OPINION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2004
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So, I pay $7 a meal at Mrs. E's to have middle schoolers come and take my food. Thank you, KU Dining Services.
the money on getting more teachers so that we can actually enroll in the classes that we want to?
Yeah, Free for All, I definitely have to agree that the ice at Pizza Shuttle is incredible!
the money on getting more teachers so that we can actually enroll in the classes that we want to?
Everything about Pizza Shuttle is incredible, especially the ice.
the money on getting more teachers so that we can actually enroll in the classes that we want to?
So, it's 67 degrees outside and the Alumni Center is putting up Christmas decorations. I'm thinking, "That's how we do it in Kansas!"
the money on getting more teachers so that we can actually enroll in the classes that we want to?
Why was I really grossed out by the film of naked cavemen eating raw meat in anthropology?
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By George, I think I have a major!
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I just found a hair net on the ground behind the dumpster at Mrs. E's. Should I be concerned about a missing lunch lady?
the money on getting more teachers so that we can actually enroll in the classes that we want to?
Instead of giving all the money to Lew Perkins to build the stupid thing for the basketball team, why don't we spend
How come you guys never post my comments on how much Wanda Sykes sucks?
managing editors
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avaupel@kanans.com
Cost of riding the bus: $1. Watching a girl flirt with the bus driver and calling him naughty boy; priceless.
--managing editors
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managing editors
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It's Wednesday night, 6:30, and traffic is at a standstill on Jayhawk Boulevard. What's up with that?
I've been in the Free for All two times in one week. That must be a world record.
managing editors
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--managing editors
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Damn, I sure hate when I get hit in the face with the remote. In the face with a remote, what the heck? In the face with a remote, it hurts. Thanks a lot.
I was just wondering, why don't boys take girls on dates anymore?
--managing editors
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Hey, look at mel I'm driving in Topkek!
What's the difference between driving in Topeka and driving in Lawrence? Oh,
there's not pololes every 10 feet. My wheels are fine.
Finkle is Eienhorn! Eienhorn is Finkle!
Eienhorn is a man! Oh, my God! Eienhorn
is a man!
managing editors
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managing editors
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A word of advice: Don't make Tuna Helper without milk, it will turn out like soup.
managing editors
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It's good to hear that our high-priced team of athletic department marketing experts from Connecticut have unveiled their master plan: To rip off Lance Armstrong's cancer research bracelet idea. Horry.
Donovan Atkinson and Andrew
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: Why are people making a fuss over the name Border "Sawidown' -L. Perkins, Lawrence
A : (courtesy KN football great Don Fambrough)
ew, this isn't a rivalry, this is WAR. They came over here during the Civil War and some guy named Quantrill killed all the men raped all the women and burned the damn town down. Years later we found out Billy Quantrill was a Missouri alum.
Zach Stinson/ KANSAN
A dirty mouth can be creative
Zounds, this column's gone to bloody hell.
LANGUAGE RULES!
"Profanity" is a loose category of English words and usages. "Though "profanity" once meant language that was disrespectful or disdainful of sacred things, today the word has a generalized meaning of language that is "simply distasteful, debased, or improper," according to the Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Now, 'profanity' includes words or phrases that blatantly disrespect almost any group or idea.
APRIL BENSON AND LAUREN STEWART
opinion@kansan.com
Comedian George Carlin spoke of "seven deadly words" that couldn't be said on television — the words "that will infect your soul, curve your spine and keep the country from winning the war." Carlin — though sarcastic — touches on an important point: profanity has power. For one thing, this category holds special linguistic privileges. Offensive language itself has many different names that have become near synonyms in common usage: swear words, cuss words, curse words, obscenities, expletives or profaniti-
More significantly, swear words easily shift grammatical functions. People frequently use a certain f-word as a verb, noun, adjective or interjection. The word can be used for emphasis ("that's so f-ing great") or as a general expletive. And, really, profanity doesn't even have to make sense. Young people especially, are apt to treat profanity as a linguistic playground, combining and creating new words and expressions.
Perhaps words like this escape most grammatical regulation because they exist mostly in the speaking realm of English. If the f-word was an acceptable word to use in formal writing, it may not have the wide variety of meanings and usages that it boasts today. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary (www.mw.com) catalogs several different applications/definitions of the word—it's worth looking up, if only to laugh at the serious way the dictionary treats this casually-used word.
Offensive language plays a significant role in society and personal identity. Cussing, as a form of slang, can act as a tool of in-group communication. Alternately, not cussing or swearing can act much the same way. Most people are marginally aware that they swear only in certain situations, with certain people. Some kind of internalized filter prevents us (and, we suspect, many of you) from intentionally swearing in the presence of authority, respected elders or young people. The same filter works on most forms
of writing: swearing is not nearly as meaningful or expressive on paper as it is in the spoken form. And only some written forms are off limits — we used the word "bitch" in our first column without fear of repercussion, and profanity certainly has a place in the Internet's relaxed environment.
Swearing is, in some ways, a "cop-out." The more linguistically-conservative argue people who use profanity aren't using the English language to its potential (this is a mom's favorite argument against swearing—followed by a bar of soap).
It's true: profanity is not an expectant creative expression of feelings. But that's not to say that swearing is a static, restricted category of grammar. Just as the definition of profanity has changed, so have profane words themselves. Words like "bitch" are constantly moving in and out of appropriate use, as activist movements try to reclaim negative vocabulary and people grow more accepting of certain linguistic choices. "Zounds" and "Gadzooks" have lost their street cred as meaningful and offensive words. Some of today's strongest offensive language is likely to go through a similar loss. Even so, profanity holds power. It is defined by its capacity to offend, and offend it does: standards of grammar and people alike.
Benson is a Grand Island, Neb. senior in English and music. Stewart is a Wichita senior in English
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Director's quote in Nielsen's column taken out of context
I have no comment about the content of the column "Affirmative action not fair, it's racist," by Arrah Nielsen. What disturbed me was the quote used in the article. Last year the Office of Multicultural Affairs organized a panel to talk about articles that Nielsen and another Kansan opinion writer wrote.
There are many things that are wonderful about the University of Kansas. From the academic success of our students to the diversity of our student body, the University of Kansas is an institution that offers us all an experience that can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Part of the mission of the Office of Multicultural Affairs is to provide all students with resources, programs and education that is grounded in the academic mission of the University and one that is inclusive.
This panel was designed to bring individuals together so that we could begin dialogue on thoughts, ideas, perceptions, and beliefs that students have regarding issues like affirmative action and race. The idea was then to move beyond dialogue so that individuals could express themselves and not be judged on what they write or what they believe. This is the very core of the OMA and MRC (Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Resource Center) — inclusive offices that have the mission to serve all students with respect,
dignity, open-mindedness, appreciatio, and understanding.
The opinion written by Nielsen refers to the issue of affirmative action and a "color blind" system. She quoted my comment at the panel, "Today we proved that race does matter, that we still see color and people will judge us by our color of our skin." I do believe that some people do see color and judge individuals by the color of their skin, but using this comment for the purpose of her article was totally taken out of context. The comments I made before this one were that the panel was so valuable because it brought students together to discuss values that people had about pertinent issues, and that the program itself meant that we are making progress.
As an individual I feel no need to respond to opinions of students. Those opinions should always have a voice at a place of higher learning, but as the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs I know that to some of us, the University of Kansas is a place that is rich in diversity and free from many issues that separate us as a community. Of course things take place at KU that remind us that "people see color," like Ms. Nielsen articles often do, but there are hundreds and thousands of students at KU, all different, all unique, sharing the common value of being a Jayhawk.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs sees progress, we know that race matters and we address it through our programs and education, but when we talk about race,
ethnicity or culture we mean that of everyone, all Jayhawks, and we stand behind that principle. So I strongly believe that Nielsen should continue to write about her beliefs. I would challenge her to write about the inequities associated with privilege, thus showing that she really does believe in a "fair" and "color blind" society. But most importantly I would like to thank her for reminding me to make sure that I communicate to our campus community what we are all about, that is, "In the OMA and MRC, race doesn't matter."
Robert N. Page, JR
Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Don'tautomatically assume tuition increase is negative
"What? There is a tuition increase? I am tired of increasing tuition. I do not need to pay any more money. I already pay enough."
Sound familiar? Almost every student agrees. Have you thought about where those tuition dollars are going and how it directly benefits you? The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is proposing a college specific tuition and before you jump on the bandwagon opposing a tuition increase, take a minute to educate yourself on what this plan actually is.
The particular tuition proposal calls for a campus-wide renovation program which would include a new natural sciences building
The one distinguishing factor in this tuition proposal is that students will have a significant role in the planning of the new facilities. In recent history, this has not been the case with the construction of buildings. For once, students can provide input on the way in which their funds are being utilized. Decisions regarding architecture plans, classroom designs, and location of renovations will be made by students.
CORRECTION
The Board of Regents will ultimately decide on this proposal in June, but the choice of whether or not to take this proposal to that level is dependent upon student support. How the measure of student support will be taken has yet to be decided, but this could include a student referendum, departmental student votes, or other means of determining student support.
Here is the catch: Students must be informed before they can make a reasonable decision on this proposal. Before you join the ranks of the opposed, at least discover what you are opposing.
and a new Wescoe Hall. Tuition would be phased in during three years, eventually resting at $30 per credit hour on all CLAS courses. Twenty percent of this money would go to need-based financial aid — ensuring students would not be priced out of their education.
Marynall Jones, Dallas junior, member of the CLAS student advisory board
According to Brenda Maigaard, director financial aid, the column "Everyone has stake in tuition hike" in Wednesday's The University Daily Kansan, inaccurately reflected KU Tuition Grants. The column stated that the KU Tuition Grant fails to provide funds for two-thirds of the people eligible for the grant. But all KU students who met the eligibility criteria have been awarded the KUTG each year, including 2004-05, Maigaard said. She says many students who applied after the March 1, 2004 priority date also received a tuition grant for 2004-05.
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