Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM
FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2010
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--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I caught the Bieber Fever instead of the Swine Flu!
Dear best friend, I'm sorry I called you "fart face". Sometimes, it's the best name for you, though.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
Oh dear God! Wikipedia's down! Alert the press!
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I can ride my bike with no handlebars.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I wonder if Obama yelled at Bill Self for messing up his bracket?
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
Why do bad decisions have to taste so good?
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I am in love with a girl that lives in New Jersey. Go figure.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I'm in love with a guy who lives in Washington, D.C. Let's dump them and get together.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I sure do wish KU had a pool that was open for more than three hours a day.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
Frelationship: A friendship between a man and a woman that is tight knit enough for people to assume they're in a relationship.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I'm in love with a boy who has nicknamed me "killer."
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
If you put one hand in boiling hot water and one hand in freezing cold water, neither one will hurt.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
My don't-care-about myclasses-o-meter is at an all time high, as I sit here staring at a blank paper that I tried to start four hours ago.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I'm just waiting until the shine wears off.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
That son of a bitch ate my bacon and cheese macaroni!
There is no possible reason why you need handguns on a campus. Are you planning on having a gunfight? This is a place of learning.
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
I'm for concealed carry, but when I look around me at all of you guys, my immediate sentiment is, "Hells no!"
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
Sometimes I forget that Cole Aldrich really isn't my boyfriend.
Sometimes I forget that Cole Aldrich really isn't the Jolly Green Giant
--they did. It's important to compliment their performance on such a difficult test/assignment/qiz.
It's not easy to be both an outstanding student and a popular one. No one likes a know-it-all, but breezing your way through class isn't going to get you anywhere in the real world (unless you happen to be a projected first-round draft pick in a professional sport).
Know it all vs. being a "know it all"
So, to maintain good academic and social standings at the same time, many KU students like to be subtly intelligent in class.
What is subtle intelligence? There's a fine line between looking like you've never seen a high school diploma and looking like Menkus from "Boy Meets World." Many KU students have learned to perfectly straddle this line by showing their brains without losing their all-important "cool" status.
Strategy number one is constantly answering a professor's questions under one's breath, preferably with a bored tone. This is a great way to say "I already have a handle on this course, but only the three people around me need to know."
But this isn't always sufficient. After all, if a KU student whispers all semester, how can the rest of the class grasp his or her extensive knowledge of 18th century Slavic literature or the mating strategies of Amazon River basin frogs?
Talented subtle scholars can employ several cunning strategies to make their special wisdom known.
Any time a KU student gets any respectable grade, he must innocently ask a classmate how well
Stuff KU Students Like
BY JOEL PETTERSON
This sets them up for their asking the same question. A subtly intelligent KU student will act surprised, muttering something like "Gee. I didn't even look at my grade. It's probably terrible — I didn't study at all because I was busy (insert cool activity, like practicing the electric baro or listening to public radio)." Then the student fumbles to find his grade as if he hasn't memorized the exact percent already.
He'll then promptly whip out his impressive, hard earned grade while reacting with practiced astonishment. He can then walk away assured that others are filled brimming with adoration or filled with an intense desire to slap him in the head with an unabridged Russian dictionary.
A simpler strategy is repeatedly dropping A+ assignments on the floor where others must pick them up. This is quick and effective, but doing this too often can kill the subtlety and make the student look like a common geek that will be
resented by the whole class.
But the occasion sometimes rises for a subtly intelligent student to showcase his brilliance by answering a question out loud. Answering a question for the whole class is a golden opportunity to show what you learned from scanning Wikipedia before class, but it must be handled with tact and strategy.
Answer too early or eagerly, and a student will instantly be labeled "that kid" by fellow students and will lose any chances of being invited to all-class study sessions. But waiting too long could mean letting another student steal the spotlight.
A keen student will wait exactly three seconds before shrugging with mock insecurity and saying "Um. I mean, I'm not an expert or anything, but I think I read an article in the New Yorker that said..." and launching into a seven minute explanation to answer the teacher's simple yes-or-no question. Slouching and occasionally mumbling will also give the brilliant student a down-to-earth appearance.
So, while getting good grades and acquiring knowledge is a pretty big part of college, it's the way it is shared that is truly important. After all, anyone can get a good GPA, but what really matters in the long run is looking good while doing it.
Petterson is a sophomore from Prairie Village in English and journalism.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
GUEST COLUMN
MARIAM SAIFAN
College papers deserve student funding
It's no secret that journalism is in the midst of a major sea of change that has already seen a diminished focus on traditional print media. Those of us in the newspaper field are looking at an uncertain future. It's times like these when the support of our readers and peers is most appreciated.
Members of the University of Kansas Student Senate Finance Committee recently voted to cut 8 percent of the University Daily Kansan's annual funding. This amounts to a loss of more than $83,200 for the Kansan, about a $1.70 cut from students' campus media fees. Student fees break down to 1.8 cents per issue. The student senate as a whole will vote on the bill soon.
Unfortunately, things don't always work out that way.
read at the committee vote stating he would "not sign any campus fee review bill which does not include a complete elimination of any funding to any media outlet which actively reports on the activities of Student Senate"
The nature of the relationship between the newspaper and government led to this development. Student body president Mason Heilman released a memo to be
Heliman had previously said that he saw a conflict with an objective media outlet reporting on a legislative body that allocates its funds, even though there were similar setups at other Big 12 schools.
The rationale Hellman presents for eliminating news funds is, on the surface, acceptable. It is, however, important to remember the Kansan does not operate in the same sphere as other national news outlets. The Kansan's situation (and indeed the situation for many Big 12 newspapers) is not analogous to Congress funding the New York Times. These are different markets and as representatives of the Daily Nebraskan, which is funded similarly to the Kansan, we can state that maintaining
objectivity is always a top concern for all good journalists, student or otherwise.
That said, we can't stress enough the loss the University of Kansas will be suffering if the Kansan's funds are cut. A student newspaper provides an invaluable — certainly more precious than 1.8 cents — source of information as well as a voice for the student body. It should also go without saying what an important environment a student newspaper can be for college journalists. A professional, student-run atmosphere means a lot for those of us who are hoping for a future in the field.
But if Kansas symbolizes a trend in the field of student journalism, it isn't a future any of us should really be looking forward to.
Originally printed in The University Daily Nebraskan on March 23.
FASHION
Function determines fashion
According to feminist activist Winifred Holtby in 1935, "The psychology of clothes is not unimportant." At this time, the appeal in clothes was changing from function to fashion and people were beginning to choose clothes based on how they looked rather than what they did.
Today, we choose what to wear based on personal style and taste, how the clothes look and how we feel in them. But there's another important force that should be considered in deciding what type of attire we should wear: the outfit's occasion.
Usually the occasion is pretty obvious. Most people wouldn't wear the same thing to McDonald's as they would when going to dinner with their significant other's parents. But sometimes, such as with parties or get togethers, the occasion of an event and appropriate corresponding outfit is not so clear. In these situations, it is important to do some investigating to figure out the tone of the event to avoid being awkwardly over- or under-dressed. One of the best ways to do this is simply to call the host or some friends and ask what they're wearing. Also, it may help to think about similar events you have attended and recall what you and other attendees wore. Then, assess if that would work for this occasion.
Sometimes it's impossible to know exactly what to wear. But don't worry, you can still be prepared with what I like to call, "the dress-up, dress-down method." This is a sure way to avoid dressing for the wrong occasion. For starters, wear something simple like a solid black cotton sundress or nice, but simple, jeans and a solid v-neck tee. Alone, either of these outfits would be drab, but with the right accessories, these basic looks can be revamped into something
The Hemline
BY ALEX ESPOSITO aesposito@kansan.com
If you arrive and everyone is dressed in laid back and casual fashions, throw on a pair of flip-flops and a simple necklace to fit right in.
Before you leave for your mysteriously attired function, pack you car or purse with some essential dress-up or dress-down pieces, just in case a wardrobe change is needed. Walk into the event and make a quick assessment of how everyone is dressed. If deemed necessary, make a quick exit, accessorize and return, fashionable and ready to impress.
fabulous.
If guests are dressed to the nines, add a fitted blazer and dress shoes or heels. Some sparkly jewelry also helps to formalize your look.
If the dress is in-between formal and casual, add a cardigan and some nice leather sandals or boots. Denim pieces, such as jean jackets or skirts, also work well for dressy-casual occasions. A major trend this season is the denim-on-denim look. Achieve this without total denim overload by wearing different shades of the material together.
The most important key to any outfit is confidence. No matter what you show up in, if you love they way you look, then others will too. If you can work what you're wearing, it will work for any occasion.
Esposito is a sophomore from Overland Park in film and journalism.
Buzzwords
What Kansan columnists have been talking about.
"This is my point: If the two coalitions can't articulate different political philosophies, why should I choose between two platforms that both seem to have good ideas?"
Jonathan Shorman, "Revisions to election procedures necessary," Monday, March 22.
"As complex as cancer is, there are novel treatments based on new scientific discoveries, taking what we learn from each type of cancer and providing a targeting treatment. Although there will never be a cure for cancer, there almost certainly will be better treatments."
— Sai Folmsbee, "There will never be a cure for cancer," Thursday, March 25.
— Sarah Gross, "The dark truth: Some vaccines hurt more than just a shot," Thursday, March 25.
"The U.S. government should not be able to force anyone to be vaccinated, nor should public institutions be allowed to deny students education because they don't want to subject themselves to the potentially debilitating effects that can be caused by vaccines."
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CONTACT US
Stephen Montemayor, editor in chief 864-4810 or smontemayor@kansan.com
Brianne Pfannenstiel, managing editor 864.4810 or hfpuennenstielakyan.com
Jennifer Torline, managing editor 864-4810 or itorline@kansan.com
Lauren Cunningham, kansan.com managing editor 864-4810 or lcunninghami@kansan.com
Vicky Lu, KUJH-TV managing editor
864-4810 or vols@kansan.com
Emily McCoy, opinion editor
864-4924 or emccoy@kansan.com
Kate Larrabee, editorial editor 864-4924 or klarrabee@kansan.com
Cassie Gerken, business manager 864-4358 or cgerken@kansan.com
Carolyn Battle, sales manager 864-4477 or cbattle@kansan.com
mcalm@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news adviser
864-7667 or mgibson@kansan.com
Jon Schilt, sales and marketing adviser
864-7667 or jschilt@kansan.com
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Stephen Montenegro, Braine Phaenstelner, Jennifer Torlain, Lorea Cunningham, Vicky Lu, Emily McCoy, Kate Lareau, Stephanie Penn, James Castle, Michael Holtz, Catlin Thornbaugh and Andrew Hammond.
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