THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 20. 2005
VOL. 116 ISSUE 44
WWW.KANSAN.COM
SPEAKER
Chuck D raises roof
BY MALINDA OSBORNE
mosborne@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Chuck D, a seminal figure in the history of hip-hop and its most respected intellectual, spoke to more than 600 people Wednesday night at the Kansas Union.
He took his typical iconoclastic stance and repeatedly criticized media conglomerates and the state of hin-hon today.
Chuck D particularly took issue with what he saw as the progressive commercialization of culture.
"Culture is about bringing human beings together and sharing similarities," he said. "But when they try to make it financially profitable for major
corporations, it becomes pied-piperism. Once it's designed in the boardroom it becomes a scary thing."
Chuck D also commented on the imbalance of images that represented only one perspective of black people in pop culture.
"The one side of thugism is being pushed to the world," Chuck D said. "Images on BET give the black community a bad rap. The story has not been said about those trying to get their brains up."
Chuck D was born Carlton Ridenhour in Long Island, N.Y. He got his start in music when he attended college at Long Island's Adelphi University. He co-hosted a hip-hop mix show on the campus radio station under the
name Chuckie D and formed the revolutionary hard-core rap group Public Enemy. The crew enjoyed widespread popularity and notoriety in the late 80s as a musical force known for its avant-garde sounds and socially controversial politics.
He was brought to campus by Student Union Activities in honor of KJHK's 30th anniversary.
Jenny Kratz, Lawrence senior and social issues coordinator for SUA, said Chuck D's legacy as a progressive and controversial advocate for file-sharing and radio made him an ideal candidate for the event.
"He was one of the first to put his music online before anyone else," Kratz said. "One of KJHK's major accomplishments
was to broadcast on the Internet live, so he is a fitting speaker for the celebration."
Jessica Gish, Topeka senior, said she was shocked that Chuck D came to campus.
"Politically and lyrically, he's one of the top in the industry." Gish said. "His music is classic."
Laura Watkins, Lenexa senior and KJHK Live Events director, said Chuck D was similar to the station in that both had something to convey to their listeners.
"He is not someone who worries about album sales, but instead, getting out a message on social and racial issues," she said.
Jared Sparos/KANSAN
Edited by Tricia Masenthin
Legendary rapper Chuck D recounts the time he met former Kansas basketball player Danny Manning at a concert in Kansas City. Chuck D spoke Wednesday night at the Ballroom in the Kansas Union. The Long Island, N.Y., native accrued fame in the late 1980s as the front man of rap group Public Enemy
TRENDS
The Drinker's Sport
Businesses capitalize on dangerous game
BY JOHN JORDAN
jjordan@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Sink it. drink it.
The rules for beer pong are simple. One team shoots ping pong balls into party cups filled with beer, and the opposing team drinks if the ball goes into the cup. A team wins if it makes the opposing team drink all its cups.
As the drinking game has increased in popularity, students are getting more creative and involved. Businesses are also getting in on the action, selling beer pong sets and accessories. Yet health officials and administrators question the ethics and safety of the marketing of products that could lead to alcohol abuse and health problems.
But the alcohol is what draws students into the game.
Pat Bruin, St. Louis junior, said beer pong is a good way to turn social drinking into a sport.
"It's something to look forward to," Bruin said. "A break in the middle of the week."
The break is a weekly game of beer pong in Bruin and his roommate's beer pong league.
Bruin and his roommate, Brett Lawrence,
started a league of 14 two-person teams that play every Thursday. After seven weeks of
league play, the playoffs begin today.
Beer pong is competitive, fun to watch and provides players plenty of opportunities to rile opponents with trash talk, Lawrence, Lenexa junior, said.
This enthusiasm is bringing businesses into the beer pong game.
Urban Outfitters, 1013 Massachusetts St., sells a kit called "Get bombed" for $18.99. The kit has two racks for arranging the pyramid of cups, three balls, 20 cups and official rules. The company that makes the set also sells T-shirts and hats with "Get bombed" on them.
SEE SPORT ON PAGE 10A
ARTS
Donation sends choir singing on three-day, statewide tour
BY TRAVIS ROBINETT
trobinett@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
John Paul Johnson, director of choral activities, said when the word got out that the chamber choir was going on tour, many people requested a stop.
WICHTIA — Today the KU Chamber Choir ends its threeday, five-stop tour, which was funded by a donation from 1956 alumnus Robert Daugherty.
He said the choir seriously considered 13 requests. It could have gone as far west as Liberal and as far north as Garden City. The choir ended up touring in Pratt, Dodge City, Meade
"We could easily be out two weeks, but they're students with classes to attend." Johnson said.
If you ever have a chance,come visit Mount Oread. There's always a place for you in the choral program. Look at KU,you won't regret it."
"T
and Wichita. The KU Chamber Choir, which as 40 members, is the premiere choral ensemble in the department of music and dance.
Daugherty made an initial donation in 2001 in memory of his late wife Sandra Keller, who he met at the University. The donation allowed graduate choir members to attend a competition in Los Angeles. Keller was a member of the KU Chamber Choir.
John Paul Johnson Director of choral activities
Johnson said he met Daugherty in 2002 when Johnson called him to thank him for the donation, one month after Johnson was hired by the University. Johnson then asked Daugherty if he would be willing to make a donation to fund the tour.
"I told him the cost, he said he'll send a check," Johnson said. "He remembered when the KU Chamber Choir came to Meade High School. He said he would give us the money to fund the tour as long as we sang at his home high school."
SEE DONATION ON PAGE 4A
The KU Chamber Choir performs Tuesday night at Northwest high school in Wichita. The Northwest Concert Choir joined the KU choir for one song during the performance.
Manan Trua/KANSAM
MEN'S BASKETBALL
KUID set to replace tickets
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
rschnetder@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Paper tickets for men's basketball games are a thing of the past because of a new online ticketing system. The only pass students will now need is a validated KU student ID.
Students' tickets to Allen Fieldhouse will no longer be pieces of paper, but, rather, little pieces f plastic in their wallet.
Students still have the option of validating their passes in person, but the
VALIDATION
2005-06 Men's Basketball Ticket Validation Dates
Oct. 31-Nov.2 — Ft. Hays State,
Pittsburg State, Idaho State
- Nov. 14-16 — Nevada, Western Illinois, Pennerdine
♦ Dec. 5-7 — Northern Colorado,
New Orleans, Yale, Kentucky,
Kansas City
Jan. 23-25 — Texas Tech,
♦ Feb. 6-8 — Missouri, Baylor,
Colorado
Source: Kansas Athletics Department
new online ticket redemption program will add a digital element to the process.
The Kansas Athletics Department unveiled the program at Wednesday night's Student Senate meeting. Although administrators expect some difficulties, they said they felt that students would be pleased with the new system.
Discussion and planning for the program began a year ago, but it was not ready in time to use last season, said Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director.
"This may sound and look complicated," Marchiony said. "But it'll be simple after the first time."
Students can verify their KUIDs in person at the athletics ticket office, located on the west side of Memorial Stadium during construction at the fieldhouse. If a student chooses to validate his KUID online, however, a $1 fee per game is required and is administered at the athletics department Web site. http://www.kuathetics.com.
The new ticket process and fees prompted discussion between student senators, Marchiony and Charlette Stuart, director of ticket operations.
The fees associated with online ticket validation are being passed on to students at cost, Stuart said. She stressed the department was not making money off the fees charged to students.
Stuart said Paciolan, the online ticket company the department was using, charges the cheapest fees. Ticketmaster charged more than $5 for its online tickets, she said. Only students who validate their passes online will pay a fee. The department will pay the fee for students who choose to validate their passes at the ticket office, she said.
Today's weather
SEE TICKETS ON PAGE 10A
Preseason poll predicts improvement Five new players and a sixth place ranking in the Big 12 coaches' poll give the women's basketball team confidence heading into the season. PAGE 3B
Local officials show concern about bird flu University healthcare workers are teaming with county officials to address the possibility of a bird flu outbreak in Kansas. KU personnel met yesterday to propose a practice drill. PAGE 2A
Juppley
Jayplay's packed with concert reviews and interviews with some of the hottest bands. On top of that, check out our sneak peek preview of the four Jayplay Live bands. They'll be at the Granada on Wednesday night.
Index
Comics...7A
Classifieds...8A
Crossword...7A
Horoscopes...7A
Opinion...9A
Sports...1B
All contents, unless stated otherwise
© 2005The University Daily, Kenne
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