Opinion
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Nichols: Why we are so afraid to say the f-word
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009
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--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
To the rude chick in Anschutz Library Tuesday night: Please seek immediate medical attention for the removal of a large tree limb from your rectum.
My pledge marshal loves cheese and is easily bribed by cheese products.
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
I ate a bagel for breakfast this morning and I apparently didn't notice that I had some cream cheese under my nose. I've been walking around for four hours looking like a coke head.
My name is Dish. I smell like fish. You dig?
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
My best friend's a jersey chaser and she isn't even blond.
I'm rockin' out to Hanson and the Spice Girls. I miss the 90s
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
To the girl who dissed my zebra rain boots in the Underground: You're rude. End of discussion.
I take it everywhere I take my penis!
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
The Adventures of Pete and Pete'an was the greatest kids show ever created.
Get it together KU basketball. People love you, don't let them down.
I was hanging out on Mass. last night and decided to go home when all the juggalos came out of the woodwork.
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
I'm bored,somebody entertain me.
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
Why do you never talk to me anymore?
I predict Kansas will move up to #15 in the polls (Coaches). Anybody else think otherwise?
How do you keep the Chiefs out of your yard? Put a couple orange pylons in your yard.
Facebook tells me you're single now. It looks like it's going to be a good week.
I got hired and fired before the job even started. FML
--to have been blown out of proportion. With the recent events involving the football and basketball teams, everyone should see what a bad reflection this is on the University and also be aware that altercations like these should not be tolerated on campus.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Lessons learned from athletes' altercations
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
What started as a series of scuffles now seems to have been blown
Although the amount of confusion following the events has, for the most part, dissipated, much has been said by many individuals in response to the disputes.
One of the most anticipated responses came from basketball coach Bill Self. In a Sept. 25 interview, he said the situation was not positive for the basketball program or the University in any way.
"We have shed a negative light on a great start to a school year,"
sen said. By no means did they handle this situation in the way I think it should have been handled."
Though he would not divulge how discipline was handed out, Self did say the situation being handled very seriously. Holding a press conference and discussing the situation was commendable. Football coach Mark Mangino, who did not hold a press conference or confirm his players were being disciplined for their intolerable actions.
was in violation of the team rules and the law, and was punished accordingly.
Self should also be praised for the way he handled Brady Morningstar's actions this past weekend when he was arrested for suspension of a DWI. Morningstar
When considering official University discipline, the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities expressly states sanctions will be taken against anyone who commits an offense against other persons "on University premises or at University sponsored or supervised events." Section E of
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Article 22 details all of these sanctions, which range from a written warning to "removal of organization registration" status for at least two years.
No student is above the law and the KU Police Department acted accordingly, arriving on the scene just five minutes after the altercation occurred and escorting the players away from the situation. This quick response likely stopped the event from escalating. This incident was not only detrimental for the athletes themselves, but was
also damaging to the image of the University in terms of the media and the general public.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little echoed this sentiment in a statement released shortly after the incident.
"(The athletes) need to realize their profiles make them representatives of the University off the court and field, as well as on it, and that KU has high expectations for its students," Gray-Little said. "I appreciate the quick response by the athletic director and university staff and the strong statement from the teams' leaders."
It is time for this incident to be moved away from the spotlight, but it should not be forgotten. Mistakes have been made and rumors have been spread, but the University and its staff and students need to learn from the incident, move on, and make sure that nothing of the sort happens again.
Brett Salsbury for The Kansan Editorial Board.
KEEP DOWN TO EARTH
NICHOLAS SAMBALUK
CAMPUS
Dry-campus policy reconsidered
voted by the debate over the University's alcohol policy. It was with great anticipation that I found myself at the first meeting of the Student Senate Alcohol Subcommittee two weeks ago.
Over the past several weeks, I've been fascinated by the debate over
Despite a pitiful attendance of six—including myself—this group cotld help foster a necessary and much needed University-wide discussion.
The subcommittee was set up by the Student Senate Rights Committee in response to an ongoing push by University officials to do something about alcohol abuse following two alcohol-related student deaths last year.
I've joined the committee primarily to push back against any recommendation that would take Fourth Amendment protections away from students living in University housing. But the more I listened at the meeting, the more
Though the subcommittee has no binding authority, its recommendations could end up as proposed legislation for the full Student Senate to vote on.
I realized there are many options the committee can explore without taking away these rights. In fact, these options could potentially expand student privileges.
The members of the committee took turns presenting "If I were ruler of the world" ideas on how to combat dangerous and irresponsible drinking in the student body. The idea of allowing some kind of alcohol sales on campus was even discussed. This proposal could be an important step in creating an environment that discourages alcohol abuse, if it is investigated thoroughly and implemented properly.
JONATHAN SHORMAN
An attempt to bring beer back to the Kansas Union, specifically to Jaybowl, was rejected last year by then-provost Richard Lariviere.
The University is now looking for a new provost. If a provost is
hired who supports bringing back beer to the Jaybowl and potentially other measures as well, it would send a clear signal that the University's approach to combating alcohol abuse has changed. Those involved in the search process should push any potential candidates for answers on this issue.
Though the University's dry-campus policy does not support underage drinking, a dry campus' attempts at alcohol education sends mixed signals to students — you shouldn't drink, but here's the number for Safe Ride.
Allowing of-age students to drink on campus in some situations would model responsible drinking for their underage peers and would give the University greater moral authority in their education efforts.
While the problem of irresponsible drinking is nothing new, the political will to do something about it is very acute right now. The Student Senate and the University should not squander it.
Shorman is a McPherson sophomore in journalism.
STUDENT LIFE
Sleep well, avoid stress
I can't even begin to count how many times it's happened to me. It's a busy week but I manage to complete my assignments and study for my tests. Confidently, I fall into bed ready for some much needed rest. But after an hour or two hours — sometimes more — I'm still up, paranoid about what's left to do or nervous wondering if I've prepared enough.
Recent research suggests I'm definitely not alone.
The study, from The Journal of Adolescent Health online, analyzed more than 1,125 students to find these results. A major concern about lack of sleep is the effects it can have on a person's immune system. With the H1N1 virus still spreading, students need to do whatever possible to stay healthy.
A study at Medical News Today reports that 68 percent of college students reported stress related sleep deprivation. At least 20 percent admitted to feeling this anxiety at least once per week. Numbers also say 30 percent of college students get fewer than eight hours of sleep per night. We've always been told eight hours is the bare minimum requirement for a good night's rest, but I can't honestly say I know many of my peers who adhere to this rule.
People who sleep poorly are much more likely to take medicine to stay awake or fall asleep and twice as likely to drink alcohol in order to pass out than those who sleep well. These habits can lead to lifelong addictions and aren't the solutions to the problem of not catching enough sleep.
We all know sleep is important, but what are we supposed to do when we're lying in bed counting sheep and sleep never seems to come? Students stress about lots of things besides school, including money and our
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personal lives, and it's not always easy to handle.
The most beneficial advice I found from Counseling and Psychological Services is to take charge of where you're going. You can do this by taking responsibility for pointing your life where you want to go and taking action to avoid feeling powerless.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, take time to re-evaluate. If it's really getting out of control, talk to someone. The University has plenty of people who can help. Just make sure you don't sacrifice your health, mentally or physically, by not making sleep a priority.
We're all adults now, and life is always going to be stressful. But there are ways to mellow out and keep everything on track. If you can relax, you'll be better rested after a good night's sleep and more productive overall in your work. Even if you think you can handle an all-nighter, consider reports from ABC News that suggest poor sleep leads to a much higher rate of depression. To stay happy, you need to hit the hay.
The University's Counseling and Psychological Services has a few tips for handling college stress. Getting organized and breaking down overwhelming tasks is a good place to start. Setting realistic expectations, focusing on goals and accepting mistakes that may have been made, then moving on, are also recommended.
Buser is a Columbia, Ill. senior in journalism
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Sticking with organic foods The article also mentioned the USDA acknowledging organics were not different than industrial food, but readers should keep in mind that the USDA has been
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The French Agency for Food Safety determined that organic food is better for you because of higher nutrition content, fewer pesticides and less nitrates, according to an article in Food Magazine last month. Organic food was found to contain more minerals, anti-oxidants and phenols.
I was appalled when I read Sai Folmsbee's column "Organic Foods Revealed" on Friday. First, the author talks about Dr. Borlaug who started the "green revolution," but opposed organic food. Obviously he did that because he worked for DuPont, the world's second largest chemical company. Those chemicals are used in industrial agriculture and genetically modified foods. Thus, Borlaug was against his competition.
As for organic foods not being healthier than their counterparts just look at Central Alternative High School in Wisconsin. Notorious for its delinquent students, the school witnessed a marked improvement in truancy, grades and behavior once the cafeteria switched to organic food.
The article also mentioned the USDA acknowledging organics were not different than industrial food, but readers should keep in mind that the USDA has been influenced by biotech companies — DuPont and Monsanto — by accepting company-sponsored studies.
Monsanto is responsible for RoundUp and Agent Orange. Should a company that has created environmental hazards be making food?
Folmsbee also wrote about how organic foods were not truly organic. He is right — "organic" means only 95 percent organic.
He implies that industrialized farming could feed a starving world. Yet, Stop Hunger Now affirms that although there is more food available, it isn't as nutritious as it once was. Genetically modified food cannot be given away because biotech companies patent the genes used in their products.
Humanity was on an organic diet till the early twentieth century. Since then we've lost onethird of America's topsoil, buried toxic waste, depleted water systems and exacerbated cancer and obesity.
— Caleb Hall is a sophomore from Shawnee.
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