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NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009
Adam Buhler/KANSAN
A dead bed bug is magnified by a microscope while being studied at the Watkins Student Health Center Lab. Though no cases have been reported in the residence hall, students need to be aware of possible contact with the parasite.
BUGS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
halls.
According to Reuters, universities with bed bug infestations in recent years include Texas A&M, the University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Florida.
Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs with the National Pest Management Association, said bed bugs could move freely between rooms through the walls, electrical circuits and baseboards. That means if one room has an infestation, it's likely adjacent rooms have or will have an infestation if the pest isn't removed.
Mike Wahlund, Chicago freshman, is living in Oliver Hall this semester. He said he was on "alert level" when it came to bed bugs
because his girlfriend, who attends college at the University of Chicago, was worried about the problem and even purchased a mattress cover this semester to prevent an infestation.
"The mosquitoes here and back home are bad enough," Wahlund said. "Bed bugs would only add to the problem."
Wahlund said he wasn't concerned because he and his roommate liked to keep their room clean.
But Henriksen said it didn't matter if the room was clean or dirty because the bugs hide in cracks and could live dormant up to a year without food.
"I don't think too many people like falling asleep know somethings going to crawl up and suck on our blood' he said.
He said population sizes could be as low as a dozen or as high as in the thousands, depending on how many people lived in the infested area.
Although she said she didn't see bed bugs as much of a threat to University students, Quinlan said it was important for students to be aware of bed bugs because it was so difficult to remove the pests.
Regardless of the stigma attached to a bed bug infestation, Quinlan said, students need to report any suspicions of bed bugs in order to prevent the pests from spreading to neighbors.
— Edited by Tim Burgess
POLITICS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
KU professor Burdett Loomis chats on one of his speaking trips. Loomis said that the global interest in Barack Obama's presidential run had been the main topic of his presentations.
you have these political factions that often can't stand each other, the idea that two people who contested bitterly can come together is very impressive," Loomis said.
Loomis said he was glad he had the opportunity to speak about such a historical election at every step of the way.
Contributed photo
THE RECENT TRIPS
In his most recent trip on behalf of the U.S. State Department, Loomis spent the first two weeks of August speaking in Nepal and Bangladesh. Loomis also had the opportunity to blog about this trip on the University's Web site.
Loomis said he enjoyed this trip especially because he felt like he could have a positive effect on those who listened to his words.
"You feel like going there you might have a chance to make a difference." Loomis said.
"Going to China is great, lots of
In May, Loomis also spoke on behalf of the U.S. during a trip to Taiwan.
Loomis said many people there had a hard time understanding the opposition that a seemingly popular president like Obama has faced on some of his policies.
"They think of Obama getting a big electoral victory, so they wonder why can't he accomplish other things," Loomis said.
Loomis also had the opportunity to travel to Iraq, Malaysia, Singapore and China. Of all his trips, Loomis said he preferred speaking with the smaller communities because he felt he could have a greater effect.
people attend the lectures and their English is good," Loomis said. "But you know, what am I really going to do in such a large country?"
Loomis said he planned to tell students all about these five trips and the lessons he learned when he speaks on campus sometime this fall.
Juliet Kaarbo, professor of international politics, is helping Loomis organize the event and said she thought University students could learn a lot from his experiences.
"I think how others view U.S. politics would be something that people could learn a lot from," Kaarbo said. "It's a great way to think about both international politics and U.S. politics."
Loomis said one of his favorite parts about s peaking on behalf of the State Department was being able to travel and see new parts of the world.
"You know, eighteen months ago I had never been to Asia. Now
I've been there five times." Loomis said.
Loomis said he was glad he had an opportunity to take part in the program and speak across the globe, especially at such an influential time in our world. He said he would like to take more trips in the future, should the State Department ask him.
Andrea Vieux, a Lawrence graduate student, has known Loomis for a few years both inside and outside the classroom. She said she thought Loomis' experiences would be especially beneficial to students because of his storytelling abilities.
"He has a much more modern and wordly perspective because of his experiences." Vieux said. "He will let the students know that there are other places outside of America."
ART (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
the exhibition, but the changing definition of masculinity is presented as well.
The exhibition features different works from various time periods, locations and artists. It includes a sculpture from the Roman
John Younger, professor of classics and director of the women, gender and sexuality studies department, described outward masculinity as a costume men wear. He said the different images of masculinity in the exhibition showed how the idea of masculin-
Imperial era, portraits from the 15th century, figure scrolls from the 18th century, medals, tools and casts. It also features photographs from Esquire magazine and a video from 2008.
ity has changed over time. He used the example of an 18th century portrait of a man featured in the exhibition wearing a powdered wig and frilly outfit. He said it was not something our culture would view as being masculine, but at
the time it was considered a sign of strength and power.
A gallery conversation with faculty members from the University, including Younger and Ercums, will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Kress Gallery in the Spencer
Museum. It is free and open to the public.
"If you are constantly performing masculinity then it is always in jeopardy," Younger said.
Edited by Meqan Morriss
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