2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Volume 125 Issue 14
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ndrew Ruszczyk
kansan.com
CAMPUS
Common book mixed reviews
DEAD LIKE PLATO
HANNAH BARLING
hbarling@kansan.com
For the first year, the University designated a Common Book to encourage discussion among freshmen. "Notes from No Man's Land: American Essays" by Eula Biss merges the themes of culture and identity while exploring race in America.
The KU Common Book, part of KU's strategic plan Bold Aspirations, was chosen from a selection of 125 books. The KU Common Book steering committee wanted a book that was multidisciplinary and connected with the strengths of the University.
"The goal was really what are the ways we can enhance student learning as a student enters the university so that they feel engaged and a sense of belonging," said Sarah Crawford-Parker, assistant vice provost and director of the Office of First-Year Experience.
Crawford-Parker said the KU Common Book steering committee felt a common reading experience was one of the best ways to get students to think about critical reading, critical thinking and respecting differing opinions.
Students were encouraged to read the book over the summer
and attend discussion sessions during Hawk Week. Some students read the book and participated in discussions.
"I didn't like it. It was well written and had valid points but I feel like she focused on the negatives instead of the positives and it was a downer to read, especially during the summer," said Megan McCarthy, freshman from Omaha, Neb.
"It it just didn't interest me, and I have several other things to study for other than the common book," said Samantha Kolkhorst, freshman from Overland Park.
Other students chose not to read the common book.
The KU Common Book steering committee coordinated with other departments on campus including the Spencer Museum of Art, which chose a common piece of artwork to discuss with students. Faculty are incorporating the book into their curriculum in classes such as cultural anthropology and Greek and Roman mythology.
Eula Biss will speak about her experience writing "Notes from No Man's Land" at the Kansas Union on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.
- Edited by Emma McElhaney
Sophomore Josh Mendoza, Hutchinson, copies sheet music for his homework at Thomas Gorton Music and Dance Library Monday afternoon. Mendoza is a music composition major with an emphasis in voice, but also completing the pre-med curriculum.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
CIVILIZATION FALLS
Western Civilization classes no longer a general education requirement
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
Starting next fall, incoming students will have six fewer credit hours to worry about.
Students still have to complete general education requirements for their degree as part of the University curriculum rework, but Western Civilization will no longer be mandatory University-wide, said Chris Haufler, special adviser to the provost.
"What any undergraduate experience should be is an opportunity for students to gain skills, knowledge, basic values, and an opportunity to dive into a discipline that will serve them as a career," Haufler said.
Under the new curriculum, titled KU Core, every student will fulfill six decided education outcomes through their coursework, regardless of his or her major. Hauffler said KU Core's goal is to increase students' knowledge across many
disciplines, while having minimal impact on degree specific requirements. Most programs will see minor adjustments, with the exception of the School of Music. Which will experience the greatest shift in class diversity, Haulier said.
Josh Mendoza, a sophomore music composition major from Hutchinson, sees the value of classmates receiving a multidisciplinary education. In addition to his music composition requirements, Mendoza is also taking pre-med classes and plans to attend medical school after graduating.
"You can get a broader sense of an education instead of focusing strictly on music." Mendoza said. "If I'm just focused on one thing and one thing only, it's just not as eniable."
Mendoza said the average School of Music student was less interested in classes outside the major and preferred to focus on music. Although Mendoza will take five years to graduate, he finds the variety of classes refreshing.
"When I get frustrated with music classes, I have science classes that offer relief and vice versa," Mendoza said.
Freshman Erin Riffell from Hope, is currently enrolled in general education courses and recognizes the benefits of a well-rounded education.
"When you choose a career, you need to know a little bit of everything." Riffell said.
General education classes can pique interest in fields students would otherwise be unaware of, said Riffell, who is studying photo media.
Not all students are as enthusiastic about KU Core's multidisciplinary education goal.
Corbin Reagan, a biomedical engineering graduate student from Lee's Summit, Mo., doesn't see the value in taking entry level classes for other majors.
"If I take one introductory class, it won't educate me much, unless
I take further classes in the field," Reagan said.
As for learning the educational outcomes, Reagan thought he would best develop such skills through presenting research projects, working as a teaching assistant and getting involved in student organizations.
"I think these are skills that would be more useful, if they were directly integrated into existing coursework already in your field of study," Reagan said.
Reagan enjoyed his undergraduate ethics class, a course not specific to his major, but prefers taking classes that directly apply to his degree.
"I respect students wanting to get a multidisciplinary education through taking classes that are not related to their major," Reagan said, "but I still want the flexibility to take classes that do."
STATE POLITICS
- Edited by Laken Rapier
Brownback speaks on jobs, tax breaks to promote state growth
Kansas governor Sam Brownback presents his speech "Economic Growth & Kansas Tax Policy" to an almost full house at the Lied Center last night. Brownback was invited to speak as part of the Anderson Chandler Lecture Series presented by the School of Business.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
NIKKI WENTLING
nwentling@kansan.com
But, in May, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a measure that cuts income taxes, which he thinks will reverse these trends.
If you're searching for a job, Kansas might not be the place to find one, at least for now. The state is behind in employment growth in the private sector, and the population is also declining.
Brownback spoke last night at the Lied Center about the House Bill aimed at helping small businesses and improving employment opportunities in the state. The bill is designed to decrease income taxes for individuals and small businesses.
The senate substitute for House Bill 2117 takes effect in 2013. It is designed to decrease the top individual state income tax rate from 6.45 percent to 4.9 percent and will impose a 0 percent tax rate for some small businesses. Brownback said this would attract business owners to the state and ultimately increase
Index CLASSIFIEDS 7 CRYPTOQUIPS 4 SPORTS 8 CROSSWORD 4 OPINION 5 SUDDKU 4
According to the Kansas Policy institute, employment in the private sector in Kansas grew 0.4 percent from 1998 to 2011, while employment in adjacent states averaged a 3.1 percent increase.
"If we stay on the same track for population growth in Kansas, which is slower than our region and slower than the nation, we will, in 2020, be the 35th most populous state," Brownback said. "I do not accept that. One of the key things we can do to change that is creating a better job environment in the private sector."
A May 2012 article in Forbes magazine titled "The Happiest Cities for Job-Seeking College Grads," cities in surrounding states were more appealing to students. St. Louis and Oklahoma City were listed at one and nine, respectively. This list was compiled based on relationships with bosses and co-workers, work environment, job resources, compensation, growth opportunities, company culture, company reputation and daily tasks.
population.
Besides speaking about tax breaks for small businesses, the governor also spoke about the state's economic growth rate. Brownback told attendees that increasing government spending and investing more money into K-12 education has not reversed Kansas' slow economic growth.
"People need jobs and will go where they are available. Kansas is not one of those places right now," Brownback said.
"The private sector can create jobs with this money better than the government can," he said.
Don't forget
Wi contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
Tess Banion, a Lawrence resident,
disagrees.
Banion, along with about 20 other protestors, lined up near the entrance of the Lied Center before the lecture began. They held up neon green posters splashed with phrases like, "I'd like a Koch to buy the world," and "What would Jesus do?" as attendees passed by them. Banion said the protesters were against the actions of the Koch brothers, as well as the recently signed legislation.
Although protestors gathered outside, Brownback was welcomed on stage with standing applause. He was applauded again as he ended his speech by explaining the long-term benefits of Kansas' new tax policy.
hundreds of thousands of jobs from tax cuts, but we know there's going to be a huge gap and we know he's going to cut schools more." Banton said. "Big tax cuts are going to hurt most Kansans; now we have a budget that puts the burden on middle- and lower-income people. What would Jesus do? Jesus would not tax poor people."
"We have to invest now to grow, so we can ensure that we have more resources for a place like the University of Kansas, and more resources for students" Brownback said. "This one can and will work for us."
"He says he's going to make
To remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
The speech was presented by the School of Business as part of the Anderson Chandler Lecture Series.
Today's Weather
- Edited by Hannah Wise
Mostly sunny with a chance of rain
HI: 93
L0: 58