Evening journal., 1916-10-30

is Student Government BY Student
Government VIC mean the organization of
the whole student body under a consti
tuition with certain defined laws and
with officers elected from the Student
Body to put these laws into effect.
These laws. I've said. How far
away the day seem when we didn't have
these laws. The beginning of the asso-
citation was indeed very casual After
the first, class had arrived in 1914, Dean
Robinson suggested that there he stu
dent government in the school Now the
new students, of course knew little if
anything. about student government.
But some of the members of the Ia
Guilty. fresh from four years work in
the student organization of their own
colleges. acted as Senior members in an
advisory capacity, and rendered great
assistance in launching our present sys-
tenn.
"With true academic impulse, our
first thought was TO set aside study
hours. but we found. to our dismay.
that the students quickly set them
aside in more senses than one. Con-
seQuently our next duty was the ap-
pointment of proctors. whose business
it was to check any signs Of disorder.
Needless TO say it was a struggle
to attain to any great degree of sys
TEN. as the students had TO be made
to feel their own share of respon-
sibiity in the plan.
From this small beginning the Stu
dent Government Association has
| grown amazingly As new situations
have arisen, the laws have taken on
new meanings. For instance, church
attendance seemed to need systematic
ing: hence 70 was the duty Of the sec
rotary of the organization 10 make
out cards on which a record might
be kept. The secretary also post.
the lists for that exclusive privilege
reserved for the freshmen. hall duty
II you ring our front door bell after
Z o'clock al night or if you call YOU
daughter on the telephone in the even
ing. il Is the girl on hall duty who
answers your summons.
1.-THE arrival OF the Victrola provok
ed a need for some means OF takini
care OF Il. Consequently a commit
! tee was appointed by the Student GOV
, eminent Association. BY them cul
, rent events committee was appoint
, ed. and also a fire captain. who al
/ ranges for the - necessary fire drills
? Il might be stated that the fire car
, tains thus far have done most eff
cient work, for AZ II o'clock at night
, after the fire gong has changed II
! way through the house, windows ar
shut lights are turned on, doors ar
flung wide. and the house is saved
The association is largely indepen
dent. comforting with the dean OF
: sionally so that there may be Away
a Joint understanding Of the project
under way
NOW someone may ask. What do al
these rules and regulations mean? o
what moral or spiritual value are thes
petty details in the college life of
girl?' The answer 10 these questions
was. I think. most aptly stated by
. former student president shortly afte
, the organization was instituted, whel
she said: THE aim Of student govern
ment Is TO develop cooperation. self
control. individual responsibility AM
, tho art OF wise leadership After tw'
! wears Of effort we may well ask our
; selves. Has our student government
, accomplished these things?
las TO individual responsibility
every girl whether a member OF tn
s board or not has her share in MAXIM
}. the whole thing go This responsible
. itv is not always felt as keenly as
c should be- for IL il we're. we shout
y have proctors who always proctor AM
is committees who always commit. But n
I- consideration OF the fact that girls ar
b human beings. and especially activ
re- human beings. Il is no wonder tina
.o' sometimes the awesomo weight OF in
IF diyiduality responsibility Is cast of
b. and the girl is led by the spirit OF III
ID moment. regardless OF the fact tina
r her deed may precipitate her appear
IF ance before that dread body, In
~ student board.
y Finally the art Of wise leadership
greatly advanced. for where there ar
many committees, there must be man
J. girls 10 make up. Thus every girl ia
an opportunity 10 show IN a small wa
o what she can do. and as nothing sue
z cceds like success. so nothing ID
p veloDs Leadership like being given
{, chance 10 lead.
Already we are beginning to fee