OPINION
Page 4
KANSAN
The University Daily KANSAN
Published since 1889 by students of the University of Kansas
The University Dalkan, Kaliwan (UUSP 64064) is published at the University of Kansas, 115 Stuart Fink Hall, Lawen, Kawan 39017 during the regular school year and Wednesday and Friday during the summer session, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and final periods. Second class postpaid license at Lawen, Kawan 66048. Subscriptions by mail are for six months or 6% a year in Douglas County and $1 for six months or $1 a year outdoor the county. Student postpaid licenses must be purchased at a licensed public address changes to t
DON KNOX
Editor
PAUL SEVART VINCE BESS
Managing Editor Editorial Editor
DAVE WANAMAKER Business Manager
DOUG CUNNINGHAM Campus Editor
SUSANNE SHAW
LYNNE STARK MARY BERNICA
Retail Sales National Sales
Manager Manager
SUSANNE SHAW
General Manager and News Adviser
JILL GOLDBLATT Campus Sales Manager
JOHN OBERZAN Sales and Marketing Adviser
Dodging Donovan
The spoils of being a front-runner were plentiful this week for Ronald Reagan. He didn't have to answer any hard questions about the indictment of Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan on charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records or about the links to organized crime the indictment implies.
The Democratic ticket has not been so lucky. Geraldine Ferraro has been dogged for weeks by reports that the business dealings of her husband, John Zaccaro, have included underworld connections.
Donovan, a veteran of such investigations, protested that the indictment was politically motivated and declared it to be "not worth the paper it is written on."
Reagan issued his obligatory statement of support for Donovan, and attacked the "lynch atmosphere" he said has accompanied the investigations of officials he has appointed.
But Donovan has had trouble since the beginning. The FBI reported at his confirmation hearings that it was not able to back up statements by informants that Donovan had ties to mob figures, and the Senate confirmed his appointment 80-17. After that vote, Donovan claimed vindication.
That vindication has eluded him once again. Donovan was investigated by special prosecutor Leon Silverman in 1982; he found "insufficient credible evidence" twice to back up accusations that Donovan was linked to organized crime and taking payoffs.
taking payoffs. The lopsided polls have let Reagan pick and choose his issues. He hasn't had to take the heat for appointing a labor secretary who hasn't been able to completely vindicate himself, despite several chances. Considering the accusations made on far shakier grounds about John Zaccaro's dealings, Reagan has little room to complain about a "lynch atmosphere" surrounding only his appointees. Walter Mondale should have it so good.
LETTERS POLICY
The University Daily Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten and double-spaced and should not exceed 300 words. They should include the writer's name, address and phone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, the letter should include his class and hometown, or faculty or staff position. The Kansan also lends in the group to submit guest columns. Columns and letters can be mailed or brought to the Kansson office, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit or reject letters and columns.
Bob stood on my doorstep and said he was mad as hell and wasn't going to take it anymore.
Liberal-hunting difficult on campus
Because he usually is a mild-mannered pacifist, I was surprised to see such emotion.
He told me he was going hunting and asked if I wanted to join him.
"Hunting? Where?" I asked incredulously.
"Up there, on the Hill Through the plains of Strong, the forests of Watson, the beaches of Wescoe," he said.
"And what do you plan to hunt?" I responded.
"Liberals. Of the bleeding-heart species."
I noticed he was decked to toe in what must have been his liberal-hunting garb faded blue jeans, a flannel and allabases and a flannel 84 button.
"You realize that you're facing quite a challenge don't you?" I asked "Not only are you in the wrong part of the country, but necessarily sparse around here lately. It's almost as if they are a dying breed."
But, curiosity got the best of me and I found myself following him up the Hill where he would stalk
He perched himself beside the 'Hawk statue in front of Strong Hall.
"Now we simply begin the calls," he said.
"No nukes, No nukes! he wailed.
"The calls?"
"Wellllfarrrre."
"Assail them with planks from the Republican platform until I spark a
Some creatures wearing Mondale Ferraro T-shirts stirred in the distance, but Bob received no response.
"Just what do you plan to do with these liberals if you catch any?" I asked.
fire in their apathetic souls," he said. "Read quotes by Jesse Helms to
them to give them new inspiration."
But as time passed, Bob failed to catch any of his intended game.
"It's not like it used to be," he lamented. "I remember back in '80 yeah, that was the end of an era. When it was cool to be liberal. When it was cool to be truly, despised Reagan and weren't afraid to stick up for Anderson.
"Now the good 'ol die-hard left have been replaced by preppies and yuppies and conservatives by the dozens. Even the high school kids are saying they're for
prayer in schools — it doesn't appear to be letting up."
"But you shouldn't lose hope," I said. "Just think about all the protests against apartheid and for divestiture in South Africa and all the debates about racism and sexism?"
"It's just not the same," he said.
"Do you expect to see evidence of that in November?"
"Maybe in '88," he said. "Maybe after four more years they'll come around."
And with a sigh, Bob started for home.
Keep extracurriculars in perspective
And while we all despise the sleepless nights and constant complaining that results from this type of workload, the procrastination, the parties and the outside activities due to compete for students' time.
Buried under a mound of projects, research papers and midterm examinations, students trudge through the campus. Another fall semester on the hill.
They also provide a distinguishing element for the student who can juggle classes and activities and excel in each one.
The University has virtually limitless professional societies, clubs and organizations to associate with Most of them, at least the ones that are required as a learning expert, require much work as a three-hour class.
For some, the activity can be the deciding factor in what job market a
These organizations serve a purpose for ambitious students who want to get more out of their college experience than knowledge of western civilization philosophies and the chemical equation for table salt
The activities supplement classroom learning by laying the foundation of experience, no matter how small it may be, beneath the factual learning that takes place at universities.
person wants to enter after graduation
But, when the responsibilities involved in an activity outweigh those of regular classes, the benefit is lost. And when the competition for a job is intense, and not the calculus exam, the activity no longer serves its purpose.
Unfortunately, the trend seems to indicate that activities have lost their value as a tool in education, and the
importance has become the impression they make on a resume
The emphasis on activities is dangerously close to making association with a club or organization meaningless.
Students sign up to participate, pay their dues and then fail to contribute. The result is weak organizations, but they add the additional line on the resume.
The problem originates with competition.
Escape from competition on a college campus is impossible.
Students must compete in their classes, in their activities and finally in the job market when they are graduated.
The job market competition is the motivating element. To compete for a position, you must have more than good grades. You must show that you had the extra time to belong to four teams. You must also maintain a 3.3 grade point average.
While grades are a universally accepted standard, your personality and the activities you participated in are our distinguishing marks.
the organizations that look good on a resume — those committee assignments that amount to nothing but hand out飞器和 yet read as an impressive part of a student's days in college.
So, to compete, students reach for
And some cannot afford to belong to the valuable organizations because of class demands
So, the lines under the activity section on a senior's resume fill up during four years, the names mean less and the impression is not as valuable.
Students must evaluate both sides of the problem and decide which aspect of college is most important.
The members and leaders of the actual organizations must evaluate their own worth because the ones that offer pre-professional experience are the ones that survive and that draw effective student participation.
The emphasis needs to shift back to content and not surface appearance or the value of extracurricular activities will be lost among the lines of the resume itself.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Column on affirmative action contains misconceptions
To the editor:
To the editor
We must respond to the Sept. 21 editorial by Jennifer Fine, titled "If Prison Action and Equality" it mitigates. We understand that she is reacting to a personal experience, or is claiming to. But she is not well or correctly informed. She cannot be expected to be in light of her lack of life experience and because of widespread misunderstandings and distortions of affirmative action concepts.
Ms. Fine can't substantiate that color took precedence over ability without a fair comparison of credentials, and she couldn't have or would have given her the viva and reference letters that would give evidence to her argument
two points need to be understood. First, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 attempted to guarantee equal opportunity to active and executive orders provided affirmative action tools to assure results.
Second, despite these steps, many employers have continued to make race-conscious decisions not to hire or promote persons of color.
Two myths need to be eradicated. The perception that affirmative action means that unqualified minority group members get preference over qualified minorities is wrong That is probably the most common misunderstanding about affirmative action.
The perception that the terms "quotas" and "goals" are synonymous is wrong. Goals grew out of Executive Order 11246, enacted under President Johnson. It requires that organizations or companies that have contracts in a certain dollar
amount with federal agencies write affirmative action plans. Those must articulate policies of equal opportunity and affirmative action and set annual hiring goals.
Goal setting requires three steps. First, a company's workforce is broken down into job groupings and those groups are analyzed by sex and race makeup. Second, the company's workforce is compared to data that show the availability of minorities and women — locally, regionally and nationally, whichever is most relevant in those job groupings. Third, the company's workforce is compared to the company's women and minorities falls below the percentage indicated in the availability data, goals are set to correct the discrepancy.
Here is the bottom line: Goals are flexible; quotas — court-ordered remedies to discrimination — are not.
Ms. Fine notes that the U.S. Supreme Court ignored the current administration's opinion in upholding the affirmative action plan of the Detroit Police Department, which will help the officers promoted to be black
Ms. Fine gives implicit praise to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission for its "new attitude" toward affirmative action, which represents "an effort to assure equality instead of preferential treatment." The commission advises the president about civil rights matters. We have seen the president fire members of commissions when they do not agree with his opinion. Understandably, then, the current commission reflects the current administration's views.
The court's decision was proper;
the administration's opinion was contrary to law.
There is no wonder that affirmative action and equal opportunity generate such hostility and resentment when people in responsible positions — employers and those with ready access to media — provide or imply false information and false concepts.
And a final thought. Ms. Fine's employer referred to a "black girl" We wonder if the term 'black boy' is also part of his verbal repertoire, reveal sometimes unwittingly — our thoughts and attitudes.
It is unfair to women, minorities,
Vietnam era veterans and persons
with disabilities to say that affirmative action is overcompensation.
And it was unfair of Ms. Fine — and others like her — to be told that she might be denied a job because of a "black girl."
Director, Office of Affirmative
Rohbi Ferron
Member, Discrimination Hearing Record
Member, Affirmative Action Board
Shirlev Harkess
Roger Martin
I enjoyed emotion
To the editor
After reading the letter about the Cubs, I can only laugh at its ignorance 1, for one, greatly enjoyed watching these fine athletes celebrate a long-awaited victory, the longest in baseball history, in fact
But try and explain tradition to
Doug Humphreys. All I know is that ever since I have been alive, baseball teams have celebrated like this. So what is wrong with these guys blowing off a little steam after a great effort? After all they deserve it!
As for youngsters watching it, they should. It is good for them to see these guys showing some emotion. As for drugs, I failed to see one single hypo needle or a single joint. And if anyone did I suggest that they get glasses soon. There was only a little bit of excitement. I suggest. Mr. Humphreys, that you never again celebrate New Year's Eve.
I think it's a shame that athletes can't show more emotion. It is too bad that the true fans have to wait all season to see it. It is also too bad that people like Humphreys have to try to spoil a good time for us fans by trying to impose their close-minded morals on us.
Jon Kallis Chicago senior
Let Cubs celebrate
youth" just for a fireworks display
To the Cubs
In response to Doug Humprey's Sept. 27 letter "Bearish on the Cubs."
To the editor:
Next we can get those neerdarthens who celebrate Halloween. Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. These people only promote poor eating habits. Furthermore, we could abolish Labor, Memorial and Veteran's Days because they teach us to be lazy.
I totally agree with you Doug, let's stamp out freedom of expression before it too late. Those celebrating champions are on their toes. I see that Gododdess communists who every Fourth of July risk the lives of our "innocent, proper breed
Sarcasm aside, get real. Doug There is a dark side to everything you look hard enough. The bright side is they don't "display blatant indecencies" for 161 games of the season I don't know about "incipient, properly bred youth." but ones with intelligence should figure this out.
I am not a Cub's fan, but I think the only thing they are guilty of is winning the National League East pennant. Even if a team can be prosecuted (not persecuted) for that, the death penalty does not rob players of justice, but stakes whatever it is you do and let the Cubes be the Cubbles.
Rick Holmes
Toneka junior
Was letter a joke?
To the editor:
It often amuses me to observe the lengths some people will go to in order to accuse others of corrupting the morals of children and youth. A perfect example of this is seen in Dogg Humphreys' Sept 27 letter headlined, "Bearish on the Cubs." When I first read the letter, I figured that it must have been a prank letter initiated by somebody looking for a
few laughs while drinking a Bud
However, I later found out that there really is a Doug Humphreys and I also realized that out of the large readership possessed by the Kansan, there probably was somebody who would think along those lines. I am not one of those people.
atory first exception to the letter involved his accusation that players were involved in "immoral and blasphemous conduct" in their victory celebration I fail to find any blasphemous in a little cavorting around the locker room while showering people with champagne. These players have been through approximately 150 games this year and their work is now paying off. How this conduct can be called "immoral and blasphemous" is completely beyond me.
My second exception is taken with the statement dealing with the guilty individuals being "persecuted" to the highest extent of the law. First, the law "prosecutes" them, not "persecuates". Second, the whole idea is perfectly ludicrous to begin with. These players didn't break any laws, therefore they cannot be prosecuted and certainly shouldn't be executed.
In closing, I would like to say that opinions such as this and expressed in this manner only make me laugh, not seriously consider listening to it. I just hope this is a joke, because anybody with an opinion expressed like this needs to assess their stand on the issue.
Kevin J. Monroe
Newton freshman