Page 2
University Daily Kansan
Monday, Nov. 4, 1963
Federal Funds
Federal aid to education at the University of Kansas!
Does it sound like a threat, a demand, a prediction? It is all of these.
Only federal participation, says a Kansas educational leader, may make it possible to meet the growing demands of quality education in the advanced world of today.
The comment was expressed by C. O. Wright, executive secretary of the Kansas State Teachers Association, when he addressed the recent centennial teacher's convention in Topeka. The 30-year veteran in Kansas educational leadership has a strong point.
He steps on some toes saying, "The extensive vision of 180 million persons at the national level must largely replace the limited vision of the two million at the state level..."
HE SAYS the accent now must be on the education we provide for our citizens, and that costs money. "School finance," says Wright, "must move quickly from over-reliance on the antiquated local property tax." Instead, he proposes, it must be based on at least one-third federal support, one-third state support, and one-third local support to meet the quality goal.
In a less biting vein Wright adds: "Professional entrance and performance points to at least five years of college preparation for the teacher . . . (which) should be every bit as lengthy as that of any profession, if quality education is to come."
THE LIKELIHOOD is that such changes will come first to the collegiate level and filter down through the remainder of the state's educational system, eventually pervading even what Wright calls the "still more limited vision" of those at the local or district level.
Of course, not everyone will agree with Wright, the target of some Kansas legislators over comments on schooling last spring, but there are some basic facts which none of us can ignore.
First, enrollments are increasing drastically.
Here at KU a new record was set this fall as a total of 12,486 students made their bid for higher learning. That was a leap of 1,052 over last year, a gain of 9.2 per cent in a year when the number of high school graduates was smaller than the year before.
James K. Hitt, registrar and director of admissions, says the boost was due to a substantial increase of 359 in the Graduate School and a significant rise in the percentage of students returning from last fall's student body.
THIS YEAR, KU is giving students 10,443 more credit hours than in 1962.
And across the nation the story is much the same. Dr. Garland Parker of the University of
Cincinnati, in a preliminary report he compiles annually, says total enrollments have gone up to about $ 2 \frac{1}{2} $ million full-time students, compared with 2.367.451 reported last year.
Of 41 large public universities reporting fulltime figures,26 show student increases, nine have no change, and only six have small decreases. In all the 608 institutions reporting there are 410 increases,104 with no change,and 94 decreases.
Second. costs cannot help but continue to rise.
A recent Kansas economic report states: "All projections of future enrollments indicate that higher education in Kansas has no alternative but to prepare for enrollments in 1975 of at least twice the number now enrolled."
"DURING THE next decade and a half," says the report, "the colleges and universities in Kansas will be confronted with the problems of increasing shortages of qualified teachers and inadequate facilities."
In his 1963 budget message, Gov. John Anderson was forced to recommend an increase in spending of about 10 per cent for education in Kansas, a large portion of which was aimed at the state's more than 40 accredited colleges and universities.
And third, federal funds more and more are becoming temptingly available to the states
In Congress this session both the Senate and the House have voted approval for college aid measures. The more recently passed Senate bill calls for a five-year, $1,895,000,000 program of grants and loans, slightly more costly than the House version.
Kansas and Missouri senators all voted for the federal aid program for higher education.
ALREADY, a multitude of projects at KU and other state schools are receiving financial support from agencies at the federal level.
These are the facts. They may not, however outnumber the fears of the many Americans who see only the ominous shadow of the broadening federal bureaucracy and tighter controls.
But local governments are hard pressed to finance the learning explosion, and though tax dollars only flow to Washington and then come dribbling back, the demand for federal help is undeniable.
Logically, the prediction one must make is that there will be a growing tendency toward dependence on the federal government for the support of our schools. Voices such as that of Mr. Wright, though scorned for lack of confidence in state institutions and methods, must be heeded.
As we wait in fear of federal funds, they become a reality in spite of provincial dreams.
Larry Schmidt
Nastv Editorials
The People Say...
Dear Mr. King.
Being the eager, dashing young journalist that you are, you will be pleased to hear that your editorial attacking the JRP-Hashinger Talkathon and praising the cheap trick of the resident from Templin has terrifically increased the already fierce sense of outrage in both Hashinger and JRP. As usual, your editorial is the cutting, smearing type and really would deserve no comment except for the distorted picture it gives of our Talkathon and the catalyzing effect it produces in increasing the danger of foul play between JRP and Templin Halls.
Your editorial is very unfair to the people of JRP and Hashinger. Ridicule us if you will, we have put much time and effort into our attempt to break Templin's old record and set a new one. And if our Talkathon is such a waste of time as you ironically imply, why should students remain up all night to work on Homecoming Decorations or on relay floats. Both lines of activity are parallel in that they unite members of a living group behind a single goal. Thanks to the Talkathon (in which more people can participate than in Homecoming) the spirit and unity within JRP and Hashinger is higher than ever before.
You are quite correct when you state that it is more desirable to meet a girl in person than to just
talk with her over a phone. But you have missed the point. The Talkathon has made it possible for boys and girls who have never known each other before to become acquainted and arrange for dates. When you were a freshman or sophomore, did you ever attempt to meet a girl you've never known before by just going over to her hall and introducing yourself? But we, who are not as outspoken as you seem to be, have profited socially by what you consider to be a useless cause.
What really concerns me, though, is what you imply concerning the temporary disruption of our Talkathon by a Templin resident. His "funny" trick is the worst example of fair play this campus has seen in years. Through his act he has placed Templin Hall in the position of a trackman running first in a race who shoots his nearest competitor with a pistol to keep him from passing. Regardless of how much you try to slight this cheap trick, it is nothing more than outright cheating by this Templin resident on behalf of his hall. Now really, Mr. King, do you actually think this is fair and sportsman-like?
The members of Hashinger and JRP are mad—fighting mad. It is bad enough that this cheating act was committed, and it is still worse that the men of Templin apparently support and take pride in it. But
you have made a potentially-explosive situation far worse with your inferred support of this Templinite's deed. Whether you meant to or not, seem to endorse this notorious example of poor sportsmanship on the part of Templin. You have made this cheat appear a martyr and us appear like nasty avengers. This distorted picture you present is totally false. But cheer up, Blaine, the men of Templin like you. You have taken them off the hook.
Carl Lindequist JRP President Prairie Village junior
Editor:
Legal Facts
it's time to face facts—whether you think you have said all with the usual witty (7), sarcastic (!) editorials.
JRP and Hashinger DID NOT and CAN NOT claim a new record. Even though someone was a bit sneaky, caution should have been used in the first place, at the very beginning.
Lewis and Templin still have the undisputed, uninterrupted talkathan record.
This, editor, is not just being sarcastic but stating the legal facts. I hope the announcer from Saturday's game knows what the rules are.
Elizabeth Cress
Elizabeth Cress Kansas City, Mo., freshman
THE WASHINGTON POST
"I Don't Know If We've Ever Met Before"
theater review
Madame Butterfly Balanced, Successful
By Karen Nelson
In any opera, professional or not, there is bound to be some difficulty in achieving a balance between performers who can act and performers who can sing. The disparity is likely to be especially noticeable in a college production. In the opening performance of "Madame Butterfly," given by the University Theatre and the School of Fine Arts combined, there was a balance which, if not perfect, was surely more than mediocre.
Martha Shirley Randall in the role of Madame Butterfly was vocally convincing as the fifteen-year-old bride, although her physical interpretation of the character was somewhat stilted. Her voice portrayed the innocence and devotion of Madame Butterfly believably, but only when she remained in her upper register. The famous Un Bel Di brought her enthusiastic applause.
Suzuki (Sharon Tebbenkamp Sooter) and Sharpless (David Holloway) both achieved a combination that is rare: realistic character portrayal and good singing. Sharon Sooter especially had a dramatic and controlled voice, suited the part perfectly. The lesser characters, for the most part played by non-musicians, seemed awkward and uncomfortable among the others. Perhaps it was their lack of musical finesse that made them so self-conscious that they lost domination over their characters. There was one exception, The Bonze, sung by Michael Riley.
Edward Sooter as Lieutenant Pinkerton seemed at first to be only a very controlled singer and fine musician, but during the love duet in the first act he proved he could achieve infinite tenderness and insight into the man who was fleetingly in love with Butterfly.
Balance between the orchestra and the singers, a quality difficult to find, was carefully manipulated by Robert Baustian. Only when Madame Butterfly or Sharpless went into their lower ranges did they approach the inaudible. Only one character, Goro, had difficulty projecting. The onstage chorus in the first act was well balanced with the orchestra and within itself, but unfortunately, lack of attention to enunciation made their passages unintelligable.
The orchestra itself was outstanding for the most part. The fact that it was a small ensemble, made up of the best University Orchestra members and twelve faculty members, may explain the rich sounds that were particularly delightful in the prelude to the third act. Although certain exposed string and woodwind passages were poor, the orchestra did an excellent job of accompanying.
Taken as a whole, and adding that the opera was set in superb scenery, designed by William Henry, the opening night of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" was a success.
Dailü Tränsan
111 Flint Hall
University of Kansas student newspaper UNiversity 4-3646, newsroom UNiversity 4-3198 business office
counced 1889, became biweekly 1904, triweekly 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912.
Member Inland Daily Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press.
Represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 St. New York 22,
N.Y. News service: United Press International. Mail subscription rates:
$3 a semester or $5 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays, and examination periods. Second class postage paid at Lawrence, Kansas.