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University Daily Kansan/ Thursday, January 23, 1992
OPINION
Hoch's future looks grim
Last spring, when the Kansas Jayhawks were marching toward the Final Four, it seemed that Gov. Joan Finney could not get enough of the University of Kansas.
There were pictures of Finney at KU rallies, Finney with Coach Williams, Finney with players. People were puzzled by the governor's sudden interest in KU.
Nearly a year has passed. The photo opportunities are gone, and Finney has taken little action to back up her support for higher education.
Last week, Finney did recommend increasing the University's 1993 budget by $12 million, but students will pay the price through higher tuition. In fact, Finney rejected or modified most of the Board of Regents proposals, most notably the exclusion of funds for rebuilding Hoch Auditorium.
When fire gutted the 64-year-old building June 15, the University saw 7 percent of its classroom space and a great deal of its history go up in smoke. Finney has avoided financing reconstruction of the building by slipping the deal through the loophole provided by the state's self-insurance policy. In this case, self-insurance has equalled no insurance, and the structure remains an eyesore on Jayhawk Boulevard. It would be interesting to see whether the state would appropriate funds if lightning had struck the governor's mansion.
It is still possible that the Legislature will try to add funds for Hoch to the budget, but it is questionable how successful such an attempt would be without the governor's support.
David Mitchell Staff columnist
This year, KU once again was honored as one of the country's most beautiful campuses. However, it is doubtful whether KU can maintain that tradition with the remains of one of its most historic buildings littering the boulevard. Because miles of red tape and an inept government make a simple solution unlikely, I recommend the following alternate uses for the historic structure.
Hoch Amphitheater
With the Lied Center not scheduled to open before 1993, Hoch could be of use to the music and theatre departments. What could be more romantic than Shakespeare under the stars? Hoch, with its open-air feel, would be perfect for a Midsummer Night's Dream. Sure, it might rain, but lightning hitting the roof would never be a concern.
Historic Hoch Ruins
People travel from around the globe to see the ruins of ancient Rome. Why not open Hoch up and charge admission? Selling the bricks around the structure would clean up the area and raise a substantial amount of money,
perhaps enough to set up a scholarship for half-witted columnists, or even to finance reconstruction of gutted buildings.
The bricks would sell. Some people will buy anything, especially if it's trendy. Hoch is a piece of our history. Who among us has not spent agonizing hours in Hoch during finals? Who has not stood in line there during the treacherous fee-payment process of vesterevear?
The memories we have of Hoch are not all pleasant, but people cling to the past, no matter how bizarre or painful.
When Kansas State University installed new artificial turf last year, they chopped up the old rug and sold the pieces to Wildcat football fans, and bought the same-football ball can be marketed. Hoch bricks should be worth a gold mine.
And if for some reason you were dissatisfied with your brick and could not find a fun use for it, you could take it to Topeka and throw it through your (state-owned and self-insured) window of choice.
Hoch Haunted House
Sure, Halloween is a long time away,
but unfortunately Finney will still be
governor. Besides, what would makea
better haunted house than a rickety,
old, uninsured fire trap?
The only thought that scares me more is Finney winning a second term.
David Mitchell is a DeSoto seniorjournalism in journalism.
Lettersto the editor
KU fans are abusive
As a recent graduate of the School of Journalism, I take pride in calling myself a Jayhawk, and I am proud to be associated with the University of Kansas. However, after speaking with a personal and business associate who graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, I am numbered with embarrassment.
Like other alumni who outwardly show allegiance to their alma mater, my associate has personalized license plates which boast "MU." Earlier this week, presumably following Monday's basketball game, someone sra-paymed "KU" on top of the origi-
inscription and left a note on his windshield that read, "This is Jayawk Country—Get Out!"
I also consider myself a devoted follower of the sports programs at the University, and I appreciate the healthy rivalry between Kansas and Missouri. But deliberate vandalism and harassment are nothing short of inexcusable. Spray-painting someone's car is not a show of fan support. It is a show of immaturity and irresponsibility.
I certainly hope this act of vandalism proves to be a one-time occurrence and that other KU sports fans are a little more responsible. I don't
ever want to have to bury my pride like I did this week.
Dave Loewenstein, Evanston, Ill. graduate student.
I find it sobering to realize how easily we have justified the massacre of more than 100,000 people. Imagine an Iraqi war memorial with all of the names carved into stone, each one put there by a bullet or bomb that we - you and I - paid for.
Frank Bustamane, Kansas City, Kan., December 1991 graduate.
U.S. guilty of killings
THEUNIVERSITYDAILY KANSAN
GTAs may receive fee waiver
But KU should guard against the temptation to hire more GTAs and less top faculty.
G graduate teaching assistants at KU finally may get what many have argued is long due them. Gov. Jean
agued is long due them. Gov. Joan Finney has proposed a 100 percent fee waiver for GTAs.
The proposal, which is waiting consideration by the House Appropriations Committee, could help the University become more competitive in attracting top graduate students.
KU's current policy provides GTAs a 75 percent tuition and fee waiver, along with a salary.
GTAs provide a cost-efficient way for the University to be able to offer more classes and more class sections. Because their salary is a fraction of that earned by associate professors and professors, it is more economical for the University to hire GTAs.
Many universities in the U.S. offer a 100 percent fee waiver, and some offer other benefits, including subsidized health and dental insurance. A 100 percent fee waiver would improve the University's ability to compete for top graduate students.
One obstacle KU has faced in achieving this goal for its GTAs is that it is essentially the only Regents school that has actively campaigned for such a change, thus the issue has not been a high priority with the Regents.
Although it would certainly be beneficial to KU to be able to attract top graduate students, and the economic benefits of hiring GTAs cannot be overlooked, the University should guard against a policy of replacing full-time faculty with GTAs. If the goal of attracting top GTAs is to improve the quality of the University, recognizing the need to limit their number in favor of full-time faculty is vital.
Gov. Finney's fee waiver proposal is, however, a much-needed positive step and should be approved.
Julie Wasson for the editorial board
Kickapoo casino beneficial
Gambling would provide the tribe with needed revenue and a higher standard of living
The debate about whether the Kickapoo should be allowed to operate a casino on their reservation took a new twist when Gov. Joan Finney signed a tribunal-state contract authorizing the operation of the casino.
if authorizing the operation of the casino. Some lawmakers are questioning whether Finney actually had the authority to do that. A final decision about the casino is expected during the 1992 legislative session.
Regardless of who is supposed to make the decision, that person should make it soon and authorize the operation of casino. The casino could have drawbacks, but the benefits would outweigh them by far.
The casino would be a way for the Kickapoo to reduce poverty on the reservation and raise their standard of living. This should be encouraged rather than delayed in a long legislative process.
The casino would provide a needed source of revenue and employment for the Kickapoo. This would be a tremendous help for the tribe, which has an unemployment rate higher than the national average.
But the benefits would not be limited to those directly involved with the casino. A tribal council member said that revenue from the casino would be used for social improvements such as education and food programs as well as a new dental clinic on the reservation.
But the disadvantages also must be considered. So one people are concerned that the casino might lead to problems such as prostitution, compulsive gambling and fighting. These are all possible.
Steps should be taken in advance to guard against such problems.
The police on the reservation could consult other police departments that have gambling in their areas to get help for detecting possible problems before they develop. The Kickapoo also should ask other casino owners to help them prepare for operation of a profitable business.
It is usual for any business to have some drawbacks. A casino is no exception. But when advantages such as the need for revenue and jobs are so great, the casino should be approved as soon as possible and not become the victim of legislative red tape.
Amy Francis for the editorial board
Success of gulf war clouds elusive dreams of peace
The anniversary of Desert Storm is over, but the problems are not. People are still debating whether the United States should have used military force against Iraq and whether some of the stories that prompted U.S. involvement were even true. That, as the saying goes, is old news. What we need to do now is focus on the present and the future.
It is good to look at the past, but only if people learn from it. So much time was spent looking at the short duration of history, and we have important points were overlooked.
Amy Francis Staff columnist
No one has discussed ways to avoid such a situation in the future. I know that I may sound like a dreamer, but I think there is no such thing as victory in war. All sides lose. We lost valuable lives, money and time. It also drove a wedge between those in favor of and those against the war.
During the past week, no one has said that we should now work to make the Middle East a more peaceful place or that steps should be taken to make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen again. Some are even talking about how to stop the fighting and to fight the fighting again and to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
Many things are being done in the world today to bring about peace, such as the Middle East peace talks, but more needs to be done. World peace is not something that is going to happen
Wars need to be remembered. The people involved need to be remembered, especially the ones who did not return.
But when a war is remembered we need to remember it for what it really was. In wars, people are killed and areas destroyed. Maybe if we remember that, we will work to keep it from happening again.
KANSANSTAFF
If the world wants to fight wars, that is fine by me. But why not spend the time, money and energy on the wars against drugs, poverty, disease and ignorance? All of those wars could only have winners.
Peace.
TIFFANYHARNESS
Editor
Amy Francis is a Kansas City, Mo., senior majoring in journalism.
VANESSA FUHRMANS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
Editors
Editors
News ... Mike Andrews
Editorial ... Beth Randolph
Planning ... Lara Gold
Campus ... Eric Gorski/Rochelle Olan
Sports ... Eric Nelson
Photo ... Julie Jackson
Features ... Debbie Meyers
Graphics .. Jeff Meesley/Aime Brainard
JENNIFER CLAXTON Business manager
JAY STEINER Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Business Staff
Campus sales mgr .. Bill Ileiengow
Regional sales mgr .. Rich Harbinger
Co-op sales mgr .. Agne Johnson
Production mgrs .. Kim Wallace
Marketing director .. Lia Keeler
Creative director .. Leanne Bryan
Classified mgr .. Kip Chin
overnight. It has to be worked for. If we don't start working for it now, when will we?
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Loco Locals
SO YOU'RE RUNNIN' FOR
PRESIDENT
By Krusa "Hurkaklumber" Flynn
Chapter 1
Ann Booos can DO it...
YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE
THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS.
THIS PROCESS CAN START
AS EARN AS YOUR
FIRST BRIDE-EB-ENCOUNTER
WITH THE PRIMARY
REGISTRATION SECRETARY.
SEE ILLUSTRATION
H 2040
IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T BELIEVE YOU'RE AT LEAST THREE FIVE... IT'S JUST A ROUTINE FORMALITY THAT I SEE IDENTIFICATION.
by Tom Michaud
EXCUSE ME...BUT THERE
SEEMS TO BE OKLY
TWENTY DOLLARS TAPED TO
 YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE...