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Tuesday, March 28, 1978
University Daily Kausan
NIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Comment
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansas editorial staff. Stated columns represent the views of only the writers.
Faculty flaunts fines
The University of Kansas ought to have the legal authority to collect unpaid parking fines from faculty deadbeats.
Faculty members have piled up $36,000 in parking debts to the University. Meanwhile, KU's traffic and parking board has decided to sock students with 50 to 100 percent increases in fines. The injustice is blatantly apparent.
Students must pay their fines if they want to graduate, enroll or get grades. No such swords hover over the faculty.
Logically, one might assume that faculty members' fines could be deducted from
their paychecks. But those deductions, according to Mike Davis, University general counsel, aren't possible unless authorized by the Kansas Legislature.
Hauling faculty—or student—violators into court is theoretically possible. But Mike Malone, Douglas County attorney, says he would approve such action only in rare cases.
It won't do for the parking board to single out students for parking fines. The board must be able to enforce fines fairly, without regard to the status of the violators. The Legislature should correct the inequity that plagues KU parking regulations.
The state's chief law enforcer is prosecuting one of the state's chief lawmakers and is catching a lot of hell for it.
Schneider's only doing his job
The law enforcement, Attorney General Curt Schneider, has decided to prosecute the lawyer, Senate President Ross Bentley for alleged violations of the state campaign finance laws.
The charges stem from Boyen's 1976 re-election campaign and involve his failure to give nine campaign contribution checks to his treasurer within the five-day period required by the campaign finance law.
Although Doyen has admitted that he failed to report the contributions to his campaign manager as required, he says
Steven Stingley Editorial writer
he charges that he intentionally violated the law are "ridiculous."
SEVERAL OF Doyen's fellow legislators have come to his aid, charging that Schneider's actions motivated and unnecessary.
But the only thing that is unnecessary and ridiculous is the whirlwind of political charges and countercharges that surround this state of someone's breaking the state law, no matter who that someone is or how petty the "crime" may
appear, then the question should be resolved in the proper manner.
Schneider is merely trying to do his job.
Besides, the allegations are serious business. The offenses are Class A middemenaors that carry maximum penalties of up to a year in jail or a fine of $2,500 or both.
Despite the logic in Schneider's legal move, however, many still support him. The Republican general. It is an election year. Political motives are beginning to be regarded more viciously as state politicians begin to feel pressured by others' election aspirations.
Schneider is widely believed to be a candidate for governor
in next fall's elections, but he hasn't formally announced. That could be enough to fuel the attacks on him. He makes genius super-sensitive.
STATE SEN. FRANK Gaines, D-Augusta, is one who thinks the charges against Doyen are politically important that the whole affair will "backflash all over" Schneider.
NCCELL THE ONLINE GROUP INC. DATA SAFE INFORMATION AGENCY
"This is the most blatant misuse and abuse of the public trust, the absolute worst I've seen in 12 years here." Gaines
Sen. Norman Gaar, R-Westwood, is more cautious when he speaks of the matter, although he hints of political horseplay on Schneider's behalf.
Moving Jimmy wrong
Opponents of moving the Jimmy Green statue apparently lost their fight last week. Joseph W. Snell, executive director of the Kansas State Historical Society, gave reluctant approval to the move, saying that "it would impair the (current) site, but not sufficiently for us to say 'don't move it.'"
Snell's backing was legally necessary for moving the statue. People in the KU School of Law are no doubt jubilant. They have contended that their school's traditions make moving the statue to the new law building desirable.
The wishes of the rest of the campus, however, have been trampled. If the recent student referendum is any indication, opponents of the move are twice as widespread as its supporters. And it is highly arrogant, in view of recent questions about student
participation in campus politics, for University administrators to ignore the referendum.
SNELL COULD have halted the move but didn't, reportedly under heavy political pressure not to. That's unfortunate, if only because losing Jimmy to the law school will leave a visual hole on Jayhawk Boulevard.
Max Lucas, KU director of facilities planning, said he was pleased by Snell's announcement. "We thought all along that the move was justified," he noted.
The statue, however, is not a question of what administrators think. It is a question of what a majority of the University thinks. Students can be discouraged that a decision to which many were opposed was made without seriously considering the extent of that opposition.
"This thing started with formal action and it will have to be settled with formal action. These are real charges, and they are politically motivated, well get't in that at all," he said.
pressure from the University apparently convinced Sachem to change. Under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, Sachem has been denied University recognition since 1975.
Discrimination in the name of excellence is simply wrong. Commendably, Sachem has recognized that women, too, are capable of scholarship and leadership. Now it is time for Owl Society, the all-male junior honorary, to follow Sachem's decision with a similar one of its own.
Sachem's step timely
A few legislators have pointed to what they think are inequities in the attorney general's prosecution of insignificant finance law. They say that some of the cases that have been turned over to the attorney general have gathered in the courts charges against Doyen, have been vigorously prosecuted.
THE EXAMPLE they use is that of Tom Hart, Lawrence, an American Party candidate who was found by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to have violated the laws in his successful election bid for a House seat in 1976.
Although Hart's case has not officially been closed by the
attorney general's office, no charges have been made yet. It doesn't appear that any will be made.
Sachem Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, a senior honorary, finally has decided to admit women as members. The group's action was a long time in coming, but it nonetheless represents a small step forward in reducing sex discrimination at the University.
John Martin, assistant attorney general, said last week that the commission's findings on Hart's alleged violations but had concluded that the evidence for prosecution was slim.
He said that Hart's case and the charges against Doyen were not at all related and the suggestion that they were amounted to "absolute nonsense."
Martin says that in Hart's case it was a matter of whether Hart qualified as an official candidate under the campaign finance laws because of his failure to appear candidate during the election.
THE LEGISLATORS who support Doyen, Martin said, don't want to attack the specifics of the charges against Doyen because they know those things will be settled in court.
"All they want to do is attack motives," Martin said. "And that's easy for any cheap, loud-mouthed politician to do."
Sachem had previously argued that its traditions militated against becoming coeducational. But not all traditions, especially sexism, are constructive. Title IX
Martin's point is certainly valid. There is nothing concrete to support the charges that the governor practiced selective enforcement of the campaign finance laws. Schneider should be seen now as an executor of the law, and would not candidate for the governorship.
Even if there has been selective enforcement in the past, or even if Doyen is not guilt as charged, the proper place to resolve these serious allegations is in the courts—not the capitol arena of political finger pointing.
Evaluation of AURH policies 'mistaken'
To the editor:
-KANSAN
The first board was formed in January 1971. We operated under a series of helter-skelter
I felt compelled to respond to the letter from Doug Ferme, Merrigan junior. I felt a personal responsibility because I was a member of the first council as the chief justice (as chairman was referred to) then of the board the following year; and vice president and assembly chairman of the executive board the succeeding year I believe Ferme to be in charge in his evaluation of AUHR.
Letters
regulations in our infancy, preferring to give the next board as much freedom as possible in establishing its jurisdiction. The justice of that board and personally drew up the current policies that were eventually approved by the Residents Assembly. I must explain here that the hall presidents was used in place of the Residents Assembly. However, after the
establishment of the group, the regulations were submitted for approval.
As head of the board, I experienced the same frustrations that Femee reported in his letter. However, I didn't exactly stand pat and let them get out of hand, either. Granted that the team was still engaged in activity, but that shouldn't preclude its being prepared to handle its duties. To keep board members sharp, I presented
State plotting tourist traps on wheels
The boosters at the Kansas Department of Economic Development have been put together a new plan in yet another attempt to change the image of Kansas from a state of tourist's revenue.
Few travelers spend any more time in Kansas than they absolutely have to, special studies have found. Because the results of these studies have disturbing implications for the economic future of Kansas, travelers will grow wild in approving expenditures to correct this apparent oversight by American travelers.
This summer, from the end of May to the end of August, the state is leasing four motor homes to be staffed by nine college students charged with the solemn mission of selling Kan-
mock trials to them. Some enterprising drama student was always willing to test us. Also, most Judicial Board members were busy students who wanted to be involved and receive an opportunity to "take part on a part-time basis."
ACCORDING TO Har伯 Lange, state tourist manager, two of the homes will be stairway goodland rest areas on the Kansas Turnpike. The other two homes will travel to important events in the state, distributing Kangas literature.
Lange said last week, "People have complained to us. 'We would have liked to have seen the Kansas attractions, but we just didn't know where they were.'"
The program calls for the tour guides to approach travelers and encourage them to get off the turnip. When travelers visit some of the sites on the less traveled Kansas roads, they will be enticed to travel there. Travelers in Kansas before they blow their wads when they reach their out-of-state destinations.
Well, it seems as if it might work.
SUPPOSE A RICKETY station wagon with New Jersey
license plates miraculously emerges from the Kansas City rush hour traffic, headed west. Anticipating the long Kansas City rush hour, she says, "Let's take a break in the next rest area we come to."
Driving into the rest area, one of the daughters says, "Hey, look, there's a Kansas Tourist Information van. Maybe they give orange juice like Florida does."
The family has agreed to try to save most of its vacation money for the Colorado trip it had planned. Sandwiches and soft drinks have been packed in a cooler. The food supply has been considered, since he now announces, who now announces, "I gotta get to the can, man."
AS THE ENTE family empties out of the car to use the rest facilities, it is at once surrounded by what seems to be a crowd of fast-talking and picture-shooting people. Once her
"Maybe later, dear," says the patronizing mother.
eyes adjust, the mother sees there are only two young people—but who are they, and what do they want?
A small daughter jeers back from behind her mother. "No, but we're going to see the big mountains in Colorado."
"We'll bet you've never been to see the world's biggest ball of twins in Cawker City, Kan." Man, he's in a bright "Drive me" T-shirt.
"Oh, no, you're not," says a young man, pounding on the men's door. He is now screaming through the vent. "What do you want to do?" he asks for when it will just take a few extra days to see all of Kansas? Why if we hadn't stopped you, you probably wouldn't have even known how close you are to the University of Kansas."
"WHO CARES?" asks an impatient voice from the men's room.
"President Ford visited KU just this year. You can see it all and then buy some of the very dirt he walked across. They sell it there, neatly enclosed in a cabinet, specially made WIN buttons."
If memory serves, the Judicial Board never received a case before April of any year after his death or existence. Fermec said "leadership" within AURH was to blame for many of its problems. This could be applied to the courts because he may have condenated himself
"Are you kidding?" The girl is now getting hysterical. "Are you kidding?" she shrieks.
What was intended to be only a rest stop for the weary Easterners is now a hurried trip to the washroom and back.
"Everyone can't go at once," the mother says. "Somebody has to stay and watch the cat that bumper sticker off our cat!"
The station wagon finally chugs away from the rest area with a "Kansas--Stay Until You Have Gone." The family affixed one over of the car's rust spots. The family continues to drive through the rest of Kansas, hungry but too scared to leave. Its has made an impression.
ALTHOUGH LANGE said the college students would use a "soft-sell manner" when they approached tourists, she also
made it clear that they would be held responsible for the success of this plan to oromate Kansas.
If it is true that travelers at Kansas rest areas are on their way to another state, then it seems too late to accuse them of hope that they can be convinced to alter their travel plans.
Lange also said the department of economic development was looking for a trade-off in the money they would have collected from turnip fees and the new housing. The new homes will generate that is a big and so far unsubstantiated maybe.
The state of Kansas is wasting time by fooling around with leasing four homes for a total cost of $1,500 for a summer. To make the kind of money Kansas is looking for, the legislators are going to have to spend still more money.
Other states have developed their tourism potential through beautifully landscaped rest areas, glass-encased tourist information centers and even tourist discounts. Kansas does a good job of interest. It is up to the department of economic development to do a better job of advertising them.
As for AUHR as a whole, I was part of the executive board for the 1972-73 academic year, which was responsible for some of the changes that are seen in the organization. I was also given an opportunity to observe the current organization, it is hard to believe that it has changed that much from the organization I left in 1973. Fennec refers to the contracts committee and uses them for useful functions of AUHR. If that is so, then I assume the organization has ceased its orientation program in which all new freshmen entering the halls are sent a welcome card that includes a greeting letter meant that they may here care whom they can contact to help them get used to University life.
I would also assume that the Legislator's Dinner is no longer held, or else is not handled by AURN. Naturally, the AURN newspaper informing residents of activities in other resident halls must be discontinued. The National Residence Hall Honorary (run by the University of College and University Residence Halls), which recognizes outstanding residence hall leaders, also must have become nonexistent.
However, all sarcasm aside, I must assume that AUHr has ceased to come to the aid of residence hall residents who
have honest grips and can't seem to get any help through regular channels. if AURH has indeed moved that far from the structure we had assumed to be there, she has not. In 1747, maybe it has become the monster you describe. But somehow, I doubt it.
In conclusion, I would like to address myself to Fernec's observation on apathy's being a result of ambiguity. In all my years of undergraduate student government (not to mention a couple of similar positions in the Air Force!), I reached the opposite conclusion. Although I have not felt the likelihood of apathy, don't be naive. As the voter turnout at every presidential election in the country will tell you, some people just don't give a damn.
Matthew P. Hamilton Kansas City, Kan., special student
To the editor:
Regarding Chuck Thomas' letter in the Kansan headed, "Students Warned of Upliftment Church."
Religious sects control minds
Watching the wrangling among religious weirds is fun. Proponents of both sides endlessly provide selected quotations to "prove" their points of view.
In my opinion the Campus Crusade for Christ and the Unification Church have the same minds. Only their means differ.
I am not against mind control, however. Most people freely submit to it in one way or the other. If you want to means aside, it is all but impossible to control a man's mind without his tacit consent. Religion is only one of the more ubiquitous objections of mind control.
Keep those letters coming,
Thomas. It's interesting to hear
the not call the kettle black.'
Roch Thornton Emporia
Letters Policy
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten and include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, the letter should include the name and a desire or faculty or staff position. Letters are not to exceed 500 words in length. The Kansan reserves the right to edit all letters for publication.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Barbara Rosewicz
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