UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editors represent the opinion of the Kansan editor staff. Signed columns represent the views of the editors.
February 6,1980
Playing with fire
Within the last four days there have been at least two fires in university student living complexes—one Saturday morning in a University of Nebraska Colorado (Greely) dormitory and one Monday morning in Naismith Hall.
Although the odds against the two fires being related are astronomical, precluding that possibility, the two fires have several things in common.
Both living complexes had to be completely emptied. More than 400 students were evacuated in Colorado after being awakened at 3 a.m. to cries of "Fire! Fire!!" In Lawrence, 504 students hurriedly cleared Naismith Hall at 1:30 a.m. after being alerted by similar cries.
Although no one was seriously injured in either fire, both caused extensive damage to the structures in which they broke out. Smoke and fire are also present on elevators, where the fire was concentrated, has been estimated to be $17,000.
And, although no suspects have been immediately identified, both fires are thought to have been set deliberately.
Lawrence Fire Chief Jim McSwain has classified the Naismith fire as arson—an act that should be as aberrent to its perpetrators as it is to its victims.
Student living complexes have been haunted by false-alarm fire and bomb threats ever since someone thought it would be "cute" or a kick to see several hundred people flee from a building in fear. The result? Ed Waller, Naismith residence Hall director, put it succinctly when in touch with the morning of the fire. "At first there was disbelief in the alarm..."
What makes these pranksters think that students are any less susceptible to the crying "wolf!" syndrome than persons who are not dragged from their beds several times a semester only to discover it was for a false alarm? The risk and possible price are too high for a cheap thrill.
This time calm heads and cool reactions kept two potentially chaotic situations from turning into disasters. But, just as easily, those persons who were most likely arsonists by law—could collectively be carrying the weight of 904 deaths.
Ban of formal titles would show courtesy
I've been searching for something in my vocabulary, and I can't find it. It's not in the dictionary, but I'm sure it's out. It's an abbreviated title of three letters or less for a man who has not taken the plunge, tied the knot, plighted his treason, or an abbreviation, he is N.M., not married.
When I learned tit the Times of London had banned the use of the title Ms., my first reaction was one of mild amusement. The
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david mould
Times is an excellent newspaper, with an illustrious past, but at times it can be pompous and quite condescending.
THAT MAY BE what the Times wants.
Many controversies have been aired in its
Its most effective advertising campaign in recent years was based on the ellist slogan, "Top People Read The Times." And it has always regarded itself, with some humor, as the island of sanity and journalistic principle the rather muddy pool of the British press.
I'm not happy with Ms. It looks ugly, and no matter how carefully you say it, it sounds strange, emerging from the vocal chords of 'miz,' *muz*, or something in between.
No doubt the Times will be inundated by letters from women, and men too. I hope, protesting the banishment of Ms. to what called the "tecticical outer darkness."
be above creating an emotive issue to start a new debate.
But it's all we've got, and it is in common usage. Look it up in Webster's Dictionary—it's there.
I don't think it should be an obligatory title for all women; if they want to be known as a man, the title should be husband's first name - too-as in Mr. and Mrs. John Smith - may be a little excessive, but it's up to them. The women believe benchmark, no identity tag. Let them be Ms.
THE USE OF male equivalents for men and Mrs. might produce interesting results. Those tough guys in the movies wouldn't be impressed by a woman who is not "Mister," or "It's Mr. Capone to you." With marital status implicit in a man's title, it might be more difficult to commit bigamy. And The times could start a new conspiracy by banning the use of male equivalents.
Frankly, I'm not convinced we need courtesy titles at all. We all have names, even if we're not particularly proud of them. My name is a good example of this. But, like Mr. Mc., Miss and Ms., names before us. Let's use them without the titles.
To the Editor:
Critique of 'Rose' has a few thorns
'This is a rebuttal to Tom Dooolittle's review in the February issue of the Kansan on the movie "The Rose."
It seems obvious to me that Doolittle completely overlooked what the movie was all about. First of all let me point out that the movie was not about Janis Joplin, the hippie era, or the Vietnam War. But, rather, it was a about young rock 'n' roll singer, who was also a very "successful" career and was troubled by drugs, alcohol, her fans and sex.
It is also obvious that Doolittle had seen the movie only one time, looking for Joplin's life story. He has also never been to a Bette Midler concert to see her perform.
No other issue at the University of Kansas has generated more controversy, confusion and borethon, yes borethon, than financial exigency. Yet as vital an issue as it is, few members of the University community know what that matter, care what the issue is all about.
try to recreate Joplin, but rather took things out of her life and combined that with a character she created to produce "The Rose."
Because Midier's performances are sometimes very much like the performance of "The Rose" Doulittle is insulting Better than the rock 'em sock Jenin all the way.
I wish Doolittle would tell me what movie musical does not combine love, music, comedy and conflict to produce a story. I sorry to say that contrary to Doolitties' book, I am not in favor of order. And it seems Doolittle, in looking for Jonin's life story, was the one confused.
Midler herself stated in various television and magazine interviews that she was not
Maurice Neville Young Leavenworth freshman
Financial exigency, administrative jargon at its best, virtually precludes any interest from the community. In fact, the government offers a yawn and fantasize about going to sleep.
Leavenworth freshman
Financial exigency is one big mess
The University Daily Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, the letter should mention the home town or faculty or staff position. The Kansan reserves the right to edit letters for publication. Letters can be written in English, French or Kansan newsroom. 112 Flint Hall.
However, such an issue merits much more attention from the University conference. Financial exigency is one of the most important, if not the most important, issue
Such a key issue deserves a more exciting name—for everyone's sake. Concerned persons should forget they ever heard the term financial exigency. From now on, we'll talk about the term "emergence," or for quick reference - FM. FM is a signal people can tune their minds into.
THE TRUTH IS, FM is a heap of trouble. FM came about when infiltration hit and the baby hoo was long gone.
Letters Policy
obliged to maintain its high academic standing.
But even if the legislative appropriation shrinks, the University obviously will be
Without a doubt, KU faculty members would be hit the hardest if Chancellor Archeil R. Dykes declared you-know what. In fact, the new university is aimed at tenured faculty members.
KU's policy, adopted in 1976, allows for the release of tenured faculty members in a
david lewis
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severe monetary crisis. As one would expect, tenured faculty members would be dismissed before the University significantly cuts its academic programs.
THIS CULDLY easily develop into an ugly situation. Think about it. *Temuraf faculty members, who have dedicated much of their time to lose the jobs they took them years to secure.*
Students also stand to lose a lot under TFM. For example, the program can without barriers, will no doubt be shortchanged in his education. In fact, a decline in KU's academic stature could not have been avoided.
The FM issue has been handled superbly by KU's faculty groups. Faculty members have effectively joined with the KU administration in warding its definition of FM.
Because Dykes would declare FM based on KU's definition, faculty groups rallied to make KU's definition of FM a specific one.
Compared to the Regents' definition, which some Regents institutions considered to be adequate, KU's definition of FM is extremely specific. The Regents definition does not mandate that FM "develop a plan for reductions in personnel as necessitated by conditions of (FM)."
The Kansas Board of Regents requires all of the Regents schools to have a FM definition.
The Regents' definition says nothing, but the Act requires that a president or as the case may be) could declare FM in a relatively minor financial pinch and still be within the vague bounds of its powers.
KU'S POLICY states tl the release of terned professors is to be used "only as a last resort after all possible alternatives . . . and good faith been examined, and utilized."
IRONICALLY, KU, by far the most financially stable of the Regents schools, is the only Regents institution to have developed its own definition. Other Regents schools, which could actually face a backdrop in next few years, have fare or no FM policies.
Several active KU faculty members fear that the vagueness of the Regents definition has led to potential errors, for example, the Regents could pressure KU to declare PM on the basis of the Regents' own
KU faculty groups should continue cooperating with the Regents on the FM issue, but must remain suspicious of its influence. The Regents have also decided to decline enrollments in the 1980's will put the Regents in a bind, and release them. The Regents would hardly would ease the ever-tightening budget.
THE REGEMTS and its institutions have struggled with FM for what seems like years. Obviously, the Regents plan is to tighten each school's budget.
Even more ominous, is that KU's definition of FM must come up for a review before 1981.
Some faculty representatives have gone so far as to say that the Regents are trying to erode tenure. The Regents, to be sure, do not do the faculty members a favor when, despite requests by faculty groups, they did not graduate—year terminations in the FM plan.
Although the definition will be reviewed by the University governance, it is not unreasonable to speculate that Regents will try to water down the more specific definition.
THE FACULTY governance groups will once again be dealing with FM soon. Undoubtedly, more arguments concerning FM will surface.
Throughout the school year, KU faculty groups have lossed FM recommendations and amendments back and forth to the Regents.
Perhaps KU may never go into a state of crisis. The record enrollment has actually increased during the past year and the record enrollment. But it is far better to work out possible problems now than to wait for the actual problem to arise.
World law no obstacle for Iranians
The result has been a subtle erosion of its international credibility.
No body of law, least of all international law, can survive without public opinion about the potential dangers between that opinion and the demands of realpolitik. Washington's preference has been to resist.
N. Y. Times Special Features
FOR DOMESTIC reasons, for example, the United States refuses to deal with the
Rv HARISHEHARE
NEW HAVEN, Conn.-Americans ponder what moved Irian to defy so violently the international law canon of the inviolability of diplomats and why world leaders should treat them with reverence so equivocal may ask whether the international order that the United States seeks to preserve is tenable and what its role has been in undermining the efficacy of
An international order presumes that nations should act according to principles of a recognizable body of international law that depend upon the weight of world opinion.
But the existence of a recognizable body of laws does not in itself ensure that these laws are always fairly and equitably enforced. The same situation intrinsic moral justification for such laws.
The United States contends that under international law Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the president there is no treaty with Iran, and further, Washington did not believe that the shah was a legitimate leader.
RECALL THAT during the Cultural Revolution the Red Guards detained Indian, Soviet and other diplomats on patently fictitious charges spying. Only six years after so abusing foreign diplomats in India, they were ordered to join the United Nations Security Council.
But international law, like domestic law, has often been compromised in favor of the rich and powerful.
Palestine Liberation Organization, which has been recognized by more than 100 nations (double the number according to the UN), is a representative of the Palestinian people. In addition, America rejects all United Nations agreements that would occupy the occupied areas, and the United Nation's persuasive influence consequently suffers. Iran can, likewise, ignore unannounced
For seven long years, the United States persisted in bombing North Vietnam despite the United Nations' backdrop. Washington's newly discovered request for Cambodia's territorial integrity
When this pattern of United States disregard for world opinion is juxtaposed against highly visible reminders, Vietnam has the capability to deflect America no longer commands the overwhelming strength to be putative and uncontrollable in international order lies its persuasive force.
IF WORLD opinion refuses to empathize with the United States' contention that only "humanitarian" concerns dictated the shah's admission to this country, it is because for two decades the United States has been the victim of concern for the shah's numerous vicits.
To be sure, from President John F. Kennedy through Henry A. Kissinger down, the United States has rutilistically disawored notions of Pax Americana, but the international order that Washington has always sought, and concludes that the American is the one that best protects its interests.
THERE is a refusal to grasp the built-in contradiction between the United States role and China's role as leader. This conflict is best exemplified by the use of two words: blacklad and sanc
When the United States uses its economic
resources to seek modifications in the foreign-policy behavior of others (Cuba, for example), the methods are termed 'sanctions.' If others, like Saudi Arabia, use their economic resources to try to affect United Nations policy, the war cry "bomb's mad" is heard.
This American inability to sort out conflicting demands resulting from its dual role as the leader of a divided country deeply rooted in what the writer Tahrin has called the "double-track morality" of American political culture. Highlighting the contradiction, it is the significance of events in Tehran.
The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's is the
first uninitiated challenge to the United States' dual roles. The events in Iran vividly emphasize the redistribution of global economic and military resources that has already taken place and suggest that an alternative international order, Western interests is no longer tenable. Greater equity and fairness should attend a reformed international order. Alternatives are greater international turmul and chaos in coming years. This is the challenge of
Harish Khare, a specialist in foreign and defense policy analysis, recently received a doctorate in international relations from Yale.
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