OPINION
Coming Friday, October 5..
Editorial: A campus car rental system could reduce traffic and parking lot congestion.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM THURSDAY OCTOBER 20
success shall make no law respecting the 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
Petterson: The censorship of religious materials in prisons is a violation of inmates' right.
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY,OCTOBER 4,2007
PAGE 5A
EDITORIAL BOARD
Increase in ResNet fees is outrageous
The University needs revenue to improve infrastructure, but the entire system needs a change
Barring delays, the Student Advisory Board will vote today on whether to increase ResNet fees to improve infrastructure in the residence and scholarship halls. While it's important that KU's housing has the best technology available, the increase—a flat $500 rate per year—exposes the fatal flaw of ResNet. It's a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy that needs a major overhaul.
Students in University housing go through the motions when they move in. Download anti-virus software and get connected to the University's network. It's rarely this easy, causing the ResNet call line to be clogged with help requests. ResNet's student employees, dedicated though they are, simply can't keep up with demand. Unless a hall has been renovated (as have Lewis, Templin, Hasinger and Ellsworth), there is often only one data point for up to four people. In the Jayhawker Towers, there is one Ethernet port per suite, and it's in the living room. The cost of Ethernet cables and hubs is in addition to ResNet's semester fees. The fee package also includes cable television and phone service.
By increasing fees, ResNet
hopes to increase bandwidth and eventually implement wireless access in the residence and scholarship halls. ResNet scans for any contraband wireless or hardwire routers, and deactivates the accounts of students caught using them.
The problem of ResNet goes back to simple economics. It's a monopoly, supplying a service that is necessary for the vast majority of students. Monopolies can't charge whatever they want, but they will charge whatever they can. Increasing fees will only give students motivation to take a chance and jury rig their own routers. At worst, it could also deter students from living in University housing at all.
Any infrastructure improvements take time, and ResNet's currently have no set timeline. This means that, as of next year, students could pay $500 a year for improvements that they won't see before moving out of University housing or graduating. ResNet is, in effect, operating a Poni scheme. It is also not clear if the cost will go back down once the improvements have been made (don't count on it).
ResNet is not efficient because it has no reason to be. It has no competitive threat and no profit motivation. There is one solution that may help save students from extortion-like fees, and save ResNet from itself. Privatize it.
The point of living on campus is proximity and cost-efficiency. It is absolutely ridiculous for each person to pay $250 a semester when companies like Time Warner Cable charge $75 a month per household for a comprehensive digital cable, digital phone and broadband package.
The University does business with numerous corporate sponsors. Coke and Pepsi duked it out to see who would dominate our vending machines. Why shouldn't two or more thirdparty providers do the same for our television, phone and Internet services? Allow companies such as Time Warner Cable or Sunflower Broadband to have a bidding war for rights to provide service to the University. Housing would receive an annual check, which could help alleviate fees across the board, and eliminate the administrative costs of ResNet since it'd technically no longer exist. The private service provider could
charge standard prices, which in all but the most deluxe packages are still lower than what ResNet would charge, and be thrilled to have hundreds of built-in, reliable customers. If contracts were renegotiated every year, the company would have that much more incentive to provide excellent and affordable service. Unlike ResNet, it'd have a care for its profit margin and fear of competition, which translates into better, more efficient service. Students could also choose a package to suit their needs—expanded cable service, no landline phone—instead of being forced into ResNet's one-size-fits-all mold.
Forcing students to pay $500 a year for improvements they'll likely never see is unfair. It almost defeats the entire purpose of on-campus living. ResNet's reputation for efficiency is less than sterling, and is unlikely to ever improve under the current model. Privatization would stimulate competition, lower prices and increase efficiency. Unless a radical improvement comes from within ResNet itself, it may be the only way to save the University's housing data service apparatus.
BURRITO-MADE EPIPHANIES
DRAWING BOARD
MAX RINKEI
I LOVE EVERYBODY
A comedian's take on University costs
Zach White recreates Todd Nuttersworth's observations on campus parking and textbook fees
This past weekend and I were looking for some fun and we ended up at the Funny Barn in Oksaloosa where we saw a comedian named Todd Nuttersworth. He performed for like two hours, and was simply delightful. The following is a mere sample of this man's performance:
"Hey, how many of you guys have been up to Lawrence recently? The University of Kansas, yeah? What's the deal with trying to find a parking space up there, huh? It's so difficult to find a place to park up there, it's like, where are we, China? No, well not yet, right?
up there for a gig not too long ago, on campus protesting all the homosexuals. No, I was doing comedy, but I actually did find a place to park in that parking garage by the Union up there, and I went to go pay for it, and it was a dollar an hour! And I was like, 'Why don't you just take my first born child already?' Am I right? But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was that I was fifteen minutes late because I stopped in the bookstore. Because of all this I've been hearing about raising textbook prices. So I was looking at all the textbook prices while trying to figure out which internal organs the students were selling to buy these things, am I right?
"But seriously folks, I was up there for a gig not too long
"So anyway I come out of the Union thinking about how to talk my kids into a life of fast food management, when I see this parking department person giving me a ticket with their little computers and I asked what was going on and they told me that I was late and they were giving me a ticket. I asked them how much it cost and they told me, 'Four extra percent on your student loan!' But seriously, it cost $20.
think I read recently that they're having even more parking trouble up there since they started building that new practice facility. Whose idea was that, Donald Rumsfeld? I haven't heard of a bigger waste of money and space since Rosie O'Donnell joined "The View." You know who will like it, though; those people that are out selling their lawns for $50. That or one biology textbook.
"Thank you, I'm Todd Nuttersworth, you've been a great audience. Have a great night. Remember to tip your wait staff."
White a Colorado Springs, Colo., junior in journalism.
"But you know, speaking of, I
Lawrence is a city of epitomes
It's easy to organize people into categories, and just as easy to forget individualism
ROSS STEWART
A few days ago while I was drinking a beer in the shower I realized something: this town is where the epitomes live.
Now, a few people have asked me, "Ross, what do you do with the beer when you're washing your hair?" The ideal place to put the tasty brew is somewhere above the showerhead, say the frame of the door to the shower, but it is a delicate balancing act. If in a bind, one can use the side of the tub nearest the shower head to prevent getting soapy suds in the tasty suds.
I really do recommend drinking a beer in the shower, it's probably the most refreshing experience I've ever had.
But back to what I was saying. This town is where the epitomes live. It's a lot like Las Vegas, you know. "Everything that can be done can be overdone." But in the case of Lawrence it's people instead of buildings and buffets. The abundance of epitomes here is astounding.
Before transferring here this year I thought of myself as pretty worldly, a cultured man who had traveled and seen many things. I thought I had seen tight jeans; this was not so. I thought I had met a man with "short man syndrome;" this was not so. I thought I had seen a hippie; this was not so. The list goes on: sorority girls, ballers, amazing professors, artists, stoners, geniuses, banana eaters, racists, writers, players, emos, bay kids, bad professors, fornicators, protein shake drinkers—I once thought that I had met the people who represented these types before (their ambassadors if you will), but in Lawrence I've met people who completely embody the persona of these characters.
The male chain-smoking English major who wears 80's sunglasses and my sister's jeans, and somehow found a pair of L.A. Gears from the 90's in a men's size (the shoes that have blinking lights on them); he completely fits a typecast, though I'm not too sure what it's called as of yet. I suspect it's something along the lines of hipster. But, here's something else.
I began to look at people like this, with this epitome filter on and I began losing my humanity. No longer was I looking for an individual's personality, rather I just summed them up after a quick glance or a few words.
Like this conversation:
Girl: "Ugh, college is hard, we've got this book to read but I'd rather watch the movie."
Me: "Yeah, reading in college, who would've thought we'd be doing that."
As she walked away, I read the back of her sorority T-shirt and thought maybe I was being judgmental, and the thing is, I was.
What I'm trying to say is, yes there are some goofy and horrible people here—people who completely embody all that many of us despise or love, but give all of them a chance. Epitomes deserve compassion too. Ask someone new for coffee, someone you don't know but just see on campus. If they look interesting, try to chat. The worse that can happen is receiving no response. And then there's about what, 28,999 more students left to meet (not to mention professors and others alike).
The chances are high that one could meet someone they'd truly enjoy.
Stewart is a Wichita junior in journalism.
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. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
I lost the game.
Free for All, I'm lonely. Will you come over and watch "The Breakfast Club" with me?
Free for All! Cover up! I can see your Britney!
Kansas is no longer one of the best party schools? Will somebody please tell my GPA this?
last five and a half hours at the library and consuming 7,589,309 Red Bulls, I can't fall asleep. Will you keep me company?
Free for all, it is now 4:15 in the morning and after spending the
To the guy who had sex with 14 people: I feel really, really bad for the fourteenth person.
I like to sleep. Homework keeps me up all night. I hate homework.
Free for all, I think I'm pregnant.
And I don't like the "dad." He's a douche. Will you be the father?
TALK TO US
Erick R. Schmidt, editor
864-4810 or eschmidt@kansan.com
NOW THAT YOU'VE READ THE OPINION PAGE, HAVE AN OPINION?
Eric Jorgensen, managing editor
884-4810 or ejorgensen@kansan.com
Bryan Dykman, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or dykman@kansan.com
Darla Slipke, managing editor
864-4810 of dslipke@kansan.com
Kelsey Hayes, opinion editor
864-4924 or khayes@kansan.com
Katie Abrahamson, sales manager
864-4477 or kaitie@kansan.com
Jackie Schaffer, advertising director 864-4358 or jschaffer@kansan.com
Malecum LGon, general manager, news adviser
864-7867 or mailmon to kkanan.com
SUBMISSIONS
Jon Schlitt, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jschlitt@kansan.com
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Kelsey Hayes or Bryan Dykman at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
General questions should be directed
Maximum Length: 200 words
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
4
Maximum Length: 500 words
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansan will not print guest columns or letters that attack a reporter or another columnist.
---
Erick R. Schmidt, Eric Jorgensen,
Darla Sikape, Kelsey Hayes, Bryan
Dykman, Brandon T. Minister, Angelique
McNaughton and Benjamin R. Smith
+