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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
MONDAY AUGUST 15.2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
CULTURE SHOCK
Get ready for a shock
Getting to know me, your columnist.
PAGE 11A
SARAH STACY
SSTACY@KANSAN.COM
I have a burgeoning dilemma that assuredly plenty of readers can
relate to: I want to specialize in everything.
The more stimulating books I read, the more compelling classes I take, the more friends I add to my eclectic circle, the more theoretical frameworks I become familiar with, the greater my difficulty in deciding—well, anything.
I continue to accrue more interests, majors, opinions, travel plans, and sentence length; most of which have a regrettably positive correlation to my student loan debts.
I approached this column with an eagerness to jot down my numerous thoughts, but my dilemma quickly surfaced in the form of writer's block. This impediment manifested before beginning to write the column itself. I figured choosing an applicable title would help in my struggle to find a suitable focus. "M us-ings of a Muck-
I want to
focus in on
what cynics
might call an
oxymoron:
American
culture.
To be less ethnocentric and
to exhibit fairness to the other countries of the Western Hemisphere, I settled on United-Statesian culture.
And before you could say "Perspicacious Perceptions of a Progressive Polemic," Prestof I thought of a name for my column: Culture Shock.
I intend for my writing to be anything but banal. I will include my own personal pizzazz in my pieces to amuse, provoke, and captivate you. Dissimilar to a textbook that takes an enthralling subject, such as philosophy, and makes it utterly drab, I think learning should
I will bestow my views on topics ranging from sports to religion, mass consumerism to my travel experiences, politics to reality TV, and gender relations to local attitudes.
SACK'S PERSPECTIVE
want to focus on what cynics might call an oxymoron: American culture.
raker," I mulled over. "No, that would limit me only to muck-raking."
"Perspicacious Perceptions of a Progressive Polemic," I pondered. The name allows a broad array of subject matters, but my editor fittingly denied my suggestion on the grounds that it would not attract readers
be filled with
enthusiasm (I
am a nerd, I
embrace it). I
will inject (my
attempted)
humor, presuming that
my meticulous word choices will not be carelessly butchered in editing.
Primarily, I desire to bring attention to issues that need intelligent discourse on campus. I want to assail the practices and thoughts that are so deeply ingrained in our society that many people forget to reflect upon them. To be specific,
The names only got worse. I once again gave in to my penchant for alliteration and briefly considered "Seditious Sentiments". Now, I may have concerns over the inequalities of the current system, but I entertain no delusions of grandeur that my little Kansan column will foment revolution. However, just to be safe, I think we should run a disclaimer: Sarah Stacy is not responsible for any treason as a result of her column.
As I do not always float with the currents of the mainstream, my ideas will not be popular at times, and I encourage my readers to write letters to the editor to present a different way to look at an issue or add to my argument. However, I request that all disagreements remain civil and enlightening. My aim is to identify and examine perceived irrationality or injustices in our culture and then provide a voice of reason.
I think this experience will allow me to discard or alter some of my beliefs while influencing the beliefs of others.
With this introduction out of the way, expect less future tense in the future, and the addition of a topical focal point. So the journey begins.
- Stacy is a Germantown, Md., senior in international studies, political science and Spanish.
THE STUDENT VOICE
The opinion page of any campus newspaper should reflect the ideas of its students. This page strives to document your ideas, your thoughts and your beliefs. We publish angry letters, passionate columns, heated debates and spur-of-the-moment observations. Our goal is to document student lives, and that's where you come in. Regardless of your academic major, financial situation, political affiliation, this is your forum for witty discussion, scathing indictments and fiery condemnations. Welcome to the opinion page, where students get heard.
Matthew Sevcik, opinion editor
▼ AUSTIN BABY YFAH!
Kansan adapts to changing technology
"The Times They Are A Changin'."
When our parents attendee college, we were but glimmers in their eyes, and the Internet was but the apple of technology's eye.
Today, however, one of the first items on students' daily todo lists includes checking e-mail and browsing our favorite Web sites. With a click of a mouse, students can fulfill informational needs about topics limited only by our imaginations.
In this age of instant messaging and instant gratification, expect to see breaking news on our Web site, www.kansan. com.
To better serve readers who frequent Kansan.com, The University Daily Kansan will post stories, photo galleries, polls, graphics, movies and links that will give readers the full story and leave no unanswered questions. Our goal is to be the first
place you look for KU news as it happens.
your tuition, a conversation topic, or simply your horoscope and the crossword, the Kansan can be your daily guide to life at the University.
The Kansan plans to better serve its community through Web site features such as online polls.
The topic of our first poll asks whether we should change the format of the print edition. Throughout the country, newspapers continue to change their formats from the traditional broadsheet version—the format we currently run —to a tabloid or Berliner format. For an example of a tabloid format, look to the summer editions of the Kansan. The Berliner format is a
few inches taller, but still opens as a book or magazine would.
Some readers said a tabloid format was not only easier to read, but easier to manage and hold.
On the other side of the argument, the tabloid format takes away from the tradition The University Daily Kansan started with the broadsheet more than 100 years ago in 1904. Some readers have said they thought a change in format might take away from the credibility of the publication.
Before the staff makes a decision, it will hold formal focus
groups, but let us know what you think today.
The Kansan is your newspaper, and the staff will make decisions based on what makes you happy. As the student voice, it's important that we represent you. No matter how long your stay at the University, consider campus your community and make your voice heard.
Caster is a Shawnee senior in journalism. He is editor-in chief of The University Daily Kansan.
KANSAN.COM
Kansan.com features all the content that our print edition does and more. Log on to read breaking news, look at photo galleries and even download coupons for local businesses.
THE MAX FACTOR
Max Kruetzer/KANSAN
Matthew Sevik, opinion editor:
864-4810 or msevik@kansan.com
▶ TALK TO US
Austin Caster, editor
864-4810 or acaster@kansan.com
Jonathan Kealing, managing editor
864-4810 or kealing@kansan.com
Matthew Sevcik, opinion editor
Sarah Connelly, advertising director
864-4014 or adddirector@kansan.com
John Morgan, sales director
864.4462 or adddirector@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, new adviser
894.7863 or malcolm@kansan.com
864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser 864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
SUBMISSIONS
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Austin Caster at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 200 word limit
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member); phone number (will not be published)
**Maximum Length:** 650 word limit
**Include:** Author's name; class, home-
town (student); position (faculty
member); phone number (will not be
published)
**Also:** The Kansan will not print guest
columns that attack another columnist
EDITORIAL BOARD
Eli Ford, Yanting Wang, Julia Meilim Coelho, Danh Ouyt, Anne Weitmer, Julie Parisi, Nathan McGinnis, Joo Goestting, Sara Garlick, Chase Edgerton, Ray Wittlinger, David Archer
SUBMIT TO
Kansas newsroom
11 Stuaffer-Flirk Hall
1435 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 65045
(785) 684-4815
Call 864-0500
I'm driving back from Lawrence, and I just passed a car from Hawaii. How does that work?
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
I was wondering why KU never plays
Wichita State?
✩
Hi, I'm a new student in Lawrence,
and I was trying to meet some people,
and my name is Ryan, and my phone
Hey, to all the freshman coming in,
the speed limit on Iowa is 40 and 45,
not your small town 30, and there are
green lights to turn right, so if you see
one, turn right. Do not stop.
number is... what? What? They
wouldn't print it! Aw man! Never mind.
✨
Hey, Coach Self, can you play Wichita State this year in basketball?
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