friday, august 22, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 3A
University makes list for GTA classes
By Steve Schmidt
sschmidt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Teaching assistants, the college newspaper and school spirit distinguish the University of Kansas, according to the Princeton Review.
In the company's latest edition of Best 351 College Rankings, the University placed three times, finishing with a No. 3 ranking for "teaching assistants teach too many upper-level courses," No. 6 for "great college newspaper" and No. 19 for "students pack the stadiums."
Ethan Schmidt, assistant instructor in history, said he was torn on whether the teaching assistant ranking was good or bad.
While having too many TAs often brings negative connotations, Schmidt said that teaching assistants can relate to students better than older faculty and can empathize about "the changing nature of college."
Schmidt said it usually takes four to eight years for a TA to reach upper-level teaching status. He said he or she is almost always working on a doctorate degree during that time.
"I think a university as good as KU only gives those positions to really excellent students," Schmidt said. "They don't put you in that position unless they know you can do it."
Steve Sodergren, history graduate teaching assistant, shared the same opinion.
Sodergren, who is scheduled to get his doctorate's degree in a year-and-a-half after being at the University for five years, said he thought he was qualified to teach his classes.
teach his classes.
"No student has ever come up to me and said 'I don't think you're qualified,' " Sodergren said. " 'We want a 50-year-old tenured professor.' That has never come up."
Emily Wicktor, English graduate teaching assistant, taught as an instructor at St. Cloud State University, in Minnesota, for three years between working on her master's and doctorate degrees.
"This is where all professors come from, whether that's an introductory course or a 300-
level course. I don't see a difference in the quality," Wicktor said. "I think it's a necessity. This is where professional teachers gain experience."
But not everyone in the teaching profession is pleased in the influx of TAs.
Ben Eggleston, assistant professor in philosophy who supervises seven teaching assistants, said he wished that there were fewer of them and more full-time faculty, but he credited their large numbers to the University's budget problems.
"To me, it's a question of priorities of the people who pay the bills: the students and the people of the Kansas," Eggleston said. "It's just a matter of whether it's worth it to them to pay more in tuition and taxes for less teaching assistant instruction."
Kansas State also made the too many teaching assistants list, placing No. 18.
The University Daily Kansan was the only Big 12 school newspaper to make the Top 20 "great college newspaper" list.
the stadiums" list among the Big 12. Texas A&M took No. 6. Oklahoma took No. 14 and Texas came in No. 16.
great college new world The University, however, was not alone on the "students pack
Last year, the University had a No.15 ranking for the college newspaper category, and No.14 for "students who pray on a regular basis." The University also received a No.18 ranking for "students who (almost) never study."
The Princeton Review, a New York City-based specialist in standardized test preparation and other educational services, has been putting out the rankings since 1992. The latest rankings were mostly based on results from a survey conducted of 106,245 students from 351 of the top colleges, as determined by previous rankings.
by previous rank.
Approximately 300 students per school last year filled out a 70-question form either on paper or electronically, asking about their school and campus life in general.
Other rankings and results can be found at www.princetonreview.com.
— Edited by Ashley Marriott
West Nile claims first Kansas victim
The Associated Press
TOPEKA - A 93-year-old Butler County resident has become the first person in Kansas to die from the West Nile virus, state health officials said yesterday.
The victim showed signs of encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, on Aug. 10 after being bitten by a mosquito in late July or early August, the Department of Health and Environment said. The person died in a hospital earlier this week, but KDHE declined to release further details, citing patient confidentiality laws.
The Butler County case brought the number of human West Nile cases to nine so far this year in Kansas, with three other cases announced Wednesday. Last year, the state reported 22 cases in humans but no deaths.
KDHE officials had predicted outbreaks of West Nile would be worse this year because it was detected in most counties across the state last year. The first human
case last year was not confirmed until September.
Drought also could be contributing to outbreaks this year by creating a better environment for breeding mosquitoes, state health officials said.
"We are saddened but not surprised by this event," Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, the state epidemiologist, said during a news conference."The virus is here in Kansas, and it's going to stay. It's not going to go away."
West Nile cases announced Wednesday involved a 41-year-old Cloud County resident, a 79-year-old in Pratt County and a 53-year-old from Decatur County. The Pratt and Decatur county victims remained hospitalized, while the Cloud County resident was recovering at home, KDHE officials said.
Elections to allow freshmen representation in Senate
Previous confirmed cases include a 62-year-old in Seward County, a 54-year-old in Gray County, a 2-year-old in Ford County, a 65 year-old in Sherman County and a 38-year-old in Gray County.
By Paul Kramer
pkramer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
For the first time in University of Kansas history, freshmen have the chance to run for Student Senate.
A spring referendum will allow for October's election to place five freshmen in the Senate.
The elected senators will not have school affiliation, but will have the same rights as any other senator. For example, they will be able to vote on proposed bills.
the election, freshmen must collect 50 signatures and KUID numbers from other freshmen. Their name will then be placed onto the online ballot for student voting.
Kyle Johnson, student executive committee chairman, said logistical problems might eliminate some campus polling locations.
Johnson said that the burden on academic computing services to provide laptops and set them up was too great.
However, Andy Knopp, student body president, said that allowing at-home online voting was potentially problematic.
"I think it lends itself to candidates going door-to-door to get votes." Knopn said.
votes. Knopp said he preferred the polling sites because they were easier to monitor and ensure valid voting practices.
The ultimate decision of how to conduct the election will be made by an elections commission that must be assembled in the next two weeks.
Those who wish to be on the commission can to apply at the dean of students office in a few weeks when the new applications are prepared.
are prepared Johnson will select the five-student commission from the applicant pool. The selected commission will then select an elections chairperson, who will be in charge of making election decisions.
of making electionsWhether or not the voting is done through on-campus polling sites or home personal computers, Knopp said the new measure would benefit both freshmen and the Senate.
the Senate. I think it will be a good opportunity for freshmen to get involved, and to get another group of qualified students in there," Knopp said.
there. Ripples Blake Shuart, legislative director and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator, also said that giving formality to freshmen
"I think it is a good idea because its so different being a freshman than an upperclassmen, our needs are different cause we are so new."
Karen Seck
Wichita freshman
positions would lead to better training for future student leaders.
Shuart said adding freshmen responsibilities outside of committee meetings should get a
larger number of freshmen involved in student government.
He also said the larger number would be good for increasing class representation.
Karen Seck, Wichita freshman, said it would be nice to have peers in the senate.
"I think it is a good idea because it is so different being a freshman than an upperclassmen, our needs are different because we are so new." Seck said. ...
Signed candidate petitions will not be accepted until the elections commission is formed.
Edited by Dave Nobles
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