SPORTS: The Kansas women's basketball team defeats Southwest Missouri State 65-51, Page 9. THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN VOL.102.NO.75 THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS ADVERTISING: 864-4358 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9. 1992 (USPS 650-640) NEWS: 864-4810 Plans draw new attention to minorities By Mark Martin Kansan staff writer A recent proposal by the African American Student Concerns Task Force and a resolution passed by Student Senate three weeks ago have rekindled debate concerning the creation of an administrative position responsible for cultural affairs. Administrators say they are looking into the recommendations, but many minority students at the University of Kansas wonder whether their concerns are really ever heard. "It seems like nothing will be done with this until students make some noise about it," said Peter Brainwale, off-campus student senator and member of the African American Student Concerns Task Force. Braithwaite pointed out that in 1989, a task force recommended that the University create a new position to oversee minority affairs on campus. That position was never created. Braithwaite co-wrote the Senate resolution this year, which demanded that the Office of Minority Affairs, which operates within the division of student affairs, be moved up to operate within the executive vice chancellor's office. The resolution also calls for elevating the OMA director to assistant or associate vice chancellor status. Some think raising OMA's status would allow it to be more effective. Hispanic students have complained that the OMA has been insensitive to their needs and lacks Hispanic resources such as magazines and journals. Most say that with an expanded role, the OMA could serve minority students better. The problem with the office currently is that The problem with the office currently is that come there with problems they're having on c, that office has no power to change policies," said. "They can just make suggestions. We're that the office needs more respect on campus-power." Tim Dawson, chairperson of Student Senate affairs committee and the co-author of the Sertion, said that the OMA was lost in the shuffle office was too low in KU's organizational strace "Right now they have to go through too many got anything done," he said. "They have to go to student life, then to the vice chancellor for students before they graduate." Before people at the top even heard about them. Before 1987, OMA worked within the chancel and the director reported straight to the chan office was moved into the student affairs divisic stands now. David Ambler, vice chancellor for student at the office was moved to student affairs because determined that the office's main function w with students. Moving the office to student affairs would a contact with students and with other offices in your district. Amber said that because of KU's budget con did not think the University would be able to ci "The University is carefully studying the r force report," he said. "One of our recommendations to create a University-wide council that could the programs that deal with minorities needs." Sherwood Thompson, director of minority a that as KU became more multicultural, more w to be done to coordinate minority affairs. "With more and more minority students come may be necessary to have a representative at the thrative level," he said. "It would help to coord and assess the needs of minority students in all Administrators point to the planned multicult as an example of KU's commitment to mino And minority enrollment has risen each of the years. But a planning committee has yet to be form center, and the original opening date of Fall 198 pushed back a year. And despite the enrollment more than 90 percent of the student body is wh "Right now, it seems like minority and culture treated as a program at KU, instead of within structure," Braithwaite said. "We need some campus with enough power to keep people what's going on, and what needs to go on." See related story, Page 12. Cashing in on books After a sen reading and work proble dents can their late-nig ing pain by cri the textbox See related story. Page 3. Students live unhea A recent study shows that most health incoming freshmen worsened after a year Knight-Ridder Tribune See related story, Page 14. A member of the U.S. armed forces takes cover after an early morning beach landing near the main airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. CIRCULATION ยท 1.500,000 DECEMBER 1992 The National College Magazine HOLIDAY GIFT HINTS Season's greedings AN AMERICAN COLLEGIATE NETWORK, INC. PUBLICATION No fruitcakes - send cash. / Page 8 IN FILMS All grown up Coming of age as a sensuous would-be vampire in *Bram Stoker's Dracula*, Winona Ryder breaks the shackles of teen angst and ventures into adulthood professionally and personally. Page 12 Demi-goddess The sole survivor of St. Elmo's graduating class has been starring with the lure of Cruise and Nicholson. But with two kids and a husband, there's more on Demi Moore's mind than a few good roles. /Page 14 Simply Entertaining Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs join the cast of U.'s holiday entertainment issue 1 Ren & Stimpy say nose picking is cool, but can the magic last? - Page 4