8A the university daily kansan
news
friday,august 29,2003
Freshman balances class, job, life
La'Pourche McConico, Bonner Springs freshman, took notes during her 9:30 a.m. sociology class in Fraser Hall. McConico joined HAWK Link, a first-year mentorship program for minority students, this summer.
By Johanna M. Maska
jmaska@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Editor's Note: This is the first story in an occasional series on University of Kansas freshman La'Pourchea McConico's. Kansan staff writer Johanna M. Maska will be checking in with McConico as she completes her freshman year at the University.
It may be the first week of class, but La'Pourchea McConico is already 30 minutes early.
The Bonner Springs freshman says HAWK Link, a first-year mentor program for minority students, has helped her get hit the ground running during her first week of class.
An African American from a predominantly white community, McConico doesn't feel uncomfortable in classrooms populated by mostly white students. But transitioning into life as a KU freshman, McConico said, was difficult for anyone.
So HAWK Link has been a big plus for McConico. The program has given McConico a sense of community, something she sees as an absolute must.
Finding a niche at the University of Kansas was so important for McConico that she left home early to find her place. This summer McConico spent part of her time at the University's Freshman Summer Institute.
It was during the summer that she enrolled in HAWK Link, met some new friends and found a job at the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.
Now, one week into school she's in her balancing act.
It's 9:00 a.m. and class starts at 9:30 a.m. Sociology runs until 10:50 a.m. After class she works until 2:30 p.m. She has class again at 2:30 p.m., but she'll likely go back to work after that finishes up at 4:00 p.m. After that, she hopes to
catch dinner — since she's already skipped lunch — before a 7:30 p.m. math placement exam. To finish her night, she'll be a bit late to Inspirational Gospel Voices practice.
Catching up with her midway through her hectic day, McConico reflects on her changing situation.
"In Bonner Springs, I was the black girl," she said.
But when she went to Kansas City, her light complexion and way of speaking made her stand out.
"My friends think I act white," McConico said.
white. Mrs Albrecht
During sociology, Professor
Sandra Albrecht has a quote in
her presentation.
"The first fruit of imagination
is that individual can understand [personal] experience only by becoming aware of those of individuals in [similar] circumstances," Albrecht said, attributing the passage to C. Wright Mills.
For McConico, the quote mirrors her transition. She has found people like her.
On Monday McConico joined the Black Student Union, before she knew many of the members were already her friends.
"If you've ever seen them together," McConico said. "You see, it's just like family."
The group is diverse within its own realm. Although many members are from the predominantly black areas of Kansas
City, others have had experiences like McConico.
encies me needa "I've never had that before," McConico said.
The community gives her comfort.
"Knowing that other people go through that, that establishes a support system," McConico said.
It's a new life for McConico. She's says she's ready though. She wants to tackle it all: her new community of Oliver Hall, Black Student Union, HAWK link, her job and even her new classes.
Off to a running start, McConico is hoping to keep up the pace.
By Danielle Hillix
dhillix@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Edited by Erin Riffey
Meatless diet linked to disorder
Vegetarianism may be related to a risk for eating disorders, according to a recent study.
according to the study, conducted at California State University-Northridge, found that college women who claimed to be vegetarians had a significantly greater risk of developing eating disorders than their meat-eating peers. Despite these findings, health professionals said properly practiced vegetarianism could be a healthy lifestyle.
could be a learning opportunity.
"This study is not saying that all vegetarians are destined to develop a disorder," said Ann Chapman, dietician at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "This goes on a case-by-case basis totally."
The study consisted of 143 female college students. Of these 143 participants, 30 were self-reported vegetarians and 113 participants were non-vegetarians.
capitals were similar in height, weight, age and body mass index. In addition, there was no difference in supplement use or meal skipping between the two groups.
Participants were asked to take the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), a 40-item questionnaire commonly used to assess eating disorder tendencies. A score of greater than 30 indicates weight preoccupation and an increased risk for eating disorders.
mng disorders.
Thirty-seven percent of the participating vegetarians recorded a score higher than 30.
Eight percent of non-vegetarians scored above 30.
scores above The median EAT score of vegetarians was 16.5, compared to a median score of 9.0 for non-vegetarians.
The study results showed vegetarians generally reported feeling extremely guilty after eating, as well as being preoccupied with a desire to be thinner.
Chapman said that many
"When women become restrictive with their diets due to the fear of weight gain, meat is one of the first things to go."
Ann Chapman dietician at Waktins Memorial Health Center
women used vegetarianism as a stepping stone to a dangerous diet.
5. a. $ - \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 1 > 3 - \frac { 3 } { 2 } x $
b. $ - \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 1 < 3 + \frac { 3 } { 2 } x $
c. $ - \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 1 > 0 $
d. $ - \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 1 < 0 $
"When women become restrictive with their diets due to the fear of weight gain, meat is one of the first things to go," Chapman said.
Madeline Baker, Huntsville, Texas, junior, did not become a vegetarian to lose weight. Baker quit eating meat eight months ago because of ethical and health reasons. But she agrees with Chapman that some women become vegetarians for the wrong reasons.
"Some people use vegetarianism as an excuse," Baker said. "It's a good front in public. It's an excuse to say 'Oh, I can't eat that, I'm a vegetarian.'"
First vegetarian The study supports Baker's thinking. Because vegetarianism is a socially acceptable lifestyle, the study said admitting to being a vegetarian may be an acceptable method of eliminating entire food groups.
The study also stated that vegetarianism could represent a food ritual, something common among those with eating disorders.
Chapman said, however, that this study does not mean vegetarianism was a dangerous lifestyle. She said that if vegetarians included essential nutrients in their diet, they would be fine.
"As long as the right components and nutrients are there, vegetarianism, and non-vegetarianism, can be healthy," she said.
Edited by Ashley Marriott