4A - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2002
POINT-COUNTERPOINT
Senate rules should've been bent to include worthy candidate
The United States operates under the Constitution. All laws somehow point to this base upon which the country was founded. Yet, more times than not, the rules are followed and adapted simultaneously. To bend the rules is something warranted only for extreme
occasions. At the University level, what happened to Vision Coalition presidential candidate Matt Steppe and vice presidential candidate Laura Rupe was extreme.
Steppe was one of 450 students the Kansan reported dropped from their classes in February because of late tuition payments. This resulted in Steppe and Rupe's disqualification from next week's Student Senate election. The mistake was Steppe's to claim, but the impact of his mistake should have been determined by voters.
Former presidential candidate responsible for election gaffe
The election code for Student Senate declares that when running, candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour and intend to do so for the following year. This rule ensures that non-KU students will not become president of the school.
Steppe was irresponsible, but it should have been left up to the students and their votes to punish or not punish him. Some students may have questioned Steppe's reliability, but others might have related to his frustrations with the tedious process of disenrollment and reenrollment.
The snail mail notification process was said to have slowed Steppe's actions. Many KU students are familiar with the unreliable mailing process and could relate to the snail-like pace at which things, such as notifications, are delivered.
Steppe let his enrollment process exceed normal limits. But using his regular class attendance as proof, there is enough evidence to suspect he intended on completing his re-enrollment process.
Steppe would have likely taken the hit on election day. Instead, his efforts to make a campaign are now fruitless. To open it, his running mate Jorge Puneo was also disqualified
There's one thing everyone should learn by the time they finish grade school (nonetheless college): That one must live with the consequences of his or her actions. Unfortunately, for Matt Steppe, former candidate for student
top it on, nis running mate, Laura Rupe, was also disqualified and must suffer for his actions.
Steppe did mess up, but he did not deserve disqualification. This was a situation where bending the rules would have placed students as judges in their own election.
the consequences of his or her actions.
Unfortunately, for Matt Steppe, former candidate for student body president, this applied to him, too. Steppe was disqualified last week from the upcoming election because he was not technically enrolled this semester.
Steppe told the elections commission and the Kansan that a late tuition payment resulted in him being dropped from his classes, but that he was attending classes and working to rectify the situation. Basically, he got disqualified on a technicality. But, when it comes to government, even student government, rules are rules.
No one claimed that his enrollment status was a valid reflection on his ability to represent the student body. On the other hand, when Steppe submitted his candidacy he signed a document and affirmed that he was an enrolled student. That was a lie — even if he only wasn't "technically" enrolled.
When you break the rules, you break the rules. When you don't fulfill the requirements for candidacy, you shouldn't be allowed to be a candidate. Although it was an unfortunate situation, the disqualification was black-and-white. To allow Steppe to stay in the race would have unfairly bent the rules. Where should one draw the line when it comes to something as basic as the need to be an official student to run for student body president?
Although it was a technicality that forced Steppe to bow out of the race, the University community must realize that no one but Steppe is to blame. It was unfortunate that Laura Rupe, his running mate, was disqualified as well. But, one cannot blame the elections commission for upholding Stu-
The elections commission made the right decision — one that was not easy to make in the world of student politics. Feelings were undoubtedly hurt, and it's never a positive scenario when someone has to be denied an opportunity to participate.
Jessica Smith for the editorial board.
In the end, upholding the rules maintained the integrity of the student electoral process
Kursten Phelps dissenting.
PERSPECTIVE
Editors keep Free for All from fulfilling title role
READERS' REPRESENTATIVE
Writing about the Free for All column is tough. After all, the anonymous contributors to the collection of typed-out phone messages often critique the column. They often critique other things as well, including but not limited to, the University, the Kansan and the men's basketball team.
As the column passes the midpoint of its fourth semester, it's a good time to ask some questions about it and take stock of its current position.
The column this semester has slimmed down. Kursten Phelps, *Kansan* opinion editor, said she thought it was important to keep the Free for All, but to make sure the messages were pertinent and entertaining.
Clay McCuistion cmccuistion@kansan.com
"It's not a place for people to take out vendettes against their roommates and name them by name." Phelps said.
"We're being selective," she said. "In other words, trying to get a good blend."
Phelps and Brooke Hesler, associate opinion editor, remove items that are libelous or profane. They also tend not to run comments directed to people that aren't in the news.
After this first pruning process, Phelps and Hesler try to organize the comments by interest — the phone line receives about 100 calls a day.
Comments about important current events and
comments critical of the Kansan rate high. The two then print the first couple of dozen comments from the ranked group. The other comments appear online at Kansan.com.
Erin Adamson, now a news editor and senior staff writer, worked as an opinion editor last semester. She said that the Free for All occupied a different position from everyday columns, which wasn't a bad thing.
"It has an entertainment value which isn't really the purpose of a newspaper, but which a lot of people seem to like," she said.
Adamson faced a daunting task in the aftermath of last year's terrorist attacks. The anonymous, sometimes off-the-cuff calls became heated and derogatory.
"It got more complicated last semester because of the number of ethnic slurs that were being called in after Sept. 11," she said. "We had to really look at what our policy was even then, but we could never get down to steadfast rules."
Because opinion editors change each semester, the Free for All itself is destined to evolve. Kansan staff must always remember that while the column may be humorous and entertaining, it shouldn't cross the line into the offensive and insulting.
This is more likely to happen when nearly all the comments are printed, making the selectivity shown this semester appealing.
The role of an editorial page is to explain and comment, not scream meaninglessly. With a forum such as the Free for All, editors are forced to examine their attitudes and the meaning of what they print.
"The editors just have to decide what's appropriate in a context, and that changes all the time," Adamson said. "Forget the ethics classes journalists are supposed to take. Just try to edit Free for All a semester and you'll deal with all of those issues."
McCuistion is an El Dorado senior in journalism and English.
TALK TO US
Leita Walker editor
864-4854 or
walker@anasn.com
Jay Krall
Kyle Ramsey
managing editors
864-4554 or
krangelam@kyle.com
and krangelam@wkmon.com
Stay McCusinion readers representative 864-4810 or 864-4810 an
Kursten Phels Brooke Hesler opinion editors 848-140 or kphleps@kansan.com or bhesler@kansan.com
Kate Mariani
retail sales manager
864-442 or
retailales@kansan.com
Amber Agee
business manager
864-4014 or
addiction@ananaan.com
Malcolm Gibson
Malcolm Gibson
general manager
and news adviser
864-7687 or
mgibson@kanan.com
Matt Fisher
sales and marketing
adviser
864-7866 or
mfisher@kansas.com
864-0500 free for
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
This is to the guy that busted the glass in the display case in front of Wonton, OK. I saw you on video tape You're an idiot, and you're a shame to KU, because you were drinking on campus, and you were busting stuff for no reason. You're just a giant idiot, and I think you should respect Roy's request to be a class act on and off the campus.
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
Draw Gooden, you have a big decision to make. You can go pro this year and possibly fade into the limelight, or you can stick around another year, be a national hero, player of the year, possibly lead your team to an NCAA championship and come out as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft 2003. Tough decision but we all hope you stay. We love you.
I just wanted to say that I'm proud to be a Jay-
hawker, and even though we didn't win, we're still
the best team around.
ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
I'm in Atlanta right now. We lost last night, but KU still rules the school. We went to the team hotel, and Roy is the classiest act ever in NCAA basketball, and I'll always be proud to be a Jayhawk, Rock chalk.
Why should I have to change my name from Michael to Mike Bolton? I'm not the one that sucks.
ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
图
I mean I love Jesus and all. I'm glad he died for man's sins, but in Atlanta when I have to come home on Easter Sunday at midnight because the bars aren't open that just freaking sucks. What would Jesus do in this situation, seriously? He would freaking go out.
Jesus loves me. Oh yes, he does. That's why he's opening the bars in Atlanta on Easter Sunday, because Jayhawks need a little salvation. Can I get a witness? Oh yeah.
图
I just know that a lot of our team is going to be getting smack for losing the game, but I wanted to congratulate our Jayhawks for getting into the Final Four, and they played a really good game. Congratulations.
Let's, for instance, think hey, I have the chance to make $5 million a year or just party at college. You're thinking to yourself college is a great thing but $5 million. Go for it, Drew. I don't care.
ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
This is to whoever wrote the rap about KU basketball's ice, Ice Baby. I just wanted to tell you guys that I want your phone number and your address.
You're a true fan if you love your team win or lose.
Boo hoo, tutition's doubling. Boo hoo, oh the environment. Oh, oh God. Boo hoo, everybody respect me for being a dirty, stupid hipple.
ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
OK, I just wanted to let you know that my girlfriend is coming over, and I'm going to drink 12 Natural Lights. What she doesn't know is I'm going to see if I can still perform sexually after drinking 12 Natural Lights. I'll be sure to get you guys back with the results.
--ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
This really has no association to the guy that complained about the basketball band, but we’re staying in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
--ing in a 73-story phallic symbol in Atlanta, and it's really cool. Oh, oh, and it's free.
I chose KU over the University of Colorado at Boulder for the reasons of parties, and right now there are a lack of parties, and it is Final Four weekend. What's going on in Lawrence?
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
It wouldn't be a party without Mr. Potatohead.
To the guy who bashed the band, I'm sorry that you have nothing better to do than bash us, and you're a loser.
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
What do you say about sluts?
All I have to say about KU basketball is welcome to Atlanta where the players play, and we ball on them things like every day.
--that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
This is to the guy in the Free for All that trashed the basketball band, this is what court sideseats sound like. I hope you can hear that at home.
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
I love the KU basketball team, but I have one word for Drew Gooden: choke. Please print this. Thanks.
Please.
With 19 seconds left Brett Ballard's a real student of the game.
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
图
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
Can you hear me now? Good, good.
What's that statement again? I believe it's rock chalk—no, no, no, it's rock bottom Jayhawks.
NBA to Draw: don't quit your day job.
If she's not a girl, and she's not yet a woman then what the hell is she?
that the jayhawk men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four in Atlanta last week is a terrific accomplishment. The team's success is testimony to an outstanding coaching staff, premier athletes and galvanizing boosters and fans.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOTS
Dear editor.
Unfortunately, from our shared perspective, this historic season is tarnished by the team's collaboration in supporting mascots, names, logos and fan antics that associate big-time college athletics with counterfeit notions about Indigenous Peoples.
What many KU folks might not know is that for good reason since 2000 nine tribes in both North and South Dakota, as well as the critical mass of Indian educational organizations across the country, the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, all have asked that UND representatives change the university's athletic team name. One tribal chairman, in a letter to the university president, for instance, called the UND team name "totally unacceptable."
Last year in December and again this year, the Jayhawks played and defeated teams, respectively, from the University of North Dakota and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In Grand Forks, teams are named the "Fighting Sioux," and in Urbana they are named the "Fighting Illini." In both locations, excitable fans, not unlike those of us cheering on the 'Hawks, clearly enjoy the success of their teams.
Similarly, the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma passed a resolution two years ago in April calling Chief Illiniwek, the University of Illinois mascot, "a degrading racial stereotype that reflects negatively on all American Indian people."
Fortunately, the Jayhawks did not play another one of these sorts of teams in this tournament after the Illinois game. What we are asking in writing this letter is for all 'Hawks fans to take just a moment to critically reflect on this matter of athletic mascots. We hope folks will join us in inviting the KU Athletic Department next season to ally with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and boycott those teams like UND and the University of Illinois who refuse to honor those requests made by — and therefore the sovereignty of — Indigenous tribes and nations.
For more information on the problem of mascots, interested readers might visit this web site: http://people.ku.edu/~tyeeme/mascots.html.
1/4
Cornel D. Pewewardy Assistant professor of education
David Anthony Tyseme Clark Lawrence graduate student
4
1.