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The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 50 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development
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KU student political groups aim for more collaboration
KELLY CORDINGLEY
@KellyCordingley
Two campus political groups — the University Young Democrats and KU College Republicans — are focusing their attention on registering students to vote, recruiting more members and conducting events — some of which they're even doing together.
Eric Pahls, chairman of the KU College Republicans, said his group, as well as the Young Democrats, are trying to cater to a more diverse group of students who may not identify with a particular party.
Previously, conversations in the Republicans' group centered on taxes or fiscal policy. Pahls said. That's something he said he foresees changing because fiscal policy can be daunting and boring. Instead, the group will bring in more speakers and host more events, like debate party parties.
"We've had people come to us who aren't really with any party, but we want to expose them to it," he said. "I consider myself more conservative, but we have a lot of moderates."
This semester, the Young Democrats and KU College Republicans co-hosted a watch party for the second Republican debate. Next semester, they'll co-host a Democratic watch party. Pahls said that next semester he hopes to work more closely with the Young Democrats.
"Wed like to do some philanthropic event, whether it's a contest on who can donate the most food to a food pantry, or something like that, trying to team up for things we can agree on,
things that actually improve the community," he said. "Wed like to do a fun, sibling-rival-type event. We're College Republicans and Young Democrats; we're not running candidates."
Brittany Bodenheimer, a member of the Young Democrats and a former president, said the group is focused on registering students to vote and increasing civic engagement.
During the 2012 presidential election, the national average of voter turnout for 18- to 29-year-olds was 45 percent. In Kansas, 38 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds turned out, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, nearly 80 percent of states had a higher voter turnout in the 2012 election than Kansas.
Bodenheimer said the Young Democrats plan to work with the College Republicans to recruit students and register them to vote. She said that going forward, the two groups will work together on other projects, though those haven't been decided.
"We've really been working with the College Republicans because we want students to know what's going on," Bodenheimer said. "This year, we're going to focus on the Kansas legislative tracker for tracking legislation when it's in session because it moves so fast there and it can be confusing to students."
Bodenheimer said the Young Democrats are also focused on providing students with information about candidates in both the national and state elections instead of supporting particular candidates because the race still has a long way to go. She said the
group will work within the community to call residents and go door-to-door talking to people about the Democratic Party.
"Last year, we took students to lobby at the [Kansas] Legislature, and during this election season we'll focus on canvassing and phone banking" she said. "We're pretty similar to the Republicans — we're focused on making sure members know about all candidates."
"It's a nice thing that's not really partisan-driven," Bodenheimer said. "Stuff you see on a national and state level is not how politics should be."
Pahls said the college political groups don't back a candidate until there's a nominee. Pahls said that since this election season has been eventful and sometimes controversial, he believes more millennials have taken interest than in previous primary seasons.
"I feel like this election is getting a lot more play, so more people are paying attention, but I don't know if more people are getting involved," he said. "With this election being so crazy, the benefit is that people are paying attention and people are able to draw opinions and see right in front of them what's happening."
KANSAN.COM | MONDAY, DEC. 7, 2015
He said he hopes this translates to a higher voter turnout of millennials.
"I'm hopeful that's the case. You've got to think that if you analyze the headlines every election gets, this one has to break every record," he said. "You've got to think, in my totally uneducated opinion on this, that this culture of being totally saturated by the race, will get people to vote."
Students feel less safe on campus at night
Students reported feeling less safe on campus at night compared to the day, according to a survey.
Graphic represents student replies to whether they feel safe on campus at night and during the day.
Sources: National College Health Assessment survey, provided by Watkins Health Center, Kansas graphic by Madi Schultz
SAFETY FROM
cameras in recent years and expect to add more, according to Public Safety. Lighting has also been improved.
“[Campus is] relatively safe, especially with the new lighting we have on Jayhawk Boulevard as well as the presence of emergency phones,” Anguiano said. “You can really see some things in the evening and night time.”
There are more than 70 safety phones scattered throughout campus. Even though they were used 199 times last year, Anguiano said he still feels they are underutilized.
"I know they are infrequently used," Anguiano said. "Most of the calls we get are prank calls, or somebody has pressed the button and
nobody is there.
"It doesn't have to be an emergency to use them. If your phone was stolen, or you see something suspicious, you can request an officer."
Anguiano said the number of cases that go unreported — whether it's sexual assault, robbery, battery, or something minor — are the ones that worry him the most.
He also said he'd like to see students take better advantage of free transportation from SafeBus and SafeRide.
"I think sometimes we as a society get impatient because we have to wait," Anguiano said. "Also there's this misnomer that you have to be downtown at a bar to get a ride. That's not the case. Any student that has a KU ID can use it to get back home."
Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk endorses Precious Porras for director of OMA
LARA KORTE
@Lara Korte
After presentations from three finalists, the search committee for the Office of Multicultural Affairs director will reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate before submitting its suggestion to Vice Provost of Diversity and Equity Nate Thomas.
She added: "I think KU is at a very pivotal place, especially in regards to race relations. We have to keep momentum going, we have to continue to have these hard conversations and push for results."
Precious Porras attends a meeting on Aug. 14.
CAROLINE FISS/KANSAN
Hiring a new OMA director is one of the 15 demands Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk presented at the town hall meeting on Nov. 11. Although there were three candidates, Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk endorsed one: Precious Porras, who is currently the interim director of the OMA.
Katherine Rainey, a senior and member of Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk, said there is "no choice" when it comes to hiring a new director.
Rainey also said she believes the other candidates do not have a proper understanding of the University's multicultural climate.
"If you're an outsider coming in, you have to understand the climate that you're walking into," Rainey said.
Rainey said she feels that Poras, who has been at the University for 10 years, has the best understanding of the campus and the needs of its students.
"She's amazing. Her care and general concern for the students as well as KU as a whole is something that we truly need," Rainey said. "Having someone who knows the University climate is essential to the success of the OMA ... It's clear that we need someone who's already working in our system who understands where we are, and doesn't have to play catch up."
Porras presented on Friday morning as the final candidate. She spoke about how the office can address issues surround inequity on campus, particularly retention rates. During the presentation, Porras also voiced her support of Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk.
Over the course of this week, three finalists gave presentations on the subject of "Strategic Leadership at KU's Office of Multicultural Affairs."
"Everybody individually on the committee will look at the results," Crawford said. "Then we're going to come together on Wednesday afternoon collectively to talk about what we see."
Jerry Crawford, associate journalism professor and chair of the search committee, said the committee still has to review the candidates before the committee makes a final decision.
Rainey said Porras demon-
"We need someone who's able to connect with every single space on campus, and she's proven that time and time again even as assistant director. Her work at Colors of KU. the way that she
transforms spaces, the way that she educates students [and] the way that she educates adults and faculty and other staff is something that will really transform KU," Rainey said. "It's going to take us to the next level."
strates the leadership that multicultural students have been "dying to have."
- Edited by Scott Chasen
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