Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009
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--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Dear people in the apartment above: Will one of you please lose your sex drive already? I can hear you every single freaking time.
And to think, some people come to college for an education INSIDE the classroom.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
I've learned four things since coming to the University of Kansas: I suck at parallel parking. Weekends start Wednesday. I'm actually quite good at beer pong. And Natty Light isn't that bad.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Today I saw an athlete not wearing his warm ups. It was a rare spotting.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Let's get drunk and make some bad decisions.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
I want to make babies
You'd better talk to me tomorrow in class. Or don't. The fantasy is probably better.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
I love strolling through Wal-Mart late at night. That is, until I see a creepy stranger in the parking lot.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Today I saved a worm that was drying up on the sidewalk.
I couldn't help it.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
To the guy who vomited in my midterm: Seriously?
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Girls from Western Kansas drive me crazy. Must be something in the corn or wheat. I hear it's seasonal.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
I just spent an hour and 30 minutes making a crossbow instead of doing my math homework. Yay!
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
If anyone found an iPod Touch on campus or at Lindley or the Union, please turn it in at one of those places and I will love you for life.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
To the girl who gave my friend head in the Boom Boom Room: Just to let you know, he does have herpes.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
FFA, you are so much better when you are strictly phone and not Facebook.
My name is Dish, but the girls call me D-Lish.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
Red pooped a skittle and ate it.
--be implemented in 2011, upon approval, Stickler and other current students graduating after this date will be affected. Though the details haven't been set in stone, one thing is certain, the changeover could include complications.
KU needs a "humans versus zombies" group.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Efficient education program helps students and community
The School of Education recently announced its plans to switch from a five-year degree program to a four-year degree program that would include a teaching certificate. The Kansas Department of Education should approve this plan. It will benefit not only students in the school, but it will help Kansas as well.
The proposed plan has many positive effects including creating a more efficient degree program and saving students a fifth year of tuition. This change would also draw more students to pursue education degrees and ultimately increase the number of qualified teachers available to the community.
Steven White, chairman of the department of Curriculum and Teaching declined to comment because the plan has not been finalized.
Currently, students participate in a full fifth year of student teaching beyond their degree to receive their teaching certificate. The proposed plan will this mandate provisional
"From what I understand, they will still be offering the five-year plan for people interested in pursuing their masters," said Ashley Stickler, Overland Park sophomore who is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education. "They are supposedly condensing it and putting the volunteer work in your earlier years."
"The transition might be a little shaky," Frederick said. "I see it being a source of some confusion and frustration."
Amanda Frederick, Lawrence senior, said she acknowledged both positive and negative affects of the change.
Because the change would
Frederick is currently enrolled in the five-year program and is in her fourth year, meaning the new plan is not an option for her.
KANSAN'S
OPINION
Part of the force behind this change is the hope of a more efficient system for degree completion, according to the school's press release. This program will produce
more quality teachers to not only counteract the statewide demand for teachers, but the demand for teachers in the entire country.
Frederick said this will be the major benefit to the four-year program.
"I think there is definitely more of a demand. We always turn out high quality teachers from the School of Ed," Frederick said.
She said that doing away with some general education requirements and focusing more on individual content areas would be a benefit to students.
Frederick sees a possible flaw in the amount of student teaching
that four-year graduates would be required to complete.
"There are some people that just don't connect with the students very well," Frederick said. "You don't really find that out to you have students to connect with. I couldn't imagine jumping straight from [classes] into teaching as a career."
Even so, Frederick said she has faith in the school's readiness to prepare students.
"Having less experience student teaching will be scary, but most people will probably be able to handle it," Frederick said. "I'm sure that they'll find ways of preparing people adequately in that amount of time."
Focusing on relevant classes and eliminating unnecessary curriculum will allow students the opportunity to gain student teaching experience and complete the degree in four years. This is a positive change that the Department of Education should support. This plan will best facilitate the realistic needs of the community and the University students.
Kara Walker for The Kansan Editorial Board
CONTACT THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Support the four-year plan at 785-296-3201.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
HI, I'M THE 2009 DEFICIT
I'M THE 2009 DEFICIT.
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
STATE
Education in need of solutions
For fall break I took a brief trip back to a world of college applications, PSAT prep and worry about the future. Not intentionally — I visited my high school to see my old teachers, who I now count as friends. And it was hard to ignore the theme in classrooms of juniors and seniors this time of year.
I even tried to convince fellow students to join me, explicating a part of the book in a column in my high school paper: "In 1999, after 20 years of research a study found that in the real world, the differences between earnings of a college graduate were more dependent upon the caliber of the student rather than the place those students went."
It reminded me of my own college search, which was narrow and simple, partly as a result of an unlikely Christmas gift: "The Overachievers" by Alexandra Robbins. It's a deep, factual book — which my mom mistook for fiction
Despite this, Gov. Mark Parkinson told the Board of Regents in August the University should raise admissions standards and have an overall goal of an improved national ranking.
Though I don't believe in the ends (the rankings, which, according to
— that convinced me to come to the University of Kansas.
"Nationally, 23 percent of high school graduates were college-ready, meaning they were likely to earn a "C" or better in college courses, according to a recent report by ACT," reported the Tulsa World.
Although college admissions standards should be raised and education improved—which would occur just if remedial courses were removed —K-12 curricula must also be strengthened.
Robbins, are adjusted each year to keep Harvard, Yale and Stanford on top), the means (admissions) should be changed.
Robbins offers a couple ideas to start. First, delay the high school start time, switching it with those of elementary and middle schools, to compensate for the naturally later sleep cycles of teens (approximately 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Second, de-emphasize testing for deeper learning. Education should be about truly processing information, rather than a "superficial, temporary memorization of facts."
The inclusion of a financial
information class and the establishment of broad, pride-building projects by and for students are suggestions that could help create well-rounded individuals.
The goal should be for high school education to provide students with the thinking and organizational skills needed to not only make it through life, but to also make them the kind of involved, voting citizens that Thomas Jefferson said were necessary for the "American Experiment" to succeed. Worrying about getting as many Americans through additional education should come later.
Perhaps someday "It'll all turn out," just as Michael Buble sings in his latest single "Haven't Met You Yet." But when it comes to finding real solutions, we "haven't yet." With the emphasis on testing at both the K-12 and university levels, we haven't even begun to try.
Holmes is an Overland Park sophomore in political science.
KANSAN.COM
Check out Tyler's blog at Kansan.com/weblogs/
whats_matter.
STUDENT LIFE
Date rape's demise
It's not a secret that many college students enjoy a night out with friends, and that those nights usually include some form of beer or liquor. Alcohol is always something that needs to be consumed responsibly, but what if there's something in your drink you didn't intend to be there? Something that could leave you vomiting, confused or without control of your actions?
Luckily, particularly for the ladies, there are recent products that make testing for any suspicious liquids in your cocktail easy and convenient.
Date-rape drugs have caused fear, humiliation and dangerous situations for many individuals simply trying to enjoy a night out on the town. Often, victims aren't even sure if they were drugged or if they just had a few too many drinks. Dr. Yvonne Fulbright, a "sexpert" for Fox News, said on her blog that common side effects of date rape drugs include black outs, amnesia, nausea, nightmares, headaches, muscle pain and even hallucinations.
The good news is that everyone has the opportunity to remain out of harm's way. There has been an increased use of cocktail condoms, drink covers that protect bar-goers from unknowingly being drugged, according to ABC News. Each cover costs less than ten cents to make and provides protection for anyone who momentarily leaves his or her drink unattended.
Drink coasters at several North Texas bars are now being used to test for common date-rape drugs, according to the Dallas-Ft. Worth NBC affiliate. Each coaster has instructions for the test and colored dots in the corner. By splashing just a drop or two of the suspected drink on the dots customers, and bartenders immediately know if the drink is spiked. The dot
TOPICS OF RELEVANCE
RICHELLE BUSER
on the coaster will change color if the liquid contains gamma hydroxybutyrate (better known as GHB) or ketamine, two common date-rape drugs.
The coasters are available at 7-Elevens for about 40 cents each, according to Time magazine.
The product has been a success in Britain and is expected to launch in Australia, the United States and popular destinations in the Middle East. The lip-glosses may also soon be available in vending machines and bathrooms at bars and nightclubs.
For ladies who value their appearances as much as their safety, the British cosmetics company 2LoveMyLips has created a lip gloss that doubles as a date-rape drug tester. The lip-gloss contains a pink taper that can be easily dipped into a drink to test GHB and ketamine, according to The Herald Sun.
These new inventions are a valuable form of protection for anyone who consumes alcohol, but being prepared is always the best way to avoid a daterape drug situation. Stick with your friends, never leave a drink unattended and if someone buys you anything, make sure you see the bartender pour it.
By being aware of your surroundings you can enjoy an evening out on the town without distress. It may not hurt to have an extra-special coaster with you, just in case.
Buser is a Columbia, ill. senior in journalism
BLOG: GREEN MY GUY
As is with all processed foods, the ingredients list was a medley of words I couldn't pronounce.
In your average grocery store, two kings rein over the meatless meat freezer: Boca Foods and Morningstar Farms, each with a loyal fan base. Though both boast of meatless burgers, chicken and breakfast entrees, the taste and composition of their food is quite different.
Veggie burgers are new mystery meat
— words such as disodium guanylate, nicotinamide and thiamin mononitrate. Yet in choosing processed food, these mystery ingredients are an unavoidable part of the package
While I'll leave the taste testing to you, I took a deeper look into the Boca and Morningstar Web sites to learn more.
Both companies revealed that the soybeans used in their products are likely from genetically engineered soy plants. However, for consumers who prefer to stay away from genetically engineered products, both companies provide "organic soy" products, which do not contain GE soy.
In figuring out the mystery behind the mystery meat-less, I've realized how easy it is to search the Internet to find answers. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to contact those companies or talk to those farmers, ask a few questions and figure out your food.
The answer: Soy-based diets use half as many environmental resources as meat-based diets, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Then how about all the processing? Though veggie burgers provide an alternative to meat (a source of environmental problems), are the veggie burgers themselves eco-friendly?
In this food showdown, the veggie burgers have triumphed. Yet figuring out what foods are healthy, environmentally friendly and delicious can still be quite an Omnivore's Dilemma. Do you pick organic or local? Natural or fresh? Meat or meatless? Sometimes you just want to throw in the towel and hit up Subway.
— Janie Chen is a junior from Olathe. Her sustainability blog can be read at www.greenmgyuy.worldpress.com.
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