Page 4 University Daily Kansan, October 2, 1980
Opinion
Profs may hit the road
When it comes to faculty salaries, the University of Kansas has been playing catch-up with inflation—and losing the battle every time.
A new study conducted by the Kansas Board of Regents shows that salaries for faculty members at Regents universities averaged about $1,000 less than the salaries at similar institutions.
The problems that stem from low salaries are obvious. If the salaries are too low, faculty members leave for other universities or private jobs. If faculty members leave their posts, the university's academic programs take a dip.
In the past year, KU has lost 13 faculty members to other universities and private industry. As inflation worsens, that number is bound to increase.
Much of the salary discrepancy is due to the Kansas Legislature's reluctance to provide increases until it is much too late. In other words, the inflation rate often has jumped so high that the salary increases cannot offset the high cost of living.
Catch-up too frequently has meant foul-up.
in tact, the buying power of faculty members has decreased substantially in the last 10 years despite several salary increases. The Legislature will legitimize its commitment to higher education only by allocating bigger increases to stay on top of inflation.
The dedication of instructors will wither if there is no food to put on the table. After all, many of the University's faculty members can acquire better-paying jobs elsewhere. It's as simple as that.
Letters to the Editor
Senate move to cut members ignored student body's views
To the editor:
This letter is addressed to the members of the University Council. I urge you, in your deliberations of Student Senate petition 1980-002, a petition requesting the University Council to amend Carefully V, Section I of the Senate Code, to consider carefully the ramifications and crippling effect this introduction in student representation have on one already fragile system of student government.
This petition is a contradiction to the fundamental principles of the University and in direct contrast to the ideals of academic freedom. This petition both opposes and weakens the free and open exchange of ideas, expressions of views, and the presentations of individual concerns.
Representative governance is designed to allow everyone an equal voice by providing an organized an effective forum for the discussion of varying perspectives and opinions as an alternative to picket signs, banners and demonstrations.
As a former member of the University Council, I remember a most eloquent speech in which one member challenged the Council to tell him how to eliminate student apathy and to increase interest. Apathy breeds apathy and honest concern, involvement and interest generate interest.
The problem is not apathy or student government. It is not the sole result of leadership, nor is it the responsibility of the student newspaper to "offer solutions." The problem is everyone's, and all a part of the continual growth process of a representative form of government that is both equitable and effective, without bias because of the position or status of an individual.
Students elect students to represent their interests and concerns to the faculty, the administration, the alumni, the Legislature and to whomever else of interest. The question of reducing student representation, whether for convenience or political manipulation, should be a question answered by the student body, not a handful of sheep in a lion's den.
McLouth graduate student
Mark Bernstein
Gay legal services
To the editor;
In a letter to the editor on Sept. 12, Kathleen Conkey told us that guys were being fired at our school.
tention an "outrageous" bill, approved by the House of Representatives, which appropriates money to maintain legal aid to the nation's poor, with the exception of one group—those who provide legal assistance in promoting, defending, or protecting homosexuality.
The reason Ms. Conkey views this bill as outrageous is because she obviously sees nothing wrong with homosexuality. She no doubt, has a liberal conscience andility is a legitimate "alternative" way of life.
On the other hand, if we consider the viewpoint of the creator of the universe, we find that homosexuality is an absolute abamination (Lev. 18:22). In fact, this activity was such a serious offense toward God and toward society, that the penalty under Old Testament law was capital punishment (Lev. 20:13). Historically, God has looked upon it with such disgust that at one point, when society refused to execute punishment on offenders, he took the liberty himself, annihilating Sodom and Gomorrah, which had been corrupted by it.
As a society under God, we are obligated to refuse homosexuals the opportunity to promote their movement with our tax dollars, just as we are obliged to refuse the right to promote crime with our tax dollars.
We can thank Rep. Larry McDonald, D-Ga,
for amending the Legal Services Bill as shown
above, and all five Kansas congressmen for
voting for it.
Rob Mullan
Overland Park Graduate Student
F.O. is all wet
To the editor:
I would like to commend the fine job done by Facilities Operations. These people are doing a fine job of watering the campus, the students, the faculty, the staff, books, dogs, insects of various animals, the wildlife, the stresses, passing cars, bicycles, various wild animals and, of course, some grass.
I think everyone on campus and elsewhere should give these fine, industrial recipients of our tax dollars a roaring applause, or use them as a tool for guest speakers, or a cruise around the world, or.
Jim Tyroler
Lawrence junior
Our presidential candidates promised to be good boys during the League of Women Voters' debates.
Strike halts TV (thank goodness)
For once there is a strike taking place that is not only worthwhile, but also welcome.
The striking Screen Actor's Guild has given the American public a gift greater than most of its television offerings—the delay of the beginning of the new season. Although several shows have begun their new seasons, the brunt of the assault of a new season of prime time garbage has been, at least temporarily, halted in its tracks.
Thank you SAG! Its members are finally repaying the public for prostituting their talents by participating in the mindless swill that is prime-time television. With luck, the strike will never be resolved, and the brains of the television-watching American public will be given a chance to return to a once-more solid state.
The actors' strike has, for the time being, spared the prisoners of prime time television from the likes of "Fantasy Island," "The Incredible Hulk" and other prime-time pap entering new seasons. All Americans may be spared the "dramas" that are as dramatic as a hangnail and situation comedies that are written by bowls of farina.
A tremendous amount of research has been conducted over the years on the effects of the long hours of captivity in front of the television set on the American public. The use of these devices as a tube effect the effects of the hypnotic flickering light of the set in a darkened room on its captive viewers, and the image and value demolition of television advertising all have been studied and documented. But the worst aspect of television, especially for children, one that can be ascertained by common sense and good taste, prime-time programming.
True, the revelation, "Who shot J. R. ?," will be delayed, and the repercussions from it
BILL
MENEZES
tragedy probably will be as damaging to the American police as the failure of Army helicopters to stand there.
hour-long moron tent shows may know, this is a real shame. "Holy Smoke, these monks are
But on the other hand, some of the shows unaffected by the strike ARE worth watching. At least for the time being, for every amazing llama, fortunately, there is a "Sixty Minute" "For every singing crab car driver there is a Tailor, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" on public television.
Unfortunately, not all of the new season has been halted by the strike. The "reality" shows that are the current rage, "Real People," "That's Incredible" and "Those Amazing Animals," feature the girl, the boy and the alligator next to her. American television coverage has not been prevented from being injected into the four hours of television viewing that average Americans absorb each day. As anyone who has had the misfortune to watch one of these
Television is not a total garbage pit, only about 90 percent so. And the public is lucky that about 90 percent of that 90 percent has been delayed by the SAG strike. But then there is always the specter of rurnes. The same slime shoveled into primary time last week in a very unusual way that keeps the hopelessly hypnotized viewers in their easy chairs until the strike is resolved.
Any way prime time television is looked at, it comes out to be a losing proposition. Whether it's the obnoxious situation comedies, the poorly acted pseudo-dramas or the reruns, the poor people whose lives revolve around the tube are in for more of the same refuse they've been fed for the past decade.
Knowing this, the best thing to do, other than to try to help these people through paychaimhon or intensive drug therapy, is to know what the actors don't do, can't hurt you, what the actors don't do, can't hurt you.
Mind rot
Television's damages widespread
Television's social critics all have valid criticisms of "Happy Days" and "Starsky and Hutch." In general, television viewing tends to be mind-deindering and has a slow, debilitating effect on human motivation and on the brain's thought processes. Sometimes television programs can even induce murder and other violent crimes.
Television's weakest and most passive viewers fall prey to its most despicable effects. Television's effects on the children of the 1950s, in fact, have been stunning.
College entrance examination scores, for example, have dipped at an alarming rate since the children of the 50s began enrolling in college.
Yet the more immediate effects, advertising and the notion that what appears on the cover is a lie, may be less significant.
Sponsors saw the opportunity to take advantage of television as a sales tool after World War II. Then, the idea of the "good life" was instilled in the mind of the vower. His lifestyle included an improved ability to accumulate as many consumer goods as possible.
Programming, of course, also is slanted to accommodate the wishes of the sponsor. A partner's commercial network is paid for by the same commercial networks is paid for by the same companies. Thus, the same type of program
This has resulted in a homogenization of society. These days, most students are expected to wear blue jeans or face the label of "nerd."
will be seen on commercial television that the sponsors will attract the most viewers.
Sponsors also affect public television.
speak to most public officials.
For the most part, public television is a tax haven for conglomerates that need to write off contributions on their tax statements. But
public television producers are not as likely to cater to sponsors' whims. The Allied Chemical Corporation dropped its sponsorship with the MacNevile-Leibert after a premium aired a show on the Love Canal disaster. So much for "charitable" contributions.
Programs of some value, such as news and public affairs shows, are kept out of prime time on the networks, at least until reunions are due. If you are going to do something, do not have the money to do what they want.
Only the British Broadcasting Corporation has done documentaries consistently on a large scale on public television airwaves. Now, Congress is becoming increasingly aware of the need for broadcasting, which increasingly must fend for itself in drumming up contributions.
The other immediate effect, that who
Viewers, after hours and hours and years and years of watching beautiful people on television, tend to hold themselves in less distress when they look in the mirror and see a glob.
appears on television is reality, is equally as dangerous.
The viewer also is expected to have the emotional range of a schizophrenic when watching a prime-time drama. The typical episode begins with a tragedy that is intended to induce outrage. Next is the chase, which is filled with superhuman feats and unlikely circumstances. Interspersed in this madness are moments of alleged comic delight.
Finally, after 40 minutes, allowing for 12 to 14 minutes per half hour for advertisements, the climax occurs. This is intended to induce appressed happiness and thrill in the viewer.
The epitome of a warped reality occurs when unscripted events worthy of news coverage are bent to the news-ratings' needs. ABC News, then third in the news-ratings war, was guilty of this during the first few weeks of the Iranian hostage situation.
Every night, an indignant newsman cried about the day number of the crisis standoff. This only helped to incense viewers, who had been bombarded by the hostage situation—the Mayaguez incident.
It seems radical to propose the elimination of commercial television broadcasting, but after looking at this technology's effects, as in the image, we see a much lower energy, the verdict is much easier to reach.
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The University Daily Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and not exceed 500 words. They should include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is after publication, the writer should include the writer's class and home town or faculty or staff position. The Kansan reserves the right to edit letters for publication.
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