Monday, November 24, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Law students hold annual food drive
By Gwen Olson
golson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Forty-five Lawrence families will have more food on their Thanksgiving tables thanks to KU law students and their professors.
The Black Law Students Association sorted food for its seventh annual food drive Saturday. More than 20 volunteers met at the law school to separate food, toys and blankets for the families.
The food drive also was sponsored by the Hispanic American Law Student Association, Women in Law and the Asian American Law Student Association.
"The first-year law students have a competition with this through their small-section classes," said Leo Don law student and chairman of the drive. "The professor's section that collects the most gets a pizza party, and the section is put on a plaque in the law school."
Hawkins said that law professors also helped with the food drive by donating money. He said about $600 had been donated this year.
"The professors usually give money, or they buy a turkey," Hawkins said. "With any extra
money, we buy whatever food or items we are short on."
The Pélathé Indian Center, First Step, the Ballard Community Center and Kansas Economic Opportunity worked as liaisons with Black Law Students Association and the families.
Hawkins said that the group sorted the food for each family based upon how many children were in each family and the children's ages.
"We first give each family what they need for their Thanksgiving meal, and then we add whatever else each particular family might need," he said. "We try to give enough food so that it will last them through the New Year."
Damon Mitchell, Kansas City, Kan., law student and member of the association, said he hoped the food drive would continue its success.
"It would be nice perhaps if this could even become larger," he said. "I would like to see a University-wide food drive that helps the community."
Hawkins said that he enjoyed working with the drive and was looking forward to delivering the food.
"We are a service organization," he said. "This is an opportunity for us to serve the community, and it keeps the spirit of giving alive."
Jean Moore, Mill Valley, Calif., law student, unloads food for the Black Law Students Association's annual Thanksgiving food drive. Students collected donations, blankets, toys and food for 45 Lawrence families. Photo by Tara Bradley/KANSAN
Flocking back to empty nests can be tough
By Sarah Chadwick schadwick@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
While many students see the holidays as a time to leave homework behind and catch up on sleep, families often have different agendas for their returning students.
Linda Keeler, Counseling and Psychological Services psychiatrist, said parents often expected students to do household chores while home on break.
"Often Thanksgiving revolves around a lot of food preparation and cleaning," she said. "The student should make efforts to help out and contribute to family life in ways
that one can. It's going to be a balancing act between the individual's needs and the family's obligations."
Amy Spencer, Independence junior, said she felt like a guest the first time she returned home for the holidays.
Sometimes students are expected to abide by the rules they followed in high school, although they have had freedom for at least a semester.
"I didn't even unpack my bags." Spencer said. "They treated me like it was special that I came home. I didn't want them to treat me any different. I wanted them to just leave off where we were. It just felt weird at first."
have is if I go out and they want me in at a certain time," said Liz Wilson, Wichita sophomore. "It's hard to have you go back to reporting everything you're doing and when you're coming home, but that comes with the territory. In a way it's hard, but they have the right to know."
"I think the biggest problem is
Keeler said clear communication was the key to dealing with differences.
"Say 'I'm going out with my friends and I will be home by this time.' Then stick to that," she said. "If you're not going to be home by then, call and let the parents know. Sometimes it's just a matter of communicating these things."
The Office of New Student Orientation sent out an issue of "Hawk Notes" with suggestions for easing the transition for students returning home. Suggestions include talking with family members about expectations before heading home, abiding by the rules of the house even if they are not what the student might follow at school and considering the best amount of time to stay at home instead of automatically staying for the entire break.
"It a matter of reconnecting and realizing that just as students are adjusting, the family is also adjusting to the person's absence," Keeler said.
Thank you for helping me build my business since I began my financial planning career in 1979. Your continued support within the business community and as individual clients has contributed to my success in the Lawrence area. As my business continues to grow, I welcome new clients and referrals for financial planning and consulting, investment and securities brokerage services, or insurance management.
Evelyn Senecal
Evelyn Senecal, Certified Financial Planner, has ranked nationally in the top 2% of over 8000 American Express Financial Advisors. In 1996, she qualified as a Master Advisor for the eighteenth consecutive year and is a member of the American Express Senior Financial Advisor Team. Evelyn has served on the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Chapter of Certified Financial Planners, as an officer on the board of the Kansas City Chapter of the International Association of Financial Planning, and an adjunct professor for the ICFP and instructor for Adult Education in comprehensive financial planning.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. Mercantile Bank Tower Suite 403 900 Massachusetts Lawrence,KS 66044
FREE Physicals & Immunizations (Call for details)
816 W. 24th St. 749-5750
Hours: Mon-Fri. 9am-6:30pm