4A the university daily kansan
opinion
thursday,april 1,2004
EDITORIAL BOARD
Alumni support abundant,necessary to University
It seems some of the alumni of the University of Kansas want to show their appreciation for the education they received.
Kansas is not the only university experiencing this rise in good faith. Other universities across the country are seeing increasing amounts of donated money.
A recent survey by the Rand Corp's Council for Aid to Education reported an increase in alumni donations by 11.9 percent, a rebound from declines in donations in the previous year.
In the 2002-2003 school year, donated money dropped dramatically for the first time in 14 years. The study analyzed donations from 1,000 colleges and universities that received 85 percent of donation support at an annual rate.
OURVIEW
KU alumni have given generously to the their alma mater making it possible for the University to continue to give quality educations.
This survey holds true at the University of Kansas. In 2002, alumni gave $62.1 million to the University and it increased in 2003 with $64.8 million being given, said John Scarfe, director of communication at KU Endowment.
"The alumni want to support a successful enterprise, which they believe KU is. The University also prepared them for their successful careers, and they feel a sense of loyalty and a need to give back to the University," Scarffe said.
Different campaigns like the KU First: Invest in Excellence program encourages different alumni to pledge their support to the University. KU First is the third largest fundraising campaign in the history of the University. Endowment already raised its $500 million goal and have set a new goal of more $600 million. Scarffe said endowment wanted to raise the new goal by the end of the calendar year.
Gifts from corporations, foundations
and private donors have become a popular trend even though the economic situation isn't stable. By having dedicated alumni, the University has been able to stay strong in a time of economic stress across the United States.
No matter how the donated money is spent, whether hiring new professors, making additions onto buildings or improving technology on campus, the University will reap the benefits of these donors.
We thank these alumni for their continued devotion to the University. With their continued support, the University will continue to provide students with a good educational experience.
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--could have taken to prevent the attacks. When speaking of President Bush on CBS' 60 Minutes, Clarke said, "I find it outrageous that the president is running for re-election on the grounds that he's done such great things about terrorism. He ignored it. He ignored terrorism for months, when maybe we could have done something to stop 9/11. Maybe. We'll never know."
Don't you just hate getting hit by a bicycle while you are walking on the sidewalk.
Do people realize that the shirt that has college on it is totally not cool unless they have a bottle of Jack in their hand?
Whatever happened to beer commercials being funny.
could have taken to prevent the attacks. When speaking of President Bush on CBS' 60 Minutes, Clarke said, "I find it outrageous that the president is running for re-election on the grounds that he's done such great things about terrorism. He ignored it. He ignored terrorism for months, when maybe we could have done something to stop 9/11. Maybe. We'll never know."
I just saw a boat outside of Wescoe bumpin' some Led Zeppelin. That is awesome.
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Some kid in my Spanish class just blew his nose into a receipt he pulled out of his backpack. That is extremely unsanitary.
Having an anti-smoking ban is like having a pro-cancer campaign.
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I just watched someone spit on Matt Pirotte's column. I guess that just about sums it up.
Man, a bird just pooped on my car while I was driving. Talk about some accuracy.
I'm drunk and I'm in jail. This is the only number that I knew to me be mailed out. I'm in jail, bitch. Come get me out.
could have taken to prevent the attacks. When speaking of President Bush on CBS' 60 Minutes, Clarke said, "I find it outrageous that the president is running for re-election on the grounds that he's done such great things about terrorism. He ignored it. He ignored terrorism for months, when maybe we could have done something to stop 9/11. Maybe. We'll never know."
Sonics in Lawrence no longer serve peanut butter in chocolate shakes. Everybody should call them and ask them why.
WAKE UP!
Steve Sacks for KRT
Bush-bashing aside, Americans need the truth from Sept. 11
Former White House counterterrorism czar Richard "Dick" Clarke's name should be added to the list of individuals who create controversy for free publicity and the sole purpose of selling their books.
COMMENTARY
Clarke served in both the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations as a terrorism expert. He recently bashed Bush's terrorism policies against al-Qaida and the alleged mishandlings in the administration leading up to the Sept. 11 attacks. Clarke's accusations could not have come at a worse time for the Bush administration.
Bush has been under a flurry of negative attacks regarding United States foreign policy and Clarke is taking full advantage of the situation. The Drudge Report estimates that Clarke will make up to one million dollars for his book Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror.
Brandon Cobb
opinion@kansan.com
Before last week, most Americans had never even heard of Richard Clarke. A virtual nobody when it comes to the political heavyweights in Washington, D.C., Clarke may have single-handedly delivered the harshest blow to Bush's re-election bid.
The Sept. 11 attacks will always be remembered as the most terrifying events to ever occur on U.S. soil. Only time will tell what steps the U.S. government
As of right now, I do not think it is fair for Clarke to insinuate that the Sept. 11 attacks happened because of flaws in Bush's counterterrorism programs. An attack of Sept. 11's magnitude takes a long time to plan and some, if not all, of the blame should rest upon the Clinton administration's shoulders.
Clinton and Gore's "peace and prosperity" approach did little to combat terrorism. U.S. embassies in Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania were bombed during Clinton and Clarke's watch. The Clinton
Administration had eight years to find Osama Bin Laden. How was it that Bush was supposed to have a solution for finding Bin Laden and al-Qaida in the eight months leading up to Sept. 11?
Clarke clearly has ulterior motives in his criticisms of Bush. Clarke is a Republican, but admitted to voting for Gore in 2000. Clarke was also reportedly upset when Bush chose former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge instead of him as the head of Homeland Security.
Americans should not tolerate Clarke's antics. He is the common factor in the counterterrorism failures for both the Clinton and Bush administrations. Now that he has a book coming out, he wants to point the finger. Clarke's comments have helped push partisan nonsense over common sense once again in American politics. Republicans say he is a liar and Democrats think he is a hero.
One fact is for certain: the Sept.11
Commission wants to know the truth and the American people want to know how September 11 happened. Someone obviously messed up and finding out who messed up is not going to erase what happened on Sept. 11.
The best solution for this country would be for the Clinton and Bush administrations to apologize for their intelligence failures. They should explain why those intelligence failures occurred and make sure nothing of this magnitude ever happens again.
Clarke's credibility will come under a lot of scrutiny in upcoming weeks because his criticisms of Bush contradict statements he made in the past. It will be interesting to see how Clarke's comments will affect November's presidential election.
Cobb is a Kansas City, Kan., senior in political science.
PERSPECTIVE
April foolishness: Pranks picked with care bring best result
This may very well be my favorite day of the year.
Not because it's April 1 and spring is here, although that is exciting, or even because April means the start of baseball season, which, also, is something to look forward to.
No, my reason lies in something much simpler. Call me childish, immature, juvenile — I've heard 'em all — it won't change anything. It's April Fool's Day and I, for one, am ready.
As a maturing adult, if there's ever a day when one should be allowed to shed the society-induced scruples that shape our lives on a day-to-day basis and regress back to the more carefree, halcyon days of our youth, it's today. And what better way to do this than by torturing your roommates, teachers, friends or significant others.
Kevin Kampwirth
opinion@kansan.com
COMMENTARY
My infatuation with the holiday has been with me for as long as I can remember. One of my first pranks consisted of me putting itching powder in my sister's bed. I know it sounds pretty basic, I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 years old, but, as with everything in life, you start small and build your way up.
The next year, I got my hands on a novelty product called "loads." It was the greatest invention I'd ever seen up to that point in my life. You'd take one of these pencil tip-sized yellow pellets and put it in
the end of a cigarette. When the cigarette was lit, the end would explode. This was when my dad was a smoker. He went out to dinner with his boss that night. Hilarity ensued.
Years passed of this annual torment of my family. The day came when I left to go to college. This didn't change a thing. Some of my best work has come right here in Kansas. Like last year, for example, when one of my roommates woke to find his car up on cinder blocks, sans tires, in the driveway.
It's funny to think that April Fool's Day actually stems from a more serious subject: the adoption of a new calendar. Many ancient cultures used to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1, in accordance with the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20. In 1582, though, Pope Gregory XIII called for the New Year to start on Jan. 1. Sounds hilarious, I know.
the new calendar and continued to celebrate New Year's on April 1. Other countries began to make fun of them and would send them on "fool's errands" or would try to trick them into believing something false.
So, what began as an excuse to harass the French is now the beautiful holiday we celebrate today.
france, however, refused to adapt to
While you're racking your brain thinking of a good prank to play today, remember, there are some lines that just can't be crossed. For example, a few years ago my friend's girlfriend called him and said she was late. "For what?" he said, before quickly realizing what she meant. He didn't think it was at all funny when she called him back 10 minutes later and said, "April Fool's."
Remember, a good April Fool's Day prank involves thought, creativity and, above all, class.
My favorite prank came two years ago
when I flew home on April Fool's Day and didn't tell my parents I was coming. When I got to my house, no one was there. It was perfect. I put my bag up in my room, grabbed a heavy sweater, ski mask and baseball bat from the basement, and went and sat in my dad's den.
When I heard the front door open, I picked up the stereo from the shelf, walked out into the kitchen and greeted my parents like any loving son would, baseball bat in hand.
Really, it's the look on their face that keeps me at it, that irreplaceable, indescribable gaze as we all stand there in the kitchen sharing a silence. No one knows what to do and it lasts only about a second, but make no mistake about it, it's the single greatest second of my entire year.
Michelle Rombeck editor
864-4854 or mburhnn@kansen.com
KANSAN
Andrew Vaupel managing editor 864-4854 or vaupel@kansan.com
Meghan Brune and Johanna M. Maska opinion editors 864-4924 or opionin@kansan.com
Kampwitt is a Chicago senior in journalism.
Danielle Bose
business manager
864-4358 or addirector@kansan.com
Stephanie Graham
retail sales manager
864-4358 or adalesa@kansan.com
Matt Fisher
sales and marketing adviser
864-7868 or mfuisher@kanans.com
Malcolm Gibson
general manager and news adviser
864-7867 or mgibson@kansan.com
**Editorial Board Members**
Kendall Dell ¥ Lynze Ford
Laura Francoviglia ¥ Anna Gregory
Amy Hammontree ¥ Kelly Hollowell ¥ Teresa Lo
¥ Mindy Osborne ¥ Greg Holmquist ¥ Ryan
Scarrow ¥ Elizabeth Billy ¥ Sara Behuney ¥ Kevin
Flaherty ¥ Brandon Gay ¥ Zack Henneyw Alex
Hoffman ¥ Kai Kampwirth ¥ Amy Kelly
Cameron Koelling ¥ Courtney Kuhlen ¥ Brandi
Mathessien ¥ Travis Metcalf ¥ Morris Norris
Jonathan Reeder ¢ Erin Rifley ¥ Alea Smith
Kari Zimmerman
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