4A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
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THURSDAY,NOV.82001
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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR
ANIMAL ATHLETES
Dear editor, Congratulations on the unbiased article about the issue of animal cruelty at rodeos. I would like to provide some additional information.
Dear editor,
Professionally sanctioned rodeos, such as the one held in Kansas City, Mo., must adhere to strict guidelines enforced by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Steve Hindi admits on his Web site that more than 5,000 rodeoes are held annually in the U.S., and only about 800 are sponsored by the PRCA. Most of the incidents that concern animal activists have occurred at unsanctioned events, or "black rodeoes," as they are sometimes called. Nobody is more committed to the proper care of animal athletes than professional rodeo cowboys and contract personnel.
Flank straps are lined with a thick fleece on the side that touches the animal, much like the cinch on a regular saddle. The use of a regulation flank strap makes the sores Hindi refers to virtually impossible. Many people have probably never seen a pair of spurs up close. The free-rolling rowels are not sharp, and in fact, PRCA rules specify that they must be dulled for competition. Electric cattle prods that are commonly used on ranches and in veterinary clinics to humanely herd animals serve the same purpose in professional rodeo.
purpose.
I urge people to remain informed and not be afraid to seek out accurate information. If rodeo officials are approached in a congenial matter, they are more than happy to answer questions or show interested parties the livestock and equipment used during competition. I fully support the right of animal welfare organizations to peacefully protest, and commend them for demanding the proper treatment of animals, which remains a top priority of the PRCA and its members.
Ashley Ellis Hill City junior
TEACHER SALARIES
Dear editors,
Dear editors,
At last Wednesday's open forum, Chancellor Hemenway expressed sadness about the events of Sept. 11—an entirely appropriate choice. Unfortunately, he soon laid partial blame for KU's financial struggles on these events, an action both callous and cowardly. His point that the economy will suffer—and thus KU will suffer—because of the tragedy might be correct, but suggesting that KU is unable to adequately compensate teachers for their work because of the tragedy is another example of the responsibility-dodging that KU's administrators think they do so well.
PERSPECTIVE
institators think they Nobody is fooled. Anyone who remembers life at KU before Sept. 11, life before the economy showed signs of recession, life during "the longest peace time boom ever" knows that KU administrators don't value the work of teachers. The proof is in the numbers: Many KU GTAs earn half of what their colleagues at other schools earn for the same job, and that has been true for years. Chancellor Hemenway's effort to link KU's eternal cheapness with a national tragedy is ludicrous and insensitive; it is nothing more than an attempt—a new form of grave robbing—to use the suffering of others to excuse KU administration's own unethical behavior.
Rebecca Barrett Lancaster County, Penn. graduate student
First Nation Peoples celebrate their experience of history
For most Americans, November signals the forthcoming time of food, family, frivolity and football. However, for those who have roots in this country that stretch back before 1492, November signals a time of reflection and recognition.
From the Choetaw Code Talkers of World War I and the Comanche and Navajo Code Talkers of World War II to their proportionately large representation in both World Wars, this group of people has done more for the survival of the American People as a whole than any other group. In fact, a vast amount of the foods we eat today can be traced to their influence.
Unfortunately, the origin of these and many other contributions to majority society aren't taught in our schools. Most of what is known by the American People about this group and its relation to America is isolated to stereotypical images and to a realm of conflict ingrained in our history books
These people - my people have been grouped under various names Native American, American Indian, Indigenous Peoples and most recently First Nations Peoples (following the lead of the Canadian Indigenous Peoples). While I cannot enlighten one as to which would be the politically correct term for this group, I can say that the Native group on this campus prefers the term First Nations Peoples.
Commentary
Theresa Milk
Columnist
opinionakansan.com
And so, should you be inclined to enlighten yourself about the First Nations Peoples, a wealth of knowledge awaits at 23rd and Barker - Haskell Indian Nations University. Students there represent more than 150 tribes (out of more than 500 specific tribes or nations located across the United States). Many First Nations Peoples at Haskell would welcome the
chance to share their culture with you. In fact, you can even take a class at Haskell through the exchange program.
It has only been seven years since November has been designated National Native American Heritage Month, or as we at KU prefer to call it - First Nations Peoples Heritage Month. After more than 80 years of effort on the part of various individuals and organizations to acknowledge the original inhabitants of this country and their contributions, it has been a long time coming. While certainly I agree with those who maintain that the awareness needs to reach beyond just the month of November, I also realize the wisdom in the adage, "You gotta walk before you can run."
Perhaps you aren't ready to explore Haskell just yet. Come sit in on one of the activities planned at KU for First Nations Peoples Heritage Month. Come catch the presentation on Indian Education in America at 7 onight at the English Room in the Kansas Union
English Room in the Park
Perhaps you have wondered what the big fuss is all about regarding Haskell's stand on the Wetlands and their fight against the South Lawrence Trafficway. Well, sit in on the presentation by the Wetlands Preservation Organization at 8 p.m. next Thursday in the Kansas Union and they'll tell you.
If you want to see beauty in motion, come to the Kansas Union at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, and see various forms of Native dance. Or come hear the Native perspective from students of both Haskell and the University at a poetry reading at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27, in the Union.
Come to one or come to all, whatever suits your fancy, but know that this is an open invitation to all. I hope to see you there.
Milk is a graduate student in higher education administration from Wanblee, S.D.
FREE for ALL
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Not all of them will be published, Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of incoming calls are recorded.
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
You ride in on the horse, and that is up with what?
out big 12 school.
■ The University of Nebraska, for example, not only whips Kansas in football, but in TA salaries as well; beginning teachers in Lincoln earn $12,000, nearly $3,000 more than here.
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Yeah, just like in the movie Aliens!
I disagree with the person who said they'd like to have Kevin Spacey's children because, you know what, I'd like to have them, too.
Two words: Paul Pierce.
Two words: Gooden.
November to remember.
Terry Allen? More like Terry Fired.
Tony Blair, who he's? if he were prettier,
could he be a Crimson Girl?
I just found out I have mono. I kissed five girls this weekend and I'm not telling them.
I just wanted to say thanks to the nice girl that I rear-ended because, you know, she was really nice.
I'm standing in the middle of the Oliver Hall lobby, and it reminds me of that movie Aliens.
out big 12 school.
■ The University of Nebraska, for example, not only whips Kansas in football, but in TA salaries as well; beginning teachers in Lincoln earn $12,000, nearly $3,000 more than here.
This just in: Haskell just announced the hiring of a new football coach named Barry Allen.
Maybe I should call this the Full for All because every time I call, the mailbox is full.
My roommate is into bondage, and I'm afraid she's going to tie me to my bed with my Christmas lights. I think I need a hug.
My girlfriend just punched my roommate in the head, just like in that movie Aliens.
out big 12 school.
■ The University of Nebraska, for example, not only whips Kansas in football, but in TA salaries as well; beginning teachers in Lincoln earn $12,000, nearly $3,000 more than here.
Personally, I think Roy Williams should be the new football coach.
What up with the crossword being printed directly over the crease? It's very difficult to conceal the crossword from teachers when you can't fold it.
I have no friends. They're not answering their phones, so I called you so that you can tell all my friends to call me, or at least pick up their phones when I call.
I am a karaoke goddess.
I didn't get into graphic design and I'm glad the design department at KU is falling apart, they deserve it.
I went to Hollywood, and all I got was this three-toed sloth.
--out big 12 school.
■ The University of Nebraska, for example, not only whips Kansas in football, but in TA salaries as well; beginning teachers in Lincoln earn $12,000, nearly $3,000 more than here.
Why do they hire people to clean up the leaves? Do they not realize how fun it is to play in the leaves?
Bye Coach Allen, thanks for everything.
That'd be, uh... well, gosh.
There are three short phrases to describe everything that goes on in life when you're drunk: Dude, you guys, seriously.
PERSPECTIVE
Pathetic GTA salaries hinder attracting teachers
The trade journal of academic careers, The Chronicle of Higher Education, recently published the findings of a survey on graduate student teaching assistant compensation that confirms the notion that teaching assistants at the University of Kansas are woefully underpaid.
Under the headline "Stipends Are Key in Competition to Land Top Graduate Students" the Sept. 28 Chronicle noted that although choosing a program for graduate study is a complex process, adequate salaries are essential to attracting the best graduate students.
So how do the benefits for teaching assistants at the University of Kansas stack up against other institutions?
Kevin
Armitage
Guest columnist
opinionaksan.com
Commentary
For comparison purposes, the Chronicle's survey used the salary of English department teaching assistants. Citing that standard, the Chronicle found that in the humanities and social sciences a TA "can expect a stipend of $11,00 or $12,000.
In a word, they're pathetic.
Sadly, that level of compensation is mere fantasy at the University. The $9,161 listed as the beginning teaching assistant salary in the KU English department was the second to the lowest of the 45 schools listed in Chronicle.
Not only did teachers compensation at the University fall thousands of dollars short of elite schools, such as Stanford or Columbia, in expensive cities (Stanford pays English TAs $16,338,
Columbia $15,000), but KU salaries lag thousands of dollars behind those of other Big 12 schools.
Teaching assistants who mosey down to College Station, Texas, earn nearly $2,000 more for instructing Texas A&M undergraduates than do their Kansas counterparts.
At the University of Colorado, the mountains near campus are not the only things higher than Mt. Oread; Boulder TA salaries tower above at the University. Colorado pays its teaching assistants about $2,800 more than Kansas.
Even Iowa State doles out just under $13,000 to its teachers, beating out Kansas by nearly $4,000.
I could continue, but you get the point.
Clearly, poor salaries negatively affect teaching assistants, but do they
The administration likes to argue that the special qualities of Lawrence and the University compensate for the terribly low salaries, and it is true that the University has qualities that help draw many outstanding graduate students.
dents.
Yet, as the Chronicle points out, stipends are "key" to attracting the best graduate students. A unique setting can't always overcome salaries that remain thousands of dollars below market standards.
Indeed, it is a testament to the administration's lack of leadership on this issue that I must make the simple point that it is clearly in the best interests of undergraduates that the University consistently enroll the very best graduate students who, after all, teach about one-third of undergraduate courses. Yet how can that happen if the teaching assistantships offered by the University are thousands of dollars less than those of our peer institutions?
harm the overall academic mission of the University? Absolutely. Besides radically undervaluing undergraduate teaching, the University's pathetically low salaries inhibit the recruitment of the best graduate students and the retention of the best faculty.
Moreover, attracting excellent graduate students is essential to retaining top faculty whose research and teaching are inexorably tied to the quality of their graduate students.
Despite the obvious need to increase compensation for teaching assistants, the only organization at the University working toward that goal is the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition (GTAC). The coalition is engaged with the University administration in negotiations that will determine the salary and benefits of KU teaching assistants.
A substantial increase in teaching assistant compensation is thus not only the right thing to do, but will greatly benefit the core teaching and research mission of the University.
benefits of RC education In the era of $500 million fund-raising drives, it is incumbent on the administration to dedicate adequate monies to TA compensation. After all, that is what successful academic administrations do: find ways to fully support vital aspects of the University life.
Chancellor Hemenway should waste not time in signing a contract with GTAC that includes a substantial increase in benefits for TAs, thereby helping ensure that the University of Kansas remains a top quality teaching and research institution.
**Armitage is a Lawrence graduate student in history.**
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