MONDAY,SEPT.17,2001
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 5A
Fulbright scholar studies minorities
By J. R. Mendoza Kansan staff writer
The first Fulbright scholar in the Indigenous Nations Studies program at the University of Kansas said similarities between minority students in the Czech Republic and the United States exist.
Antonie Dvorakova, graduate student in the program from Moravsky Pisek, Czech Republic, arrived at the University last month.
She said one of the reasons she wanted to pursue her master's degree in indigenous nations studies at KU was because opportunities to study ethnic minorities didn't exist in her country.
Dvorakova said she worked with her country's Romanies — a race of people sometimes called gypsies in the United States. She said she found similarities between the Romanies and Native Americans.
"I thought if I could come, I could get
some experiences and new ideas to deal with issues with Romanies, "Dvorakova said. "I have several Native American friends. When I talk to them, I could see on reservations and also in cities the problems between them and the Romanies are similar."
One of the problems both groups share is problems with their education, she said.
She said she conducted psychological research on procedures used in evaluating Romanies children's skills. She said the tests weren't fair because they didn't take different social backgrounds in account.
"Children of either enter school and don't have a lot of skills they need for their education because of different social and cultural background," Dvorakova said. "Most teachers have problems understanding and evaluating them very well."
Donald Fixico, Thomas Bowlus distinguished professor of American Indian history, and director of the program, said Dvorakova brought recognition and academic distinction to the program as its first Fulbright scholar.
"I am so pleased about it," Fixico said. "She adds to the great diversity on campus."
Dvorakova said she hoped to complete her master's in the program but money was an issue in being able to stay. She said her scholarship, which is not renewable, ends next spring.
CHRIS BURKET/KANSAN
"There are a lot of nice people in KU and Lawrence," she said. "Linda Meniku, graduate student from Tirana, Albania, and Monika Pacziga, graduate teaching assistant from Budapest, Hungary offered to let me stay with them while I searched for an apartment."
Contact Mendoza at 864-4810
Antonie Dvorakova, graduate student in the Indigenous Nations Studies program, arrived last month as a Fulbright scholar. Her goal is to get her master's while she is here and eventually go back to the Czech Republic and work in the education system.
Monks offer students Hinduism insights
Bv Joshua Kendall
Special to the Kansan
Many students walked past them on their trek to classes, but three monks on their annual religious journey stood in front of the Kansas Union and in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall last week.
The monks, members of the College Traveling Sankirtan Party (TSKP), offered KU students Hindu literature and some understanding of their religion.
"We are not so much in the mood of converting but to encourage people on their paths to apply these teachings," said Tusta Krsna, a monk from Arizona.
scendentalists around the world.
For more than 15 years, TSKP has stopped at KU as it travels through college towns in the Midwest, Tusta said. He said they shared teachings with people who were more accepting than those in larger cities.
Ganapati Swami, a TSKP member, said the goal was to spread the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita, TSKP's holy book, and associate with tran-
The group also held a small Hindu gathering at the South Park gazebo off Massachusetts Street Friday night.
Guests sat on blankets and participated in the Kirtan, a group meditation of chanting mantras.
After the Kirtan, Ganapati Swami gave a brief oration about the tragic terrorist attacks last Tuesday and how Hindu teachings reflected on the events.
"We have religious principles, but we are not a particular dharma, or faith." Tusta said. "We are a religion of passion, the passion and love of god."
Stephanie Grevel, St. Louis sophomore, said the events provided her with a spiritual outlet that had always appeared blocked before.
"It seems to me their thoughts are more universal, focusing on philosophy and logic to explain life and religion," she said.
Tusta Krsna, left, and Gnapati Swmai, right, spread the teachings of Hinduism to the Lawrence community. The two spent Friday evening in South Park. Hinduism is a diverse body of religion, philosophy and cultural practice, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being of many forms and natures.
EN-KAE CHANG I KANSAN
Contact Mendoza at 864-4810
Students get the 'write' help at new center
ByPaul Smith Kansan staff writer
The response: blank faces.
Kristen McClintic walked into an engineering class Monday, Sept. 10, to tell students about KU's Writing Center, where she's worked for two years. The Wichita senior asked them how many had visited any of the center's Writer's Roosts.
"That was probably the best class visit I ever had." McClintic said.
Michelle Eodice, who directs the center and coordinates the four other Writer's Roosts, said the center had outgrown its previous Wescoe address.
She said she prompted several questions after she introduced the students to the services offered at the center, which just moved to its new location at 4017 Wescoe Hall.
"We started looking for another space in Wescoe because the students really wanted us to stay here." Eodice said.
She estimated that more than 2,000 students visit the Writer's Roosts every semester.
"We deal with all kinds of writing, not just academic writing," said Jason Capps, Kansas City, Mo., doctoral student and writing consultant.
Capps has worked at the center since it opened in 1998. McClintic, a psychology major, said she worked at the center because she enjoyed teaching students about writing techniques, such as how to organize a paper and recognize comma splices.
"They're just little things, but they help a lot." McClintic said.
Writing consultants also emphasize the writing process and offer feedback, Eodice said, which result in revisions that improve grades.
The additional office space in the new location has let the center offer a different environment to students. It has an open area with computer access and more private rooms for consultations.
The other Writer's Roosts are located at Anschutz Library, Strong Hall, Watson Library and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Contact Smith at 864-4810
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