UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, February 10. 1994
5
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Writing in opinion page is embarrassment to KU
The opinion page of your paper is a complete embarrassment to KU students and faculty. Columns or editorials that quote Winger lyrics or refer to people as "mean," "stupid" or "jerks" have no place outside a high-school paner.
Opinion pages are no place for the diaries or journals of your mostly sophomoric editorial-columnist staff (pun intended).
Had it ever occurred to you as to why The Kansas City Star puts Dave Barry on the entertainment pages and not as the lead column in the opinion pages?
Though I don't necessarily agree with the columns of Jack Fisher or Greg Thonen, at least they give us something to ponder. We all couldn't care less about trips to Wal-Mart for cold medicine. Quit embarrassing KU and hire writers who realize they are out of high school.
Lenexajunior
Mark Crouse
Lenexa junior
KJHK program changes reflect the real world
I am writing in support of KJHK program director Jay Berkern. In the past week I have noticed three major news stories in Lawrence papers, including the University Daily Kansan, criticizing Jay of his move to "limit" the rotation of music at KJHK. At first, the KJHK music library contained 300 heavy-rotation discs, now Jay has cut that number to 150. This move was done in an attempt to make listeners more familiar with the music being played.
Everyone seems to be complaining that this limits the ability of the disc jockeys to "experiment" with their style and playlist. If KJHK is to be a laboratory, opponents say, then they should be able to play whatever music comes in.
I have been a DJ for three stations in the area and a program director for one, and I have never seen as much freedom as I do at KJHK. If KJHK is to be a laboratory, then it should be a model for the students of what they may find on the outside, a world where the program directors tell you what song to play and when, what to say and how to say it. KJHK should be a training ground for students to practice for a career in the field of radio, not a free-for-all of musical stupidity. If the DJs at KJHK think they have it bad now, just wait until they get into the real world.
Jay is confronted with another problem. His job is to ensure the KJHK has
and continues to have a strong listening audience. He is forced to compete with newly-founded cross-town rival KLZR for the "alternative" market.
Jay has made changes, some more controversial than others, that he feels are in the best interest of the station. For those of you who don't like it, both he and I are sorry. He will be program director for only three more months; give him the support he deserves. Jay has worked tirelessly for that station, and his intentions are the best.
KJHK has never been more of a mirror-image of the real world then it is right now. If trying to prepare your staff for the real world and a career in the radio field is a crime, then Jay Berberick is guilty. Unlike KJHK program directors of the past, at least Jay has the courage enough to make moves that seem controversial on the surface but are honest to the core.
Jay...you have my support and the support of the silent majority...good luck.
Scott Parks Lansing senior
KJHK should continue to stress music variety
I moved to Lawrence from the West Coast with the same trepidations most people have when going from a large urban area to a small town in the conservative Midwest. The first indication that my move could turn out for the best was when I tuned into 90.7 FM and discovered KJHK. The selections played during the "College Radio" segments convinced me that awareness of new (and vintage) alternative rock music in Lawrence was equal to that on the oh-so-hip coast. However, new station manager Jay Berberick has decided to cut in half the number of albums disc jockeys can use for their shows, meanwhile reducing the amount of time allotted to alternative rock.
In the Lawrence Journal-World of Friday, Jan. 28, Berberick states that "when our rotation was larger, we were playing songs that some people may have never heard before" (it's got to be played somewhere first!) and that "by reducing the rotation of albums, listeners could be more familiar with the music." These are the premises behind Top 40 and "adult contemporary" stations, not college stations. Must Berberick be reminded that much of the most influential rock music from the late 70s to the present (from the Sex Pistols to Pearl Jam) were introduced to the world through the wonder of non-commercial radio? With a burgeoning, yet fragile, live alternative scene, Lawrence can hardly stand to have its
only radio source for innovative rock and roll go the way of 23rd Street.
David R. Benson, Jr.
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
KU police column lacked accuracy, complete facts
Once again, your columnists refuse to check their facts. Scott Titrington's Feb. 4 column whining about the KU Police Department was misdirected and inaccurate.
First of all, revenue collected from police department tickets does not go to the University. It goes to the city of Lawrence. There goes Titrington's "financial bonanza."
Second, numerous visible police officers, especially in patrol cars, deter crime. This puts on a strong face for the University. How likely is someone to commit a crime if he just passed a squad car? We can't expect all of the officers on foot patrol to hold our hands as we walk home, as Titrington suggests. That's not the least bit logical or efficient. Rather, they can get to a crime scene much faster if they're in their cars.
Where is the base to Titrington's argument besides the fact that he's moping about a ticket? Also, if he knows where the officers are staking out Naismith, why doesn't he know enough not to speed in those places? I think we should be mature enough to realize that the KU police just enforces the laws for the good of all. It's part of being in a civilized society.
Michele A. Kumm Leawood senior
Graduate Senate should focus on constituents
I welcome a separate Student Senate for graduate students. However, I am concerned whether it will be capable to represent those graduate students who badly need on-campus support.
Saying this, I expect the intended graduate senate to strongly emphasize the graduate interests and run to the help and defense of those who are disparate. I am sure if the independent Senate comes up with a stronger agenda, it will be able to grasp a wider amount of graduate-student support.
However, I would not recommend a separate Senate or forming another organization which would not have the potential of enforcing graduate issues on campus. I hope the graduate Senate becomes a more practical force for our defense rather than a source of political games.
Naqib Ullah
Lawrence graduate student
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