Wednesday, February 24, 1993
5
OPINION UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KU law students were left out of fee increase process
One of the reasons I am attending the KU law school is for its affordable quality education. For the 1L class of 1992, notice of the fee increase was not provided until commencement of the fall semester. The members of 1L class reasonably relied on the current tuition fee schedule provided by the law school and usual University fee increases.
Most students do want to help the school and all would like to move beyond this period in our school's history. I do not wish to provide any additional bad publicity for the KU law school. The education I am receiving is excellent, and I have nothing but praise for the faculty. My concern is that the faculty does not realize the depth of feeling the students have regarding the proposed fee increase and the process by which it was imposed upon us. I think our passive acceptance has been misinterpreted as acquiescence. I also believe I speak for the majority rather than the minority.
As a first-year law student at the University of Kansas, I found it difficult to read that many of our professors were of the opinion that students approved of the proposed fee increase. The letter to the editor on Feb. 19, 1993, stated: "there has been no outcry of protest from our students." I beg to divert. Many students have serious objections to the proposed fee increase.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The proposed increase changes the future debt structure of many students. Notice of a fee increase to this extent should have been provided prior to commitment to this law school.
The only meeting held to discuss this issue occurred during the first week of school. This meeting provided information as to the need for the increase and why it was being implemented. The proposed fee increase was presented as a fait accompli. Students were presented with no options or avenues of recourse.
Alice Craig
Topeka law student
Theft of memo was a violation of basic respect for others
I would like to visit with the individual who felt it acceptable to steal a permit letter from law school dean Robert Jerry to Del Brinkman, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Among the questions I would ask the person to consider new meanings for the words in the phrase "Back to the three Rs" — respect for others' property and privacy, restraint from intruding and stealing, and responsibility to consider long term consequences as well as short run hedonism.
The first misrepresentation was the proposed law student fee was foisted upon an unsuspecting law school body. Student leaders within the law school were consulted by Dean Jerry in March of 1992. Moreover, approximately one-third of the student body was present at the summer session when the proposal became public knowledge within the law school. Although the proposal was formally made in the summer, it was neither a surprise nor initiated with covert intent.
We are writing in regard to the recent editorial calling for the resignation of KU School of Law dean, Robert Jerry. The editorial was inappropriate because it misrepresents facts and placed blame on Dean Jerry for problems not of his making.
Phil McKnight Topeka senior
The second misrepresentation relates to the response of the law school student body to the fee proposal or its amount. The overwhelming majority of the student body supported the proposal. All students are concerned with any increase in fees but we recognize the need for the increased funding to maintain the quality of the institution. Even after
Law dean Jerry misrepresented in recent editorial
the proposed fee, the KU School of Law will remain one of the best financial buys in the nation.
In this letter we seek to refute the Kansan's contention that Dean Jerry was slow to act on the allegation. Because the hearings are ongoing, we decline to comment on the substance of the hearing.
The third misrepresentation involves the leak of a confidential memo from Dean jerry to his supervisor, discussing the valid funding concerns of the law school. We think the editorial overstates the impact this leak will have on the University as a whole. Although we disagree with his characterization of the Washburn Law School, we appreciate that he was acting in furtherance of the law school's best interests. KU and Washburn law students continue to maintain a congenial relationship. In fact, Washburn will be hosting the annual KU Law-Washburn Law basketball game on April 9.
The law school has been subject to intense media scrutiny in the past two years, but many of the allegations made by the editorial board were beyond Dean Jerry's control and improperly placed blame on his shoulders.
The ongoing issue of sexual harassment at the School of Law is the subject of the fourth misrepresentation. As stated in the letter from members of our faculty in the University Daily Kansan, Feb. 19, the events which make up the core of the allegations allegedly occurred prior to Jerry's appointment as dean. Upon completion of his investigation into the allegations, Dean Jerry recommended that Emil Tonkovik, professor of law, be dismissed. Chancellor Gene Budig adopted the dean's recommendation.
Frank West Student Bar Association President
Allison Cumberbatch American Bar Association Representative
Mellissa Johnson
Student Bar Association
Secretary/Treasurer
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Student Senate should not cut KU legal services
"Student Senate saw it as a symbolic move to strengthen student advocacy." (University Daily Kansan, Feb. 13). By the recent removal of the KU administrative position from the Legal Services for Students Advisory Board, one would believe that Student Senate is committed to complete legal services for all KU students.
Currently, $3.40 of each student's fees is used to fund the Legal Services for Students program through Student Senate. However, Student Senate is considering a bill tonight that directly conflicts with strong student advocacy.
The Student Senate Finance Committee recommended a drastic budget cut for LSS. The most severe consequence will be the elimination of one half of the LSS legal staff.
There is a great demand for this program as evidenced by the current three-week wait for an appointment. Obviously if the proposed budget cuts are approved by Student Senate, one half of the KU students needing legal assistance will have to seek a private attorney. in a community where KU students are frequently victimized, LSS is an invaluable asset.
LSS provides personal counseling and court representation for students in the areas of landlord/tenant, income tax, DUI s, fake ID s, student loans, etc. In addition, LSSS presents specialized group seminars for various organizations on campus including Women's Student Union, Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas, residence halls, greek living groups, classes, etc. Just one of these services would cost a student a minimum of $75 to $80 an hour from a private attorney.
Jennifer Dodd
Ottawa senior
Don't let Student Senate take away your legal access to legal services! Voice your support.
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