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Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MIYAKAWA: SMOKERS NEED TO GIVE CAMPUS LITTER A SECOND THOUGHT
United States First Amendment
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
COMING WEDNESDAY
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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FREE FOR ALL
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
Sometimes I think college can be compared with Missouri: Wav overrated.
I'm sitting next to the most beautiful girl in the world.
I had class with her last semester and I was in love.Too bad she has no idea!
I'm tired of a university.It's community college for me next semester!
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
Is there anyone else who loves parties but hates alcohol?
To the guy I just saw wearing a Texas shirt: How dare you wear your rusty orange shirt around the campus of crimson and blue. Do you not remember the game on Saturday? We won.
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
To the guy who hangs the free art pieces in Wescoto; I saw you last night. You are gorgeous and I want to marry you.
For those wondering, squirrel piss is disgusting and it's not worth it.
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take everything you have.
I just want us to get some recognition: The KU Club Tennis team won sectionals against all the odds and is now going to Arizona for nationals. Hell yes.
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
How do you take a break from a guy who you're not even dating?
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
My grandma just randomly told me that she wants to invite Brady Morningstar over for dinner. OK, Grandma.
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My coworker gave me the stink-eye. I thought this was a place of employment, not a charm.
If Cole Aldrich wanted to elbow me in the face, hed have to get down on his
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
I'm happy it's cold outside so White Owl might go away.
--using concrete.
"It was about having written policy," Myers said. "It's not a reflection whatsoever on the security measures that we've im
Hey Free For All: "One shining moment, I'm in Free for AllIII. One shining moment back-to-back-to-back-to-back championships for allIII."
Tyler Waugh/KANSAN
As a member of another fraternity, I just wanted to wish the men of SAE ... I don't know, I'm speechless. We'll be praying for you, and I can't imagine what you're going through right now. God Bless.
EDITORIAL BOARD
KU computer security adequate despite audit
In a recent follow-up report on a computer security audit released in 2005 by the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit, the University received negative marks after implementing only five of the 33 recommended policy changes.
At first glance, these numbers seem alarming, but ultimately they do not represent a significant threat to the University's information system. The University is doing an adequate job with regard to computer security.
Bill Myers, director of assessment and outreach for information services, said the audit was focused solely on written policy regarding security measures, not on whether or not certain practices were
In an article published in The
Myers said the University practiced many of the policies included in the audit but had not finalized them on paper.
The audit reads: "When computer security policies aren't written, people tend to make up their own ways of doing things, or don't do anything at all. It takes only one 'hole' in an organization's computer security for its data to be compromised"
This presents a problem, according to the audit report released in 2005.
Kansan on March 2, Rep. Virgil Peck (R-Tyro), chairman of the legislative post audit committee, said he was "disturbed" by the
KANSAN'S
OPINION
to meet the requirements was mainly due to its large size and the lengthy process required for implementation. He said all 33 requirements should be in written policy by January 2010.
University's lack of effort to correct the problems noted in the audit.
But Myers said the University's inability
Myers said the University of Kansas, one of the three universities subject to the audit, had 11 policies in draft form in addition to the five already written into policy. In comparison, K-State has seven policies in draft form with seven finalized written policies.
The University hasn't had a major computer-related information security breach in more than five years.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS:
Contact:
Bill Myers
at: (785) 864-8921
or bilmyers@ku.edu
"There are 16 of the policy recommendations that we don't have anything for in writing, and that's the post legislative committee's concern," Myers said. "That says nothing about whether we're practicing the kind of security those policies would relate to"
Though written policy is an extremely important component to information systems security and should be completed as soon as possible, the University is taking appropriate and timely action.
Danny Nordstrom for The Kansan Editorial Board
CAMPUS
Suspension should alert lethargic student body
Only 17 percent of the student body voted in the last Student Senate
election, and it is clear that voter apathy is a major problem on this campus.
As a campus issues columnist, I have often written columns about the need for students to stay informed, to vote, and, most importantly, to care.
Students give several reasons for not voting and for choosing to remain uninformed. The most dangerous of these reasons is the notion that Student Senate has little influence on our lives. The issues of Student Senate may not seem as important as national issues, but student senators have power over more than just our checkbooks.
Student Senate has vowed to not increase student fees for the 2009-2010 school year. But with the state of the economy and the current budget, it is clear that this promise will not come without sacrifice.
Student Senate controls the amount of money students pay each year in student fees. This year students paid a total of $846.70 in required fees, which go mostly to bonds and services including campus media and the Student Senate activity fee.
Services such as Watkins Memorial Health Center and the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center must receive fee increases to operate for the next academic year. This situation leaves Student Senate with a dilemma concerning where to cut fees.
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS
According to a Feb. 27 article in The Kansan, Adam Gmonigle, student body president, issued a recommendation to the Senate executive staff. This recommendation called for a
ERIN BROWN
McGonigle then suspended Student Senate treasurer Alex Porte, who released the memo about student fee recommendations to The Kansan. In a March 4 article, McGonigle claimed the matters of Porte's suspension to be confidential because of University regulations and refused to provide details.
The article said McGonigle then amended his statement to recommend that no increase to the Student Senate activity fee be made.
decrease in campus safety and campus media fees, while also allowing for an increase in the Student Senate activity fee, which would allow salary increases for student senators.
By eliminating the campus media fee, Student Senate would cut funding for The University Daily Kansan, KJHK, Kiosk Magazine and KU Filmworks. These campus media serve as a voice for the student body and provide information crucial for students to make informed decisions. In these economic times, students need even greater access to information in order to be aware of policies that affect their lives.
These events should anger students and bring attention to the power granted to Student Senate.
But, although columnists do not, editors, photographers and designers receive a salary for their work with The Kansan and therefore are employees. Cutting the campus media fee would not only make access to valuable information more difficult for students, but also would likely cut student jobs.
Student Senate claims it is attempting to cut fees that are not directly tied to jobs, according to the Feb. 27 Kansan article.
McGonigle's original recommendation to the Senate executive staff called for senator salary increases at the cost of students' safety and media access. This information should have been made available to students, and I am grateful that it was. The actions of Student Senate should remain transparent for the student body to observe.
Students have a right to know why Porte's suspension occurred and how it will affect the remainder of the academic year. No information regarding Student Senate should ever be confidential, and students have every right to know what Student Senate is doing.
In fact, students should be demanding access to such information.
This snowball of events starting with a memo and ending with a suspension should be a red flag to all students about the power granted to student senators and the standards to which they should be held.
Whether or not you voted in the last election, the time to care is now. When it comes to power, safety and access to information, we, the student body, can no longer afford to be apathetic or ignorant.
Brown is a Wichita sophomore in journalism and political science.
STUDENT LIFE
Search for a roommate takes more planning than you think
The search for a roommate is comparable to finding your soul mate. Either decision should not be made rashly and based only on "Well, she is really nice and we have so much in common."
During my past four years at the University, I've learned the key factors to determining if someone is the right roommate.
Are you on the same page financially? For example, is your roommate an Internet jankie who downloads every YouTube video in existence, causing you to need the most expensive Internet package? Also, if your roommates parents are footing his whole bill, he might not mind leaving the heat at 80 degrees, but every cent you waste on gas comes from your precious paycheck. Figure out an estimated amount you are willing to pay per month. Any additional services or costs are solely up to the individual who wants them.
Think about schedules. Does one of you love getting up at 6 a.m. and blaring rock music while the other doesn't exist before noon? Will one of you have a pet that needs to be let out during the day but you both have class all afternoon? Compromise and set boundaries such as "No practicing piano before 10 a.m., no matter how convinced you are that you're the next Mozart."
Having a similar lifestyle is also important. If one of you wants your crib to be the party pad but the other likes staying
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But having a roommate who is your Mini Me, only taller, can be just as annoying. Even though you know you're the greatest person to get along with, living with someone exactly like you will also drive you nuts. Find a roommate who isn't your clone. You'll learn a lot, and it will keep your relationship interesting. For instance, if you're painfully shy, an outgoing roommate can help you broaden your social horizons and try activities you might normally avoid (such as human interaction).
in watching Discovery Channel re-runs, then you will have problems. And consider if your potential roomie has a significant other who will eventually become an unplanned third roommate, while you become a third wheel.
It's impossible to find a roommate who you will never have problems with. The important thing is to find someone who meets a majority of the above criteria and who is willing to compromise and talk about issues. Communication is what will keep you together, that and a shared love for fried green tomatoes.
Hartz is a Stilwell senior in creative writing.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
KU should cut Russell Athletic's contract after worker rights violations
You might be wondering why you, as a KU student, should care. Here's why: Until its closure, this factory produced clothing bearing our university's name.
Recently, a unionized apparel factory in Honduras called Jerzees de Honduras was shut down by Russell Athletic. Nearly 2,000 workers have been put out of work for nothing more than attempting to improve their working conditions. Since the closure, union leaders have received death threats, and many workers are in danger of being blacklisted (meaning they won't be able to get work at other factories).
Russell's actions are in blatant violation of the University's labor code of conduct. This agreement
The workers at Jerzees de Honduras have been fighting for their rights for several years. After a hard-won battle, Jerzees became one of the only unionized factories in the Russell supply chain. Unfortunately, this victory did not last, and in the middle of negotiations for better wages and working conditions, Russell announced its decision to close the factory. Russell has claimed purely economic reasons for its decision. However, Jerzees was Russell's only unionized factory in Honduras, and the company is not closing any of its non-unionized factories in the country!
requires the company to respect workers' right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, among other things. Allowing Russell to cut and run from Jerzees sends the message that our code of conduct is worthless to the workers who produce KU apparel. Worse, it signals to other companies that the shameless exploitation of workers will be tolerated without penalization.
It's absolutely critical that the University take immediate action to reverse the damage that has been done to workers' rights. In light of Russell's conduct and its history of workers' rights violations, it seems that the necessary course of action is to sever our licensing contract with Russell.
Unfortunately, corporations don't usually alter their behavior out of the goodness of their hearts. As KU students, we cannot allow our administration to stand idly by. We have the power, and the responsibility, to demand that our apparel be produced under conditions that respect human rights.
So far, 21 major universities have cut their contracts with Russell, including Duke, Harvard, Michigan, Penn State, NYU and even UNC. Our administration has chosen to "wait and see" whether Russell will comply with our code of conduct.
Carrie Mendoza is a Hutchinson senior and a member of KU Students Against Sweatshops
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CONTACT US
Brenna Hawley, editor
864-4810 or bhawley@kansan.com
Mary Sorrick, managing editor
864-4810 or msorrick@kansan.com
Tara Smith, manage.g edit.r
864-4810 or tsmith@kansan.com
Kelsey Hayes, kanson.com managing editor
864-4810 or hunxsikasan.com
Katie Blankenau, opinion editor
864-4924 or kblankenau@kansan.com
Dan Thompson, editorial editor
864-4924 or dthompson@kansan.com
Laura Vest, business manager 864-4358 or lvest@kansan.com
Dani Erker, sales manager
864-4477 or derker@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and new adviser
667 or mgibson@kansan.com
Jon Schilt, sales and marketing adviser
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Brenna Hawley, Tara Smith, Mary Sorick, Keiley Hayes and Dan Thompson.