4
236
News Kansas Union could be getting a face-lift > Page 3
> Page 8
Arts & Culture Alumna Elsa Rhae's newfound success through body painting Page 5
MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 2016 | VOLUME 132 ISSUE 07
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
KU clubs can now restrict membership
Alex Robinson/KANSAN This year a new Kansas law goes into action, allowing student religious groups to restrict membership at their discretion.
CHANDLER BOESE
@Chandler_Boees
Campus religious groups are now allowed extra protection as a result of a Kansas law that went into effect July 1, but most people are unsure of what this will look like in practice.
Under Senate Bill 175, which passed last March, campus organizations have the right to restrict members based on their religious beliefs, religious standards of conduct or commitment to the organization's mission. Furthermore, Kansas universities are not allowed to withhold any benefits, including registration, use of facilities, funding and more, from religious organizations who take advantage of these rights.
Neither the University nor the Board of Regents has adopted any policy changes as a result of the law, but KBOR Communications Director Breeze Richardson said she anticipates the board will formally review any relevant policies in a few months.
The University's Director of News and Media Relations, Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, said, "We will work with our campus partners and the Kansas Board of Regents to interpret and implement the law as needed."
Leaders of one group on campus said they can't imagine a situation in which they'd have to take advantage of the law. The Muslim Student Association emphasizes inter-faith discussions, president Zoya Khan said.
"We're the place for you to go if you have questions about our culture," she said.
Khan, a sophomore from Overland Park, said the MSA welcomes anyone who wants to learn more about Islam or Islamic culture into
its meetings and has no formal membership rules. Anyone can visit the meetings, where members spend about half the time in social activities and the other half on religious activities.
"We're trying to strike a balance between our faith lives and our student lives," she said.
Shawn Dunaway from Olathe doesn't think discrimination will be the biggest issue with the bill, as he said all student organizations have the right to choose who they include in their group.
The University adopts the Board of Regents policies on student organizational membership, which state that restricting membership is allowed, as long as it's not on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation.
Dunaway, who is the president of the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics, said many clubs already have their own membership and leadership rules that allow current members to choose who will lead them or participate in their organization
"If someone comes in and starts yelling about us, even if it's not a religious thing, they're just mad at us for whatever reason, they're going against what our club stands for, then we don't have to accept them as a member," he said. "No one is saying that if we have an open-arms policy where anyone can come and check out our meetings, that they're going to be the president."
According to current University policy, Dunaway is right.
"The right of organizations to establish standards for membership is acknowledged, provided that all students
SEE RELIGIOUS
GROUPS
PAGE 2
Baxter Schanze/KANSAN
Campus remembers 9/11
Kansas ROTC members salute during the 9/11 vigil on Sunday night in front of the Campanile
HAILEY DIXON
@_hailey_dixon
As the sun set Sunday evening, around 50 students, staff and law enforcement officers gathered under the Campanile to light candles, sing hymns, and remember the lives lost on Sept.11, 2001.
"Let us never forget," were the resounding words spoken by Lawrence Fire Department Chief Mark Bradford. Bradford was the key speaker for the memorial service. He spoke about the 15th anniversary of the tragedy and how over 2,900 lives were lost.
For some, the memory of 9/11 is unclear. The 15th anniversary of the attacks marks a new generation of high school students, some of which are too young to
"I was stationed in Kuwait at the time," Rory Parker, Student Veterans of America president and veteran peer mentor, said. "We had to get a vehicle dispatched, check for leaks. When done dispatching, I went to use the phone and talked to my current then-girlfriend. The line then went dead, sirens immediately turned on.
"I don't really remember much," Dixon said. "I am here today to pay my respects."
remember the day.
Sophomore Emily Dixon said they don't have many memories from the day of the tragedy in 2001.
People were running all around; I knew something really bad was happening then."
The University chapters of Student Veterans of America, ROTC, Veterans Alumni Network, and other organizations coordinated the event.
Parker did not see the live coverage of the tragedy like many other Americans did that day.
"I did not see pictures until December 2001. I didn't watch it live. It was difficult to believe," he said.
Bret Easterling, a sophomore and vice president of Student Veterans of America said the commemorative event held on campus was the only event in Lawrence.
"We wanted something low key and significant," Easterling said. "This country has always been known for its resolve. This was the modern Pearl Harbor of our lifetime. This event transcends this country."
Randy Masten, assistant director of graduate military programs, said that he hopes to make the memorial an annual event. He remembers driving from Lawrence to Manhattan, Kan. on 9/11. He, and a three-star Lieutenant General, listened to the radio the whole time, trying to get a hold of individuals that were at the Pentagon.
Fifteen years after the attacks, Masten said it is now important to focus on fostering peace across the world.
"We need to try to figure out how to make peace among the different religions," he said. If there's no peace among religions, there's no peace among the people."
Senate creates Equitable Elections Fund
▶ CONNER MITCHELL @connermitchellO
Student Senate announced the creation of the Equitable Elections Fund in a news release on Friday, which will potentially ease the financial burden on coalitions during the Senate election process.
The fund, paid for by donor gifts, will allow coalitions to be supplemented with up to $700 of the $1,000 election spending cap, according to the release. As long as a coalition raises $300 on its own and complies with Student Senate Elections Code, it is eligible to receive money from the fund.
How much money a coalition receives is based on a
According to the release, the fund will help advocate for broader participation in the student government process and allow all student voices to be heard.
"A student government that serves all students should allow the participation of all students,"student body president Stephonn Alcorn said in the release. "The Equitable Elections Fund is a pathway to increase participation and opportunities for underrepresented students in student leadership to ensure that elected KU student leaders represent all individuals of the student body."
percentage of slated senatorial candidates, the release said.
Alex Robinson/KANSAN President Stephoneh Alcorn speaks at a Student Senate meeting on Sept. 7.
The fund will exist independently of Student Senate, the release said, and will be housed through University Endowment and distributed through the Office of Student
Affairs. Final details will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks, and the fund will be available for the next Senate election in April.
KANSAN.COM
NEWS...2
OPINION...4
ARTS & CULTURE...5
SPORTS...10
ENGAGE WITH US
VIDEO
Watch the Kansan's interview with body painter Elsa Rhae at kansan.com.
@KANSANNEWS
/THEKANSAN
KANSAN.NEWS
@UNIVERSITY
DAILYKANSAN
+