OPINION
MONDAY, MAY 9.2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
▼ IT JUST MAKES SENSE
Students deserve to know reason why dean lost his job
It's been a month and the student body still does not know why its dean of students was fired.
PAGE 5A
In a press release April 8, the University said only that someone filed a formal complaint against Richard Johnson and upon completion of an investigation the University fired Johnson.
STEPHANIE LOVETT slovett@kansan.com
University Relations said the firing was a "personnel issue" and that it would not provide more details. An Open Records Act request for the complaint was rejected April 18, and questioning University Relations has gone nowhere.
Clearly, the administration has no plans to provide any context for Johnson's firing. This is a mistake. Students, and the
University community have a right to know, and the University should provide a reason without having to be asked.
Dean of students is not only a high profile position. The dean is charged with knowing students, interacting with students and providing a resource for students. Johnson was close to numerous students, especially student leaders because of his position as adviser to Student Senate.
Based on the open records
Based on the open records request rejection the Kansan received, it was clear the complaint against Johnson involved a student.
It might be an intrusion in Johnson's privacy, but the interest of students merits a contextual explanation of why their dean was fired.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, said the main reasons for the University's silence was because it was abiding by state law and respecting the privacy of those involved.
Ben Eggleston, philosophy professor specializing in ethics, said there could be reasons the University shouldn't have to disclose grounds for firing employees. Privacy allows the administration to discharge employees without fear of being
castigated by the media.
But that is precisely why administrators should disclose their reasons. If the reasons were valid, no one would question them. If illegal activity was suspected — especially illegal activity involving a student — then students should know what was considered
And, ethically speaking, the University should provide an explanation if the lack of disclosure is being used to shield people who are accountable, Egleston said.
unprofessional behavior.
Moreover, by not giving any explanation, administrators are allowing speculation to become the "truth." Stories are circulating among students.
especially those involved in Student Senate, about Johnson drinking with students But speculative stories aren't fact.
By not commenting on these rumors, the University is allowing gossip to be the only story told.
The University community deserves an answer. The name of the student who filed need not and should not be revealed. The community deserves to know the nature of the complaint. It might be an intrusion
Much like parents who answer "why?" with "because," an administration that responds to questions without answers is loathed, not respected.
Telling the truth would foster trust between students and the administration while continued secrecy would breed distrust and suspicion.
in Johnson's privacy, but the interest of students merits a contextual explanation of Johnson's firing.
- Loveit is a Kansas City, Mo., senior in journalism and political science. She is a night editor for the Kansan. *
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vatican passes on opportunity to move into 21st century with backward pope
Vince Myers' recent column, "Don't Expect Catholic pope to advocate liberal ideals," seemed to represent more of Myers' personal vendetta against liberals than it did the facts. The pope is a religious, as well as political leader of the Vatican.
As Myer's rightfully states, the pope is not a leader of a secular nation; however, does that necessarily then mean that the leader of such a theocratic state cannot move towards a more progressive system of human rights?
Although delegates from the Vatican cannot vote in the United Nations General Assembly, the Vatican's influence in global issues has increased over recent years having been granted status as a "permanent observer" in the U.N. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights"
The first article of the aforementioned docu-
trine states the following:
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."
The first article of the U.N. was passed for good reason: To protect the world from past atrocities.
If the Vatican wishes to participate further in global issues, it should become more attune to the statues of the organization of which they sincerely want to participate. Remarks made by the newly instilled pope before he was elected to the papacy is certainly a cause for concern: his remarks attack minorities, in and outside of the catholic church (divorced couples, gays), as well as members of other religions, which clearly impedes and mutilates the rights of individuals
throughout the world. For a religion that holds the beauty and value of human life with such high regard, the pinnacle of its corporeal hierarchy seems to be sending mixed messages of its true intentions.
Devin S. Sikes
Wichita senior
Spanish and philosophy
Community still deserves to be aware of presence of known child molester
Wednesday's editorial regarding Leroy Hendricks' move to Lawrence missed a few points. As most KU students are probably not parents, this is forgivable, but the record should be corrected.
The editorial did not mention that not only does the state want to move Hendricks to Lawrence, but he will live at an undisclosed address. That's right, Hendricks could be your next door neighbor. Wouldn't you like to know his address before you choose which apartment to live in next fall, or invite your little brother or sister to visit?
The editorial expressed the belief that Hendricks has served his time and therefor should be left alone. Yet, Hendricks has no right to privacy. He is a convicted felon. He does not have the right to vote. He does not have the right to own a gun. So why should he be awarded the right to privacy?
The state is putting the privacy of a convicted felon above the protection of childern. Living at an undisclosed address may protect Hendricks from harassment, but at what cost? By protecting Hendricks, we sacrifice the safety of innocent children.
Laura Snyder
Shawnee senior
Journalism
SACK'S PERSPECTIVE
Steve Sack/STAR TRIBUNE
MCLEOD MADNESS
Ladies: Get some clues about trying to understand men
"Crikey! Look over there, mates, it's the elusive maleus sexus — one of the most confusing animals of the lot. Be real careful, now, 'cause this little fella's not too bright, and he'll run right back into the underbrush if you advance too quickly. Now, what I'm
BETSY MCLEOD
bmcleod@kansan.com
going to do is be real slow and easy and try to coax this little guy into our cage here ... Blimey he's spotted us, and there he goes ... I would chase him for a bit, but that'd scare him even more. Naw, it's best just to wait for a bit and hope he'll come back." — what Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, might say
Sorry Steve, but chances of him coming back are slim to none. Once you scare off the elusive maleus sexus, he's probably gone for good, unless he just wants to eat you.
Of course I'm talking about the male sex, and the cage symbolizes the relationships many women — by women I mean college-aged girls — try to have with them. In fact, journalist Dave Barry composed an entire book based around the piece of advice to "never assume a guy understands he has a relationship with you." Just like when you tell a dog it has fleas, there is no scientific way it will ever register in his brain.
If you ever look at a Cosmopolitan or Glamour, there will inevitably be at least one article on "How to Figure out Your Man," or "His Bedtime Body Language."
Not that those aren't interesting to read, but I guarantee that when you open a Maxim there won't be any "How to De-Code Her Shaving Habits"-type articles. I actually enjoy Maxim more than Cosmo, mostly because I don't care about clothes too expensive for me to buy, and since I don't plan on being married for another 10 years, I don't care about how to find "The One" in 12 easy steps.
I find it relatively humorous that there is so much literature, advice columns and television shows aimed at women trying to figure out guys, and few aimed at males trying to understand women. Why is that, do you suppose?
Is it most men prefer to get all their advice on women from their local priest, all men already have women completely figured out or men pretty much know they will never figure women out and correctly assume that watching television or playing X-box is a better waste of time?
Not that I have any problem with 18 and 19 year-olds in love; I have several friends well on their way to the altar. They have my full support, especially in 10 years when they're heading to divorce court.
The thing I find ridiculous is those few girls that desperately want to find a special someone, then head out to the bars wearing practically porno attire, and after spending a romantic, intimate evening with "the perfect guy" are actually offended and upset when he doesn't ever call.
Forget "He's Just Not That Into You," these girls need to buy the book, "He's Just Into Getting Ass."
Why should we take the tips advised in fashion magazines anyway? I find it hard to believe that "The Ten Things He Looks For in A Girlfriend" applies to every different type of man out there, and if you try to refine your pickup moves or change how coy your smile is, aren't you compromising yourself anyway?
Screw the rules and act however un-feminine or stupid you want. Flirt with guys in whatever way you want and don't feel obligated to compete in the "Who Can Make Their Boobs Look Biggest" competition — not that it isn't fun to do for kicks sometimes.
When you dress up and lather on the makeup, make sure you're doing it for you and not to see how many guys you can get to stare at your ass — not that that isn't fun to do for kicks sometimes either.
Come on ladies, grab that stick shift and drive. Tune in next semester for the exclusive guy-revealing article: "Why His Brand of Laundry Detergent Can Predict His Future with You."
- McLeod is an Overland Park freshman studying journalism and majoring in French.
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For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
I'm sorry, were they not going to tell the school hall kids that they were going to have to trench their way across Louisiana Street?
I just convinced my TA that she has ADD. That was my only accomplishment this semester.
It's Cinco De Mayo and everyone is at the bars. Nobody
♦
is having parties tonight which means that an underage kid like me has no way to get drunk. This sucks cajones.
as much.
To the guy who drives the black Mitsubishi 3000 GT and just turned right by Eaton Hall. Nice car, want to go out this weekend?
I saw a bus hit a student and knock him over, but then I noticed the guy was wearing Uggs, so I didn't care
When will I ever be cool enough to be published in the Free For All?
Editor's note: No sooner than you're able to make a reasonably intelligent or thought-out statement. Or just address the Free For All specifically in your statement—that usually seems to work.
A
that usually seems to work.
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