THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY AUGUST 23, 2007
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007
NEWS
3A
U. S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT
KU's public ranking increases University places higher than many Big 12 schools
BY COURTNEY CONDRON
ccondron@kansan.com
The University of Kansas moved up one spot from to 38th, the highest it has been since 2002, in the Top 50 Public National Universities in U.S. News and World Report.
The University was also ranked 85th overall for Best National Universities and was on four lists in The Princeton Review's book "The New 2008 'Best 366 Colleges."
"We try not to think too much into these rankings," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said. "That digit can bounce around a lot, but any time there is a national ranking, KU is always in it."
In The Princeton Review, the University placed in the Best 366 Colleges, Best Western Colleges, America's Best Value Colleges and Colleges with a Conscience. America's Best Value Colleges is based on cost and financial aid, and Colleges with a Conscience honors schools with outstanding community service involvement.
In the U.S. News and World Report, the University ranked
above several Big 12 schools in the Best National Universities ranks, including Missouri, Kansas State.
Nebraska and Oklahoma. The University was also ranked on more lists in The Princeton Review than those four Big 12 universities.
Oregon. On the organization's Web site, www.educationconservancy.org, Thacker is asking presidents
In U.S.
News and
World Report,
Princeton
was ranked
first in the
Best National
"We try not to think too much into these rankings. That digit can bounce around a lot, but any time there is a national ranking KU is in it.
TODD COHEN Director of University Relations
Universities, followed by Harvard, Yale and Stanford.
"It's good for people to know that KU is a top-ranked university," Cohen said. "Then if they decide to come visit the campus, we know they will likely choose KU."
There has been some controversy over the rankings from the Education Conservancy led by Lloyd Thacker, a former college admissions professional and counselor in Portland,
and chancellors of colleges to sign a "Beyond Ranking" letter, stating that the ranks are misleading and do not serve the best interest of potential students. The University and other Big 12 schools have not signed the letter.
"Students would be wise to
look at the methodology of these rankings, if that what they're using to look at schools," Cohen said.
Annie Vangsnes, Grand Forks, N.D. sophomore, said she didn't look at rankings during her college search.
"I looked more at specific degrees and areas of studies, but overall it's a good thing to be ranked," she said.
Edited by Rachel Bock
INTERNATIONAL
Bullfighting no longer broadcast on Spanish TV
BY DANIEL WOOLLS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MADRID, Spain — State-run Spanish television has quietly yanked live coverage of bullfighting from its programming, ending a decades-old tradition of showcasing the national pastime out of concern that the deadly duel between matador and beast is too violent for children.
Television Espanola's first broadcast in 1948 was a bullfight
in Madrid. But for the first time in the network's history, none of its channels have shown live fights this season, only taped highlights on a late-night program for afficionados.
In practical terms, the unpublicized decision by the Socialist government is largely symbolic. Of the hundreds of bullfights during the March-October season, state-run TV only tended to broadcast about a dozen. Pay TV channels and stations owned by regional governments are
full of live bullfights.
Still, many in the bullfighting world — and in the conservative opposition — are livid over what they see as a slight to a cherished piece of Spanish culture.
"We think it is awful," said lawmaker Juan Manuel Albendea. He said that when most Spaniards return from vacation in September, the center-right Popular Party will press Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to restore the broadcasts.
Senate, administration to review new piracy policy
BY ERIN SOMMER
esommer@kansan.com
Student senate withdrew legislation Monday that asked for revising the zero-tolerance file sharing policy that was put in
body vice president Ray Wittlinger, have met with Provost Richard Lariviere and Roney to discuss the policy.
place by University administration.
>> ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING
Adam McGonigle, chair of the Student Executive Committee, who authored the resolution.
"This is serious business.It's illegal. It's stealing."
"Right now, where we're at is to still work as close as we can with the administration," Wittlinger
He said that in a month, he and other student senators would decide whether the policy worked for students as it was, or if it needed to be revised.
McGonigle, Wichita sophomore, said he and other student senators think the policy is too extreme and could potentially prohibit students from succeeding academically.
MARLESA RONEY Vice provost for student success
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success, said she was willing to work with Student Senate to ensure the policy met the needs of the University.
"We want to create a dialogue with the administration about it," student body president Hannah Love said.
said Student Senate and University administration have agreed upon a one-month period in which both parties will research how the new policy affects students.
Love, Dodge City senior, said she was concerned the policy was too difficult to enforce.
Love, McGonigle and student
said.
Roney said she hoped that the policy simply stopped students from downloading ilegally.
"This is serious business," Roney said. "It's illegal. It's stealing."
Wittlinger said he, Love and McGonigle were also discussing several propositions with University administration to ensure the policy does
not prohibit students from using the Internet for academic purposes.
Options include blocking students from accessing programs that facilitate illegal down-
McGonigle said that, in addition to researching how students are affected, Student Senate will research how many students lose Internet rights in their residence hall rooms because of the new policy.
rooms.
He said that last year the University received notification that 400 to 500 students were involved in illegal downloading.
Roney said that so far this semester, the University has been alerted of only one case of a student downloading from the Internet illegally.
"That's a huge number, and if that many students are affected, we have a big problem," McGonigle said.
Roney said if an unanticipated number of students are
"We're all in agreement that the previous policy was too weak. We simply feel this policy is too extreme."
RAY WITTLINGER Student body vice president
Roney said the current policy allowed students to access the Internet from other points on campus, just not their residence hall
loading and allowing students blocked from Internet access in their residence hall rooms to either access only University-related Web sites such as Blackboard, or have full Internet access from another place in their residence hall.
losing Internet access, the University will address any problems.
Roney said she is open to hearing from Student Senate.
"We will certainly sit down with senate leaders and discuss their concerns"
Roney said.
Wittlinger said that at that time, Student Senate will decide if the policy still needs to be revised.
"We're all in agreement that the previous policy was too weak," Wittlinger said. "We simply feel this policy is too extreme."
— Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION Leadership · Education · Networking Service·Recognition
Come find out if ABWA is right for you! All majors & years in school welcome.
Please join us at our Informational Meeting & Ice Cream Social:
Tuesday, August 28 @ 7pm Kansas Union, Jayhawk Room Get a jump start on your career and get involved at KU!
Visit our website at http://groups.ku.edu/-kuabwa/
Do YOU Have a desire to help people? Interested in traveling abroad?
ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS KU Chapter is need of students of ALL FIELDS OF STUDY and is having their fall 2007
to Henry's Upstairs (11 E. 8th Street) to get to know us.
KU 4 Choice invites you!
August 23,6 pm.
Call 316-806-2412 with questions.
ATTENTION!
KU Freshman:
Freshman Elections are fast Approaching!
Every fall, freshman elect 5 of their peers to represent them in Student Senate, and this year's election is just around the corner!
If you think you might be interested, you should stop by the Senate office on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
Applications to get on the ballot are due Friday,August 24th and the election will be the 4th and 5th of
September. Student Senate is eager to get new people with new ideas who want to leave a
impression on KU, so don't hesitate to run for a freshman seat!
people with new ideas who want to leave a lasting impression on KU, so don't hesitate to
August 23,2007
Questions?
Contact Adam McGonigle Elections Commissioner at amcgonigle87@yahoo.com
www.doleinstitute.org
MAKE IT YOUR MISSION.
DOLE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS
Interested in politics? Get involved with the leading political advocacy
PAID FOR BY KU
STUDENT LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS BOARD
organization on campus, the Student Legislative Awareness Board. Officer applications are now available in the Student Senate office located in room 410 of the Kansas Union. Positions available include:
Applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 7 in the Student Senate office in the Kansas Union.
- Special Events Coordinator Press
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Legislative and Policy Assistant
- Deputy Community Affairs Director
- Deputy Legislative Director
contact: alextre@ku.edu
Join us for refreshments and learn more about how to be a leader at the Dole Institute of Politics!
DANCE
First Student Advisory Board Meeting 4:00,5:30pm Monday, August 27,2007
BALLROOM DANCE CLUB
groups.ku.edu/~public/
Sundays 3-5pm
Fridays 7-9x
Hashinger Hall
Want to meet people and learn to move your body at the same time?
Dancing lessons are a great opportunity! No more remaining seated when you go out to clubs or parties!
No experience, no partner and no special shoes required. Just come and enjoy yourself.
Ballroom Dance Lessons on Sundays from 3-5pm in the Kansas Union Ballroom, and Salsa Lessons on Fridays from 7-9pm in Hashinger Hall.
Check out our website for more information:
http://groups.ku.edu/~kudbc/