4A
Tuesday, October 4, 1994
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Student Senate's fund distribution inconsistent
NICOLAS SHUMP
Senate Finance Committee needs to remember the past when planning allocations
for the future.
A University, as the name implies, attempts to create an inclusive environment. However, situations arise that sometimes cause divisions among various organizations on campus. Recent decisions by the Senate Finance Committee have created just this sort of division. On Tuesday, Latin American Solidarity went before the Finance Committee requesting $2,256. When the smoke cleared, they were left with $456.
Now, I understand that the job of the Finance Committee is one of the most difficult and thankless on campus. I hope that this column will not be viewed as an attack on Senate. I simply want Senate to show some consistency when it comes to its fiscal decisions. According to the Student
Senate pamphlet, "Organizations requesting Student Senate funds must demonstrate that they have exhausted all other means of acquiring funds." If this is the case, then what are we to make of Sherman Reeves comments concerning the funding of Pinch: "If they (Pinch, Who'sinations, Kiosk) didn't get funded, they wouldn't be able to print. It would seem to me that the reluctance of the Pinch staff to seek advertising, while seemingly noble, is not consistent with the own guidelines of Senate. And the fact of the matter is I would be surprised if Pinch couldn't find plenty of businesses in Lawrence willing to advertise with no concern for actual content of the magazine. Yet despite this incongruous
situation, *Pinch* is well on its way to being fully funded.
All of this leads me back to the Latin American Solidarity's plight. It seems that part of the problem with Latin American Solidarity has to do with a discrepancy of $400 that was somehow lost. From what I have learned, the committee had approved a request for $856, but when Stephanie Guerin, finance chairwoman, discussed the committee's decisions before the full Senate, the amount had been reduced to $456. This alone merits a reconsideration by Senate.
Unfortunately throughout the past six years, Latin American Solidarity has been consistently underfunded. From fiscal year 1990 to fiscal year 1995, LAS has received only 50 percent or less of their requested funds each year. However, the decision of this year's Finance Committee cut items that had been funded in the past. These items include the rent that LAS pays to Ecumenical Christian Ministries and money for its newsletter. This is a dangerous precedent for the Finance Committee to establish. Attention should be paid to what has been done in the past.
More importantly, this action by the Finance Committee seriously hampers the effectiveness of this organization.
Latin American Solidarity has been an important force on campus since 1978. Throughout the years, they have been an valuable source of education on the myriad of issues and problems
that exist in Central and Latin America. Finally, the existence of Latin American Solidarity has allowed both Latin American students and other students interested in Latin America, to interact and to learn about each others cultures.
Tomorrow night, Latin American Solidarity will once again attempt to navigate the funding labyrinth of Student Senate. In the name of consistency, fairness and respect for all cultures, I think that Senate, as a representative for the University, should put its money where their mouth is. Fund Latin American Solidarity!
VIEWPOINT
Nicolas Shump is a Lawrence senior in comparative literature.
'Checkbook journalism' law should be federal mandate
As more tabloid journalism surfaces on television and at newsstands, it is important to protect inno- (until proven guilty)
cent (until pro victims from hired character assassins.
Last week,
as another
side effect of the O.J. Simpson
case, Californi a
to receive payment for statements about a case before, during and 90 days after a trial.
The passage of this law should not be confined to
MEDIA
The California law prohibiting
journalists from paying witnesses and jury members should be a federal mandate.
California but should be made a federal mandate for all states.
passed a law prohibiting jury members and trial witnesses from participating in "checkbook journalism." The law makes it illegal for witnesses and jury members
The law is intended to protect the constitutional
right to a fair trial and in no way infringes upon freedom of the press. It does not put limitations on what people can say but on the reasons they may be saying it.
DONELLA HEARNE FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Promise of more child care is start in addressing needs
The existing child care facilities offered by the University are overburdened and are not adequately providing for the number
more care. Nontraditional students make up about one-fourth of University enrollment, and the diversity and enrichment they bring is valuable and
CHILD CARE
backed up with action.
important.
The University's announcement that a new facility will be built is a good beginning but must be asked up with action
would open a new child care facility within two years.
The Universityshouldbe commended for being sensitive to the need for
The University should address special needs they may have, like child care.
Deciding to build the new facility is the first step. Now the University should make a concerted effort to complete construction as scheduled.
MARK YONALLY FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSAN STAFF
STEPHEN MARTINO Editor
CHRISTOPH FUHRMANS Managing editor
JEN CARR Business manager
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
CAMERON DEATH Retail sales manager
CATHERINE ELLSWORTH Systems coordinator
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Editors
News...Sara Bennett
Editorial...Donella Heame
Campus...Mark Martin
Sports...Brian James
Photo...Daron Bennett
Mellissa Lacey
Features...Tracel Carl
Planning Editor...Susan White
Design...Noah Mueller
Assistant to the editor...Robbie Johnson
Business Staff
Editors
Campus mgr ... Todd Winters
Regional mgr ... Laureth Guth
National mgr ... Mark Masto
Coop mgr ... Emily Gibson
Special Sections mgr ... Jen Pierer
Production mgr ... Holly Boren
... Regan Overy
Marketing director ... Alan Bliglic
Creative director ... John Carlton
Classified mgr ... Heather Niahou
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name, address and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Virginia will not receive letters.
Guest columns should be typed, double-spaced and fewer than 700 words. The writer will be photographed.
The Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
Matt Hood / KANSAN
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Incorrect facts taint opinions
Mark Levitz wrote in Letters to the Editor (9/27) about how he believes everyone should give up their jobs and start suing people indiscriminately. Well, Mr. Levitz, if you want to state your opinion that is definitely your right, but I think I should clear up some facts for you.
First, there is a law that says, "If it's your fault...too bad." It's called comparative negligence.
Secondly, McDonald's was hit with such huge punitive damages because the jury believed that McDonald's had flagrantly ignored repeated complaints that their coffee was too hot and the cups too flimsy. Also, the media only report "big win" cases, which leads to the distorted idea that these awards are given all the time. But a large portion of such cases are won by the defendants.
Lastly, I would like to tell you that your anecdote about the burglar is not quite correct. The law states that a person cannot intentionally cause risk of serious harm to the passer.
If I were you, Mr. Levitz, I would check out the facts before presenting them, and if that is too much to ask, well I guess someone will continue to correct you.
Susan Hamilton Overland Park senior
Honesty doesn't pay with IRS
Schoolteacher Jim Bauer thought that his call to the Internal Revenue Service would be greeted with gratitude and enthusiasm.
But he didn't understand the strange workings of the bureaucratic mind.
"In April I sent my return to the IRS as I've dutifully done for the past 35 years," he recalls.
"On this form I claimed a refund of $750. About six weeks later, I got a letter from the great IRS computer in the sky stating that I had made a mistake in my calculations, and I was really due a refund of $1,500, which would arrive by check shortly.
"I'm no genius, but I do have a degree in accounting and have teaching certificates in business and social studies, and I do know how to add and subtract and complete IRS Form 1040."
That's when Bauer phoned to tell the tax people not to send him $1,500 because he wasn't entitled to that big of a refund.
"I called the toll-free number and explained that the error was not mine but the IRS' and would they please recheck their numbers and not send me the incorrect amount.
"I thought they would be pleased with my honesty. But they assured me that their computer stated that I was wrong, so their computer must be correct."
MIKE ROYKO
And before long, a check for $1,500 arrived.
"This made me determined to get them to take my money back whether they wanted it or not. Believe me, this wasn't easy.
*On three different days, I called the IRS office in Houston, where I live, and tried to explain the situation.
"I was transferred from department to department, cut off accidentally five times and was actually hung up on once by a taxman who said: 'I don't know what they transferred you here for; I don't even know what you're talking about.' Click. Where do they get these people?
"On day four, I finally succeeded in finding a pleasant woman who was capable of calling my form up on her screen.
"We went through the form line by line, with her looking at the screen
and me looking at my copy of the form.
"Finally, I discovered the problem. When my form was keyed into the computer, the operator had typed a dollar amount on one line and inadvertently typed the same number on the next line, instead of leaving it blank. That caused my refund to double.
"I pointed this out to the woman, but she told me that I had either placed the wrong number on the form, or I was reading it wrong. She was sure that it had to be my mistake because 'their computer is always right.'
"By then, I knew I had to get the money returned because eventually they would discover the error and charge me interest and penalties.
"So I fired off a certified letter to the IRS, explaining the situation. I told them how they had made the error and how they could correct it.
"I told them I wanted to return the money, but I was deducting $20 for postage, phone calls and all those hours of aggravation. If I have to pay penalties and interest if I make a mistake, they should do the same.
"I gave them two weeks to reply and said I was sending copies of my letter to my senators, congressman and, if it was the last thing I ever did, I would expose their lancy.
"The Texas office replied that they
were referring the problem to the Philadelphia office. Someone there phoned me, and we played phone tag for a few days.
"Finally the Philadelphia office sent me a note stating that the problem had been resolved and if I would send in the portion of the refund not due there, we would be no penalties or interest assessed. Not even a little, 'We're sorry for the trouble,' or 'Thank you for being honest.'
"I so I sent the money in, minus the $20 to compensate me for my trouble, even though my time and trouble was worth at least $300.
"I was so steamed, I was ready to go to small claims court for the $20. But my wife decided the whole thing was ridiculous, and she sent in the $20."
"Then they sent another letter saying that there was no provision in the tax code for the abatement of taxes. So I should send in that $20 and there would be no penalties. Whopee.
HUBIE
"Anyway, I wanted you to know what happens when you try to do the people at IRS a favor."
Yes, but the IRS also was doing Bauer a favor.
He teaches history. So now he can explain to his students why so many Americans have a nervous twitch.
Mike Royko is a syndicated columnist with the Chicago Tribune.
By Greg Hardin