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University Daily Kansan Thursday. Oct. 24. 1957
Asian Flu Still Threatens
Student apathy, much like an uncontrollable growth, has spread from campus politics and athletics to engulf personal health and the health of others.
Several week ago Dr. Ralph I. Canuteson, director of the Student Health Service, warned that the slight touch of Asian flu we had in the latter part of September and early October was only a preview of flu to come.
Dr. Canuteson is worried, and after viewing the facts you can see why. Of the 8,000-plus students enrolled on the campus, less than 3,500 have taken those few minutes needed to trot over and get their flu shot.
Along with the ones who haven't received a vaccination, Dr. Canuteson now says that the ones who got their shot in September are due for a booster.
The current supply of shots at the hospital is over 2,000. Dr. Canuteson said Tuesday that only a few students are trickling in to get their shots. He said, "Interest is waning," which is a mild way of saying
the students just don't care.
Dr. Canuteson is no alarmist, but he can see it coming. The flu is striking with tenacity throughout the nation and we have already had a sample of what it's like.
Dr. Canuteson says the next trial will come near the end of December. He fears there'll be a ruined vacation for a considerable number of students. At this time, he adds, it will strike in epidemic proportions, with a probable doubling or tripling of the previous number of cases.
The shots will give you a reported 70 per cent immunity and with the protection you have built up after inhaling the flu germs for several months, your chances of surviving the next onslaught are excellent.
Those of you who have received your first shot, keep in mind that the vaccinations are not permanent, and a booster is needed to give maximum protection.
We sincerely urge you to heed Dr. Canuteson's advice. —Bob Hartley
Are Grades Fair?
Several of the departments of the University have supplied us with a dilemma.
The dilemma is caused by the supposedly "fair" curve system which is in present use by these departments. This system insures that so many students receive A's, so many B's and so on down the line including a good number of F's.
The problem is whether this system is really fair to the student, the department using it or the University.
Under the present system in these departments if 300 "A" students happened to take one of their courses along with only 100 average students, a large number of "A" students would be in danger of getting a C if not a D in that course. On the other hand, the next semester, after all these "A" students the first semester, not one "A" student enrolls in the course. An average student is now given the chance to make an A where the semester before some "A" students were lucky to get C's.
Is this fair? students were lucky to get C's.
We think not. It not only is not fair to the student, but it is not fair to the department or the University. Say what you want about the curve, IT IS NOT an accurate measure of student knowledge, it is not fair to the individual student, and it does not insure a fair and accurate testing of student knowledge.
The time these departments take in figuring their hypothetical curve might be better spent in compiling a more comprehensive exam, better designed to test the student's knowledge and grasp of the subject.
The idea that on one test a student can receive the equivalent of 75 per cent and get an A, and on the following test receive the equivalent of 90 per cent and get a C, tends to confuse students and rob them of their ambition.
There is enough instability in the world today without scholastic departments helping to make it more unstable. We need a fair and accurate grading system based on set figures, not a wobbly inaccurate curve.
—Lee Lord
More On Syria
The biggest joke in the international scene these days could easily be Syria's 70,000 man army seriously threatening Turkey's well trained 400,- 000 man army with another 2 million men in the ready reserve.
It could be a joke if it wasn't for Russia and the United States taking such a big interest in the whole affair.
The biggest joker is, however, the interest the
U. S. is taking now. Back in 1950 when Syria appealed to us for military aid we showed little interest at all in this small Middle East country.
Today Syria stands well equipped with Russian arms donated by the Russian government after Syria was turned down by the U.S.
Chalk up one more potential ally over to the other side because of U.S. indifference.
—Lee Lord
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS By Dick Bibler
*YES, I FIND ITS ALOT EASIER TO GET DATES NOW THAT I HAVE A CAR*
The true test of an optimist came after the Russian satellite launching when he said: "Russia's greatest achievement is still Vodka."
Daily Hansan UNIVERSITY
University of Kansas student newspaper.
Founded 1889, became weekly 1904,
published quarterly.
Member Inland Daily Press Association.
Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by National Advertising Service. 420 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. News service; United Press. Mail subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year. Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holliday prices are $6.95 as second-class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., post office under act of March 3, 1879.
Telephone VIking 3-2700
Extension 376. business office
NEWS DEPARTMENT
Bob Lyle Managing Editor
Marilyn Mermis, Jim Bannan, Richard Brown, Ray Wingerson, Assistant Managing Editors; Bob Hartley, City Editor; Patricia Swinson, Lee Lord, Assistant City Editors; Leroy Zimmerman, Telegram Editor; Nancy Harmon, Assistant Telegraph Editor; Geoffrey Colm Applegate, Sports Editors; Mary Beth Noyes, Society Editor; Martha Crosier, Assistant Society Editor.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Harry Turner  Business Manager
Kenny Advertising Manager; Jere Glover, National Advertising Manager; George Pester, Classified Advertising Manager; Martha Billingsley, Assistant Advertising Manager; Ted Winkler, Circulation Manager; Steve Schmidt, Promotion Manager
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Larry Boston  Editorial Assistant John Fate  Del Haley, Jim Sledd, Editor, Editors.
We wish someone would be placed in charge of removing old posters from the many bulletin boards.
Total farm value of all crops harvested in Kansas in 1952 was a record $944,983.000.
Of Banks and Students . . .
He wants to be sure—securely confident—that his money is in good hands—or, more specifically, in expert, efficient hands, for the most economical, most positive handling of his finances.
The student wants a friend-a loyal, helpful friend-in the college town bank he chooses to care for his college funds.
"Little things" (yet not so little when lacking): Conveniences; friendly, personal attention; "extras" of service for which no charge, or a very nominal one, is made—when combined, such things are important, to the businessman or housewife, as well as the student depositor.
You will find at First National these requisites of a helpful friend, and you will discover that here, certainly, is a rewarding friendship.
The First National Bank
Member F.D.I.C.
.
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