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University Daily Kansan
Monday, April 29, 1957
Battle Page
Like Diogenes searching for an honest man, we hope to shed a little light on the qualifications of Bob Billings and Dave Whalen as candidates for student body president.
Both candidates were asked to explain how they interpret the job, and how they would act if elected. They were told they could use as much space as they wanted for their explanations.
The battle page is a device used by many newspapers to give candidates and parties the opportunity to air their views. The only changes made in the original copy turned in by Billings and Whalen were for conformity to style and for emphasis. . .
Billings Says . . .
In declaring my candidacy for the office of student body president, I believe I made my objectives as clear and concise as possible. However, I would like to review and elaborate my platform.
Billings
The most important thing to remember when you are voting this Wednesday is to vote for the candidate you alone think is the best qualified to voice your opinions to the administration. After all, the entire function of student government is to act as the channel of communication between students and the administration
of the University. This must be your first consideration, as it is mine. I sincerely feel that I can capably fulfill this vital role as student body president.
The problem foremost in my mind is to perfect and strengthen our new unicameral form of student government. I firmly believe that this new form will be for the betterment of all students, for it will do away with much of the campus politics. It will also make ASC legislation easier.
As to proportional representation, I hope to lower the minimum requirement of votes cast in each district before it can have representation from 75 to between 25 and 50. This will make voting for the smaller schools and living districts much less difficult.
I strongly contend that in any election there should be no promises of appointments made. This practice only serves to create ill will in many groups and in individuals. When I make any appointments, they will be based solely on the qualification of the individual, rather than as payment for campaign support.
The welfare of the students as a whole must be the first consideration of student leaders. The welfare or prestige of merely a few persons or political party members will not be acknowledged. This, in my opinion, is the only proper, honest way to run things. I hope to give no person grounds to say that I ever have, or ever will act differently in such a situation.
It is a part of our democratic society that the public be kept fully informed of the government's actions. This, I believe is just as important in a school government as anywhere in this country.
I am well aware of the attitude of some parts of the student body toward campus politics. They talk of "dirty politics" and other underhanded actions. This school spirit can be improved under the unicameral system, with the aid of the students. Without your support, we cannot hope to successfully work for your betterment.
It is through the ASC that you may bring forward such problems as housing, parking, etc. It has been suggested that the program that began this year, "Meet Your ASC," be tried again next year. I am backing this idea strongly. The program was initiated to allow the students to talk personally with members of the council and ask any questions about the operations of the organization. Remember, we can't do it on just one foot. We need the other foot to step forward, for without it, we would remain stagnant.
One of the main constituents of the Allied Greek-Independent party is the Independent. Every student on the campus is eligible to vote in the coming general election. Regardless of political affiliation, your voice can be heard through your vote. Our strength lies in the alliance of the Greeks and the Independents.
—Bob Billings
There has been another profusion of queens lately for this and that on the Hill. There are so many that it's getting to be a real honor not to be a queen. There aren't enough women students to supply the demand. Only a large increase in enrollment will prevent some from going around twice.
Why do we have student government at the University of Kansas?
Whalen Says...
The power to regulate student activities rests with the administration. When it cannot solve a problem, the legislature of the state of Kansas tries
to solve it as we have witnessed this past year in the parking situation on campus. But wait, how is the administration made aware of student problems? The administration is not clairvoyant. Persons who arrive at the stadium ten minutes before the game begins do not notice seat-saving.
Whalen
What then Now we begin to realize there is a function for student government.
The student government must work as a "sounding-board" for students, to make the administration aware of campus problems. But this is not enough! The All Student Council must be willing to pass sound legislation on these problems so that the students as a whole are benefited.
But how is the ASC to know how the students as a whole are benefited?
This is the primary responsibility of the student body president. He must be willing to give all his time to the office. It will be necessary for him to make direct contact with the existing campus organizations - Independent, Greek, and University. Through this contact he will be informed of student opinion.
What is to be done with this information?
Obviously there will be conflicting opinions. Is the President to present personal or party feelings? No. He has committee appointive power. Thus the president can set up pertinent committees that will make student government closer to the students and an integral and beneficial part of student life.
What is the benefit of having student government closer to the students?
Student apathy to student government should disappear! The administration will then recognize that the ASC is really a representative body. The ASC can become a sounding board for student opinion. Suggestions can be made to the administration that will represent the student viewpoint. With the students so working together, the administration has to see that we are ready to assume the responsibility of solving our own problems instead of having an outside force solve them for us.
Can we solve our own problems?
The structure of student government has been changed. It is now up to us to decide whether we are able to govern ourselves. The ASC has the ability. If its members and the student body will combine their interest and work for self-government, we will be able to assume this responsibility. But we must have a student body president that can devote all his time to leading the student body and the ASC. He must be willing to go to the administration with student opinions, voice these opinions, and make the administration realize that it is true student opinion and not just support for factional groups as it has been in the past.
-Dave Whalen and Bill Wilson
The seniors are meeting Tuesday to decide an appropriate gift for the University. Hope we don't end up getting the bird again.
The Topeka Daily Capital crowned a state spelling champion Saturday. There seems to be a lack of good spellers at this Univiritity.
There will be a new look in softball at the Senior Day picnic Thursday. Men will be required to use kitchen pans instead of gloves, bat opposite the normal side, and run the bases backwards. Women will follow the normal procedure. In other words—use kitchen pans instead of gloves, bat opposite the normal side, and run the bases backwards.
Jerry Thomas
Daily Transan
University of Kansas student newspaper Founded 1889, became biweekly 1904, trieweekly 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912.
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lished in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon noon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays, and examination periods. Entered on March 10, matter under 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
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