NSAN
009
Opinion
MIYAKAWA:TO STUDY ABROAD BE PREPARED FOR INTERACTION
COMING THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 11,2009
United States First Amendment 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.
United States First Amendment
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C? PER NS, I
Valentine's Day is the dumbest holiday ever!
edPress
Lew Perkins giving a speech on integrity is like Rod Blagojevich giving a speech on responsible governance.
I just passed by this kid on the Wescoe stairs that smelled like he hadn't showered in months. I threw up in my mouth a little.
Hey professors, maybe you should worry a bit more about teaching and a little less about name-dropping your books and trying to make yourself look good. You aren't out to impress anyone.
Spotted: White Owl on the steps of Wescoe.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
Showering at a frat and getting walked in on by all my friends — my second-best blackout story. Get on my
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
To the girl who lost her phone in the Union: Your mom says.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
To the guy sitting next to me in my behavioral sciences class: You're a huge douchebag. How about you get in your Hummer and drive home to Johnson County.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
I wish I could drive a monster truck on campus. Then maybe people would actually look before they cross the street.
PAGE 5A
To the kid in my Italian class with the receding hairline and yellow shoes: Are you gay? If so, can I have your number?
Why do people with receding hair lines try to grow their hair out? WTF? They look like shit.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
I have the Pope and Martin Luther as my two roommates.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
Whatever happened to the Rhombus House?
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
Did anyone else notice that when the camera panned to Missouri's football coach, Pinkel, he was picking his nose?
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
The beer is colder, the girls are prettier, and the tests are harder when the sun is shining.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
I want to start a ska band, and I need a horn section. Any takers?
Free to good home: Geeky boy who likes to cook.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
--support for higher education in the state because of a record budget shortfall, which means the University has been forced to make some difficult decisions about how to cope with the loss of funding. Next fall, students will begin to feel the tangible repercussions of this shortfall, mostly likely through a reduction in the variety of the courses the University offers, and an increase the size of those that remain.
University should inform students on elective cuts
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Kansas Legislature is drastically cutting back its support for higher educa
Danny Anderson, assistant dean of academic affairs, said this will
most likely mean that elective courses will be cut, while core courses — those required for the completion of majors — will be preserved. It is up to the head of each academic department to decide how best to deal with reduced resources, which classes will be cut and which will be ke
The administration must be forthright and transparent about exactly how these budget cuts will affect students — in terms of course selection as well as academic services. Given the circumstances, they have so far taken the right approach — promising to preserve its core academic mission, cutting administrative staff before reducing
the number of lecturers and professors. However, we would like to see the administration make more of an effort to communicate to students exactly what the effects of these cuts will be.
Lynn Britz, director of university communications, said 80 to 85 percent of the budget goes to salaries, and much of the rest pays for essential operating expenses — heating our classrooms, for example. This means the University will have to reduce the number of people it employs.
The University has already cut 11 positions, mostly administrative
KANSAN'S
OPINION
jobs, and declined to fill 110 vacant positions, many of which are academic. Danny Anderson said the University has put
on hold 55 searches for new faculty members, which will have a direct and lasting impact on the quality of education provided. New professors constantly revitalize the University's academics with new ideas and novel perspectives, but as old professors leave it takes time to integrate the new faculty into life at the University. In a sense, this freeze will create a gap that will take years to repair.
With fewer faculty members, many departments will be forced to cut the variety of elective classes
TO ASK THAT
THE UNIVERSITY
PROVIDE BUDGET
CUT INFORMATION
CONTACT:
Provost Richard Lariviere
785-864-4904
provost@ku.edu
offered, and it may mean teaching larger introductory courses with smaller discussion sections, but it is ultimately up the heads of each department to decide how best to utilize their limited resources.
To add to these difficulties, the University is experiencing its second year of record enrollment. More students will be vying for space in fewer classes. More people are applying to graduate school, as well, because of the economic recession.
The University will have to make some tough choices in the coming year, but it must make every effort to keep students well-informed about the painful process by being forthright with information and not speaking in generalities in regards to the cuts.
— Dan Thompson for The Kansan Editorial Board
EDITORIAL CARTOON
NICHOLAS SAMBULAK
ENTERTAINMENT
Twittering stars take fun out of celebrity
Last week, Grammy-winning singer Erykah Badu gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Of course, if you're one of Badu's 4,000 followers on Twitter, you already knew that the moment it happened.
Badu and her boyfriend Twittered the whole thing, from labor to crowning. As a result, Twitter, that perfect marriage of consensual invasion of privacy and short attention spans, has evolved into a broadcast venue for the play-by-play of pivotal and extremely personal moments in the lives of famous people.
One bittersweet aspect of Web 2.0 is that celebrities, what with their MySpaces and WordPress blogs and Twitfers, have less mystique than ever before. Sure, it's cool to be able to read about Kanye West's trip to Paris on his blog or interact with Jim Gaffigan on his Facebook.
But at the same time, much of what made famous people so cool — separation — is now almost completely gone. They talk to us on the same level, like we're equals. They congregate at the same places on the Internet that we do; there's no more VIP section to daydream
Clearly, had Twitter been handed down from heaven along with the Ten Commandments, it would have completely removed the mystery associated with so many celebrities of the past. Who would want to imagine that?
about entering.
Me, that's who. Here are some excerpts I dug up from Twitter accounts gone-by.
mo' money, mozart: putting the final touches on #13... this serenade is gonna rock your shit!
17:87 from web
--honest abe: @SouthCarolina:
don't even THINK about it 18:60
— in Prague... this place is tight!
17:91 from txt
— anybody got a few bucks I could borrow? 17:89 from web
— have you ever gotten a rash that just won't go away? 17:91 from web
--honest abe: @SouthCarolina:
don't even THINK about it 18:60
— glad that war's over, time to take in a play with the wifey 18:65 from web
— brb, emancipatin' the slaves 18:62 from web
— @SouthCarolina: oh it's on 18:60 from web
from web
--neil not louie: earth looks crazy from up here...check out the pix on my Flickr July 18 from space
— killed another one Sep. 8 from web
Jack_the_Ripper: killed one Aug. 31 from web
— killed two more! Sep. 30 from web
— out for tea... Oct. 15 from txt
— aaaand killed another one.
Nov. 9 from web
--neil not louie: earth looks crazy from up here...check out the pix on my Flickr July 18 from space
- @Houston: eagle has landed,
btw July 20 from moon
— one small step for man... one giant leap for mankind July 21 from moon
*a man July 21 from moon
Nichols is an Overland Park sophomore in creative writing.
CAMPUS
Students take part in Honors director search
THIS WEEK'S
SOUNDTRACK OF A LIFE
SONG:
"OURTEAM"
BY THE BEACH BOYS
For three nights last week, I felt as if my opinion mattered. Whether for appearance's sake or actual interest in student opinion, the search committee for the next University Honors Program director held three hour-long interactive sessions that attracted about 10 students each night to discuss thoughts and ideas with the candidates and offer their opinions (via survey) about who should fill the position.
The Honors Program had sent students copies of the candidates' resumes and I remember Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett's had page after page (after page) of experience. Needless to say, McCluskey-Fawcett, professor of clinical child psychology and senior vice provost for academic affairs, had developed a clear vision for the program. She explained her networking capabilities and proposed a peer mentor program inspired by Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
I returned the next night for Jonathan Earle's interview. It's hard not to be a huge fan of the brilliant, highly engaging Earle, professor of history and associate director for programming at the Dole Institute.
In the first five minutes, he covered every point that had been asked or suggested by students the night before while adding some of his own. He wanted to increase collective experiences for honors students via nighttime programming in Nunemaker Hall. He suggested creating single-hour senior tutorials to match those currently required of freshmen and providing more interesting courses that challenge both student and teachers. I was impressed.
Afterward, I stayed and talked with some of my peers, who applauded McAllister's pragmatism and assured that he would listen to student ideas. I wished Earle's emphasis on ideas received more consideration. McCluskey-Fawett also received support, but McAllister appeared to be the presumptive choice of the room. Agreeing with Earle's emphasis on the power of creative thinking, I stuck with him.
The last interview with Steve McAllister, former dean of law and an honors alum, was the most practical. McAllister laid out a three-point plan: 1) raise the program's profile; 2) have a top-to-bottom review, engaging students and faculty to outline a core mission for the future; 3) expand the amount of resources.
The search committee meets today to make a recommendation to Joseph Steinmetz, dean of liberal arts and sciences. Though I have my favorite, I know whoever gets the job (hopefully partly because of our surveys) will help the program.
I can only hope that the University continues to listen to students when making significant decisions, and that students step up when offered the opportunity, so that all can become a part of "our team." Rock Chalk.
Holmes is an Overland Park freshman in political science.
Cigarette sales benefit the University
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
On Monday, I opened the Kansan to see"Union board should force cigarette sales off campus."The reason why the author believes that KU shouldn't sell cigarettes in the union? "The University should not benefit from or support a product that is ultimately a health risk for students."But if you think the University isn't profiting from a health risk already,you are sadly mistaken.
Consider this: I can get high-intensity UV exposure, ranch-drenched, cheddar-filled fried chicken wraps, energy drinks packed with cafeine, taurine, L-cartinine, creatine, and every other "ine" you can think of, and diet sodas packed with artificial sweeteners all in the same building. Yet when a minority of students choose to smoke, they're the ones killing KU? The Hawk Shop also sells condoms. Of course, if you don't want to pay for them, the Union Programs office (funded through Union
money) has condoms sitting out in the lobby for students, free of charge. Why not tell the unions that promiscuous sex is a risk to students? What about diabetes, obesity and skin cancer? If I wanted someone to make my purchasing decisions for me, I would've stayed at home with mom.
Every dollar spent on "dangerous products" at the Hawk Shop goes back into the Union. By buying a pack of cigarettes from the Union and not their off-campus competitors, you're giving money to the Jaybowl, SUA, KJHK and a host of other student organizations on campus. Seeing the huge budget crunches in the Uni Programs office, the unions should be concerned with losing money, not to mention tax revenue for the state.
So light up, eat your fattering wrap, drink your toxic concoctions, and get your daily dose of UV rays — in reality, you're helping everyone at KU.
Brian Gilmore is a sophomore from Topeka.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
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