Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ED BOARD: STUDENTS NEED INFO ON ELECTIVE CUTS
COMING WEDNESDAY
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.
WWW.KANSAN.COM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009
FREE FOR ALL
To contribute to Free for All, visit Kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
Is Weston single?
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
This is the second time I've called in to complain about SafeRide. It sucks; it should never be used again by any college student.
To the guy in my TH&F 684 class that always sits in the back: You're cute but you'll probably never know who
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
I hate my roommate's friends. They are loud, annoying, and can't take a hint to get out.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
Glad that the officials are allowed to decide the end of the Super Bowl. Lame end to a great game.
To the girl in front of Budig who smelled unbelievably heavenly: I totally would have hit on you if I was straight.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
I can't believe I didn't switch to Gmail earlier.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
Why the hell would I want to know 25 things about you?
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
My friend slipped on beer Saturday night and she was sohed
The lights in Mac 9 bathroom went out. Now I can't shower. "Cry."
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
Hey, Free for All. I've been in England for two months and have five more months to go, and I can't go a day without you. Damn my addiction to you! Oh, and I wanted to say "Ello, mate!" to all my friends at good ol' KU. ROCK CHALK!
I am male, straight, and enjoy Katy Perry. So sue me.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
PAGE 9A
My French teacher is unbelievably gorgeous!
I saw a guy in a Steelers jersey get pooped on by a cardinal this morning: KARMA!
Would love to randomly bump into you on campus today
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
I just realized that the suggested friends on Facebook are all people that they suggest me to as a friend and none of them like me.
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
I forgot to ask you your name.
Smile at me like that again. I
promise I'll ask you!
Who the monkey is Weston?
--before the 100 percent refund period ends.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Longer refund period needed
The University should allot more time for students to receive a 100 percent refund on their tuition when dropping a course at the beginning of a new semester. Currently, a 90 percent refund policy begins the first day of class, so a student loses the opportunity for a refund on a class before even attending.
Therefore, if you go to class on the first day and the syllabus outlines a work load you can't handle, your TA doesn't speak English, you decide to be an engineer instead of a creative writer, you discover learning Mandarin Chinese isn't for you, or any of the other valid reasons one could have for dropping a course, you are losing 10 percent of what you paid. Essentially students are losing money for showing up for a syllabus and plagiarism/attendance talk. The University rationalizes this policy as one that ultimately benefits students.
"It is the University's responsibility to manage its academic resources so that they benefit the largest number of students," said Jill Jess Associate Director of News and Media Relations. "When a student does not intend to attend or complete a class but remains enrolled after the semester begins, he or she may deprive another student of a place in that class. The refund policy helps remind students of the importance of finalizing their plans for the semester in a timely manner."
But having the 100 percent refund extend into the first week of the semester is not going to prevent a student from enroll
Photo illustration by Ryan Waqqoner/KANSAN
The University wants students to make the best decisions possible, but they are not giving students the proper resources to do so. Students are responsible enough to "finalize plans in a timely manner" and be refunded the money they deserve.
ing in a class they really want to take, even if the class doesn't have an open spot until after school starts exploration. In addition to this, students do not have a clear understanding of class expectations until actually going to class. If the policy is going to remain as it is, syllabi need to be available
The University receives its largest portion of money directly from students paying tuition, and should be treating
students accordingly.
This is the only Board of Regents-accredited university in Kansas that doesn't allow at least some class time before offering less than a full refund, and the policy has been like this for at least a decade. It is time for a review of this policy, which is
If you want the University to extend the period it offers full refunds for classes, contact the Registrar's office at (785) 864-4423.
inconsistent with students' needs, and with other schools' standards. Kansas State University allows 14 days of class before the 100 percent refund period ends. Emporia State's 100 percent refund extends for 15 days, and Wichita State allows five days.
If the University wants to continue being a forerunner in Kansas this money hoarding policy needs to be adjusted to better serve students.
— Caitlin Thornbrugh for The Kansan Editorial Board
STUDENT LIFE
Step out of box a leap into something new
Some people are simply gifted. Things just come naturally to them. The rest of us have to work as hard as we can to keep up. But that's exactly what we need to do. When I first applied to write for The Kansan, I knew I would have to renew my commitment to writing. The people on staff were obviously more gifted than I, so I would have to work twice as hard to be as good as them. And anyone who knows me knows this would not be so easy.
People who simply have natural talent often discourage me. I read their work — the Rick Reillys, the Mitch Albams — and think I could never be that good. But that's wrong. When someone does something better than us, their accomplishments should inspire us to strive to be better, to try harder, to not settle for being just another person who shrugs his shoulders before giving up. Whether in your field of study, in pick up games at the rec center, hell, even in beer pong, you should want to be the best or better than you ever thought possible. (Maybe beer pong is a stretch, but you gotta begin somewhere.)
Then I came to the University. I thought I was the best writer on staff when I was in Garden City. But I used to read The
I began as a writer on my community college newspaper, a biweekly publication with very few staff members. I became editor-in-chief in addition to writing sports, news and commentary about anything that struck me. Ideas weren't hard to come by for these commentaries. I simply sat down and wrote about the first thing that came to mind. I thought it was that easy. And it was.
KANSAS
Kansan regularly and was in awe of what the stuff writers would think of. I marveled at the way everything was put together. I never thought I would have the opportunity to be a part of a publication like that.
Now here I sit, writing my first column for The Kansan. Anticipations and expectations run wild through my head. I know good columnists write for a purpose. They write with their audience in mind, hoping their message will affect someone in some way. I realize my audience members probably won't change their lives in response to the words that appear under my name. I can promise, however, that every time I write, I believe I'm working toward communicating something greater than myself. I write with the intent that I might be able to make a difference. And as someone who comes from a small town in New Mexico, writing for The Kansan is what I am doing to get out of my comfort zone and move toward being the best writer I can be.
I realize it can be daunting when you see someone better than you think you ever can be; however, don't look at his or her talent as a threat, but as an opportunity. An opportunity to work harder and better yourself, because you never know when you'll be the person others are looking to for inspiration.
Lucero is a Farmington, N.M., junior in journalism.
FROSH THINKING
Guantanamo prisoners should make move to Ft. Leavenworth
The terrorists are coming! Well, actually they're terror suspects. I mean, technically, we call them enemy combatants. But let's not get lost in hugely important distinctions.
These people could be coming to Kansas.
In his second full day in office President Obama signed an executive order beginning the process of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. It is likely that some or all of the inmates will be brought onto American soil.
Enter Leavenworth.
The fort houses the United States Disciplinary Barracks, and according to the Leavenworth Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site, it is the only long-term prison in the Department of Defense. Commentators have cited Fort Leavenworth as a possible location to hold current Guantanamo inmates.
According to the Leavenworth Times, although many local officials have come out against the possibility, opposition is not universal.
Kansas politicians do not agree. Most politicians are working vigorously to find any and every possible argument against such a move.
Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, in an opinion piece on CNN.com, argued that relocating inmates to Leavenworth would be a mistake. He noted that as the prison is rated as medium-security, civilian housing is only feet away from the existing facility.
MARIAM SAIFAN
Although the logistical challenges of housing the prisoners would be real, stopping such a plan because of those challenges would be an opportunity lost. Kansas might be seen as a more progressive state for making a necessary sacrifice to guarantee American safety.
That was the mood I received when I approached a group of college students at the Harbor Lights Coffeehouse in Leavenworth.
Jeni Schneider, Leavenworth junior at the University of St. Mary, works at the Command and General Staff College, located in Fort Leavenworth. She said she had no problem with the possibility.
Laurie Haney, also a junior at the University of St. Mary, was unmoved by the prospect of detainees coming to Leavenworth. Haney said that those at Leavenworth were used to lots of prisoners.
"They already have very good security," Schneider said. "I never feel insecure at Fort Leavenworth. I feel safer at Fort Leavenworth than in Leavenworth."
Housing the prisoners in Kansas could make a positive difference. The extra resources needed would undoubtedly create jobs, both directly and indirectly related to housing the prisoners.
But despite of the issues to be addressed before Kansas could undertake such an operation, there is still the thorny fact that the detainees have to go somewhere. I've always viewed Kansas as a state that welcomes challenges. The default view of our politicians should be to ask how we can meet this challenge, not how we can avoid it. If not, we might end up forfeiting an opportunity.
Shorman is a McPherson freshman in journalism.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
THE CONTEXT
THE CONTEXT Places earned by two journalism students in the in-depth category of the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Matt Erickson placed first and Megan Hirt placed second.
Last week's items you might have missed. Check out Kansan.com Roundup for full stories.
THE CONTEXT
The number of men arrested in connection with the robbery of four KU students. The students were robbed at gunpoint last week at the Burger King drive-thru on West Sixth Street.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The number of days for which KU law professor Robert L. Glicksman's providing advice for President Obama in the paper he co-edited called "Protecting Public Health and the Environment by the Stroke of a Pen: Seven Executive Orders for the President's First 100 Days".
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Brenna Hawley, Tara Smith, Mary Sorrick, Kelsey Hayes and Ross Stewart.