THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2004
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3A
Amanda Kim Stairrett/KANSAN
Jacob Imber, 2004 graduate, listens to Jeff McDonald talk about his experiences in the Peace Corps. Imber will leave for South Africa later this month. McDonald, graduate student in religious studies, went to Lesotho, in southern Africa, in spring 2002 and came back this August. While in Lesotho, McDonald taught computer classes in a women's technical school. The school had one computer which still used a 5.25-inch floppy disk drive.
Corps connection for KU father, son
BY STEPHANIE FARLEY
sfarley@kansan.com
KANSAN STATE WRIVER
More than 30 years after his father joined the Peace Corps, Jacob Imber will leave this month to join other members of the Peace Corps in South Africa.
Imber, who graduated in May with a degree in chemical engineering, said the idea of joining the corps had always been in the back of his mind. He decided to apply to the corps after he completed an internship between his junior and senior year with an oil company. He decided chemical engineering was not what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
"I think it's the opportunity of a lifetime for me," Imber said. "After four years of college, I'm ready to do something new. Partying can only go so far."
Betty Baron, KU Peace Corps coordinator, said she recommended that students start applying early. The application process usually takes 6 to 9 months. Peace Corps volunteers must be 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. The oldest person in the corps, Baron said, was 84 years old.
Imber said he liked that the Peace Corps had no hidden agenda. The corps only goes to countries where help has been requested, Imber said. Imber hopes to attend medical school after his two years and three months of service are over. He might like to work for Doctors Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that provides health care to victims of war, disease, disasters and poverty.
Mickey Imber, Jacob's father, served in the Peace Corps in the early 1970s.
Africa, organizing services and employment for the blind. He had never met anyone who regretted joining the Peace Corps.
Mickey, a professor in the department of teaching and leadership, said he spent time in Togo, on the western coast of
"It gave me a better perspective on the world," Mickey said.
People have to evaluate their own interests and motives when deciding whether or not to join the Peace Corps, Mickey said.
It's a good way for people to actually feel like they're helping someone, Mickey said. He didn't think the Peace Corps was for everyone.
Mickey said Siou, Togo, was an extremely pleasant village to live in.
When he was there, Togo had one dirt road leading into the village and one store with no more than 10 to 15 items in it at one time. Living in Togo was a very basic existence, but he enjoyed it and is in favor of Jacob going to South Africa.
Baron said the Peace Corps allowed people to see personal benefits, while at the same time helping other people.
At the end of service, the Peace Corps gives $6,075. Members receive two days of vacation every month with all expenses paid. The corps also provides financial help for graduate students.
Baron said she felt the Peace Corps could help people to see where they fit in the world. Peace Corps members helped people learn how to help themselves.
SENATE
An informational meeting, the "Passport Party," will be open to anyone Nov. 3. The meeting will be held in the Kansas Union, and will have three past volunteers from the Peace Corps who will talk about their experiences at the meeting. The Peace Corps office is in the University Career Center at 110 Burge.
Edited by Jon Ralston
Newspaper Readership program paying off
The Newspaper Readership program has generated an excess of about $266,800 since the program began in Fall 2001.
Student Senate passed legislation at its meeting last night that will give $200,000 of that to the KU on Wheels reserve account, about $63,800 to the Student Media Board and $3,000 to the Newspaper Readership Board.
The KU on Wheels reserve account will receive more funding to allow a surplus of $500,000.
The amount is equivalent to two months of the cost to run the program and will be left in the reserve account. Without the extra funds from the Newspaper Readership program, the Transportation Board would have needed to raise the campus fee for KU on Wheels. Original legislation for the fee stated that excess funds could be allocated to the Student Media Board. The funds from Student Media Board will be allocated to KUJH, KJHK, The University Daily Kansan and Kiosk.
The founder of the International Justice Mission Gary Haugen, will speak about oppression and injustice in the world. ICTHUS, a campus Christian organization, will host Haugen.
Student Senate passed legislation to fund $500 for the honorarium fee, $400 for room rental in Budig Hall and $200 for general funding for ICTHUS.
Haugen will speak at 8 p.m., Sept. 12 in 104 Budig Hall. Student Senate's guidelines state that Senate must fund religious and partisan groups for general supplies and special events.
The events must be open to all students and the event's purpose must not promote the group.
- Laura Francoviglia
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS SEPTEMBER 2,2004 PRESENTED BY SENATE
Want to make a difference in a young person's life?
Planning for College Success Tutoring & Mentoring Program (PFCS) is looking for dedicated, energetic volunteers to work as tutors and mentors in the Lawrence School District. E-mail us at pfcsku@hotmail.com for more information or visit us at www.ku.edu/~pfcs.
Make your mark at KU
> Your campus group's ad could be here.
Contact John Wilson, communications director, for advertising info.
Open only to registered student groups receiving sonata funding.
Email Arthur at jonesa@ku.edu for more information
SENATE
Come to our first meeting Sept.16 @ 7:30 p.m. English Room. Kansas Union
slab
student legislative awareness board
COORDINATOR POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE Pick up applications in the Student Senate office or online at www.ku.edu/~slab@ku.edu
join
Find out more: Info Meetings Sept. 1 & 2, 6 pm, Walnut Room, Kansas Union
The Fellowship of the Ring
An organization for people who admire the works of JRR Tolkien