Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY Kansan
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Published daily since 1912
Spencer Duncan, Editor Sarah Scherwinski, Business manager Lindsey Henry, Managing editor Brian Pagel, Retail sales manager Andrea Albright, Managing editor Dan Simon, Sales and marketing adviser Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser Justin Knupp, Technology coordinator
Tuesday, September 16, 1997
Steven Prince/ KANSAN
Examining
Security escorts needed to increase safety, no matter what the costs
This campus is not as safe as it should be.
Let's face it, someone walking alone on campus at night isn't going to be able to make it to a blue phone if they are suddenly put in danger. The only real guarantee of safety is the old cliche of safety in numbers. If the University of Kansas had an escort program, students could feel truly safe when going out on campus after dark.
Some would argue that the University doesn't need an escort program because Saferide provides people with free rides after 11 p.m. each evening. However, sometimes students are not walking large enough distances to warrant the call, or the wait, for Saferide. If someone is walking from the library to their car, Saferide is useless. A companion to walk with is not.
Other institutions have successful programs, why not here?
less. A companion to walk with is not. Liability is another issue that has come up during previous attempts to establish an escort program at the University. However, this argument is both vague and weak.
Proof that an escort program can be operated at no harm to the University lies in the escort program at Kansas State University. Started on a small scale in the residence halls at K-State, this university organization now runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. All escorts are carefully screened and work on a volunteer basis. Escorts
work in teams of two. When possible, the teams are made-up of one male and one female. The volunteers maintain constant contact with campus security through walkie-talkies.
K-State has no problems with liability because it has covered its bases with a thought-out organization. If our University followed the model of K-State, we too could have an effective escort service and a safer campus.
The only excuse the University has for not providing students with a safe walk home at night is laziness. If our peer institution can develop a successful escort program, so can we.
Hopefully it will be done before someone suffers because of a lack of such a program.
Elizabeth Musser for the editorial board
Towers' improvement creates concern
The renovations in the Jayhawk Tower parking lot has residents complaining about the loss of parking spaces. But the parking inconvenience is more than just a hassle — it's unsafe.
The parking department argues that prior to the renovations, the east parking garage was poorly constructed and therefore a safety risk for students. The loss of spaces was a trade-off for a safer, more stable one-level parking structure.
Because the number of towers' residents exceeds the number of parking spaces, residents are expected to park on Daisy Hill when the Towers' lot is full. However a five minute walk at midnight down the poorly lit sidewalk between Daisy Hill and the towers is hardly a safe solution.
When a student is forced to walk alone
Lots need repair, but new problems need attention.
at late at night, his or her safety is put at risk. Tower's residents are often forced to park at Templin, or even McCollum's parking lot.
Towers' residents also choose to park in off-campus areas. Because a parking permit for the residence halls is different than the parking permit for the Towers, some residents do not want to purchase two permits.
Youth Center, an off-campus lot. Last week, her car was broken into and some of her belongings were stolen. Shery said she would never have had to park at the center if there were spaces available at the Towers' lot. She also expressed concern for her safety, and rightly so.
To avoid getting a ticket, Catherine Sherfey, a Leavenwort junior who lives in the Towers, said she often parks across the street from the Towers at the Catholic
The parking department needs to think of better and safer options to the parking problem. Sacrificing parking spaces for a better-constructed parking lot eliminates some risks, but not without adding others.
Better lighting—which Student Senate could approve—an escort system and more police surveillance may help alleviate the problem. Until residents are able to park near the Towers or wherever they may reside, students' safety will continue to put at risk.
Tamara Miller for the editorial board
Bradley Brooks . . . Editorial
Jason Strait . . . Editorial
Jodie Chester . . News
Jen Smith . . News
Adam Darby . . News
Charity Jeffries . Online
Kristie Blasi . Sports
Tommy Gallagher . Associate Sports
Dave Morantz . Campus
Eric Weslander . Campus
Ashleigh Roberts . Features
Steve Puppe . Photo
Bryan Volk . Design graphics
Mitch Lucas . Illustrations
Mark McMaster . Wire
Ann Marchand . Special sections
Lachelle Rhoades . News clerk
Kansan staff
News editors
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Matt Fisher . . . . . . . Assistant retail
Michael Soifer . . . . . . Campus
Colleen Eager . . . . . . Regional
Anthony Migliazzo . . . . . National
Jeff Auslander . . . . . Marketing
Chris Haghirian . . . . Internet
Brian LeFevre . . . Production
Jen Wallace . . . . . Production
Dustin Slidgel . . . Promotions
Tyler Cook . . . . . . Creative
Annette Hoover . Public relations
Rachel O'Neill . . . Classified
Jaime Mann . . . Assistant classified
Marc Harrell . Senior account executive
Scott Swedlund . Senior account executive
Broaden your mind: Today's quote
“In the United States, there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. This is what makes America what it is.”
-Gertrude Stein
How to submit letters and quest columns
Letter: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and home-town if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letter and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stuaffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Bradley Brooks (brooks@kansan.com) or Jason Strait (jstrait@kansan.com) at 864-4810. If you have generic questions or comments, e-mail staff opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4810.
Craving better classes, writer lists his ideal load
The other day while passing through Strong Hall, I noticed the line outside of the Enrollment Center. I wondered how many of these people were being subjected to long lines in order to drop a
Raving
John Colbert
opinion@kansan.com
But since I drop a class that wasn't what the person wanted. I have exactly one elective left to take from a very narrow selection of classes. After looking through the course catalog, I realized there was absolutely nothing that interested me. I began thinking about classes that KU students besides me would like to see offered. So here — in no particular order — are some excerpts from my ideal course catalog.
TH&F 384: History of the Pornographic Film (3). A survey of the artistic, economic and sociological development of the pornographic film with emphasis on major actors, directors, genres and the impact of the home video revolution. The course will also include detailed analysis of selected films.
CDN 110: Elementary Canadian I (5). For beginning students of Canadian. This course stresses listening, understanding, speaking skills and culture. Not open to native speakers of Canadian. This course will be conducted in Canadian. Active participation is required.
HPER 108: Basic Skill Instruction In Kickball (2). This course focuses on basic skills, strategy and history of the game.
CHEM 150: Chemistry of Recreational Drugs (5). This course covers the science of modern recreational drugs with an emphasis on those commonly found in the Midwest. This course is designed to fulfill the science requirement for nonscience majors. The class includes three hours of lecture and a two-hour lab.
MHST 337: Selected Topics in Music: Glam Metal (3). A study of groups and artists from the "glam metal" period using recorded examples, readings and videotapes. Open only to non-music majors.
PSYC 340: Pschology of Psychopathic Killers (3). A survey of basic topics relating to psychopathic killers. Equal time will be spent studying mass murderers, serial killers and various other types of killers. This course will explore the social and psychological causes behind some of this centuries most heinous killers.
POLS 651: Government and Politics of Star Wars (3). Survey of domestic and intergalactic political developments in the Star Wars universe. Topics include: emergence of the modern universe-state, the role of the Rebel Alliance, leadership patterns, competing political ideologies, prospects for democratization, foreign policy relations, and regional conflicts. Prerequisite: POLS 150 or consent of instructor.
SW 30W: Alcohol Use in Everyday Life (3)
An introductory course which focuses on helping students understand the individual and cultural development of drinking skills. Physiological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of alcohol use will be studied. The format of the course will include lectures plus a weekly discussion off-campus. Prerequisite: Must be able to show proof of age on first day of class.
DANC 110: Beginning Breakdancing (2). Introduction to breakdancing focusing on the particular requirements of various moves and techniques including the moonwalk, headspin, backspin and the robot. Additional emphasis will be placed on presentation.
PNTG 300: Graffiti Painting (3). An introduction to the various styles of graffiti with an emphasis on American styles. Emphasis will be placed upon composition, style and detail. Considerable work will be done outdoors. Prerequisite: ABS 101 and DBS 103 or gang affiliation.
REL 250: Formation of a Religion (3). This course outlines all of the facets of starting one's own religion. Topics covered: finance, tax law, tele-evangelism, brainwashing and increasing market share. Prerequisite: ECON 140.
While it is probably too late for me to take any of these classes because most of next semester's schedule is already etched in stone, we can work for the future. My cliché to any administrators who might read this: If you offer it, they will enroll.
Colbert is a Lenexa senior in mechanical engineering.
Power is truly in people we must decide to use it
Somebody approached me at a social gathering the other day and said, "I read your column in the 'Kansan.' I saw your point, but I still have my doubts."
Money is power, but it is not the only power.
I asked him to clarify, and he said: "You see, one insignificant person like you cannot do anything. Only those who have money have the power to produce change. They control this country. They can buy anything. If you do not have money, you do not have power and therefore do not count."
Another person agreed, saying: "Money is power. No money, no power."
Donato
Fhunsu
dfhunsu@ukans.edu
Money has allowed us to manufacture weapons, ammunitions, war planes and bombs that kill and maim hundreds of people around the world. But money also has allowed us to build commercial airplanes that transport thousands of people all around the world to friends, relatives, business partners and government counterparts to promote human understanding.
The UPS strike has shown us that when it comes to money and employment, there are two types of power at work: The power of capital and the power of labor. Business owners and managers have the capital and the money. The so-called "working peo-
I still sigh when I think
about the long discussion that ensued. Power is impersonal, and it takes various forms. Power (whether money, electricity, muscle power, or word power) does not move itself. Human beings, as free moral agents, generate, direct, transform and use it constructively or destructively.
ple" have the labor. They use the power of their muscles or minds, put to work the money of the businesses and, in return, get paid for their services.
Money power circulates as does electricity. Money is made of coins, paper, numbers and now electronic signals. It usually is backed by valued items such as a gold reserve or other forms of "guarantee,"but all these things are nothing in themselves. Human beings still determine the value of the gold, silver, or paper.
Let us not sell ourselves short. Let us take another look at the way we define concepts, the way we look at things, the way we do things and the way we value what we do. Money is important in our modern society, but let us keep it in its place. It is a useful tool but just that — a tool. We are still the tool-creators and users. And we create and use that tool in different ways.
Whether we clean the bathrooms in Wescoe Hall, serve food for the Department of Student Housing, drive KU on Wheels buses, sort packages for UPS or baby-sit, let's remember we are all valuable human beings with valuable powers. Our diverse and loving contributions are badly needed, especially at this time of increasing human interdependence.
Phunsu is a Lawrence graduate student in French.
No matter what our station in life, we all have in us the power to contribute to the well-being of our universities, our families, our communities, our states, our countries and our planet. We have spiritual power, mental power, emotional power and physical power. We can transform these powers into money and do the many constructive things that money can help us do.
Feedback
Story supports conforming notion
Wow! What a surprise to see the information about the new EpiLaser hair removal system now available at the KU Med Center on the front page of the 9/11/97 edition of the "Kansan." I know how very important it is that all women remove all body hair so that we can be accepted by society. This vital and intriguing news is certainly worthy of a front-page article.
All "lady" KU students should now rush up to Kansas
City to have their hair follicles fried by a laser. And how grateful we all must be that the Med Center is expending time and energy on such a pressing health issue. It would be silly to spend money to treat breast cancer or AIDS. Come on. I know it is a women's personal choice as to whether or not to remove her body hair, but is this new technology really that interesting? Women are constantly and consistently told by the mass media that our body hair is disgusting, unfeminine and even unclean. This notion is
ridiculous and insulting. It is yet another way in which women are told to conform our body to standards set by a male-dominated society. Putting an article like this on the front page only reinforces the myth that women must eliminate body hair.
Chadwick wrote in the article, "For those tired of hassling with razors and shaving cream, the University of Kansas Medical Center may have the answer—the Epi-Laser." May I suggest another? The trash can.
Sarah Doer Wichita law student