4A
Monday, October 23, 1995
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE ISSUE: WESTERN CIVILIZATION CLASSES
Eliminating classes hurts students
Eliminating 500 openings in the Western Civilization program hinders students' ability to meet University guidelines for graduation and graduate on time. Cutting the availability of an already overcrowded mandatory class does not offer any benefits to students.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Social Welfare, and the School of Journalism require their students take two semesters of Western Civilization. Since enrollment in these schools has dropped by 15 students, University administrators claim that the demand for the class will subside, thus relieving the stress and overcrowding. Yet, by eliminating 15 or more sections, those attempting to enroll in the program will meet with even more frustration and disappointment.
Large sections in auditoriums in Wescoe Hall and the Kansas Union
Eliminating seats from a required class is not going to help KU move toward a guaranteed four-year degree plan.
cannot replace the small, more personalized experiences of the smaller classes. Along with the cut in seats,the number of teaching assistants assigned to the department also has been slashed. All of this adds to overcrowded and less personal classes.
By requiring students to fulfill the Western Civilization requirement, the University remains committed to a well-rounded education. However, by restricting the availability of the class, the University creates more conflicts and adds more limitations for the students.
The University talks about promising students that they will graduate in four years, but with this action, that goal will be tested severely.
KELLY DIETRICH FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
THE ISSUE: COMPUTER CENTER
Computer theft costs everyone
The University of Kansas and the Computer Center are losing money. The recent thefts from the Computer Center should be a wake-up call to the University. The use of video cameras would reduce, if not eliminate, this costly problem.
As computers become part of business and of our lives, computer theft continues to increase. The University computers are especially susceptible because so many people have access to them. The Computer Center has attempted to limit access to computers by making some areas open to employees only. Even these measures have not been a safeguard against crime.
Around-the-clock video surveillance could be the eyes that catch the thief. The Computer
University should use video cameras at the Computer Center to catch computer thieves in the act
Center has had hardware valued at $9,000 taken since March. Installing video monitors is cheaper than the equipment that already has been stolen. The cost of 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week protection is about the same price as one computer. This is a small price compared to the cost of replacing the stolen equipment. The Computer Center should wise up and get ahead of the game. A crook won't steal while someone is watching.
Prevention is the only way to stop the problem and save money at the same time. Installing video surveillance is an affordable alternative to costly crimes.
CHARITY JEFFRIES FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD.
KANSAN STAFF
COLLEEN MCCAIN
Editor
DAVID WILSON
Managing editor, news
ASHLEY MILLER
Managing editor, planning & design
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
Editors
Jeff MacNelly / CHICAGO TRIBUNE
STEPHANIE UTLEY
Business manager
MATT SHAW
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH
Technology coordinator
Hewa & Special Sections...Deedra Allison
Editorial...Heather Lawrences
Associate Editorial...Sarah Morrison
Campus...Virginia Morghelm
Associate Campus...Teresa Vazeyn
Associate Campus...Paul Todd
Sports...Jennil Carlson
Music Sports...Tom Horton
Photo...Paul Kutz
Wire...Robert Allen
On-line coordinator...Tina Pasetti
Business Staff
Campus mgr ... Meredith Welling
Regional mgr ... Tom Ducoe
National mgr ... Heather Barnes
Special Sections mgr ... Neather Nielsen
Production mgr ... Nancy Easton
Masters degree ... Ketra Nye
Masters degree ... Ketra Nye
Public Relations director ... Betsch Cahn
Creative director ... Brigg Bloomquist
Cleanlabeled mgr ... Neather Valier
Internship/oo-op mgr ... Kelly Connelys
with the shoulders and back cut out, but I ended up with my legs through the shoulder holes and my head coming out of the leg holes.
My makeup is all wrong also. A frosted orange lipstick would change my life around. I just know it would. I would even give up on finding the right shade of purple eye shadow if I could find a good orange lipstick. I thought you would be able to help, being personally familiar with the orange spectrum.
And if you could tell me where to get to get my hair crimped, I would watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" every night for a year. Wait, I take that back — every day. 'Cause if you really can help me out, I don't think I'll be sitting around at night by myself anymore. I'll be in Chicago or New York with all of the interesting people. Great Pumpkin, I'll be one of them! I'll be TV1 Jenny will look at me with awe in her eyes. "Tell me again, how many times did you tell她你'lou' slap her for sleeping with your mechanic?" Jerry will send roses to my suite at the Motel 6, trying to get me on his show first.
Please, Great Pumpkin, answer my letter. I can't wait to be one of them. Your Hopeful Daytoe
I want my own talk show; all I need is orange lipstick
Dear Great Pumpkin.
I don't really buy into that whole thing about you rising up out of a pumpkin patch on Halloween and having magical powers, but I don't have much of a choice. Santa's sold out to Disney. The Tooth Fairy declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy now that O.J.'s prowling the streets, and the Easter Bunny keeps laying those disgusting cream eggs. You're all that's left. You don't have much of a reputation, really, beyond this whole Linus obsession. But maybe that's what I need, an underdog hero.
Nee Da Lyphe
See, I have this problem. I've been watching Jerry, Jenny, Rolonda, Ricki, Montel and t.at hispanic guy lately on TV, and all I ever hear about is sex. Who's having it, who's not, who's having it with whose spouse, boyfriend, parent, or dog. The women are dressed (barely) like peacocks in flaming colors of the rainbow. Their ripe flesh bulges ominously against straining seams when they shake their fists indigently at each other. The men's lips are sometimes hidden coyly beneath mops of mustache hair, and they slide their narrowed eyes left, then right, then left, then right over the enraptured audience.
And the host! They sparkle. They prance, they preen, they strut in concern and shock and disbelief. They divine the inner turmoll in
Allaha Aroa is an Overland Park senior in human biology.
Your Hopeful Devoted
their guests, delicately pulling the truth out like fishing a key out from a city grate. They never get hit by flying spittle when emotions flare, and they are never at a loss for words (unless stunned silence is appropriate).
Fan disappointed by Late Night script
Colonda is the best. She has Oprah down so
STAFF
COLUMNIST
perfectly that if you flip through the channels really fast, you'd think you saw Oprah. Honestly, you would be fooled. I was.
I guess what I want to know is, how can I be on one of those shows? My life the way it is would never make it on TV; it's too boring. I've never had unprotected sex with my cross-dressing grandfather. I've never cheated on my boyfriend with his ex-boyfriend. I've never even had a girlfriend, let alone wanted to have a baby when I was 12. I guess I'm just frigid.
You've got to help me. I'm losing friends every day to people whose lists of STDs are longer than my resume. I don't even know where to shop. All I ever wear are these frumpy Levis and hiking boots. I tried to wear one of those bodysuits
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I applaud Matt Hood's cartoon from Oct. 17 depicting the overwhelming control ESPN and "Digger" held over our Late Night activities this weekend. I was extremely disappointed at the way in which our Late Night became Digger's show. I am a dedicated KU basketball fan and I look forward to Late Night as the evening passage into my favorite time of the year. When the team walks out for the first time, it's supposed to be our time with them, but this year, Digger rounded them up around the camera before they'd barely been able to address us. They were made to gather around with bright lights and cameras on
There are many who talk about the disadvantages of being ranked No. 1 in preseason polls. After Saturday, I think I would have to agree with them. If a No. 1 rating means we get the attention of ESPN, I rather not be No. 1 at the beginning of the season. Late Night is the only event all year when fans who aren't lucky enough to attend games can see the team in action and the players and Roy at their best — live and impromptu. We don't need Digger's script.
Kenna Musgrave Baldwin City junior
them until they could get it just right. I love Late Night and the spirit it brings, and Jayhawk fans do not need a sportscaster to stand in Allen Field House waving his hand above his head to get a response.
All letter and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Staufer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right edit, cut to length or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Heather Lawrenz, editorial page editor, or Sarah Morrison, associate editorial editor, at 864-4810.
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.
How to submit letters
Credit card seduction is a bad trap to get yourself into
I just got a free T-shirt! All I had to do was fill out an application to get an application — for a Citibank Visa Card — and that was it! And it was so convenient. The guy was set up right in front of Wescoe Hall. He seemed so nice, just handing out free shirts to anyone who
STAFF COLUMNIST
During my junior year in college, little tables much like the one I just saw were lined
wanted them.
And I wanted one. Now, the question is, what should I do with the Visa application when it arrives in the mail? For me, the answer is simple: Tear it up.
in front of our campus' student union at San Jose State University in California. My friends and I, like so many students did here, crowded around each, filling out applications left and right, dreaming of purchasing that stereo or new outfit. The representatives from the companies — Saks Fifth Avenue, MasterCard, Nieman-Marcus, Macy's — treated us like real adults, calling us "Miss" or "Sir" and not laughing at the fact that we weren't even 21 years old. We got respect. And we deserved it.
When all of the cards showed up, I was ecstatic. The first thing I bought was a decent wallet to display my new-found plastic power. I mean, how would it look to whip out my Saks Fifth Avenue card in a shabby, Velcro-close wallet? My friends also were approved instantly for a new lease on life, and together, we shopped every mall within a 50-mile radius of the school. If the local mall didn't have what we wanted, we would venture up to Palo Alto and the Stanford Shopping Center. If we still hadn't found that perfect dress, pair of shoes, whatever, we would drive to Union Square in San Francisco, where shoppers from all over the world call its fabulous stores home. The Macy's on Union Square is seven stories high, and it sits majestically next to the glittering Nieman-Marcus. Every day was Christmas.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
There is something a little sinister about preying on mostly broke college students who never have been given the royal treatment. Creditors know how easy it is for students to give in to impulses. Trust me, though. There is nothing more humiliating than watching a car company, home mortgage bank, whomever, run a credit check on you when you think their machine may smoke over and explode once your social security number is entered. It's just not worth it. Go ahead, get the free T-shirt. I did. But when the application comes, you know what to do with it.
As is the case with most things, this shopping high eventually came crashing in, as the bills from these great stores began piling up. It was easy to assume I simply could pay the minimum amount due and be done with it. The trap, however, was thinking I could pay the minimum on so many cards and still survive! And, paying the minimum alone won't do it if digging out of debt is the ultimate goal. These companies don't want customers paying off the balance. How else can they earn money if you don't owe them? The smart thinking is for students to have one card — just for emergencies — and to pay off the entire balance each month.
Donna Davis is an Overland Park graduate student in education.
By Shawn Trimble