NSAN 2009
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STUDENT SENATE
Coalitions want financial center
BY BRIANNE
PFANNENSTIEL
hof芬恩施tansas.com
Saving money while going to college can be a foreign concept to students, and FAFSA forms might as well be written in a different language. But two coalitions associated with Student Senate hope to bridge the gap between students and financial literacy by creating a financial planning office in the Kansas Union.
United Students and Envision, coalitions participating in the April Student Senate elections, have begun separately planning work on a student financial advising office. Both coalitions said they would like the office to provide students with free advice about applying for loans and personal budgeting, as well as having tax forms and FAFSA applications available.
as personal finance classes and student groups such as the KU Finance Club.
The University already provides many of these resources to students through services such
"If you take the time to search it out, this University really does have the resources to help students," said May Davis, Clay Center junior and United Students vice presidential nominee.
She said the purpose of a financial planning center would be to bring all of these resources together in a central location to make it easier for students to seek out the help they needed.
"I think the whole getting information for FAFSA forms can be kind of a difficult process," Andrew Slater, Overland Park senior, said. "I think that would be the biggest help for students. Even though we have the office of financial aid it would be more beneficial for students."
Each coalition's plan varies slightly. The United Students version would attempt to work with
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LGBT
Panel will address transgender rights
Event meant to 'de-mystify transgender' and raise awareness about gender identity
BY DAVID UGARTE
dugarte@kansan.com
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Four transgender people will share their experiences at a panel discussion Wednesday night. "Tranny Talk," hosted by Queers and Allies, is being held in observance of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's "Transaction Day" this Friday.
The day and the panel are meant to encourage dialogue about gender, gender roles and gender identities to advocate safe, inclusive schools for all students.
"This panel is important to me because I am transgender and have personally felt the effects of transphobia, which I believe is the direct result of ignorance," Henson said. "I think the best way to combat this and help put an end to it is through education and giving people a face and a voice to go along with the term 'transgender.'"
**What:** "Tranny Talk," a transgender speaker panel
**Who:** Hosted by Queers and Allies
Jayne Henson, junior and panelist for the event, said the panel was meant to educate students and community members on the importance of transgender rights and issues.
Jayne Henson lives as a transgender woman who is open about her identity to all of her close friends. "I just accepted the identity when I was a freshman in college," Henson said, "But I've felt this way — transgendered — ever since I can remember." Henson said that although the University's reputation as open and accepting to people of varied sexualities was a plus, she transferred here primarily to pursue a degree in music therapy.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union
Henson said the panel would give audience members the opportunity to hear the stories of transgender people from Kansas and also to have an interactive dialogue with them.
Ryan Campbell, Olathe senior and executive director of Queers and Allies, said gender identity affected everyone and said it was important for individuals to be able to critically consider the expectations of society.
"We hope to de-mystify the word 'transgender' for the audience. Our aim is to educate people who may have had little exposure to the conversation of gender identity," Campbell said.
"There continues to be considerable inequality for the queer community, but the transgender population has it the worst. As
a gay man, I want to see the gap bridged, and opportunities such as this panel are necessary for equality to occur."
Cage Letchworth, Lenexa freshman, said he was speaking at the panel because he believed society didn't accept transgender people.
"I feel extremely fortunate to
have been born into my loving family. Not every tranny out there is being supported the way I have been, so I want to be there for them, because I can't imagine going through this without the people that came before me and sat on panels and offered me their
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