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Fridav. September 15, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Swimsuit contest stays afloat in polls
Local polls show most are in favor of keeping Miss America tradition
By Brenden Sager Kansan staff writer
Talk show hosts Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford aren't known for tackling social controversy, but as hosts of the 75th annual Miss America Pageant, they'll at least be acknowledging one.
The issue — raised for the first time by organizers of the pageant — is whether the swimsuit competition should be broadcast. KU students and faculty from Wescoe Beach to the sociology department have opinions about the issue. NBC, the network that will show the pageant, will give viewers an opportunity to voice their opinions during the broadcast.
Lawrence radio station KLZR also conducted an impromptu poll Tuesday morning.
"It was a darn
eight minutes after the pageant begins. Viewers can vote on whether they would like to see the swimsuit competition, said Cristi Hurtt, promotions representative for KSHB television in Kansas City.
good response for seven to 10 in the morning," said John Castino, KLZR morning disc jockey. "People really had a stance."
The cost of the call will be 65 cents, but Joey Sprague, associate professor of sociology, won't be calling.
"Why do we have the Miss America Pageant in the first place?" she asked. "What if we had a Mr. America Pageant?"
Those who missed the opportunity to talk to Castino on Tuesday morning can still call NBC during the pageant.
Sprague said women were exploited by the rageant.
People of all ages from Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City as well as commuters calling from car phones reported opinions.
"It's part of a process that defines women as special but not normal." she said.
Sprague said that tomorrow she
A 900 number will be broadcast
"Why do we have the Miss America Pageant in the first place?"
Castino said that about 60 people had called him to share opinions. The results were 70 percent in favor of the swimsuit competition and 30 percent against.
would be watching the pageant, as she had in the past, with her 16-year-old daughter, Jessie, and her friends.
Jooy Sprague professor of sociology
"What else can they see to celebrate their womanness?" she said. "I'll help my daughter laugh with it."
The consensus from Wescoe Beach was that
swimsuits on the pageant contestants were all right — though students said they would have better things to do Saturday night than watching a beauty pageant.
"I don't think I'll be around for it," said Hillary Clause, Des Moines, Iowa, freshman. "I don't think it would be the Miss America Pageant without the swimsuit competition."
"To me it's just part of the pageant," said Terrance Lockett, Kansas City junior, "It's not exploiting women when you see them on the beach all the time in bathing suits."
The Miss America Pageant will be broadcast at 8 p.m. tomorrow on NBC.
ON CAMPUS
- The Office of Study Abroad will sponsor a trip to the Kansas City Royals game Sept. 24. Interested students must sign up in 203 Lippincott Hall by Sept. 18.
- Tickets are $9. For more information, call Bethany Pendleton at 864-3742.
International Studies and Phi Beta Delta will sponsor a Worldview lecture, "Educational Reform in Ecuador," at noon today at the International Room in the Kansas Union.
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center will celebrate Mass at 12:30 p.m. today and Monday at Danforth Chapel. For more information, call 843-0367.
The Mustard Seed will sponsor a picnic and Ultimate Frisbee at 6:30 p.m. today at 700 Wakarau Drive. For more information, call Hugh Wentz at 841-2647.
Robinson Center. For more information, call Matt Stumpe at 864-6592.
KU Ki-Aikido Club will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow at 207
Students Tutoring for Literacy will sponsor an orientation session at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Walnut Room in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Emily Heath at 841-8127.
Canterbury House (Episcopal/Anglican) will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 5 p.m. Sunday at 1116 Louisiana St.
Lutheran Campus Ministry will hold a dinner and worship at 6 p.m. Sunday at 1116 Louisiana St. For more information, call Brian Johnson at 843-4948.
KU Karate Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at 215 Robinson Center. For more information, call Jon Sides at 832-1771.
International Students Association will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the International Room in the Kansas Union.
Delta Chi: members may face expulsion
Kearney, Neb., were hospitalized for dehydration during Hawk Week. Hines spent four days in Lawrence Memorial Hospital, but Mues was hospitalized for 12 days at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., because of kidney failure.
After being released from the
Continued from Page 1A.
Both Hines and Mues said their hospitalization resulted from doing lawn and maintenance work in the August heat. But a source close to the members said the pledges were singled out and forced to do push-ups.
hospital, Hines returned to KU and Delta Chi, but Muse had to drop out of school for the semester.
Muse said he felt fine now but was taking blood pressure medicine. Both Hines and Muse said they planned to say active members of Delta Chi.
Carol Hines, mother of Nat, said she was waiting so see what the University did before she decided if the sanctions were sufficient. However, she expressed concern that her son might be mistreated once the sanctions were implemented.
"There will be people who will blame Nat, even though he is the victim," she said.
A Jeep caught fire between 1:30 and 2:50 a.m. Thursday in the 1300 block of West Campus Road, Lawrence police reported. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $9,000, according to the report. Two adjacent cars were damaged by the fire, Lawrence police said. One car
ON THE RECORD
received $3,000 damage, and the other received $200 damage. The cause of the fire was unknown, Lawrence police said. ■ A misplaced KUID and a bus pass valued together at $70 were stolen between 9:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday from Wescoe Hall, KU police reported.
A story on page 2A of yesterday's Kansan contained incomplete information. The Vivarin newsstand advertisement was removed after professors complained that it was offensive.
CLARIFICATION
Weather
Make that first impression a lasting one this fall!
842-5921 9th & Mississippi
Source: Brian Buckley, KU Weather Service
The University Daly Kansan (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stauffer-Flinn Hall, Lawrence, KA 60405, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Second-class postage is paid in Lawrence, KA 60404. Annual subscriptions by mail are 90. Student subscriptions are paid through the student activity fee.
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