4 University Daily Kansan/Monday, December 9, 1991 OPINION College education is more than just books As a young and impressionable student at the William Allen White School of Journalism, I have discovered one distinguishing characteristic about my chosen profession: Often the first step that journalism teaches us in our quest for objectivity is the fine art of hiding our feelings. Fall 1991 was an extraordinary news semester; the law school sexual- harassment complaints; the Clarence Thomas hearing; the resignation of James Turner, director of affirmative action; and the ongoing Daren Fulcher-Student Senate controversy, among others. When you are the editor of the University Daily Kansan, this is a valuable skill. Objectivity is crucial in every story regardless of its significance. But this semester has been the most difficult and emotional one that I have seen in almost five years. We have watched all sides rise up against each other in anger, misunderstanding and protest. The Kansan has found itself directly involved with much of the emotion that has dominated this campus. Stories like these are exciting for student journalists who want to prove that the Kansan is more than just a "pretend newspaper." But stories like these are also difficult to cover. Reporters and editors are taught to bury their opinions for the good of the stories, and I preached this more than once to my staff this semester. And despite my status as Kansan editor, it has been almost impossible for me to do anything but feel. But somehow I myself could not become absolutely, completely detached from these stories. Although I formed no personal opinion on their developments or outcomes, I still felt a part of the emotion they conveyed. Because these stories all were about people who were going through some kind of pain. No matter what type of training you receive as a journalist to keep emotions out of your job, you still have feelings. I have learned to separate those feelings from my responsibilities. After all, I am not here to make friends with my sources. But that didn't stop me from agonizing about the way some students felt about the Kansas this semester. It didn't stop me from worrying about the direction that this University seemed to be taking. It didn't end my frustration about being unable to change the negative atmosphere at the University of Kansas. Holly Lawton Editor Looking back, however, maybe this semester was just what we needed. Maybe it gave us a taste of the real world, albeit unpleasant. And maybe it gave us the opportunity that only a university can offer a chance to screw up, yet learn from it and move on. In the first category were the editors at Kansas State and Middle Tennessee State universities, strangers who suddenly became my friends through one phone call offering support; and Tom Koeting of the Wichita Eagle, the only person from the media who asked how I was doing in all this mess. I learned a lot from many people this semester, but those in two particular categories stand out: those I didn't know very well and those who found fault with the Kansan most often. I'm sure I am not the only student who has been told that a college education means learning much more than what's in books. In the second category were Carrie Fleider, Hillel president, who gave me a good dose of sensitivity training; and Carlos Fleming, Black Men of Today member, one of the few who never stopped trying to work things out with the Kansan. That is the only way we can make an experience like this worth something. Find something positive in it, somewhere, that can make you a better person, and learn. But I never really understood until now. Holly Lawton is an Oklahoma City senior majoring in journalism. She is leaving. KANSAN STAFF News JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor HOLLY LAWTON Editor Photographers TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editors News Erik Schutz Editorial Karen Park Associate Editorial Holly Neuman Planning Sarah Davis Campus Eric Gorski Associate Campus ... Vanessa Fuhmans Assistant Campus Beth Randolph Lara Gold Sports Mike Andrews Assistant Sports Rick Honish Photo Brian Schoeni Assistant Photo Julie Jacobson Joe Lies Features Tiffany Harness Layout Katy Shadow Susie Shaffer Stephen Kline Copy Chiefs Susie Shaffer Greg Belshe Kelley Freize Graphics Melissa Unterberg Assistant Graphics Joe Lies Almee Brainard Michael Gier Wire Debbie Myers America Friends Cnews Clerk Terrilyn M cornick Reporters Photographers Wendi Groves, Jennifer Hoeffner, Justin Knupp, Kristin Petty, Mark Rowlands Editorial Board Heather Anderson, Jennifer Bach, Alexander Bloemhof, Kern Gottchis, Blain Kimey, Jeff Kobs, David Mitchell, Rochelle Olson, William Ramsey, Maurice Rios, Melissa Rodgers. senjian Allen, Kien Bartel, James Bacoum, Michael Dick, Amy Friars, Clarissa Jackson, Elen Kiwana, Holly Lawn, Holly Neuman, John Noltesmenn, Karen Park, Jennifer Nissen, Jennifer Tanous, Jose Vazquez, Jule Wasson, Frank Williams Carbonists Tom Michaud, Michael Paul, Mike Romeane, Stan Thorne, Moses Smith Cartoonists Copy Editors Benjamin Ali, Aimee Brainair, Nina Bryan, Greg Farmer, Vaeana Furhmans, Erick Gorak, Joe Goe, April Hubbell, Krista Johnson, Andie Kuhne, Pete Lundquist, Kate Maneller, Jeff Meeess, Chris Mooser, Debbie Myers, Lyle Nidens, Karen Park, Katy Sheldon Advertising KATIE STADER Business manager JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager Zone Managers Melissa Barr, Scott Hanna, Bill Lebengood, Melissa Sifla, Kim Wallace Zone Managers Systems manager...Bill Thomas Business Staff Campus sales mgr Leanne Bryant Regional sales mgr Jennifer Claxton National sales mgr David McWallane Co-op sales mgr Lisa Keeler Production mgr Jay Steiner, Wendy Stertz Marketing director Mike Behee Creative director Dennis Wright Classified sales mgr Jennifer Jacquoinet Special sections editor. Christine Musser Special sections editor. Katie Chapman Asst. special section Russell Hancock Teesbears mgr Rebecca Boreso Regional Account Executives Dan Hadel, Liz Hanna, Scott Piper, Tami Wooley Campus Account Executives Angela Cleverman, Ashley Langford, Simone Webbe, Hilarie Wilcox, Brian Wilkes Retail Account Executives Brad Breen, Gina Brown, Susan Brinkman, Harper Chaffee, Kim Claxon, Heather Gage, Brad Hamilton, Aahley Heasley, Arme Johnson, Cindy Krock, Monica Matykat, Lia Miller, Eric Murphy, All Stifarem, Amy Stumbo, Melissa Terip, Alay Wesland, Suzanne Wilkes, Brian Wolf Retail Account Executives Systems coordinator...Bill Skeet Finally, a network has stepped forward to deal with this. It's about time. Fox has agreed to give air time to advocate the use of condoms in combating diseases. Our society is suffering great losses. Every year, about 12 million people contract sexually transmitted diseases. More than 120,000 people have already died as a result of contracting the HIV virus. Condom ads Fox takes admirable chance to fight AIDS Advertising agencies manipulate sex to promote products. It is romanticized in soap operas and prime-time dramas. Yet an important aspect of sex is avoided: the possible dangers. Television supposedly mirrors our society. It creates and tracks trends, represents popular values and disseminates pertinent information. But safer sex is one aspect of life that the networks tend to ignore unless it benefits their ratings. ing such information in newspapers and magazines? The television, our trusty companion. Our escape from reality suddenly has more to offer. Each of the major networks has been pathetically slow to address the AIDS epidemic. It's as if the entire staff of the former Reagan administration were working there. Fox has been, and continues to be, a pioneer among the networks. Bravo. Any attempt at further education is a step in the right direction. And where is the best place to reach teenagers and other couch potatoes who may be miss- Ellen Kuwana for the editorial board Hostage ordeal In the last four months, the remaining U.S. hostages have been released after years of being held prisoner. No one probably will ever really know why. The kidnappers said they realized that taking hostages was wrong. Others said the kidnappers came to the conclusion that the hostages no longer were of value. Leaders cannot put politics above humanity Another view is that the $278 million that the U.S. government freed up for Iran about the time that the hostages were released was more than a coincidence. But there are also the members of the United Nations who seemed to work tirelessly for the hostages' freedom. But no matter the method, the hostagesarefree. It is good that all of the U.S. hostages are on their way home, but this ordeal is far from over for anyone who was involved. Two German hostages still are being held. And even though all of the former U.S. hostages are experiencing their freedom, they must also endure all of the memories and physical reminders of their captivity. Joseph Cicippio always will feel the effects of frostbite every time the temperature dips below 50 degrees. They also have missed out on years of their lives. Terry Anderson missed the birth of his daughter along with seeing the first years of her life evolve. Nothing will bring back the years of any of the hostages' lives that were brutally taken from them. All countries and political organizations must realize that people cannot be used as pawns. Leaders cannot put their own wants and desires above humanity regardless of whether the people who would suffer are from a different country. Cruelty is cruelty regardless of race. Amy Francis for the editorial board by Tom Michaud