PAGE TEN UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS THURSDAY, MARCH 30.1950 The Editors Report - WORK BUT NO PLAY: A Dull University Charles R. Roter Each year about this time students gripe that school is "getting harder," that instructors are making a concerted effort to "flunk out as many students as possible." Each year about this time instructors, administrative officials, and other authorities loudly deny this allegation. No co-educational school, such as the University, is likely to long exist in the upper brackets without traditions, customs, and interesting extra-curricular activities for its students. Much student participation is needed to make these activities function and that participation must be conducted outside of class and study time. They repeat, both publicly and in private conversations with students, that, "In all the years I have been here I have heard the same complaint every year. It is just that junior-senior courses are naturally more difficult. In addition, it seems that every year just as many students make good grades." Possibly the answer of the authorities is quite true. Every class has its "D.A.R."—Darned Average Raiser. There are, no doubt, those persons who desire nothing more than to grind away at books. The question seems to be whether the University of Kansas is giving too much emphasis to "book-learning" and not enough to outside activities. It would seem that stress is laid on the academic aspect to the detriment of character and personality formation. But what of those who feel that besides "book learning" a major part of school comes from extra-curricular activities. There are those who say that 50 per cent of the learning in college comes from books and the other 50 per cent comes from extra-curricular activities. There can be no argument that junior-senior courses are naturally more difficult. The "bind" comes in making extremely difficult the freshman-sophomore courses which are supposed to be reasonably simple. Many juniors and seniors taking freshman-sophomore courses find that they must work much more in those courses than in their major courses, the supposedly more difficult fields. Then, too, the complaint that each teacher seems to feel that his students are taking but one course, that course being his particular course, and then assigning homework on that basis has some justification. The homework usually requires more time than the expected two hours of outside preparation. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate current academic practices. Perhaps the instructors should consider that most students are no longer veterans, but recent high school graduates. These students feel they are entitled to have a little enjoyment along with studies—enjoyment in the form of many and varied extra-curricular activities as well as social life; enjoyment which gives him complete relaxation and diversion from his studies. ARE THEY SENIOR Dues Or Donations? by Richard Hunter Approximately 1.500 seniors have been notified to pay their graduation fees. It is going to cost this year, too. Why is it that in a present period of declining prices, graduation costs go up? First, seniors have noticed that the diploma is double the previous charge. Actually, if it is real sheep skin, it would not advance the cost that much. Anyway, the average senior just wants a degree whether it be on sheep skin or papyrus. Furthermore, what voice did the seniors have in this sudden increase? The second initiating charge is found just below the diploma fee. It is a $3.40 charge for senior dues. Just what does this charge incur? For one thing, it helps pay for the senior gift, a precious information booth costing nearly $3,700. In normal times, this would buy not just a booth, but a complete house. But the fee is $3.40, and there are an estimated 1,500 graduates. This would total $5.100. That would leave $1,400 yet to be accounted for, so the second part of the fee goes to pay a class deficit. This deficit is an accumulation from the parties put on by the senior class since they were freshmen—minus the one which will not be held this year. Each party resulted in a loss, and now the seniors must pay. Why should the seniors pay? The parties were not planned by the majority of the class. After two of them failed, it should have been obvious that to continue would have been costly. But tradition will continue to rule, and seniors will continue to pay. Does the above account for all the money to be received from the seniors? A campanile is going up, a new curtain has been installed, buildings are being built, and graduation fees increase. K. U. is progressing, but think about it, seniors—are your fees dues or donations? (Ed. note: This is also something future seniors should think about.) A card addressed to Jim Scott, another former editor in chief says in part: "The two editorials in today's Kansan are such a relief from the usual array of inconsequential bickering too often found on your editorial page that I am moved to send this note of congratulations." We hope the writer has not moved back. Most profound statement of the week: (Made in class by a professor of sociology: "The primary cause of divorce is marriage!" 'Small Things' by Keith Leslie Pittsburg—(U.R.)-John L. Lewis will get a hero's acclaim throughout the soft coal mining fields on the miner's holiday, April 1. NO FOOLING (Ed. note: Well, at least the day is appropriate.) WHAT'S IN A NAME One of those invaluable tidbits of information, the filler, informs us: "One of the earliest technical treatises on the art of making clay tiles for floors and walls was written in 1301 by a Persian named Abulquasim Abdullah ibn Ali ibn Mohammed ibn Abi Tahir." It all goes to show you. A man named Smith or Jones just hasn't a chance for immortality. Now that A Cappella choir, band, and men's glee club have recorded campus songs, we have a suggestion to make to the Inter-fraternity council. Instead of rousing out members for a midnight serenade, just have your songs recorded. Then a pledge could, at 2:30 a.m. or so, be sent to all sorority houses to notify girls interested that a few selections by the Alpha Kappa Phoos will be played. UNEMPLOYMENT RISES Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney has resigned his position as undersecretary of commerce. (Ed. note: With the unemployment as bad as it is, we think this is a heck of a time to quit a job.) An old menu from the Palm Room came to light. Someone had figured out that the 85-cent roast beef dinner should sell for 69 cents. The rest is probably the waitress's tip. Unearthed was a copy of the K.U.-K. State peace pact signed in 1947. It says it is "an agreement . . . to abolish forever all manner of school fights and undesirable pre-game activities between the two schools." Between students, that is. Basketball coaches don't count, evidently. Bread Cast Upon The Water Memphis, Tenn.—U.P.)—Bill Moss found a stray pigeon so covered the glue that she couldn't fly. Moss took her home, cleaned off the glue and fed the bird. Just as he finished, the pigeon thanked him in her own way. She laid an egg in his hand. Now Is The Time For All Good Men (on Softball Teams) To Come To KIRKPATRICK'S For The Gloves, Balls, And Bats You'll Need. SOFTBALLS ...$1.15 up BATS ...$.90 up GLOVES ...$4.95 up Managers: See us for special wholesale prices on all athletic goods. Kirkpatrick Sport Shop 705 Mass. Phone 1018 University Daily Hansan K. U.376 News Room K.U.251 Adv. Room K.U 378 Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Member of the Kansas Press Assn, National Editorial Assn., Inland Daily Press Assn., and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service,420 Madison Ave., New York City. Editor-in-Chief ... James Morris Managing Editor ... Doria Greenbank Asst. Man. Editors ... Norma Hunsinger Kay Olmstead John Hill Ralph Hemenay City Editor ... Edward Chapin Feature Editor ... Frank McKee Photograph Editor ... Frankie Waltz Asst. City Editors ... Nelson Ober Robert Sigman Marilyn Marks Emily Eiting Editorial Assts. ... Pete North John Bannigan Sports Editor ... Richard Dilsaver Asst. Sports Editors ... Brad Leemer Ray Soldan Arthur McMhite Mona Millkin Society Editor ... Fry Wilson Asst. Society Editors ... Billie Stewart Emily Stewart Read the Want Ads Daily. Business Mgr ... Jim Shriver Administrative Mgr ... 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