Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN United States First Amendment THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 United States First Amendment 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. WWW.KANSAN.COM Cohen: Recent Republican tactics sinking to new lows COMING FRIDAY Pres test Got t ost d ne nd- eri- 10th pre- th on Ed Press FREE FOR ALL --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas To the amazingly gorgeous Englishman I met ordering pizza Thursday night: Come on up to the eighth floor and ask for Sarah --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas To the person in front of me with the license plate that says "SNAPE": 'You're a friggin' geek. PAGE 7B Please never wear those shorts again. I might projectile vomit if there is a next time. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas And now I have to pay $500 because I got a tampon stuck in my vagina. FML. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas Everything's a puppy except for kitties. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas I don't care what it is. I want it. I have an ingrown ponytail. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas I love the abortion robot .. brilliant! I took Miss Frizzle too seriously as a child: "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!" --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas Girl with the juice box ... You so fly. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas I woke up two hours early just to watch the "Big Brother" finale before someone ruined it for me. I'm reaching Xanadu-levels of insanity. I love being gay! I fall in love with multiple men every time I walk on campus --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas I just had awesome sex with a guy who is 68 and I'm 5'0. Editor's note: Damn apostrophes. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas You had awesome sex with a guy who's 68? That's pretty sexy! Today feels like a good day to burn a bridge or two. --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas So let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel. Why is it that every time I go to Mass Street there is someone wearing a cape or who has a leather whip? --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas --reduced personal time in between overseeing the University campus in Lawrence, pushing forward exciting new opportunities at the University of Kansas EDITORIAL BOARD Hemenway's salary too much for sabbatical Last month, the Kansas Board of Regents reached an agreement with former Chancellor Robert Hemenway concerning his retirement compensation package and future at the University. The package included a year-long sabbatical at full pay along with guaranteed employment at the University during the next year. This compensation package, specifically the inordinate sabbatical leave and pay, is at odds with the current economic state of Kansas and the budgetary realities of the Kansas Board of Regents. KANSAN FILE PHOTO Hemenway deserves praise for his 14 years in a demanding executive position. It is clear that he had Medical Center and lobbying across the state and the nation. Hemenway even continued to teach during most of his tenure. It seems likely that with this busy schedule, he was forced to delay most of his academic research and pursuits. the sabbatical is only a chance for academic pursuits, that he receive the same opportunities, and pay, as other professors. This becomes especially important when considering the extremely difficult economic situation in the state and the With his planned return to the University in Fall 2010, a sabbatical seems like an ideal way for Hemenway to catch up. Many professors take sabbaticals for similar reasons such as to free up time to focus more intently on a specific project or opportunity. During this time, though, no professor at the University or any Board of Regents school is eligible for more than half pay, according to guidelines concerning sabbatical leave established by the Kansas Board of Regents. KANSAN'S OPINION Though Hemenway, as a direct employee of the Board of Regents, is not technically governed by these guidelines, it seems prudent that if large budget problems the Board of Regents face. In a statement issued Nov 12, 2008, Donna Shank, chairwoman of the Kansas Board of Regents, regarding former Governor Kathleen Sebelius' suggested budget cuts for the state's public higher education system, said "higher education funding would be reduced by a net total of $114.4 million ($24.3 million in FY 2009 and $90.1 million in FY 2010)." According to Kip Peterson, spokesman for the Board of Regents, Hemenway will receive $120,000 from public funds during his sabbatical, with the rest of his $340,352 salary coming from KU Endowment. The sum from KU Endowment was requested by the Kansas Board of Regents according to Roista Elizalze-Mccoy, senior vice president for communications. The funds came from The Greater KU Fund, "which supports faculty and other University needs," she said. This fund is separate from the money allocated for student scholarships. Peterson pointed out that it is becoming more common for chancellors or university executives across the country are to receive a lump sum deferred, compensation package, which is a set amount of money set aside each year the person is working. The total sum is then received upon retirement. Hemenway did not receive this, however, he was hired 14 years ago When asked about the difference between Hemenway's sabbatical and that of other professors, Peterson said the situation was like "comparing apples and oranges," with Hemenway having been in a demanding role with a national profile for much longer than what Peterson said was the five to seven year average for campus university leaders. Though the state has made the right move by reducing the amount of Hemenway's salary that is coming from public funds during the next two years, his sabbatical pay is still in excess of what is appropriate, especially in these tough economic times. Further, if continued employment and sabbaticals are serving as a replacement for some type of deferred compensation package, perhaps the Kansas Board of Regents should consider adopting this more standard approach, which could reduce confusion and allow for more prudent budgeting on the Board's part in the future. The Kansas Board of Regents should either choose to call the money Hemenway is receiving something other than a sabbatical salary, because it is not in accordance with their own policy about what a sabbatical salary is, or they should lower the amount of money he is to receive. Alex Doherty for The Kansan Editorial Board RELIGION COLLEGE DORM RULE6... WORSE THAN A NIGHTMAE! MARIAM SAIFAN Uncovering life's truths in college From 1995 to 2005, Bazan's band Pedro the Lion blended buzzed-out guitar hooks with unflinchingly candid lyrics about his Christian faith. The band's songs are certainly not praise and worship in the traditional sense, with poignant reflections on everything from hypocrisy in the church to Bazan's own moral failings. This sort of sincerity garnered Pedro the Lion admiration from not only Christian music circles, but the secular indie scene as well. Perhaps my favorite modern-day philosopher is a songwriter named David Bazan. When I saw the songwriter perform recently in St. Louis, an When news came of Bazan's creative and spiritual shift, many long time listeners in his Christian fan base felt confused, even betrayed. This month Bazan released his first album in four years, a solo effort called "Curse Your Branches." After first listen, it becomes apparent that the artist has broken off with far more than his old band. Over the course of 10 songs, the album chronicles Bazan's struggle with and eventual loss of faith, all in trademark honesty. Even so, all great art must innovate to stay alive. audience member asked Bazan what he would say to fans who felt abandoned by him leaving the faith he once so affirmed. His answer stuck with me. "If there's this absolute truth that everyone says there is, then when I get done tearing down all the untruth, it's still going to be left standing," he said. About 3,000 years ago King David of Israel, another songwriter, penned a majority of the Psalms, a collection of hymns to God. Surprisingly, scholars estimate that about 50 percent of the Psalms are laments: David struggling with the divine, questioning the presence of God in his life or asking why evil continues to exist. And yet in the scriptures God calls David "a man after my own heart," as if this struggling brought him closer to God. I suppose his search is not unlike another David. Centuries later, St. Paul instruct ed early Christians to "test everything and hold to what is good." Both David and Paul knew a certain beauty in struggling, in probing big questions about faith and truth. Only after everything else was torn down could the truth be found standing. For many of us, college coincides with a formative period of life. We're autonomous and away from home, discovering who we are and what we believe in politically, spiritually or otherwise. But regardless of your major, the academic's journey is nothing if not for this active search for truth. And in the midst of it all, take solace in the struggle. Many before us found great beauty in the journey long before the destination. So seek it. Test everything and hold to what is good. Tear down what's false. None of us have all of the answers, and that's OK. Let's roll up our sleeves and wrestle with these great questions of life without worrying about getting dirt under our nails. The truth needs not defending if it's waiting to be found. Hafner is a Great Bend sophomore in journalism. HOUSING Preserving student code to protect student rights At a time when possible changes to the student code of rights and responsibilities looms, the discussion underway could benefit from outside perspective. Students need to realize just how strong their rights are when they are in University housing. Currently, students surrender no rights when in housing, a policy some other schools don't have. I was immediately struck by the different approach taken to housing at the college. School had just started for them and papers explaining the various rules and regulations of Central Christian campus living were still on the walls. Over the long Labor Day weekend, I traveled to my hometown of McPherson for a few days of rest. Located in McPherson is Central Christian College, a small school of about 330 students. I have several friends I've known since high school who attend the college, and I spent a couple nights with them in their dorms. For example, there is a 11 p.m. curfew on weeknights and a 1 a.m. curfew on weekends. Students are not allowed in dorm rooms of the opposite sex, except during a time called "open dorms" and even then the door must remain open. I happened to be watching a movie with a friend during one of these "open dorm" times and when the open dorms ended, a girl who had been watching the movie with us left, even though there was only five minutes left in the film. I don't write this to impugn them at all. They have each decided to go to this school and I agree with many of their values. But it does show how strongly protected KU students are. This makes me value my freedoms even more. We are lucky to enjoy these freedoms, which is why students need to fiercely oppose the changes that have been proposed. Changing the student code to allow warrantless searches is a naked attempt to strip students of their right against unlawful search and seizure (the Fourth Amendment). The policy change would shift the balance of power in housing away from students and into the hands of University officials, who would in effect play both prosecutor and judge, a combination that is ripe for abuse. "I can't stand here and tell you that a change in the code would save lives, but I'm hoping it would." Marlesa Roney, vice provost of student success, said at a recent student senate meeting. I have no doubt that those who support this change are acting in good faith, but it does not make the proposal any less mistaken. We must not take away a foundational right based on a hope. We must fight to continue to be treated as adults in all aspects of University life — and that includes housing. If we don't,we will have only ourselves to blame. Shorman is a McPherson sophomore in journalism. Dear Justice for All, LETTER TO THE EDITOR LETTER TO Sex education should replace graphic displays I think that instead of wasting all of your time and money putting up huge billboards with graphic pictures and false information without ANY ideas or suggestions on how to actually lower the number of abortions, you should concentrate on advocating for comprehensive sex education in our schools. That way, not only will our youth be more informed and healthier, but the number of unwanted pregnancies will decrease because there is accurate information being given about how to use contraception correctly. What we need is easy access to low-cost or free contraception and programs that embrace sexuality without using scare tactics. Considering one of your volunteers admitted to me that he has no clue what is included in "comprehensive" sex education, let me give you an idea. Multiple classes and seminars throughout middle school and high school that not only educate youth about consequences of having unprotected sex such as STIs and unplanned pregnancies, but also an introduction into the wonderful and diverse field of sexuality. Access to low-cost (or free) and easy-to-use contraception. Yes, condoms and the pill are key components of this group, but why stop there when there are dozens of more options? Establishing that sexuality is fluid. Not everyone is heterosexual or has penile-vaginal intercourse. Not punishing or threatening young adults who feel it necessary to make a difficult choice in times of an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. Until you have been in a position where you have been forced to make an impossible decision such as obtaining an abortion, step back and really think about what kind of a message your billboards are sending. You say your message is that every child has a right to life? Well my message is that every child deserves to be a wanted child. Courtney Kivett is a Lenexa junior. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR LETTER GUIDELINES Send letters to opinion.kansan.com Write **LETTER TO THE EDITOR** in the e-mail subject line. Length: 300 words The submission should include the author's name, grade and hometown. Find our full letter to the editor policy online at kansan.com/letters. 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