2D OFF THE HILL
RELIGION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
Finding faith at the top of the hill
KU offers more than 40 options for students to grow spiritually
BY ANNE WELTMER
No matter your religion, probably one of the 42 religious student organizations on the University of Kansas campus would be able to help you grow as a spiritual person.
A religious group can be a way to make friends and a good source of support and escape from daily life and the added peer pressures on campus.
Jenny Wilson, an Alma sophomore who is Roman Catholic, said she thought that attending the University helped her "blossom" as a Catholic.
She said she felt like an outcast in her hometown because it had few
Catholics. When she came to the University, she found support with the 7,000 to 8,000 other Catholic
students on campus, especially those, such as herself, who got involved at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center, 1631 Crescent Rd.
The KU Hillel Foundation, 901 Mississippi St., provides a community for Jewish students
Hille's offers is the nationally-funded Birthright Israel trip, which is a free 10-day trip given to any Jewish
of all backgrounds. Jewish students can participate in both religious and social activities through the organization.
"With meditation I don't have to study nearly as much. I just have to read it once my mind is clear."
One program that highlights
ERIC SCHAUMBERG KU Buddhist Association
student between 18 and 26 years old. Many students enjoy the trip on a historical and religious level, but for some
it's a life-changing experience.
Although Buddhism is an individual spiritual experience, Eric Schaumberg of the KU Buddhist Association said it helped him to
have the support of a group.He said they meet once a week and meditate together and have dharma talks to lift up their minds.
"With meditation I don't have to study nearly as much. I just have to read it once when my mind is clear," Schauberg said.
Many students have found a way to stay spiritual or even become more spiritual while at college.
Like Wilson and Schaumberg many others are able to spiritually blossom during college and use their religion as an escape from school and a source of support.
Kansan senior staff member Anne Weltmer can be reached at aweltmer@ kansan.com
Religious student organizations at the University of Kansas
- Bahai Club
- Bhagavat Dharma Group
- KU Buddhist Association
- Campus Christians
- Campus Crusade for Christ
- Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
Fellowship
Organization
- Christian Science Organization
- Crossroads Student Ministry
- Ministries
- Ecumenical Christian
- First Presbyterian Church
- Grace Collegiate Ministries
- KU Hillel Foundation
- Hawks for Christ
- ICHTHUS
- JayRock Campus Ministry
- The Impact Movement
- Jubilee Cafe
- K.U.R.A. (KU Religious Advisors)
- Latter-Day Saint Student Organization
- Organization
- Lawrence Chinese Evangelical Church
- Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Lutheran Student Fellowship
- Midwest Student Ministries
Navigators
- Muslim Student Association
- Muslim Student Association
- Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)
- Nation '2'Nation
- Peace Mennonite Church
- Purpose Driven Student
- Ministries
- St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center
- University Church
- Vineyard at KU
- Wesley KU
- Wiccan Pagan Alliance
- Wisdom of Peace & Buddhism
- Young Life Crew
LAW
Driving while talking
Cell phone ban would mean trouble for those who like to multitask
BY TOM SLAUGHTER
Nobody ever call cell phones were cheap. Paying for a phone and the service required to use it is expected, but traffic tickets for using one while driving?
In the coming weeks, city commissioners will consider a controversial traffic safety proposal that would make it illegal to use cell phones while driving, including the use of hands-free devices. If approved, the decision would make Lawrence's the harshest cell phone ban in the nation.
Chris Wolfe, Topeka senior, needed only two words to express his feelings on the matter.
"That's ridiculous." he said.
Wolfe said that he was against a full ban on cell phones, but not necessarily one that banned hands-free devices.
In a 5-4 vote June 5, the city traffic commission narrowly gave its disapproval of the ban. The traffic commission doesn't make decisions for the city; they only act as an advisory board for the city commission.
"I can't be supportive of an all-out ban on cell phones," Jim
"We already have ordinances that regulate inattentive driving which would cover cell phone usage. I would like to hear what the staff's recommendation is for increasing the fines with regard to this situation," Hack said. "But I would not support a total ban on cell phones in Lawrence."
Critics have questioned precisely how a police officer would be expected to notice another driver using a cell phone, particularly at night. Opponents have also claimed that most drivers would probably not nai t attention to the ordinance.
Nathan Cox, Knoxville, Tenn., graduate student, said he would not be opposed to an all-out ban.
"There is something about talking on a cell phone that is more distracting," he said.
Paul Atheley, associate professor of psychology, provided the committee with
"Cell phone usage by a driver presents a hazard that I would not want as a driver in the city of Lawrence."
CAROL JEAN BRUNE Traffic commissioner
Zieglemeyer $J_{n}$, chairman of traffic commission, said.
"I think that the citizens feel strongly that this is a bad ordinance," he said.
Sue Hack, vice mayor, echoed the sentiments of many of the proposal's opponents. She said that the hands-free portion of the ordinance was harsh, and would be difficult to enforce.
Close to a dozen local residents and representatives for Sprint and Cingular Wireless spoke at the meeting, which lasted more than three hours at City Hall. The majority of the speakers expressed disdain for the proposal, citing mostly the same reasons, respectively. They compared using a cell phone to turning the dial on a car radio.
evidence in favor of a ban. He studies cognitive perception and attention at KU.
"The body of research indicates that cell phone use is just as dangerous as driving drunk," Achlev said.
Traffic commissioner Carol
Jean Brune supported the ban.
"Cell phone usage by a driver presents a hazard that I would not want as a driver in the City of Lawrence," Brune said.
According to Robert Hagan, traffic commissioner, no specific fine was proposed for violating the ordinance.
Mike Amyx, mayor, said that the city commission doesn't yet know when they will discuss the ordinance or make a decision.
Kansan staff writer Tom Slaughter can be reached at tslaughter@kansan.
com
—Edited by Dani Hurst
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