Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-17
STUDENT SELF
GOVERNMENT
!. IS DISCUSSED
z
Mems Conference and Stu.
dent Court Explained at
I, Symposium.

The history and purpose of the
mems conference an explanation of
the student court, and the future of
student .self-government at the Uni-,
.Versitys of North Dakota were the
three subjects discussed at the SYM
versity during the regular convoca-
ton hour. A symposium was called
at this time to explain the. essentials
of student government.
This form of college government Is
becoming popular throughout the
country and is proving d success. Fred
Aandahl, vice president of the mems
conference. stated in giving the his
tory and purpose Of the student
council. 1t is known to bring about q
better relationship between the facul-
ty and the students besides giving the
students a sense of responsibility n
preparing them to be better citizens.
Through the work of President
Kane and Professor R. r. Hitchcock
the mems conference at the university
was organized on March IL, 1920. One
member from each Of the student or
CARNATIONS was placed upon the con-
ference. No definite powers were
vested in the body but matters of inn
portance. were discussed before the as
sembly and several class problems
~ u ~ v NSAN ~ ~
conference, such as class elections,
freshmen initiation, cleanup day.
Glass elections wereeformerly rather
unrepresentative and were maintained
according to no specified rules. A
committee of three men from the con-
ference and of three women from the
women's senate was appointed and a
set of election rules drawn up, specify
ing a definite date for the elections
and arranging for h nomination of
all officers by petition.
Student Court.
The judiciary body of the new form
of government was explained by Nc
Lain johnson as chief justice of the
student court. This body was organ-
lied, Mr.. johnson said, with the
realization that a method of enforce
ment for laws passed by the confer
ence' was necessary. Following the
granting Of self-government by the
university council on January 20 of
this year. nominations we're solicited
for the court and the men, chosen
from among these candidates.
At the opening meeting Of the
court for the purpose of drawing up
rules of procedure, it was made clear
that the organization would not be in
the nature Of a regular legal court
but rather a commission of equity
In no case will q%uibbling over techni-
calities be permitted.
The court has exclusive jurisdiction
over student conduct with the excep.
ton Of dishonesty in classes. Gases
will be tried according to the evidence
presented, the decision handed to the
president of the university, and the
final judgment given out by the presi'
dent. It is expected that except ir
extreme instances the recommended
ton of the court will be complied
with. i@Ft-
A case may be brought before tht
court by any member of the men!
conference, the student body. or thu
faculty by the filing Of a complain
with the secretary of the court. II
concluding, Mr.. johnson urged tn,
cooperation of the students il
making conference and court success
full.
Future Program.
In discussing the future of tn
mems conference. George Soul
treated with events that had alread.
! been handled by the conference an
which would be made permanent, AM
with plans under consideration
Among the event enumerated by MI
Soule to De made permanent were, 81
pervised class elections, the freshmen
initiation. and the cleanup day. Othe
work accomplished by the c%onferenc
was illustrated in the following
: scraping of the armory f1oorA installing
OF moonlight machine, arranging o
special car service.
Among h features to be carriet
out By the conference annually are tn
passing show scheduled next Wednee
day and the codifying of rules an,
regulations of student government
The passing show promises to be a
: much of a success IS any Of the othe
affairs put across by the mems confer
tence.
i At present a budget committee ha
been appointed by the conference {
: arrange a budget of the conference e1
e penses in order that q system q
financing the governing body may b
definitely fixed.
In opening and closing the exercise
i President Kane explained that it wa
9 the plan to make student sentimer
the essence of student governing an
thus do ,away with misunderstanding