Tuesday, February 2, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 3
Members curb listserv abuse
By Nadia Mustafa
Kansan staff writer
Members of the Student Senate University Affairs committee agreed to refrain from launching personal attacks and using profanity on the committee's listserv last week.
Aaron Profitf, University Affairs vice chairman and listserv administrator, explained the guidelines regulating communication on the listserv at the committee meeting last Wednesday.
Proffit said the guidelines, which were implemented at the beginning of the semester, encouraged free expression by allowing senators to post messages on the listserv without worrying about rude responses.
"People were using language that was harmful to the inherent democracy of the listserv. It wasn't conducive to discussion," he said. "The guidelines allow people who are not really into the rhetoric of it all to discuss issues."
The guidelines prohibit the gratuitous use of profanity and personal attacks. The policy limits discussion on the listserv to matters pertinent to University of Kansas affairs or issues that spring from those discussions. The guidelines also call for limits on overly partisan postings.
Proffitt said he wanted senators to post messages that were constructive and current instead of destructive and backward-looking. He said that a blatant violation would warrant removal from the listserv and a borderline violator would receive a warning.
The University Affairs listserv is separate from the Senate listserv, which is used to post messages about upcoming legislation, meetings and other information concerning Senate as a whole. There is also a Senate discussion listserv on which senators discuss other Senate issues.
Scott Kaiser, student body vice president and Senate listserv administrator, said that any student could join the listservs but that discussion should be limited to issues pertinent to Senate. He said that there were no rules for the Senate listserv but that it was self-disciplinary because membership was voluntary.
"The guidelines are not limiting the expression of ideas," he said. "They are just making sure that people do it in a civil manner."
Luke Pfannentiel, University Affairs chairman, said that there had not been many problems on the listserv this semester but that setting guidelines was a good idea.
Dion Jones, holdover senator, posted a message containing a profane personal attack in response to another senator's message last week. He said that he did not regret posting the message because the other senator's message was unnecessarily offensive.
Jones canceled his subscription to the listserv after the incident. He said that his frustration with Senate's passive approach toward student issues played a part in his use of profanity.
African trip promotes exchanges
By Kristi Reimer
Chancellor Robert Hemenway returned from Senegal, West Africa, this weekend impressed with the Africans' dedication to education and determined to look for ways to expand exchange programs.
Kansan staff writer
"It makes you aware of how unquenchable is the desire for knowledge and the desire to learn." Hemenway said yesterday. "You can't go to an African university without being impressed with the commitment to teaching and learning in conditions that are much less well-funded."
Hemenway visited the University Gaston Berger de Saint Louis, which the university of Kansas is affiliated with through a U.S. Information Agency Linkage Grant, and the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar.
Hemenway said a highlight of the trip was being named a "Commander of the Order of the Lion" by the Senegalese government, which bestows the title on honored foreign visitors.
He said that after meeting with the rectors of the universities in Senegal, that he was convinced there would be more opportunities for student and faculty exchanges.
"I want to talk to people in African and African-American studies about how we can continue to make the exchange successful," he said.
But the grant that established the connection is terminal, and the University
Hemenway: Wants to continue exchange program.
will have to find other sources of funding.
"The understanding is, we'll give you the money to get started; now it's up to you to continue it," Hemenway said.
Cheryl Lester, associate professor of American studies and English.
spent five weeks in Senegal in the summer of 1908.
She said her experience in West Africa, where most of the slave outposts were located, particularly relevant to her teaching of African-American literature.
"People tend to believe that African-American history began on this continent with slavery," Lester said. "But African slaves came to this continent with a history of thousands of years behind them."
She said she related her experiences in Senegal to her work in the classroom and encouraged her students to study African culture and travel.
She said the continuation of the University's relationship with the University de Saint Louis was very important.
"There is so much we can do for what is only the second university in Senegal," Lester said. "It is very difficult for people from Senegal to get visas to leave the country. Getting visitors is a significant way for people to learn about what it's like to live here."
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