SPORTS: The Kansas women's and men's basketball teams look toward the second half of their conference schedules, Page 11.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
VOL.102,NO.92
ADVERTISING: 864-4358
(USPS 650-640)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1993
NEWS:864-4810
Doug Hesse / KANSAN
Hobart Jackson, professor of architecture and urban design, helped organize KU's Black Faculty and Staff Council in 1976. The council's primary goal is to increase the University's African-American faculty and staff.
Activist stands out at KU
African-American professor wants more to be hired
By Terrilyn McCormick
Kansan staff writer
From making anti-war posters in the 1960s to helping form a council for African-American faculty, Hobart Jackson, KU professor of architecture and urban design, has been an activist.
But he does not consider himself a public one.
"The truth of the matter is, I am not out in the front in an activist sense," Jackson said. "You won't see me out there picketing or anything."
Jackson will be seen on committees and working with the administration to get more African-American professors hired at the University.
In 1976, Jackson helped form the Black Faculty and Staff Council and headed its first meetings. The council was formed with the goal of improving the recruitment of African-American faculty, staff and students and the retention and tenure of current faculty.
Jackson said the council's problems and goals were still the same now because the hiring rates of African-American professors at the University had remained static over the years.
"There was a certain flurry of hiring activity of African-American professors in the 70s, when most of the African-American faculty here today were hired. Since that time there has not been an increase in
the numbers hired," Jackson said.
Jackson said his own job at the University was a result of the student activism in the late '60s and early '70s at the University.
"I directly attribute my hiring, or at least my recruitment, to the student concern about the lack of Black professors," Jackson said.
Being the lone African American in predominately white surroundings is a role Jackson is accustomed to.
Jackson was born in racially segregated Atlanta in 1940. His father moved the family to Philadelphia to improve its opportunities, but this often put Jackson in the position of being an integrator.
He was one of four African-American students attending Princeton University, which had an enrollment of about 25,000
Jackson came to KU in 1971, where he has been in much the same situation. He is one of two African-American professors in the school of architecture and urban design.
Even though Jackson said he found his situation at the University tolerable because of his background, he said the lack of African-American faculty was a negative influence on African-American students.
"It is possible for them to go their four years of college without having a Black professor," Jackson said. "They have to find them and seek them out."
"I've always gone into predominately white situations and quietly carved a place for myself," he said.
Kagiso Molefhe, Botswana junior and one of Jackson's students, said that Jackson's race was an important factor in the
African-American history month
Today's events
Satellite Teleconference:
"Beyond the Dream V: The Writers, The Stories, The Legacy." The broadcast will African-American literature in American culture and life. Frontier Burge Union, Noon to 2 p.m., Free.
**Lecture:** "Success is a Journey, Not a Destination," by Herman Cain, president and CEO, Godfather's Pizza. Big Eight Room, Kansas Union, 3:0-5 p.m.
communication between the pair.
"You get the feeling that there are some things you do or say that he will understand," Molefhe said. "From my standpoint, it is always good to have minority professors."
Jackson said he understood his importance to African-American students but did not see himself as simply an African-American role model.
"I have very few African-American students in my classes, so I see myself as more of a role model for white students by letting them get to know me," Jackson said. "In the long run, I think that will also help race relations."
See related story, Page 8.
Legislators urge students to share cares in Topeka
ASK plans trip to Statehouse for Lobby Day
By Ben Grove
Kansan staff writer
State Sen. Sandy Prueger, R-Lawrence, invited students last night to hang out in her Statehouse office and make a pitch for higher education in the state's capital.
"Feel free to stop by when you're in Topeka," Paraeger said. "You can leave your coats and backpacks in my office. And don't hesitate to call. We cannot be your representatives unless we hear from you."
Praeger joined the other three state legislators from Lawrence, administration representatives and students last night at the Adams Alumni Center to discuss how students can become more vocal in their support for the University in the Legislature.
She urged students not only to get to know their Douglas County representatives, but to make contacts throughout the entire Legislature.
"Other legislators expect me to support the University of Kansas, so it's a little easier to turn a deaf ear to me," she said. "But if a student contacts a legislator from Western Kansas, it really
makes an impact."
Chancellor Gene Budig said that a student presence in Topeka was especially important now that the Regents universities' budget was making its way through the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Budig said that he had addressed a Ways and Means subcommittee meeting yesterday morning and that a member of the subcommittee had told him he didn't remember Budig being so short. Buddig said that he told the senator that his current height was the result of years of being beaten down in the state Legislature.
"Perhaps your involvement has never been as important as it is today." Budig said to students last night. "If we are to be successful, we need your participation."
The meeting was sponsored by Associated Students of Kansas and fell two days into ASK Awareness Week. ASK members now are making preparations for Monday's Lobby Day, a day that students are encouraged to go to the Statehouse and visit with legislators about the importance of higher education.
"For some students, legislators can seem intimidating, but they are real people like the rest of us and they want to hear from us," said John Schwartz, ASK co-chairperson. "We need to make them know that students do care."
Schwartz said students would be meeting at 8 a.m. Monday in the parking lot next to Memorial Stadium for the trip to Topeka. He said students also were encouraged to attend a meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Walnut Room at the Kansas Union to prepare for Monday.
Kansas Union demolition to span spring semester
By Carlos Tejada Special to the Kansan
Jackhammers pounding. Walls crumbling to the floor. Metal boring into metal.
For some students and employees of the Kansas Union, the noise of construction can be irritating.
"We're all a lot grouchier, nobody likes to come in to work, and everything's just dusty," said Matt Teel, Olathe senior and information counter employee.
Teel said the construction noise bothered some passing students.
"They simply avoid the building altogether," he said.
The noise level has increased because the renovations have reached the demolition stage, said Pat Beard, manager of building services for the Union. The construction workers have to first knock down the structure to build over it.
And because workers have to avoid computer lines running through the ceiling, demolition must be done during daylight hours. Beard said.
He said several organizations that use meeting rooms in the Union had complained about the noise. Some instructors with classes in the Union have complained. In such cases, building services tries to be cooperative. Beard said.
Paul Kotz / KANSAN
Ed Mosher, supervisor of renovations for Ferrell Construction Co. of Topeka, said work was planned with students in mind.
"We've had to work in other areas, to accommodate classes and all that," he said.
Construction has not bothered Malcolm Burns, professor of economics, who teaches his Economics 140 class without a microphone in Woodrud Auditorium on Tuesday and Thursday.
Mike McPike of Topeka looks over the blueprints for the northern section of the Kansas Union.
mornings.
"They've always treated me well," he said.
They've always treated the weir, he said.
The northern end of the fourth floor has been closed since September. Beard said the interior construction should be finished in June.
But even if it is annoying, students will have to listen to the old Union being torn down for the rest of the semester.
"You can knock down walls with rubber hammers," Beard said.
Nightlife
For some students, working the night shift helps them budget their time and pay for school. For others, the job is a constant source of amusement. One thing is for sure: Working the graveyard shift is never boring.
Officials dispel some of KU's untrue tales
See story. Page 9.
By Jess DeHaven
Kansan staff writer
They make the rounds on campus, infiltrating its population and becoming part of what each student holds to be true about the University of Kansas.
One of the most widely spread campus myths says that a person will receive a 4.0 grade point average for a semester if his or her roommate dies during that time period.
Campus myths — everyone has heard them, and many people believe them. Checking with KU officials, however, can reveal the facts behind the fiction
David Stulenburger, acting vice chancellor for academic affairs, chuckled when asked about the rumor.
"I've never heard that one before," *Shakenburger* said. "I can tell you that there is no academic policy concern."
Officials in the Student Assistance Center and the department of student life also said the rumor was false.
ing that.*
Several students on campus said they were aware of the myth.
the myth.
Leonika Charging, Vermillion, S.D., freshman, said
Mark Hernandez, Topека freshman, said he had board the rumor often but didn't believe it.
"I've heard it from a lot of people." Charging said. "We always talk about it on our board."
Officials in the executive vice chancellor's office, the
Another popular campus myth concerns the amount of time students should wait for an instructor who is late for class.
Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Academic Affairs and the General Counsel's office revealed no written policy on the matter.
"There is no specific amount of time to wait, only custom,
Shulenburger said.
"I heard that you're supposed to wait ten minutes, and then you can leave without being counted absent," Perez said.
Steve Perez, Wichita freshman, thought the Universi- ties had a specific policy.
One other myth that has been circulating on campus because of the recent winter weather says classes are canceled if the buses are not running.
"There's not necessarily a link, but it is one of the indicators used," Shulenburger said. "Just because they don't run down isn't meant unless won't be held."