KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010 / OPINION / 9
HOLTZ (CONTINUED FROM 8)
terparts, seeing as France's 35-hour workweek and retirement age are among the lowest in the Western world.
Yet debt and deficit are things most Americans have grown accustomed to in recent months. Kansas faces an estimated $510 million budget deficit for the 2011 fiscal year.
The United States' national deficit for the 2009 fiscal year was approximately 9.91 percent of the gross domestic product, or $1.4 trillion — considerably higher than France's deficit of 7.5 percent last year. And even that's too high for the French government, which promises to bring it under 3 percent by 2013. Chances aren't good for President Barack Obama to do the same by the end of his term as he had once promised.
When was the last time 200 simultaneous demonstrations took place in the United States? Have Americans grown so disillusioned by government that they no longer feel capable of making a difference outside of election years? Is our political apathy a result of government's unwillingness to listen, or do we simply need to give politicians a chance to hear us out?
These are the questions that came to my mind that day. As measures taken to manage public debt grow increasingly noticeable, the stark contrast between France's demonstrations and America's lack thereof is something to keep mind.
— Kansas columnist Michael Holtz will contribute weekly columns about his European travels.
students here until graduation. That's good for students and good for the University.
'Restructure advising to make transitioning between years and departments easier. This is especially important given the fact that nearly three-quarters of students change majors while at KU, the report finds.
GUEST COLUMN
Other recommendations of the task force, which merit immediate implementation:
*Increase faculty and student participation in service learning projects.
*Reduce graduation requirement from 124 to 120 credit hours.
*Establish an Office of Undergraduate Research to create opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research.
tion, writing and problem-solving activities through a course redesign, especially for large lecture classes.
In an increasingly competitive job market, students, especially those in the professional schools, should spend more time taking classes within their majors and less time taking classes on bowling, earthquakes and ancient Rome. These classes waste students' money and time and distract from career-minded courses.
Another wise recommendation calls for a new "early warning system." The new system would identify students who struggle early on and intervene with advising and support. If this warning system is non-threatening and constructive, it could go a long way in keeping
All the while, the University continues heavy marketing of its four-year tuition compact, which entices students to finish in four years with discounted and stable tuition rates. It's counter-intuitive
Iowa must legalize Medical marijuana
*Incorporate more interac-
As stated, these are all wholesome recommendations that would provide clear benefits to students.
EDITORIAL (CONTINUED FROM 8)
KU needs the chancellor to turn these suggestions into policy.
Many of these recommendations come with a low or nonexistent cost of implementation. No buildings need to be built and no staff or faculty needs to be hired. Administrators should be able to enact these ideas rather seamlessly.
Now, let's see if they do.
— Kevin Hardy for The Kansan Editorial Board
The once bright future for medical marijuana is looking a lot hazier after a recent dispute between the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the state's legislators.
"I think you won't see this become a law for several years, but the only way we are going to make it a law is to study it," Courtney said.
However, after speaking with Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, we are not optimistic we will see any development before January.
Initially, the Pharmacy Board said it recommend Legislature to take a look into the medical benefits in order to proceed toward legalization. However, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has said there is no need for a legislative committee to study the matter because the Iowa Code gives the Pharmacy Board
Medical marijuana in Iowa had appeared to be heading toward legalization, but there have been major arguments lately on whether it is up to the state board or the Legislature to give the final go-head. Each party points to the other, and as they do so, the prospects of obtaining a prescription for medical marijuana seem to be further from reach.
While we wait with the rest of Iowa, we are rather hopeful that the state will end the bickering and legalize the once frowned-upon substance, thus allowing those in dire need to reap the medical benefits.
the power to set rules for medical marijuana.
And many will agree with him. According to the Compassionate Coalition, marijuana has been proven to be one of the safest, therapeutically active substances that can be used for an array of medical purposes.
Without officially taking a side on the issue, Courtney said he believes the Pharmacy Board is correct, saying, "The Legislature is the one that needs to move forward on this issue."
— Daily Iowa Editorial Board
Courtney is a strong advocate for the drug, and he believes many hospitals are in favor of medical marijuana because it can ease the pain and nausea for many patients.
Courtney said the state's biggest concern is that over time, it will be easier for people to obtain the drug for recreational purposes.
So, what once seemed like such promising progress has apparently gone up in smoke — now only time will tell if medical marijuana in Iowa has a future.
And Courtney is certainly correct. There are many technicalities that the state must research, and it will take some time before we see any progress.
"If you're going to make marijuana legal, you have to figure out the mechanics of it," he said.
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