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Monday, November 5, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Big Eight council analyzes racism
Schools experiencing bigotry in many forms
By Holly M. Neuman
Kansan staff writer
Although the racial climate at the University of Kansas is far from perfect, other schools in the Big Eight have problems worse than the ones here, said two KU students. They attended the Big Eight Council on Black Student Government during the weekend.
Ardra Tippett, school chairperson, said that most of the schools in the Big Eight seemed to have similar racial problems and had been unintended themselves in different ways.
"Some schools are having overt racism problems," Tippet said. "At the University of Oklahoma, a black guy was beaten with a baseball bat. People have been chased and called 'migger', and banners saving." Niggers go home" have been out."
The meeting, which was held in Boulder, Colo., was the first of four this year, Tippett said. At the meeting, members from each Big Eight school discussed problems and solutions for racially motivated incidents.
John Lewis, counsel chairperson, said,
"The status quo for doing things just isn't"
"there."
Tippett and Lewis said other schools were impressed by the stance and actions of teachers.
Representatives from other schools also were impressed with the way KU students were becoming more educated about cultural sensitivity, he said.
They were impressed with the strength
of Black Men of Today and other Black organizations." Tipney said.
Tippet said the biggest problem facing Big Eight schools was a lack of education. The council supports recruiting and retaining teachers and developing a balanced core curriculum.
"We have a long way to go," Tipppet said, "Our campus is a little bit more sensitive, but we're tired of people not liking us because of our skin.
Lewis said, "KU has made a first step, but we need a bigger step. Our administration is a little more willing to work, but it still isn't enough."
Pick a card
Jennifer Warner/KANSAN
Armen Kurdian, Wichita junior, deals a card at the black jack table during the Battelfield Scholarship Hall Casino Party. Friday's party was open to all students.
Committee to study discrimination and campus life at KU
By Monica Mendoza
Kansan staff writer
Using a model developed by Rutgers University in New Jersey, a KU committee of faculty, administrators and students will study every aspect of gender discrimination toward gay lesbian and bisexual students in our college.
The Rutgers model was developed last year by a committee of more than 200 people to integrate gay and
lesbian student programs with existing programs on campus, said Karen Cook, member of Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas. The model includes programs in the areas of sexual security, housing and academics.
Tom Emerson, member of GLOSK,
said KU committee members were
expected to read and understand the
meetings, as well as meetings of
meetings with various departments and programs. The meetings would include detailed questions about how to improve existing programs for gay and lesbian students.
"We would want to know why or why not a certain program would work and what they could do to implement the programs." Emerson said.
He said GLSOK expected the committee, which is one of several committees evaluating all types of discrimination on campus, to have a list of programs ready by March 1 to present to Chancellor Gene A. Budig.
"The committee will give him a list of changes, where the only obstacle is implementation," he said.
Del Shankel, interim executive vice chancellor, said the March 1 deadline was reasonable.
He said the committee would have some of the details worked out by then.
Shankel said the committee also would make its recommendations to him and David Amber, vice chancellor for student affairs.
Cook said that by following the Rutgers model, the committee would not have to conduct research about gay and lesbian discrimination
The Rutgers committee conducted interviews and surveys investigating discrimination and developed working programs. The KU committee
now can move immediately to the next step. developing programs.
"The Rutgers model is already a complete, across-the-board package, and it is applicable and usable." she said.
The model includes videos, study guides, discussion topics and questions and formats for sensitivity training programs. Cook said
"It works, because it allows input from everyone," she said.
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