The K.C. teacher walkout
The decision of the Kansas City school district teachers to "walk out" Monday in support of a proposal to raise the 55-cent school tax levy increase recommended by the Kansas City School Board to a 98-cent levy is a commendable one.
The determination and courage shown in protest by usually reticent teachers is remarkable in view of the strong disapproval voiced by the school board and indicated by the board's decision to withhold one day's pay from teachers who missed school to attend the scheduled mass protest meetings.
Whether the number absent was 686 as claimed by the school administration or nearly 825 as claimed by the joint sponsors of the protest measure—the Kansas City Education Association and Local 691 of the American Federation of Teachers—is immaterial. The important fact is that sufficient numbers participated, indicating that the teachers of that city are not taking budgeting matters lightly.
Contrasting viewpoints of the walkout by James A. Hazlett, school superintendent, and John Drake, executive secretary of the KCEA, apparently show some strain of feelings between administration and teachers.
Hazlett commented that, "All in all, the intent of the two groups to close the schools failed. . . Hardest hit among the schools are the ones where we have this constant agitation."
Drake said the meeting was called to catch
the attention of the public. That it certainly did. Drake contends that teachers know more than anyone else the needs of the school. The teachers maintain that the 98-cent levy is required to meet needed improvements.
Although not stated explicitly, those needed improvements would also allow higher salaries for teachers. The KCEA asserts that teacher salaries for Kansas City are approximately $1,000 below those of comparable cities.
But ultimate victory appeared to be in the hands of the Kansas City School Board as its members decided to go ahead and recommend the 55-cent increase to voters in the November general election.
Presumably the story ends here . . . but it doesn't. Some teachers whose pay will be docked for attending the mass meetings protest have indicated that they will file suit against the school district for recovery of money, and this with the support of the KCEA.
A spokesman whose remarks preceded the national convention of the National Education Association in Miami this summer said the theme this year seemed to be "teacher militancy." These recent developments in Kansas City would seem to uphold that remark.
And at this same monumental time, a Canon City, Colo., teacher announced she would give up the profession to take a job as a truck driver because the pay is better."
By GERALD DEMEL
New Vox explains ideals
To the students of the University of Kansas:
The last few weeks have witnessed an upheaval in student government that has been long in the making. New legislation has been proposed that will supposedly streamline student government and radically improve the structure of the ASC, and a third party has been founded to weaken the party's role in the present system.
But for all the changes and all the promises, the average KU student still finds himself largely dependent upon what he reads and what he hears. In the back of his mind the thought still lurks that some of this might be fabricated, that the truth is still beyond his reach. In recognition of this fact, the new VOX now goes on record.
AS THE OLDEST political party on campus, VOX Populi can hardly claim innocence in the face of recent charges. Nearly a decade ago, VOX also came into being with the sole intent of "cleaning up campus politics" and the VOX of that day made accusations similar to ones recently heard. In the nine-odd years since that time, VOX has had its share of manipulators, opportunists, and windmill-charging idealists. We freely admit that our record is not the
most admirable, our tradition not the most proud.
But the old VOX is dead. No remnant of it now remains. The opportunists, manipulators, and Don Quixotes have left us for greener pastures or greener parties.
The new VOX, under the leadership of a revitalized general assembly, is new blood with a new purpose. The recent changes in party structure and party composition have laid the foundation for a dynamic new organization. The disbanding of the old party's executive council has placed total authority in the hands of the general assembly, a governing body composed of representatives of affiliated living groups.
AFFILIATION with the new VOX is now a gentleman's agreement, not an all-binding commitment. The party's officers now serve completely at the pleasure of the general assembly.
With these changes, backroom decision-making has been eliminated. So if you've been looking for a party where your voice can be heard, your contributions implemented, the new VOX awaits your command.
If you've been looking for a party that will function solely as a vehicle for campus reform,
the new VOX is an instrument in your hands. If you've been waiting for the day when the student can make his debut in student government, you'll find the new VOX has opened the door. We have no promises for you. If you're looking for pie-in-the-sky, there are two other partys on campus geared for that end.
IN SHORT, what VOX does this year, you must do.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
kansan
And if those doubts are still lurking in the back of your mind, if something still doesn't quite ring true, cut this article out and save it for awhile. If VOX doesn't deliver to your satisfaction this year, it will serve to remind you that the responsibility for such a failure is yours alone.
Serving KU for 77 of its 101 Years
The Daily Kansan, student newspaper at The University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 St., New York, N.Y. 10022 postage paid at Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays and examination periods. Accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the University Daily Kansan are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or
1ine opinions expressed in the editorial column are those of the students whose names are signed to them. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the editor's. Any opinions expressed in the Daily Kansan are not necessarily those of The University of Kansas Administration or the State Board of Regents
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Newsroom—UN 4-3646 Business Office—UN 4-3198
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Managing Editor Robert D. Stevens
Business Manager Craig Weintz
Marketing Editor Jack Harrington, Eric Morgenhuber
Assistant Managing Editors Walt Jayroe, Joan McCabe,
E. Harvey Bussell
City Editor Emery Goad Nat'l Adv. Manager Gayle Schooler Feature Editor Ron Hansen Rocky Editor Ron Hansen Circulation Mgr. Howard Fankrate Photo Editor Glen Phillips Classifi d Manager Joe Godfrey Wire Editor Cheryl Hentsch Merchandising Mgr. Steve Straight Manager
Ken North Chairman, Vox Populi
FACULTY ADVISERS: Business; Prof. Mel Adams; News; Prof. Malcolm Applegate; Editorial; Prof. Calder Pickett
Official Bulletin
Foreign Students: Check calendar in Oct. issue of International Campus Newsletter for special events planned for you.
TODAY
SUA Coffee-Forum, 3:30 p.m. Dr.
Victor Brombert, Yale. Room, 801.
Freshman Women & New Students' Night, 7 p.m. New Robinson.
KU Comm, to End War in Viet Nam,
for special educational
project. 305 United Nations
Humanities Lecture, 8 p.m. Dr.
Victor Brombert. Swarthwock Recital
Hall
Experimental Theatre, 8:20 p.m.
"The Adding Machine."
TOMORROW
Le Corée Francaise se renumira mercredi 12 octobre a 4 h.30 dans la sailla
Big 8 de l'Union. Programme : "L'in-
ternation" n°866."Compte-rendu par les membres".
Danforth Devotion, 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Lutherans at Danforth
Alpha Chi Sigma Pledge Banquet,
6-20 Purple, Greenville, TN
6.30 p. m. Curry Room, Union.
Carillon Recital, 7 p. m. Albert
Classical Film, 7 p.m. "The Young & The Damned." Dyche Aud.
Newman Club Meeting, 7 p.m. Lm-
Lawrence Center, 1915 Stratford Rd.,
Is Never Wrong. Mike Alchedink, S.J., moderator. Everyone welcome. S.J.,
University Theatre. 8:20 p.m. "Stop the world—I Want to Get Off."
2
Daily Kansan
editorial page
DECLARATION!
Tuesday, October 11, 1966
(Editors' note: The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.)
For us to expect anything but excellence of creativity after more than three years of university training and reflection from the senior class would be an insult both to the ability of dedicated instructors and the intelligence of committed students.
Yet, as we shall witness this Saturday, the class of '67 has honored the University with a slogan devoid of humor and significant meaning, representing no more than mediocrity.
THAT SLOGAN, "... we shall inherit the earth," is not too bad until you read it through at least once.-It expresses little creativity, little wit, and little profundity. Surely it would not be unreasonable to suppose the mind of '67 could have at least mastered one of these simple obligations to slogan making.
Most slogans express the attitude which creates them. Unfortunately, the '67 slogan may too reflect a general attitude. It implies unrealistic optimism without responsibility. It implies ease without obligation. It implies victory without struggle. (Perhaps the swelled heads which created the slogan are the reason for the prohibitively high cost of senior hats this year.)
IT SEEMS TO US rather obvious that the class has not considered the nature of the supposed inheritance. Has this class really considered that the world which they glibly expropriate to themselves is one of hate and greed, one of famine and war, one of fear and mistrust? Surely not! The aura of unrealistic optimism implied in the slogan is little more than an idle boast.
In wondering just why anyone would be so proud about such an inheritance, we would assume that naive seniors regard themselves practically omnipotent in their ability to set things straight. Evidently this reasoning is buoyed with the omniscience acquired over the past three years. For such light-weight thinking we have neither pity nor praise. For it we reserve our contempt.
FOR A MOMENT, however, assume the class of '67 deserves and really wants "the earth." Assume they are able to do a better job of managing it than has ever been done before (having learned all there is to know in the twenty-nine months of being at KU). Granting both of these assumptions, which we do only with some reservation, we still question the word "inherit."
What would lead a sophomoric senior to expect the earth to fall like an overripe lemon into his waiting arms as "an inheritance" would imply? Does the class of '67 expect some miracle to help it achieve its goals without the effort required of previous generations in achieving their goals? While the KU class of '67 may surprise us all and someday rule the world, we doubt that it will be as easy a conquest as the slogan would imply.
While the prevailing attitude of the members of the class of '67 may be opposed to our thesis, we are confident that some are disturbed because of the slogan's implications and general attitude. We would simply suggest to those who are so inclined that they might wear those sweatshirts inside out on Senior Day. This would establish identification with their class while providing a manner of responsible protest against the matchless class leadership.
- Pyrrhus and Cineas
"What A Crazy Nightmare----I Dreamed That Stupid Tortoise Beat Me Again"