Tomorrow's weather
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Hot and sunny tomorrow, with sunshine continuing through the weekend.
Kansan
Thursday
August 20,1998
Section:
A
Vol. 109 • No. 02
Online today
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Sports today
Kansas Athletics Department buildings are getting remodeled. There will be improved practice areas for football, volleyball and baseball.
SEE PAGE 1B
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Speakers welcome back flock
(USPS 650-640)
University officials students assemble at Convocation
By Carolyn Mollott
Kansan staff writer
KU students who attended the annual Convocation assembly last night at the Lied Center were bombarded by welcomes from all directions.
The chancellor, the provost, the student body president and the chairman of the University Senate Executive Committee spoke to more than 1,000 students — mostly freshmen and new students — at the annual assembly.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway welcomed the assembly of students to the University of Kansas in his Convocation Address.
"This robe, this ceremony marks the beginning of the KU academic year for the 133rd time," he said.
Hemenway's address emphasized the qualifications of this year's freshman class, which has above-average ACT scores.
Shulenburger:Said convolution gave glimpses of future.
"KU really is
Lake Wobegon. All the children are above average." Hemenway ioked.
But Hemenway warned the freshmen that next year's class would be even more qualified for the challenges of academia because the University would continue to recruit better groups of students each year.
These freshmen have the ability to be successful at the University, he said.
"The question is will you do that? Will you accomplish that goal?" Hemenay asked.
Hemenwy: Challenged students to find opportunities.
Students saw scenes from the distant and recent past in a video which professed, "At KU, we find opportunities as varied as ourselves."
And as the fight fin song played, the entire assembly clapped.
Provost David Shulenburger greeted students and introduced the faculty and administrators seated on the Lied Center stage in their academic gowns. He cited the recent awards and honors that KU faculty members have earned.
"Taken together, these occasions give us a glimpse of what is possible at this university," Shulenburger
said.
Kevin Yoder, student body president, represented all KU students as he welcomed the newest flock of Jayhawks.
Yoder offered a metaphor, with each new student represented by a seed.
"To students who stretch their roots, they'll find many opportunities both in and out of the classroom." Yoder said.
He encouraged involvement and said his own activities made him feel like a part of the University.
"KU will not find you. You must go out and find it." Yoder said.
Robert Hohn, University Senate Executive Committee chairman, welcomed students on behalf of the University's faculty.
"The stimuli for meaningful learning are here waiting for you," he said.
Twisting the day away
Satina sophomore Glen Ko and Tula, Okla., sophomore Jason Whinstan brave the gyroscope at the "Rock-a-hawk" picnic. The picnic took place yesterday, offering an afternoon of food and fun to new and returning students. Photo by Joseph Griffin/KANSAN.
Commission denies request for KU liaison
By Seth Jones
Kansan Staff Reporter
Kansan Staff Reporter
Tuesday, Yoder went to the Lawrence City Commission to discuss the letter he wrote with the hopes of bringing a KU student onto City Commission. The student would have a non-voting position to act as a liaison between the campus of 25,000 and the city of 75,000.
What seemed to be a "no-brainer" to Student Senate President Kevin Yoder ended up being a "knot in the stomach" to the Lawrence City Commission members.
But Yoder's proposal was defeated on a 2-3 vote.
In the letter, Yoder talked about the benefits of having a KU student on City Commission. Besides acting as a liaison, the person would learn how the commission worked, convey ideas from Senate to the commission, and hopefully bring the city of Lawrence and the University a little bit closer.
Commissioner John Nabbandian, professor of public administration and government. expressed
Yoder: Wanted a KU Lawrence City Commission seat.
concerns with the idea early. He mentioned that if the University was allotted a seat on the City Commission, it might cause other groups also to ask for a spot. He also said that unlike high school students who have served on the commission in a similar method, college students are old enough to vote.
"If they really want to, they can elect five members to the city commission." Nalbandian said.
"When I first read this letter," Moody said "I got a knot in my stomach. This usually means that something is wrong."
After Nalbandian's remarks, Vice-Mayor Ervin Hodges and Commissioner Bob Moody shared their opposition to the idea.
Both Mayor Martin Kennedy and Commissioner Bonnie Augustine supported the idea, saying it would allow for the University and Lawrence to complement each other, and it would be a great learning experience for the student.
Yoder said he was expecting more support from'the City Commission.
Yoder said he would do as the City Commission suggested and have a student attend each meeting as a member of the audience.
"That just isn't going to have the learning experience I was hoping for." Yoder said.
Mayor Matthew would be approved, but understood the concerns of his colleagues.
"Commissioner Nalbandian always has such great insights and feelings on these issues," he said. "It was a difficult decision, but I still think the University of Kansas and the city of Lawrence can maintain a great communication effort."
Clinton's speech causes mixed feelings among KU students
By Chad Bottes
Kansan staff writer
Since President Bill Clinton addressed the nation on Monday night, his speech has been a hot topic of discussion among students at the University of Kansas.
The president brought his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky into the spotlight during a prime-time television address in which he admitted that his relationship with her was "wrong" and "not appropriate."
The admission came on the heels of his testimony earlier the same day before a grand jury investigating Clinton. It also followed strong denials of the relationship by the president and his supporters during the past seven months.
Many students have mixed feelings about what Clinton had to say.
City, Kan., freshman.
"Everybody in the world shouldn't know his business," said Jessica Taylor, Kansas
At the same time, Taylor wants the criminal investigation to continue.
Marina Scheer, Overland Park sophomore, said that although Clinton did a good job during the speech, she thought that he should resign from office. She said Clinton had tarnished the presidency and that his resignation would help to restore its integrity and respect.
Scheer said that if the relationship had occurred outside the White House, the situation would have been different.
"He should have to take responsibility," she said.
"I feel that the fact that she (Lewinsky) worked in the White House has a lot to do with it." Scheer said.
Phil Stevenson, KU Young Democrat chairman, said that Clinton should not resign and that Clinton had effectively communicated his desire to move beyond the scandal.
"Public opinion says people are willing to accept that Clinton is human and that he has a job to do," Stevenson said.
He said Republicans might be reluctant to use the scandal as a political tool in upcoming congressional elections because it could cause a backlash.
Some students are uncomfortable judging the sexual aspects of
Clinton: Students react differently to president's speech.
the investigation but say the criminal investigation should continue.
Nick Serrault, Omaha, Neb., freshman, said he believed Clinton had sexual relations with Lewinsky. But Serrault is more interested in the criminal aspects of the investigation, such
as alleged perjury and obstruction of justice.
Dan Grippo, Lenexa graduate student, said that he wanted the country to move beyond the scandal but that Clinton's speech took the wrong approach.
"Clinton's policies are good for the country," he said.
"The tone was too angry and defiant for what he needed to do, which was apologize for misleading his family and the country." Grinpo said.
Grippo said that he thought the criminal report by independent counsel Kenneth Starr should be made soon but that it was not likely to lead to impeachment hearing.
Grippo is most concerned with the fact that Lewinsky was an intern during the relationship, which he compared to a relationship between a university professor and a student.
Allan Cigler, professor of political science, said sexual escapades of presidents
"We're in a new era now," Cigler said. He also said Clinton's speech was directed at two different groups, the general public and the Washington political elite. Cigler said that the general public had reacted as favorably as could be expected for Clinton under the circumstances but that Clinton had suffered more damage with the political elite.
"We're in a new era now." Cigler said.
historically had been rumored but never became official until after the president in question left office.
"The elite feels that Clinton didn't do enough." Cigler said.
Cigler said the investigation probably had changed the political landscape.
Stevenson agreed.
"Politicians used to get the benefit of the doubt," Cigier said. "Now, we get a backstage view, and we don't always like it."
"This is a wake-up call because we've tried to put the office on a pedestal," he said.
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