To the members of Student Council:

This letter, technically, is my resignation. I view its true purpose to be a letter of self‑evaluation.

I had hoped to give Student Council a new place in the school's bureaucracy and to gain some position for Student Council in the decision‑making process. I had hoped to establish a rapport between Council and various alienated segments of the student body. Another personal goal was to develop a closer teacher‑student relationship.

For all of the above mentioned areas, I feel that I have failed completely. Student Council is basically in the same position it has been in during past years with both the adminstration and the students.

I am proud, however, to mention one achievement. I feel that I had not forgotten to work and help the individual. Each individual and their emotional well‑being became more important to me than any other activity. I found a real and honest pleasure in attempting to help an individual with their problems. There are few better rewards than a person with a problem saying: "Thank you. You've helped me."

I can list this as my only true, meaningful contribution to people, humanity or Student Council, whichever title you prefer to accept.

This period in Council, as president, was possibly my greatest single educational experience.

It is with deep regrets that I submit my resignation from the office of president of Student Council.

I would like to make some recommendations for Council in the hope that you can succeed where I failed:

1. Eradicate the Upper House.

2. The Executive Board should be an advisory committee designated by the president.

3. Remove petty personality conflicts within Council.

Please, please get your heads together before you try to change others.

Sincerely, Larry Portman

Dear Editor:
In regard to my letter to the Editor printed in the October 23 issue of the Westerner, I think it is only fair that the other side of the argument be looked at.

My letter criticized the new library procedure of a student only being allowed one period a day to use the library resources unless the student had a pass from a teacher.

I still feel the basis of my argument was correct; but since many people do not agree with me, the other side of the argument should be examined. Shortly before my letter was printed I was issued a brown card so I could use the library the period I wanted, so it was not as impossible as I stated.

Also, I understand that the library has gone back to the old system to the dismay of the librarians and some students. The new system did have its good points. For one thing it gave librarians a better chance to help students who needed it. The old system encouraged more people to come to the library which means that the librarians are forced to become more of policemen than assistants.

Lastly the new system was good because it kept out a number of students who had no work to do, but who came to the library every study period they had mainly to loaf around or talk to their friends. Now with the old system back the library again will have to combat this.

A lot of my letter of October 23 was a misunderstanding of library policy. Therefore, I urge anyone else who has any kind of questions regarding the library and its procedures to see Mr. Willis Lindeman, head librarian. I'm sure he will be glad to answer any questions.

Larry Henkle


Dear Editor:
We would like to thank all the students at Maine who were so thoughtful at the time of our father's death. Our family was overwhelmed by your generosity and good will.

Gloria, Joe, and Jim DeFranco