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Tuesday, August 27, 1996
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
Students should look at Info Fair, organizations
Each year, the Kansas Union holds its annual Information Fair. The fair, which began yesterday and runs from 9 a.m to 2 p.m today and tomorrow, is
designed to introduce students to 100 student groups on campus.
The Info Fair offers a wonderful opportunity to meet people with similar interests while learning about an issue, a different culture or a new philosophy.
One of the best ways to get involved in campus issues and politics is by signing up for a Student Senate committee. Senate committees deal with pertinent issues affecting students and University governance.
Different multicultural organizations offer students the opportunity to learn about a variety of cultures.
For the religious student, groups of all faiths and devotions meet for study sessions as well as social outings. A plethora of sports and leisure activities are available to the KU student.
For students whose idea of fun tends more to the political than the physical, the Info Fair will offer plenty of opportunities. All major political parties promise to be active in this election year.
No one likes a hermit. The college experience is enhanced greatly by meeting new people and spending time doing something other than studying.
In the short term, getting involved with groups offers students something to do in their free time, and the chance to learn more about a shared interest. In the long term, involvement with an organization can pay off because employers look for students who were involved in groups, which they believe indicates interpersonal and leadership skills.
Getting involved in student organizations is its own reward. Visiting the Info Fair could be your first step to doing just that.
ANN MARCHAND FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Campus placement centers offer a variety of services
The University of Kansas offers many kinds of assistance to students seeking summer or winter internships an government employment aftergrad
internships or permanent employment after graduation. Students should make themselves aware of the job-search tools offered and take advantage of the University's services as early in the fall semester as possible. The University Placement Center aids all students, and most professional schools offer specialized search assistance to students in those schools.
The University Placement Center, at 110 Burge Union, conducts mock interviews and presents workshops on such topics as searching for a job through the Internet. Students must first register with the placement center to participate in on-campus interviews.
Engineering students may obtain specialized job search help through the Engineering Career Services Center. Students who have never registered must attend one of the registration meetings held this week. Students must renew their registration each year.
The Business Placement Center will hold a career fair that is open to all students on Sept. 5 at the Holiday Inn Holidome, 200 McDonald Dr. Students who are registered with the Business Placement Center by Sept. 1 will have their resumes included in an electronic resume book given to employers at the career fair.
The Schools of Law and Journalism also have placement centers that offer a variety of services to students in those fields.
Students who wish to find a suitable internship or job should not procrastinate. Rather, they should use the services at their disposal to aid in the search.
BRENT SUTTER FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSANSTAFF
AMANDA TRAUGHBER
Editor
CRAIG LANG
Managing editor
MATT HOOD
Associate managing editor for design
KIMBERLY CRABTREE
CHARITY JEFFRIES
News editors
DARCIL McLAIN
Public Relations Director
KAREN GERSCH
Business manager
HEALY SMART
Retail sales manager
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
JUSTIN KNUPP
Technology coordinator
Campus  Susanna Lóðí
Jason Strait
Amy McVey
Editorial  John Colter
Nicole Kennedy
Features  Adam Ward
Sports  Bill Petulla
Associate sports  Carlin Foster
On-line  David L. Teuka
Photo  Rich Devkní
Graphics  Nosh Musser
Andy Rothebock
Special sections  Amy McVey
Wire  Debbie Stalne
Business Staff
Campus mgr ... Mark Ozmek
Regional mgr ... Donnie Haupt
National mgr ... Denny Haupt
National mgr ... Krysta Nye
Special Spections mgr ... Heather Valier
Production mgr ... Dan Kapos
Marketing director ... Lisa Quebeck
Marketing director ... Eric Johnson
Public Relations dir ... Sara Rose
Business manager ... Bennett
Classified mgr ... Sholly Wechter
Jeff Victor / KANSAN
American tourists leave ugly impressions abroad
At the end of my stay in Paris this summer, I finally ascended to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I expected it to be a magical experience, the epiphany of my Parisian adventure. Instead, it sucked.
Being arguably the most popular landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower was, of course, crowded. I can handle crowds, but this particular group was composed of loud, obnoxious, American tourists. People always complain about the rudeness of the French. But during my six-week stay in France, I encountered two or three rude French people and a plethora of annoying Americans. My Eiffel Tower experience was highlighted by girls from New Jersey with fake Valley Girl accents screaming in the elevator and an intoxicated American teenager throwing up two feet from the bathroom and also a foot from my feet. And we wonder why the French don't like us.
When one travels to a foreign country, one is generally expected to attempt to communicate in that country's language and to behave in a manner not reflecting badly on his or her native land. Many Americans obviously have problems following both rules.
When foreigners come to America, we expect them to speak English. Naturally, the French expect visitors to speak French. So why do so many American tourists in France act so surprised when the French cannot or will not speak English with them?
While staying in a hotel in Tours, I
witnessed a pathetically funny scene. An American woman tried to ask the desk clerk the location of the nearest church. The conversation went something like this: "Do you know where the cathedral is?" (This was said very loudly and very slowly.)
STAFF COLUMNIST
"You know, the cathedral?" The desk clerk said nothing and simply stood there, looking annoyed. At this point, the woman's husband entered, prompting her to say: "Honey, can you help? He doesn't understand."
No, you don't understand. The desk clerk was not stupid. He didn't need to be spoken to as if he were mentally incapable. He simply didn't know how to speak English or just didn't want to speak it. Considering he was in France, he really shouldn't be expected to.
In my experience, if you at least attempt to speak their language, the French are perfectly polite to you. I made many mistakes in my speech and was still treated well. It's the principle of trying to fit in that counts.
he was shocked to encounter Americans that weren't rude. We hadn't gone out of our way to be overly polite to him, and I began to wonder what kind of Americans were wandering around Paris.
Sadly enough, this apparently is not a priority of most tourists. A man at a crepe stand told me and others that we were the nicest Americans he had ever met and that
I found out a couple weeks later in the Latin Quarter. I was strolling along peacefully with some friends when we (and everyone else within a five-mile radius) were suddenly informed that an American tourist did not want to leave because "these streets are the oldest streets in Paris! These streets here!" This tirade included violent pointing gestures so onlookers were absolutely positive which streets she was speaking of. I suppose I should've been grateful for this information. God forbid, I should think some other streets were older. But if I wanted a tour guide, I would've arranged it with a travel agency. I honestly don't think anyone needed her services.
I'm sure there are plenty of polite American tourists who would never dream of acting in such a manner while abroad. Unfortunately, they are not as visible as the people I've described.
These tourists are giving our nation a bad reputation abroad. If we expect foreigners to welcome us in their countries, we must treat them with the same respect and courtesy we would like them to show us.
Stephanie Brewer is a Chester, Conn.,
sophomore in Journalism and French.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"I was shocked to see all the men in suits. I thought it was an FBI shake down." AMY STETZLER, Overland Park junior, after officials presented Greg Shepherd, associate professor of communication studies, with a $5,000 bonus.
"They got killed. Our guys couldn't even beat guys that used to play at Washburn." ROY WILLIAMS, men's basketball coach, discussing the performance of Kansas players who competed in the Sunflower State games this summer.
JASON KRONE, associate director of recreation services, discussing his plans for intramural sports this year.
"if I have 100 people down here yelling at me saying they want to play pickle ball, then we're going to try to play pickle ball."
"I go up there and I just want to play a good show and act like a moron." KARL GRABLE, bass player for St. Louis band The Urge, on his approach to performing.
Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole played football for the University of Kansas, but he should study a page out of Roy Williams' play book for his presidential campaign. Williams knows about vision and understands the benefits of evaluating his squads early. A team tested by bright lights, big crowds and top-20 competition in December is prepared to dance in March.
Although this is his third shot at the Oval Office, Dole has not learned the lesson of a high-quality
Dole should tackle issues, not pass them
start. Not articulating a vision for the future early in his campaign may prove too costly once again. Now it is time to play catch-up.
For Dole, the experience-building approach can be found throughout his legislative career. For more than 34 years in
Congress, Dole's experience and willpower have allowed him to excel in the most rancorous legislative battles. However, prior to the Republican convention, Dole obviously forgot that political skills and legislative skills are different things. It is the difference between making a product and selling it, the art and the science. During his last two presidential races, Dole's political weaknesses have been magnified. For this campaign, critiques are similar.
Dole chose Jack Kemp, an original supply-sider, as his running mate. This decision signals the campaign's lack of confidence in Dole's ability to excite the Republican party and attract undecided voters. This desperation shot have given a boost to the campaign, but people still remain skeptical about the campaign's major theme of cutting taxes. Like a freshman, Dole is straying from his game plan and looking to the sidelines for instructions. His recent political faux in which he said balancing the budget was his first priority and cutting taxes was number two, reveals his true commitment.
After the traditional bounce that presidential candidates receive in the polls after conventions, Dole has retained some of the ground he gained on President Clinton. The ball still is in his hands as he campaigns across the country; the bright lights and cameras are following his moves, and the fans are watching intently. But a hankering to be president just because he is not Bill Clinton will not win him the game. As time runs out, Dole will be forced to face the questions of the American people. Where will he cut to balance the budget if the military, Social Security and veterans benefits are off the table? What parts of the Republican platform will he adhere to? What will be the consequences of ending the IRS? What will happen to affirmative action programs under his administration?
The clerk is tickling, and we are
The clock is ticking, and we are waiting.
Twenty points down in most polls, Dole had to look elsewhere to pull himself out of a major first-half deficit. Dole and his record were not persuasive enough to excite even the most ardent Republican supporters. As a deficit hawk throughout his legislative career and a skeptic of supply-side economics, he drastically revised his beliefs, deferred to advisers and unveiled an economic package that contains a 15-percent tax cut for all taxpayers while not specifying the $400 billion of cuts required to balance the budget.
Andrew Longstreet is a Liberty, Mo.
senior in French and political science.
FATE
By Shawn Trimble