CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, February 16, 1994
3
Arabic students band together
Coalition strives to bring culture language to KU
By Denise Nell
Kansan staff writer
Samer Sawalha wants the Arabic language to be taught at the University.
Last semester, Sawalha and a few friends decided to band together to make themselves heard about the issue. They called the group they formed the Coalition of Arab and American students.
"We were looking around, and there were all kinds of organizations for other international groups," said Sawalha, Amman, Jordan, senior and president of the group. "We thought it was a good idea. We have goals we want to achieve, and the only way to achieve them is to be heard by the University."
Tatiana Nasser, staff member for the Athletic Department and a member of the group, is a first-generation Arab. She said that because she had grown up in the United States, she needed a way to explore her heritage and language.
"I feel kind of at a disadvantage for not knowing how to speak it," she said. "I should know how to speak it fluently, and I don't. The more you know about where you came from, the prouder you can be of it."
Nasser said the group soon would start a petition asking the University to offer a basic course in Arabic. She said the group already had contacted graduate students who would be interested in teaching the course. Now, she said, the group has to prove that there would be student interest in such a course.
The group tries to raise student interest in the Arabic culture by providing an information table every Friday on the fourth floor of the
UNITED TO BE HEARD
Kansas Union. At the table, members pass out information about Arabic countries and filers that show the basics of the Arabic language.
But providing the money to pay for these fliers has proven difficult for the group. Luai Alahmad, Amman sophomore and the group's treasurer, said the group had been denied financing by Student Senate because it was too similar to the Middle East Club, which already had been financed.
The group had to install a $5 a year membership fee to help cover expenses. Since those funds are being depleted quickly, costs for photocopying often come out of the members' pockets.
Alahmad said the group had submitted another proposal to Senate and would try to get financing for the fall semester.
In addition to working toward language classes, Sawalha said, the group also works to make students who come to the University from Arabic countries feel more comfortable. The group will help students who have difficulties with things such as housing and language. Recently, he said, the group arranged overnight lodging for two Arabic students who commute daily from the Kansas City area and had missed the bus home.
The group contributed money to help finance last semester's speech by Lella Diab, a Palestinian woman who advocates women's rights. Now, the group is trying to organize an information table for the Festival of Nations celebration, which will take place later this semester.
Nasser said the main goal of the group was to educate people about the Arabic culture.
"We want people to grow aware of the Arab world," she said. "A lot of people don't know about different countries and cultures. They just lump together. It's not out of being mean, they just don't know."
Martin Altstaedten/KANSAN
Jon Holmberg, Lawrence sophomore, enjoys the weather while reading for pleasure. Yesterday's warm weather enticed students to take a minute to relax between classes.
Pleasure reading
Desire to help elderly inspires man
60-year-old earning his doctoral degree
Martin Altstaedten/KANSAN
By Heather Moore Kansan staff writer
Gary Burdsall, Lawrence doctoral student, is nearing completion of his doctorate in exercise physiology with a concentration in gerontology.
It's like winning an Olympic medal, but Gary Burdulsall couldn't be farther from Norway.
This medal wasn't for skating or skiing but for realizing his long-time goal — helping the elderly.
"For me, getting a Ph.D. is like winning the gold," said Burdals, who will be earning his doctorate this year in exercise physiology with a concentration in gerontology.
Burdils, however, has a different leap to make — because he chose to return to the classroom when he was 60 years old.
He said that he had chosen to go back to school because he wanted to work with the elderly. He was encouraged by Wayne Osnes, head of the department of health, physical education and recreation.
"When I first decided to come back, I talked to Dr. Osness, who encouraged me," Burdsall said. "Dr. Osness was pleased that an older person would choose to come back to school. I felt that I
should get as much education as the University could offer."
"He had an idea to provide for the physical health of the elderly, and he achieved it," he said.
Burdsl said that his friends had never thought that he would
"I didn't think it would be difficult," he said. "I shot for a goal, and I achieved it. It was unusual to be back in class. Other students looked like they wondered what I was doing there."
go back to school.
In September, Burdsallbegana program with elderly people in Wellsville, Richmond and
Ottawa. Burdsall said that he had developed the course and had tailored it to educate the elderly. The program consisted of one hour of education in nutrition, fitness, accident prevention and medical self-care. The participants applied what they had learned during the other two hours of the program.
Burdsall said that he had a lot of pride in the people whom he had helped.
"In all the cities, people have a greater desire to exercise with others and on their own," he said.
Burdssall said that elderly people often didn't realize their physical needs.
"I'm trying to stimulate older people and to help them watch their own health," he said. "I got the idea from President Clinton talking about preventive education."
In the future, Burdsall said, he wants to continue to work with the elderly.
"Ihope to teach the elderly and design a lifestyle-training program for them," he said. "I want to educate the elderly on what to do with themselves and on the importance of physical exercise. If we can keep one person from falling down, then we've accomplished what we wanted."
Alternative funds sought for expansion of Watkins
By Ashley Schultz
Kansanstaffwriter
Graduate Student Senate yesterday moved to make a recommendation at tonight's full Student Senate meeting to see whether an alternative to the proposed $15 Watkins Memorial Health Center expansion fee was possible.
The $15 fee, which would be added to student fees, would finance an addition to the facility. But one graduate senator said he was worried that the fee, coupled with fee proposals, might overwhelm students.
Gardner said that each fee should be considered separately but that all the fees would add up.
Some graduate senators said they were hesitant to act because they felt underinformed about the proposal.
If the motion is not seconded at the Senate meeting, the graduate senate is considering drafting a bill that would put the fee proposal to a student referendum vote.
But Arthur Yudelson, graduate student senator and a member of the student health advisory board, said that if the bill were put to a referendum vote in the current economic climate, it would be killed.
The current student fee responsible for Watkins was a result of a student referendum more than 20 years ago.
Lynette Penya Sharp, president of the graduate senate, said that it was her impression
that Senate would pass the expansion bill. She said that alternative fund-raising efforts had raised money for other building construction projects.
Other concerns raised at the meeting included the possible effects of the proposed Kansas Health Plan and the impending Clinton health-care plan. The possibility that financing for Watkins may change if the health plans pass also was considered.
Gardner also questioned the need for the expansion, given the fall semester's Watkins satisfaction poll, which registered an approval rating of more than 95 percent for the health center.
The Jan. 26 finance committee meeting gave Jeff Bottenberg, graduate senator and a member of the finance committee, the impression that, although there is no pressing need for expansion, there will be in the future.
"If we don't plan now, then we are going to be stuck in the future. And they want to take advantage of the interest rates," he said.
Taking advantage of today's low interest rates for the project would mean savings of millions, according to the finance committee.
The bill is unlikely to appear on the agenda of tonight's Senate meeting. The intent of the delay is to allow the expansion bill and a bill for women's and non-revenue athletics to go before the Senate at the same time, said Tonya Cole, sponsor of the Watkins bill.
After tonight, the next Senate meeting will be March 2.