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Opinion
Thursday, August 19, 1999
With evolution, Kansas bows to politics,harming education
Board of Education decision is not good for students
It has been challenging to avoid the attention the state of Kansas has received because of recent decisions and controversies dealing with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
Why the big fuss? The Kansas State Board of Education, consisting of 10 locally elected officials, has effectively taken a scientific principle, upheld across several fields of science for nearly 150 years, and dismissed it as heresy. Once again, the nation has witnessed how modern politics can affect negatively educational standards. Unfortunately for Kansas, we are the butt of the joke.
The conclusions the Board of Education made about de-emphasizing the theory of macro-evolution were partly based on concerns expressed by constituents who believe that evolution is being taught as fact instead of theory.
in everyday speech, we use the word theory in a looser context than scientists do. A theory, as defined by proper scientific procedure, calls for the repeated explanation of a phenomenon. That explanation must withstand thorough and continuous testing by experiments and observations.
Darwin's theories of natural selection, micro-evolution and macro-evolution all have held up to these rigorous biological and geological tests for so long that it is easy to see how some individuals not familiar with science could take evolution to be the hard truth.
However, any good scientist will tell you that Darwin's Origin of Species is not a dogmatic edict for science — it is constantly developing. Many noted scientists have come forward to say that there are holes in the fossil record, making direct evolutionary tracing difficult. Nonetheless, with each fossil that scientists find and date, more accurate lines can be drawn to our past, linking species to past origins.
The "de-emphasis" of evolution, specifically macro-evolution, stands as a low point in our state's educational history. Notable scientists from across the nation,
here at KU, and even Bill Nye the Science Guy have spoken out against the new standards our state approved.
Despite all the c troversy, perhaps the Board of Education did prevent us from reverting to the dark ages. While outwardly satisfying the crea tionism constituents, the board effectively
judged that most school districts would
teach science with evolution as they always have. This hidden compromise will
keep evolution in the classroom, but will it bring in religion?
Corey Snyder for the editorial board
Editorials
Alcohol policy exemptions blur intent of Alcohol Task Force
For more than a year, University of Kansas students have been the target of a campaign designed to curb irresponsible drinking. Through surveys and now advertisements in this newspaper
efforts are being made to decrease problem drinking on campus. Any approach to stop abusive drinking habits must be applauded, but this campaign becomes highly condescending when taken in the context of current University policy toward alcohol consumption at University events.
As it stands, the University prohibits all consumption of alcohol on campus with the exception of certain events approved by the chancellor. According to the policy, these events must "occur in connection with official University events and/or fundraising activities for University programs." These events are enjoyed solely by adults who are either more mature or, in the case
Making exceptions to allow alcohol at alumni, athletic and other events sends the wrong message to students.
of fund raising, more wealthy than the general adult population on campus.
The University would contend the loophole is a necessity for the success of events that seek to raise money. This same logic is used to justify alcohol consumption in the gleaming new Memorial Stadium Scholarship Suites. While this is likely the assertion of benefactors who are unable to attend University functions in a completely sober manner, it destroys any legitimacy the Alcohol Task Force has in attempting to curb irresponsible drinking.
In the 1999 fiscal year, about 70 exceptions were granted for alcohol consumption. If spread evenly during the year, that would mean
that alcohol was consumed almost once every five days on campus. Are we to assume that it was consumed responsibly on every occasion? The regulations concerning these events only speak of refusing liquor to those revelers who appear to be intoxicated. By then, they would likely fall into the Task Force's presumption of binge drinking.
Print ads always will fall embarrassingly short in promoting responsible drinking when the University continues to reserve the need to serve liquor to more distinguished guests and alumni. While we are inundated with the message that students need to drink responsibly, we constantly will be reminded of an administration that preserves an obvious double standard.
In respect to the aims of the Alcohol Task Force, the administration should strive for a more consistent policy that encourages responsible drinking by everyone.
Jeff Engstrom for the editorial board
Feedback enriches Kansan tradition
This year marks the 110th anniversary of the University Daily Kansan. The Kansan has been here longer than the basketball team. In fact, when basketball came to the University of Kansas, the newspaper reported the need for students to play on the newly formed team.
The newspaper was created as a vehicle for high school and University reporters to write about the events in the state. The Kansan became the laboratory newspaper in 1945 for the school of journalism. This structure is different than most college newspapers because the Kansan is part of the school. As a learning lab, it is a training ground for students who want to become journalists. This means that sometimes we make mistakes, but sometimes we also do award-winning, creative work
If you wander the halls of Stauffer-Flint, you will see all of the awards Kansan staff members have won and portraits of some of the alumni who have worked here. If you enter almost any professional newsroom in the country, you will find Kansan alumni. I witnessed this firsthand as an intern at The Des Moines Register this summer.
The Kansan wasn't only strong in the distant past. In the last few years, it consistently has rated in the top five of all student newspapers in the country.
But that's not to say that everyone always likes the newspaper. The Kansan has been picketed,
protested and, on occasion, all of the copies of a the paper have been dumped in trash cans or Potter Lake before students could grab one. The newspaper had no means of re course because it was a free publication so it won't con
For more than a century the Kansan has covered the happenings at the University. The Kansan has played an integral part in allowing the expressions of opinion on this campus. This exchange has caused change at the University and has created a forum for debate. But that can only happen if you take an active interest in this newspaper. We need you to give us feedback on how we are doing.
suered theft. If you've ever wondered why the Kansan costs a quarter for additional copies, there's your answer.
Julie
Wood
Kansan Editor
idfot@kansan.com
Last semester, Kansan editor Ann Premer gathered the staff to create a mission statement. As the
KANSAN MISSION STATEMENT
ransan is to serve as a primary, credible news source for a diverse University community.
The Kansan staff practices high ethical standards, good news judgment, objectivity and creativity.
The mission of the University Daily
- The Kansan staff members are student journalists working in a professional, learning environment. We respect each individual's role and recognize that the newspaper is a product of the entire staff.
fall editor, I am working to implement this vision. Part of the mission statement is to foster an environment that encourages reader feedback.
The Kansan maintains an open-door policy and encourages reader feedback.
The Kansan is at its best when students interact with the newspaper. Let us know if we screw up or if we miss a story right out our back door. My door is open to all members of the University community
Feel free to stop by the newsroom, 119 Stuffer-Flint Hall, and see how this newspaper runs. As the fall editor, I want to invite you to be a part of this rich tradition.
Wood is a Davenport, Iowa, senior in journalism and political science.
Public doesn't open arms to conservative Christians
Calling all Christians — especially you conservative, politically active types. Get your muzzles out, put them on and crawl back in your hole. It is really upsetting some people that you have taken an active role in public discourse.
First you had to go and get involved in the Republican Party. Never mind that you helped propel the party to its biggest gains in decades, including a takeover of the House of Representatives, Senate and many governorships. You are annoying now because of your persistence and unwavering principles. The party needs your votes, money, energy and enthusiasm, but it doesn't want your ideas
The quieter you are the better. Haven't you learned yet what happens when you speak out too much? You will be called names, marginalized and demonized as much as possible, and the media will help do that. There are people who don't like a few of your issues, and it's easier to use harsh rhetoric and scare tactics than to reasonably debate them. Speak out at your own risk.
Chad Bettes
Opinion Editor
opinion@kansan.com
Then there is that quaint, old-fashioned concept of values you are always bringing up. No one is perfect, including you, so why keep talking about values? If you can't live the life of a saint, don't bother trying to raise the standard. For instance, if you've ever told a lie, you don't have the right to say it's wrong. To some, it's unseemly for people to learn from their own mistakes, share from their experience or believe in something better.
Wake up — truth, morality and values are relative these days. Day care centers can raise children as well as parents can. Bad behavior can be explained by your past. A
good economy covers a multitude of social ills. And, laws are conditional. It all depends on what your definition of "is" is.
And, finally, don't bother trying to promote alternatives in the realm of education. The traditional academic community has the corner on that market. Scientists and educators are the only ones with the ability to examine evidence and arrive at logical conclusions. There is not much room for opposing thought.
Look at the Kansas Board of Education. Board members were elected from 10 districts around the state, and in some cases they were hotly contested races. Everyone had the opportunity to question the candidates, offer input and vote. Imagine the audacity of conservative board members to exercise their conscience and pass any measure with which the cultural elite disagrees. The conservatives may as well retire today, because some people think they have been bad little board members.
School choice and vouchers are another big problem. The GI Bill that provides veterans with funding for college education at the public or private school of their choice has been a marvelous success. But, don't dare threaten our public school system with similar competition at the elementary or secondary levels. I can just see the sky falling.
Yes, you Christian conservatives are citizens and have certain rights. Just don't expect to be given the same respect as other groups in our society that have demanded and received a place at the table of public discourse. Our forefathers rightly said there couldn't be an established state religion, but some have extended that to mean that any part of your religion must be suquetched in the public arena.
After all, open mindedness, compromise and respect do have their limits.
Broaden your mind: Today's quote
Bettes is a Shawnee graduate student in journalism.
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Sarah Wood, Editor
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How to submit letters and guest columns
"Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them." Flannery O'Connor
Letters: Should be double-spaced typed and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number plus class and hometown if a University student. Faculty or staff must identify their positions.
Guest columns: Should be double-spaced typed with fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
The Kansas reserves the right to edit; cut to length or reject all submissions. For any questions, call Chad Bettes or Seth Hoffman at 864-4924.
If you have general questions or comments, e-mail the page staff (opinion@kansan.com) or call 864-4924.