MONDAY,AUGUST 18,2003
ONTHEHILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 9C
Army ROTC students navigate an obstacle course last spring. In preparation for future careers in the military, a group of 10 University of Kansas students spent the summer at the National Advanced Leadership Camp in Fort Lewis, Wash.
RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS
Military students' journey to West Coast for training
By Amy Kelly
akelly@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
As American soldiers fought in Iraq this summer, 10 University of Kansas students set aside vacation time to take one step closer to leading their own military endeavors as lieutenants.
Juniors and seniors in the Reserve Officers Training Corp for the Army attended the National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Wash., for the past three months, undertaking physical challenges and military training.
Lt. Col. Brian DeToy, professor of military science, instructed more than 100 cadets, including the 10 KU students, at the camp.
"It is stressful, but it's not a traditional boot camp," DeToy said. "These boys have been familiar with the military for a few years, while the ones at boot camp don't have that previous knowledge."
"It is stressful, but it's not a traditional boot camp."
Lt. Col. Brian DeToy Professor of military science
The upper-class cadets attending the leadership camp learn skills to direct the ROTC, a program which trains about 75 percent of all Army officers and about 75 KU recruits per year.
May graduate Ryan Evans, a 2nd Lt., has assisted Capt. Brad Bohan, recruiting operations officer, at the KU home base this summer in recruiting new students to take on adventures like the camp in Washington.
Evans, who will begin an officer basic training camp for graduates in September, said the recruits he talked with usually became interested in the ROTC on their own.
Even the current violence in
Iraq did not seem to deter recruits,Evans said.
"People here acknowledge it, but it's so far away they realize they most likely won't be in that situation," Evans said.
Although physical endurance was emphasized at Fort Lewis, the ROTC still regarded academics as a key to success.
The recruiters seek out an S.A.L., or someone who is a scholar, athlete and leader.
"We're not just around producing warmongers out there," Evans said. "We're very focused on academics. And we have a lot of fun, too."
But it is when the war in Iraq broke out that cadets like Evans said he understood his career goal had a much deeper impact.
"People out in the community are real happy that you're doing a job that they don't want to or that they can't do," Evans said.
— Edited by Richard Gintowt
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Student Union Activities rocks students with events
By Jeff Brandsted and Kadi Kerr editor@kansan.com Special to the Kansan
Isaac Dill doesn't really want to break into University of Kansas buildings just tap into University resources for the benefit of students.
"It's still pretty sketchy," said the Hobbs, N.M., senior. "We haven't talked to the right people yet, but I want to break into Anschutz Sports Pavilion."
Dill, Lauren Stewart. Wichita junior, and 10 other students armed with a $100,000 budget will try to open up the pavilion, which they estimated housed 5,000 people, for a Student Union Activities concert.
Dill serves as the live music coordinator and Stewart as president of SUA.
president of SUA Coming up with ideas like these proves to be a small portion of the job for the committee coordinators of SUA.
This year SUA turns 65, and Stewart wants to celebrate its birthday by making it a more consistent and recognizable part of students' lives.
"See, it's all a problem of trying to make it feasible. We don't want to blow our money
dents lives.
"No matter if they are bored or just need a study break, I want them to know some- our money all on one big act."
Lauren Stewart Wichita junior
thing is going in the Union," Stewart said.
Stewart, who served as SUA vice president of University Relations last year, said she wanted to see the organization's presence remain strong.
With all the other entertainment options in Lawrence, to persuade students to stay on campus
"The fact that all our venues are forced non-smoking and non-alcoholic can be good in some respects. It's reaching a whole audience that can't be reached if you say you're going to Eighth Street Taproom or Henry's."
Isaac Dill
Hobbs, New Mexico senior
at a school-sponsored event is challenging, Dill said.
"The fact that all our venues are forced non-smoking and nonalcoholic can be good in some respects," Dill said. "It's reaching a whole audience that can't be reached if you say you're going to Eighth Street Taproom or Henry's."
Disadvantages also bring advantages in the case of money. Stewart and Dill believe the affordability of their events will attract students.
attract students. "Cost is an issue. We can offer special discounts to students specifically and other places can't do that," Dill said.
Most SUA events are free or cost less than $5.
SUA kicks off the school year with Hawk Week Activities starting Aug. 17.
A concert, which Dill organized during Hawk Week, will feature two local acts, E.V.A.C. and Kelpie. G.B. Layton, a regional act that mixes sounds similar to Bruce Springsteen and country music will also be featured, he said.
"That show is going to be kind of a weird Reuben sandwich," Dill said.
Stewart would like to see a comedian from the current Saturday Night Live cast come to the
Lied Center sometime around homecoming or later this fall. In past years SUA brought Adam Sandler and Jimmy Fallon to the University.
University. "We bring people right before they get big," Stewart said.
the Organization sponsors a student lecture series with Student Senate and Stewart said this year SUA was trying to get Maya Angelou to headline the series.
"See, it's all a problem of trying to make it feasible," Stewart said. "We don't want to blow our money all on one big act."
SUA began in 1938 after the University built the Kansas Union as a program to get students to socialize and hang out in the Union.
The KU Memorial Unions, a not-for-profit organization, funds SUA from a portion of its profits from the bookstore, food court and other businesses.
Sixty-five years later, SUA consists of eight committees including spectrum films, feature films, live music, fine arts, forums, public relations, recreation and travel and special events.
The committees meet once a week for one hour to discuss upcoming events.
Each year, SUA passes out student questionnaires and program assessment forms to keep up with the entertainment habits of students.
Whether Dill and his partners open the doors of Anschutz Sports Pavilion to concertgoers, the organization wants students to see a variety of entertainment options at affordable prices.
"I hope that SUA will give students something fun to do," Stewart said. "So often we focus on job, school and work. There is so much more to your college experience."
- Edited by Saju Ng'alla
CONNECT TO JEWISH LIFE AT KU KU Hillel
940 Mississippi STREET, LAWRENCE, KS 66044 (785) 749-JEWS(5397) www.kuhillel.org
Hawk Week Events
Sunday, August 17, 11AM-1 Welcome Bagel Brunch for students and parents, KU Hillel - 940 Mississippi St.
Monday, August 18, 5:30 pm Back to School BBQ KU Hillel - 940 Mississippi St.
Friday, August 22, 6pm Shabbat Dinner KU Hillel - 940 Mississippi St.