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University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, March 17, 1992
OPINION
KU is an ideal recycling lab
Asa large institution, the University of Kansas has a significant effect on the planet. Many of KU's environmental effects occur at an operational level, but individuals within the University community have an effect as well.
Wishbone of Contention
Although individual effects may seem rather minute, when they are multiplied by the thousands of individuals who utilize the campus every day, the impact is extensive. Every year at KU, we consume more than 200 million gallons of water; we create more than 3.6 million pounds of trash; we use more than 1 million pounds of paper; we use more than 83 million kilowatt-hours of electricity; we buy more than 1.4 million aluminum cups on campus.
Fortunately, universities are ideal laboratories for solving environmental problems. Learning to manage our universities in a manner that jives with the surrounding ecological systems on which we depend is a way to develop an understanding of how to live in an ecologically sustainable manner.
The University has acknowledged the importance of addressing environmental issues as a whole institution while working within the constraints of its necessary operations. KU created the environmental ombudsman's office in the fall of 1990 to try to assess and reduce the environmental effects of the campus. The office works together with various campus units to develop comprehensive reductions in the environmental effects that are created by the University.
Kris
Gottschalk
Guest
columnist
Changing the way the University operates without interfering with its mission as an educational and operational institution involves many challenges. But by working in coordination with campus operational units and the individuals that compose the Univer-
city community, KU can be a positive force for environmental change.
Facilities Operations recycles and reuses chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, from the freen in campus air-conditioning units, refrigerators and car air conditioners. CFCs are responsible for devouring the ozone layer that protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Facilities Operations has recovered more than one-third of the freen it used to purchase, and it is now capable of recovering 90 percent of the CFCs they formerly released into the atmosphere.
The University is in the process of converting to energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs in campus hallways and stairwalls, as well as analyzing lighting use in several campus buildings. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than conventional light bulbs. One compact fluorescent bulb also can save one barrel of oil and one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
Several residence and scholarship halls at KU have installed water-saving, low-flow shower heads. These shower heads can save up to 75 percent of the water use of a regular shower head but deliver just as much pressure because of their superior design. Individuals can purchase low-flow locally at a relatively low cost and save money on their water bills as well.
The University is working to develop incentives for purchasing
recycled products. Buying recycled products is at least as important as recycling. Without a demand for recycled products, there is no use for collected recyclables. As a result, the collection process is being threatened. However, as a large campus community with enormous purchasing power, we can help boost the demand for recycled products if we use them.
The University has ongoing aluminum, newspaper and office paper collection programs. Although recycling is steadily increasing on campus, most of these reusable resources are still being thrown into the garbage. Individually, we need to be responsible for the resources we use. Although reducing the use of material items is the best way to deal with waste, recycling is the obvious way to deal with used and reusable materials.
Is my opinion that as a community and as an institution of learning, we must confront the challenge of potential long-term environmental collapse. However, living well with the environment is not about compromising our lifestyles, it is about improving them. And when we shape our values and our institutions, we also influence the shape of our environment.
As a university community, we need to assume environmental responsibility. And finally, we need to ask ourselves continually whether our experience at KU is contributing to the development of sustainable and ecologically sensible lifestyles or to the irrational process of ecological vandalism.
Kris Gottschalk is a Denver, Colo., senior and environmental program coordinator in the environmental umbudsman's office.
THE UNIVERSITYDAILY KANSAN
Term limits benefit legislators
Abuse of power could be reduced if Congress implements self-help with term limitations
A recent decision by the Supreme Court not to hear a challenge to California's law limiting the number of terms that its state legislators may serve could become a landmark in U.S. politics.
Currently three states — California, Oklahoma and Colorado — have laws limiting the number of terms state legislators may serve, and nine states will have term-limit proposals on the ballot in November. The court's action can only accelerate the implementation of term limits in states, which we endorse. In fact, limits should apply to federal legislators as well.
Members of the California legislature who challenged the law argued that it infringed on the right of incumbents to run for office and the right of the citizens to vote for the candidate of their choice. In rejecting the challenge, the California Supreme Court noted that the interests favoring term limits outweighed any rights that would be infringed on.
While in theory anyone should be able to seek office as often as desired, in practice the single greatest factor in determining who will
become elected is incumbency.
In a democracy, everyone should have an equal chance to serve as an elected official; currently, this is the case. Franking privileges, the favors that a legislator can bestow upon constituents, and the far greater amount of funds a legislator can raise give the incumbent an unfair advantage over an opponent, to the point where a senator or representative can be virtually undefeatable. No matter what one thinks of Bob Dole, for instance, it cannot be denied that the resources he commands would make him impossible to defeat.
Career politicians have little accountability to the public and, as witnessed by the recent savings and loan and check kiting scandals, often amass more personal power and influence than is good for the nation.
Congress has set precedent for other laws that will automatically do what its members are unwilling to do, such as the balanced budget act.
Like the addict who pleads for someone to stop him before he takes another hit, Congress needs help. Term limits can supply that help.
Mark Coatney for the editorial board
Voting rights need exercising
With the state presidential primary just around the corner, students must register to vote
It's time to register to vote. Kansas is holding its presidential preference primary April 7, but voters must be registered by March 23.
Registering to vote in Lawrence is easy.
You can register Wednesday on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kansas and Burge Unions and at Wescow Hall.
You can also register at the Douglas County clerk's office, 11th and Massachusetts streets; the Lawrence city clerk's office, Sixth and Massachusetts streets; and Independence Inc., 1910 Haskell St.
Another drive will be held on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Roger's Food Center, 608 N. Second St. On Saturday, voters can register from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Roger's and at Wal-Mart.
nere will also be registration drives in Lawrence. The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County will sponsor one drive from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Dillons at 1740 Massachusetts St. and 3000 W. Sixth St., and also at Wal-Mart, 2727 Iowa St.
People also can register by mail by sending a written request to the county clerk's office. Requests must be in the office by Wednesday.
Requests must be made Wednesday.
To register to vote you must have lived in Kansas and in the same township or precinct for at least 14 days, and you must be at least 18 years old. If you want to change your party affiliation, you must do so by the March 23 deadline.
The state of Kansas will spend approximately $1.5 million to conduct this primary. Voters should take advantage of the opportunity the primary affords them, get registered and vote.
Julie Wasson for the editorial board
Leftie desks are right
There seems to be an interest group for everything on this campus. This is only right, for everyone deserves a voice. I only want a desk. I am left-handed. Approximately 16 percent of the population is left-handed. I think lefties deserve special desks in every classroom. It is much easier to take notes and write with a proper desk, and it is also better for one's posture and health. So please, plan for the left out!
Peter Shemitz
Graduate teaching assistant
Response full of holes
Paul Clark's recent response in the Kansan to my letter concerning abortion is, to say the least, troublesome. His thesis is that the unborn also have rights: "I merely wish to protect the rights of the unborn person who is being sacrificed for whatever reason may exist." On
First, can victims of inescent or rape be dismissed as a "whatever reason?" Should the 14-year-old Irish girl who was recently raped be forced to carry her child to full term? If so, as one Irish protester pointed out, it gives men the ability to procreate whenever they want to. (They might have to spend a few years in jail-unless they belong to the Kennedy family—but so what?)
at least three levels, his statement is problematic.
Lettersto the editor
Second, Mr. Clark's definition of a fetus as an unborn person isn't necessarily my definition. Does he have the right to force his definition upon me? As far as I know, his definition is as subjective as mine. (Is there any medical proof that a fetus is a person?) Why should his be law, and not mine?
Third, Mr. Clark falls into the implicit pro-life argument equating abortion with a lack of feeling for the fetus. For most women, the decision to have an abortion is a very difficult one.
Natian Olson Chicago graduate student
Mr. Clark does not see the decision; he sees only the result. And it is a result with which he does not agree. But who gives him the right to more of a choice than the pregnant woman? Who, essentially, is most able to make a decision about the life or nonlife of a fetus? Mr. Clark? Randall Terry? Or the pregnant woman?
Finally, in response to Mr. Clark's assertion that we don't live in a free country, I must agree. There are many restrictions placed on our lives. But that doesn't mean that the added restriction of abortion is right, does it?
Pro-choice arguments
In response to Daniel McFarren's March 3 response to Stephen Martino's Feb. 26 editorial I have several comments to make. First and foremost is the concern of an abortion being a right or not. Has anyone read the Constitution
lately? The Ninth Amendment states that powers not prohibited by the government are reserved for the people. This, in a nutshell, is the theory of natural rights.
As for adoption, there are thousands and thousands of children and teens waiting to be adopted and loved. Because they are not cute and cuddly, don't do coo and spit up, they are passed over as undesirable. Is it fair to make these kids feel unwanted? Do you want to inflict that kind of pain on yet another life? Do you want to be responsible for the pain and suffering of those individuals here and now?
lue roe. Wade being based on a lie presents a problem, back up to the precedents of that case. Poe. vs. Ullman, 1961, was not a lie and dealt with the same issues. Both cases brought to the U.S. doorstep something to think about. Does a woman have the right to choose her own destiny or should she have it dictated to her as if she were livestock? Whether to have a baby is a personal decision to be made by only one person. The Supreme Court upholds this belief and has linked it to the Constitution through the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and 14th amendments.
Lastly, the statement of removing "the stigma of unwed pregnancy or disabilities, (and) we will not have women seeking illegal or unsafe abortions" is ludicrous. Welcome to the '90s. Women are not seeking approval for their actions and certainly don't have to be married to have a child.
Yes, every child has a right to a life. More focus needs to be paid to those children we have, not the ones that might come along. If great attention were given to these children screaming for love and a family, they could be the next scientists, doctors, politicians and others. Instead they are swept under the rug and forgotten. To me, this is more cruel and inhumane than any abortion ever could.
Lawrence freshman
KANSAN STAFF
TIFFANYHARNESS Editor
VANESSA FUHRMANS Managing editor
TOMEBLEN
TOMEBLEN General manager, news adviser
Editors
Editors
News ... Mike Andrews
Editorial ... Beth Randolph
Campaign ... Lara Gold
Sports ... Eric Goraki/Rochelle Oleson
Photo ... Julie Jacobson
Features ... Debbie Myers
Graphics ... Almee Brainard/Joe Meesey
JENNIFER CLAXTON Business manager
JAY STEINER Retail sales manager
BUSINESS SHIFT
Campus sales mgr ... Eileen bengoond
Regional sales mgr ... Rich Harbarger
National sales mgr ... Scott Hanna
Co-op sales mgr ... Ame Johnson
Production mgrs ... Kim Wallace
Marketing director ... Lisa Keeler
Marketing leader ... Kim Claxton
Creative director ... Leanne Kinnabar
Classified mgrs ... Klip Chin
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
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Loco Locals
by Tom Michaud