A responsible ASC
Several years ago,a Kansan editorial editor made some predictions for the fall session of the All Student Council for that year:
1. Vox and UP will raise merry hell about the shenanigans being pulled by the nasty, scurrilous, irresponsible members of the other party, and both will vote straight party lines on some issues, just to prove that there is such a thing as party unity.
2. The independent members and the fraternity representatives will glower at each other.
3. Anarchists among the student body will scream that the whole idea of student government is bad.
4. Organization-minded persons among the student body will scream back that there is nothing wrong with student government.
Things have not really changed much since that year. Vox and UP now get along reasonably well except during elections, when they raise enough merry hell to make up for the rest of the year. And the "anarchists" and "organizationists" will always scream at each other.
The independents and the Greeks, likewise, will probably always be at odds with each other, be it among the members of one party, between Vox and UP, or among three or more parties.
But whatever is "wrong" with student government—the reason it is not appreciated by the student body, its ability not respected by the administration, the reason it never seems to "do" anything—does not lie along party lines or between living districts.
Student government at KU—the ASC, the executive and judicial branches, and the legislative and executive committee systems—has an abundance of capable, concerned individuals, many of whom are actual and potential student leaders. They are people with ideas, ideals and ambitions enough to transform KU's system into a true "student government."
But what have we done? We have talked a lot, we have held great elections; through planks, platforms and white papers we have expounded at length on everything from student rights to library drop boxes.
We have submitted and passed much legislation. Some of it, such as concerns civil rights or athletic seating, for example, is significant and meaningful to the student body. But much of it consists of either resolutions calling for endless inquiries and investigations, or measures concerning legislative procedure.
But again, what is wrong with student government is not what we have done, but rather what we have not done.
We have not shown the students or the administration much beyond loud elections and political games. Certain individuals and committees have worked long and hard with the administration and for the student body (without which many university activities would be non-existent), but on the whole, student government has failed to act as a unit and to shoulder the full responsibility of leadership.
Until such a time as the ASC and student body officers actually begin to represent their constituents, and until the students offer their support in realization of what can be accomplished, KU student government will remain at a nearly functional level.
Those who complain that the ASC has no real power must realize that it has or can have all the power it can use if it illustrates the desire and capability of being a strong, effective government. And to those who say the administration will not delegate power to the ASC, we say that if this is so, the ASC has not earned it.
An active, responsible leadership, necessarily student supported, is the only "student government." - Jack Harrington
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
The scene is sickening: a line of screaming Mississippi whites armed with ax handles, tire chains and lengths of pipe, beating Negro children trying to enter an integrated school. One of the children, aged 12, is knocked down, kicked and his leg is broken. Policemen at the scene do nothing.
Angry adults fail to consider future
Yet, while more terrible, it is hardly more bizarre than the sight of a new $5 million school in Ne wYork's Harlem standing empty while parents in the neighborhood argue with city school officials that the school either ought to be integrated or turned over to community residents to run as they see fit.
YOU KNOW VERY WELL WHAT SIGNALS!"
Somewhere along the line, in the agonizing effort to bring education to all on as equal terms as possible, a good many adults—a poor and misleading word, in this case—seem to be forgetting not only what the debates, screams, obscenities and beatings in front of schoolhouses are doing now to impressionable minds, but also what the results well may be in some tomorrow not too far away.
In short, it is time for grown-ups of all persuasions to stand back for a while and give some thought to the children, with no defense and perhaps perceiving only dimly now what it is all about, but who as children do grow up. For what they are seeing is education in anarchy. And if it goes on, tomorrow's confrontations may be even more sickening than today's.
The Wall Street Journal
The people say...
To the Editors:
I think it is indeed ironical that here at KU, where we have just celebrated a century of education, the University continues to use oudated methods for enrolling its nearly 15,000 students. The present system of enrollment requires burdensome clerical work and costly man-hours which could be cut down or eliminated.
I fail to see why it is necessary for students returning for one or more consecutive semesters to complete almost a life history on six or eight cards every semester they enroll.
Why can't the University adopt some system whereby the information given repeatedly at each enrollment might be recorded and maintained permanently, allowing enrollment procedures to deal only with class selection and scheduling? I'm tired of writing a bibliography every time I wish to enroll for another semester.
Bruce R. Wolhuter Leawood junior
Foreign Students: who have not completed the census cards in the Office of the Dean of Foreign Students, in Strong Hall, please do so this week.
Official Bulletin
Latin America Area Majors Career Opportunity Discussion, 4:30 p.m. Discussion by departmental representatives of LAA Committee, Sunflower Room, Union. All those interested are welcome. coffee served.
TODAY
**Ph.D. Final Exams:** 3 p.m.; Richard L. Admussen, French; 314 Carruth-O'Leary and 3:30 p.m.; Saul Lerner, History; 310 Watson.
Rock Chalk Revue Meeting, 7 p.m.
Meeting for Representatives of interested groups. Pan-American Room,
Union
TOMORROW
KU SDS, 7:30 p.m. Open meeting featuring discussions on REP. "Mac-Bird." Kand de., Campus Programs. Cottonwood Room, Union.
Popular Film, 7 & 9:30 p.m. "All the Young Men." Dyea Aud.
Whatehamacallit, 9 p.m. Reeercation Area, Templin Hall.
Daily Kansan
editorial page
2
STRONG STUFF
Thursday, September 22, 1966
The days of the contact between the university officials and students is not gone. The traffic and security office has taken the initiative to meet students personally on Jayhawk Boulevard during the evening hours through an ingenious device—radar.
as seen by EMERY GOAD
The expression in Strong Hall among officials concerning the recent decision of Jayhawk Investment, Inc., to postpone their dormitory complex on Daisy Hill seems to be one of Ah.
$$
* * * * * *
$$
$$
* * * * * * *
$$
It was just learned the other day that Vice Chancellor R. Keith Lawton, Provost James R. Surface and Dean James K. Logan met to discuss sites for the new Law School building.
A reliable university source said that the site "depends on the dough available."
$$
* * * * * *
$$
The obvious fact this week is that Douglas Humphrey, son of the Vice-President, decided against coming to KU this fall. He made application in the spring.
$$
* * * * * *
$$
It seems now that KU must rely on Jim Ryun's quick moves, counselor Debbie's quicker escapes, and the total undulation of the Centennial College through the national press for its publicity.
$$
* * * * * *
$$
The Chancellor's offices were remodeled and over-halled during the summer. That area, previously a hallway on the east wing of the second floor of Strong, has been covered with grass green carpeting and is air-conditioned.
Students passing through have said that it would make a sit-in more comfortable.
$$
* * * * * *
$$
Since the World War II barracks have been torn down the true front of Strong Hall is now visible.
Speculation is that the Chancellor will take the opportunity at this time to stand on the balcony and speak to the masses.
$$
* * * * * *
$$
It seems logical that a "beware" sign should be placed above the new doorway directly into Dean Taylor's office from Strong's second floor hall. It was made this summer.
We cannot decide if it is for faster exits or so students can be snatched directly from the "main stream" with no red tape.
$$
\* \* \* \* \* \*
$$
As fall arrives, so does the time for the meetings of the Council on Student Affairs, headed by Laurence C. Woodruff.
You may not be hearing too much though. Last year they discussed alcohol on campus, closing hours, and disciplinary actions, but never admitted a thing . . . until it appeared in the new student handbook last week.
(Reprinted from the University of Alabama Crimson-White)
The power of the press
We have heard about the power of the press. We have heard that people listen when the press speaks.
Last year's Crimson-White editor had this thing about married student housing. He didn't like it. That was pretty legitimate. He also had this thing about garbage cans. They fell over and were knocked over by dogs and cats. They leaked at the bottom. They didn't have lids. It was a trashy mess. So the C-W ran pictures and gipped a lot.
A newly-formed student grievances committee has announced that $5000 is to be used to replace University garbage cans with clean, shiny new ones. They are going to have heavy lids.
For $5000 they certainly shouldn't fall over or be knocked over or even leak. For that much money there should at least be a garbage can for every student.
And every student should be prepared to make his contribution to the cans. The C-W does its part.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY kansan
Serving KU for 76 of its 100 Years
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Newsroom—UN 4-3646 Business Office—UN 4-3198
The Daily Kansan, student newspaper at The University of Kansas, is representd by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Published and second class 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 of Kansas are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or national origin.
The 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.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Managing Editor Robert D. Stevens
Business Manager Gary Muggeridge
Jack Harrington, Eric Morgenthaler
NEWS AND BUSINESS STAFF
Assistant Managing Editors Walt Jayroe, Joan McCabe,
Barbara Philips, Steve Russell
City Editor ... Emery Good
Feature Editor ... Judy Faust
Sports Editor ... Ron Hansen
Photo Editor ... Glen Phillips
Wire Editor ... Cheyenne Hattie
Manager ... Tony Chon
Nat'l Adv. Manager ... Gayle Schooler
Promotion Mgr. ... Robert Hanna
Circulation Mgr. ... Howard Pankratz
Classified Manager ... Joe Godfrey
Merchandising Mgr. ... Joe Straight
FACULTY ADVISERS Business Prof. Mel Adams; News Prof. Matcolin
Agategale, Editorial, Prof. Calder Pickett