Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Anti-hate group to offer discussion
By Kimberly Thompson Special to the Kansan
Standing Together Against Negative Displays (STAND), a new anti-hatred organization on campus, will have a mini-panel discussing the effects of hate groups at 6 night at the International Room in the Kansas Union.
Two panelists, David Smith, associate professor of sociology, and Allan Hanson, distinguished professor of anthropology and humanities and western civilization, will speak for 10 minutes about why people hate, what hate does to society and what people can do about it. Afterward, Smith and Hanson will hold a discussion and answer questions.
Corrinne Hickman, Wichita senior and founder and coordinator of STAND, said the panel was aimed at educating and developing ways to counter hate.
"You can't fight hate unless you understand it." Hickman said.
STAND members plan to use this knowledge and other resources to stage a peaceful protest against Fred Phelps, an anti-gay Topeka
"You want to start off with a positive representation. If you aren't ready, it can break down the group a bit."
Brad Harrah STAND member
minister, during the annual Queers and Allies brown bag lunch and drag show April 14.
Phelps and his followers, who have attained nationwide recognition for their anti-gay protests, have picketed the drag show in the past.
Brad Harrah, Stewartsville, Mo., graduate student and member of STAND, said that while the panel would discuss general knowledge about hate, it also would be helpful in discussing the organization's activities.
"You want to start off with a positive representation," he said. "If you aren't ready, it can break down the group a bit."
By Warisa Chulindra
writer@kansan.com
Kanson staff writer
Liza Pehrson's day is determined by how much sunlight is streaming through her window when she wakes up in the morning.
"Even if I have a problem, if the sun comes out, I know it'll be OK," said Pehrson, Chinook, Mont. sophomore.
Shane Valkerdinger and his friend, Kevin Williamson, Overland Park senior, struggled for survival during a ski trip in January. They were stranded in sub-zero temperatures for more than six hours before a rescue party found them. Contributed Photo
When skies are gray and overcast, it's more difficult to get out of bed and be motivated, Pehrson said.
"I like being outside," Pehrson said. "When the sun's out, I'm more motivated to do things. I go running, or I do my homework."
"Every little thing will set me off in a bad mood." she said.
The number of people with seasonal affective disorder is not well-recorded, said John Wade, staff psychologist and outreach coordinator at Counseling and Psychological Services.
Now that the days are getting longer, she usually is found outside on a blanket, studying or listening to music.
Although her illness has not been diagnosed, Pehrson said she had seasonal affective disorder — her moods are affected by the amount of sunlight in a day. Her father has seasonal affective disorder, and her mother also is affected by the weather, she said.
However, Wade said seasonal affective disorder was considered a valid disorder and was
listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a resource used by mental health professionals.
He said younger people and women were more likely to have seasonal affective disorder, but the weather affected most people to certain extent. And with the days getting longer and spring on its way, many people are in better moods.
"People experience a change in their energy level." Wade said. "An awakening does happen in a sense."
Pehrson noticed the effects of the weather on her moods last winter while tanning before spring break. She noticed an improvement in her mood when she went, so she started going on a regular basis.
Diane Whitten, adult registered nurse practitioner at Bert Nash Community Health Center, 336 Missouri St., Suite 202, said that even if another cold spell came through, the effect would not be as great because the days were longer.
This winter, Pehrson didn't go to tanning beds because she said the mild winter didn't bother her as much.
Although he does not have seasonal affective disorder, Rafael Pena, Asuncion, Paraguay, sophomore, agreed that cold weather couldn't compete with the sun.
"Even if it's cold and chilly outside, as long as it's sunny, I feel good," he said. "It's fresh, and it makes you feel refreshed."
Skiing trip nearly snatches the life of a KU student
Continued from page 1A
"When you are that cold, you can't tell if they are actually moving," Williamson said. "But if you stop losing hope, you stop the adrenaline rush, and you die. Your body will just give up."
Both were worried about developing hypothermia and made an effort to reassure one another that they were going to live through the night.
"The reassurance of knowing that the other was OK helped us make it through." Volkering said. "I was worried, though, and wondered how long could my body take this."
While they waited to be rescued, Williamson's father, Tom, was awaiting their arrival at a Super Bowl party. At first, Tom said he was angry because he thought the two had found a different party. On the other hand, he said he knew his son normally was responsible.
When Tom returned to the condominium, he realized the boys had not come back and went to check their lockers. When he saw their snow boards were missing, he began to panic. It took three hours, but at 2 a.m., Tom convinced the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department to organize a 60- to 70-person rescue team
Williamson and Volkerding
were not found for another 6 hours — and then it was by the ski patrol, not the Sheriff's Department. Williamson was carrying a Motorola Talkabout radio, which has a 2-mile radius, that he and his father bought before the trip. The search team gathered five radios of its own and eventually made contact with Williamson.
Tom said he had his doubts about whether he was going to see his son and Volkereding again, but when radio contact was made, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"That is a moment I will never forget," he said.
He said they were found as early as possible.
"They weren't going to be found in the dark," he said. "The constant accumulation of snow covered any tracks made." When Williamson and Volkerding were found, the rescue team gave them dry, warm clothes, string cheese, generic Kit Kat bars and water.
Amy Foppe, health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that if they had stopped shaking, they likely would have gone unconscious and died because shivering is the body's way of producing heat.
Volkerding said he had almost reached that point.
"When you are that cold, you can't tell if they are actually moving. But if you stop losing hope, you stop the adrenaline rush, and you die. Your body will just give up."
Kevin Williamson
Overland Park senior
The two friends had to follow skiers who made a path for three-quarters of a mile to get to the snow mobiles. Williamson and Volkerding glided on their snowboards while using the ski poles to help them maintain balance.
When Williamson and Volkerding were reunited with Williamson's father, the three men embraced and cried.
Williamson and Volkering said they wanted others to learn from their experience. Volkering said that skiers and snow boarders should always know where they were going.
Williamson said he learned a lot from the experience.
"You learn a lot about who you care about and start questioning whether or not they know how much you care," he said.
Red Lyon Tavern
A touch of Irish in
downtown Lawrence
944 Mass. 832-8228
DIRECT YOUR WAY TO A SAFE Spring Break
Tues.March 14
Surviving Your Loved One's Assault 7:00pm @ Oliver Hall
Wed. March 15
Wed. March 15
The Rollover(seatbelt demonstrator), Fatal Vision Goggles, Sex Jeopardy Stress Balls and Information Tables 10am-2pm @ Wescoe Beach
Get your FREE Safe Spring Break packet! 5pm - 7pm @ Mrs. E's
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Sponsored by: Watkins Health Center. AURH. KUPSO. Department of Student Housing. PRSSA. Jayhawk Communications Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center. Kansas Union