MINNES' OPPOSITION
Constitution stand draws praise, rebuffs
Fred Minnes’ attack on the proposed ASSC constitution evoked both rebukes and congratulations from fellow ASSC Executive Council members, a Daily Trojan survey revealed Thursday.
The ASSC president said in a Daily Trojan article Thursday that he would vote against the constitution in the special election March 11 because:
The wording of the Preamble, which he called “arrogant”
The addition to the council of three minority students, which he said was ill-defined and unworkable, and
The size of the council, which he said would be too big for the body to work effectively if the additions were made.
“I was shocked by Minnes’ gross inconsistency,” Stan Diorio, graduate representative and co-author of the proposed Preamble, said. He said that Minnes backed every amendment to the constitution at the council meeting except minority representation.
“Minnes has been arguing with the administration all year that students’ rights aren’t recognized,” he continued. “To be so inconsistent his actions all year must have been arrogant,” he said.
Part of the Preamble that refers to stu-
dents’ rights reads, “. . . we understand that the university as it presently operates, does not fully recognize all of our rights as equal partners in the university . . .”
“With the controversy over the negative points, none of the positive points have been mentioned at all,” Diorio said. He listed what he considers the positive points of the proposed constitution.
The story was written by Rich Wiseman, assistant city editor. Assisting him in the interviewing were Robert Thomson, Mary Ann Galante and Colleen Leggett.
—Freshmen and sophomores can run for office.
—It is more feasible for gripes to take the form of a referendum because only seven per cent instead of ten per cent has to sign a petition to qualify it.
—Students will get more for their money with the stricter administration of student fees.
“It’s poor leadership to lead the council to believe something without having the courtesy to inform us of his change in thought,” Diorio said.
“I hope students aren’t taken in by this
latent racist appeal to keeping minority students off the council,” he added.
A completely different viewpoint was offered by Loyd Kirk, graduate representative.
“I was elated that Fred came out against the constitution,” he said. “His criticisms were valid and well thought out. They put a spotlight on the issues. “I’m against it for generally the same reasons,” he said.
Dan Lunham, Men’s Halls Association president, sided with Diorio.
“Fred has lately been uptight,” he said. “I’m surprised that he would wait a week before the election to make his statement. I thought he had more taste,” Lunham said, and added, “I think people should vote for the constitution.”
Wayne Howard, InterjFraternity Council president, came to Minnes’ support.
“I’m glad he did it,” Howard said. “I, too, am against the constitution and I’m going to urge its defeat.”
Howard said that voters should ha^e the opportunity to decide whether they want minority representatives, the programming fee, or the Preamble. The Constitutional Review Committee recommended that there be ballot options, but the council decided not to consider the matter.
“I think the people who voted in favor of not having the options were thinking ahead of what would have been more desirous to themselves,” Howard said. “I think there was a little political hanky-pank.”
Donna Dediemar, Associated Women Students president and chairman on the Constitutional Review Committee, agreed with 'Howard on the matter of politics.
“Those who accuse Fred of politics have been playing politics all year long, she said. “I was very disappointed that the option idea wasn’t considered. I think some of the members were afraid their amendments would fail. I think the whole thing was in essence a ramrod job,” she said.
Sadrollah Alborzi, international students representative, and Jim Gray, graduate representative, support the constitution but acknowledge its weaknesses.
“I think the Preamble was uselessly abrasive,” Gray said. “I tried to amend it but was unsuccessful.”
“The assumption behind the minority representation is that members of minority groups could not get elected to the council,” Alborzi said. “The proposal doesn’t make much sense. The person who sub-(Continued on page 2)
University of Southern California
DAILY • TROJAN
VOL. LXI.NO. 87
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1970
	
-	
\i	s ■
	.
Newspaper Day set for Saturday
Joseph Blatchford, director of the Peace Corps, will be the featured speaker at a student press conference which will highlight the USC School of Journalism’s 45th annual Newspaper Day Saturday.
Blatchford, who initiated his own version of the Peace Corps in Latin America called ACCION, was appointed head ot the federal agency early last year. His present policies reflect many of his past activities wrhich involved programs in civic development, job training, construction and education.
His talk in Edison Auditorium at 10 a.m. will be the topic for writing competitions at the high school and junior college levels for which cash prizes of $50 and $25 will be awarded by the Southern California and Southern Counties Gas Companies.
Cash awards will also be given for the best sports stories submitted on an interview with Al Cowlings, All-America USC tackle, which will take place in Science Hall 159.
A panel discussion entitled “Who Controls the Campus Press” will open the day’s activities at 9 a.m. in Edison Auditorium.
The final general session of the day will also be held at Edison Auditorium at 11 a.m. Chester Washington, publisher and owner of the Central News and Southwest News, will address the students on journalism ethics. Washington, a USC alumnus, was the first black reporter on the editorial staff of a Los Angeles metropolitan newspaper.
Following his talk the Crom-bie Allen Award will be given to the best high school newspaper cf the year, as judged by the School of Journalism.
THE CAMPUS PANORAMA AND BEYOND
More and more students are taking a moment for the view
Photo hv	Rolinoer
Students amazed by film about childbirth
A film on childbirth made as a teaching technique for medical students and never shown to a lay group caused mixed reactions among 75 students yesterday. One boy fainted, several left the room, and a pregnant woman watched in awe.
The film and following discussion were part of the concluding program of “Eros and Errors,” a series sponsored by the Associated Women Students and the Student Y.
Dr. Gail Anderson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at USC, conducted the session and calmed down the audience after the film.
“Ninety percent of all pregnancies are not complicated,” he said. “And of the other 10 percent, only three or four percent are serious.”
Anderson said childbirth without pain relief is popular now. Women go through pregnancy, labor and delivery with only a minimal amount of sedation. But, he said, this may well last only a few years.
“In general, however, the baby is better off if the mother is not given drugs,” he said.
“Ideally, Anderson said, “the mother should be psychologically and physically ready for childbirth. This includes being taught how to relax, how to breath and how to bear down.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the woman with labor who just comes in off the street unprepared will have more trouble with normal pregnancy and birth,” Anderson said.
“The entire problem is an individual matter, depending also on the culture. Some women can go through the whole process without making any noise. I have observed this in Singapore and in Russia,” he said. “But in this country, hospital halls are filled with women’s screams.”
Priority housing requests due March 31
By CATHEJEAN McGILLIN Assistant city editor
For USC students returning to the dorms, a priority period is held each spring. During that time, current university residents may request housing for the coming year. The priority period, which will be held March 16-31, assures residents who apply a space in university housing.
These applicants are assigned space before new students. A $50 deposit must be made when a student applies. Forms are available in the housing office.
Mrs. Phyllis Fetter, assistant director of housing services, said the housing office usually receives 700 to 800 requests during the priority period and following that period, few spaces remain in EVK-Harris, Marks Tower or Town and Gown.
“Men above freshman standing and women over 21 years old should apply between March 16 through 31,” Mrs. Fetter said. ‘‘We feel that students in these categories should
have an opportunity to return to the residence halls if they desire. They will receive an assignment if an application is filed during the priority period.”
At the end of the priority period, the housing office begins to accept applications from new students. Each form is assigned a number when it arrives. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Applications from current residents received after March 31 are also assigned a number. These applications are considered along with those received from new students.
•Mrs. Anita Siegman, who became coordinator of residential counseling at the start of the spring semester, said a variety of advantages are offered by university residence.
“University residence provides a place where a student does not have to worry about cooking meals or doing extensive cleaning of a room,” she said. “It is a place where a person can get involved in the cultural and social activities which the complex offers.” Mrs. Robert Thompson, housing super-
visor, said the desirability of university residence has increased.
“There has been a decrease in the number of available off-campus residences because of urban renewal,” she said. “In addition, the rules and regulations introduced to the university residences, such as visitation and hours, have made more people seek it as a place to reside.
“The WHA and MHA each year are becoming more active and better organized. They are getting a better feeling of what the people they represent want. In turn, these organizations are letting the housing office know of the students’ needs.”
The housing office became aware of the need to increase staffing in the residence halls. At the beginning of the spring semester additions were made.
“Floors with a staff member were benefiting from something as little as opening a door, to having a person on the floor with whom residents could discuss personal matters,” Mrs. Siegman said.