2A Friday, April 21, 1972
University Daily Kansan
'Student Power' Making a Dent
By STEVE RIEL
College students long ago forsook the ivory tower for community and world involvement. In the 1960's this skill became a painful experience for many who saw a war, racism and a deteriorating environment where the being done to solve these problems
They had no votes and hence were not considered credible by many politicians who had the power to govern. Some students campaigned for them.
candidates like Eugene McCarthy or Bobby Kennedy; others took it upon themselves to national awareness of its problems.
drawing from classes.
They demonstrated at Berkeley, they marched with the Student Mobe through Lawrence and they went to Washington. In a word, they became activists. Their activities were not always peaceful.
STUDENT ACTIVISM of this type reached its peak in 1989 and 1970. College campuses shunt students away from learning to give students the option of with-
In this atmosphere people listened and the process of change began. Troops were withholding supplies that promised that more would follow. Protection of the environment became a top Congressional priority.
Today there are fewer than 100,000 men in Vietnam and fewer than 50,000 women. Ecological legislation includes the Clean Water Act, which will require that $2 billion in the next 13 years clean up the nation's lakes and
Class Rivalry Highlighted KU in Early 20th Century
In the early 1900s, student activism at the University of Kansas was confined generally to class rivalry, membership in other groups and a few several reactions to criticism from outside the university.
In May 1800, the Kansas men inhabited the scrap. The freshmen had difficulty, retained their flag. No one knew what they wore. One sophomore's clothes were torn and his hair smeared with oil. He climbed into the crook and fled. His freshman's defines.
Class rivalry manifested itself in the annual May Pole Scrap. Each year framed by a front of Fraser on May Day. Sophomores would try to tear down the flag and repaint it with that of their own
MOREOVER, FOR the first time, 18-year-olds will be able to participate in national elections by provision of the 28th Amendment.
1905 the administration banned the May Pole Scrap violated by the violent. The following year, the freshmen celebrated May Day by organizing a funeral procession, sophomore class being the first to attend.
Two of the most active organizations of the time were the YMCA and the YWCA. They have a large student population, few students and sponsored Bible
Concurrent with these
activities, students may
reduction or at least pervious
student activism. Campuses are
outwardly quiet. at least comp
ultively engaged.
lessons and a banquet at the end of the year.
Sometimes criticism was encountered from outside the University. Professor Carruth was accused of anarchy because he advocated municipal waterworks. Waterworks waterworks. Another faculty member, Professor Snow, was accused of being an evolutionist.
Oratorical contests were popular with the students. KU competed with other universities in this contest and also held. The subject of one essay contest was "The Cost of War" and a prize of $225 was donated by William Jennings before he visited the University.
"EACH IN HIS Own Tongue," was published by Carruth, was published concerned the idea of science and the theory of evolution as opposed to it.
There were football and baseball games every week in season. The report of the game was the outstanding news in each issue of the Weekly. Opponents had their first win at Haskell, Nebraska and Missouri.
The Atchison Globe ran an article in 1902 accusing the State
University students of stealing the body of a Negro from the disecture, and hanging it up to the Guevara. The Guevara is more, the faculty permitted it. Perhaps they are afraid of the youth men with long hair who steal their bodies.
The Weekly refuted this allegation, saying there wasn't a bit of truth in it. They severely criticized the report for not investigating the report.
Students themselves criticized the University. For many years, they had been dissatisfied with athletics. Now, with managers for athletics
Criticism was also leveled at the in. 1900 S.W. Williston, in University. left for another position with a higher salary. An editorial criticized the state for new salaries paid to the faculty.
In 1903, what was then the greatest flood in history in history. In 1904, the flood was close to the end of the year. Commencement canceled. Students were stranded. Students were unable to get to Lawrence. and summer school students helped with local rescue efforts.
One explanation for this change might be a growing ability and desire of students to effect change within the system.
One manifestation of this transition can be seen at the University and in Lawrence. Since January, according to Douglas County Clerk D.E. Matha, more than 1,500 persons in Douglas County between the ages of 18 and 21 have registered
This figure does not include students who registered during Vaccine Week. Students must register to 9, at locations on campus. In the spring registration nearly 250 persons became eligible to vote. Other students were registered in their vouchers.
SEVERAL LEGISLATORS who spoke on campus during the semester have acknowledged the important impact of the student vote.
Sen. Birch Bayh, D-InD,
speaking in March, said the youth
vote would be an important
presidential candidate of the
Democratic party. Rep. Larry
Winn, R-Third District, said in
an April speech that the student vote
becomes a key factor in the
presidential election.
Locally, State Rep. Morris Kay, R-Lawrence, said in February that the student vote should be held three hours Lawrence voting districts.
Organizations at the University also reflect an increasing involvement in the political system. Student Vote of the Student Senate for the State represents registration and student participation in politics.
THIS SEMESTER, the group has sponsored speakers from both parties in Kansas, a forum explaining procedures used at the
local Democratic conventions,
and on-campus voter
registration.
Another organization, the McGovenn for President Committee, has been especially active in coordinating with informing members of the community about their candidate, they organized a trip over semester break to canvass for McGovenn before the Wisconsin election.
At the local unit convention for the Third District in Douglas positions were filled by a state of seven McGovern supporters elected at the open meeting. Several of the delegates are KU
Prior to the April 8 local unit democratic convention they held an annual meeting of supporters and elected a slate of delegates to be nominated at the convention.
THIS CONVENTION reflected heavy involvement of young people in politics. KU students and teachers braced outnumbered others by at least two to one. Some of the students convention reflected its constituency. These resolutions will be taken to the district conference.
A proposal for immediate withdrawal from Southeast Asia by the U.S. government, in response to the political and economic support.
The resolutions passed included:
-An affirmation of equal opportunities for women.
—The legalization of marijuana sales or use removed, and pardons granted to those who have been convicted of marijuana
THE RECOGNITION of equal rights for homosexuals.
A proposal to make abortion available to any woman who wants one.
A proposal for amnesty to draft evaders of the Vietnam war.
The Republican local convention in March also elected a number of KU students as delegates.
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THE KANSAS UNION WELCOMES RELAYS GUESTS
It's Always a Thrill to Come Back to KU, and the KU RELAYS!
Alumni and Friends Travel From Afar to Gather Once Again to Bring Back Old Memories and Begin New Ones. Let the Kansas Union Be Your Host This Week.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE YOU CAN ENJOY THE FINE FOOD AT THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION, ONLY A SHORT WALK FROM THE MEMORIAL STADIUM
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
CAFETERIA
Breakfast: 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-12:0 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
HAWKS NEST
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
TRAIL ROOM
6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
PRAIRIE ROOM
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
HAWKLET IN SUMMERFIELD
Snacks Available from
6:00 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
SATURDAY
CAFETERIA
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
HAWKS NEST
7:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
TRAIL ROOM
7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
PRAIRIE ROOM Closed
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We hope that the 47th Annual KU Relays will be the best ever. Remember that as the afternoon wears on, there are plenty of refreshing drinks as well as appetizing food and candy just a few steps from your seat. KU Concessions is happy to be serving you this weekend.
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