10A
Monday, August 19, 1996
UNIVERSITY AILY KANSAN
Communication needed to handle roommate stress
Relationship should evolve through time
By Megan Jordan Kansan staff reporter
A new school year means new classes, new books, new professors and for many students, a new roommate. Getting acquainted can be stressful, but steps can be taken to make your living situation successful.
"You need to recognize that part of college life is learning to meet and live with people different than you," said Jon Long, assistant director for housing. "Learn to appreciate these differences instead of seeing them as a problem."
Jim Kreider, a clinical social worker for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), suggested that students view their roommate as a business associate, not a close friend.
"Don't pretend you're a psychoanalyst and try to analyze their personality and motives," Kreider said. "Treat it as a business relationship, negotiating how needs fit together."
Kreider said negotiating and compromising are the keys to a happy rooming situation. Most importantly, talk about living habits before deciding to live together. Are you a studier or a party animal, neat freak or slob, outgoing or shy, night owl or early bird? If you are sharing costs, make a clear agreement about how money will be handled.
"Even people who choose to live
together often find they are not compatible." Long said. "Your best friend is not necessarily the best person to live with."
Only 10 to 15 percent of students who live in student housing request a specific roommate.
Everyone who does not want a single room is assigned a roommate by the housing department. The roaming applications include a handful of personal questions, including your year in school, smoking habits and a request for a quiet floor.
"As a public institution, it is important we don't select student roommates based on criteria that might be considered discriminatory such as race or background," Long said.
Based on this policy, there are few guarantees that students assigned to live together will be truly compatible.
Howard Lubliner, Highland Park, Ill., sophomore, said becoming accustomed to a roommate was hard.
"You don't always sleep at the same time or go to class at the same time or somebody always wants to study with music on," he said.
The University also offers room contracts that students can fill out once they move in. The contracts go into greater detail about living habits and help roommates know what to expect from each other.
"We encourage students to get to know their roommate and not make snap judgments," Long said. "Let the dust settle. Use your resident assistant or proctor when problems occur. They are people with training on conflict resolution. If you do have problems, do not let them get to the blowing point."
Freshmen frightened of first year
By Adam Darby
Kansan staff writer
Heather Wilkinson, Leavenworth freshman, is worried about coming to the University of Kansas.
"It makes me a little nervous because I don't know anyone here," she said.
She has a reason to be concerned. One out of four freshmen will not return as sophomores.
From 1983 to 1993, the number of freshmen at the University who did not return has hovered around 20 percent, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. But in the fall of 1993, that figure jumped above 25 percent, where it has remained.
So the University is helping freshmen adjust to university life through the Student Assistance Center and the newly created Office of Freshman-Sophomore Academic Experience.
"This summer we had two four-week seminars, which included an orientation class and an actual three-hour academic class," said Deborah Boulware, Office of Freshman-Sophomore Academic Experience director. "The students were able to get their feet wet with academics and the size of the campus."
In addition to expanding orientation classes, the office is working to put more emphasis on academics in the residence halls by moving some faculty offices and classes into the halls. Boulware said.
"But the key for the freshmen is to try to learn what's available on campus by attending as many of the orientation sessions as possible," she said. "And if they are having trouble, they should let somebody know, so they can get help."
That's where the Student Assistance Center comes in.
"We know people struggle with the size of KU," said Kim Grassmeyer, associate director of the center.
She said that avoiding the pitfalls of the freshman year was better than trying to climb out of them later. That's why the center offers a series of academic workshops, which begin tomorrow.
"In high school, you didn't have to manage your time, it was managed for you," she said. "The workshops teach you how to personalize and internalize study habits."
But Amy Westerman, Louisville, Ky., freshman, who toured the University with Wilkinson, said she wasn't concerned about the academic challenge or the size of the campus.
"I've gone to tiny schools all my life," she said. "I'd like to get into a large, diverse school."
"You just want to get away from your parents," Wilkinson said, laughing.
Easing freshmen's woes
The Student Assistance Center offers a three-part academic workshop series called Your Academic Success:
1:30 to 3 p.m., tomorrow, 3139 Wescoe Hall
Part I: Time Management and Reading
Part II: Memory and Note Taking 1:30 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, 3139 Wescoe Hall
Part III: Preparing for Exams
7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug.
28, 330 Strong Hall
This workshop series will be offered again beginning Sept. 26.
For more information about academic workshops, contact the Student Assistance Center at 22 Strong Hall or call 864-4064.
Professor expects polls to be crowded
Access to registration easier with new bill
By Neal Shulenburger Kansan staff writer
When voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5, they may find the polling place a little more crowded than usual.
"I expect the turnout to be better than has been," said Allan Cigler, professor of political science.
The presidential contest between Bill Clinton, Bob Dole and Ross Perot is expected to draw a higher percentage of the population to the ballot box.
"An offyear election will usually get 30-35 (percent), while a presidential year will get 50-55," Cigler said. "In 1992, the turnout was even higher. Ross Perot brought in an extra 5 percent with his third party."
Several other key offices will be up for grabs on election day. Both of Kansas' U.S. Senate seats are vacant. Republican Sam Brownback and Democrat Jill Dokking are vying for the seat emptied when Dole
resigned. Republican Pat Roberts and Democrat Sally Thompson are competing for the other Senate seat.
Both positions are high profile and are expected to draw interest from some otherwise disinterested voters, Cigler said.
Douglas County voters will also vote on two races for the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 2nd District, Democrat John Frieden faces Republican Jim Ryun. Democrat Judy Hancock and Republican Vince Snowbarger are running in the 3rd District.
Several important state, city and county offices will also be filled on Nov. 5.
Changes in the laws governing voter registration may make it easier to participate in the Nov. 5 general election. At the state level, relaxed laws on registration drives are
Four Kansas Supreme Court justices will either be retained or dismissed, and every state congressional seat will be decided as well. In Douglas County, the sheriff, treasurer, clerk, and two commissioners will all be decided in the election.
expected to help more people meet the Oct. 21 deadline.
"In the past we would have a few week-long voter registration drives in one place," Douglas County Clerk Patty James said. "Because the organization who wanted to hold the drive had to get all of their volunteers trained and had to give advance notice to the public, that was the best way to do it. Now any organization can come in and pick up the forms and just go out and do it. That should allow a lot more organizations the get involved and more people to get the opportunity to register."
"With Motor Voter enacted, I expect turnout to be around 60 percent," Cigler said. "Of course more people were able to register because of it, but there's no telling how many will actually show up at the ballot box."
Another change, the Motor Voter bill, allows people to register to vote when they receive their driver's license. The bill was enacted in Jan. 1995, so Motor Voter's ability to get people to the ballot box will have its first test in this election.
Where to register
County Clerk's Office, 1100 Mass. St.
Lawrence City Clerk, 6 E.6th St.
Independence Inc., 1910
KinderCare, 2333 Crestline Drive
County Health Dept., 336 Missouri St.
Veteran's Affairs Office, 745 Vermont St.
- SRS Office, 1901 Delaware St.
- Audio Reader Network, Baehr
- Audio-Reader Center
Cottonwood Inc., 2801 W, 31st St.
Love Garden Sounds, 936 1/2 Mass St.
Receive a registration form via mail by calling 1-800-262-VOTE
Registration sites are generally open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You need to be a U.S.citizen, Kansas resident and at least 18 years old. Last day to register is Oct. 21.
Welcome back!
Little Caesars Pizza Two great pizzas! One low price. Always! Always!
865-5400 15th & Kasold
842-8000 23rd & Louisiana
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!
ONE LARGE PIZZA WITH CHEESE AND 1 Topping $499
Excludes Stuffed Crust. Please mention coupon at time of order. One coupon per customer only at participating stores. Not valid for delivery.
EXPIRES: SEPTEMBER 5, 1996
Little Caesars' Pizza