Page 26 - 1986 VES Meteor

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Editorial Staff:
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Jim Blount, Tracey Bostwick, Jared Dawson, Chris Kelly, Stuart Mercer, DJ Shroeder
Wlnn Maddrey, Stuart Freeman
By Jared Dawson
As I wander through the halls of my home away from home, something seems to be missing. No, it's not the smell of mom's lasagne, nor the ever-present shadow of my dog Fido. Oh yeah, that's right I almost forgot, as a part of the administration's new- ly acquired outlook on life, we are no longer allowed to display
more than two of those terribly offensive liquor or tobacco pro- motions in our rooms.
This decision has left the ma- jority of us in the community completely bewildered, almost to the state of amusement. The
administration has been avidly engaged in changing the school's outlook and appearance, for this they should be congratulated. However, to go so far as to tell us what we may and may not hang
in our rooms is unreasonable. According to some faculty
members, "V.E.S. is a teaching
institution, we are not here to
promote bad morals" (such as
beer posters). To this rather
bland remark, I offer but one
question. If we are not supposed.
to have "beer or tobacco
posters," so as not to influence
our fellow dorm mates to drink
or smoke, why then are faculty
members even allowed to smoke
on campus. For that matter, in
accordance with the "good
morals" W il are trying so hard to
preserve, it would appear that_ who can be found roaming
Our school community has undergone several changes in at- titude this year, all of them definately for the better. One reason is that some of the bad eggs have left the community. We remember them - the types who would complain even if this was paradise and who got bent out of shape at the most petty things. These folks just made other people unfairly look down on VES. A second important
factor in the turnaround has been the arrival of girls on campus. Not only has this given us a measure of pride and accomplishment - after all, VES was the first formerly all-male boarding school in the state (maybe the whole South) to coeducate - but it's changed our behavior as well. We guys have had to watch what we say and do more than before just to make a good impression! The final, and maybe
·most important, reason for this upbeat spirit has been the perform- . ance ofthe varsity and JV football teams, which have won five games between them this year already, including the varsity's big win over Norfolk Academy on Saturday. Thanks to Messrs. Mundy,
McLaughlin, Bailey, Sjolund, Meador and Magnan for helping us feel proud to be a member of this school.
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found a way out of sports. But administration officials felt that these students needed the exercise and the state of Virginia wanted proof that students here were fulfilling the proper physical program re- quirements. So the Athletic Department at V.E.S. came out with a plan; 3 credits a trimester for varsity sports, 2 for sub-varsity level sportsandonecreditforaprogramcalledintramurals.Intramuralsis a sub-junior varsity level program geared to provide students with
exercise by exposing them to various sports. Got too much homework? Too "sorry" for the J.V. team? Want the exercise? Join the intramurals team. Now the policy has unfairly changed; no credit
for intram urals.
That policy change struck a harsh blow to many students.
Because students must earn a minimum of three athletic credits a year, they are penalized for taking intramuras. A sports program ehould encourage diversity in its courae. A student who goes out for J.V.soccer might find himself without a sport, or a credit, if he doesn't
turvive a coach'• 'cut'. Studente who have been burdened with a
large amount of homework might need a little extra time -
tomething regular athletiet doesn't do. In fact, aome program• run
overtime. Another reason ia that the intramural program is indeed a
aporta program. It it not an "alt~>rnative program"like the vol
program or library work. Student• ahould not be penalized for par·
ticipating in an athletic program, ven though it may be a non competitive one.
The Meteor Staff invite8 any and aU reader
I
V.£.S. sruoavn,AH,t-IAROAT
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In previous years, students who were not top notch athletes
the school can never hold an alcohol-related gathering. Woe unto those who see others drinkng, for they will assurdly
reach for the nearest bottle. Aside from the concern that "dirty" posters will cause all those who see them to drink and
aimlessly in and out of dorm
rooms, their sole purpose to see
what the posters say . I can •
understand that we are in- terested in offering prospective students and their families a good impression, that is exactly why we have established "alpha
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order" rooms on each dorm. This rule not only contradicts moral teachings, but it con- stitutes an attack on our per-
sonal life, and our right to the freedom of expression. Consider- ing our dorm rooms are the only true place on campus we can go and feel at home with homey sur· roundings, why then are some of us intent on denying us this priviledge? If a person is so weak, so that he or she modela
their life after what others say, should they not be in a specialis- ed environment?
smoke regularly, we must also sympathize with the school's con- cern regarding outside visitors and how they may be offended. We also must admit that there are not a great number of out- siders visiting on a daily basis,
OCTOBER 17, 1986
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