OPINION
Coming Tuesday, October 16...
Letter to the Editor: NCAA policies condemn obscenities at football games.
Editorial: Campus activities bring attention to global poverty.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
peaceably to assemble. and to petition the government for a redress of grievance
WWW.KANSAN.COM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 15,2007
PAGE 5A
SHARING STORIES AND FORGETTING TIME
Texting provides the basis for modern flirting
Whether late at night or in between classes, texts take the awkwardness out of courting
TUESDAY MORNING
Nowadays, picking up the phone and making a call can feel like an overwhelming burden. Why call when you can just text? From "lunch at Union?" to "OMG look at that ridiculous girl in the front row wearing Ugg boots and sweat pants," no conversation is too big or important not to text. This lackadaisical form of communication has made its way into the dating scene, making text flirting a revolutionary phenomenon in casual conversation between the sexes. There is no longer just the "booty call;" now there is the "booty text" allowing people to
express there desire in non confrontational way.
1:45 a.m.:
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Nothing what are you doing?"
"Nothing, want to hang out?"
"Okay."
"Cool, wear that little thing I like." And they're off.
For the shyer, more reserved person, text flirting has opened doors to relationships never thought possible. It's much less stressful just to send a text, if the other person doesn't reply. At least you didn't call.
A text does not hold the same weight as a phone call; it's less invasive and at times an easier
way to communicate. At night when you're in a loud bar, who wants to answer the phone anyway? Replying to a text takes seconds. Also, when just getting to know someone, texting is always the best way to go. You don't want to look like the crazy guy/girl who called three times in one night. But three texts in one night, that's excusable. For me, I have a problem with being awkward, I'm awkward at least 75 percent of the time and it's increased by about 35 percent when I'm sober. Texting is an easy way for me to be witty while avoiding any actual face-to-face contact, because boys make me nervous.
Plus, texting isn't just fun,
it's exhilarating. Seeing a new text is way more exciting than missing a call. However, there are some inappropriate times to text. If you're in a big lecture it's okay because your not really disrupping anything because no one is probably paying attention anyway, but if you are in a small classroom it's a little weak to be texting on your phone the whole hour. Especially the people who have their phone on vibrate and keep receiving texts all class long. Whoever decided that putting your phone on vibrate is the same as silent must have been deaf or something. It's not a secret, we can all hear your phone and you look like a tool for texting all through class. Texting doesn't have to be like AIM. You can wait awhile in between texts, leave them hanging, make them get a little nervous, then text them right before they jump off the cliff. The text has become an entity in itself; it can be your best friend or (after drunken midnight texting flasco) your worst enemy. A person has to find their own text-balance. Make a set of texting rules for yourself and live by them.
Simmermon is a Leawood senior in journalism.
DRAWING BOARD
MAX RINKEE
Study abroad options limited by time, money The Office of Study Abroad should offer more short-term, less expensive programs
like many other students here at KU, I have considered studying abroad. How could you not? We have constantly been told that having some sort of international experience is increasingly important to our future careers. Even knowing this, as a more timid person, I would prefer to study abroad for a shorter amount of time, such as the summer. Yet, I keep feeling put off when it seems that every time I find a program I like, it is only offered during the semester or year. The first time this really hit me was when my twin sister, a business major, decided she wanted to study abroad in Italy this summer. When I found out that the exact same program was available to journalism students, I was ecstatic. I thought we were going to be able to study abroad together. However, come to find out, the program was only offered to journalism students for the semester or academic year.
The Study Abroad Office claims to have more than 100 programs available, but when many of those programs are only offered during a semester or year it limits options for students. If more summer programs were offered it would benefit students looking for a program of shorter duration and perhaps even widen the range of students looking to study abroad.
When looking to study abroad, money is the first question that, if not you, your parents will surely ask. With the cost of the program, transportation, food and other traveling expenses, money can quickly add up. Although program costs vary, typically summer programs cost less since they last a shorter amount of time. As an example, the CIMBA Italy Program, open to KU business students, is offered in the summer, semester or academic year. According to the CIMBA Website, the price of the program for the Spring 2008 semester (Jan. 20-Apr.20) is $12,695 compared to $4,935 for the summer (May 19-June 13). This difference in price, for some students, can mean the difference in being able to
study abroad. Increasing the number of these "cheaper" summer programs or even winter break or spring break programs would make studying abroad possible for more students.
Summer programs are not only easier on students that are limited financially, but also on students that are limited confidently. When living across an ocean, home-sickness is likely to hit even the most adventurous of us. Therefore, for those already timid types, summer programs are the perfect option.
Yet, being shy isn't the only reason students might look for a summer program. Personally, if I studied abroad for a semester let alone a year, I would feel as if I was missing out on college life at home. Studying abroad is a good opportunity, but I chose to come to KU so I could be at KU. By offering more summer programs, studying abroad will cater to a larger audience of students, those who just can't seem to shake off the Jayhawk in them.
One factor to be considered is the shorter duration of summer programs doesn't allow students to absorb the culture as thoroughly as a semester or year program. Cultural immersion during summer programs is also more difficult because many of these programs are group or faculty directed. Meaning students take classes at a foreign location with KU and other U.S. students led by KU professors, GTAs or faculty that has been employed specifically to teach a KU class. While complete cultural immersion may not be possible, some students might find these groups of faculty directed programs advantageous since these programs typically include predetermined course credits and opportunities to study in English in many non-English speaking countries.
According to a KU News Release in January 2007, KU "has established a five- to 10-year goal to increase the number of KU students who have studied abroad by the time they graduate." In order to do this, all types of students need to be considered. Offering more summer programs would create more internationally experienced Jayhawks.
Hudson is a Wichita sophomore in journalism and business.
HAVE A POINT/COUNTERPOINT TOPIC? E-MAIL THE OPINION EDITORS
FREE FOR ALL: 864-0500 OR KANSAN.COM/FACEBOOK
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed.
To the guy who just tripped up the stairs in Watson, I pretty much love you right now. Thanks for making me laugh.
Any truth to the rumor that Brandon McAnderson is calling people and asking them to wear
debate.
making me laugh.
blue to the Baylor game?
Thank you, Park & Ride, for making me late to my midterm.
Dave Matthews Band really is terrible, and it's really not up for it
Me getting laid is directly proportionate to whether I try or not. Pretty much, I'm a baller, shower or no shower.
Why on earth does Mrs. E's use alapenos in making their Chinese food? It's like mixing Mexican and Chinese. It just shouldn't happen.
just offered to help me carry up my laundry; I really appreciate it. You're the first non-douchebag
To the guy in Naismith who
I love the pumpkin patch.
Players, coaches and assistants of the Kansas football team, you are about to embark upon on a great crusade for which we have striven many months. The eyes
I've met here.
of the nation are upon you. The hopes and prayers of Jayhawk loving people everywhere march with you.
The little rubber rain boots aren't any cutter than your Uggs. Take that crap off your feet.
To whoever put the giant rock
and plant on my car! I hope you had a lot of fun. It really didn't bother me. Last time I checked, we were all in college. Please, grow up.
grow up.
Word of advice: Never race someone while drunk. You'll end up with more flying than running and bruises in the morning! Ouch!
TALK TO US
Erick R. Schmidt, editor
864-4810 or eschmidt@kansan.com
Eric Jorgensen, managing editor
864-4810 or eiorgensen@kansan.com
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Darla Slipke, managing editor 864-4810 or dslipke@kansan.com
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Kelsey Hayes, opinion editor 864-4924 or khayes@kansan.com
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Malecol GMonb, general manager, news adviser
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The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by student, faculty and alumni.
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864-7666 or jschltk@kansan.com
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to the editor at editor@kansan.com
For any questions, call Kelsey Hayes or Bryan Dykman at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
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The Editorial Board
Erick R. Schmidt, Eric Jorgensen,
Darla Silape, Kelsey Haysen, Bryan
Dykman, Brandon T. Minister, Angelique
McNaughton and Benjamin R. Smith
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