6A
NEWS / WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
HAITI
An Insider's Look At Haiti
A panel discussion about Haiti's past present and what the recent earthquake might mean for the country's future.
TODAY
Wednesday
March
31
2010
7:30PM DOLE INSTITUTE
This event is free and open to the public
WWW.DOLEINSTITUTE.ORG
864-4900
ROBERT J. DOLE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS The University of Kansas
CAMPUS
Collin Johnson/KANSAN
Daniel Gonzales, a first-year graduate student from Waco, Texas, struggles with the door as he exits the Underground Thursday. Lynn Davidman, sociology of sociology, said simple etiquette on college campuses, such as holding the door open for someone, was deteriorating.
Etiquette always matters
BY JENNY TERRELL jterrell@kansan.com
As Lee Cartar walked up the steps of Budig Hall Monday afternoon for her psychology class, the clear blue sky became hazy when the man next to her removed the cigarette from his mouth and exhaled a cloud of white smoke into her face.
"He didn't even acknowledge that I was there," Cartar, a freshman from Overland Park, said.
Lynn Davidman, professor of sociology at the University, said she thought the amount of etiquette on college campuses was lower than would be accepted in the professional world.
"College is a place where students know they will simply pass through," Davidman said. "There's a lack of bonds when you are faced with strangers."
What students may not realize, however, is that this behavior could have consequences later in life.
Erin Wolfram, assistant director of career networks at the University Career Center, said that students needed to realize that the people who would be hiring them would likely be from a different generation and that accepted behavior would be different for them.
"Students really need to pay attention to being polite to everybody," Wolfram said. "Common courtesy, like opening doors for people, goes a long way."
Wolfram also said she thought
"please" and "thank you" were still important.
Etiquette author and public relations executive Lettia Balridge, who wrote "Manners for the Modern Child," said that good manners helped establish confidence. She also said manners were linked to good human relations.
Davidman said the lack of civil behavior and simple etiquette on college campuses could be from the child centered focus this parental generation used. Davidman said that such parents, likely to be middle-class, gave their children a lot of self-esteem. She said this parenting style might be a result of parents born during the '60s and Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society," which emphasized individual rights.
With a boosted self-esteem, people tend to be more concerned about their personal satisfaction than giving to the community, Davidman said.
She said the lack of manners could also trace back to the high amount of mobility in society today. She said when people know they are going to be in one place for a long period of time, they are more likely to teach their children to respect and relate well to the adults in the community, making it more likely those children will carry that behavior with them.
Lastly, Davidman said the economy could also be to blame for the lack of courtesy. Unlike Johnson's era when the economy
UPCOMING UCC
ETIQUETTE EVENTS
WHAT: Spring Etiquette Dinner
WHEN: 6 p.m., April 14
WHERE: Kansas Union
**WHAT:** Professional Image Workshop
**WHEN:** 4 p.m., April 21
**WHEN:** Burge Union
was expanding, people are worried about getting jobs to fulfill their basic needs.
"As people worry more and more about their financial options, they become more individually focused," Davidman said.
Tyler Dawson, a senior from Westfield, N.J., said he thought the lack of communication was a big problem on campus.
"People are always walking around with their headphones in or talking on their cell phone," Dawson said. "My professor always says to always look people in the eye and shake their hand, but it's not like that here."
For Cartar, even the smallest display of kindness would help.
"It's every little smile that counts," he said.
Edited by Megan Heacock
*some restrictions apply
RESEARCH
Graduate students compete for cash
The 2010 Graduate Student Research Project Competition will be held today at the Kansas Union. More than 100 graduate students will give poster or oral presentations and answer questions from faculty judges and peers about their research for a chance to win cash.
The competition is split into three categories: Science & Engineering, Social Science & Education and Humanities & Fine Arts. Each category will give out a $500-first prize, a $200-second prize and two $150-third prizes.
"These presentations can be very important for a student's professional development," Kevin Boatright, director of research and graduate studies, said.
Robert Altman
POSTER
PRESENTATIONS
**WHAT:** Attendees can check out projects and ask the researchers questions.
**WHEN:** 1 to 3 p.m.
**WHERE:** Kansas Ballroom
ORAL
PRESENTATIONS
Humanities and Fine Arts, 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Pine Room of the Kansas Union
Social Science and Education, 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Parlors Room of the Kansas Union
Science and engineering. 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Jayhawk Room of the Kansas Union.
Dog days
Mia Iverson/KANSAN
Samanta McGu, a junior from Denver, adds condiments to her hot dog. Students stood in line on Wescote Beach under the spring sun for their chance at a cheech snack.
MODELS WANTED
2011 WOMEN OF KU SWIMSUIT CALENDAR
The Women of KU is the longest running collegiate calendar in the nation!
SWIMSUIT CALENDAR
APPLY NOW for the 2011 Edition at WomenofKU.com
MODEL SEARCH