PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1950
The Editorial Page-
Cursory Convocation Circumspections
An auditorium overflowing with students . . a stage setting which consists of a solitary lectern . . a row of straight uncushioned chairs . . a group of solemn erudites, one of whom is the speaker . . a hushed silence . . the zero hour.
The setting is complete for education's immortal creation the convocation. Students have been summoned to assemble for the purpose of listening while someone expounds upon his knowledge of a topic—any topic.
The speaker steps to the lectern which has been set up for him to lean upon or hide behind. He modestly denies the flattering introduction which extolled his virtues, and proceeds to wade through a voluminous stack of notes . . . his speech.
As he delivers the scholarly oration or clever commentary (whichever may be the category of his performance) the speaker's subconscious mind is observing those persons who are more inanimate objects to that part of his mind which is creating the words that pour forth into the microphone.
But these objects . . . these persons seated facing the stage—they're not a single audience . . . they're individuals. Yet their behavior can be classified into one of several definite types.
There sits a uninterested individual who is hostile toward the very word "lecture." His attendance was prompted by a requirement of his instructor rather than a personal interest in the affair. He'll not listen to a word that old so-and-so says. He'd rather be drinking coffee at the Union. Why should he have to put up with this sort of thing—after all, he came to college to get a well-rounded education and that means lots of social life, doesn't it?
Seated next to him is the sleepy snoozer, grateful for the opportunity to attend a lecture . . . grateful because now he can catch up on the sleep he missed last night. As he lounges in a near reclining position he wonders why the administration doesn't make these silly seats more comfortable. He doesn't wonder long, however, for soon a gentle snore is heard and he's obviously off to slumberland.
Enthusiastic about this convocation and every other convocation (although she never absorbs any of the speaker's thoughts) is the social butterfly who delights in the opportunity to develop her gregarious nature. Here she is . . . surrounded by hundreds of students . . . with a whole hour to look over the market and decide which of the males she'd most like to attract. Yes, there's just no better time to see so many so quick.
Down the row and across the aisle sits a fidgety co-ed who intermittently concentrates upon the speaker's pearls of wisdom, relives last night's date, or wonders why the boy in front of her doesn't stop hiding his ears with that shaggy hair. Her swinging foot, tapping pencil, and constant clock watching are tolerated begrudgingly by the fellow in the next seat. But finally, when she begins twisting all the curl out of a strand of her lovely golden locks, the irritated fellow (who wonders why he ever sat next to this blonde bombshell) walks out. He didn't care much about South Africa anyway.
With arms folded across his chest in a most dignified manner, the somber skeptic sits eyeing this bold fellow who has the gall to come before a group of University students and tell them what's going on in the world. He hangs on every word, searching for a misconstrued outlook on the speaker's topic . . . eagerly awaiting the opportunity to tell his gullible friends about the false facts they digested during the hour.
Finally, there is the true scholar—a type which supposedly composes 99 per cent of the audience. Perched on the edge of his chair, he listens intently and admiringly while this great personality opens the door to his closet full of worldly knowledge. The student is thoughtful throughout the lecture lest he miss a single line or act. Perhaps he is interested in what the "wheel" has to say. Perhaps he's interested in what makes him tick or how he reached the top rung of the ladder to fame. Nevertheless, he wears down the points on three pencils and fills a raft of note paper as he scribbles down all the pertinent parts of the lecture. Oh, for the opportunity to sit through this twice, like a second showing of a movie. But no, he has to get everything in one sitting.
But wait, we've made a mistake. This fellow isn't a student. He doesn't even possess an activity book. Then what is that card whose edge is showing over the top of his pocket? It says P-R-E-S-S. Aha! Might have known it! He's the reporter assigned to cover the convocation.
Connotations of certain words seem to vary from campus to campus. A headline in the Daily Californian said, "Campus Alarmed By Falsie"—which, to its own readers meant that firemen had answered a false alarm.
A K.U. professor, boasting of his ability in shuffling cards, told his listeners, "Experts have given me their highest praise: 'Let me cut the deck'."
Who can say University men are not bold or courageous? We saw one sitting on the front row in a classroom devouring the contents of a comic book while the instructor talked about political science.
Scholarship averages in many organized houses are heading toward an all time low due to the competition of newly acquired TV sets.
Graduate Defends World In Crisis
Dear Editor:
Mr. College Senior, who so majestically condemned the World In Crisis course in the Oct. 10 Kansan has, perhaps without knowing it, exactly described K.U. in his words: "Good ole open-minded K.U. . ."
Mr. College Senior, have you ever pondered long enough to approach a selfish judgment concerning the actuality of K.U.'s open-mindedness? Perhaps if you would toddle off the Hill long enough to be "on the outside looking in" you would change your squawk to a murmur.
Have you ever attended universities that give no thought of even so much as offering such a course? Whether or not the lectures have been contrived deliberately to throw out "liberal" views or whether those who have spoken have grilled on your lofty ideals is beside my point.
Have you ever stopped to think that your 7,000 classmates have their own sentiments? Perhaps they agree in part, in whole, and / or violently disagree as you seem to.
Take a larger bite of America, Mr. College Senior, and you might find that K.U. IS one of the more open-minded universities in North America. How long would you fare, sir, in a section of our country where the Confederate flag is flown on Columbus day?
If you don't like the lectures, you aren't compelled to attend, you know. By the same token, selfish scowling and dissection of K.U. will not make you the most popular man alive—or do you enjoy gunching?
Are you, mighty senior, so intellectually fit that you could fill larger shoes? Perhaps you will someday be chancellor of K.U. I have not, however, noticed a frenzied rush to oust Mr. Malott.
If you dislike your surroundings and feel as if a liberal sieve is being wedged into your already-made-up political mind, why don't you fly south with the geese?
Open your own mind, sir. Take it for what it's worth or leave it alone.
K. U. Alumna, '50 (Name withheld by request)
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Little Man On Campus
"I used to have a lot of trouble keepin' 'em in lab."
Architect Visits Campus
Paul Schweikher, member of the Chicago architecture firm of Schweikher and Elting, is on the campus as visiting critic for architecture students. He will give a public lecture at 3 p.m. today in Strong auditorium on "Notes on Training and Practice in Architecture."
The speaker received his formal training at the University of Colorado, Armour Institute of Technology, and Yale university. He held a Natcham fellowship for European travel and study.
Mr. Sweikher began professional practice in 1933. His work has included commercial and institution structures and numerous outstanding residences. He is considered one of the better young architects in the nation.
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