4A
Opinion
Friday, January 28, 2000
Editorial
Unsuccessful lobbying calls for tuition protest
KU's absence on capitol steps sent wrong message to Legislature
Friday's rally hardly could be called anyway) may not be this administration's style, there can be no doubt that Student Senate leaders effectively shot their peers' efforts in the foot by appearing apathetic and divided toward other Regents schools.
although the other student scientists normally have been lobbying legislators for years. Their anti-protest ideology has not seemed to help much in the area of tuition so far. Maybe it's time to go "grassroots".
All of the blame can't be placed on the student body president and other senate members. All students are implicated in this situation by appearing unable to act on their complaints and therefore sending mixed signals to the Legislature about the importance of an inexpensive education.
Case in point — last year, 70 percent of the 4,000 members of the student body who turned out to vote on a controversial referendum — to raise student fees for construction a new $16 million student recreation center — voted to pass it. Assuming that the project goes forward, student fees will be increased by $28 this fall, and increasing to $22 in fall 2001.
is a clear difference between choosing to pay more money for a service (i.e. a recreation center) and having no control in a tuition increase.
concerns I hear voiced on campus daily. That message is: Do what you want. We don't care enough to try to change your minds. Ben Shockley for the editorial board
Candidates take off running in upcoming Student Senate race
If you're like most people, you probably can't wait for Student Senate campaigns to get rolling again. Yeah, right. Though you may not see it, several potential candidates are working tirelessly to prepare for the April elections. Here is an early guide to election action we can look forward to this spring. In one corner sit two of the Old Guard in the Student Senate country club, Ben Walker and Marlon Marshall. In the other sit Senate newcomers Sam MacRoberts and Carrie Depenbusch.
Let's start with the incumbents. Walker and Marshall are next in line in the Unite/Campus Cause/YOU lineup, and will no doubt recycle some equally unimaginative name. Because both were heavily involved in both the Campus Cause and YOU campaigns, we can probably expect more of the same. Both are definitely Senate insiders and are members of the current Student Senate executive staff.
Basically, Walker has been preparing for this campaign since he was but a pledge at Lambda Chi Alpha. He's been closely involved in Senate races each of the last two years and he coordinated the YOU coalition campaign last spring. Walker is serving as the legislative director for the Student Legislative Awareness Board.
His running mate, Marlon Marshall, also seems to have been ordained at a young age to find himself in his current position. He's been involved with Student Senate since his freshman year, and as most stories go, was actually planning to run for student body vice president last year with current Vice President Dede Seibel. When Dede later joined forces with Korb Maxwell, Marlon was bumped out of the brass ring. He made out just fine though, because once Korb and Dede were elected, he was appointed to Senate's number
three spot. It's that spot that's going to give Marlon trouble in the coming election. An election in which members of the Student Senate executive staff running for president or vice president is nothing new; in fact, it happens almost every year.
Marlon's situation is unusual because of his position, the Student Executive Committee chairperson.
Seth Hoffman
Opinion editor
opinion@kansan.com
One of the StudEx chairperson's only codified responsibilities is to oversee the Student Senate Elections
Commission. Almost every year, there is an election controversy that the Elections Commission, because it is (hopefully) made up of political outsiders, is unprepared to immediately handle. Generally, the chairperson of the commission goes to the StudEx chairperson for support. If Marlon is a candidate, that will be impossible. Similarly, if at some point during the campaign a complaint is filed, and no doubt there will be, Marlon will have a distinct advantage: because part of his job is to oversee the Elections Commission, he appointed all of its members. Look at it this way: If Bill Clinton could have picked whomever he wanted to serve on the House Judiciary Committee, Monica Lewinsky would never have been famous enough to work for Jenny Craig.
If Marlon is smart, he'll keep his eye on the ball and resign from his position before any of this becomes an issue. If not, conflict-of-interest questions will dog him throughout the campaign.
To oppose Ben and Marlon will be a difficult undertaking. Sam MacRoberts and Carrie Depenbusch think they have what it takes. MacRoberts got a late start at the University of Kansas after spending his freshman year at the Citadel. He has never been a part of Student Senate, but has been active within the greek community. He served as the president of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity last year and was active in the greek president's round table. He considered running for president last year, but decided to put it off. There is little doubt that his inexperience in the Senate realm will be a campaign issue for Ben and Marlon. MacRoberts assertion, that it's time for an outsider to get his hands on the Student Senate reigns, is appealing, but will be an uphill battle. Believe it or not, he's not the first person to try it. Generally, that approach has been unsuccessful.
His running mate. Carrie Depenbusch, is also from the outside and inexperienced with the Senate realm, but she also has some considerable leadership experience. However, her current position as president of the KU Ambassadors may or may not translate well into a Student Senate campaign. One of Carrie's strengths is that she is a she, and that might translate into more votes.
As far as other challengers, no one has declared either publically, or while drunk, that they plan on running. It's not too late though. In fact, after reading this column, I hope more people decide to throw their hats into the ring. That would be really exciting.
Hoffman is a Lenexa senior in journalism.
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**Letters:** Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
How to submit letters and guest columns
Nick Bartkoski columnist opinion@taen.com
Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan news-
room, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut
to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Nodia Mustofa or
Seth Hoffman at 864-4924.
You know, in the grand scheme of things, there's not a whole lot I ask for. There are small things actually; a soapbox to scream from an audience to listen to
scream from, an audience to listen to me complain, a near-limitless stream of Internet porn. But once in a while, despite my minimal demands, I'm frustrated at the time it takes to get what I want.
A current example of this is my diploma. I was one of the few and proud who couldn't get
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (option@kansan.com) or call 864-4924.
I appreciate the paperweight. Before I graduated,
I constantly looked at my desk and wondered if somewhere I could find
his act together and graduate in four years. So when I graduated in December, I was ecstatic that I finally had accomplished something. But I can't really prove that I've accomplished anything. When I "crossed the stage" last month, all I got was a lovely paperweight from the School of Journalism.
Technically, I could have broken down and bought my own diploma too. There are several Web sites that offer "replacement" diplomas for a moderate fee. But why pay for the KU journalism diploma I earned when, for a little more, I could pick up a Harvard doctorate from the Web? I guess the whole quasi-legal nature probably would make a fake diploma less special, or at least increase my chances of getting arrested.
So the only thing I REALLY want right now is MY diploma. You don't get to be a four-and-a-half-year graduate transitioning into a graduate student without developing serious
something to ensure that my papers wouldn't make a break for it. But when you think about it, I probably could have broken down and bought my own KU seal paperweight if I REALLY wanted one.
issues about not accomplishing anything in your life. In fact, the only thing my parents ask about more than when I'm going to get a girlfriend is when I'm going to get off my butt and leave school.
That document, while barely worth the piece of paper it's printed on, is the lone symbol that I've done something with the last four and a half years of my life. The paper is more important to me than any of the ceremonies, the graduation presents and the paperweight simply because it's tangible proof.
The only reason I even decided to graduate in December was to give myself at least a vague semblance of closure and accomplishment. Yet I've been told by people in the-know not to hold my breath to get this all-important piece of paper.
So anyway, I have my soapbox, I have my audience. Can someone hook me up with my diploma? At this point, I'd take a hastily scribled note from the chancellor saying "Dear Nick, you made it. Love, Bob." I won't even ask that he leave a lipstick mark at the bottom.
I might not get it until February. Why? I've invested four and a half years of my life here. I submitted my paperwork in September.
I can't believe they had to wait until grades came out to send that stuff to the printers. Leave the date blank and fill it in later just in case I don't pass all of my classes. I'm probably wedded to the idea of graduating from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree after that much time devoted, so they don't need to worry about me switching schools or leaving the University.
Maybe the problem is outsourcing. It's possible that the people at the University in charge of issuing diplomas aren't the best for the job. Maybe we should shift to the people in charge of library fines or parking tickets. Those people don't wait three months to get anything out: they barely wait three days.
Bartkoski is a Basehor senior in English.
Feedback
Fraternity showed strength, dignity
While coverage of the Jan. 23 Burge party shooting has been extensive, an important element has been missing from all the stories. Attention needs to be given to the strength and leadership of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
This is in no way an attempt to lessen the severity of this issue. However, the Kansan has been remiss. The way Alpha Phi Alpha has handled an extremely difficult situation with poise and dignity continues to be ignored. This week they have personified qualities that are dear to all historically black greek letter organizations. Even under scrutiny they have stood unflinchingly.
The ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority would like to commend the integrity of the
Shyra McGee
Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Though we would have preferred to see your light shining in a more formidable hour, your strength is inspiring.
Shyra McGee President, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Eta lota Chapter, and Wichita senior
Homeless person mismanaged funds
We are writing in response to a feature article concerning "An American Tragedy," the homelessness of Paul Bryant from the Jan. 26 Kansan. If your goal was to raise campus awareness about the magnitude of homelessness, you would have been better served by interviewing someone who is trying to the best of their ability to change their situation. As second year college students, it didn't take us long to identify Bryant's unnecessary expenditures. First of all, if one cannot afford shelter, one does not need a laptop computer. And when did a computer science degree become useless? While we concede that Bryant's student loan repayments are outrageous, they are the result of gross money mismanagement. There is no reason $48,000 in loans for a year and a half at a public institution. One can eat Ramen and get a second job, whatever is necessary and reasonable to ensure survival.
As second year college stu
Broaden your mind: Today's quote
Paul Bryant needs to stop sulking and wasting time on Web sites, and get up and make a difference. Many places are hiring and anything is better than life on the streets.
Erica Butler and Laura Dellinger Wichita jumors
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I stopped reading."— Henny Youngman