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University Daily Kansan/Monday, November 25, 1991
OPINION
Holiday break
Thanksgiving Day is better when shared
Thanksgiving is here, a time to eat too much food, visit with family members and enjoy all of the luxuries that only a visit home can provide.
But not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to do this. Some people do not have enough money to have a lot of food on Thanksgiving, or any other day. Some people might have the money but not the family.
There also are many students who will not be able to leave Lawrence because the break is only for five days. This is not a long time if a person lives far from the University of Kansas, especially so
close to the end of the semester.
There also is the cost factor. For students from another country, flying home for five days is not really an option, especially when this holiday celebrates the Pilgrims first landing in America. It's not exactly considered a world event.
Fortunately, however, these problems can be easily solved. It only takes a little bit of time, consideration and, in some cases, a little bit of money.
Organizations such as food banks are accepting donations of food for less fortunate families. There also are places
that could use help serving meals to families on Thanksgiving.
Students also can invite other students to spend Thanksgiving with them. It might not be as good as spending the holiday with their own families, but it's usually better than spending a holiday alone.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. It also is a time to show appreciation for what one has by sharing it with others.
Amy Francis for the editorial board
Educational choice
Finney should re-examine state's priorities
Governor Joan Finney recently said that unprepared high school seniors should choose jobs, not college. "These people who are not really university caliber can be caliber in the workplace," she explained.
Finney's message suggested there were jobs and careers readily available for graduating high school seniors.
Her ideas concerning educating Kansas high school students about options after graduation need to be revised to recognize Kansas' educational deficiencies.
Finney and legislators should concentrate more on improving the education that students receive from kindergarten to high school so that they will be better prepared for college. Students need more access to learning tools and career advisement that will help them choose whether they want to go to college or take another route to success.
Finney has appointed a commission to
look into the problem of education in Kansas and to propose solutions. The only progress that this commission has made is a proposed cut in the Shawnee Mission School District's budget to divert the money to needier areas.
Finney protests raising state taxes to improve financial resources, but Shawnee Mission residents now must increase local taxes to continue providing the same level of education. Students in other counties in Kansas are waiting to see if state money will be provided to improve their educational systems.
Decreasing the educational potential of an already successful school district is not an acceptable answer to the problem.
Preparing students early for career decisions on a statewide level would help alleviate the debate about open admissions policies at Kansas universities. Vocational and technical schools,
on the job training, community colleges and working at McDonald's are other options that all students should be aware of.
But those should not be the only options. Students who have the desire to go to college should be able to. An inadequate high school education should not be what keeps a person out of college.
After all, today's high school students are the leaders of tomorrow. The state needs to make sure they are as well-educated as possible.
Improving the quality of education a student receives at public schools should be at the top of the state's priority list.
Frank Williams for the editorial board
Rock Chalk selection is not an easy process
During the past couple of weeks, I have had numerous people ask me the same question: "So Todd, have you picked the five shows for Rock Chalk Revue yet?" They always seem a bit surprised by my answer. Yet my answer is always the same: "Whome? I have absolutely nothing to do with that decision."
Todd Miller
Guest columnist
The standard response is always along the lines of, "Well, who does then?"
The biggest misconception about Rock Chalk Revue is the show selection. Although seemingly surrounded by mystery and intrigue, the judging process is really quite simple. So for everyone who has asked me "Who?", I will now answer their question.
An independent panel of judges has the honor (or shall I say arduous task) of selecting the five Rock Chalk Revue finalists. This year, there are 11 esteemed judges with varying ages and backgrounds. They do, however, have a few things in common; none is affiliated with any KU living group, none is a student or faculty member at the University of Kansas, all have some knowledge of Rock Chalk Revue and all possess various areas of expertise in the theater.
The judges spent two weeks reading over the shows and then finalized their decisions last night, after interviewing the individual living group directors. Shows are identified only by a random priority number. (This ensures the anonymity of a group, whether it is a residence hall, scholarship hall, fraternity or sorority). The ballots are tabulated by our faculty adviser and an independent party, so even they will not know who has been selected, except by priority number. All the results will remain safely under our adviser's pillow until I make the announcement tonight.
This is an exciting and challenging year for Rock Chalk Revue. With the loss of Hoch Auditorium, we have temporarily moved to Lawrence High School Auditorium. We will perform "Changing Places" on Feb. 21 to 23 and 27. We had a record 16 groupturn in shows; unfortunately, only five will perform.
Now you know how it works! It is full of integrity and is as fair as we can get it, and the truth of the matter is, I would not want to have to make the decision. It will be hard enough for me to read the results tonight.
One thing I know for sure. I have never worked with a more energetic and talented group of directors. No matter who the judges have picked, Rock Chalk Revue will be one hell of a show!
Todd Miller is an Overland Park senior majoring in the film and is Executive Director of Rock Chalk Revue.
Get out of driver's seat and back in the saddle
This is a little idea I had while stuck in traffic. Why can't people start riding horses for short trips around campus and around the greater metropolitan area of Lawrence? The advantages are quite numerous. Horses won't cost you a penny for gas, and they are very easy to park. A parking lot easily can fit three times more horses than cars. Plus, you don't have to fight to find a spot. You can just turn them out at the gate.
On horseback, police can't clock you on radar or give you a parking ticket, and you can outrun the bike police with ease. Also, horses don't need insurance. You can't dent a horse. And if someone rear-end your horse, it will kick back or drop a few apples on the hood and probably discourage the driver from following too closely again.
Horseriding is a fun hobby that
Speaking of apples, road apples easily can be avoided with the addition of an Apple Sack, and the University of Kansas can sell manure as natural fertilizer to Kansas farmers. This also will provide many campus jobs. For example, horses will require a feeding crew and a courageous group of Road Apple Rangers to clean up pastures and a few messes around town and on campus. Riding horses also will help eliminate the serious problem of drunken driving. One of the reasons why boys love their horses so much is that horses know the way home when you don't. Also, you can't hurt other people while riding drunk. Horses don't like to crash into telephone poles, trees or other obstacles. For those Earth awareness people out there, horses are environmentally sound and biodegradable. Plus, you find some really cool trails on horseback.
Greg
Queal
Guest
columnist
everyone should try at least once. I have been riding horses ever since I could walk, and I have learned a lot from riding them. For example, I've learned about the density of materials from breaking horses so that people can safely ride them. I've been thrown into sand, pavement, gravel, trees, windows, walls and fences and through a windshield. Believe it or not, there are 126 ways to crash, but I've never broken any bones doing it. Also, horseback riding is a major sport around the world.
Through horseriding, I've met people from all over. And I got a job up in Yellowstone National Park because I knew how to ride. Another thing I like about horseback riding is that you don't have to quit when you become old. Back home, three people older than 65 whom I know ride every other day for about two hours a day.
If you're interested in horses, I'd recommend joining the KU equestrian club, which meets at 7:30 on Thursdays at the Regionalist Room in the Kansas Union. Membership dues are only $12 a year. You don't even have to know how to ride horses to join the club. The only qualification youneed is to enjoy horses.
Greg Qquel is an Omaha, Neb., freshman majoring in meteorology.
KANSAN STAFF
HOLLY LAWTON Editor
JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor
TOMEBLEN
General manager, news adviser
by Tom Michaud
Editors
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Campus sales mgr ..Leanne Bryant
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Co-op sales mgr ..Lisa Keeler
Production mgrs ..Jay Steiner,
Wendy Stertz
Marketing director
Creative director ..David Habiger
Classified mgr ..Jennifer Jaquinot
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