"Needed: A Sense of Values," January 8, 1937

"Needed: A Sense of Values," January 8, 1937

Student editorialists in The Technician argue that everyone involved in the Anderson-Sermon controversy, especially the alumni, should remember that NC State's true purpose is educational.

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"Needed: A Sense of Values," January 8, 1937, The Technician North Carolina State University, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh.

1937-01-08

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The moot question of the State College Athletic Situation, like the much publicized Spanish Civil War, would seem to be entering its final stage. It has passed through the hands of Athletic Council, Faculty Council, Dean Harrelson, Doctor Graham. Soon the Board of Trustees meet, and one of the things which they consider will be the recommendations made by Harrelson and Graham.

In the meanwhile, alumni are waxing wroth, and talk continues to run rife among citizens, faculty and students. New words are entering the vocabulary of the arguments pro and con, words such as “autonomy” and “home rule,” legality” and “constitutionality.”

We had our part of this little argument when we were a member of the Student Committee of Investigation (which in spite of rumors as to being “self-appointed” really was authorized by the college’s Student Council) and when we acted as spokesman for the group in presenting its findings. We still believe in the student recommendations and our opinion is unchanged.However, the above is merely an expression of opinion, an opinion which we would gladly change if, to our mind, the facts should warrant it. Now, in the present phase of the situation, our viewpoint is that all findings have proceeded through the proper channels, and that, having reached the Board of Trustees, the Board’s opinion should be taken as the final word. Any talk of taking this institution’s private fracas to the Legislature is not only foolish but downright harmful.

We uphold this opinion because we believe that many alumni, in championing their athletic viewpoint have lost their perspective. In fact, they have gone so far as to place athletics and State College as an institution on an equal basis.

The best thing that could happen to every group and to every individual, who have taken sides because of their athletic viewpoints, is to indulge in a typical occupation of the new year and take an inventory. After all, is State College merely furnishing board and lodging for men of college age in order that they may represent this institution in all the various branches of intercollegiate athletics? Or on the other hand, is this college fulfilling the terms under which it was granted a charter, i.e., the training of useful citizenry in the professions of agriculture, engineering, textiles, and related fields.

Now that, you say, is placing the situation on the point of absurdity. But can you believe that the above questions are absurd after reading comments of newspapers, of students, of alumni, of interested outsiders? Thousands of words have been written, tens of thousands have been spoken about the ins and outs of athletic set-up, coaches, student loans, subsidization, athletes, in short about anything that could possibly have any connection with State College athletics.

In comparison, little or nothing has been printed or spoken about the college’s major function—that of education. Little or no mention has been made of higher scholastic standards, or enlargements and improvements in the education and training of the faculty, of improved dormitory conditions, or of the higher standards of conduct and scholarship which are found among the students here today.

Certainly a great need at present is a sense of true values with reference to the present unfortunate situation, and a relegation to its proper sphere of athletics in general and of football in particular. This sense of values is not a need merely of those connected with or interested in State’s present private scrap on athletics. Colleges the nation over are being confronted with similar problems, and colleges the nation over must either compromise themselves or take a definite stand.

We do not mean by any statement, which we have made, to infer that the recommendations and counter-recommendations, the charges and counter-charges which have taken place up to the present time are of minor importance. We are whole-heartedly in favor of seeing the issues at hand settled for once and for all. But to everyone connected with the present situation and to all who are interested in it, we would advise a careful inventory and a relegation of athletics to its proper sphere—that of an extra-curricula activity—before coming to any decision. For then and only then can the snarled skeins of our athletics be untangled fairly and in an unbiased manner.

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