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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014
PAGE 4A
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TEXT FREE FOR ALL
I'd like to thank whoever clapped when I busted a loud fart in the Anschutz bathroom. Much obliged.
Don't be upset when you miss your stop because you failed to pull the cord letting the driver know you wanted off. They can't read your mind.
Stop acting interested and asking questions. I need to get out of this class. ASAP.
Text your FFA submissions to (785)289-8351 or at kansan.com
Don't judge others based on their looks or how much they make, judge them by who they want on the Iron Throne.
Just realized I may be too old for popsicles. I ate the entire box in one sitting.
4th floor men's restroom in Wescoe has a swing hinge. Push.
To the person commenting on people commenting about tips, you spelt "business" wrong. Your opinion is even more irrelevant.
Dirty politics are always the most interesting.
I've worked as a waitress and still don't think waitresses are entitled to tins.
I can almost always tell if a movie doesn't use real dinosaurs.
Wait, so basketball shorts are capris?
If the free bible people were joined by all other religions, it would be the same as all these campaigners.
To the person who is tired of playing sidewalk chicken: you've read my thoughts exactly.
burritogate
My solution to avoiding people telling me who to vote for is avoiding the sidewalk. Aka walking down the center of Jayhawk Blvd. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Listening to girls behind me in class talk about getting matching Jayhawk tattoos on their butts... Really?
Why do girls travel in odd numbers? Because they can't even.
We accept the pizza we think we deserve.
We all know Spring is here when mobs of Student Senate bombard you on Jayhawk Blvd.
While it is annoying to be talked to by Jayhawkers or GrowKU, they ARE human beings and some people are being incredibly rude. Just smile, take their flyer, and walk away. Don't be so hateful.
How to protect baby animals this spring
ENVIRONMENT
Spring is upon us. The flowers are blooming. temperatures are
temperatures are rising and babies are abundant. Being informed on the behaviors of our animal friends during the spring is more than just enthralling, but truly necessary for the safety of the new additions to the world.
Spring brings two familiar baby animals: birds and bunnies. When you see a baby animal, your first instinct may be to "rescue" it. However, you may be putting the animal in a worse situation than it was in prior to your interference.
I've taken information from flowcharts from Shannon K. Jacobs' "Healers of the Wild: People Who Care for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife," which are posted on the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association website.
If you find a baby bird, and it isn't sick or hurt, the mode of action that you take depends on the developmental stage of the
bird. If it does not have feathers, it is a nestling and needs help. Either put it back in the nest if you can find it (no, the bird's mother cannot "smell" you and will not abandon its baby) or create a substitute nest. Watch the nest and see if a parent is visiting and feeding the baby. If the baby bird has feathers, it is a fledgling and should be left alone unless it is directly in danger of cats or dogs, in which case you can put it in the bushes or tree.
If you have found a baby bunny, check to see if the nest has been damaged. If so, create a nest using a shallow depression and grass, making sure to hide the babies with some grass because the mothers only come back at dawn and dusk. Bunnies that have their eyes open and can
hop do not need help
It's sad when people bring these baby animals into the nature center because it often results in a lost life. I completely understand that some circumstances are appropriate for intervention. However, intervening without adequate knowledge is irresponsible and cruel.
Don't let their cuteness fool you. Raising baby animals is often a heartwrenching process because it is extremely unlikely for them to survive without their mothers. If you are ever unsure of how to help a baby animal, call the nature center and explain the situation and they will give advice on how to act responsibly.
Educating yourself on the correct procedure for helping animals is crucial and will be applicable as long as we share this earth with the bunnies and birds.
Jenny Stern is a sophomore from Lawrence studying ecology and evolutionary biology.
JAKE KAUFMANN/KANSAN
FFA OF THE DAY What if the buses were trains like in Divergent and everyone just jumped off and on.
POLITICS
Don't be apathetic about elections
Every year, Student Senate elections come and go, sweeping new ideas and fresh faces to power. However, one aspect remains constant throughout every election cycle — a general lack of student awareness. Despite Student Senate's tremendous impact on the everyday life of students, stunningly few choose to get involved or even vote. Knowledge of Senate is similarly scarce, with many students entirely unaware of the senators that represent them. In order for Student Senate to fully represent the interests of the student body, it must work to combat this stifling lack of public awareness.
According to the Student Senate Elections Commission, last year's election garnered a 25 percent voter turnout. This humble figure actually represents a landmark improvement over the year before it, which attracted a mere 8 percent voter turnout. The fact that 75 (or 92) percent of student voices go unheard during the formation of a new Senate body cannot be allowed to stand.
The problem does not rest with the significance of the organization. With student fees weighing in at a whopping $24 million, according to KU Info, Student Senate's power is undeniable. They allocate funds to the school's myriad clubs and organizations, they run the school's invaluable bus network, and they serve as the most effective way for students to shape the University they invest themselves in. Rather, the question of students' political disengagement may be traced
back to one source: simply not being taught about Student Senate.
Potential solutions to this problem are simple and far-reaching in application. An email detailing campaign terms and procedures could be sent out to the student body at the start of the election season, ensuring that students are informed on the coming campaign. This principle could even be expanded into a monthly newsletter in which Student Senate conveyed its accomplishments and activities to students. Additionally, a brief explanation of Senate campaigns and their importance could also be included at orientation each year. This would provide new students with a quick overview of how to become engaged with campus politics.
Action must be taken to combat such high levels of political ignorance and inaction. A possible place to start is by educating the student body on how Senate works and how it is elected. Only through increased visibility and participation can Student Senate truly fulfill its stated role as "the student voice within University Governance."
Jesse Burbank is a freshman from Quinter studying history and political science.
CAMPUS CHIRPS BACK
FFA HONORABLE MENTION To the person trying to pry open the door without a handle, try pushing.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansas Editorial Board are Katie Kutoko, Allison Koen, Lauren Armendazir, Anna Wenner, Sean Powers and Kolby Botts.
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