Opinion THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010
PAGE 7A
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--the school and town," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said.
My best friend and I just spent like fifteen minutes discussing the physics of falling off a railing in the Death Star. This is why I haven't had sex in almost a year and a half.
I love doing my laundry at my parents' house instead of my own. It makes the clothes smell better!
I read the FFA religiously, and I don't even go to KU anymore.
I love how someone makes one comment about Obama, and everyone starts screaming about how much Bush sucked. Sorry if I don't think that's entirely relevant anymore.
Bush ruined the economy. Ergo, he is still relevant.
My mother calls me at 3:15 every Saturday like clockwork. It's kind of scary.
I went to Vegas and got totally drunk all spring break. What did YOU do?
It's the end of the world!
I'm tempted to cover up my bumper stickers in shame when I drive through Iowa tomorrow.
--the school and town," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said.
Who has two thumbs and is ashamed to be a Jayhawk? This guy
--the school and town," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Never be ashamed to be a Jayhawk.
I will always have a place in my heart for Sherron as a Jayhawk and can't wait to see him tear it up in the NBA.
Dear Lew, you owe me money. I give you loads of cash and you can't even buy me a basketball game? Where did Northern Iowa get all that bribe money?
How do I get my boyfriend to be more dominant and manly? He's just a little too kind and sweet.
Hey Larrytown. How have you been?
I am wearing a KU sweatshirt at the airport and K-State fans still look intimidated by it.
I just wanted to miss class the day after winning the championship game.
--the school and town," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said.
My bracket is shot all to hell
--the school and town," Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, said.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Choice of filling out the census shouldn't be decided by University
As students return from spring break and begin the process of enrollment for Fall 2010, they may notice a new requirement. They must respond to census questions. The census provides the government with important information about its citizens and filling out the short questionnaire benefits our community. However, the University didn't give students enough notice of this new obligation that must be completed before enrollment.
Citizens of the United States fill out the census at the beginning of every decade to determine the populations of cities, states and the country.
A decade ago, the student response to the census was poor. According to the 2000 census ratings, the response percentage for the area surrounding the University was a lack-luster 59 percent. Kansas had a response percentage of 72 percent, which was three percent above the national average.
In attempts to avoid similarly low participation, this decade the University stepped in and made filling out the census a requirement for students.
"We're trying to comply with state law by having our students fill out a census. It gives us a chance to see what resources we need for
Data from the census is used to distribute more than $300 billion in funding to schools, road improvement and other government-based programs. Based on the results of the census, it will be determined what Lawrence, Douglas County and Kansas can do to benefit KU students during the next 10 years.
Census information affects how many seats Kansas has in the House of Representatives, and more seats means a louder voice.
The information collected in the census is protected by Title 13 of the U.S. Code, which makes it illegal to publish or disclose names, addresses including GPS coordinates, telephone numbers and social security numbers. Therefore, students should not worry that their information will be released
There is no doubt that participating in the census is important, but the University clearly didn't plan well in how to make students
aware of the requirement. The one e-mail sent out to students wasn't enough to let them know about the new policy—a policy that is particularly importance, since it affects students' ability to enroll.
The University should have contacted students through methods such as text messages and signs around campus. It also should have given more advanced notice.
The University's poor job of informing students that they must fill out the census should not negatively affect students' choice to respond. The form only takes a few minutes and collects important information.
Students who wish to continue their enrollment at the University may not have a choice in whether to fill out the census, but there is no major cause for concern. Filling out the census is the right thing to do.
— Andrew Hammond for the Kansan Editorial Board
EDITORIAL CARTOON
For more information on the census visit:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php
AROOJ KHALID
CAMPUS LIFE
Reform election procedures
It's election time again. I'm sure everyone is as excited as I am for another year of accusations, election board decisions, cancelled debates and never-ending back and forth story comments on Kansan.com.
Now, please don't misunderstand. Envision and KUnited each have different platforms and promote various actions. Envision lists work for credit, "design your major" and an airport shuttle among its initiatives. KUnited promotes centralized student services, online teacher evaluations, a Blockbuster Express Kiosk and other issues in its platform.
But seriously, the crazed atmosphere of last spring's election obscured the issues. Although it might have provided for great headlines,it probably didn't help students when it came time to cast their ballot.
Absent some new explosive controversy, this year's election presents a new opportunity to focus on the substantive differences between the coalitions and focus less on the theatrics.
Beyond these issues, there is no easily discernible philosophical difference between the coalitions. There does not seem to be any guiding principle or belief about
Unfortunately, those looking for substantive differences between Envision and KUnited are likely to be disappointed.
Hawk Life
KUnited's website states: "We aim to bring the focus back on students. We think that the most important function of Student Senate is making KU the best experience possible. This is why our goals may not be huge and lofty, but rather, we believe that realistic and feasible goals that improve the lives of KU students are worthwhile. We want a responsible government that represents students on a more personal level."
In fact, the way both coalitions explain their approach to governing appears similar.
governing behind their platforms.
Envision's language is similar: "We view our roles in the community as public servants, taking on the various problems of KU with the hopes of remedying these issues, and making KU a better place to earn your degree.
BY JONATHAN SHORMAN
"As students we deserve a governance system that continually strives for improvement and inclusion of its constituents. We should constantly strive for a
better relationship with both the City of Lawrence and the State of Kansas, so that the student body's needs and concerns are swiftly addressed. We deserve a better KU."
"Represents students on a more personal level" and "inclusion of its constituents" appear to be saying about the same thing.
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?
Unfortunately, elections too often come down to special interests. Last year, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, United Students won every underclassman seat, but Envision won almost every upperclassman seat.
There's something wrong with that.
There shouldn't be a freshmen coalition or an off-campus coalition. But, until we get real differences, the current coalition system will continue to divide the student body.
We need a battle of ideas, not a battle of groups.
Shorman is a sophomore from McPherson in journalism
HUMOR
Child labor upside
The children may be our future, but after an incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City last month, some people are adamant that they shouldn't be our present.
Audio footage of a child controlling air traffic at JFK was recently released, sparking outrage and a Federal Aviation Administration investigation. The kid's dad and the dad's supervisor have both been suspended.
But is it really unprofessional? Or is it simply giving the kid a head start on being a professional himself?
"This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees," the FAA said in a statement.
Sure, there are some legitimate concerns about the safety of letting a small child communicate with planes as they take off from one of the busiest airports in the country. But if you listen to the tapes, it's clear that the kid is merely saying what his dad tells him to say, and doing it well. At one point, a pilot tells him he's doing an awesome job.
There are two important issues at play here. This raises an interesting question. Why don't we give children on-the-job training in high-stakes fields more often?
After all, if the suspended air traffic controller had the early experience his son now has, he would have known better than to let a kid do his job.
When his son takes over the family business,he'll know not to make the same mistake thanks to the invaluable educational opportunity his dad foolishly provided.
This new hands-on approach
Under Observation
BY ALEX NICHOLS
to Take Your Child to Work Day could prove to be just as beneficial elsewhere. When I was 11 months old, I had openheart surgery to fix two holes on the septum, which separates the left and right sides of the heart. The surgery was performed by a top doctor in the field who had many years of experience with the procedure. It turned out OK, but in retrospect, I wish one of my youthful peers had done it. The doctor who fixed up my heart has since retired, leaving a hole that could already be filled if he had relinquished the scalpel to an eager child two decades ago.
Just about any other occupation could use the presence of these little tykes: S.W.A.T. team agent, lion tamer or even ice road trucker. You name it.
It's all about the long-term view. Think of how effective prostitution stings will be 20 years from now if we let children tag along for the ride today. Giving them that head start will no doubt breed a generation of workers marked by extreme competence.
I have to commend the unnamed air traffic controller for being a true pioneer. He clearly sees the value in giving kids adult-level responsibilities. If the children really are our future, why not let the future start today?
Nichols is a junior from Stilwell in creative writing
Athletes should be self-disciplined in attending class.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
When I was reading the article about class checkers hired by the University's athletic department, I thought I was reading an article from The Onion.
The idea that the University would pay people to make sure students attend class is ridiculous. But, then again, I was under the assumption that people who have reached the age of 18 would be responsible enough to do simple tasks on their own.
It simply isn't enough to hire tutors specifically for student athletes or build a facility just for student athletes to receive tutoring. I think more should be done. In the interest of health and hygiene, I think the University should hire checkers to follow athletes into the restroom to make sure they have wiped properly and washed
their hands, the checkers should also lay out the athletes' clothes in the morning to make sure they are dressed properly. And in the interest of nutrition, checkers should prepare a sack lunch for athletes, peanut butter and jelly with the crusts cut off is quite nutritious.
I understand that it's difficult being a student athlete and they have hectic schedules, but so do a lot of other students who have to work hard just to be able to afford the opportunity to actually attend class at the University. These students don't have the advantage of class checkers, private paid tutors or a special facility especially for tutoring.
Why not invest in the students who do attend class without having someone check up on them?
— Kevin Fincher is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Stephen Monterayon, Brienne Pamestenet, Jennifer Torrine, Louren Cummingham, Vicky Lu, James Gaulle, Stephanie Penn and Kate Larrabe.