NEWS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A
'Helicopter parents' cope with empty nest
BY GABY SOUZA
gsouza@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The first voice Madhu Aruna-
Manoharan hears in the morning is
her mother's, and it is the last voice
she hears before she goes to sleep
each night.
The Topeka freshman got used to this practice last summer when she took summer classes at the University. She also talks to her mother during the day about anything from money to classes. Aruna-Manoharan's relationship with her mother wasn't always like this, she said. In high school her parents were not as interested in how she was doing and did not talk to her as frequently.
"They're probably lonely without me," she said.
Aruna-Manoharan's parents are not the only ones who started keeping close tabs on their children once
they leave the nest to go to college. They are part of the growing trend of "helicopter parents," parents who "hover" around their children.
"Helicopter parents" are convinced their child deserves special treatment from the University, said Frank DeSalvo, director of Counseling and Psychological Services and interim dean of students. They can become angry at KU administration, faculty and staff for not treating their child well enough.
These parents' attention can be positive because they are "very strong advocates for their sons and daughters," DeSalvo said. They can also have a genuine concern that their children can't take care of themselves, and they are simply doing what they think they need to do.
While "helicopter parents" are not limited to parents of college students, they can become a bigger problem in college because parents no longer have legal control over
Parents have no legal right to information about their children once they turn 18. This means they aren't allowed to demand their children's grades, pay for tuition without permission from the student, and get information from student housing.
DeSalvo said limiting access to personal information does not solve the parents' problem, but only makes it worse. The legal restriction doesn't change parents' minds but instead makes them more convinced that they should know what their child is doing and have a say in what their child does, he said.
their children.
"Even if that is the case because they are paying tuition, information can still not be given out," he said.
The Department of Student Housing and the Office of Admissions and Scholarships report that they receive daily calls from parents, asking for information about their children
that the offices can't give out freely. Diana Robertson, associate director of student housing, said she always tells the parents to ask their children directly for information.
DeSalvo said when he encountered problems with parents, he tried to remind them that their children are adults and should be able to take care of themselves.
"It's important for the parents to understand that and act accordingly." DeSalvo said.
DeSalvo said during new student orientation in the summer. there is always a parent who asks who is responsible for getting her child up for class.
For Aruna-Manoharan, it's her mother who provides the daily wake-up call, but Aruna-Manoharan has learned to appreciate keeping in touch.
Edited by Katie Lohrenz
ENGINEERING
Robotic machines take on speed for money prize
BY ALICIA CHANG
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — Wanted by the Pentagon: A muscular, outdoorsy specimen. Must be intelligent and, above all, self-driven.
When 20 hulking robotic vehicles face off next month in a rugged race across the Nevada desert, the winning machine (if any crosses the finish line) will blend the latest technological bling and the most smarts.
The military sponsors the race to speed the development of unmanned vehicles for combat. The project had an inauspicious start: Last year's inaugural contest ended soon after it began when the robots careered off course or abruptly stalled. One even got tangled in barbed wire.
Fast forward 18 months, and double the prize to $2 million.
Newcomers have joined a handful of last year's teams to form a motley
mix of garage tinkerers, academia and corporations. All hope that their machines — fitted with the latest sensors, cameras and computers — have aged a generation since last year.
Teams have beefed up their vehicles' artificial intelligence through improved computer algorithms that will help them avoid pitfalls such as ditches and boulders strewn across the roughly 150-mile-long course. To get there, the robots must compete in a semifinal showdown that starts Wednesday.
Entrants include several converted SUVs, souped-up passenger sedans, a modified all-terrain vehicle, a behemoth military truck and even a motorcycle.
Cathleen Allison/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
This year's race shows signs of being extremely competitive. Some vehicles have logged hundreds of self-guided miles in the Southwest desert during summer practice runs. Several even tested on last year's
The Carnegie Mellon Red Team runs a Humvee through endurance tests in the Nevada desert last Monday at Fort Churchill, Nev. During last year's final, Carnegie Mellon's Humvee, Sandstorm, traveled the farthest, all of 7 1/2 miles, before breaking down.
course, which spanned the Mojave Desert between Barstow, Calif., and Primm, Nev.
The ramped-up preparation reflects the higher stakes for the so-called Grand Challenge. While
sweetening the purse, organizers promise that the course, which this year loops from and to a casino town on the Nevada-California border called Primm, will be tougher and meaner.
ON THE RECORD
- A 22-year-old KU student reported an estimated $850 in damage to a white 1973 Mercedes sometime between 10 p.m. Sept. 20 and 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the 1300 block of W. 24th Street.
♦ A 21-year-old KU student reported an estimated $600 in damage to a vehicle about 11:35 p.m. Sept. 22 at the 4700 block of W. 27th Street.
A 19-year-old KU student reported an estimated $500 in damage to the hood of a white 1997 Geo Prism sometime between 1 a.m. Sept. 20 and 12:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at lot 111, next to Corbin Hall.
- A 22-year-old employee of Domino's pizza reported a $12 pizza and a $30 pizza bag stolen at 1:38 a.m. in McCollum Hall.
ON CAMPUS
As part of the Jewish Studies Lecture Series, Jeremy Stolow, assistant professor at McMaster University in Canada, is giving a lecture called "Prayer Books, Cookbooks, Self-help Books: Reflections on Publishing in the Jewish Orthodox World" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the English Room on level six of the Kansas Union.
- A breakdancing group called Break! Urban Funk Spectacular is performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Lied Center. A $5 donation is suggested, with proceeds going to Hurricane Katrina relief. Vouchers for the concert can be picked up at the SUA Box Office, level 4 of the Kansas Union, or at the door.
NATION
Vice President Cheney recovering from surgery to repair aneurysms
WASHINGTON — Vice President Dick Cheney had successful surgery on Saturday to repair aneurysms on the back of both knees and was alert and comfortable after the six-hour procedure, his spokesman said.
Cheney, who has a history of heart problems, was under local anesthesia during the surgery at George Washington University Hospital.
"He will remain in the hospital for up to 48 hours to monitor his recovery. He is expected to resume a regular schedule when he is released to home," said Steve Schmidt, counselor to the vice president.
After the operation, Cheney was "awake, alert, comfortable," Schmidt said.
The Associated Press
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
September 26,2005
Mentoring In the Lives of Kids is an after-school volunteer program that works with 8 different elementary and junior high schools
*For only one hour a week, volunteers can tutor, be in a class, or work one-on-one with local students.
*Times are 3:30-5:00 MTRF,
1:30-5 W
*Volunteering hours and locations are very flexible. Feel free to bring your own activities and ideas to your school site.
PAID FOR BY KU
The sky's the limit!
*Also currently looking for a publicity co-ordinato
Contact milk@raven.cc.ku.edu or (785) 864-4072; SILC offices 410 Kansas Union
funded by:
STUDENT
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Want a Tutor? Need a Tutor?
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FALL SEPTEMBER 26 - 30
MONDAY, SEPT. 26
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McCollum Hall, 1 - 7 pm
Student Rec. Center,
Blood Vessel Bus, 11 am - 5 pm
TUESDAY, SEPT. 27
Kansas Union Ballroom, 11 am - 5 pm
McCollum Hall, 1 - 7 pm
Student Rec. Center,
Blood Vessel Bus, 11 am - 5 pm
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28
Corbin Hall, 1 - 7 pm.
Student Rec. Center, 11 am - 5 pm
Kansas Union,
Blood Vessel Bus, 11 am - 5 pm
BLOOD
THURSDAY, SEPT. 29
Kansas Union Ballroom, 11 am – 5 pm
Student Rec. Center, 11 am – 5 pm
Kansas Union,
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FRIDAY, SEPT. 30
Kansas Union Ballroom, 11 am – 5 pm
Student Rec. Center, 10 am – 3 pm
Kansas Union,
Blood Vessel Bus, 11 am – 5 pm
THURSDAY, SEPT. 29
PANHELLENIC
AURH
NAVY ROTC
KU STUDENT SENATE
KU ALUMNI ASSOC.
IFC
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*UAC
DRIVE
THANKS TO OUR
SPONSORS
American Red Cross
Together, we can save a life
Community Blood Center
BLOOMING DILYP, MO 63019
Sign up to save lives at www.kubloooddrive.com
Everyone who comes in to donate will receive a FREE KU T-shirt and goody bag!