4A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002
EDITORIAL
Seniors deserve a break between tests, graduation
In three weeks, classes will end and students will turn their thoughts toward studying for finals. For some students, the realization that graduation is approaching also bears on their minds.
minds. They will have to face not only late-night study sessions and lengthy exam periods during finals week, but they will also have to put up with visiting friends and family members who have come to see the commencement ceremony.
have come to see the commencement is closer to finals week than in previous semesters. In the past, graduation was held anywhere from a week to nine days after the last day of finals.
The decision to move graduation closer to finals was made by the calendar committee five years ago. The institution of fall break and moving the start of the spring semester from right after New Year's was also made around that time.
Commencement was moved in order to eliminate the "dead time" that graduating students experienced in the past. Calendar committee member Laurence Draper, professor of molecular biosciences, said the committee decided that it was better to eliminate the gap in time between finals and graduation so students would not have to spend time waiting to graduate.
depts would not be spared. "I think it's a great idea," said Draper. "I haven't heard any complaints."
While the elimination of "dead time" can be beneficial, graduating students might need that time to relax after a week of tests and writing papers. Some might also need that time to move out of campus housing, or simply might want to spend that time seeing friends that they will leave behind when they leave the University.
leave the University. In addition, students may want to spend more time with their families, which can be hard when studying for finals.
With the elimination of "dead time," the University may be allowing students a faster turnaround between testing and graduating, but they may also be taking away from a transitional period that provides students a time to relax.
Donovan Atkinson for the editorial board.
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For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
I just heard slanderous statements won't be printed. Oh, that's funny. I was going to say thanks for slandering Phi Psi, 'cause that was cool. You guys obviously know how we frat guys like to get out the sidewalk chalk, and you know go write on campus because that's a good time, too. Do you think it could possibly be someone else? Hmm, possibly. P.S., and since we're frat guys, beer rules.
睛
work on the benefit of say-yes. Women's Recognition Program. Congratulations to the women honored Tuesday night. The only drawback of the program was that there could never be enough awards to recognize all the hard-working women of KU.
I would just like to say that the efforts of Phi Kappa Psi are greatly appreciated, and they are not a despised fraternity on campus, and we still love the guys. Thanks.
I would just like to congratulate Phi Kappa Psi for officially becoming the most loved fraternity on this campus thanks to their lovely sidewalk chalk work, and Kappa Delta still loves you.
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To the pud who referred to us as the most hated fraternity on campus, don't get mad at the tigers with real game.
Last night I was on the Internet reading blond jokes, and as I was reading them I came across a whole bunch of typos, misspelled words, unused commas and all that stuff, and I was just going to say if you're going to make fun of blonds at least do it right and don't make your self stupid. All right. Thanks. Peace out.
work on the benefit of say-yes. Women's Recognition Program. Congratulations to the women honored Tuesday night. The only drawback of the program was that there could never be enough awards to recognize all the hard-working women of KU.
Contrary to popular belief the women of Kappa Delta love the men of Phi Kappa Psi and greatly appreciated the chalk work on the sidewalk. Thanks, guys. That meant a lot to us. We love you.
Hell on men who rape
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To the men of Phi Kappa Psi, the women of Kappa Delta really do love you and do not despise you. Remember, it was just one point
work on the benefit of say-yes. Women's Recognition Program. Congratulations to the women honored Tuesday night. The only drawback of the program was that there could never be enough awards to recognize all the hard-working women of KU.
Happy TV Turnoff Week everybody. Go outside and read a book.
Dashingly handsome, confidently charismatic and intelligent? Gooden, you better watch out. It sounds like Andy Samuelson wants to get with you.
I bet it's pretty disappointing to greek students when they graduate and realize that the only new people that they met in college have been the exact same as themselves.
The sign said, "Frat has keg—rules do not apply," so I took that money and tap out of her hand and said, "You've been living a lie."
So I have 20 se-seconds to spe-speak about anything I wish. Tatoday, junior. That won't get in.
I wonder if the hug a tree signs the greeks were holding were made from recycled paper. Hmm, did they recycle them after they were done? Funny.
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Leita Walker editor
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sales and marketing adviser
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ZACH STINSON/KANSAN
'Kansan'report card
Pass:
David Ambler. The vice chancellor for student affairs is hanging up his hat after decades of supporting KU students. His concern and hard work on the behalf of Jayhawks will be missed.
Television Turn-off Week. With nice weather and finals looming, it's not such a bad idea to drag yourself away from the tube for a few days. Don't worry, you'll catch up with The Osbournes later, and you can always tape Days of Our Lives.
Fail:
Childish roommate revenge. We understand the frustration of cohabitating with the roommate from hell, but take the high road. They'll get what they deserve eventually, and you won't have to feel guilty about performing a sex act on their property.
gulty about performing a job set of tasks.
Lawrence cuts teacher positions. Sixty-five teachers and associates, many who were just starting out in their jobs, now have to look for new work. This is proof that it's not just our tuition situation that's suffering from bad budget days.
Playgirl. Why haven't the geniuses behind the publication come to campus recruiting the beautiful men of KU?
PERSPECTIVE
Dumpster divers can find treasures in others' end-of-the-year trash
It's spring at the University of Kansas, and that means the practice of the time-honored tradition exclusive to American college towns: dumpster diving.
lege towns damp.
Anyone familiar with Lawrence knows what happens. Students abandon valuables and non-valuables — in dumpsters at apartment complexes, alleys and their front yards as they move from home to home in the city or leave the University forever.
COMMENTARY
Audrey Snyder
opinton@kansain.com
What is discussed less is the other side of the coin: salvaging these treasures. It may be that the social stigma attached to being a "dumpster diver" is so traumatizing that no one dares admit to it.
I will bravely confess that I have partaken in this exercise, and I have managed singlehandedly to fit three straight-backed wooden chairs into my compact car without being seen.
1 step forward to offer practical advice on how to conduct oneself without being recognized by those one knows, knowing where to look for treasures and what to save from the unmerciful big blue trash truck.
Be discreet. Chances are, your friends recognize your vehicle, so park behind the dumpster or a nearby building to not be seen by passersby. Or, borrow a friend's car for an
How do I keep from being humiliated? It is simple to avoid being labeled a "dumpster diver" and suffering from mortification.
undisclosed errand.
Do not underestimate disguises. For me, no make-up and uncurled hair is a fool-proof — and scary — disguise.
If it is necessary to bring another person along to help wield large articles, choose carefully. A dumpster diving buddy is a potential tattle-tale. Siblings from out of town could be helpful because their cars would be unrecognizable — and siblings understand the time-honored "I won't tell on you if you won't tell on me" pact.
Make sure you know the size of your vehicle, so don't get stuck with an object half in and half out of your car while your friends drive by pointing and laughing.
Where to look for stuff? This is the dumb question. Look everywhere, you idiot! Look in dumpsters, alleys, the side of the road, behind the dorms, apartment complexes
but be careful of those security people. You can find good stuff almost anywhere in this town come May 31 and again at the end of July.
To be an efficient dumpster diver, you must recognize salvable objects quickly. Don't bother with anything containing fabric. Clothes are a definite no-no. You don't know who's worn them. Mattresses, sofas and overstuffed chairs are a gamble. You don't know who's done what on them.
Personally, I wouldn't touch anything with fabric or stuffing, but if you're looking for the perfect sofa to grace your front porch rain or shine, be my guest. Computers, stereos, TVs and VCRs are not my specialty. If you know what you're looking for and can tell within five minutes whether you could get it to work or not, go for it.
No matter what you find, be quick about it. Someone else will get it, or you'll be humiliated by someone you know if you linger. And if you see me, uh, you don't know me. Happy dumpster diving.
Things to look for are wooden chairs, coffee tables, end tables, entertainment centers, large house plants — almost anything that does not have fabric and looks to be in decent condition.
Snyder is a Shawnee junior in political science
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STATUS OF MINORITIES
Dear editor.
The KU Commission on the Status of Minorities has given its findings to the provost, as reported in the Kansan on April 17. The question now is: Will these recommendations wind up in the same dark drawer as the 1997 Minority Focus Group report and the 1998 report on the Status of Women at KU?
Neither of these reports was ever released to the public, nor were any significant steps taken to correct the dismal conditions they described.
Will the provost once more refuse to make
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
There is a reason that KU ranks 193rd out of 240 national universities in diversity, as reported by US News and World Report's America's Best Colleges 2002. There is a reason why KU has faced 37 civil rights lawsuits since 1995 (see the details at www.seekpeace.kusrvc).
public the results of a study on the status of minorities? Will the provost once more refuse to act on those recommendations?
The reason is not that the administration lacks status reports. The reasons are that the administration has refused to act on the recommendations of faculty and student committees charged with advocating on behalf of minorities and women on campus and because they have not only ignored the pleas for help from the victims of discrimination on campus, but have actually attacked and ostracized those victims for speaking out.
The provost once again has the opportunity to listen to the recommendations of his commission and change the way business is done on campus. We can only hope.
Cynthia Annett
Cynthia Annett Kansas University Sexism and Racism Victims Coalition
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