Opinion
.07
27
Kansan
Published daily since 1912
Ann Premer, Editor Jamie Holman, Business manager Gerry Doyle, Managing editor Sara Cropper, Retail sales manager Angie Kuhn, Managing editor Dan Simon, Sales and marketing adviser Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser Justin Knupp, Technology coordinator
Monday, March 8,1999
The Chicago Tribune
Editorial
KU change machines necessary for students, visitors lacking IDs
One result of the University's contract with Coca-Cola was felt by residents of the Stouffer Place Apartments. A change machine, leased by Coke to Treat America, the vending service of non-beverage items to the University, was removed.
Although it may not have been recognized, some residents, for various reasons, relied on the machines to use laundry facilities in the apartments. The machines should be replaced as soon as possible for the convenience of the residents.
The change machine was
The decision inconveniences those who use machines for laundry and vending services.
removed and never replaced after it broke last fall. Despite the increased usage of the Commerce Bank KUIDs, the Department of Student Housing ought to step in and replace the machines as they break down.
The increased use of KUIDs as debit cards does not entirely eliminate the need for change machines. Some residents at Stouffer Place
are international students or their spouses. Because they may not have drivers licenses and because cultural restrictions prevent some women from handling finances the change machine was essential to those who had no other access to money. Also, visitors to the University who do not have KUIDs may need the change machines for vending services.
Some residents at Stouffer Place
if the University of Kansas plans on failing to replace change machines, it needs to take other measures to ensure that those without KUIDs are not inconvenienced.
Erinn R. Barcomb for the editorial board
Feedback
Pre-trial statements damage credibility
This is in response to the University Daily Kansan's front page article Wednesday about a sex and race discrimination civil lawsuit being brought by Cynthia Annett and Ray Pierotti against the University of Kansas and the chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. We feel that the allegations made by our colleagues in this department represent important and potentially very diverse issues for not only the University of Kansas but also for the culturally and ethnically diverse Lawrence community.
As such, we are disturbed by the
willingness of Annett and Pierotti to broadcast their accusations to the local news media (there was also an article in Tuesday's Lawrence Journal World) prior to the civil trial, which they have requested, where all the facts can be viewed and the defendants can be heard. The KU defendants have wisely and sensitively chosen not to argue this case in the public arena before the trial.
We question the ethics and the wisdom of the complainants in making public charges and accusations without a fair trial to determine what the true facts are in this case. At best, this type of one-sided trial in the court of public opinion is sure to damage relations within
the University and our community no matter what the outcome of the trial. At worst, in the event that the defendants are found not guilty, Annett and Pierotti will have damaged the credibility of the very social groups they claim to represent.
In order to mitigate any damage that premature public airing of this issue may cause, we ask that everyone please reserve judgment about this case until after the civil trial has ended.
Sharon Dewey adjunct research associate Kansas Biological Survey
Kansan staff
Jerry deNoyelles professor of aquatic ecology
News editors
Ryan Koerner ... Editorial
Jeremy Doherty ... Associate editorial
Aaron Marvin ... News
Laura Roddy ... News
Melissa Ngo ... News
Aaron Knopf ... Online
Erin Thompson ... Sports
Marc Sheforgen ... Associate sports
Chris Fickett ... Campus
Sarah Hale ... Campus
T.R. Miller ... Features
Steph Brewer ... Associate features
Augustus Anthony Piazza ... Photo
Chris Dye ... Design, graphics
Carl Kaminski ... Wire
Carolyn Mollett ... Special sections
Laura Veazey ... Neues clerk
Advertising managers
Advertising managers
Matt Lopez . Special sections
Jennifer Patch . Campus
Micah Kaffitz . Regional
Jon Schlitt . National
Tyler Cook . Marketing
Shannon Curran . PR/Intern manager
Christa Estep . Production
Steven Prince . Production
Chris Corley . Creative
Jason Hannah. Classified
Corinne Buffmire . Zone
Shauntee Blue . Zone
Brandi Byram . Zone
Brian Allers . Zone
Justin Allen . Zone
Broaden your mind: Today's quote
“Make no judgments where you have no compassion.” —Anne McCaffrey
How to submit letters and guest columns
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 home-town if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Staufer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ryan Koerner or Jerome Doherty at 864-4924.
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.
Perspective
Robinson's limits open door to further options
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff {opinion@kansan.com} or call 864-4924.
The couch potato population has grown during the past month.
Actually, since the Lawrence Athletic Club burned down, I would say there are at
Club burned down, I would say there are at least a couple hundred more seasoned channel surfers on campus
I am not saying that channel-surfing is not exercise. Believe me, I know how challenging those practices can be. I am saying that perhaps there is a better solution to this thigh-fully tragic turn of events.
There is a little-known secret on campus known as KU Fit. It is an aerobics program offered by KU
Jamie Patterson
opinion@kansan.com
recreation services. KU Fit offers 30 different aerobics classes, free personal training to members and membership for only $60 a semester.
There are 25 instructors who teach everything from water aerobics to funk to early morning body sculpting.
Most of the instructors are certified and arguably some of the best in Lawrence.
It seems that KU Fit is the perfect alternative to waiting for your club to reopen.
Between now and May, you too could be sliding, boxing, stepping, crunching, sculpting, training, pumping, blasting, jogging, hip-hopping, conditioning, aerobicizing or yoga-ing your way to good health.
Recreation services even offer an aerobics instructor training program that produced four certified instructors last semester alone. This training program is unique to KU and one of the few you can find at any university nationwide.
KU Fit is a wonderful program, but there are hundreds of students whose athletics clubs are still standing. They are sweating their way to strong hearts away from University-financed programs.
Why do all of the other students, who have private memberships to other clubs, choose to bypass KU Fit?
Why did all the newly initiated couch potatoes spend hundreds of dollars to join a private club?
Simple — Robinson Gymnasium isn't up to par.
KU Fit is run by the same recreation services that deserves a piece of the action when it comes to construction on campus.
The qualified instructors at KU Fit are one of the few things that are right about Robinson.
The equipment is not first-rate.
The weight room is not adequate to serve a university with thousands of students. It also is used by our athletics department, which limits the time that average students can use the equipment.
Private clubs offer better equipment and convenient hours to their members.
This is one battle that the University is losing.
Although there are some plans on the drawing board, the chancellor has not endorsed any of the suggestions.
One likely plan could be an increase in current tuition to help draw money needed for the improvements.
Needless to say, most students enrolled now will not reap the benefits of this proposed increase in tuition. Because of this fact, many students do not consider a lack of a quality recreation center to be a big concern. Rather than being outraged by the minimal services offered, it is much easier for them to pay the extra money and join a private club.
This is not just a battle between KU Fit membership and private athletic club membership. A new recreation center is one of the components that will make this University more competitive.
We need a new recreation center. Period.
We need a new recreation center. Period. One look at K-State's centers would convince you of this.
Students should not have to look outside of the University to find adequate recreation centers.
The people at KU Fit are willing to make an effort so that the Jayhawks that follow us will have a better place to exercise.
Despite the fact that many of us will not enjoy a new recreation center, we should support the effort to better this part of our University that is in dire need of improvement.
Between now and a new center, the excellence of programs produced by recreation services can only be furthered with students' support.
Get off the couch and go to Robinson.
Patterson is a Minneapolis junior in English.
Soda presence obstructs enjoyment of family play
I am aware that contracts binding Coca-Cola and the University of Kansas exist in one fashion or another and that there is some controversy surrounding the topic.
In a theatrical performance, however, it's disressing to see the Coke logo appear in what is meant to be an artistic endeavor.
Fortunately, I'm open-minded enough to look at both sides of the issue objectively, and I can understand and somewhat empatize with both sides' positions.
Aaron
Crim
Guest columnist
On one hand, there is the state of Kansas and its major learning institution, the University of
Kansas. Both are in the business of generating revenue so that their citizens might enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
Obviously, Coca-Cola generates much more profit each year than the state government, so it stands to reason that the University might seek the financial help of its economic superior.
On the other hand, there are those who would argue that the institution of learning is a sacred one. They consider advertising to be a nuisance when instructors have to compete with corporations for their students' attention.
However, I must admit that I was absolutely floored to see the Coca-Cola logo and name appear in the scenery and dialogue of the KU Theatre for Young People's recent production in Murphy Hall of Ramona Quimby by Len Jenkin and based on the books by Beverly Cleary.
Those who attended the play will recall that it takes place during the Quimby family's outing to the local Whopperburger, a fictitious restaurant that apparently sells very large burgers and, well, Coke.
Ramona's father decides to take the family out to eat in order to avert the problems that plague the family. His plan works, and it even proves to be the one event that brings about the end of the family's problems.
Although this works to the benefit of the Quimbys' relations and the inner workings of the plot, it left me wondering: Why was there so much emphasis on the name Coke. And just how far have Coca-Cola and the University of Kansas come in their search for economic bliss?
Now convenient was it that the Coke name and visual logo appeared in the play? After all, it happened to be the only copyrighted name to appear anywhere in the performance. In fact, the principal decision makers actually made it a point to use the fictitious name Whopperburger for the restaurant itself. For some odd reason, they couldn't seem to exert enough creative force to replace the proper noun "Coke" with a noun such as soda.
The script actually went to the extent of having each family member, in a suspiciously audible crescendo, yell out the word "Coke" as they gave orders to the waitress. For example, Ramona Quimby exuberantly cries out, "I'll have a double Whopperburger and a Coke!"
That is exactly what the waitress returns with a few moments later — four large burgers and four large Cokes. None of the hamburger wrappers appeared to have any brand names on them, and no brand names appeared anywhere else in sight.
But luckily for the Quimbys, the prop room was chock-full of bright red cups that bore the name Coca-Cola on the side.
Whether all of this came about because of negotiations between the University and Coca-Cola only can be speculative, but one thing is perfectly clear: This type of propaganda had no place in this particular production. Aesthetically speaking, the red cups stuck out like a neon jacket in the forest.
Could it be that, in the name of profit, allowances were made so that the fictitious world could merge happily with the non-fictitious world through the magic medium of advertising?
That idea was only dwarfed by the fact that this play was geared toward children, who probably didn't even have 85 cents to feed the vending machine in the first place.
One could argue that this is no big deal based on the idea that the word Coke is practically a synonym for the word soda. Although this may sound true enough, the fact remains that this all comes about amidst radical economic trend changes on campus.
Students will recall that almost overnight we were purged of the Pepsi nemesis. Besides, if you think the word Coke is a synonym for the word soda, I beg you to consider how ridiculous it might sound if you imagine a billboard that reads, "Always the Real Thing, Always Soda."
There are few — very few — places left on Earth where one can escape the daily onslaught of the giant advertisers. The dramatic stage is one of them. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay the price of a ticket to see a live commercial that instructs me to go out and spend more money after the play is finished. If I want that, I'll go to the movies.
Crim is an Overland Park senior in sculpture.
1