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Wednesday, February 23, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Rock Chalk participants deserve thanks for efforts
Rock Chalk Revue will showcase the efforts of more than 300 KU students who have worked to present five 15-minute, original shows and four in-between acts. This year, 14 organized living groups vied for the chance to present one of the five shows. Each group spent hours preparing a script and audio tape. The groups then submitted folders with their ideas to a panel of 11 judges. The five talented winners will present their creations this weekend. In addition, 20 dedicated individuals have labored about 20 hours a week since May to create a production that will rival previous shows which raised over $100,000 and donated 25,000 hours of community service since 1990. The United Way of Douglas County will be the beneficiary of all this effort.
The 45th-annual Rock Chalk Revue will have its first performance Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., but the production is more than a show. Rock Chalk is proof that a number of students want to do more than just go to school at the University of Kansas. Rock Chalk is proof that students want to participate in the community. Those students deserve credit.
Rock Chalk Revue represents students' interest not only in their own achievements, but also in the Lawrence community. Organized living groups compete to raise the most money and donate the most service hours, as well as produce the best show. The word is out. These individuals deserve a pat on the back for their commitment and their dedication.
CHRISTOPHER LIVINGSTON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Russian presence may shatter Bosnian peace
Last week, as Serbian guns were forced into silence, a new booming sound was heard throughout the ravaged land of Bosnia. The sound was of Russian tanks and troops as they moved into the embattled country. Although the silencing of Serbian artillery is a step in the right direction, Russia's presence in Bosnia may cause more problems than it solves.
Russia claims its troops are on a "peacekeeping" mission. If Russia is so concerned about peace, why didn't it act sooner? As the situation stands, Russia's forces in Bosnia may be a hindrance to the peace process.
NATO has worked tirelessly to achieve peace. One of its strategies has been the threat of air strikes. Russia's ground presence has dampened that threat substantially. NATO can't risk injuring Russian troops in an attack aimed at Serbian gun positions. Russia's presence effectively nullifies NATO's best bargaining tool.
Such an interference with NATO's actions might be in reaction to NATO's recent decision to deny Russia membership. With its bid for membership in NATO lost, Russia apparently lost any inclination to cooperate with the organization. Russia may have more in mind than just "keeping peace."
Beyond presenting a logistical problem, Russia's ground troops present an ethical problem. Russia has long been an ally of the Serbian people. The Serbians have been headstrong and stubborn throughout this conflict. The sudden appearance of a longtime ally might give Serbians the impression that they have the upper hand.
Russia's attempts to "keep peace" may result in extended war. The rumble of Russian troops may prolong the roar of the Bosnian war.
MATT HOOD FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
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POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Offensive material Housing was hasty equals harassment rights were ignored
The setting: Templin Hall, security hours. A security monitor on a routine check of the building notices pictures of damage or the building
notices pictures of nude women taped on several doors. She finds the pictures offensive and potentially threatening. The issue is harassment.
The setting: Templin Hall, early evening. A Resident Assistant is shown a flyer containing the following words: "F.A.G.G.O.T. For Abolishing Gay Guys Of Templin." Also on the flyer is a graphic depiction of two stick men having sex superimposed with a circle and a slash. The R.A. finds the flyer offensive and potentially threatening. The issue is harassment.
I could continue with other events of a similar nature. Events directed at me or at others. But I trust that by this time you understand my point. The events that have been reported in the University Daily Kansan to date are a scant, one-sided, inaccurate glimpse of the entire dynamic of the situation that has developed during the past several months.
At question in the hall, and everywhere else for that matter, is an individual's right to be secure. The issue is not so-called "political correctness." The issue is not what people think. Individuals are endowed with the right to think and believe what they choose. Although I do not agree with some of the opinions of others involved in this situation, I do not challenge their legitimate choice on the question of what they think. It is not my place, nor is it the place of anyone else, to dispute how or what another thinks, values or believes.
However, when an individual's beliefs cause him or her to take actions that create an environment of hostility and intentionally harass other people, those actions are inappropriate. No person has the right or privilege to infringe upon another's fundamental entitlement to live and work in an environment that is free from threatening and hostile actions. This is the issue, regardless of the people at whom the harassment is directed. The issue is harassment.
If individuals continue to participate in actions that are deemed inappropriate and morally reprehensi-
ble, then decency requires that these people should be sanctioned. I am not advocating censorship. This is not a free speech issue. I am advocating elimination of actions that threaten entire groups of people.
The issue at hand is not the residence hall to which someone is assigned. At issue is whether or not the people in question may produce a hostile atmosphere regardless of where they live. The unadorned fact remains that they may not. At issue is the unmistakable obligation people have to treat others with basic respect and dignity. The central issue is harassment.
I certainly hope that in the future, before going off half-cocked, individuals will attempt to discover the underlying issues surrounding an event before writing stories or drawing cartoons which give a lopsided representation of the entire dynamic of the situation. Remember that the issue is harassment.
The gay men currently residing and working in Templin Hall are constantly barraged with openly hostile anti-gay material, which emerges with the specific intent to threaten and intimidate them. The issue is harassment.
The women who work in Templin Hall continue to be harassed by individuals who feel that, because they reside in a men's hall, they are allowed to do as they please. The issue is harassment.
Eric Moore is a Lawrence senior in social welfare.
all started back in November when the first article ran in the University Daily Kragen. "Offensive video
What was my crime? Living in a residence hall was the first. The second was being held responsible for what was on the outside of my door. So when someone writes perverted words on the bathroom stall, can the University be held responsible for sexual harassment? I haven't seen that happen yet. As a matter of fact, the Department of Student Housing would probably accuse me of it.
All that changed when I received a letter from Jonathan Long, assistant director of the Department of Student Housing, who told me that I had to relocate to Oliver Hall and that if I was found in Templin Hall after February 18, I would be arrested and removed by KU police. His letter said that no exceptions would be made to this decision. Also, his decision had the support of the Office of Affirmative Action and the Department of Student Life. This decision, made by one man, without my knowledge, would affect my status as a student at the University, therefore violating Article 2E of the KU Student's Bill of Rights.
Eric Moore, Templin Hall resident assistant and a homosexual, received a phone call while working at the Templin front desk. The caller belched and hung up. Mr. Moore then called KU police and told them that he thought I was the caller. Did he recognize my belch? I don't think so, because I can't even belt at will. Eric Moore claims that by seeing words on my door, he can no longer perform his job efficiently. That is why I was told to relocate.
Two days before my move, however, Jim Schmaedeke, complex director of Templin, hand delivered a letter to me from Fred McEhlenie, associate director of Student Houstures may trigger sexual harassment claims." Following were Opinion editorials like "Templin residents fighting inane battle," and "Resident's complaint shows his immaturity."
Responses included "Tasteless free speech," and "Templin residents fighting worthy battle." All these happened during the 1993 fall semester. I came back to KU thinking that this whole struggle was a thing of the past. I was planning to concentrate more on going to class and making better grades.
ing. Fred's letter told me that an exception had been made to Mr. Long's decision and that my move had been postponed until a future date. Did the Department of Student Housing finally realize that they had violated my rights? Or did they just realize that there is no evidence that I sexually harassed anyone? I am still waiting for their response.
So much for spending more time on my schoolwork. I am working a full-time job and this struggle with the University is becoming another.
But if you are really wanting to be sexually harassed in a public place, go to the Spencer Museum of Art, where at my last count, there were at least 18 different paintings and sculptures of nude men, women and children.
I do not approve of homosexuals living in Templin Hall for the same reason that I am not allowed to walk into a women's rest room and use their showers. Is it because I have different genitalia than women? No, it is because they would be uncomfortable because of a heterosexual man's thoughts. That is the same way I feel about sharing the restrooms with homosexual men. I wouldn't complain if all residents were treated equally. If there were only co-ed dormins in which males could be paired with female roommates and have unisex restrooms.
My attention has now been diverted to the University's violation of my student rights. I would still appreciate privacy in my dorm, but I would much rather protect the rights that I have already been promised.
Dan Murrow le is a Kansas City, Kan., freshman in biology.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A surprising paradox within the University system is that the Student Housing Department should choose to enact the policy concerning harassment and discrimination against a single student, (the Templin resident), while the University does nothing to the ROTC department, which adamantly discriminates against homosexuals.
to permit the ROTC department to remain on campus, when the department openly discriminates against homosexuals. I would like some explanation please into the differences between these two cases. The University policy states, "The University is committed to providing equal opportunities to all students, and prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color, disability, national origin, ancestry, and sexual orientation," page A26, The University of Kansas Timetable of Classes, Spring 1994
I do not condone what this resident did. it is my firm belief that not only should he be expelled from Templin, but that the University should expel him from its system. But it is here that the paradox applies: for two years groups have been asking the University's governmental system why it continues
Where does the University make the distinction between whom they choose to apply the policy to and whom they don't? Could it possibly be determined by who gives them federal funding and who does not?
ROTC should be subject to same rules as student
Kristy Rohr Topeka senior
Chesley Dohl's column on the XVII Winter Olympics was not only worthless, but very cruel. The German coach who had his leg severed did not slip on the track. He did not hear the warning which is sounded to clear the track each time a luger comes down the course. [Get your facts straight before you write your columns.] He admitted it was his mistake. It was a very unfortunate accident, but it isn't "amazing" or something that I would care to watch, asyouputit. Yourreaction to the accident was cruel and inhuman. You viewed it simply as an oddity inherent in the sport of luge, but these accidents are not frequent occurrences in this sport. Do you
Olympics are interesting,
columnist's words not
also get a thrill from watching a football game in which a player breaks his neck A person who watches sports for that reason should seek professional counseling.
Now, to get back to the dissection of the rest of your column. I agree that not everyone is interested in the Winter Olympics and the sports that are featured in them. But just because you and your roommate are not interested in the Olympics doesn't mean that everyone else in this country isn't. You claim to be a sports columnist, so write about sports and not how little you know about them or how little you assume others know about them.
Once again, the Kansan editorial staff lives "down" to my expectations.
Ana Khan Green Hall Staff