Opinion
United States First Amendment
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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Ah yes, rain. Now the hippies willsmell a little less like bong residue and all natural French fry crease
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
Things I've learned in organic chemistry; how to draw shapes. That's it.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
Dear "Crow Man" from the Granada '90s party: You are awesome
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
Does anybody else get really nervous near people in trench coats?
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I'm glad the Tetris guys came back. It's just not Halloween without them on campus.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I could be naked in my Snuggie right now ... tits and ass out.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I was listening to the game on the radio on Saturday and I think I heard the call "ruffing the snapper."
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I would rather watch a WNBA game than watch the Chiefs play ever again.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I just want to find a guy who will let me play Nine Inch Nails while we have sex.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I just keep finding more and more bruises on my body.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
Just because I wait to put my pictures on Facebook doesn't mean you need to.
I'm still so hungover that even the pictures of vegetables on "farmville" makes me bourgeois.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
So I'm kind of into this girl, then she tells me how she randomly made out with another guy at a Halloween party. Is that her way of turning me
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
The Chiefs didn't lose good weekend.
I have sex with you twice and you don't even walk me to my car?
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
Any girl who plays video games automatically gets her attractiveness upped 1.5
Owl City is the definition of mediocrity. Who's listening to this mess? Fess up!
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
I didn't even know we have wetlands.
--on average, have raised theirs 4.4 percent. The University raised its tuition fees 6 percent this year.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Struggling economy creates need for affordable education
The economic recession has forced states to cut their budgets, including funding for state universities. The University should be applauded for the "tuition compact" it offers to incoming freshmen. The tuition compact provides freshmen with a fixed tuition rate for four years at the University.
According to a report issued by the College Board last month, four-year public colleges have raised their tuition fees on average by 6.5 percent. Private colleges.
With the tuition
compact, the University provides students with "a tuition per credit hour that is fixed or unchanged for four calendar years for an incoming freshman class." Lynn Bretz, director of university communications, said. Tuition rates can continue to increase each year, but each class will pay only the tuition rate from their freshman year.
"The idea originated with students, who understood that costs would have to increase over the years, but they wanted tuition
for four years to be predictable," Bretz said. "They wanted to know what a four-year degree would cost them."
The compact makes financial planning for students much more predictable.
Bretz said in-state students who were freshmen in Fall 2006 paid $5,513 annually in 2009. Now, as seniors in Fall 2009, they are paying $6,567. This is a difference of $1,054, which is a little less than a $265 per year increase.
KANSAN'S OPINION
"Freshmen who entered in Fall
2007, Fall 2008 and Fall 2009 will see no increase in their tuition rate, thanks to the tuition compact," Bretz said.
enrolled at the University in Fall 2009 will pay $7,359 annually for in-state tuition. Students paying out-of-state tuition will pay $19,327.50 per semester for the next four years, assuming they take 15 credit hours per semester.
This fixed compact was unprecedented before 2007
Rates were known only two months before they went into effect, according to a press release issued by the University. In the 30
years before 2007, tuition increases ranged from 0 to 25 percent per year, with the average being 9 percent.
"KU's budget was cut by $32.3 million in one year," Bretz said. "The tuition increase passed in June by the Regents produced about $9.8 million in additional revenue, making up not quite one-third of the cut in state funding."
Even with the tuition increase, the University's funding is still hurting.
But Bretz said that the increase helped the University cope with a major budget cut and that "it helped the KU administration protect the academic mission a much as possible"
As the country slowly emerges from this economic recession, it is important to keep in mind that not only does the financial system need to be upgraded, but the public school system as well.
An educated America is vital and programs such as the tuition compact offered at the University help provide students with the opportunity of higher education at a predictable cost.
Kate Larrabee for The Kansan Editorial Board
EDITORIAL CARTOON
SETTING THE STAKES...
Stopping al-Qaida in Afghanistan
Crushing al-Qaida in the region
De-Talibanizing Afghanistan and modernizing its infrastructure
Fostering democracy, and building a place where girls can go to school
MEANS SETTLING ON AN OBJECTIVE
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
POLITICALLY CORRECT Should Kansans support climate change legislation?
As the debate on national renewable energy sources (RES) continues in the U.S. Congress, Kansans are left wondering whether congressional representatives should get behind the legislation that is designed to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases. Here's what three of our columnists think about the legislation:
In no way is the prospect of a major focus on renewable energy bad for our state. The arguments against all forms of renewable energy are weak when actually examined. The idea that they would somehow take away jobs was a common idea last year, during the debates on the new coal plants being built in Holcomb.
It was this argument that convinced many, especially from the Holcomb area, to support the plants and oppose the construction of wind farms. The assumption here would be that wind farms do not create any jobs, a fallacy unless there are robots that can build and maintain such farms and power plants.
Kansas is considered the third-best state for wind energy potential, and a focus on renewable energy programs in the state could provide not only jobs for new plants, but outside money coming in to purchase the power generated from them. RES programs would benefit us economically, and make us a leader in green energy.
Cohen is a Topeka senior in political science.
Enacting a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions coupled with more stringent renewable electricity requirements is an essential first step in addressing this critical issue.
The incontestable scientific consensus about climate change has finally compelled the U.S. government to address the long-term threat posed by rising CO2 levels.
Ifnoactionistakentocurcarbon emissions, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected that temperatures in Kansas will rise by an average of 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, more than in any other state.
No doubt, cutting carbon emissions entails sizable economic costs and scientific models cannot tell us the long-term economic impact of a changing climate, but it remains imperative to hedge against the substantial risk posed to people around the world by increasing temperatures, shifting weather patterns and rising sea levels.
— Thompson is a Topeka senior in economics.
CHET COMPTON
The people of Kansas should not have to worry about an increase in their energy bills if the purpose of that increase is to prevent global warming.
In January of last year, President Barack Obama said that "Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."
A national RES was part of the cap-and-trade bill already passed by the House of Representatives designed to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases. Contrary to claims of green job creation, this bill does the complete opposite. Because everything Kansans use and produce requires energy, a considerable increase in energy prices will have a devastating effect on our economy. This tax will hit Kansans pocketbooks over and over again.
WHO DO YOU THINK IS POLITICALLY CORRECT?
The result will be a considerable reduction in the rate of economic growth, the amount of gross state product, household incomes and employment. It will also.as promised significantly raise electricity prices and gasoline prices.
Go to Kansan.com to vote and send your topic ideas to pc@kansan.com
Compton is a Wichita senior in political science.
STUDENT LIFE
The college experience: More than a diploma
The years we spend as undergrads are filled with explorations and
with explorations and challenges. We embark on this journey called college in the hopes of making new friends and discovering our place in world. But our time spent at the University of Kansas should consist of more than fraternity parties, fake IDs and library all-nighters. College should also be a time to step out of our comfort zones and challenge our beliefs in order to further develop our values and critical thinking.
The University offers several chances for students to not only become involved in student organizations that foster leadership, but also to acquire knowledge outside of the classroom.
Challenging the beliefs and ideas we hold from our upbringing is part of the college experience. An undergraduate degree is becoming more expensive, and for students to gain the most out of their money and time spent at the University they should take advantage of the many opportunities the University offers to establish critical thinking and open-mindedness.
The student pagan organization, KU Cauldron, held a lecture that was open to all KU students Oct. 27 about witchcraft. This is a perfect example of a chance to learn about an uncommon religion and to meet peers who practice this religion. This was also an opportunity for students to challenge their own religious beliefs by learning about a different religion. Attending events such as this helps promote religious toleration and shape well-rounded adults.
The Hall Center for Humanities also offers lecture series on various topics. The center will welcome Chris Abani Nov. 17 to speak as a part of their lecture series titled "Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Rights." Abani is the author
of several award-winning and controversial works of fiction. His experiences will likely offer insight to students regardless of their interest in his work. This University-sponsored lecture series presents another opportunity to become informed about topics that might not be addressed in some classes.
If religion and literature don't appeal to you, the University offers lectures and seminars on several other topics and areas of study. The department of linguistics is offering the seminar "Executive Function in Simultaneous and Sequential Bilingual Children" Nov. 12 in Fraser Hall.
All of these events, lectures, and seminars are free to KU students; students need to devote only their time.
Preparing for life after college doesn't simply require passing classes, but also attempting to challenge ourselves by stepping out of our comfort zones. Until we can face conflicting opinions and beliefs with open minds, we can't expect to grow from college students to adults.
The University offers several opportunities for students to foster intellectual and practice critical thinking outside of discussion sections and textbooks. Students should make the conscious choice to further their undergraduate learning experience by attending some of these events. By doing so, students will get the most out of their undergraduate experience and the money spent on receiving their degrees.
Brown is a Wichita junior in journalism and political science.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Understanding modern terrorism as "evil" is not objectiv or helpful in understanding the basic global problems.
"If someone would just give Osama bin Laden a bug, all terrorism would end" is apparently the conservatives' view on liberal international philosophy.
Modern terrorism didn't start in 2001, 1993 or 1972. It started when America decided to protect the world from itself by constructing and maintaining more than 700 military bases in more than 50 countries (including in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain, Israel and Qatar). Blaming individual presidents since WWII is ludicrous, as they have all directly or indirectly contributed to a continuing struggle with terrorism.
If Sept. 11 should have taught our country anything, it's that morality is subjective. The Sept. 11 attacks were based on al-Qaida's moral beliefs, not a struggle for national resources or independence. A word such
At what point did people twist survival to equal revenge? Is revenge a conservative notion now and anything less is appeasement
— or surrender? We Americans were never completely safe and never will be. We live in an incredibly free society and for that I'm grateful. But the inherent risk to living in a free society is increased danger. If America was a police state, foreign terrorism would not be an issue. But America's not, so terrorism is
And finally, if Fox News doesn't want to be criticized for one-sided tendencies, it shouldn't have covered the story of its criticism so one-sidedly
These and other cultural issues aren't even cases of liberalism versus conservatism; they're reason versus xenophobia.
— Nick Adams is a junior from Manhattan.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE EDITORIAL BOARD Members of the Kanan Editorial Board are Beena Hawley, Jessica Sain-Bajer, Jennifer Dunn, Gailin Tillhardt and Thirugnath Bengil.