MONDAY,SEPT.24,2001
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 3A
Students to spend fall break in Washington, D.C.
Environs members, KU Greens plan to attend Econference in October
By Maggie Koerth Special to the Kansan
Terrorism hasn't put a stop to Sarah Hoskinson's fall break plans.
The Burton senior will still go to Washington, D.C., to attend Econference 2001 with other members of Environs and KU Greens.
"It's really wonderful that fall break coincides with the conference, otherwise I wouldn't be able to go." Hoskinson said.
The conference will be from
Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 on the campus of George Washington University.
Speakers will include Jim Hightower, author and environmental activist; Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; and Lois Gibbs, executive director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.
The price is $30 a person for groups of 10 or more.
Leah Schaffer, Hays junior and co-coordinator of Environs, said the conference was a way to meet people, be introduced to the national activist community and find out how to help the environment.
"Plus, I think it's going to be a lot of fun," she said.
Schaffer said the conference was an important learning experience for all students, not just those majoring in environmental science.
"This is all about becoming a good environmental citizen," she said. "The environment is tied to our survival, and it's important that everyone knows how to protect it."
Anna Wagner, Topeka senior and co-coordinator of Environs, said she had been to several conferences similar to Econference.
"Ijust learning about what other people have done can be powerful," she said. "Some younger activists might not have any idea what a small group of people can accomplish. Going to these conferences and listening to these stories can be very reaffirming."
Wagner said she was worried
"Just learning about what other people have done can be powerful."
Anna Wagner Topeka senior and co-coordinator of Environs
about transportation-not because of the cost, which she said should be mostly provided by fund-raisers—but because it could be hard to book flights and find housing in the wake of the recent tragedies in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Sarah Grimes, regional coordinator for the conference, said she did not expect the recent tragedies to affect the conference.
But she does expect a higher turnout because of the cancellation of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund meeting.
"A lot of students who would have gone to protest that might now be coming to Econference," she said.
So just as terrorism hasn't put a stop to the conference, Wagner said she didn't think it should put a stop to Environs' plans.
She said it was still important to go because working toward worldwide social justice was another way to combat terrorism.
Sarah Hoskinson said she was concerned about flying but still wanted to go on the trip.
"I flew three weeks before the tragedy," she said. "Danger is always present but it doesn't cancel out my desire to go to Econference."
Environs and KU Greens will hold a planning session for the trip at 9 tonight at the Regionalist Room in the Kansas Union.
The meeting will be a chance for group members to figure out how many people are going and to plan fund-raisers and travel arrangements. All interested students are welcome.
Contact Koerth at 864-4810
Conference challenges women to lead the way at work
Rv.I R Mendoza
Kansan staff writer
Anna Carlton wanted to learn more about women in leadership roles after hearing about difficulties in the workplace during an internship at a New York company.
"Nothing happened to me, but listening to experiences of women who were my mentors made me more interested in leadership roles," the Dallas sophomore said. "It's a real struggle for a lot of women."
Carlton and about 50 other women attended the seventh annual University of Kansas Women's Leadership Conference yesterday at the Kansas Union.
The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, Coca-Cola, the Mortar Board honor society and the Commission on the Status of Women, a University of Kansas student organization, sponsored the conference.
Kathy Rose-Mockry, program director for the center, said the women made an important
choice to attend and learn about being a leader.
Rose-Mockry said women needed to be leaders in the workplace. She said they also needed to be comfortable talking about their ideas and dealing with criticism.
"People can be leaders in a lot of different ways," RoseMockry told the participants. "The aim is to encourage you to become a leader that fits your style."
Keynote speaker Janet Mur-
"People can be leaders in a lot of different ways."
Kathy Rose-Mockry Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center program director
guia, executive vice chancellor for University Relations, said she was impressed that the women came to find out what challenges they faced and how they could
learn from other women.
"So much of what you learn outside of class gives you a great idea of what to take with you when you go out in the world." Murguia said.
She discussed her experience in Washington, D.C., working for former President Bill Clinton and on former Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign.
The participants worked on a group project about building the "perfect" city and took personal-
itv assessments.
They also attended workshops on sexuality, professionalism, values, money and health.
Jessica Cook, Topeka freshman, said she attended because she wanted to interact with other women and learn more about issues facing them.
"For me I see so many things that need to be adjusted," Cook said.
Contact Mendoza at 864-4810
Now is the time...
to fulfill that dream. Business Career Fair 2001
www.business.ku.edu
KU School of Business Wednesday, September 26 1 p.m.- 6 p.m. Kansas Union Ballroom