PAGE 2A
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
CLUB
Jayhawk Jedi on campus
hbarling@kansan.com
May the force be with you...on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on Templin's front lawn.
HANNAH BARLING
Jayhawk jedi is a newly formed student group consisting of eight members. They practice mastering their light saber fighting techniques, choreograph fight scenes and plan to put on shows in the future.
Russell Stricklen and Collin Turner, current presidents of the group, bought light sabers last year to use for fun. They would practice out front of Templin, gaining interest from passers-by. Brittany Jacobs decided to join the two this year and sought an advisor to officially create a student group. Fencing coach Brian McDow agreed to be the Jayhawk Jedi's sponsor being a huge Star Wars fan himself.
While Star Wars is the running backdrop of the group, the jayhawk jedi focus more on light saber fighting itself.
TIMES ARE A CHANGIN
"Star Wars is what gets you in," said Brittany Jacobs, vice president of the group. "As soon as we say we're playing with light sabers, the little kid in you perks up."
Members purchased their light sabers on ultrasabers.com, and they average about $80. The cheapest saber available is about $70, and the most expensive is about $300. There are nearly three dozen designs and eight colors to choose from.
Anyone is welcome to join Jay hawk Jedi, light saber or not, without a membership fee. Co-president Collin Turner said that the club hopes to have student funding so it can be to raise money for extra light sabers.
"I've always felt welcome here," Jacobs said. "It's something physical without being a sport."
Brittany Jacobs, a sophomore from Andover, was more of a watcher last year but decided to be more active.
Jayhawk Jedi is anticipating a Halloween show that will consist of small fights on Wescoe Beach leading up to a larger showdown on Massachusetts Street that night.
"Who doesn't want to play with light sabers?" Miller said. "It's about learning great choreography techniques and having fun."
David Miller met co-president Turner at a Massachusetts Street performance club. He now choreographs most of the group's fights and is a certified advanced actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, an international stunt group. He said fight choreography and stage combat is a great creative outlet.
CORRECTION
Wednesday's story "Chancellor weighs on campus safety" incorrectly described the Western Civilization requirement. It is currently required of Liberal Arts and Science students, but not a campus-wide requirement. Western Civilization will continue to be an option.
Edited by Sarah McCabe
in the Oct. 2, entertainment story "Finding love through FRA," a student's name was misprinted. Her name is Julia Cmraw.
CORRECTION
Freshmen adjust to college life
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Freshman Eva Chavez from Wichita, right, plays a video game with her roommate, freshman Becca Kurtz from Overland Park, while her friend Charles Mohr studies in Templin Hall Tuesday. Mohr has a busy schedule, which doesn't allow him as much free time for activities as Chavez has.
When Charles Mohr, a freshman from Wichita, first came to the University this fall, he felt like he always had to tell someone where he was going. But he now realizes since he no longer lives with his parents, he can make his own decisions about how he spends his time.
Time management is part of the adjustment first-year college students face when trying to balance academics, campus involvement and possibly a part-time job.
"It's harder in that there are more things to do outside of class, and easier in that you don't have to go to as much class," Mohr said.
On top of his 16 hours of electrical engineering classes, Mohr also works 10 hours at Mrs. E's during the week.
"Having a job has made me a better time manager," Mohr said. Still, Mohr hasn't found any time for on-campus clubs that interest him, many of which relate to his studies.
"I want to be involved in clubs, but my work and class schedule interfere with club meeting times." Mohr said. "I work Thursday nights and have class Wednesday nights, which is when most clubs seem to meet."
Eva Chavez, a freshman from Wichita, has also had limited campus involvement beyond her academics.
"I signed up for a few clubs at orientation and get the emails," Chavez said. "A lot of them cost money to join, which doesn't really interest me as a poor college student."
Chavez is one of 2,361 freshmen who signed up 13,019 times for clubs on campus during orientation, which means on average each freshman was interested in joining more than five student groups.
While still deciding which clubs pique her interest, Chavez finds herself with plenty of free time since her entry-level classes have been manageable.
"I didn't want to get a job for a semester because I wanted to adjust to college life and focus on my studies," Chavez said. "I worked the past two summers and will work over Chrisbmas break so that I don't have to work during the school year."
Helping first-year students
navigate their transition into the University is the goal of the Office of First-Year Experience.
on this important foundation by creating smaller learning environments to challenge and support first-year students."
"The new demands of collegelevel course work combined with a more flexible schedule results in many students struggling with time management," said Sarah Crawford-Parker, Assistant Vice Provest and director of The Office First-Year Experience. "The office encompasses KU's previous Office of New Student Orientation and builds
As part of Bold Aspirations, the office facilitates orientation, discussions on the Common Book, first-year seminar classes and learning communities for first-year students.
Chavez said these programs have helped her get to know the University better and get involved with fellow first-year stu
dents during her first semester.
"I would rather build time management slowly, rather than jumping into a super busy schedule," Chavez said. "I look forward to the next few years and getting involved."
— Edited by Lauren Shelly
GREEK LIFE
BRANDON SMITH/KANSAN
Dallas Junior Chris McEanaye is one of the six houseboys for the Pi Beta Phi sorority. McEanaye and the other houseboys do many jobs in the house ranging from taking the trash out to cooking food for all of the house.
The perks of being a sorority houseboy
I BRYENN BIERWIRTH
bbierwirth@kansan.com
McEanney has already prepared meal place-settings for 80 hungry women. Earlier, he took out the trash, set out silverware and swept the floor. Later, he'll clean the dining room. But it's not all work.
Chris McEnaney looks at the clock as it strikes 6 p.m. It's time for work, and so he proceeds to put on an apron and starts meticulously scrubbing the pots and pans.
"The food is great, and it's free," McEnaney said. "You meet and get to hang-out with a ton of nice girls in the house, which allows you to broaden your circle of friends. It's just a terrific way to meet people without going out of your way."
McEanney, a junior from Dallas, is a houseboy for Pi Beta Phi sorority house. He, along with five other houseboys, helps set up for lunch and dinner.
Though the work can be overwhelming and exhausting at times, working in a sorority has its allure.
Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega and Kappa Delta are three of several campus sororities that employ houseboys.
While part-time jobs are becoming more integrated with students' academic career, most students are stressing over how to balance the two and also find time for their social life. But for students like McEnaney and Warner, flexibility and a social life come with the job.
Warner, a senior from Phoenix, is a houseboy for Chi Omega sorority house. He said being a man in the midst of more than 70 sorority women is a "beautiful feeling," and his policy is to "always be respectful, and only good things can come out of that."
McAnaney and Warner spend between six and 10 hours a week catering to their Greek counterparts. While their usual tasks are
SEE JUMP PAGE 5A