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University Daily Kansan Monday, November 2, 1950
The School of Gain
Jose Figueres, former president of Costa Rica, has done more than enlighten us on the current situation in Central and South America during his visit.
He offered us the opportunity to compare ourselves with the students in his country.
The thought that stuck in our minds after he spoke was his respect for their abilities and ideals. He spoke reverently of the students' role in Costa Rica's revolution in 1948:
"Our university students led the revolt," he said. "They fought only when they knew they could not win without fighting. No one realizes what a country loses in a revolution. The finest and most brilliant students are killed first."
People in other countries take a different view of their college students than do Americans. In Europe, Asia, and South America, students are respected and looked to as leaders. Here we are children in the eyes of the nation. No one expects us to lead or to inspire. We only have to learn.
The intellectual elite initiated movements, volunteered for causes and fought for truth. They were the thinkers and the men of action.
But there was a time when the American campus was the hotbed of revolutionary thought. Colleges produced leaders—great men—with the same regularity they now turn out job applicants.
From the time of our Revolution through the Spanish Civil War, they answered each call.
These angry men were brothers to their counterparts at colleges elsewhere in the world.
Now, while other students continue to fight for what they believe in, as they did in Costa Rica, American students concern themselves with diplomas.
No one seems to know when we ceased to care. But several reasons why have been offered:
Our democratic concept of education for all has eliminated the intellectual elite. Formerly, only the rich could afford higher education. These men were not seeking better jobs, but knowledge. They could afford to think—to get excited—about other peoples' trials.
Another explanation grew out of the first;
When the educational emphasis shifted to the common man, education became the means to an end for status-seekers. Idealistic thought gave way to the pragmatic approach.
Students now go to college for what they can get out of it. Better jobs, bigger homes, larger incomes are the goals.
Idealistic battles do not lend themselves to materialistic advancement. Consequently, we stay out of them. We assume an attitude of indifference to justify our ends, and to appease our consciences.
And every time we take a step up the ladder of success, we let the world down a little more.
—George DeBord
Warrior DeBord
Editor:
I can contain my anger no longer! Several days ago there appeared on the editorial page of the UDK a nasty little squib by one George DeBord referring to the beautiful autumn colors of the campus.
Now, I fully agree with Brother DeBord when he speaks of the wonder of this lovely time of year, but he went too far when he made the statement that "only a fool would try to compete with Nature," referring to the artists of the campus.
This is too much: This is a direct slam on KU's top-caliber Art Department and it must not pass unchallenged! Critic DeBord shall pay!
Therefore, in the interest of upholding the honor of the Art Department, I challenge Mr. DeBord to a duel of integrity.
Loaded paint brushes at two paces on the front lawn of Strong!
place on the front lawn of Strong. Editor DeBord has been hollowing all semester about the dull, business-like, complacent, indifferent attitude of modern-day college students and KU people in
particular. Now let's see him back up all this ruckus he's been raising; that is, of course, unless he feels that it would be too undignified and frivolous!
I leave the selection of time and date to Mr. DeBord.
I await acceptance of my challenge.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS By Dick Bibler
With regard to the artistic endeavors of Mr. Richard Bibler in last Wednesday's Daily Kansan, we, as representatives of the foreign girls at this University, would like to point out that, having reviewed the temptations offered by the average American males on this campus, we have frankly found no difficulty in saying, "No!
(Names withheld by request.)
***
About American Girls Editor:
This letter concerns the cartoon of Mr. Richard Bibler which appeared in last Wednesday's Daily Kansan.
As a foreign student recently arrived on this campus, I would like to inquire where Mr. Bibler found even one of those delicious creatures supposed to be the prototype of the average American girl. Michel Chatelier
Michel Chatelus
Rhone, France graduate student
Products of an inquisitive mind: Why don't sororites ever seem to have meetings? Why didn't they put the campus whistle nearer to the hospital? Why don't girls smoke? or drink? Why don't the cops give traffic tickets (not parking) on campus? Why is Zone A full, even at night? Where do they hide the mold in which each sorority girl is formed before initiation?
With John Morrissey
This year the AA held its fifth Halloween party at the Little Red Schoolhouse. It was B.Y.O.L. (lunch, not liquor).
--who made the word 'collegiate' synonymous with fun and laughter and wild enthusiasms and—for some—with the best years of their lives? Are they extinct? Or merely undercover? And what sort of people have taken their place?"
Last night we wished upon a star. We wished they'd hold the Orange Bowl game in Tijuana this year.
College students seem to be at that awkward age—too old for aspirin and too young for Serutan.
***
--who made the word 'collegiate' synonymous with fun and laughter and wild enthusiasms and—for some—with the best years of their lives? Are they extinct? Or merely undercover? And what sort of people have taken their place?"
Know why people sleep-walk? The psychology people attribute it to twin beds.
Ever wonder why this column only appears twice a week? It has to be snuck in when the censor is drunk.
--who made the word 'collegiate' synonymous with fun and laughter and wild enthusiasms and—for some—with the best years of their lives? Are they extinct? Or merely undercover? And what sort of people have taken their place?"
This is what She thinks She should think: "You're mean, terrible, crude, and you drink too much." And what She really thinks: "I like you."
Other Campus' Opinion
Oregon State Sees Decline in Activity
Out of a possible 1,980 freshman students approximately 500 Rook voters turned out for the freshman class officer elections last week.
AN ARTICLE in "Sunday," midwest magazine of the Chicago Sun-Times, written by Nancy Hartley comes to mind when trying to evaluate this constant feeling of apathy among our students
According to the article, "Whatever Happened to Joe College?," "A strange quiet descended on college campuses this fall. Gone is the sound of the big dance band. Absent are the screams and yells of the pep rally. Even the oratory of electioneering is a muffled crying in the wilderness.
"WHAT'S HAPPENED? Where are are prom-hopping, team-cheering, office-collecting students of yesteryear—those crazy kids he made, the word is written."
The article pointed out that the lagging interest in extracurricular activities is accompanied by an increased attention to scholarship. This went along with, so the deans of many schools felt, greater prestige for the egghead, increased number of students wanting to go on to graduate school, presence of
older and married students on campus and the sheer necessity to study in order to stay in.
The article went on to ask if fun was still an aim of today's college student. "Yes, say the deans, but not as much as it used to be. And not all of them are sure that this is to the good."
ONE OF THE DEANS said, "Our student activities elections this year were so dull that one would hardly know that an election was going on. We have a hard time finding enough people to run for class offices. Some of the best professors are a little worried by the apathy of the student body for things that they feel are really good, like Political Emphasis Week and similar activities that are surely not a waste of time."
BUT HAVE THEY? Extracurricular activities and scholarships go hand in hand. One complements the other. A person does not become a credit to his community if all he can contribute is time at his daily job.
Another was quoted, "The basic philosophy of too many young people nowadays is, 'What's in it for me?' Lacking, unfortunately, is, the idea of 'What can I do for others?'"
According to the article the question is not one of finding a suitable focus for collegiate enthusiasms, but that the students have themselves found it—in scholarship.
YET ANOTHER, "In many cases the student gives the impression he is a little ashamed to be having fun, because he thinks others disapprove. College life shouldn't be too grim."
The Oregon State Daily Barometer
No one has a right to say to another: "Because we belong to each other as we do, I have a right to know all your thoughts." Not even a mother may treat her child in that way. All demands of this sort are foolish and unwholesome. In this matter, giving is the only valuable process; it is only giving that stimulates. Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them.—Albert Schweitzer.
Dailu Hansan
University of Kansas student newspaper
University of Kansas student newspaper
Founded 1889, became biweekly 1904, triweekly 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912.
Telephone VIking 3-2700
Extension 711, news room
Federal Building 5000
Telephone VIking 3-2700 Extension 711, news room Extension 376, business office
Member Inland Daily Press Association. Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Ave., New York 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. Entered as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
NEWS DEPARTMENT
Jack Harrison Managing Editor Carol Allen, Dick Crocker, Jack Morton and Doug Yocom, Assistant Managing Editors; Rael Amos, City Editor; Jim Trotter, Sports Editor; Carolyn Frailey, Society Editor.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
George DeBord and John Husar ... Co-Editorial Editors
Sandra Hayn. Associate Editorial, Editor...
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Bill Kane Business Manager
Ted Tidwell, Advertising Manager; Joanne Novak, Promotion Manager;
Ruth Rieder, National Advertising Manager; Tom Schmitz,
Circulation Manager; John Massa, Classified Advertising Manager.