Tuesday, January 27, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Senators turn listserv into forum for bickering
Supporters say talk is less destructive more constructive
By Melissa Ngq
mngo@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
The Student Senate listserv was created last semester as a forum for discussing issues, but lately it has become a forum for bickering among senators.
The 121 member listserv began as a part of the Senate Online Outreach Program. Anyone can join
the listserv by contacting Mike Walden, student body vice-president. at walden@ukans.edu
The listserv's mission was to get students involved in Senate and to give them a venue to speak freely, Walden said.
Students and senators were encouraged to use the listserv to discuss issues such as the Daisy Hill polling site, Saferide funding and increased library hours. The server also posts Senate and committee meeting times and agendas.
However, the listserv has gone beyond that mission to become an arena for airing dirty laundry.
Kelly Huffman, student executive committee chair, said the reason for the personal attacks was the general divisiveness in Senate this year.
"It hasn't created any conflict," Huffman said. "It has shed some light on conflict already there."
Huffman said that he occasionally had lost his temper when using the listserv but that, generally, he tried to keep the criticism constructive.
Huffman said the destructive,
"Away to improve the listserv would be if people would try to build off of each other's ideas and not try to tear each other down."
Kelly
Huffman
Student Executive
Committee chairman
negative criticism had led to people not posting on the list server because they were afraid their ideas would get ridiculed.
"A way to improve the listserv would be if people would try to build off of each other's ideas and not try to tear each other down." Huffman said.
Matt Bachand, Liberal Arts & Sciences senator, said he thought most of the "personal attacks" were constructive criticisms of the issues taken personally.
"Although there have been some real personal attacks, I think that 'personal attack' has been used as a label to discredit critics of bad decisions," Bach said.
Even with these problems, Bachand said he thought the listserv had been a positive tool for Student Senate because it created a form for public debate.
Bachand said the only way to make the listserv better was to include more members who would generate more discussion.
Sarah Blackwell, Overland Park freshman, agreed that the listserv had been a positive tool.
"I think it's good because it lets you be a part of what's going on at the University. It lets you be a part of changing things," said Blackwell, who is on the listserv but is not a senator.
SENATE EXCHANGES
"Why you have chosen Scott (Sullivan) as the scapegoat for every failing of Student Senate is beyond me, and although I take what is said with a grain of salt, this is really getting old. As to your accusation that we will or will not hire someone because of their political or campus group membership, go to hell. We'll hire the best person for the job."
Kelly Huffman, Student Executive Committee chairman, in response to a posting by Jason Fizell, Student Rights Committee member
"Liar liar, pants on fire. Scott has never told me what comms (the communications board) was 'supposed to do.' Never have I received more than a 'that depends on how much money it costs,' as far as guidance goes. Remember, during his campaign violations hearings last year, this man did say that he was not creative, so I guess I'll let him off the hook a little."
Matt Bachand, Liberal Arts & Sciences senator, in response to a posting by Scott Sullivan, student body president.
"As for emotion, we can't all do that wonderful Borg impression that you do. Years of policy debate may have fine-tuned that side of you as well as your debating skills, but I, for one, believe that feeling has a delicate place alaside logic."
Sam Pierron, Liberal Arts & Sciences senator, in response to a posting by Ben Walker, Nunakor senator
"Correction: A Borg is an unfeeling哭, incapable of emotion. I am capable of emotion; I just don't let it get in the way of rational thinking. If you knew what you were talking about, you would know that what I am doing has nothing to do with my experiences in policy debate. I am simply defending a logical and correct position. It doesn't take skill to do that."
Ben Walker in response to Pierron.
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