Opinion
Kansan
Published daily since 1912
4A
Jodie Chester, Editor
Gerry Doyle, Managing editor
Ryan Koerner, Managing editor
Tom Eblen, General manager, news adviser
Marc Harrell, Business manager
Jamel Holm, Retail sales manager
Dan Simon, Sales and marketing adviser
Justin Knupp, Technology coordinator
friday, August 28, 1998
The FIVE DAY Forecast...
Editorials
Drivers need to plan for parking; pedestrians have the right of way
Few things are more annoying than an impatient person with a car. But then again, there are always those kind of people driving around the University of Kansas.
Driving on campus can be a hassle. Drivers have to watch out for bikers, walkers, buses, stop signs, dogs and other cars. Trying to park can be even worse. Often, students spend too much time driving around looking for a spot.
But these are the realities of driving on campus, and people should be ready for those problems.
Don't speed down Jayhawk Boulevard like a race-car driver. It endangers the lives of students walking on campus, especially at night.
Students who want to speed should avoid campus altogether and find other
Students shouldn't employ road rage when searching for a place.
ways to get the their destination.
Drivers going through campus need to understand that pedestrians come first. All too often, cars try to roll past crosswalks and stop signs, ignoring the people trying to cross. Students going to class have the right of way. Cars have to wait, and drivers need to keep that in mind.
When it comes to finding parking, drivers must realize that it is a harrowing ordeal and to take it in stride.
A student who drives to campus five minutes before class starts and expects to quickly find a space doesn't
deserve to find one. When these drivers don't find a space fast enough, they often become frustrated and start zipping around the lot at unsafe speeds until a spot opens. Often, students who realize they are late for class will park illegally. They make their own spots and create shorter driving lanes in lots and block other cars from getting around. That is dangerous.
Drivers need to recognize that finding a parking space takes time, and they should come to campus early so they will have time to find a space and make it to class on time.
Becoming impatient while driving on campus is futile. Campus is a complex makeup of obstacles and drivers need to recognize that in order to keep campus safer.
Spencer Duncan for the editorial board
Don't get peeved by pets; plan ahead
Many University of Kansas women have dated weasels. On the other hand, plenty of University men have been involved with some mean chicks. After one or more poor relationships, many students will look for affection from a simpler source. Rather than going to a "meat market" bar or club, students may turn to another kind of meat market — the local pet store—and bring home a real weasel or chick.
Barnyard animals may not be the most popular choices for pets, but this is the peak time for buying pets. For students separated from loved ones or a summertime romance, or living alone in a new apartment, a pet may seem to be an excellent form of companionship. Unfortunately, many
For a dog or cat, owners need to have the pet for 15 to 20 years.
do not realize the commitment taken on when bringing home a furry, finned or feathered friend.
Anyone considering a dog or cat should plan to spend 15 to 20 years with the animal. During that time, plenty of money will be spent on food, visits to the vet and the occasional rubber mouse or doggie sweater.
Pets also will affect your daily schedule, as most animals will require a certain amount of attention from their owners. Dogs will need to be housebroken and taken for walks daily, as well as fed, watered and placed with.
Owning a pet also could affect living arrangements in the future. Will your next apartment complex allow dogs? Will your next roommate be allergic to cats? How will you move your fish
tank safely?
Dogs can present particular problems. Some dog owners favor taking their dog for a walk or to a park without a leash, which violates a city ordinance. Also, leaving your dog unattended on campus is against University regulations.
Pets are an excellent source of love and companionship, but they are also a serious responsibility. Owning a pet can be a joy or a burden, depending on your attitude toward pet ownership.
Kansan staff
Ann Premer . *Editorial*
Tim Harrington . *Associate Editorial*
Aaron Marvin . *News*
Gwen Olson . *News*
Aaron Knopf . *Online*
Matt Friedrichs . *Sports*
Kevin Wilson . *Associate sports*
Marc Sheforgen . *Campus*
Laura Roddy . *Campus*
Lindsey Henry . *Features*
Bryan Volk . *Associate features*
Roger Nomer . *Photo*
Corie Waters . *Photo*
Angie Kuhn . *Design, graphics*
Melissa Ngo . *Wire*
Sara Anderson . *Special sections*
Laura Veazy . *news clerk*
Ronnie Wachter for the editorial board
News editors
Stacia Williams ... Assistant retail
Brandi Byram ... Campus
Micah Kaffiz ... Regional
Ryan Farmer ... National
Matt York ... Marketing
Stephanie Krause ... Production
Matt Thomas ... Production
Traci Meisenheimer ... Creative
Tenley Lane ... Classified
Sara Cropper ... Zone
Nicole Farrell ... Zone
Jon Schlitt ... Zone
Shannon Curran ... Zone
Matt Lopez ... Zone
Brian Allers ... PR/Intern manager
Advertising managers
Broaden your mind: Today's quote
"There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm." — J.H. Vincent
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All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan school, 111 Stufer-Flimt Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Ann Premer (premer@kansan.com) or Tim Harrington (tharrington@kansan.com) at 864-4810. If you have general questions or comments, email the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4810.
Perspective
Sororities offer community and strong support system
am a freshman who has just gone through rush.
People who are not involved with the Greek community may not know exactly what goes on, so I wanted to share my experience.
I decided to go through rush because I knew very few people here and I didn't want the campus to seem so big. I was a little wary at first because I had always heard myths about sorority girls who were stuck up and who only were interested in going to parties.
Kimberly Thompson
Quest columnist
I was wrong.
At first my meeting last Saturday and met my two Rho Chis — the women who led us through rush week. I was
so nervous because the women in my rush group,
we so pretty. I figured they would be snotty.
were so pretty. A friend of mine,
But after a few breakbreakers and games, I
learned that these women were pretty on the
inside as well as the outside. They were nice and
intelligent, and I have made some friends I will
keep for the rest of my life.
we visited each sorority, came back to our meeting places and ranked each of the 14 chapters from one to 14. I had such a difficult time deciding because every woman in all of the chapters was as nice as could be. They were all unique and appealing in so many ways.
On the second day of rush parties, we spent a little more time at the chapters getting to know some of the women. They also presented funny skits or gave us house tours. I could feel their sisterhood and see how close they were. I felt myself wanting to bond with a group of women just like these women had done with one another. At the end of two days we ranked the chapters again, this time from one to nine.
On the third day, I asked questions about the sororities, such as what activities they were involved in and what types of community services they performed. These women were extremely involved on campus and in the community.
They told me there are athletes, band members, newspaper staffers, cheerleaders, Crimson Girls, members of the honors program, and student senators in their chapters.
Each chapter has a philanthropy that raises money for different charitable organizations by doing fun activities with other sororities and fraternities. The members are also required to make academics their No.1 priority and special study programs are enforced to encourage strong study skills.
Throughout the week, my top choices changed every time I had to rank them. I couldn't find a disadvantage to any of the chapters. I loved every chapter too much to decide which one I loved the most.
Friday was our last rush night. I was invited to three chapters. This special night was a truly inspirational experience for me. The members opened their hearts to the rushes and shared their experiences from the last four years
I felt accepted since the first day, but I knew on this night that these women sincerely wanted me in their chapters. I felt comfortable with all of the women and could have been happy at any of the 14 chapters.
rme were so many decisions that were made by both rusheshe and the chapters during rush. I know it was a stressful experience for everyone involved. Not everyone was invited back to every sorority and sometimes it was not clear why.
However, I knew that whatever chapter I chose, it was a mutual decision. I also knew that no matter what, I wanted to be part of the greek system. I am proud and honored to be a part of this community.
I know some people think rush is just for prissy girls who want to party and meet boys, but stop and think before you form this opinion. Sororites are about having someone to talk to in a time of need. They are about helping the community. They are also about finding out who you are. I know now that I can do anything
I have 140 sisters backing me up all the way.
Thompson is a Spinfield, Mo., freshman majoring in pre-journalism.
Sororities, cults may be quite similar after all
members dance in flapper dresses for their entertainment—it's Rush season
Well, it's that time of the year again. Yes,
when you see scores of freshman girls in
$150 size-six dresses standing around in
the hot afternoon sun watching senior sorority
I've never really understood the sorority system, perhaps because I'm categorically anti-social. However, I'll share some of my observations in the hopes that some sorority member who is happy with her experiences can enlighten me.
Rush seems to be a time for freshman girls — who are understandably confused and lonely in this big scary place we call a university
Carrie Johnson
Guest columnist
place we can a university to squeeze into their cuteest dresses, put on makeup and do their hair to appear cute and popular in the eyes of the sororites.
one girls make lists of the sororites they would most like to join. The sororites make lists of the girls who appear to be the cutest and most popular. Somehow the selection process is carried out, and the cutest and most popular girls are accepted into their favorite sororites. Girls who aren't as cute or popular are stuck with a less-desirable sorority, or they are left out in the cold, cruel world of non-greek life.
Sounds like a warm way to start a college career, doesn't it. Rushing sounds like a real blast. (I don't understand exactly where the term rushing comes from. I guess it's from these girls "rushing" to throw away their individuality and independence for the right to carry around a key chain bearing greek characters.)
These rushees must follow a few rules, one of which is that they cannot wear a watch. No one I've spoken to knows why this is. Some think it's to teach them to not look at their watches in social situations, as doing so in the course of a conversation would be rude. I find this odd. I would find it
much more rude to be late to a social event because of a missing watch.
Another rule is that they're not supposed to talk to guys. Some think it's because the sororites don't want the guys' opinions influencing the rushees' decisions. The sororates must have a pretty low opinion of freshman if they think the girls are that impressionable.
Another characteristic of sororites that seems to be advertised is that grades are better when one joins. I'm told that there are mandatory study hours for initiates, which is praiseworthy. But this does not guarantee that a Greek person's grades will be better than those of a non-greek. Most students — with determination and self-discipline — can achieve good grades without the help of a sorority. However, it might be nice to have access to old term papers. Good grades are just a matter of bothering to read Milton instead of watching Judge Judy —not that I don't enjoy a good Judge Judy myself.
counsel us, etc.
Sorority rush. Come on in and meet your sisters.
College internships.
Now maybe I'm cynical — I probably am — and paranoid — probably that, too — but this system can't help but remind me of some kind of weird religious cult. Think about it:
Sorority rush: Come on in and meet your sisters. Cults make followers follow irrational rules for the sake of conformity and control.
for the sake of other fish and amo
Sorority rush: Lose the watch.
Cults claim to give followers special status or powers.
powers.
Sororities: You'll flunk unless you join us.
- **Cutts will shield followers from the harmful opinions of outsiders.**
Sorority rush: Don't talk to boys yet. They're evil. If binge-drinking religious cults held official status with the Panhellenic Association, would they esteem as sororites? Or if sororites dropped their pretenses of academic scholarship and sisterhood, would they be held in the same low esteem as cults? Either way, they're all the same to me.
Johnson is an Oklahoma City sophomore majoring in English.
Feedback
Columnist ignores main Clinton issue
I'm writing in response to Nick Zaller's Aug. 26 column. I found his article lacking in both factual information and in logical thought. First, Ziller stated that the Monica Lewinsky scandal is solely a matter of sex, and implied that the American public could feel ashamed of their interest in this private situation. Many people do care that Clinton had an extramarital affair with a young intern. They care that their president lied to them. Most of all they care about the
one thing that Zaller chose to omit: The president of the United States is being investigated for committing perjury, a federal offense.
Zaller inquired why the president is under attack for "the luxuries that so many others enjoy, namely lewd and lascivious behavior." First, I have serious doubts that the majority of Americans are conducting adulterous affairs in the workplace with much younger individuals. The American public is not being investigated for living under oath. Zeller's main focus is that he feels Clinton has been unfairly marked with a kind
of red X of immorality. Zaller says that if we expect our leader to live an honest and morally upstanding lifestyle then our only option is to elect God. That is a very sad assertion that man can no longer possess basic values such as honesty, fidelity and respect for the law. Ironically, Zaller summed it up the best: "He represents what is wrong with the moral infrastructure of this country. If the leader of the free world can't be a good moral example, then how can we expect others to follow the strictures of the American moral code?"
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Shannon Hodges Lawrence sophomore
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