along ithe premises outlined above is
the platform upon which I announce my campaign for
the S.A. Presidency.
JAMES (SKIP) FREEMAN
Will Rice '72
stockwel!
Where are our leaders ? The
Rice student body, as well as
the world, is in desperate need
of proper leadership. A leader
must have love and authority;
the danger arises when one of
those qualities, or both, is lack-
ing.
On June 3, 1970, my older
brother, Vernon Stoc-kwell, grad-
uated from the United States
Military Academy at West
1'oint — that in itself was quite
an honor, but it was supple-"*
mented by the fact that his en-
tire graduating Glass elected
him the most outstanding pla-
toon leader in the class — they
recognized his ability to lead.
That ability was acquired
through his love for fellow stu-
dents and his authority among
them.
Vernon accomplished all of
this as he took a stand for his
country and his Lord, Jesus
Christ. Six weeks later, on July
1D70, my mother called me
to say that Vernon had been
killed tragically in an automo-
bile accident. The next day I
went home to see the body of
my brother — thirteen months
older than 1 — and I could not
help but smile through my
tears. The greatest comfort to
me was that I was with my
brother the day he accepted
Jesus Christ into his life; that
very day I had laughed at him
as he tried to influence me to
become a Christian — to turn
my life over to Christ. Then,
nearly 4% years ago, through
the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, I made the tremend-
ous discovery of allowing Christ
to enter my life.
On the day of my brother's
funeral, I remember kneeling by
his grave and praying. "Lord, I
feel so insignificant — so small.
There is so little I can do, but
if you'll give me the love and
authority I need to lead people,
I'll be able to influence the peo-
ple I speak to about Christ and
how He can give meaning and
purpose — with your help I'll
give America a vision."
That prayer is being an-
swered as I have spoken for the
past three years to literally
thousands of students through-
out the South. I have gone as
the President of the Fellow-
ship of Christian Athletes at
Rice. Articles in many news-
papers (such as the State
Times and Morning Advocate in
Baton Rouge) have said that I
am "one of the most revolu-
tionary speakers on the Col-
lege campuses today." The
Daily Reveille, which is the stu-
dent paper for LSU, stated that
I have "probably spoken to
more students than any other
American college student." At
any rate, I'm not afraid of
taking a stand for what I be-
lieve to be right. If Rice stu-
dents want to bt heard, some-
one must be elected who won't
be afraid to stand boldly, yet
sensibly, in a world of confu-
sion.
When I came to Rice there
was no Fellowship of Christian
Athletes on campus. With the
authority and love Christ has
given me, I started our chap-
ter, one of the most successful
such groups in the United
States. The FCA accepts mem-
bers from any religious affilia-
tion. We take a stand for Christ
with love and unity, but no
compromise. Although I have
played football (started for
two years, and lettered three
years) and have been taking
a full course load in Behavorial
Science, I have taken time to
speak to groups on the average
of five or six times a week.
Just in the past six weeks I
have been able to speak to over
30,000 students, and we have
begun FCA groups in over ten
schools. You may ask how I
will find time to be a good
President for. Ri^e. Well, I am
through with football, but
specifically, • I want to be a
leader in the greatest revolu-
tion in history, headquartered
at Rice. I will make time. Look
magazine of two weeks ago had
an article concerning the "Jesus
Revolution". Like it or not, it's
the greatest spiritual awaken-
ing in history. Dag Hammars-
kjold, former Secretary Gen-
eral of the United Nations, said
that if the world is to survive
it must Ih'ave a spiritual awak-
ening. Before you laugh, do you
know more than he about our
world situation? Yes, the or-
ganized churches are dying, and
I'm as sick of hypocrites as you
are, but still we need the peace
and love offered by the great-
est revolutionary of all time —
the Prince of Peace. You may
say I'm narrow-minded yes,
Jesus .Christ ihimself said he's
the only way. Here I stand, I
cannot do otherwise.
The greatest example of my
leadership for Rice students
came two years ago, when as a^,
sophomore, I took a stand when
Madlyn O'Hair came and be-
fuddled Rice students. When no
one else could say or do any-
thing, I simply stood and told
her that God loved her, she
(Continued on Page 5)
Hancock
The purpose of student government at Rice must
always be the effective and forceful presentation of
the student point of view in all areas of student con-
cern. Realizing that traditional methods of education
are not sufficient, its aim must be to offer as much
freedom to the individual student as he wishes to ac-
cept. Gone are the days of a paernalistic approach to
education. The Senate is a proper engine for student
opinion to use in determining what direction the Uni-
versity should take to fill the void. We are particularly
fortunate in having a faculty, administration, and ever-
increasing numbers of alumni who are responsive to
student concepts of education; however, only through
aggressive and coordinated programs can we effect the
realization of our expectations.
In, the "Report of the President, Rice University,
1965-1966," Kenneth S. Pitzer stated that "An excellent
education should include knowledge of the important
current issues and problems as well as the principles
which appear to have a permanent value. It is the Uni-
versity's role to examine the issues and problems care-
fully in the light of logical reasoning and all avail-
able knowledge. It would be wrong to isolate students
from current controversies, even from speakers who
themselves may be more emotional than rational in
their own approach." We should pursue former Presi-
dent Pitzer's lead and insure the rights of the Rice
community to invite, free of censureship, anyone to
speak on campus regardless of his views.
Perhaps the single most important issue facing
Rice students in the next few years is that of student
finances. An increase in room and board during the
next few years, without substantiated reasons, seems
prohibitive to the colleges fulfilling their great promise
and potential as distinctive working units within the
broad framework of the University. Recent changes
in policy affecting financial aid and fluctuating tuition
provide the strong possibility of Rice becoming a
school for middle and upper middle income groups. It
is of the utmost importance that a Rice education be
realistically available to all, regardless of the fortunes
of birth. We must aggressively pursue a policy of in-
cluding qualified students from minority and lower
income groups in the Rice community.
A successful coeducational college system would
be beneficial in two ways. First, it would provide
greater social, cultural, and educational opportunities.
Second, it would enhance the admittance of a greater
number of women. An essential consideration in es-
tablishing any system is that it be well planned and
satisfactory to all concerned.
The plight of off-campus students was an issue
in last year's S.A. election and is again this year. A
special off-campus committee has been formed but has
found itself so entangled with trivial matters that little
has been accomplished. Aggressive leadership is needed.
A Rice food co-op is a near reality and future plans
should involve initiating a tenants' rights counselling
service similar to the present draft counseling offered
on campus. A real need is an information booklet on
housing that is available, prices, and locations.
Great progress has been made recently in the un-
dergraduate curriculum. To allow students even more
freedom, the extension of pass-fail to all non-major
courses seems appropriate. Students could then have
the option of taking a course for a grade or pass-fail.
The Committee on Undergraduate Teaching circulated
the best teaching evaluation questionnaire ever pre-
sented. Whereas it is difficult to tell individual de-
partments what to do, we should reserve the right to
request good instruction and see that student evalua-
tion of professors is considered in tenure decisions.
Expansion of the RMC and providing a decent
health service have long been sore points with Rice stu-
dents. In a recent issue of "Texas Magazine", Dr.
Hackerman indicated interest in these particular proj-
ects, both worthy of student effort.
Close to the theme of freedom in education, which
I mentioned' earlier, must be a desire to see Rice be-
come a great center of education. This is a feeling
which I hope we share with the Board of Trustees.
Their interests in the University range in perhaps
much different areas than ours, and it is often difficult
for them to see a. student's point of view. However, I
sincerely hope they are capable of doing so and be-
lieve that the only way to accomplish great things is
through mutual cooperation. Compromise may be ne-
cessary, but forced submission is out of the question.
Today's students will be tomorrow's money-giving al-
umni.
In recent years, students have taken an active poli-
tical role which should continue and increase in inten-
sity now that 18 year olds can vote. Recently, the Texas
Intercollegiate Student Association hired a full-time
lobbyist to represent student interest on issues such as
the current proposal to raise tuition for state universi-
ties. Student government should provide information
and facilities to those students who wish to become in-
volved in politics for it is a part of the learning pro-
cess. The S.A. however should not become the main
■engine of political group, but rather concern itself with
taking stands only on those issues which affect stu-
dents as special interest group.
I would appreciate your vote.
LOU HANCOCK
Baker '72
the rice thresher, february 25, 1971—page 4
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Mauldin, John. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 58, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 25, 1971, newspaper, February 25, 1971; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245101/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.