A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
THURSDAY,SEPT.27,2001
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Kursten Phelps
editor
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editor@kansan.com
Leita Schultes Christina Neff managing editors 864-4854 or editor@kanans.com
Erin Adamson
Brendan Woodbury
opinion editors
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Jenny Moore business manager 864-4014 or addr@iansan.com
Kate Mariani
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Tom Eblen
general manager and
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EDITORIAL
Help in effort to build houses for those in need
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, unrelated charities and community service programs must not be ignored in favor of higher profile endeavors. Programs such as the House that Greeks Built offer an opportunity to directly benefit the community and add to the foundation of a society challenged by terrorism.
The House that Greeks Built is a community service program, open to greeks and non-greeks alike, that works through the Lawrence Chapter of Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing for low-income families. The program is coordinated with the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association.
Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit, nondenominational housing organization created in 1976. Recipients of the homes are chosen "according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat."
This year's House that Greeks Built is the second in the program's history, and the home buyer is a single mother and her 19-month-old son. The first house was built during the 1999-2000 academic year. Money was raised for this year's construction with fund-raisers, philanthropic activities and donations from the Greek community.
Regrettably, community service is sometimes detached, impersonal work. And often, those participating never get to see tangible results from their efforts. Far too many people simply write a check and chalk up their good deed for the week.
In contrast, Habitat for Humanity projects allow volunteers to make an immediate impact on the community, working with and learning from those they are helping. Each nail the volunteers hammer is one step toward a secure future for the home's recipient.
Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden, "The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run." He believed value should be determined based upon the amount of a person's life devoted to achieving an objective rather than on an arbitrary price. As a group, students generally have less money to contribute to charitable organizations, but they do have an ample supply of Thoreau's currency: time and energy.
Here in Lawrence, students were unable to donate physical labor to the rescue effort. Instead, they can volunteer for programs like the House that Greeks Built and help to rescue a Lawrence family from unaffordable or substandard living conditions.
Construction on this year's house begins tomorrow and will continue through Oct. 14. Those wanting to participate should contact Mark Ruder, at 331-2802, Jennifer Bacani at 766-3121 or Conner Noonan at 865-0582.
Matthew Hubbard for the editorial board
EDITOR'S NOTE
¿Qué tal con el 'Kansan'? Look for Spanish in Jayplay
As you flip through today's Jayplay section, you'll notice something different. In fact, you may not understand a word of what you see.
It's no mistake — we've printed a music article in Spanish. Next to it is an English version of the same article.
Our philosophy at the Kansan this semester has been to be unafraid of risks. The Kansan operates on a long, rich tradition of excellence, but I don't believe that tradition should trump innovation. No decision should ever be made simply because "that's the way it's always been done."
So we're taking a risk. Carlos Centeno, one of our Jayplay writers, is Venezuelan and a good writer—in two languages, nonetheless. The recent events in the United States have made us even more acutely aware that we live in a global, multicultural, multilingual society. The KU campus is a sparkling example of that diversity.
According to figures released yesterday, there are at least 627 Hispanic students at the University, and there are no doubt even more enrolled in Spanish classes.
In addition, the Office of Institutional Research and Planning's most
Commentary
Editor-in-chief editor@kansan.com
Kursten Phelps
recent figures show that this fall there are 1,720 international students enrolled at the University — many of whom are likely from Spanish-speaking nations.
The office also reports that during 1999-2000,70 bachelor's degrees,31 master's degrees and 10 doctorates for foreign languages were granted. I suspect many of those graduates had studied Spanish.
brand new idea. Maybe readers will love it, but maybe they'll hate it. Either way, we want to know. Should we keep running articles in Spanish? Are there other widely-spoken languages we should consider?
Let us know what you think. This is a
I'll admit it. I love Spanish. It's one of my majors, and I have a lot of Spanish speaking friends. But between the students who really like the language and those who are just struggling to get through their required four semesters, there's a lot of Spanish being spoken on this campus and throughout the United States. We thought this was a good place to start.
The Kansan is not trying to present one or two languages as more important than others,but unfortunately,we are restricted by the fonts that our technology allows us and the languages our staff members speak.
Today may end up being the only day you'll see a non-English article in the Kansan, but lo que sea, we're here to take the necessary risks to better reach our readers and carry the Kansan into the 21st century.
Y recuerden: El Kansan está aquí para Uds. Somos una universidad unida, no dependiente de qué idioma hablemos.
(Remember: The Kansan is here for everyone. We're all one University, united, no matter which language we speak.)
Phelps is a senior in journalism, Spanish and Latin American Studies from Manhattan. She is editor-in-chief.
Dear editors:
Recently, while scanning the paper for interesting articles, my roommate pointed out a commentary by Aaron Fulk ("Player should not suffer for his mistake," Sept.24.)
Fulk then said that although the actions were in fact illegal, he "doesn't deserve to have his life and his career ruined because of this incident".
As I read about the Utah Jazz basketball player DeShawn Stevenson, I found myself growing quite angry at Fulk's position concerning the matter.
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Fulk went on to say that when the charge of statutory rape was brought upon Stevenson, and if in fact he was found guilty, he would not be welcomed back onto the team.
The matter being that the 19-year-old player, along with a friend, had taken advantage of two girls under the age of 16. while intoxicated and at a hotel.
Imagine that, you commit a crime and you don't get to play.
The more I read, the angrier I became.
In other words, because of who he is
Fulk also pointed out that by no means is a 14-year-old an adult,but the girl should still be responsible for her actions.
Shouldn't 19-year-old Stevenson, who is legally an adult, take responsibility for his actions also?
and what he does, no legal actions should be taken.
He knew exactly what he was doing when he got that girl drunk and had sex with her. Consensual or not, it's still statutory rape by state law.
Shouldn't he pay for what he did in some way?
Fulk then referred to Stevenson as "a kid himself." If he is such a kid he needs to realize that this is a grown up world, and when you make mistakes, you pay for them.
Should we look the other way when a "celebrity" commits a crime, but then come down hard on those "average" Americans who do the same?
This article raises questions about our society today.
Dear editors.
I admit that at many high schools, the senior boys are "checking out" freshmen girls on the first day of school. That's OK. However, if those same boys are taking those girls to hotels, getting them drunk and then having sex with them, that is wrong.
Dear college,
I am responding to the column "Player should not suffer for his mistake" by Aaron Fulk (Sept. 24).
Alison Vavra Newton junior
It doesn't matter if the girl had just turned 14 or was one day away from her 15th birthday, it is still wrong. To imply that we should allow that behavior from anyone, regardless of their fame or notoriety, is disgusting, especially coming from a woman.
And I would counter the author of the column by saying that DeShawn Stevenson should be held to an even higher standard than a normal 18 year old. If he is man enough to be a "professional," then he should be man enough to find a woman to sleep with instead of taking advantage of a child.
Laura Hubert KU alumna
How to submit letters and guest columns
Letters: Should be double-spaced, typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest Columns: should be double-spaced, typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be e-mailed to opinion@kansan.com or submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Erin Adamson or Brendan Woodbury at 864-4924.
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the reader's representative at readersrep@kansan.com.
Free for All 864-0500
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.
for more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
If you live in the scholarship halls or the residence halls you're paying for your friends, too. What's up with that?
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I just wanted to say that it's a great thing to have two roommates in the journalism school, because they can edit all your stuff and they do a great job.
Good God, my roommate's an ignorant redneck. It's going to be a long time 'til next August.
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in response to the two girls walking back- wards on 11th Street by Corbin hill, we were working out our calves.
in response to the two girls walking back- wards on 11th Street by Corbin hill, we were working out our calves.
I came home today and there was a cat sleeping on my couch. I don't have a cat. What's up with that?
I just read Tuesday's Free for All, and it became obvious to me that smoking makes you smarter, and I think it would be "much more wonderful" if more people would realize that.
If a dog and a cat had a baby, would it be called a cog or a dat?
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The trash in my kitchen is like 10 feet tall. I'm afraid to try and take it but because it might crush me.
Does KU. Info know where we can find
Osama bin Laden?
Yeah, I just called in to talk about my roommate playing computer games all day, but I forgot to mention that we live in the dorms. Yeah, that's right. The dorms. And he's 22.
My roommate has the greatest nose. It's shape is like a missile. Sometimes when you listen close, you can hear it whistle.
To the guy who we just saw at 23rd and Naismith, I just wanted to say, you trying to help that old man on the street was the nicest thing I ever seen. And it was very selfless of you, and even though he gave you a little trouble, you were still persistent and tried to help him, and we just appreciate that.
Terry Allen's new offensive strategy: Get to midfield, let John Beck kick the ball.
Fidel Castro, what's up with him? Is the guy going to live forever?
Anybody wish that they would've met Roy Williams like 20 years ago? He's so cool. God bless America and God bless Roy Williams.
Yeah, I just wanted to let everybody at KU know how dumb CNN is. I was just watching this, and they were just saying how the worst thing the terrorists could hit was a nuclear reactor plant. Thanks for giving them the idea for hitting a nuclear reactor plant so they can kill more people. Appreciate that.
Would it be acceptable if during homecoming I just spontaneously start singing Boomer Sooner?
OK, whyn't anybody tell me my hair looks like Pebble Fintists' today? Thanks.
Hey, I just want to say Happy 20th birthday to my best friend Nick.
I just had a question: If you constantly drink water over a period of time, will you constantly urinate?
Yeah hi, I just wanted to say thanks to Meghan Bainum for publishing the article on friends with benefits last week. And for the person who thinks that nobody plans to have friends with benefits anymore, that's not true because I currently have two of them.
Wescoe is the bit on the nose of the University of Kansas. It sucks, it's the ugliest building in the world. Yeah.
My roommate's music is so bad, I would rather listen to a dog giving birth to a rhinoceros.
To the boy in my orientation: Yes, I got in Free for All again!
Y'know, if Virginia is for lovers, then Arkansas is for inbreeders.
If I'm a guy, and I just bought a lot of candies, that does make me less manly?
I just learned how to do the Macarena. I am cool!
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I'm sick and tired of all the Free for All statements that end in "What's up with that?" From now on the Free for All should only publish statements that end in the phrase "And the horse you rode in on."
All I can think of is something really ungodly dirty.
What is up with KU Info? They're not very informative. It's 12 o'clock and I need to know where there's a freakin' sushi place in this town. I need sushi Damn it.