Monday, August 21, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 9
A panoramic photograph from the top floor of Ellsworth Hall on Daisy Hill shows the beauty of campus. The beauty of the campus
was named one of the best things about the University of Kansas.
Photo by Christina Neff/KANSAN
Zeke Cunningham, Temecula senior, writes a parking ticket last fall for the parking department. Parking was picked as one of the worst aspects of campus. Kansan file photo
KU: the good, bad and ugly
By Mandy Symons Special to the Kansan
What's the best thing about the University of Kansas? And the worst?
First, the bad. KU students and professors rate parking high on their short list of the worst.
There's the problem of finding a space when the student lots are full. Then, there's the cost of metered parking. Add that to the cost of a ticket when the meter runs out after a long day of classes. Metered parking costs $1 per hour and expired meters result in a $5 fine. If students park in a lot without the proper permit, they face fines of $20 and to $100.
Another thorn in students' sides is enrollment. Students complain because they can't enroll online. Short of that, they say the current system should be more efficient. Several students complained about waiting for their assigned time in long lines and then not getting the classes they needed.
Parking and enrollment aren't their only complaints.
"I'd like to see more scholarships for average students other than National Merit Scholars and athletes," Erin MLCain, Hutchinson junior, said.
Lawrence Wrightsman, professor of psychology, thought students were bearing too much of the financial burden of the University, with tuition rates increasing frequently.
On the other hand, the University has its perks, too. High on many students' lists is KU basketball.
The best thing about KU is having Roy Williams coaching inside Allen
Field House, the greatest place to play college basketball," said Katie Farris, Oswego jumped
Liz Snyder, Wichita junior, disagreed. "Everybody makes such a big deal about [basketball], and they forget that there's lots of other cool stuff going on at the University," she said.
Many Jayhawks said the support the alumni and students have for the University made KU what it is.
"I like how it's a very open campus and how easily things are accepted," said James Oakes, Columbus, Ohio, sophomore.
Other students think the best of KU is the campus itself. On sunny days, Wescoe beach is flooded with students sitting, resting, talking to friends or just people-watching.
"I think the best thing about KU is the great social scene," said Chris Maynard, Lawrence sophomore.
McLain said the University's strength was in its instructors.
"What I like best is how willing professors are to help me outside of class," McLain said.
Graduation ceremonies vary within conference
— Edited by Lori O'Toole
By Kyle Burnett
Special to the Kansan
The image of 4,000 students in caps and gowns walking down Campanile defines the graduation tradition at the University of Kansas.
Like Kansas, other Big 12 universities have traditions that make graduation a special occasion.
The University of Texas at Austin separates its graduates into three separate ceremonies to accommodate the almost 7,000 graduates, said Jean Griffith, assistant dean of graduate studies at Texas.
The traditional procession is in front of the bell tower on campus, beginning with a carillon prelude of bells and ending with everyone singing "The Eyes of Texas." Griffith said.
Bill Moyers, an alumnus and Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, spoke at commencement, and a fireworks show followed to signal the official graduation of the seniors.
Texas A&M University's graduation ceremony is slightly different from its state rival in Austin.
"We have three different ceremonies, but our main ceremony is much more formal," said Karen Price, assistant registrar at Texas A&M. "The students get their diploma when they walk across the stage."
The ceremony begins with the placement of the Mace Standard, a large piece of wood with a plaque on the center. It's carried on stage and placed in its holder by the faculty marshal. Price said.
Then the Gonfalonier, the academically outstanding student from each school, carries the flag for each college and places it in its holder on stage.
An alumnus usually speaks first, followed by a guest speaker. The identity of the guest speaker is kept secret until there is an official commitment, Price said.
Two of the three guest speakers this year were the honorable Francisco Flores, president of El Salvador, and Robert Atwell, former president of the American Council on Education.
The ceremony, which is held outdoors, is ended by the singing of the school song.
Iowa State University takes yet another approach to celebrating and com
mencing with graduation.
"Each school has its own individual ceremony," said Debbie Lettow, record analyst in the Iowa State graduation office.
The formality of the individual school ceremonies recognizes each individual graduate separately. But there is a larger ceremony for all undergraduates where caps and gowns are worn and a speaker from outside the university speaks. Lettow said.
The Sooners at the University of Oklahoma have a parade that precedes the graduation ceremony complete with a pipe and drum corps and color guard, said Jerri Culpepper, coordinator for news and publications at Oklahoma.
The long parade along with the international students carrying their countries' flags winds through campus to the football stadium where the graduation ceremony is held. Each student is given a pin when they walk across the stage temporarily erected on the field for the commencement ceremony.
"The procession is very formal," Culpepper said.
But as is the case at Kansas, graduates at Oklahoma receive their diplomas in the mail. Culpepper said.
On the other hand, Kansas State University has no graduation traditions.
The Wildcats do not have a university commencement ceremony, but each school within the university has its own graduation for the seniors.
The University of Missouri also does not have a campus ceremony.
"Each school has its own graduation ceremony," said Gary Smith, director of admissions and registrar at Missouri. "There are two large traditions Missouri has each year — the honors convocation and the fanfare Open House party the alumni hosts the night before."
The honors convocation is a ceremony that honors outstanding students, honorary degree students, Latin honors and students with perfect grade point averages. The alumni then host a party for those students and others the night before to celebrate the occasion, Smith said.
Each school within Missouri has a speaker at its commencement ceremony, but the speakers tend not to be big-name people. Smith said.