Section A · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 9, 1998
21 W. 9TH STREET, LAWRENCE, KS. 68044,785-865-5601
Time arrives for freshmen to deal with homesickness
It is that time of year for freshmen — the novelty of college life has worn off, homework has piled up and relationships haven't materialized.
By Sue Franke Kansan staff writer
These frustrations are so normal for the first week of October that Frank DeSalvo, director of counseling and psychological services, refers to this time as "homesick week."
"Students have been at school long enough that they are having to confront relationship issues, roommate conflicts and difficulties in classes that they were not expecting," he said.
DeSalvo advised students that they could exert some control on their environment by direct communication with significant others and roommates. He also said students should develop a schedule and establish their own standards for success, rather than trying to meet the expectations of others.
"Parents may expect their children to be A students, when students could decide that, for them, a strong B is O.K." he said.
Holly Bastin, Lenexa freshman, said the transition from high school classes to large college lecture halls had been challenging.
"The homework is a lot to maintain on your own, especially if you're not prepared," she said. "It's like being part of a machine with large groups of people in class. You aren't an individual, and it's harder to get to know professors."
Scott Strawn, complex director for Hashinger Hall and Ellsworth Hall, commented on the struggles he sees freshmen go
Jason Benavides/KANSAN
Crunch time Check out Monday's Kansan for coverage of the bane of all college students; midterms.
Crunch time
through during the first of October.
"Students have been on campus for six weeks and haven't found their niche yet but want to get involved," he said. "Or they haven't met their husband or wife to be. They are also stressed out about their majors."
Damon Parker, Overland Park freshman, said that he did not worry about things, and that he hadn't chosen a major yet.
"It will probably be graphic design," he said. "I guess I'll have to figure it out by the end of next semester."
For help with career direction and deciding on majors, students can go to the placement center in Watkins Memorial Health Center or to Templin Hall's academic resource center.
Sorority donates teddy bears to kids
By Sarah Hale
Kansan staff writer
After more than a month of housing about 300 teddy bears, Sigma Delta Tau sorority members are heading to Topeka today to donate them to the Kansas Children's Service League.
"These children come from abused or less fortunate homes," said Anate Aelion, chapter president. "This is a way to maybe make them feel better, and the bracelets act as a symbolic bond."
The community service project began during rush in late August when the chapter asked rushes to help make friendship bracelets. One bracelet was put on the bear's wrist and one will be for the child who receives the bear.
The Kansas Children's Service League gives teddy bears to children when they remove them from their homes.
Sometimes they feel scared, angry or lonely, and the bears help ease their emotions, said Allison Deutch, project coordinator for Sigma Delta Tau and Des Moines, Iowa junior.
Deutch said she contacted the league about the idea because she wanted the sorority to play a part in making the children feel safe.
"Teddy bears are always a comfort, to any child," she said.
The new teddy bears were donated by various toy companies. Deutch said she was pleased with the amount of bears that they collected.
For its next project, the chapter will paint pumpkins for Halloween and donate them to either Lawrence Memorial Hospital or the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.
African-American greek leadership focus of event
By Steph Brewer and Sarah Hale Kansan staff writers
a conference promoting African-American Greek leadership on predominantly white campuses will be held this weekend for University of Kansas students and students from at least 17 visiting universities.
"The purpose of the conference is to alleviate barriers and promote the optimal success of Black greek letter organizations," said Tamara Lewis, assistant director of the Office of Minority Affairs
The Black Greek Leadership Conference will be held at the Kansas Union today and tomorrow. The conference will open 7
tonight with a speech by Dr. Walter Kimbrough from Old Dominion University. It will conclude with a Show and party at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow.
With 838 KU students identifying themselves as African Americans, the conference will focus on teaching students about unity and holding active roles at a university.
Although the conference is targeted at greek organizations, it is open to all students and will feature workshops and speeches on all-inclusive topics such as grades and relationships.
The conference was founded at Central Missouri State University in 1986, Lewis said. This is the first year the University of Kansas has held the conference.
Robert Page, director of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and one of the co-founders of the conference, said that members of the council had been planning the two-day conference for more than a year and had a $12,000 budget. The University Coca-Cola contract, Office of Minority Affairs, Organization and Leadership Development Center, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Admissions, Provost Office and registration fees from the visiting universities funded the event
Michael Bell, Detroit senior
said it was important for African Americans on campus to utilize their leadership positions in their various organizations, and the conference would help teach this.
"I'm anxious to learn from other schools," Bell said. "It's more than just workshops and speeches. We'll see how other schools run."
Three programs will be run by KU faculty members and students.
Lewis and Page will speak on male-female relationships; Erica Hawthorne, Lawrence sophomore, will conduct a workshop, "Sister to Sister;" and Bill Nelson, director of Greek programs, will speak about building bridges between Greek organizations.
BEADONORJAYHAWK
AMERICAN RED CROSS. UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FALL '98 BLOOD DRIVE
Door Prizes!
Free T-Shirts to Donors
LAST DAY TO DONATE
Kansas Union Ball Room 10-4 p.m.
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Sponsored by: Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, Association of University Residence Halls,and All Scholarship Hall Council.