SPORTS: The men's and women's tennis teams will compete this weekend at the Big Eight Championships, Page 7.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
KANSAS STATE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TOPEKA KS 66612
VOL.102.NO.144
FRIDAY,APRIL 23,1993
ADVERTISING: 864-4358
(USPS 650-640)
Western Civilization to alter policy
More flexibility to be given to instructors in choosing readings
By Terrilyn McCormick Kansan staff writer
A policy change in the Western Civilization program could mean fewer readings in some classes starting this summer.
The policy will require instructors to teach 13 core readings in both Western Civilization I and II, said Jim Woelfel, director of the Western Civilization program. Instructors will be allowed to add readings to the core list from the current, full reading list.
Currently, instructors in Western Civilization I are required to teach 22 readings; the second semester covers 25.
"It permits instructors who want to teach less than the reading list the right to do that." Woelfel said. "They required to teach the core selections."
The policy will not change the content of the current reading list, which will not be updated until 1995. Woelfel said.
He said that instructors of Western Civilization II would have more flexibility than in Western Civilization 1.
All the Western Civilization I core readings are specified in the new policy, but instructors in Western Civilization II will be able to choose supplementary readings for their core reading lists.
Raymond Birt, Lawrence graduate student and instructor of Western Civilization II, said the policy change would not alter the content of his course but would give him the time to emphasize his choice of the readings.
Woolfel said the policy was not going to have an overall effect on the Western Civilization program because its implementation would vary from instructor to instructor.
"I really don't think that I will take anything out because of this change," he said. "I'll just move things around a bit."
is not a dramatic change," he said.
The amount of reading also would
differ from instructor to instructor,
Woelfel said.
"Some instructors manage to teach the current list quite comfortably, while others feel a bit crowded." Woelfel said. "This will enable the staff some flexibility on how many readings they assign."
Birt said the flexibility might help make subjects clearer to students.
"It is a very broad sweep," he said. "Covering 3,000 years in two semesters is a tough job in itself."
Required reading
a new Western Civilization policy will require instructors to teach a core list of readings, but will allow more flexibility in additional assignments.
Core list for Western Civilization I
Originals
Selection from the Hebrew Bible
Selections from the Hebrew Bible
Sophocles, Antigone
Plato readings
Aristotle readings
Seneca readings
Selections from the New Testament
Selections from Augustine's
**Confessions**
Selections from Thomas Aquinas
Charles W. Wheat of Wath
Machiavellius, The Prince
Selections from Luther's Appeal to
Selections from Luther's Appeal to the Christian Nobility Descartes, Discourse on Method
Core list for Western Civilization II
Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality One other selection from Unit One of the Collected Readings
Mannesto
One other selection from Unit Three
(new) of the Collected Readings
One other selection from Unit Two (new) of the Collected Readings Marx and Engels, Communist
One other selection from Unit Three (new) of the Collected Readings Du Bois, chapters from World and Africa.
One other selection from Unit Four (new) of the Collected Readings Netsche, Twilight of the Idols
(new) of the Collections
Nietzsche, Twilight of the idols
One other selection from Unit Five of
the Collections Packages
The Collected Readings
Beauvoir, Introduction to Second Sex
One other selection from Unit Six of
the Collected Readings
A third selection from Unit Six of the Collected Readings
New financial aid rules leave students in lurch
By Donella Hearne
Special to the Kansan
Students who are filling out applications for federal aid for next year, which are due May 2, now are finding out how the policy changes affect them.
The new rules, which take effect for the 1993-94 school year, open the door to aid for some students but close it on others who previously had been eligible.
Newly created guidelines for federal financial aid have changed the rules on how students can claim self-supporting status, more commonly known as financial independence.
NEWS: 864-4810
In the past, federal guidelines for declaring financial independence involved two main requirements. Students had to file taxes as an independent, and they had to claim at least $4,000 annual income for two years prior to the date of the application.
Federal aid policies are evaluated and revised every five years, and this year marks the beginning of a new term. One significant change involves students who claim financial independence. Students who are considered independent are awarded financial aid based only on their own income and not their parents'.
"What they find is that it's easy for students to manipulate the system," said Diane Del Buono, director of KU's Office of Student Financial Aid.
Research found, however, that these guidelines were not getting financial aid to all the right people.
Under the old policy, some students were declaring independence even though their parents had the financial means to support them. The new system was devised to prevent misuse of federal funds such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, which are subsidized student loans.
"The changes were made to try to target independent students who really are self-supporting." Del Buono said.
Under the new guidelines, two avenues are available for claiming financial independence. Students can claim eligibility under federal criteria, which are laid out in six questions on the financial aid form. If students do not qualify under those criteria, they can appeal through the University.
If applicants can answer yes to any of the following questions, they are considered independent :
Were you born before January 1, 1970?
■ Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
■ Are you a graduate or professional student?
■ Are you married?
Are you a ward of the court or are both your parents dead?
Do you have legal dependents (other than a spouse) fitting the given definition?
These new criteria will help students such as Elizabeth Beary, an Overland Park junior who plans to attend law school.
The old guidelines did not automatically qualify graduate and professional students as financially independent. The new rules change that
"I'm going to go to law school, and my parents won't be supporting me then," Beary said. "I will all the financial aid I can get."
But the new criteria has drawbacks. Students who qualified for independent status under the old standards may not qualify now.
The University is reviewing those students' status on a case-by-case basis.
Jason Angilan, Shawnee senior, qualified for independent status under the old restrictions but did not meet new federal criteria. He had to fill out a worksheet, which would be evaluated by the financial aid office, that would enable him to keep his status.
students must provide proof of income. This documentation includes copies of leases, tax returns and parents' tax returns.
It is not an easy process.
So far, the financial aid office has processed about 150 of these applications, a time-consuming task for the office and for the student.
To qualify for independence status by University standards', resident students must have a minimum income of $9,258. Nonresidents must earn $13,430.
Of course, obtaining independent status is not the only way to qualify for aid. And other changes have made financial aid accessible to more students.
Del Buono said the new regulations made it easier for students to get financial aid as dependents. The "family formula" used to determine need has been changed so that more families with higher incomes can qualify. Home equity will not be counted in parental earnings.
Also, the creation of federal unsubsidized student loans enables more dependent students to receive aid.
Del Buono agrees that the changes are inconvenient for some, but she thinks that most students will benefit from the changes.
"There are lots of students who don't get support for lots of reasons," she said. "We try to work with those students when we can."
Students who have questions about their eligibility for financial aid can visit the financial aid office at 22 Strong Hall or call the office at 864-4700.
Renee Knoeber / KANSAN
Adiverse link
About 60 people joined hands and formed a human chain in front of Wescos Hall as part of a national Hands Across Campus campaign to promote human diversity. Yesterday's event was sponsored by the National Society of America, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and Yello Sub.
OU dean to teach law at KU
Stepping down stems from Anita Hill issue
By Terrilyn McCormick Kansan staff writer
Anita Hill brought the issue of sexual harassment into the national consciousness with her accusation against U.S. Supreme Court nonnine Clarence Thomas and indirectly may have forced her own law school dean to KU
In an article in Monday's New York Times, his friends and adversaries indicated that he was being forced out of his position because of his support of Hill.
David Swank, dean of law at the University of Oklahoma and a supporter of Hill, is stepping down as dean and will be a visiting professor at KU in the Spring 1994 semester.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Swank declined comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure from Oklahoma.
Among accusations at Oklahoma that Hill was a perjurer, Swank's support allowed Hill to remain at the University of Oklahoma Law Center, Hill said in the Times.
In the Times, Swank would not comment on if he was being forced to resign, but his wife and Hill said that they thought he was being pressured to step down.
In order to ease the transition for the new dean, who has not been named, Swank will take a year off from Oklahoma.
In the fall, he plans to develop a scholarship program for American Indians in Norman, Okla. In the spring, he will teach at KU's School of Law as the Raymond Rice Distinguished Professor. The appointment is for one semester.
Swank said yesterday that he looked forward to teaching at KU.
"KU is a really good school and should be an interesting place to teach," he said. "Kansas has an excellent reputation as a law school, and I am privileged to teach there."
Swank will be teaching criminal law courses at KU and will return to Oklahoma as a professor after the spring semester.
Robert Jerry, dean of law at KU, said the law school contacted Swank about a month ago about the position. He noted that he is working with
Jerry said he thought Swank would do an excellent job.
"David is a distinguished law professor and has a very long record of experience." Jerry said.
Swank graduated from Oklahoma's law school in 1969. During the time period from 1963 until Spring 1983, he worked in the law school as a professor, assistant dean and finally dean, a position he has held for eight years.
"Most law school deans only last three years," Swank said. "I've been here eight. It is time to step down."
Shared message
Associate director going to law firm
Attallah Shabazz and Yolanda King, who spoke yesterday at Allen Field House, may come from different back backgrounds and may have had fathers with different colleagues, but they have common experi-
See story. Page 3.
By Frank McCleary
Kansan staff writer
After three-and-a-half years as associate director of the Office of Minority Affairs, Norma Norman is leaving her job.
During that time, Norman has made many friends at KU who cite her dedication to the University, passion for her work and ability to make students respect that will make Norman hard to replace.
Norman has spent her time heading up many different activities, including coordinating precollege orientation programs and outreach programs to Lawrence and elsewhere. She has also recently served as a consultant to the eight Black Student Government Council.
But now Norman plans to focus her energy on a career in law.
Norman, who received a bachelor's degree in education and social science in 1967, plans to work as a law clerk in a Kansas City law firm and study for the bar
exam. She earned a law degree from KU in 1989.
"My goal is to become very proficient in the law field," she said. "I hope to practice for several years."
However, Norman said she might return to the college environment.
"At some point in time, I would enjoy returning to the university environment, whether as a faculty member or a legal adviser," Norman said.
Leaving the University leaves her with mixed emotions, Norman said.
"You feel professionally that you want to enhance your skills that you have — to become a much better professional," she said.
"It's like home," Norman said of KU. "I have a lot of close friends."
Peter Braithwaite, Evanston, Ill. junior,
has worked with Norman since he was a freshman.
She helped set a warm, caring atmosphere for students in the office. he said.
"She always went above and beyond the call of duty." Braithwaite said. "She was always willing to give her time."
"I hope we find someone who is as hard-working as she is." he said.
Sherwood Thompson, director of the minority affairs office, described Norman as having a passion and dedication for her job that would be difficult to replace.
Octavio Hinojosa, president of the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization, said Norman worked well with students.
A search is underway for a replacement for Norman, who said she would miss the spontaneity of the students dropping by her office.
"The campus as a whole will feel her absence because she was passionately engaged in making KU a better place," he said.
"What I will miss the most is the opendoor policy we have," she said. "Day to day, you just don't know what's going to happen."
Norma Norman, associate director of the Office of Minority Affairs, will be leaving the office to pursue a career in law.