8A= THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2003
Committees clear resolution thanking servicemen
ByHenry C. Jackson
cjackson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Opinions on the war may differ among University of Kansas students, but members of Student Senate think they all can agree on one resolution.
A resolution thanking and supporting KU students and faculty deployed in military service will likely pass Student Senate next
week, after clearing committee meetings last night.
The resolution, written by Brian Thomas, University affairs committee secretary, thanks "all KU students, past, present and future for their service to their country," and wishes them a safe return home.
Thomas, Plano, Texas, junior, said he thought the resolution would comfort members of the KU community called into
military service.
"Any time you're in the military and you get well wishes from
home it's really appreciated," he said.
"That sentiment has been echoed to me by my Dad and other relatives who have served in the military."
Kevin McKenzie, Association of University Residence Halls senator and one of the resolution's sponsors, said one of Senate's roles was functioning as a voice of the student body.
This resolution was an example of functioning in that role, McKenzie said.
"I think that the student body, even if it's not in support of the war, is supporting faculty and
students who are serving in the military at the moment, McKenzie, Salina freshman, said.
Earlier this month, Senate passed a resolution proclaiming support for former KU On Wheels head Mike Appleby. Appleby was called into military service in February.
The resolution was initially vetoed by Student Body President Jonathan Ng but passed later
on appeal.
This broader proclamation of support for KU servicemen came from debate of the resolution proclaiming support for Appleby, Thomas said.
During debate of the Appleby resolution, senators suggested a broader resolution proclaiming support for all KU affiliates involved in the war.
Edited by Julie Jantzer
CAPS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
said that after only a week of war, the stress hadn't gotten to him and he was not afraid of retaliation attacks.
"When I'm watching the news with those embedded reporters, I think what I'm doing doesn't matter half as much as the life-or-death situation people in Iraq are in," Cobb said. "Making it to Coms class at 8:30 just isn't as important comparatively."
Professors at the University are also dealing with the war. An e-mail was sent out from CAPS advising faculty members with advice on how to deal with the war.
Tips for coping with stressful and traumatic events:
Expect unusual feelings in response to such an unusual event. There is a wide range of normal reactions to abnormal events, including headaches, irritability, anger, denial, change in appetite and unusual dreams.
Some of CAPS' suggestions include: avoiding debate-style arguments and domination of the discussion by one or two students; focusing classroom comments and discussion on concerns and encouraging appreciation of different points of view; focusing on how the situation personally impacts each student; and ending the discussion with a summary emphasizing common concerns and reactions you observe — such as worry or frustration.
Call parents and those who are important to you. Let them know how you're doing and ask about them.
Spend time with your friends.
Offer support to them and accept support from them.
Treat one another with respect and dignity, regardless of political perspectives or cultural background.
Maintain your regular schedule as much as possible. Set aside time to think and talk about your feelings, and limit the media coverage you watch.
Counseling and Psychological Services is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Counseling and Psychological Services
Philip Schrodt, professor of political science, teaches an introductory class in international relations in which, he said, he had not encountered any severe reactions from students.
Schrodt said he used the war in Iraq as an example if it related to class discussion, but
he was not focusing on the war in his teaching.
The war in Iraq has caused different reactions in students than the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Schrodt said.
"Everyone has been anticipating war and there have been relatively limited casualties," Schrodt said. "I don't get the shock reaction of 9/11."
— Edited by Anne Mantey
Sebelius' budget not liked by all
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Republican leaders are unimpressed with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' plan to balance the state budget through mid-2004 by issuing bonds and speeding up collection of local property taxes.
Sebelius outlined a package Tuesday designed to sustain a $10.2 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Without her proposals — or some other mix of spending cuts and new revenues — the state would end its 2004 fiscal year with a constitutionally prohibited deficit of $229 million.
The Democratic governor announced her plan the same day House members debated a proposed budget.
Representatives approved their spending plan, 83-42, yesterday, when the Senate also was to debate its own proposed budget.
Sebelius' package, which includes a gambling provision she had already endorsed, would allow the state to avoid a tax increase and protect education spending from further cuts.
But Republican leaders said her proposals, which need legislative approval, would not solve the state's financial problems, only push them into the future.
"It's a plan based on debt, gambling and asking people to pay their taxes a month early," said House Speaker Doug Mays (R-Topeka). "It doesn't fix anything long-term."
Senate President Dave Kerr opened an impromptu news conference by displaying a sweat shirt he once received as a gift, emblazoned with, "A politician thinks about the next election," and below it, "A statesman thinks about the next generation."
"It would appear we have a governor who can't stop campaigning and has not yet begun to govern," said Kerr (R-Hutchinson).
For the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, Sebelius proposes issuing $175 million in bonds backed by money from Kansas' $1.7 billion share of a 1998 settlement between states and tobacco companies.
An additional $5 million would be captured through a tax amnesty program.
Her proposals would also raise $224.6 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1, mostly by having Kansans pay half of their property taxes next year in May rather than June.
The Democratic governor said the state must continue a "fight-fisted, sharp-pencilled" approach to its budget problems because too many Kansans were suffering in a slow economy.
Sebelius' proposals would leave the state cash reserves of $75.4 million at the end of the 2003 fiscal year and $175.1 million on June 30, 2004.
Such reserves are helpful when revenues fall short of expectations.
The gambling proposal that Sebelius supports would allow slot machines and other electronic gambling devices at the state's five dog and horse tracks and in Dodge City if local voters approved.
Developers have already agreed to pay the state a total of $30 million upfront for gambling licenses.