THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2011
PAGE3A
EDUCATION
Students to take charge in order to fully succeed
JOHNATHAN SHORMAN
jshorman@kansan.com
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little challenged students to begin an ascent to excellence during the 146th Convocation Sunday night.
Speaking behind a podium shrouded in flowers and flanked by the deans and provosts of the University, Gray-Little said that students had the support of faculty and staff, but that they also had to take charge.
Opportunities such as alternative breaks, internships and service learning are a great way for students to belong to something greater than themselves, Gray-Little said.
"Ultimately though, we can only serve and guide; we can't carry you." Grav-Little said.
Speaking to the entire university community, Gray-Little said there were many ways for the institution, as a whole, to measure success, but
But there will be challenges.
Gray-Little warned that the University would not be successful as a national research university if it does not "climb."
real success is measured in lives changed. Gray-Little also spoke about the University's strategic plan that is currently in development. A draft of the plan was posted on the Provost's website on Aug. 16. It centers on four themes: sustaining the planet and powering the world, promoting well-being and finding cures, building communities and expanding opportunities, and harnessing information and multiplying knowledge.
"They set out the new, higher expectations we have for ourselves," Gray-Little said. "On the climb, we face a headwind from the economy."
her grandfather came from modest means and was the only person in his family to attend college. He eventually earned a PhD and became a professor.
Student body president Libby Johnson told students they were a privileged group and shared how
A few other members of the faculty also gave brief remarks during the Convocation, a ceremony filled with tradition. During the processional, faculty were led into the auditorium by Maria Carlson, the University Marshall. She carried the university mace, a shaft made of wood from the old Fraser Hall and lined with rubies and sapphires that shine crimson and blue. At the end of Convocation, the alma mater was sung and the crowd participated in the Rock Chalk chant.
"With a degree from this university you have the world at your fingertips."johnson said.
- Edited by C.J. Matson
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little addresses students at the 146th Opening Convocation Sunday night at the Lied Center. Convocation is an official welcome to students beginning their college journey at Kansas.
Social media law challenged
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TECHNOLOGY
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri teachers' union said Friday that it is challenging a new measure that restricts teachers' use of social networking sites and their contact with students, saying it violates their constitutional rights.
The Missouri State Teachers Association said it is seeking an injunction to block enforcement of part of a law that takes effect Aug. 28. The union and several public school teachers assert the law violates educators' constitutional rights to free speech, association and religion.
The social networking restrictions are part of a broader law that was proposed after an Associated Press investigation found 87 Missouri teachers had lost their licenses between 2001 and 2005 because of sexual misconduct, some of which involved exchanging explicit online messages with students.
Many teachers have complained the law will hurt their ability to keep in touch with students for classroom purposes, personal problems or even emergencies.
Under the law, school districts must establish policies by January that outline "appropriate use of electronic media such as text messaging and Internet sites for both instructional and personal purposes." Teachers are barred from having "exclusive access" online with current students or former students who are minors. That means communication through Facebook or other sites must be done in public.
The group's lawsuit — a copy of which was provided to AP — asserts that the restrictions for nonwork-related sites amounts to prior restraint and violate educators' free speech rights. It also says they could impede religious freedom and association rights by barring teachers from using non-work related websites and social networking sites that allow exclusive access with students.
Spokesman Todd Fuller said the Missouri State Teachers Association has heard from an increasing number of teachers that school districts have interpreted the law in different ways, including some who say that they have been told they cannot have a Facebook page.
The law restricts non-work-related websites that allow communication between a teacher and a student that cannot be viewed by others, though the measure states it is not attempting to prohibit teachers from setting up non-work websites that comply with the restrictions.
It "is so vague and overbroad that the plaintiffs cannot know with confidence what conduct is
permitted and what is prohibited and thereby 'chills' the exercise of first amendment rights of speech, association, religion, collective bargaining and other constitutional rights by school teachers," the lawsuit states.
State Sen. Jane Cunningham, who sponsored the legislation, said critics misunderstand the law. She said teachers are not barred from using Facebook and other websites. They also aren't prohibited from communicating with students, providing discussions are public.
"It only stops hidden communication between an educator and a minor child," said Cunningham, R-Chesterfield.
The law also requires schools to share information about teachers who have sexually abused students with other school districts and allows a lawsuit if a district does not disclose that information and the staff member later abuses someone else. The teachers' group is not challenging that part of the law.
The bill won broad support in the Legislature this year and was supported by several education organizations, including the Missouri State Teachers Association. However, the restrictions on communication between teachers and students have received increased attention and have prompted growing concerns from some.
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