Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONTEMAYOR:MTV'S STAR HAS ALREADY FADED
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
COMING TUESDAY
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FREE FOR ALL
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
MU fans are the devil!
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
Ugh, I'm so ready for a boyfriend. Come find me!
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
If challenge had a taste, you'd be quite delicious.
I just woke up after skipping a day's worth of classes.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
Is it weird that one of my goals in life is to solve a Rubik's
We're walking behind Cole Aldrich, and we're pretty sure he's a robot
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
I just bought a Snuggie and a 42-pack of overnight pads.19 going on 85.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
Is it weird that I get turned on when girls fart?
To the ladybugs who watched me have sex: Yeah, you're welcome!
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
Do not sit with your legs out in front of you on the floor when the hallway is only 6 feet wide.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
To whomever offered me a dancing Uncle Sam instead of a Statue of Liberty: Sold. And I like the way you think. We should be friends.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
I just saw a girl wearing really furry boot that look like puppies
I'm pretty sure I just saw a guy wearing a Snuggie and gliding on Heelvs across 23rd Street.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
I just turned an Asian guy French.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
Today my mom told me not to fall in love
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
It smells like ass in here. Ew!
Is it wrong I use my roommate's beard trimmer to make my pubes look nice?
I'm sick of seeing the Johnson County kids drive their fathers' Beemers really fast on a straightaway because they're too lazy to scrape off their cars when it snows.
I just sucked some helium and said something ridiculous. I might regret this in the morning.
--there were still finals on Saturdays, which was as recently as 2000," sad Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of the University Calendar Committee. "Since now there is the two-day weekend, Stop Day is not as necessary ... We're trying to adjust the calendar to be more pedagogically sound."
EDITORIAL BOARD
Cutting Stop Day acceptable only if dead week enforced
The Senate Executive Committee is currently considering a reduction in the number of class days in the academic calendar from 150 to 148, a change that would eliminate Stop Day. Such a change is acceptable only if the University also implements a dead week — a moratorium on major tests during the final week of classes — that would ensure that students had adequate time to study.
The details of such a policy have not been finalized, but it would mean no substantial exams could be given that week, and any papers and projects due would have to be assigned well in advance. Students would have an entire week to prepare for final exams, rather than the 24-hour respite provided by Stop Day.
PUTTING A STOP TO STOP DAY
The revised calendar woo also allow more time for summer and winter break internships, and study abroad programs.
"Stop Day is kind of an old phenomenon they developed when
At a meeting last Thursday, University Senate discussed the possible changes to the academic calendar.
PROPOSED FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES
Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.
Sun. Mon.
FIRST DAY OF
CLASS Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.
PROPOSED LAST WEEK OF CLASSES
Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Apr.
CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS LAST DAY OF CLASS
University Senate president Marianne Berry said Senate had tabled the discussion to gather more data about the consequences of such a change.
KANSAN'S
OPINION
University Senate did propose
moving Fall Break to a Monday and Tuesday in October during the 2012-2013 academic year, a change that is pending approval from the University Administration and the Board of Regents.
The University currently allows examinations to be given during the last week of classes, as well as a corresponding final examination, but many comparable schools have instituted rules that give students a breather before final week.
PAGE 7A
The University of Colorado at Boulder and Kansas State University both have dead weeks.
TO WEIGH IN
ON THE CALENDAR
CHANGES:
E-mail Barbara Phipps, chairwoman of KU's Calendar Committee, at phipps@ku.edu.
The Calendar Committee is working to benefit students by adapting new policies that give the students the best possible learning environment.
University Senate, the Board of Regents and the student body should recognize the practicality and advantage of the proposed schedule change.
— Caitlin Thornbrugh for The Kansan Editorial Board
EDITORIAL CARTOON
AT KU, MODEL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY ARE MADE:
JOE SCHMO:
STUDENT DEBT =
$ 27 THOUSAND
UNCLE SAM:
NATIONAL DEBT =
$10.8 TRILLION
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
JAMES FARMER
The minimum age for rental prop
erties that would have had to be
inspected once every three years
under a proposed rental registration
expansion program. The city commission voted to defer
the program because of budget issues.
Last week's items you might have missed. Check out Kansan.com Roundup for full stories
THE CONTEXT
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
The types of campus fees. Student Senate is working to avoid increasing student fees while still providing the same services at places such as Watkins Memorial Health Center and the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center.
THE CONTEXT
THE CONTEXT
The price of the jaywalking fine Zach Kastens received while in the University of Kansas Hospital's emergency room Wednesday. Kastens, Atwood Junior, was hit by a car while crossing the street near University and Crestline. Kastens was life-flighted to the hospital and released Friday with two fractured ribs.
THE CONTEXT
Former All-American Kirk Hinrich's jersey number at Kansas. His number was placed in the rafters during Sunday's game. Hinrich now plays for the Chicago Bulls.
ECONOMICS
Socializing the Phog would be free but fatal
There is a problem in the state of Kansas. The point-based Williams Fund has raised the cost of going to games so much that many KU fans are forced to go without access to KU basketball games. It seems that competition in the private market for tickets has not provided for KU fans, and we can do better. What if we socialized KU basketball games and let everyone go for free?
As great as socialized basketball games sounds, we would inevitably be reminded that "there's no such thing as a free lunch." It is easy to blame a high price on exploitative capitalism or administrative inefficiencies, but it really comes down to Econ 104 — supply and demand. Even if we socialized basketball games, the big S&D would still be at work, but demand would no longer be restrained by price. With so many KU fans worldwide, the limited seating at the Phog wouldn't provide for the unrestrained demand. We would be forced to regulate attendance, probably by a simple system like taking the third letter in a person's middle name, converting it to a number, squaring that number, adding 5, subtracting 2, dividing by 9, converting that number to a color, assigning each game a specific color, and allowing fans to go to the game to which their color is assigned.
Thousands of fans would come to games only to be turned down because Cerulean Blue is not the same as Cobalt. Others would miss out because the Venetian Red game came on their mom's 50th. Some fans might become so distraught with the system that they would give up.
Much would be lost by replac
ing choice with regulations. If we did away with the complex regulations, market forces would still determine who's in and who's then out, but demand would be a function of spare time. The people who could camp out the longest would get in. The long waiting lists would anger fans so much they'd switch their allegiance to K-State.
Fortunately, the KU Athletics Corporation understands the benefits of market-determined prices. As demand increases, the corporation profits and is able to invest in producing a better product. Its profit-seeking has led to a very fine product in recent years, which means more TV time and bigger stadiums and thus more supply for fans to enjoy.
It may seem difficult to leave such an important industry to market forces, but no other system has maximized social welfare greater than the free market.
We are left with a choice between allowing demand to be restrained by time or money or by complex regulations that restrict freedom to choose. In the health care industry there is much more to lose than a fan to K-State. Until we can make health care an infinite resource, it will be rationed by some system. Wouldn't we rather it were through price than regulation?
Davidson is a Tonganoxie senior in economics.
FROM WISCONSIN
The Daily Cardinal
JOE KOSS
President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus bill into law on Feb. 17.
Included in the bill is almost $115 billion in emergency aid for public schools and universities.
Education boost admirable
Higher education isn't any better: Last year the average net cost of a four-year public degree was about 25 percent of an annual income for a middle-class family.
There are some stark facts that support a need for emergency aid: This generation of high school students is the first that will be less likely to graduate high school than their parents. In 17 of our largest school districts, less than half the students graduate.
The Obama administration gave this country something it needed: money for our future generations. It gives $13 billion for public schools in low-income areas or that serve poor children, about $32 billion to increase the size of Pell grants and a tax credit for families with children in college, $12 billion for special education and $5 billion for early
childhood education programs.
Throwing money at problems does not fix them — that is clear. Much needs to be done to address all the issues that plague our schools. But this bill is help right here, right now. It starts the conversation about how best to spend the money and how best to reform our educational system.
President Obama, in his first address to Congress, said,
"Someday ... our children can tell their children that this was the time when we performed — in the words that are carved into this very chamber — 'something worthy to be remembered'"
His words reminded me of a Native American saying I recently read — that our work is about the "long run." for the "adequate and full protection, health and balance of our young people seven generations from now".
Nothing will fulfill this wise saying better than beginning this needed reinvestment, a reinvestment of our minds, our sweat, our ingenuity and our money in our greatest asset: our free public schools.
— UWire
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Brenna Hawley, Tara Smith, Mary Somick, Kesay Heyes and Dan Thompson.
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