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University Daily Kansan
Friday, May 13.1955
Class Cuts Controversy: An Editorial-
This is directed to the letter below concerning Miss Urban's editorial of May 11 on cutting classes.
We emphatically do not agree with the thought incorporated in this barering of the intelligence of the average student.
If we have misinterpreted this letter, please let us know—but the general tone of it makes us a little sick.
The whole idea in Miss Urban's editorial was this—that students in college are smart enough to know how much they can cut a class without allowing their grades in said course to slip. If the student overestimates his intelligence, he and he alone will be the one to suffer.
We can understand why it would be necessary to have as few cuts as possible in a foreign language course—the class is the thing in this department, and a student is really cutting off his nose when he does any excessive cutting in such a course.
There was no excuse for the case cited by Miss Urban—in which a student was dropped for excessive cutting with an F—and not being informed of it until he was dropped. How can there be a justifiable answer to this? The letter tries to answer it by saying that the instructor was "pushed too far," or the dean of the school felt that he had to use this student as a guinea pig.
This is an excusable answer? We think not. It's hogwash! The case cited was true and it can't be brushed off just like that. It's a pretty serious matter if something like this is going on. This is sort of kicking a life around because an instructor is "pushed too far." How was the student's excessive cutting hurting the instructor?
We take issue with the little item which states that "they must show themselves to be adult enough to take the possible consequences." Should an automatic "F" be the punishment and consequences of excessive cutting? What would an instructor do if the student had been doing top-notch work without going to class—and this has been the case in many instances—and this shows us only one thing—that the class itself does not teach much.
This has been said—written and generally thrown around the campus and it's going to be thrown around here again—we pay (or our parents pay) good money to attend this University. We're not paying to keep the instructors happy—we're paying to learn, and oftentimes—in many courses—the class is not the answer—the book is.
We can appreciate to the fullest why an instructor would want 100 per cent attendance.
But this idea of the students wanting the cutting regulations lifted is no whim of "comfortably immature" minds. It would be a good addition to the University. The situation Miss Urban cited was far from being a progressive and healthy one.
In our estimation, it was degrading to the student, instructor and the University. —Karen Hilmer
And a Letter-
Editor:
Let me begin by saying that I have no desire to offend anyone or start a feud. I write this with a sincere wish to clarify a few points in "Ah, C'mon Prof; Let Us Know We're Flunking," Daily Kansan, May 11. I fear Miss Urban is only half right, and unfortunately, here is probably not an isolated case. Too many students seem to have the same attitude.
The title of Miss Urban's article surprised me greatly, I, and most of my colleagues I think, usually notify students, in one way or another, when they are flunking. I have found that generally speaking the flunkee is indeed the one least aware of the grade he is making. When I read the article and found out just what it was driving at, I was even more surprised. To think that someone is finally taking serious action on excessive cutting!
The regulations on excessive absences represent a lot of paper work and one big nuisance to everyone concerned, but as long as we have it, it is high time it ceased to be a farce for both students and faculty. The only other serious alternative would be the so-called European system, which would involve a good deal more than most students who advocate it realize. It means responsibility in more than attendance. It would be considerably easier for the professors, but how much more difficult for the students! The few who could survive?
There are serious students who will admit they need a bit of prodding, although they probably need it less than, for example, majors in "Unionology." It is those with the least responsibility who protest most that they are not given an opportunity to develop it. And they are right! But it is not the fault of the attendance requirement alone. There are many other regulations, many other factors. For one, there is the perhaps subconscious desire
to remain comfortably immature. For another, there are parents, housemothers, advisers and many others who coddle students all along the way; and to return more precisely to our subject, there are the professors who so often let them "get away with murder." So many professors are too indifferent, or too wise, to worry much about attendance, of all things. It so seldom does any good to try to enforce that regulation particularly. This, of course, suits students perfectly. And in the case of the rare student who can keep up with the class and do satisfactory work despite excessive cutting, this should suit professors too.
But what about those professors who have constantly to help students make up cuts? Undoubtedly, there are some who refuse to do this. To students they are no more understanding than those few who turn in excessive absence reports. If students wish to be considered adult enough to take the possible consequences, which as a rule involve little more than making at least an attempt to look up the material missed, find out the assignment and do the work. More often than not, students are in one way or another incapable of this responsibility and expect their professors to assume it for them. And the public servants find themselves accepting pitifully weak excuses and giving over many "free hours" to inconsiderate, irresponsible adolescents.
My guess on the student withdrawn with an A for excessive absences is, either that the instructor was pushed too far, or that without any special action by the instructor, the dean of the school felt he had to make an example. The student very likely has not only the dean and his instructor to blame, but himself and his fellow students. After all, the regulation is well publicized, and although it is notoriously unenforced, there is always
Somebody ain't up on their Greek abbreviations (or whatever you call it.) Or else a certain "Dream Girl" is a real dream. Seems as how a junior class chick recently was named "Dream Girl" (what a moniker!) of a frat.
..Oh Well..
Bv JON
The story says that Phi Kappa Tau held its Dream Girl formal. It goes on to say that this chick was elected "Phi Kappa Dream Girl of 1955."
Just goes to show you how fikel these college dames are.
Here We Go Again Department:
As promised, here's the rest of that stupid blurb started yesterday:
A heap of oxen is called a drove; a drove of blackguards is called a mob; a mob of worshipers is called a congregation; a congregation of theater-goers is called an audience; an audience of peacocks is called a muster; a muster of doves is called a flight; a flight of larks is called an exalation and if they are starlings, it's murmation; a murmation of bees is called a swarm; a swarm of foxes is called a skulk; a skulk of dogs is called a kennel; a kennel of cats is called a nuisance.
And speaking of nuisances, isn't this?
. . .
I was out with this doll the other eve. . we were having a real crazy picnic on the crest of this small mountain. . she leaned over to me, smiling, and asked, "Wanna roll?" . I answered in the affirmative and she pushed me down the mountain. . I rolled.
Gratitude Department: Not so long ago I explained my plight. I told you it was impossible for me to circulate among 7,500 aspirants for a sheepskin to dig up items for this galley of junk. I asked for help, requesting that you send in anything you though might be of interest (although not of world-shaking importance) to the rest of our collegiate comrades (O.K. Joe, come and get me). You responded—and are still responding—beautifully.
As a matter of fact, it's to the point now where I can just sit with my feet up on the desk, hand the info you sent in to one of my staff of 12 secretaries (all 5 foot 4 inches tall, 36-23-36, latest models in blondes, brunettes and redheads
—P.S.: I'm now taking applications for three more secretaries; pay's not too good, but man do we have a boss, but have her hat out this nonsense.
Well, the whole point is: Thanx for the dope. I got the credit—or blame, as the case may be—and you got some valuable experience in the field of literary creation.
I'm still ready and willing to publish any humorous, ghastly, or interesting incidents (short of libel) which you might feel compelled to send in. Just mail 'em to Dear Jon, Daily Kansen.
the day—Diplomacy and Elections.
The Western Big Three have invited the Russian Big One to a "chiefs-of-state" confab. You figure it out: Not too long ago, Ike said "no soap" to a top-level conference until after a preliminary meeting of foreign ministers; Sir Anthony was strongly opposed to talks "at the summit" while Sir Winston was prime minister; Premier Faure was again it. Now they all decide (what with elections just around the corner in Great Britain and France) that the "wheels" should turn. So wha' hoppen? They asked an over-stuffed general from the Kremlin to drown in for tea.
Junk Department: Subject for the day—Diplomacy and Elegance.
And Nikita Sergeevich just
laughed and laughed.
Nebraska was known as "The Tree Planter's State" from 1895 until 1945 when it became "The Cornhusher State."
Oh well...
the possibility of "breaking the camel's back." We all have our responsibilities. Let us face them.
R. A. Mazzara Instructor.
Rom. Languages
Editor's note: Please notice the answer to this in the left hand corner of this page.
... Letters ...
Just read your wonderful article on Unionionge (UDK, May 11). Could you give me a little more information?
To the Editor:
I am a senior in the College. How can I transfer to the Union? I want to do graduate work. Is a major necessary for graduate work in unionology? If not, how many hours do I need? Will a minor be enough, for I intend to do serious study—possibly work for a doctor's degree.
By the way, what the degrees in unionology called? Is it really true that they are the B.U. and the M.U?. And which is the best school to attend for a Ph.U?.
Ruth Simpson College senior (momentarily majoring in English
To the Editor
In my opinion, the column on Wes Santee by Leo Flanagan (UDK, May 10) was long overdue. It's about time somebody on the Kansas showed enough guts to speak out on something that has needed an airing for a long time.
Let's face it: Wes is not exactly an ambassador of good will for the University of Kansas.
Last winter, most readers in Kansas must have shudded when the dispatches from the indoor track meets came in from the East, exposition. Santee to the nation as a braggart, an albier, and a poor sport.
Many had hoped that the beating by Nielson, the run-in with Freed Dwyer, and the poor reception by the sportswriters and track fans would have instilled a little humility and modesty in Wes; but it's beginning to look as though that was too much too hope for.
He is still following the same old patter, and there is no reason to believe that he will change up to and through the 1956 Olympics. If
he loses the 1500-meter race at the Olympics, I predict that he will place the blame on the unsettling effects of Russian propaganda.
Santee recently told a reporter that he has now reached maturity. So far as I can see, there has been no evidence of it.
Norman Lighton Alumnus
Dear Editor:
While giving excellent coverage to the controversial traffic bill, I feel, nevertheless, that several facts need additional clarification.
First of all, it must be emphasized that this bill was introduced into the ASC by a member, not someone from the administration.
The council recognizes that parts of its present bill concerning traffic are obsolete. We are in agreement with the administration on most of the controversial points.
Secondly, the remarks in the UDK suggest a growing "power" struggle between the administration and the ASC. Such is definitely not the case. Both groups are only anxious to solve a difficult problem. I feel, too, that Mr. Lawton and Dean Woodruff were dealt with a trifle too severely in your article. Mr. Lawton, after much urging by me, agreed reluctantly, to speak to us about the problem. He left his first meeting as president of the Rotary club, held in his home to do so.
Dean Woodruff sought only to clarify the issue. Both Dean Woodruff and Keith Lawton felt that the students should have their say in the matter and an appeal court.
Saturday morning a group of us will discuss the issue with Chancellor Murphy.
All that remains, as I see it, is to present a bill less extreme in content than the one we did not approve Tuesday night. Then, perhaps, the problem will be solved.
Georøe Sheldon ASC President
Daily Hansan
University of Kansas Student Newspaper
Ad Room. KU 376
Ad Room, KU 376
Member of the inland Daily Press association, Associated Coordinate Press association. Represented by the National Advertising service, 420 Main Street, subscription rates; $3 a semester or $450 a year (add $1 a semester if in Lawrence). Published at Lawrence, Kans., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays and examination periods. Entered as second class matter, Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kans., office under act of
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