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Wednesday. October 28. 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Pick up the phone
Sometimes you just need someone to listen
Unloading problems, thoughts and concerns by talking to someone who cares and wants to help can be a great relief and can reduce stress.
The apparent suicide of a 20-year-old KU student was a tragedy that touched the entire University. The incident, once again, reveals the importance of counseling centers and those who volunteer or work for them.
The University of Kansas and Lawrence have a number of places where students and others can turn, such as the Student Assistance Center at 121 Strong Hall, the University Counseling Center at 116 Bailey Hall, the Psychological Clinic at 315 Fraser Hall, the Mental Health Clinic at Watkins Memorial Hospital and Headquarters at 1419 Massachusetts St.
Students should not be reluctant to seek counseling. They shouldn't carry all their problems on their own shoulders all the time. Counseling no longer has a stigma attached. Maybe it can make a difference. Sometimes an outsider can provide a different perspective to problems and can help find a solution.
When times get rough and life seems unbearable, remember:
Help is just a phone call away.
Easy out
Begin the final countdown. In T-minus 23 days, the Gramm-
Rudman automatic budget cuts will go into effect and arbitrarily slash military and domestic programs.
And why? Because Congress and the president can't make up their minds. But there is a consensus. Everybody agrees that $23 billion in revenue is needed by Nov. 20 to avert the automatic budget cuts.
President Reagan, while adamantly opposed to a significant tax increase, has proposed $6 billion in new taxes. The Senate would raise $11.6 billion, with much of it coming from an increased tax of the wealthier Medicare recipients. The House would raise $12.3 billion by curbing the deductability on home loan interest.
The Defense Department has not emerged to avert the danger of arbitrary cuts. In a move to create the greatest harm for the greatest number, officials have proposed a layoff of 100,000 to 150,000 civilian employees, which translated into more than 10 percent of the civilian work force. Small contractors who depend on defense department contracts would also be targeted.
Yes, elected leaders and burgeoning bureaucracy have sown the seeds of chaos.
Kansas City Mayor Richard L. Berkley, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, explained that people would be hardest hit by the oft-incompetent and indecisive government.
The automatic cuts would slash federally financed urban programs by 8.5 percent. And as Berkley emphasizes, cuts that hurt cities hurt people and the services they receive in the end. Berkley cited programs that would be in jeopardy, which include transportation, neighborhood improvement and community development.
So citizens face a no-win situation. If Gramm-Rudman cuts take effect, taxpayers will be forced to pay for services or improvements originally paid for federally. If higher taxes avert the automatic budget cuts, then taxpayers will face higher tax bills come April 15.
Indeed, a "lesser of two evils" situation threatens taxpayers. Gramm-Rudman cuts, which would victimize necessary social programs for indigent individuals, would at least move the United States and its mushrooming budget deficit in the right direction. A tax increase would merely stick a Band-Aid on runaway spending.
In a perfect world, legislators and the president would recognize budget limitations and spend accordingly. Instead, they cater to special interests and unrealistic military spending.
But in a perfect world, of course, elected representatives would not resort to Gramm-Rudman legislation that is inherently flawed and serves only to help them avoid responsible spending policies.
Editorials in this column are the opinions of the editorial board.
News staff
Jennifer Benjamin ... Editor
Ji Wilmer ... Managing editor
John Benner ... News editor
Beth Copeland ... Editorial editor
Sally Streff ... Campus editor
Sports editor
Dan Ruettimann ... Photo editor
Bill Skeet ... Graphics editor
Tom Eblen ... General manager, news adviser
Business staff
Bonnie J. Hardy ... Business manager
Robert Hughes ... Advertising manager
Kelly Scherer ... Retail sales manager
Kurt Messeramith ... Campus sales manager
Greg Knipp ... Production manager
David Derrickt ... National sales director
Angela Clark ... Classified manager
Ron Weems ... Director of marketing
Jeanne Hines ... Sales and marketing adviser
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Hope shines in loyal professors
Dedicated teaching deserves recognition from students
I was recently introduced to nine of the most impressive individuals that I have ever met. Some may be surprised, but these people were all professors, the nine semi-finalists for the HOPE Award, which is presented annually by the senior class.
These professors are characteristic of many other outstanding, yet unrecognized, professors at the University of Kansas. I was in awe of the commitment and sacrifice associated with this career. Each and every one of these nine professors could be working at another university or for private industry ranking in double or even triple the income that they are now receiving.
But they aren't. They are here day in and day out with the intention of communicating something in the form of knowledge to us. We are continually made aware of the teaching inadequacies that exist at KU, but there are also a number of excellent professors here who do care about their students, are fair and are enthusiastic about providing the best education possible.
These nine individuals explained to me the philosophies that they bring to the classroom. Many of these perspectives are also reflected by other educators at KU. In my opinion, it is educators such as these who make college a worthwhile place to learn.
I am referring to the learning that is a result of experience and association that goes beyond the textbook. A fundamental point that these professors made is that they remember what it was like to be a student. They therefore have the ability to challenge us without killing us. While this may seem common, it is easy to forget those experiences that one had as a confused undergraduate.
Another professor stated his philosophy on preparedness. He said student learning was a function of his preparation; and the converse is true. "If I don't waste their (the students') time by being unprepared or rambling just to fill that 50-minute time slot, then they won't waste my time by not being prepared or by not paying attention," he said.
Another professor stated that he was teaching instead of working in industry because, as a
professor, he woke up with a desire to go to work, and it was this desire that became enthusiasm for him in the classroom and motivation for his students. This view translates into making the educational process as fun as possible — fun in that challenges can be met with aptitude, drive and the properudge. These individuals are not only innovators, but innovators and last but not least, they are people.
Currently, the primary source of feedback that teachers receive is the semester-end evaluation form, which could also be referred to as a "complaint sheet." When was the last time any of us took the time to say thank you? When was the first time that we gave constructive criticism or positive feedback?
Maybe it is time for students to wake up from those classroom naps, put down the newspaper and say thanks to those professors who have made a difference in their education. I don't mean that these professors never get a kind word from any of us, but I do think that kind words are not uttered as often or as loud as they ought to be.
Hey, prof. Thanks.
Cliff Stubs is the senior class president and a Kansas City, Kan., senior.
Du Pont gains exposure at GOP debate
With the hours numbered before the GOP primary, former Delaware governor Pete du Pont must be counting on a miracle to enliven his stagnating campaign.
Du Pont was the first Republican to declare his presidential intentions more than a year ago, but he has been able to make only a minor dent in the polls thus far.
The du Pont campaign has suffered from low name recognition and a noticeable lack of nationwide coverage. But what has probably hurt him most is the negative connotation of his full name — Pierre du Pont IV.
I mean, who would put stock in a person whom they know little about and whose name makes him sound as if he in the French chemical business?
A chance for du Pont to knock down these superficial barriers and shake his anonymity is approaching with the first debate of the six GOP presidential candidates tonight in Houston.
Alongside the Pont on the PBS "Firing-Line" forum will be the Republican front-runner, Vice-President George Bush. Sen. Bole Dole.
Rep. Jack Kemp, Alexander Haig and Pat Robertson.
"Dole and Bush talk about fixing things at the margins," du Pont has said. "I'm talking about big changes."
The debate will give du Pont his first national audience and an opportunity to push his main campaign message, which he is proposing significant changes.
For example, as president, du Pont has said, he would phase out the $26 billion farm subsidy program over a five-year period. A farmer who received $5,000 this year would get an extra fee for every farming year. Part of this money would be used in other ways to stimulate the agricultural industry.
Du Pont proposes to overhaul the present Social Security program by creating an alternative plan for young people entering the workforce. His proposal would preserve full benefits for those already contributing. New employees, however, could not benefit from programs that would be financed by mandatory contributions from employees and employers.
Du Pont thinks the best way to reduce the deficit is to eliminate non-essential programs. He intensely opposes a tax increase and has said, "The idea of raising taxes to reduce the deficit is the easy way out."
And he has the record to back up
his claims; Du Pont entered office as governor of Delaware in 1975 with his state in budgetary turmoil. When he left office in 1984, Delaware enjoyed a revitalized economy and had a solid surplus, despite du Pont's tax cut.
He is a Reagan Republican who adheres to the principles of federalism; he is a proponent of early deployment of the Strategic Defense Initiative and he supports the contras.
Du Pont has other concerns, such as unemployment and welfare. He insists the two go hand in hand. Du Pont calls for scaled day-care assistance for poor working parents, and extensive job-training programs and workshops for people. If some are unable to gain employment in private industry, du Pont proposes "make-work" jobs in government at sub-minimum wages.
Tonight's debate will be du Pont's first opportunity to challenge the other GOP candidates in a number of important areas. If he plays his cards right, du Pont could make an unexpected challenge for the nomination or at least set himself up for another possibility — the vice-presidency.
Du Pont would be a logical choice for the No. 2 spot, especially if Bush or Dole wins the nomination. Du Ponto is a solid conservative, which means he will be to be, and his presence in 1988 could give the GOP a beneficial balance on the
Pete du Pont
ticket.
While I consider myself a fervent Doo-batcher, I can't help but be impressed by du Pont's sensible combination of pragmatism and innovation. Du Pont's chances of winning are slim, but his ideas warrant consideration and discussion — both of which he'll get in tonight's debate.
Christopher Wilson is an Olathe junior majoring in personnel administration and journalism.
BLOOM COUNTY
In the absence of the striking union characters, Bloom County management officials will be temporarily providing the day's waggish entertainment.
Today; Mr. Will J.
Knudson, Asst. Director
of Accounting
by Berke Breathed