THURSDAY,MAY2.2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
GTAC demonstrates labor beliefs while waiting to continue mediation
By Meredith Carr Kansan staff writer
LINDSFY KILIANY/KANSAN
KU GTAs Rebecca Kuhn, DeKalb, Ill., Robert Vodicka, Lawrence, and Patrick Carriere, Bemidji, Minn., sing "Solidarity Forever" during an open forum at the Kansas Union. Members of the GTAC sang and protested for higher wages and the importance of a GTA union.
Asking for better pay and benefits, the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition demonstrated yesterday in front of the Kansas Union with songs, poetry and basic explanations of what the Coalition stands for.
GTAC members held signs that read, "GTAC: In Union is Strength," "God loves GTAs" and "KU works because we do." The demonstration also promoted The Pajama Game, a movie about the employees of the Sleepite Pajama Factory that were looking for a seven-and-a-half cent an hour raise. The Student Union Association and English Alternative Theater helped sponsor The Pajama Game, which was shown to about 30 students at the Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union last night.
Maureen Schleyer, co-president of GTAC, said they were just trying to inform everyone of the labor stuggles on campus.
"The importance of organized labor is not only important on campus, but also in society," Schleyer said. "We're just demonstrating our beliefs."
Rebecca Kuhn, GTA in the department of sociology, said the Coalition is a part of Kansas Association of Public Employees, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Labors-Congress of Industrial Organization and are Chapter 4565 of the Union.
"All GTAs are part of the bargaining unit," Kuhn said. "But to be a member of GTAC, an individual has to pay dues."
The group became the 11th GTA Union in the United States in 1995.
Aaron Passman, Towanda junior and spectrum and film coordinator for SUA, said he thought the movie was a good idea.
"The Coalition had to go
through us so they could get the film, publicize the event and use Woodruff Auditorium," Passman said. "I was pleased with the turn out, and think what they stand for is important."
Kuhn said they hope to continue mediation with the University later this month.
"It really depends on the Legislature," Kuhn said. "We really won't know what our situation will end up like until the University and the state figure out their situations."
The State of Kansas Legislature's full body reconvened yesterday to finish discussion on the estimated $750 million budget shortfall. The University is facing a proposed $51.6 million tuition increase, and the administration is still lobbying in Topeka for an increase in University funds.
Contact Carr at mcarr@kansan.com. This story was edited by Justin Guenley.
By Summer Lewis Kansan staff writer
Researchers have discovered a mutated gene that increases the risk of breast cancer.
Mutated genes linked to breast cancer risk
The mutated gene, called CHEK2 or CHK2, can double the 13 percent risk that women face, said Michael Stratton, geneticist and author of the study who does cancer research in London. Only about 1 percent of people, both men and women, carry the gene.
A person carrying the gene is not guaranteed to develop breast cancer. The risk increases to 26 percent, or the equivalent of that of a woman who has a mother or sister with breast cancer
The gene is also linked to breast cancer risks in men. However, the cancer is extremely rare in men by counting for less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases.
Stratton said that the gene was not something anyone needed to get tested for.
Lily Morgan, Eudora senior, said that the study's finding was particularly interesting to her because she was concerned about breast cancer more than most college women.
Lisa Crowther, Wichita freshman, said that this study was just another reason for women to fear breast cancer.
"I have breast cancer in my family, so this gene could put me at risk even more," Morgan said. "I would want to get tested to know if I had it but also to know if the gene would be passed on to my children."
"No matter what they say, I would want to get tested and have my mother and grandmother get tested also," Crowther said. "I don't worry about breast cancer on
a daily basis because it is not in my family, but the possibility of having a gene would cause me to worry."
Jennifer Taylor, Olathe freshman, said that she agreed that some kind of testing for this gene should be available.
"If the testing was inexpensive, I think it would be important to get yourself tested so that you knew your risk," Taylor said. "Even with all of the studies being done on breast cancer, it just isn't something that I worry about."
Crowther said that she thought it was important for women to take care of themselves.
"There is no excuse for women to not do self-breast exams every month," she said. "Taking care of yourself could mean your life."
Contact Lewis at
Contact Lewis at slewis@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Warren.
BREAST SELF EXAM
In The Shower
Raise your right arm. With soapy hand and fingers flat, check your right breast. Use the method described in the "Lying Down" step. Repeat on your left breast.
Lying Down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right hand under your head. Check your entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand. Use small circles and follow an up and down pattern. Use light, medium and firm pressure over each area of your breast. Repeat these steps on your left breast.
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