Why was I so enthusiastic? There are many reasons why I, as well as the rest of the student body, should be thrilled.
During my four years at the university, major changes have taken place. Some have been for the good, some for the bad.
The intended effects of all of these transformations were supposed to benefit the university. However, how one defines "university" is the key to assessing these changes.
It is apparent that the student body plays a minute role in the powers-that-be definition. The uncovering of the controversial Lilly Report is yet another example of the apparent disregard for the students' interest.
To explain the background of the report would be redundant: If you have not heard about it by now, then you've been living under a rock, or you're just extremely apathetic.
However, some of the more controversial parts of the report, such as prohibiting freshman rush, more strictly enforcing the alcohol policy and possibly ending Greek life at the university have become thorns for many students.
This is where the Alumni Council comes into the picture. Alumni councils at many universities hold influential positions, as they well should. The sudents have received a blessing that could be considered a miracle -- someone has decided to support the student body.
David Steffany, `80, the head of the council, said, "Those who made comments were somewhat dubious of the report's recommendations." Finally, someone is seeing through the smoke and mirrors that some of the faculty and administration have put up!
The Alumni Council's uncertainty about the Lilly Report's recommendations is a good thing. The university has an endowment approaching $500 million, and alumni contribute greatly to that figure.
Jamie Spencer, a student panelist at the Alumni Council session, said that " ... the Alumni Council are pretty consistent donors to the university and we all know that money talks."
Does it ever. And it spoke big last spring when the computer proposal for the Class of 2000 rolled over a majority of student objections to the benefit of the administration's plans. Money caught the attention of Reynolda Hall then; do you think it can do the same now?
I have yet to figure out why the university is on a mission to destroy the Greek system. President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. has recently said that "there is no anti-Greek sentiment" in Reynolda Hall. Yes, and there is valuable beach-front property located in Nebraska.
The Greek system offers much to the character of this university, in positive ways. To take this away would be detrimental, and simply a bad move. Furthermore, this new alcohol policy the Lilly Report is suggesting resembles an elementary school approach to a "supposed" problem.
Thank goodness that the Alumni Council realizes this, because with the blatant disregard students have received from the administration, someone with power needed to stand up.
The Alumni Council's opinion might actually be a wake-up call to the powers that be.
Money does talk, and after floundering so long with little outside support, the students might be able to fight fire with fire.