4A
Friday, August 25, 1995
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
THE ISSUE: CRIME SHOULDN'T PAY
KU is lenient on stalker
The University of Kansas may have had good intentions when it granted Hobart Jackson paid sick leave, but its reaction is too lenient and its response time too slow. A convicted stalker who repeatedly violated his corrections program by harassing a woman should not be given time off for bad behavior.
Jackson, a tenured associate professor of architecture, will continue to receive his paychecks while police investigate allegations that he has continued to stalk the same woman more than one year after being convicted of misdemeanor stalking. The University and the School of Architecture have made few comments about Jackson's situation. Obviously, it requires extreme circumstances to fire a professor. Perhaps stalking is not a serious enough offense.
If Jackson's arrest was an isolated incident, the University's stance would
The University of Kansas was slow to act in the case of the architecture professor convicted of stalking a woman.
be appropriate. However, not only was Jackson stalking his therapist, but he violated court orders on several occasions by continuing to harass her.
Instead of taking immediate action against Jackson, the University watched and waited while he committed criminal offenses. His problems reflect poorly on the University, and placing him on paid leave so long after his first arrest does not improve that image. Now the University recognizes that Jackson needs help, and it may be giving him a chance to get the assistance he needs. But if he does not change, KU is supplying time and money to a convicted stalker.
Stalking is a serious offense, and it is something against which the University should take punitive action.
MATT FEY FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE ISSUE: ATHLETIC INJURIES
Kansas wise to bench Pahulu
The University of Kansas was correct in deciding to medically disqualify football player Alani Pahulu.
And U.S. District Judge George Van Bebber's decision to deny Pahulu's request for an injunction overriding that disqualification was in the best interest of Pahulu and the University.
Pahulu's cervical stenosis, or narrow neck, put him at a greater risk of paralysis in a sport that already has the highest risk factor for neck injuries of any major sport played in the United States.
Not only was Pahulu at greater risk of injury, but the University would be liable if anything happened to Pahulu while he was playing for the Jayhawks—a financial risk the University couldn't afford to take.
It is sad that Pahulu's hopes and dreams about his football career have been decided by others, but those who made the decision had his best interests at heart.
The decision to prevent Alani Pahulu from being on the football team was wise, keeping his well-being a top priority
Risks are inherent to the sport of football. But in the case of Alani Pahulu, the risks involved with playing football for the University are too great. And when those risks involve paralysis or even loss of life, prudent thinking should prevail.
There is no doubt that Pahulu would have contributed to the Kansas football team this season had he been in perfect health. Phrases like "suck it up" and "no pain, no gain" originated on athletic playing fields. Pahulu's willingness to suck it up and keep dunning cleats for the crimson and blue is commendable. His pursuit of his dream to play football is inspirational.
But the decision to disqualify Pahulu is the right one.
SARAH MORRISON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Jeff MacNelly/ CHICAGO TRIBUNI
Dating 101 takes the place of English,math
The first few weeks of classes bring excitement and anticipation. We start each year fresh with immaculate notebooks, unhighlighted books and the glimmer of hope that this semester's grades will be high enough for Mom and Dad to continue funding intellectual Club Med.
Normally, however, we begin each cycle with an emphasis on the body rather than on the mind. Specifically, we take a seat in the back of the classroom that offers a clear view of all the eligible, potential heartbreakers.
The temptations of the flesh flood our young, impressionable minds. Weak and undisciplined, we allow lust to turn the measured flow of knowledge from the front of the room into so much white noise. In some mysterious way, the smooth curve of her calf or the tight stretch of his shirt across his shoulders distracts us from the lecture on the sociopolitical environment of post-Eastern European Bloc religious parades. Oh, the academic travesties we commit.
We must accept our shortcomings for what they are, however, and move on with practical and purposeful steps. In short, how do we get a date with the divine creature in the front row? After consulting with the same marketing research group that brought us Norman Bigfish, aquatic peddler of Long John Silver's combo dinners, I have several approaches for the needy student: The "nice" approach: "That's a
STAFF COLUMNIST
really nice watch you're wearing. I gave one just like it to my Mom (Dad). I'll see you in class tomorrow, okay?" At Brigham Young University, this gets you engaged, but anywhere else this line goes nowhere. In
fact, the Hipness Council of America, currently made up of the staff writers from "Friends," will be forced to use your double as the butt of Chandler witticisms in an October episode.
The "clumsy" approach: "Hi, I couldn't help noticing, urrrff, oh sorry. That flying particle of food ... the one there on your shirt, yeah, that one. It, it, belonged to me. Um, no, I don't really want it back..." Although this approach seems flawed from the beginning, it has a few advantages. One, the object of your desires never will forget you who are. Two, it gives you a very good excuse to speak to the person again. Three, you will evoke a tremendous amount of sympathy from the person if you can be halfway smooth during your next encounter. Four, you will have a funny story for another approach after the person ignores you for the inbred Neanderthal that you are.
The "good student" approach:
"Hi, I'm looking to get some people together for a study group and share some notes. What do you think?" This line either will live or die a split-second after you say it. Your question will draw either a smile and "sure" or a narrowing of the eyes and no response. No response indicates that you will be the subject of peer scorn, and you will be doomed to geekdom for the social portion of your cruise aboard the S.S. Jayhawk. Even Julie McCoy won't be able to pull your proverbial bacon out of the frying pan on this one. You will be sentenced to late-night labs and weekend trips back to the old hometown scene.
The "all-or-nothing" approach: "Hi there. I've been sitting in the back undressing you with my eyes for the past week. How about we move that dayream into reality?" This only works for the undeniably attractive questioner and, frankly, anyone that hot would need no words. That leaves most of us saying what never should be said outside of "000" numbers and the yet-to-be-tamed Internet.
Alas, no foolproof approach exists for the dreaded first encounter. The only consolation to our inability to meet each other in graceful fashion is that we somehow manage to meet that "front row" person anyway. And, then, months later, one of you has a terribly funny and probably painful tale to tell on the other.
John Martin is a second-year law student from Lawrence.
HOW TO SUBMIT LETTERS OR GUEST COLUMNS
Opinion page encourages response from students
Two options are available for readers who wish to have their voices heard on the University Daily Kansan's opinion page. Writing letters or guest columns are the ways you can communicate your views and ideas to the Kansan.
All letters should be typed, double spaced and fewer than 200 words. Letters must include the author's signature, name, address and telephone number, plus year in school and hometown if a KU student. Faculty or staff should list their positions at the University and phone numbers.
Guest columns should be double-spaced, typed and fewer than 700 words. The writer must be willing to be photographed for the column to run. Columns that have a local focus and are of interest to students are more likely to be published.
All letters and guest columns should be submitted to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. The Kansan reserves the right to edit or cut to length all submissions. We also may choose not to publish
If you have questions, call Heather Lawrenz, editorial editor, or Sarah Morrison, associate editorial editor, at 864-4810.
We encourage all readers to respond to news articles which appear in the Kansan, as well as columns and editorials. Your response is the best guide we have for determining how we are doing and making the Kansan as reader-friendly as possible.
KANSAN STAFF
Chain gangs can promote work ethic for inmates
teach work ethics to prisoners:
chain gangs.
I distinctly remember being forced to pick up twigs and rake leaves in the backyard as a child. My father, in his infinite paternal wisdom, thought it would teach me a workable
Business Staff
So far, the programs have been a success. Some prisons in Alabama already have seen a rapid decrease in disciplinary problems since implementing the gangs.
COLLEEN MCCAIN
Editor
DAVID WILSON
Managing editor, news
ASHILEY MILLER
Managing editor, planning & design
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH
Technology coordinator
STEPHANIE UTLEY
Business manager
MATT SHAW
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
Now two Kansas lawmakers are studying a similar plan to
Chain gangs are not dehumanizing. They are a necessary part of a prison system that is failing miserably in its attempt to rehabilitate inmates.
Following the lead of Alabama and Arizona officials, State Reps. Greg Packer, R-Topeka and Dennis Wilson, R-Overland Park are crafting legislation to introduce chain gangs in Kansas prisons.
Although a trip to the big house is far from a blissful excursion to the Caribbean, it has become far less fear-inducing and ominous than it should be.
The duty teaches prisoners a work ethic and forces them to take steps toward realizing their social responsibility to work and support themselves.
Opponents claim chain gangs are dehumanizing and violate prisoners' rights and are cruel and unusual punishment. A lawsuit is challenging the Alabama program.
Inmates spend all day watching television, smoking cigarettes and, in some cases, even earning a degree. Prison sounds more and more like the life of a college student, not an exercise in repaying one's debt to society or learning proper behavior.
Although polls in Alabama and Arizona indicate that 70 to 76 percent of the public supports chain gangs, the reaction of prisoner and civil-rights advocates has been damming.
Also, cutting weeds and picking up garbage by the side of the road doesn't qualify as cruel and unusual punishment. True, my father did not shackle my legs and put me on the side of the highway, but I was not a criminal who had broken the law.
News & Special Sections ... Deandra Allison
Editorialist ... Heather Lairwins
Associate Editorialist ... Sarah Morrison
Campus ... Virginia Margolisbon
Tennis ... Tom Owen
Associate Campus ... Paul Eldon
Sports ... Jennifer Carlson
Associate Sports ... Tom Ericson
Photo ... Kate Neal
Writing ... Robert Allen
Both Alabama and Arizona chain gang programs began in May. Originally, only prisoners who violated their parole and returned to jail were sentenced to chain gangs, but now judges are handing out the sentences to many offenders.
Murder and rape are cruel and unusual. Our system is set up to prevent those incidents or at least punish the aggressors, not bend to the whining and bellowing of every prisoner who is forced to get out of bed and go to work in the morning.
STAFF COLUMNIST
Editors
It did. Despite grumbling about being pulled away from Saturday morning cartoons, I eventually came to accept the duty as part of a responsibility to myself and to my family.
Prison wardens should be less concerned about violating the rights of prisoners and more concerned about rehabilitating them. Take a lesson from my father, and teach prisoners responsibility through work.
Nicole Kennedy is an Overland Park Junior in Journalism.
Campus mgr ... Meredith Hanning
Regional mgr ... Tom Duase
National mgr ... Heather Barnes
Production mgr ... Nancy Barton
Production mgr ... Nancy Barton
Marketing director ... Konan Hauser
Public Relations director ... Both Caitlin
Claimated mgr ... Honest Valley
MARS
By Mike Boast