THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007
NEWS
5A
SAFETY
Few new concerns arise
Andrew Wacker/KANSAN
Security has increased on campus this year. Students and parents who attended new student orientation learned about new technologies being used, including a text messaging system and a new check-in system at the residence halls.
BY MARK DENT
mdent@kansan.com
New students and their parents don't have new concerns about safety at the University of Kansas — or, at least, they didn't show any at orientation sessions.
"We thought after the Virginia Tech tragedy wed have more questions about it," said Kristin Trendell, director of new student orientation, "but it was about the same."
That came as a shock to the orientation staff. They spent up to two hours researching campus security before presentations. Trendell said,
The lack of questioning followed a national trend. According to an Associated Press article, parents and students at colleges such as University of Florida, University of Georgia and even Virginia Tech had the same level of interest as always about security precautions.
At the University, parents and students might not have needed to ask questions: Safety has always been one of the main topic at orientation sessions, Trendell said.
parents and incoming students
Each session included a segment called "Making Smart Choices." It featured speakers from the KU Public Safety Office, Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center and Watkins Memorial Health Center, Trendell said.
"We thought after the Virginia Tech tragedy we'd have more questions about it, but it was about the same."
KRISTEN TRENDELL Director of new student orientation
Orientation workers also gave
information about new safety technology this summer. Trendell said they emphasized a text messaging alert system. That system allows students to receive a text message from the school during an emergency. The staff tried to get students to turn in their phone
numbers at the sessions so they could be placed on the emergency list immediately.
Orientation sessions also included talks about new security at student housing. Jennifer Wamelink, associate director for student life, said the housing department did hear a few more questions from parents at the sessions. The presenters explained a new card system that will allow only students who live in the residence halls to enter the building. Wamelink said the University hoped to install the new systems by the end of the academic year. She said the housing department chose to use the system partially because of the incident at Virginia Tech.
"That caused everyone to pause," Wamelink said. "It was something we talked about before, but that let us move ahead."
Now that school has started and the orientation sessions have ended, it's up to students to stay safe. The orientation staff is confident students learned enough through the presentations and the usual amount of questioning.
Edited by Ashlee Kieler
need leaders," Ballard said. "I hope the students will understand you have to give back, and we can do it on our own level."
BALLARD (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Ballard said in-class speakers added something unique to the class. Visitors to the class will include Governor Kathleen Sebelius as well as women members of Sebelius' cabinet and the state senate.
"Students will be given a very vocal viewpoint of the status of women in leadership," Ballard said.
Ann Cudd, director of women's studies, first heard about a similar class in a presentation at a National Women's Studies Association meeting. The class was taught by a Minnesota legislator and was tied to a spring internship.
"It sounded so great," Cudd said. I thought, "How could we not do this, especially with Dr. Ballard?"
Cudd said Ballard was perfect for the class. Ballard has been a longtime supporter of the women's studies department and served as the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center director.
"Even better than the class from Minnesota, Dr. Ballard has taught a lot of courses at the University," Cudd said. "As a director at the Dole Institute, I think she sees this as part of her work."
Only elected people can impact policy, and that always has driven Ballard. When approached about serving in the Kansas Legislature, the possibility of representing women and making a difference appealed to Ballard.
"Women want to see women in strong leadership roles," Ballard said. "When people see someone like themselves, they say, 'Wow, that makes me feel proud, that's my
perspective."
Graduate teaching assistant Heather Yates is looking forward to working with Ballard because of her contributions to the political process.
"Dr. Ballard has experience with her background of being a state representative," Yates said. "She's definitely a commodity to the class."
Yates said the class would be very valuable for young women to understand the contributions of women politicians in the 21st century. She said women today have more representation and more support.
"In 2006, more women gained seats in political offices," Yates said. "Women have made significant strides."
Student Senate President Hannah Love, Dodge City senior, said she became interested in the class after being elected last semester.
"It really hit close to home, I became very interested in women and their role in politics," Love said. "I deal with gender issues on a daily basis."
Love said she looked forward to the real-world strategies Ballard would bring to the class.
"I think it's very important to understand how politics relates to women and affects us every day," Love said.
Ballard said women brought new perspectives to policymaking. She said the goal of the class was to encourage and prepare young women to take part in internships and leadership positions.
"Don't be afraid to get involved," Ballard said. "The payoff is so great."
Edited by Kyle Carter
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