CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, January 17, 1995
3A
Rumors fly about dean's plans to leave
Administrators confirm that dean may have other options
By Virginia Marghelm
Kansan staff writer
James Muysksen, dean of liberal arts and sciences, said he had no plans to leave the University of Kansas, despite rumors to the contrary.
Rumors about Muyskens leaving have been accumulating since his candidacy for other positions — both at KU and at other universities — became public.
"That's all press gossip, 'Muyskens said. It is a little distressing that people are speculating about me.'"
Muyskens, who has been dean of the college for six years, said he was one of the candidates for KU's chancellor position and also had received invitations to apply for positions elsewhere.
In December, the University of California-Davis chose Muyskens as one of four finalists for the position of executive vice chancellor and provost. One of the four finalists dropped out of the race, but the university would not confirm the candidate's name. The university is expected to fill the position by Jan. 20.
Muyskens confirmed that he was a candidate
for the position but would not comment on whether he was still in the running.
James Muyksenk dean of liberal arts and sciences
Chancellor Del Shankel said he had heard rumors about Muyksen's departure, but he could not substantiate them. However, he said he expected that Muyksen would have many opportunities.
"He's a very talented administrator," Shankel said.
He 'a very talented administrator, Shanket said. Pam Houston, director of the undergraduate center of the college, said she also had heard the rumors and could understand how they originated.
"I would think that anyone who is as capable as Muyskens would look for a career in administration." Houston said. "He's a very capable man."
Muyskens said he was satisfied with his current job.
"I think this is the best job at KU." he said.
Students hear call of the wild in biology class
Two wolves pay visit to class in Haworth
By Paul Todd
Kansan staff writer
The students in Ray Plierotti's Biology 414 class had a couple of unexpected visitors Friday morning — two Eastern gray wolves.
Seren and Peter, who are owned by Kansas City, Kan., veterinarian Noreen Overeem, slipped down the center and side aisles of the auditorium in Haworth Hall almost unnoticed by the more than 100 students in the class. Pierotti said.
Pierotti brought the wolves to his class to show that wolves were a part of Kansas' natural environment and not something to fear.
"Wolves were a part of Kansas history until about 100 years ago," Piercott said. "I wanted students here to see what they really look like so there were no myths
The wolves had been trained by Overeem and were accustomed to being with people, but Pierotti said wild wolves were not as dangerous as many people thought.
about them."
"A wild wolf would not attack a human," he said. "It would run from them."
Lauren Bone, Littleton, Colo., junior,
said the class was more attracted to the
wolves than frightened by them.
"They were not intimidating at all," she said. "It was beautiful to see animals that don't even exist in the wild. Most people don't get to see that."
Bone said that the wolves obviously were under the control of the people who were taking care of them.
Overeem bought Seren from a breeder when he was 3 weeks old and raised him around people. Seren is 90 percent wolf and is about as large as an Irish wolf hound — close to three feet tall at the shoulder.
Peter is 11 months old and weighs about 70 pounds.
Kansas has no regulations for breeding wolf and dog hybrids, Overeem said. But raising wolf breeds takes special training.
Overeame said wolf breeds that had been taught not to fear people were not dangerous. She brings the wolves to classrooms to help students learn about their temperament.
"We all grew up with 'Little Red Riding Hood,' and I don't want this generation growing up believing in that," Overeem said. "I want them to realize what a wolf really is."
Pierotti said one student asked about about the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. He said that most of the students supported the reintroduction but that they also asked about the concerns of ranchers.
Pierotti told the students that wolves and people could live together. He said that instead of killing wolves, some Europeans used shepherd dogs to protect sheep and cattle.
"The desire to place stock on a range alone with no predators is uniquely American." he said.
"We all grew up with 'Little Red Riding Hood,' and I don't want this generation believing that."
NoreenOvereem
Kansas Cityveterinarian
Pierotti said American ranchers, like Europeans, could use dogs and other methods to protect livestock instead of placing bounties on predators.
Left out
Paulo Eskitch / KANSAN
Cleopatra peers through the doors of Strong Hall in search of her owner, Rachel Davis, Seattle junior.
Survey says freshmen lack politics
Kansan staff writer
By Paul Todd
Heidi Warburton, Overland Park senior, and her roommate were arguing about the North American Free Trade Agreement a few nights ago at Harbour Lights, 1031 Massachusetts St.
Warburton's roommate favored NAFTA, and Warburton, who thought she might be opposed to it, was trying to catch up on the details.
According to a recent survey from the University of California at Los Angeles, conversations such as this are rare.
And if the two women had been freshmen, the conversation might not have taken place. Results of the survey showed that only 32 percent of college freshmen thought that keeping up with political affairs was important, and only 16 percent frequently discuss politics.
The Higher Education and Research
Institute at UCLA surveyed 333,703 students at 670 colleges and universities.
Linda Sax, associate director of the institute, said the survey was a comprehensive look at freshmen attitudes, values and educational and career aspirations.
"It is a gauge for how students come into college." she said.
The survey has been conducted every year since 1963. KU students have not been surveyed since 1971.
Allan Cigler, professor of political science, wasn't surprised at this year's results.
Cigler said that interest in politics in college was not necessarily an indicator of how involved students would be after college.
"They are not in the work force and not paying taxes," he said. "They are not paying as much attention to politics yet."
Warburton said current events and political issues should be addressed more in
classes.
"If students had more opportunities to be informed, they would be," she said.
The survey showed that freshmen were under more stress than the students surveyed last year.
Susan Zeller, Lawrence graduate student, said that when she was a freshman, she felt overwhelmed, but she learned not to take on too many things at once.
"I just learned to get my priorities straight," she said.
Kelly Peterson, Wichita freshman, said college was much more stressful than high school and could be too much at times.
"It happened to me last semester," Peterson said. "But when I can go home once in a while it helps."
The survey also found an increase in the number of supporters of legalized marijuana. The number has doubled in five years 32 percent of college students support the legalization of marijuana.
Man arrested in Ellsworth Hall after scuffle
A Silver Lake resident was arrested early Sunday in Ellsworth Hall after tampering with fire equipment and resisting arrest, KU police reported.
Travis Michael Daneke, 18, was charged with tampering with fire equipment, resisting arrest and battery of a law enforcement officer.
Daneke, who is not a KU student, was let in through a side door in Ellsworth during security hours. He was seen with a fire extinguisher that was later found discharged on the fourth-floor landing.
Daneke was asked to sign a notice to appear in court for illegally discharging the fire extinguisher, but he refused.
The officer chased Daneke, and after a brief scuffle, detained him and took him to the Douglas County Law Enforcement Center.
Upon his refusal, a KU police officer began to take Daneke into custody, but Daneke ran away from the officer.
Daneke was released Sunday on $500 bond.
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