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University Daily Kansan / Thursday, October 10, 1991
OPINION
Not just numbers
Retaining minority students is the real issue
It is a step in the right direction. Statistics released from the office of University Relations show that minority enrollment at KU is rising.
According to the statistics, minority enrollment rose from 1,747 in Fall 1990 to 1,899 in Fall 1991, an increase of 8.7 percent. However, the increase of 152 students accounts for only .6 percent of the entire student population.
But statistics have a way of being distorted or misinterpreted. To simply report the rise in numbers as if there had been a sudden jump to equality would be misleading. To say that the rise accounts for only 6 percent of the entire population also is misleading because the rise is associated with a small percentage of the entire student body.
What should be emphasized is that the growth rate in minority enrollment is
greater than that of the entire student body. This means we have taken a step, albeit a small one, toward a student population that more accurately reflects that of the general population. It also means the rhetoric often bantered around this campus about a commitment to diversity may be true.
A sudden rush of compliments would be premature. What is needed is an increase like this for the next 10 years.
In a statement concerning the rise in minority enrollment, Chancellor Gene Budig said it "is a gratifying sight for the many students, faculty and administrators who have worked for it." He is correct, but unless the minority students stay to finish their degrees, it will be a hollow achievement. Retaining minority students should be a top priority also.
A variety of programs are aimed at
helping, and retaining, minority students at KU. The office of minority affairs is one example. It is responsible for helping minority students make the transition to the University environment.
But it is not the only group that should be responsible for retaining minorities at KU. Other programs strive for this goal, too. But ultimately the responsibility of trying to retain minorities should rest on the shoulders of every student, faculty member and administrator at the University.
That is the only way to increase cultural diversity on our campus and thereby increase the ideas and thoughts each student is exposed to. In the end, it will provide all of us with a better education.
Benjamin Allen for the editorial board
Language lab changes
Center's new system reduces student stress
It was one of the more annoying features of meeting graduation requirements for a bachelor's degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
It drove thousands of panicking students into utter frustration when it regularly made them late for their next class.
It turned one of KU's most beneficial learning centers into a tense arena for seething students.
It was the language lab.
But thanks to private donations and other funding, the Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center has been able to computerize its services, and those long lines that used to extend halfway down the north corridor of Wescoe Hall no longer exist.
This semester, students can check out a tape, video or other material after completing an initial borrower's contract and showing their KUIDs. To check out any materials later in the semester, all that is needed is a KUID. The computer system does the rest. And returning the materials? Just let them slide down the new, convenient drop chute. For the 600 to 700 students who check out the materials each day, this is a dream come true.
But the dream is still only half a reality. John Huy, director of the resource center, said the transition has been slow and the job only partially is finished. Every item that is checked out needs a bar code. Each staff member needs training, and problems and quirks within the system are discovered every day.
Even though this is just the beginning, the staff at the Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center should be commended for the improvements. Even more improvements seem possible. Huy would like to continue the overhaul of the center. He said that lack of actual lab space was one of the biggest obstacles to the center in realizing its potential. For now, however, language students as well as the staff at the lab are satisfied with the helpful changes.
Jennifer Tanous for the editional board
Question: Would you be willing to start school three days earlier to have a fall break in the middle of October?
Jenny Glagola Senior Fine Arts Belton, Mo.
"Yes, because breaks are great and they help me. It lets us relax and gets your mind off school."
Peter Lane
Sophomore
Political Science/Economics
Overland Park
"I do not believe the break is necessary. Most people will work to earn money and most cannot afford to go on vacation. Secondly, this might put us behind other universities which are changing to trimesters."
Shane Wood
Senior
Communications
Overland Park
"Yes, I think that people need a break for just an ease on the mind. Coming to school three days earlier is not that much of a big deal."
Dwayne James
Sophomore
Civil engineering
St. Louis
"If we are going to start three days earlier, our break should be a week long then. You have freshmen going to college for the first time and need a break to get the mind back in order before midterms."
Prashant Kapoor Graduate student Physics New Delhi, India
"Yes, it would be a good idea. It breaks up the semester into two parts around midterms. You really need the break."
Kalissa Huang
Senior
Biology
Goodland
"I sure do. I think it is great. By October you need that chance to get away and regain your sanity."
KANSAN STAFF
HOLLY LAWTON
Editor
JENNIFER REYNOLDS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, newsadviser
Editors
News Erik Schutz
Editorial Karen Park
Planning Sarah Davis
Campus Eric Gorski
Sports Mike Andrews
Photo Brian Schoenli
Features Tiffany Harness
Graphics Melissa Unterberg
KATIESTADER Business manager
RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager
**BEST SUMMER**
Campus sales mgr. Bryan Benny
Regional sales mgr. Jennifer Claxton
National sales mgr. David Mellwaine
Co-op sales mgr. Lia Keeler
Production mgrs. Jay Steiner,
Wendy Stertz
Marketing director.
Creative director.
David Habiger
Classified mgr. Jennifer Jacquint
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
by Mike Romane
Business Staff
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