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LONGWOOD COLLEGE
FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA
No. 2
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1983
Kurt Vonnegut On Southern Comfort And Republicans ByJEFFABERNATHY An interesting sideline to Kurt Vonnegut's speech at HampdenSydney last week was the fact the average haircut of the HampdenSydney student is about two inches shorter than Vonnegut's. He took it all in stride, though, noting with some apprehension, "I am told that 90 percent of you are Republicans." Vonnegut explained the vast difference in the issues on college campuses of today and those of his college days. Today, VonmgUt said, "the burning
question on every campus is, 'Do you use a word processor?' When I got out of college Hitler was in power. The burning question at that time was 'Does penis size really matter?' " His sarcasm on modern technology was hard to miss. Vonnegut typically showed little respect for the sensitivity of his audience. He alienated students in the computer field by saying, "If you go into computers your job is figuring out how to put your neighbors out of business." His lack of regard for the rising
level of technology was clear throughout his speech. "I'm against it even if it harms bluebirds," he noted. Vonnegut's dislike for the scientific advancement called the nuclear warhead is clear in his novels and was obvious in his speech. Comparing alcoholics to, in his words, "compulsive war preparers," Vonnegut insisted that the American people have repeatedly made poor choices for leaders. "We should recognize that there are those of us who are hooked on preparations for war."
Vonnegut believes that Americans should tell these people, "Honest to God I couldn't be sorrier for you if I'd seen you wash down a handful of amphetamines with a pint of Southern Comfort." In not-so-many words, Vonnegut denounced the Reagan administration's defense buildup, particularly the construction of the MX missile. Noting that both the U.S. and the Soviet Union can already destroy all life on his planet several times over, Vonnegut clearly sided with
nuclear freeze supporters on the build-up issue. Proposing a group called "War Preparers Anonymous," Vonnegut called for the group's first member to introduce himself by saying, "My name is Western Civilization and I am a Compulsive War Preparer." Clad somewhat paradoxically in a blue polyester suit with a yellow and dull green tie, Vonnegut was at ease with the crowd of 1,750 people. His shock of curly brown hair didn't quite fit in with the bifocal glasses and greying moustache yet Vonnegut never once talked the part of a man born in the 1920's. His eyes glistened when he joked with his audience, peering over his glasses to see the reaction he got, as if laughter wasn't quite enough. He was never formal with the crowd, quickly noting that, though the first rule of public speaking is 'Never Apologize,* "I apologize, I'm sorry about everything, and I'll do my best to make it up to you." Soonafter, Vonnegut pointed out to the younger members of (Continued on page 5)
Crime Prevention At Longwood: Campus Police By JOHNEL D. BROWN Since Eric Shoemaker arrived at Longwood last November as the new chief of Campus Police, he has emphasized shifts in priority and policy. He has worked with a limited staff of eleven policemen and an even more confining budget to try to improve the effectiveness of campus security. "Our main priority is personal safety of the students and their property," said Shoemaker. Many students have complained because the campus police are not as likely to take them to or from the Farmville bus station as in the past. This, according to Shoemaker is a matter or priority. "If there's only one car patrolling, I can't send it to the bus station. Some students are going to get turned
down. I would like to continue the service, but I need my officers on campus. If a student called a campus police at one of the larger universities, for a ride to a bus station, by the time the guy stopped laughing at them, the bus would've already left... if we're here as a taxi service, then they should take away our guns. We're here for police work." Crime prevention has also become a prime focus of the campus security force. Suggestions for improvement of the lighting on campus are still being considered. Longwood is the only institution in the state that is researching Environmental Security, a relatively new crime prevention angle, that considers how architectural design of buildings, and landscaping can contribute
to crime. Chief Shoemaker recently presented a paper on the research of Environmental Security, and looks forward to developing the program further. In regard to the actual crime rate at Longwood, Shoemaker points out that students are very rarely the source of any real crime. Between November of 1982 and July of 1983, there were only seven arrests on campus, none of which included longwood students. One of the biggest problems with crime solving is in the reporting of offenses. Either because people don't consider the offense serious enough, or because they are afraid of getting too involved for whatever reason, people are too slow about reporting crime. "That's why we instituted the Call a Campus Cop
First' program". Shoemaker felt that a great deal of the crime at Longwood could have been prevented. There was a series of incidents last fall where a man was arrested for entering girl's dorm rooms through doors that the residents had left unlocked.
Shoemaker made several references to the tight budget that the department is working under, alluding to the "Robb bare bones" approach to government. "Ixwigwood is not a rich institution, I can't expect to have any more (money) than any other department."
STATISTICS Between Nov. '82 - July '83 Percentage Breakdown of Reported Offenses Breaking and Entering 4 Percent Grand Larceny 13 Percent Trespassing 13 Percent Assault 3 Percent larceny 28 Percent Vandalism 24 Percent Disorderly Conduct 13 Percent Liquor Violation 2 Percent Arrests 7 Parking Tickets 2259