4
University Daily Kansan/ Monday, September 23, 1991
OPINION
Open admission
KU must comply with Kansas state law
State-supported institutions have a tricky problem on their hands these days: too many people want an education. What? How could this possibly be a problem — isn't that the whole idea behind public education? Well...yes, but the root of the issue lies in the ugly realities of a limited budget and limited resources.
Since the amount of money the University of Kansas is given each year is apparently disproportionate to its needs, a strain between the quality and quantity of education has arisen. So in order to preserve quality, professional schools and some departments in the College of Arts and Sciences have established certain admissions standards.
While KU maintains that it is not violating the state law that requires an open-admissions policy for in-state students, it is clear that some sort of quasiqualification system is being created. This type of two-faced policymaking needs to be stopped. Either KU will or will not observe state law; students should not be told one thing before they attend the University and another once they arrive.
does not follow that because everyone deserves an education that everyone should receive a second-rate one.
This renews the question of whether quality or quantity should be emphasized. Quality is definitely preferable. It is sad that there are not enough funds in existence to provide every would-be student in the state of Kansas with a college education, should he or she desire it. It
That said, the law is still in existence, and KU is required to comply with it if it wants to continue to receive state funds. While KU's predicament is difficult, there should be no waffling on this issue. It is not fair to the student body or to prospective students. However, the importance of a quality education cannot be ignored.
One can only wish that enough money were provided to make compliance with state law a reality instead of a doublestandard.
Kevin Bartels for the editorial board
Forced infertility
Court-ordered Norplant use is sexist, futile
There is a joke being told these days; When a man meets a woman, instead of shaking her hand he should feel her arm. That is, to check if she has a Norplant implantation.
Norplant is a form of birth control in which six tubes are inserted in the inside of a woman's upper arm. The inserts are effective for five years by providing a continuous low dose of levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone. The inserts are 99.7 percent effective.
A superior court judge in California ordered a woman who was convicted of abusing two of her four children to have the Norplant implantation as a part of a plea bargain. She also was sentenced to one year in jail and three years of probation. The judge affirmed the decision after the woman appealed the order.
For the purpose of birth control, Norplant could be the answer for many women, but it is not the answer when applied to other problems such as child abuse.
That was a terrible decision.
The implant will not help her four children. The order is sexist and a step in trying to control her body. What if it had been a man who had beaten those children? Would he had been ordered to become sterilized? That is unlikely.
Norplant should be used as a form of birth control only by women who want it. It should not be used as a punishment, especially when that punishment is limited as to who it can be applied to.
Amy Francis for the editorial board
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Voters'trust lost for Fulcher
Much of the Sept. 18 "Fulcher Rally" centered on a main theme: why must Darren Fulcher resign as student-boy president when our public court system has already punished him? As my Dad once told me, "Bewhere what is just because someday you may be held accountable for your actions."
Darren Fulcher paid some of his debt through the public court system. Being a student-body officer elicits an enormous amount of trust between the student and the elected representative. Darren Fulcher must accept the fact that he has lost the enlisted to him by the student body.
He no longer exemplifies the admirable character a student-body president should embrace. Instead, Fulcher evokes thoughts of violence and dishonesty. Darren Fulcher essentially beat his girlfriend, included a women's rights campaign in his platform and told no one of the diversion agreement during the elections. In addition, Darren Fulcher essentially stole money from the Student Senate funds by forging a time card to receive money for hours he never worked.
Darren Fulcher, you blew it. I feel you do not have respect or support from a majority of students. Therefore, I believe someone else would better represent the KU student body. Step down Darren Fulcher, your actions are less than desirable for a student body president.
Ryan Niemann Lawrence junior
Crime,not race is Fulcher's sin
I am sick and tired of the Darren Fulcher issue. I am tired of the constant bickering, the accusations and the personal affronts that I have been battered with for the past few weeks. As far as I can tell, the case is clear. Darren Fulcher committed an act of violence of such magnitude that I can never again respect him as a person, let alone as my student-body president. Such an act should get Mr. Fulcher removed from office.
I am also sick and tired of the accusations of racism飞翔 around the KU campus. I would like to see Fulcher removed from office because I do not respect him for what he did, not because of his skin color. I find it very immature that some of the Black community is taking Fulcher's trial as a personal affront. They seem to be assuming that he is being judged because he is an African-American, and not because he did anything wrong. Some of the quotes, such as a quote that is "not always wrong to hit a woman," lead me to question the reasons that some of Fulcher's supporters have in supporting him. I even sense a deep feeling of paranoia in some of the abrasive, cutting quotes I have read in Fulcher's defense.
Please, please allow the issue of race to be dropped, and judge Darren Fulcher for who he is, and the crimes he has committed. Let us look at him as whether he is morally correct in his actions, and whether or not he deserves our respect as student body president. Let us not look at him as whether he is Black or white. We cannot afford to take sides on this issue. If we let ourselves be influenced by color, then all the efforts and sacrifices we all have put forth in striving for equality will be lost.
J. Carswell Lawrence sophomore
Rudeness was unnecessary
As a University of Kansas Alum, I was taken aback by statements made by the special crowd booster hired to excite the mad zone. During an injury time out at the Tula game, this individual came over to the section in which I was sitting. During his visit, I met the students in blue. He then proceeded to imply that the color purple was only for lime-wristed homosexuals.
I found this comment extremely offensive. Moreover, I was appalled that the University had not briefed this individual concerning the antibitory policy at KU. The University of Kansas has no place for anyone promoting prejudice for whatever reason.
I feel that he and the whole athletic department owe all of us in the stands an apology and promise that no such behavior will ever be repeated.
Carl Coscia
Carli Costa
Doctoral Student in Economics
University of Minnesota, Twin
Cities
Status quo is voters'right
From press reports I understand the Student Senate acted to remove Mr. Fulcher using Roberts Rules of Order despite his having been elected by voters and despite the existence of recall election procedures.
Now that more of the facts have come to light, I believe that a recall election should be held. Reasonable people may differ, however, over whether Mr. Fulcher should be removed from office on account of his misconduct. Some other senators might have trouble meeting the entrance requirements for a candidate who knew of these facts prior to the election and failed to bring them to light then so voters could take them into account. To me, the Senate's satept to side-step voters is more troubling than the prospect of Mr. Fulcher's serving until an election can be held.
Even if there should be insufficient signatures on a petition for a recall election, it is the voter's prerogative to leave things as they are.
Stephen Grow Lawrence resident
Senate rules need clarifying
As a former member of Student Senate, I can appreciate the difficult decisions the members of that body have had to make the past two weeks concerning the fate of student body president Darren Fulcher. I know that my own opinions on the matter have hardly been clear-cut. During the time since Senate decided to expel Fulcher, however, my opinion has galvanized. It is clear that the current Rules and Regulations of Student Senate lack the guidance needed to steer Senate members through matters concerning the ethical conduct of its members.
Can you imagine what would happen if the government of the United States of America had no clearly defined process for dealing with impeachment? If Congress could impeach the President with a simple two-thirds majority vote of no confidence, the federal government would collase in anarchy.
Even if the facts were known, there currently are no standards of ethics to judge them by. Would a candidate or senator who was a proponent of the legalization of marijuana and was arrested for possession be judged by the same standard as any other law-breaker? Simply being a center of controversy is not a sufficient justification for such a serious action.
John Gill
Lawrence senior
KANSAN STAFF
HOLLY LAWTON Editor
JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
KATIE STADER Business manager
Editors Business Staff
News ... Erick Schutz Campus sales mgr. Leanne Bryan
Editorial ... Karen Park Regional sales mgr. Jennifer Claxton
Planning ... Sarah Davis National sales mgr. David McWillmore
Campus ... Sarah Davis Co-op sales mgr. Kailee Keeler
Sports ... Eric Gorks Production mgrs. Jay Steiner
Photos ... Mark Andreas Wendy Zertz
Photos ... Brian Schoenel Marketing director. Mike Blair
Features .. Tiffany Harness Creative director. David Habiger
Graphics ... Melissa Unterberg Classified mgr. Jennifer Jaquinot
RICHHARSHBARGER Retail sales manager
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
to help the Kansan reserves the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be mailed or brought to the Kansan newroom, 111 Stuart-Flint Hall.
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 Kansas must have a job at the university.
Loco Locals
by Tom Michaud
4