Vol. 11, No. 7 * University Community's Feature Paper * December 14, 1 ^ <\ ? -The Fourth Estate: Editorial Who Cares We often hear that as students at Stony Brook we loudly when they are being mistreated, then they will March through campus was one such effective are lucky because our university ranks high upon the soon suffer from a case of indifferent laryngitis. political statement It may have upset some, but it roster of the nation's better colleges. One probably drove the point home to just as amany wonders in what respects other than research and This semester has seen more activism on the others. The vandalism of Coca Cola machines on physical sciences Stony Brook excels. Perhaps it's part of the undergraduate student body concerning campus over the past week is by no means an our high levels of apathy and the landscapers' per national and international issues and student issues, effective political statement and is at best a harmful capita use of wood chips. such as the budget cuts made to the SUNY system and immature prank. There isn't a student here who hasn't done his or last semester. A number of political issues have Regardless of whether the perpetrators support her share of belly aching about the university. sparked student activism this semester. It is Rightfully Opposed to Apartheid and Racism Whether it's the meal plan, the abyssmal quality of encouraging to see students who are politically (ROAR) or other campus groups, such as Red dorm living , or just any one of a number conscious band together to protest, and voice their Balloon which want to ban Coke from campus problems which are indicative of the university's opinions about animal rights, apartheid, and the U.S. because it indirectly supports the South African attitude towards undergraduates. But sadly most intervention in El Salvador. But it seems like it's government, they only discredit their cause in the have resigned themselves to their fate and view the always the same small groups of students who get student's eyes. It may very well be that these university administration as an immovable entity involved. which they are powerless to influence. Nothing The tendency is for other non activist students, enlightened vandals feel that their ends justify their could be further from the truth. It is the students who those who don't know or don't care (or both) to look means. However not all of the students who will be give the administrators their power and it is they who down their noses at activist groups. This campus' voting on the Coca Cola referendum in the spring can lobby effectively for students' rights The political close mindedness is rivalled only by its share the views of these vandals who have taken it effectiveness of student protests and focused outrage apathy. Some students were outraged by the recent upon themeselves to choose for the rest of the Coke instead of just moaning and griping was proven this Peace March which protested U.S. intervention in El products should be sold on campus. The students semester when Polity and residents of Kelly Quad Salvador. Sure, their classes were interrupted but should be allowed to make their decision instead of pressured USB and SUNY Central to quicken their sometimes it's necessary to startle people, to rouse having any one group just decide to vandalize, or for sluggish response to the flooding there. It is them from their apolitical slumbers. that matter ban Coke machines. unfortunate that it takes a disaster of such On a campus where a student concern for world proportions to shock the students out of their campus issues is almost nonexistent it is apathetic stupor. If students do not realize that they important to employ tactics which will gain and have a voice and the choice, the obligation to raise it maintain student support The recent Peace toodooooo - Letters Student apathy on campus has wrong. And to parade around with been an issue of concern for quite a sign that says all of the students some time now. Perhaps the sparks at Stony Brook doesn't want U.S. The that start a fire are being created money in El Salvador is about as and this fire will have enough heat untrue as saying that the Pope is Stony Brook Cut That to convince groups such as mul- Jewish. tinational corporations that the I really don't like the idea of Press student voice is one which they someone trying to force their must not only hear but also listen political views on me, and when Out to. they interrupt my class to do this I get really mad. Anyone who thinks Executive Editor. ............ Joe Distefano Theresa White Managing Editor............... ReO.A.R. like me is not going to go over to Lee Gundel To the editor. their cause, and anyone who doesn't Associate Editor .......... Robert V. Gilheany Coke machines are being van- think like me is probably already Photo Editor ................ Steve Schmitz dalized on this campus. Wires are with the cause. So why do they Assistant Editor................ Kate Owen choose to this in the first place. being cut. People are unable to Rampant Business Manager ............ Diane Schutz purchase Coca-Cola products. Jesse Flint If this is being done in support Editor Emeritus............. Kyle Silfer of R.O.A.R.'s (Rightfully Opposed Minister without Portfolio: John Dunn to Apartheid and Racism) quest Apathy for a student boycott of Coke, News and Feature: Elizabeth Ard, Ink, Michele please stop. The boycott is meant Neumeier, Drew E Mitty, Robert Rothenberg Lorelei to be done through the process of Dear Editor. Mann, Kashif Siddiqi education on apartheid and a I was sitting in my class today Arts: Rich Butrico Jr., John Bua, Kristen referendum in the spring. Edu- going over important review Frieben, Irin Strauss, Lowell Thomas, cated students are to make edu- material, when a group of people Chris Volpe cated choices at the ballot box. burst into my class and paraded Graphics: James Blonde, Steve Thornton, Otto Dismantling vending machines is across the stage. The first in line Partz an approach that will only anger was wearing a gas mask (if I were Production: Raymond Lee, Maria Garcia students and create a desire for doing what he was I wouldn't want The Coke. This is the last thing to be identified either). The next Stony Brook Press is published bi-weekly R.O.AA.R wants. Instead of two carried a sign with a message on Thursdays during the academic year and focusing anger at the Coca-Cola to the effect of, "Stony Brook summer session by The Stony Brook Press Inc., corporation for its activities in University Doesn't want U.S. a student run and student funded not-for-profit South Africa, students will be angry Funds in El Salvador". There was corporation. Advertising policy does not because they are deprived of their someone bringing up the rear who necessarily reflect editorial policy. For more Coke. was doing nothing and two more information on advertising call at 632-6451. R.O.A.R. believes that if the were carrying a black coffin that Staff meetings individual takes the time to educate had a sign with the number of are held weekly in The Press offices on him or herself about economic civilians killed in El Salvador. Monday nights at approximately 8:00 pm. sanctions and the effects of multi- Luckily there were several cries of The opinions national corporations, the indiv- "get off the stage" and "get of expressed in letters and view- points do idual will join us in our fight for here". I completely agree with not necessarily reflect those of our staff. sanctions and will discontinue these outcries. drinking Coke by personal choice. Having and voicing your own Despite this unexpected incident, political opinion is one thing, but Phone: 632-6451 we are encouraged that people are interrupting classes in Javits to Office: Suite dedicated to their beliefs and are tell them about something they 020 Central Hall (Old Biology) willing to take action in ways that already know about or don't know S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook Stony they believe will be most effective. and don't care about is just plain Brook, NY 11794-2790 page 2 The Stony Brook Press Downey Speaks at USB by Lowell Thomas congressman went on to spend a full two He went on to suggest a few areas where population has increased dramatically." Recently, on December 1, Suffolk county thirds of his time on the question of the he believed increased taxes would be He also pointed to enviromental and social congressman Thomas Downey came to United States' future as a nation. The focus beneficial not just in an economic sense but service programs as other areas where Stony Brook. He delivered an address in of his discussion was largely on economics. in, as he put it, "curtailing detrimental federal funding is all too meager. the Alliance Room on the topic of Long He started by talking about some of the behavior". Examples of this include the Downey wrapped up his address with a Island's future. The meeting was very well nation's ills. Among other things he pointed cigarette excise tax which he proposes to grand proposal He suggested that a bi- attended, with members from the faculty, out the astonishing fact that the United double, increasing taxes on beer and wine, partisan, bi-county commission be formed students, and residents of Suffolk County States is presently the world's largest debtor as well as levying other taxes such as a " gas consisting of local and state officials, as well all making for an impressive show.