4
Tuesday, May 7, 1974
University Daily Kansan
KANSAN
Editorials, columns and letters published on this page reflect only the opinions of the writers.
Griff's Splash Is Over
If you’re a fan of "Griff and the Unicorn," savor your cartoon. It’s likely to be the last one you'll see in the book if you'll read this newspaper's editorial page.
Yes, Griff, the unicorn and all the other characters that have populated Dave Sokoloff's strip for the past five years will disappear into the cosmos after this. One reason is that Sokoloff is graduating.
The other reason is that "Griff and the Unicorn" has become the victim of an old truism that Simon the ant cited in one installment of the strip last week. "It's a law of nature that we don't want to worry us in contemplating the phenomenon of gravity." "All that is up, must come down."
So the sun splashes into the ocean.
For Sokoloff and his strip, the end will be a bit less spectacular. The really big splash came in November 1872, when "Griff and the Unicorn" began appearing in 20 of the nation's largest daily newspapers as a feature of Universal Press Syndicate (UPS). The list of newspapers carrying the strip included the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Bulletin, the Houston Post, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dallas Morning News and the Nashville Tennessee.
Syndication meant the realization of a dream sparked three years before, when Sokoloko started publishing his strip in this newspaper as a freshman. He was the station of UPS in December 1971.
"Griff and the Unicorn" seemed the kind of humor strip that was becoming dominant among comic strips. Its idea, at least, was unique. Nobody else thought of developing a comic strip around a bright, extroverted griffin and a morose, contemplative unicorn set in a mythical world cluttered with clocks, dice and windmills.
But the editors at UPS wanted to make a few changes. Most of them had to do with appearance: Griff started looking more like a griffin and less like a bedraggled rooster and the unicorn started looking more like a bicorn and less like a jacassin in a party hat.
The mass market seemed to bring about more profound changes, however, for readers of this newspaper have noticed less of the subtle, philosophical humor of the strip's early days and more broad, slapstick humor. And the clocks, dice and windmills seemed to disappear from the backgrounds.
Such changes, however, failed to give "Griff and the Unicorn" what it needed to sell to many more than the original 20 newspapers. Papers started dropping the strip in March and the ads were discontinued it a year later.
Sokoloil can't explain the decline. "It's an almost totally irrational business," he says. "Don't ask me what's funny, but how much more fun it is now more. What's funny to some people isn't funny to other people."
Still, "Griff and the Unicorn" can't be considered a failure. It was more an adventure in which readers of this newspaper joined Sokolloff for five years. Nobody knew when the whole thing started that the strip's main characters would become memorable as the young Oscar the Dragon would become Simon the ant's nemesis or that Rory Norbing would never escape his cloud—not even Sokoloff.
But the adventure has come to an end. Even though Sokoloff says that talking about "Griff and the cowman" is like saying the cowman can't regret the experience. And neither, I wager, do many of his readers.
—Bob Simison
Penal Reform-or Riot
A prison riot last July has fomented a considerable amount of turbulence both inside and outside of the prison walls at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Kansas City area civil liberties groups contend that a prisoner on a blanket at Leavenwort soon if prisoner grievances aren't settled.
In its campaign against Loren E. Daggett, Leavenworth Penitentiary warden, the Leavenworth Brothers Offense-Defense Committee has denounced the solitary confinement of prisoners involved in the riot of July 31. Daggett has maintained his adamant position to control the prisoners who instigated the riot in order to prevent them from further attempts to disrupt prison order.
The committee brought in Philip Berrigan, former priest and demonstrator against the Vietnam war, to lead a demonstration outside the prison walls and was then called a group of communist agitators by Daggett. Numerous lives were lost by Daggett with the need for penal reform and have at best only exacerbated the acrid controversy.
The committee has sponsored a "March for Justice" in support of one of the prisoners awaiting trial on federal criminal charges stemming from the riot. Lennox Hinds, National Director of the National Conference of Black American Lawyers, and American Civil Liberties Union and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War have expressed their strong support for the committee's efforts. The lack of communication and cooperation between these groups and Daggett have
precluded chances for a peaceful solution at Leavenworth thus far.
Daggett should give adequate attention to the grievances of the prisoners, which include demands for reorganization of the medical staff, liberalization of mail and telephone privileges, food standard changes and hiring of minority guards. Rather than thwarting their efforts to redress penal system defects, he should attempt to work with these civil liberties groups.
It is also mandatory that these same groups understand the viewpoint of the prison officials. A dearth of prison resources has impeded Daggett in bringing about changes in rehabilitation programs as well as in complying with the demands of the interest groups.
The Kansas State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission sponsored a hearing last Friday for six hours between inmates and staff members. This hearing was an attempt to bring to the surface problems that have affected both inmates and administrators.
The present crisis at Leavenworth has gained national attention, which indicates the magnitude of the existing problems. If Leavenworth is to be prevented from becoming another Attica, meaningful, cooperative efforts will have to be staged by all groups and persons involved in this issue. Vehement speeches and radical protests are useful to get media attention, but only a peaceful understanding will bring about needed reforms.
Stephen Buser
Kansan Staff Reporter
Chancellor Hawks Academic Elixir
Dykes' Banquets Help KU Attract Top Grads
By HAL RITTER
Kansas Staff Reporter
Four years ago the University of Kansan'
image was a public relations man's
think.
The Kansas Union fire on April 20, 1970, had given KU adverse national publicity, and the University's reputation as a home of longhaired rabble rosters seemed secure.
have devised has been the Kansas Honors Banquet.
Students laughed at the distorted impressions of KU the media were creating with their daily accounts of protest marches, fire bombs and sniper fire.
PARENTS OF high school seniors across Kansas didn't laugh; they made plans to send their kids to Kansas State University or a similarly safe school outside Kansas.
A lot of hard work in the past four years has gone toward reversing KU's image in the minds of Kansans. Supplanting an idea can be tough than implanting one, and it's difficult to quantify by aggregating to the University to dispel those nasty connotations about KU.
Perhaps the best innovation KU officials
THE BANQUETs are sponsored by chapters of the KU Alumni Association. At every banquet an alumnae couple suit with each senior and his parents. The alumnus pick a banquet guest.
An honors banquet is an evening of recognition for high school seniors, all of whom rank academically in the top 10 per cent of their class.
This year—the program's third—there were 28 banquets. Most included students from three or more counties and a half dozen or more high schools.
The program assumed additional importance when Chancellor Archie R. Dykes announced last fall that he would attend all 28 banquets, partly to meet more KU students, and become familiar with the feelings of Kansu about KU and higher education.
WITH DYKES ALONG, an honors
tanquet can help be a success. Airch's
architect is getting to grips with it.
necessary to create favorable first impressions in people. He's charming, funny, a good listener and unsurpassed at small talk.
At an honors banquet in Jola last month, one woman unabashedly announced that Archie's "the most personable man I've ever met."
"The first time we met him we felt like we really knew him and we felt like we should know him."
WHEN THE PROGRAM gets under way at an honors banquet, Dykes is smoothness personified as he goes about making you feel good about yourself and the University of Kansas, a task he tries to accomplish everywhere he goes.
" DAMMIT, THE SET IS OFF/°
have at all 28 banquets, and its main points have been expressed in many other Dykes
The parents, of course, loved it.
HE TOLD THE seniors they were people of unusual talents and abilities. He told them he hoped they would pursue some kind of higher education and then, in a tone of pride, he proceeded to tell them four reasons that make higher education so important.
THE OFFICIAL PURPOSE OF the banquets is to recognize academic excellence. We ask question that's a good fit, especially in the area of overshadows academics in high school.
Their sons and daughters had been introduced earlier in the evening, and now here was the chancellor of the University of Kansas, who had taken time out of his busy schedule to come all the way down to their home, bringing them how wonderful their kids were.
But just as important is what the banquets for the image of the University in the eyes of the students and their parents. To remain a great university, it's imperative that KU attract students who are intelligent and extremely intelligent but also from Kansas.
KU officials play down the recruiting aspect of the honors banquets. They say the banquets were originated to honor high school seniors. Period.
BUT IT MUST have been difficult for those institute at Iola to overlook the foot-high cardboard Jayhawk in the center of each table. Then there were those attractive banquet programs, which had a picturequestue front and the University seal on the back.
And the $2$ gift certificate that's given to each honor student and is redeemable only at the book stores in the union sure is an ingenuous way to get those honor students on their knees for a year when, coincidentally, most are making up their minds where to go to college.
EVIDENCE OF THE success of the honors banquets has come in the form of praise from alumni across Kansas, who are convinced that KU is now doing a better job than KState of attracting the best high school seniors in Kansas.
Miffed by lack of interest K-State has shown in them and excited by an abundance of information KU has sent them, the parents of their children, and the parents they're coming to KU next fall.
But the best proof comes not from KU alums but from two senior honor students in a central Kansas city, who parents are members of the KS-State Alumni Association.
Readers Respond
Woodlawn Investigation Criticized
To the Editor:
Would like to respond to Vice Chancellor William J. Angeringer's comments (comments) in the paper.
However, I did tell Argerisingh why I wouldn't give him copies of the travel vouchers; I can't and I won't speak for other people.
Griff and the Unicorn
It is true that I didn't give Argersinger copies of "documented proof" to support my questions about the use of federal grant funds connected with the behavior-analysis Follow Through program at Woodlawn Elementary School.
I think it is clear that the people who were involved with this program are open to legal action because of statements they have made. Leona Campbell, a former research data clerk with the program, told me when she alleged financial irregularities.
I HAVE TRIED most of this school year to get someone to investigate the concerns I have had about the behavior analysis program.
I still don't have answers to many of the questions that trouble me the most. These questions are about the ideas behind the program and the children at Woodlawn.
I had hoped this could be accomplished in a manner that wouldn't hurt innocent people. As of this date, no one has come to me or other concerned citizens of the Woodlawn area except the "irresponsible crew" from the Kansan and KANU.
I didn't give these "irresponsible" reporters any evidence. They talked to parents, teachers, aides, administrators, public officials and citizens of the community to collect their own "documented proof."
I am disappointed with the state and
by Sokoloff
federal departments of education. If and when they ever get回回 to checking into the program, it will be the almighty dollar for you. The children participating in the program.
I AM VERY grateful to the "irresponsible" reporters, and if Argersinger or other state employees are tired of their "rummaging around," why don't they find a responsible person to check into the program.
I have no "proof" that Argersinger or anyone else is checking into the program.
The University of Kansas should be proud to claim these "irresponsible" reporters because, if KU does take care of their own students, it will do so to these students, not the administrators.
ALTOUGH PEOPLE have criticized the coverage given the program as biased, most of these critics have no idea how really important it is for them to be a受害者. Even then, an apology.
No matter what the outcome of the audit of the behavior analysis program reveals, I would like to thank the "irresponsible" reporters for all their time, effort and patience. I also want to help an "imprudent" mother who had already asked everyone else for help.
Nancy Swearingen Route 3
Vern's Bias Justified
To the Editor:
Yes, Miller is prejudiced against marijuana and liquor; he proclaims the facts of the case, which have been seen to fear that Miller impresses his personal views upon the laws of Kansas. But the state laws aren't made by Vern Miller; they are made by a legislature, it represents.
The state legislators are chosen by the people of Kansas to represent the wishes of their constituents.
Miller is the attorney general of Kansas, whose official duties include being the chief legal adviser to the state and the chief law officer. No legislative function is prescribed.
Miller can and does suggest legislation, as can anyone else, but he can't vote on it.
Miller was elected attorney general by the largest margin in history. This illustrates massive support of Miller by the appointee, who has their apparent agreement with his views.
Miller should not be held accountable for the laws of Kansas, but should be and is
To my knowledge, Miller is an honest, sincere and open individual. He will talk to you about his life and the reasons to any viewpoint or opinion and he will weigh the merits objectively. Miller may not agree, but he will listen openly, an admirable quality of which few public officials understand.
accountable to the people of the sue, as should all public officials. If Vern succeeds as governor, his success will lie in the faith that he is responsible to be capable to them and open to their views.
Miller has his own views, as we all do.
You know where he stands.
Jeff Lee Caffee
Jeff Lee Caffee
Overland Park freshman
Free But Fair Press
To the Editor:
According to Bob Simison, ("Access Laws Harmful," Kansan editorial, April 29) it would be far better to leave fairness in the hands of the editors than to leave the hands in the hands of the government. I agree that the press must be kept out of the hands of the government, but I don't see the need to allow the editors. The issue of news media fairness is certainly not as simple as Simison portrays it.
His appeal to the First Amendment and to the spectre of modern judicial process are intended to support his assertion but are clearly beside the point in this sort of
I
Airp issues contin past y
TODAY'S JOURNALISTIC world, as Simpson knows from personal experience, is highly sophisticated. The American press, politically interested and rich, politically interested power groups.
Nar guide
Editorial comment in the media has great influence in shaping popular opinion and public policy. Even the viewpoints of reporters and copy editors contribute to this influence. The situation hardly can claim explicit First amendment support. Who
For appear ruled tradit mayo
could have foreseen in the 1700s that manlike Horace Greeyle or Henry Luce could exert such enormous pressures on national leaders or for worse in terms of resulting policy?
But they shouldn't fear the operation of our judicial processes any more than the rest of us, if even as much. Our revered Constitution has at least technically separated the judicial branch from the executive and legislative branches of the government. To require responsibility to society through such measures in the hands of the government, any more than that requirement places every other sector of society in its hands.
When fairness is left in the hands of the editors, it is used at their absolute discretion. If the opinions of only established editorial staffs are publicly disseminated, free discussion of issues would be effectively thwarted. A wide range of issues and events always have suffered from the increasing number of editors. The more recent ones range from Watergate to Wounded Knee and the associated trials.
CERTAINLY IF any sector of our society can afford the expense involved in legal protection of its principles, it is the media. When editors refuse to publish certain viewpoints, they should be able to show why.
I join Bob Simison in his concern and support for freedom of the press in the United States today, and I encourage him to join me in the search for rational and legal arguments in support of those freedoms still remaining.
Whether it is based on the First Amendment, the fairness doctrine, as applied in the Florida case, has a definite and desirable purpose. This purpose is merely to mitigate the monopoly or oligoply exercised by the United States government, publicly dissertating, news and opinion.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
John Scott Great Bend senior
Published at the University of Kansas daily examination periods. Mail subscription rates: $1 a semester, $15 a year. Second class payment packages: $10 a semester, $125 a year. Ticket rate: $1.35 a student paid in student activity fee. Advertiser offered to all students without regard to enrollment are not necessarily those of the University presented are not necessarily those of the University.
News Adviser . . . Susanne Shaw
NEWS STAFF
Editor Hal Jitter
Assistant Editor Cynthia
Ellaine Zimmerman
Campus Editor Elaine
Editorial Editor Iain
Hacken Bill Gibson
Sports Editor Egwyn
Gerry Ewing
Gwen Gwyn
News Editors
Don Kinney, Bob Marotte,
Copy Chiefs
Liz Cadwell, Ann McFerren,
John Hitter, Katy Tussey, Elaine Zimmerman,
Walter Bierle, Mike Bierle,
Associate Campus Editors
Larry Fish
Assistant Campus Editors
Jill Williams
Assistant Feature Editor
Diane Willett
Assistant Planentiator
Editorial Assistant
Bunny Miller, Job Sushi
Photographers Bill Kenner
Alan McCoy, Dave Reager
Cartoonists
Steve Carpenter, David Sokofkis
Makeup Artist
Chuck Potter, Mike Bike,
Ann McFerren, Chuck Potter, Mike Bike,
BUSINESS STAFF
Business Manager
David Hunker
Director of Marketing
Assistant Business Manager
Steve Logan
Classified Advertising Manager
Bruce Regesterin
Classified Advertising Manager
David Alshiburri
Assistant Advertising Manager
David Alshiburri