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Wednesday, October 26, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Few U.S. students seek grad degrees in sciences at KU, chairman reports
By Grace Hobson Kansan staff writer
Enrollments in biological sciences' graduate programs have increased from last year at the University of Chicago. We are not the ones doing the enrolling.
Gunther Schlager, chairman of the division of biological sciences, said the proportion of U.S. students to foreign students was decreasing in the sciences.
"Some departments are running 50 percent foreign students," he said.
For example, the biochemistry department has 40 graduate students, 15 of which are U.S. citizens; the other departments were not available.
Schlager said he was concerned about the implications of the trend, which he called a national phenomenon. He was concerned that universities were not producing more graduates who want to remain in the U.S. to teach or work in science industries.
Because many faculty will be retiring in the next few years, the demand for science graduates will increase. Many foreign students return home after graduating, so a demand will be left unfilled, Schlager said.
"I have a concern for the academic community." he said.
The technological industry also will suffer, Schlager said, unless businesses hire more foreign students.
Denise Mills, Exeter, England, graduate student and president of the Biochemistry Graduate Student Organization, said that she had decided to go to graduate school in the United States because there were many colleges with similar majors to choose from. Also, more financial aid was available, she said.
Robert Weaver, chairman of the biochemistry department, said he thought U.S. students' disinterest in learning could be traced to early education.
"I have a feeling that American students are either just not as interested in science or are turned off in public secondary education by science teachers," Weaver said.
Weaver said he thought that the latter was the more probable reason for the decrease. To exemplify his theory, he said his two daughters were interested in science until they encountered a girl who did not only did his daughters lose interest, they were discouraged from the sciences.
Although some females may show an anxiety towards the sciences, he said he didn't think that gender accounts for the attitudes.
"Kids of both genders are turned off." Weaver said. "We don't just have trouble recruiting women in the graduate level; we have trouble recruiting Americans in general."
Enrollment by U.S. students in undergraduate programs remain stable, which Weaver attributed to current science majors entering other fields after receiving their bachelors degrees.
"Students major in biochemistry as undergraduates not because they want to do that," Weaver said. "They are thinking of medical school or even business. Fewer Americans want to become biochemists."
Margaret Vinton, Overland Park senior majoring in biochemistry, said that she hoped to get a job in the sales or management of a chemical or pharmaceutical company after graduation. She said that her major was a biochemistry graduate program because it would focus on research.
"I'm more people oriented," Vinton said.
Schlager said that the availability of jobs in business, computer science and engineering at the bachelor's degree level also were a reason for the decrease. He said his son, who is a graduate student in computer science, was getting paid more than what KU paid professors with doctorate degrees.
Sandra J. Watti/KANSAN
KU students, Lawrence park service workers, Hertzel workers, and representatives of the Kansas Sculpture Association help guide and set a $5\frac{1}{2}$ ton limestone block onto its mount. The stone was set in Burcham Park yesterday. The sculpting project, sponsored by the stone symposium conducted the first weekend in October, will be a community carve in which anyone with or without sculpting experience may participate.
Set in stone
ABOVE: Eiden C. Tefft, KU professor of art and sculpture, left, and Jim Patti, Executive Director of the Kansas Sculpture Association, right, watch as the limestone block is secured on its mount. LEFT: The model of what the stone will be is a male and a female standing amongst vegetation with stars above their heads.
Leader undetermined in Canadian debates
The Associated Press
The leaders of Canada's three major parties concluded the debate
No one scored heavily in the three-hour television debate Monday night involving Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of the Conservative Party, Turner and Ed Broadbent of the New Democrats.
TORONTO — Liberal Party leader John Turner seemed to revive his flagging election campaign in a French-language debate with his two opponents, but the question yesterday was whether he would do as well in English.
yesterday with three hours in English. The election is scheduled for Nov. 21.
Mulroney called the election Oct. 1 after serving four years of his maximum five-year term.
Turner's Liberals, the party of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, have been running an unaccompanied third in the polls.
News Briefs
In the Monday night debate, Mulroney defended the free trade agreement he negotiated with the United States against attacks from both opponents, who say it sells out Canadian interests.
University of Kansas students and faculty can help UNICEF this Halloween by voting in the third annual "Decorate a Pumpkin for the World's Children" contest and by buying a pumpkin from UNICEF.
Both activities will be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow and Friday on Wescow Beach, and between Saturday at Wal-Mart, 727 Iowa St.
The event is sponsored by Jay hawks for UNICEF.
Curt S. Crossley, Overland Park senior and youth ambassador to the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, said 34 student organizations have entered the pumpkin carving contest by the Monday deadline, each paying $20.
Crossley expected the events to
raise about $1,500. All proceeds will go to UNICEF.
The winner, determined by votes,
will receive a certificate signed by
both the president of the committee.
Lawrence Bruce, and by the host of
ABC's 20/20 news show, Hugh
Dowes
Anyone who makes a contribution can vote for his favorite pumpkin.
This was the fourth year that pumpkins will be sold by UNICEF. Crossley said. They cost only $1.50 per decorating contest is in its third year.
Laurie Kelly, Arkansas City graduate student and UNICOLV volunteer, said she didn't think many people on campus knew exactly what UNICOLV does.
Eyes Nightclub and KY102 Present
CREATURE COSTUME COTILLION
Halloween Monday, October 31 Doors Open at 8:30pm Halloween Decor by Students of the Kansas City Art Institute
Costumed Creature Contest:
1st Prize
A Denon Compact Disc Player
courtesy of Kie's Gramaphone Shop
24th and Iowa in Lawrence
Plus a $300.00 gift certificate
courtesy of 7th Heaven Records
2nd Prize
A $200.00 gift certificate
courtesy of 7th Heaven Records
with 7 Kansas City locations
3rd Prize
Dinner for two
courtesy of the Villa Fontana Restaurant
4120 Baltimore in Kansas City
DJ Ray Velasquez
Plus Monster of Ceremonies
323 W 8th St. KC MC
(816) 842-1855
KY102's Skid Roadie
A HALLOWEEN PSYCHEDELIC ORGY
Seniors!
DO IT!
...and you'll be glad.
Get your photo taken for the yearbook!
Last Chance!!
October 24-28
Monday 11-3,4-8
Tuesday 9-12,1-5
Wednesday 9-12,1-5
Thursday 11-3,4-8
Friday 8-12,1-4
-Walk-ins Only Burge Union - by the candy counter