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Rubbing gravestones is subject of class
By MARY JO THUM
Kansan Staff Writer
Beermaking, old-time fiddling, death, sunsets—the University of Kansas enrollment timetable lists few courses on any of these subjects.
the Kansas Free University, however, offers courses dealing with these and many other equally offbeat topics, including gravestone rubbing and anarchism.
People with a passion for gravestone rubbing have formed a Free University class to share their experiences in this field and learn more about it.
Mary M. Hatcher, organizer of the class, explained gravestone rubbing as the process of fastening a piece of paper to a carved gravestone and rubbing the paper with a crayon or bootblack to reproduce the stone's carving on it.
more than any source of consolation to the bereaved. One stone she found informed passers-by that the dead person had "died of a sudden attack of apoplexy."
Reproducing the carving in this way reveals the writings, decorations and dates on the stone. Mrs. Hatcher, who became interested in gravestone rubbing this summer in New England, said the stones in that part of the country often bore epitaphs which served as stern warnings to the living
While gravestones dating from the 1700's may be found in New England, Mrs. Hatcher said, the oldest stones in this area date from around 1857. The art of stone carving was largely lost as people moved west, she said.
The eight members of the gravestone rubbing class have been planning field trips to area cemetery but bad weather has prevented any trips so far.
One class member has branched out and is applying the rubbing technique to manhole covers. Another student made a montage of several gravestone rubbings she had done in the past.
The class meets at 7:30 Mondays at 941 Louisiana St. Apartment No. 302.
Would-be anarchists have a place in the Free University. The anarchist theory class has been meeting and discussing the writings of several European anarchists for five weeks.
Michael R. Payne, Wichita freshman and one of the organizers of the class, said the purpose of the course was to correct the ideas most people had of anarchists.
"Anarchists are not necessarily people with bombs under their coats." Payne said. "They are people who believe that governments have generally caused more harm than good and that every person should be free to determine his own life."
The anarchist theory class meets at 7:30 Tuesdays at 1340 Tennessee St. Payne said the class is suffering from a lack of participants.
Faculty Forum lets staff members explore outside their departments
By JULIE THATCHER
Kansan Staff Writer
Once a week University of Kansas staff and faculty members leave the confines of their departments for an informal luncheon known as Faculty Forum.
Sponsored by the University Christian Movement and administered by a faculty advisory board, the group discusses matters of University policy, projects of various departments and issues of common interest, said Tom Moore, adviser of the KU-Y.
"The Faculty Forum gives staff members the chance to come together and meet people outside the department. So often social
KANSAN
and professional life is built around department colleagues. This department cohesion is a real negation of University ideals." Moore said.
Although Faculty Forum has existed for many years, it came under new leadership last January when Raphael Sanchez became director of the United Campus Christian Fellowship center.
"After looking at the campus I asked if there was any group for informally discussing research, contemporary issues and University life. I learned that a program of this type sponsored by the KU-Y had been discontinued," Sanchez said.
Sanchez and Moore sent questionnaires to 2200 faculty and staff members to see if there was any interest in reactivating the group.
"Much to my surprise," Sanchez said, "the group decided to meet once a week." The average attendance is now 40 to 50 people.
The meal begins at noon and speakers are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Presentations usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes and is followed by a question and answer period. The group usually dismisses at 1:30 p.m.
An eight-member faculty planning committee polled the faculty to determine what topics were of interest, Sanchez said. From these requests they scheduled the programs on a semester basis.
Topics which may be considered later this year include faculty power, black studies, validity of grading, feasibility of comprehensive examinations and future plans for KU.
Less University-oriented subjects concern North Ireland, drug abuse, hunger in the United States and environmental pollution.
Faculty Forum has followed a similar format since the 1950's. In those days the program was a major function of the KU-Y, Tom Moore said. Average attendance was 20 people a week and they met for lunch in the Kansas Union old English Room. A faculty committee arranged the programs.
16 KANSAN Nov.14 1969
Howard T. Walker, director of statewide academic extension, said programs at that time were broad and informative.
"There was no ax to grind or political campaign to foster. The purpose for meeting was communication," he said.
Speakers during the 1950's included Alvin McCoy, former Pulitzer prize winner who was Kansas correspondent for the Kansas City Star, Vice-Chancellor Keith R. Lawton, who discussed the planned building program of the University; Dr. W. Clarke Wescoe, then serving as dean of the Kansas University Medical Center, an American University Field staff representative, the head of the Kansas Turnpike Authority and professors writing books or making studies.
The group continued under KU-Y sponsorship until the mid 1960's.
"When increasingly restricted finances forced the Y to reduce the number of people working under its jurisdiction, it was necessary to also reduce the number of programs," Moore said.
"Policies of the Y are made by a student cabinet," he asid, "so it was fairly understandable when they wanted to stop work with the faculty group."
In 1965-66 the Faculty Club instituted a related program for faculty members only. Once a week a speaker would give a 20 minute presentation during lunch. A question period followed.
Clark E. Bricker, professor of chemistry and former president of the Faculty Club, said KU was the main topic of speakers.
"Faculty itself doesn't know what goes on in various departments and academic circles. We wanted the speakers to show what was going on at KU today," he said.
The venture lasted 10 weeks before poor attendance forced the Faculty Club to drop the program.
Since January the group has been meeting on a weekly basis at the UCCF center. Programs have varied greatly and included topics such as development in Eastern Europe, suicide among
college students, the October war moratorium and the Arab/Israeli conflict. In addition, Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers Jr. held an informal question and answer session at the first fall meeting. The program seems to be gaining momentum, Sanchez said, and attendance is up from last year.
"The Faculty Forum is a very useful activity in the University," Sanchez said. "I'm very pleased it has developed and that we have been able to serve the faculty in this way."
ATTENTION:
La librairie de la bibliothèque Watson vient de recevoir un choix de plus de 200 livre en langue française
Venez nous voir
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closed Saturday
UN 4-3239
An Invitation from:
JAYHAWKER TOWERS APARTMENTS
1603 West 15th St. (adjacent to campus)
To investigate the new, unique incentive rental plan now in effect.
This incentive rental plan offers numerous price ranges for married couples, graduate students or undergraduates. The plan is designed to provide a two-bedroom furnished or unfurnished apartment at prices competitive with one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, yet offer much more in space and quality, convenient location and services.
Visit the office at 1603 W. 15th, or call 843-4993 to get complete information. Inspection is welcomed.
SUA presents
Blood Sweat &
Tears
in Concert at Hoch December 2
7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
$3.00, $3.50, & $4.00
On sale at Kief's, The Sound,
and Richardson Music Co.