Page 8
University Daily Kansan Monday, May 1, 1961
Russians Talk With Students
(Continued from page 1)
sians when they visited there.
"The professor told us he had a student who came to one lecture at the beginning of the term, and then disappeared," Mr. Davtyan said.
"The student reappeared for the final examination and got a score of 9.8. The professor asked the student how he had got such a high score since he had come to only one lecture.
"THE STUDENT REPLIED. 'If I had not come to that first lecture I probably would have received a 10.'
"That is not our system," Mr Davtyan said gravely. "We consider lectures to be a most important part of education."
Melvin Mencher, KU assistant professor of journalism and moderator of the forum, told Mr. Davytan:
"I am sure that professor was pulling your leg. American students take their attendance as seriously as Russian students."
In the question-and-answer session that followed Mr. Davtyan's speech, Nikolai G. Baranov, 39-year-old history professor, acted as spokesman for the Russians.
ONE STUDENT ASKED if it were possible to live a normal, healthy life in the Soviet Union without believing in Communism.
Mr. Baranov delivered a prompt answer:
"I doubt that there is anyone in the Soviet Union who does not believe in Communism."
This brought loud hissing from some members of the audience. The Russians smiled.
Another question came from a student who said he had learned through correspondence with a Russian student that everyone in Soviet schools must study Marx and Lenin.
"WHY DON'T YOU have academic freedom in your country," he asked, "so everyone can study whatever he wants to?"
Mr. Baranov admitted that studying Marx and Lenin is compulsory in the Soviet Union.
"But there is not a single case known in our country of a single student who did not want to study these subjects," Mr. Baranov asserted. The audience laughed.
"Our institutions of higher learning are not preparing individuals," Mr. Baranov continued. "They are preparing people who will cooperate in building a socialist society.
"HOW COULD WE build a Communist society if we did not have this theoretical basis?" he asked.
Mr. Baranov added:
"Soviet students are not free to choose whatever subjects are least difficult."
A student asked if Russian students were required to sign a loyalty oath before receiving scholarships from the Soviet Union.
Members of the audience laughed, recognizing a reference to the controversial loyalty oaths required of U.S. applicants for scholarships under the National Defense Education Act.
MR. BARANOV said, "I think the smiles on your faces are not accidental, because you know that we have no commission on un-Soviet activities."
In answer to a question about the dominant impressions of Americans, Mrs. Inna Korotkova, 24-year-old Intourist translator who is one of the two women in the group, said the most outstanding thing she had noticed is that "your people are interested in our country and want exchanges to be increased.
"THIS MEANS we will get to know each other better, and we will then understand each other better," she said.
"This will promote understanding and peace — which we all want so much." she continued.
At the end of the forum the audience applauded the Russians vigorously.
Kansan Want Ads Get Results
WILMINGTON, Del. — (UPI) — A Wilmington baby, Cindy Krupa, can identify all letters of the alphabet, count up to 10 and carry on intelligible conversations in English and Polish, although she is only 21 months old. She also can do ballet steps.
She Knows Two Languages - 21 Months Old
The precocious child is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Krupa of this city. Cindy has been amazing her family and local psychiatrists for a year now. She began walking at 10 months and talking bilingually at 14 months.
Minds that have nothing to offer,
find little to perceive—Wordsworth
Report on Newsmen
KARACHI, Pakistan — (UPI) — The government-appointed wage board for working journalists has submitted a 107-page report to the Ministry of Labor after seven months deliberation.
The five-man board was organized May 30,1960 "for fixing rates of wages in respect of working journalists."
1 This Deer a Problem
DAVIS, Calif. — (UPI) — California's deer population is giving coastal lumbermen a headache.
"Deer have often damaged or killed more than half the young trees in the area," said William M. Longhurst, zoologist from the University of California at Davis. Longhurst said the animals nip off the tops of young Douglas fir and redwood seedlings in replanted forests.
Griff's Anniversary Special
Anniversary Special NICKEL SHAKE DAY Tuesday, May 2nd
(One Day Only)
AT THE DRIVE-IN WITH THE RAINBOW COLORS
The Griff's Chain of Drive-Ins are celebrating their 1st Anniversary. "We want to thank you fine people for your patronage.In our way of saying Thanks! . . we are having Nickel Shake Day, Tuesday, May 2nd." (One Day Only)
Drive Out to GRIFF'S BURGER BAR - 1618 W.23rd St. and help us celebrate our Anniversary Day.
Best By Taste Test!
MEADOW GOLD MILK
No Coupon
No Limit
One Day Only