4A
Friday, March 8, 1996
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Cinnamon
VIEWPOINT
Board should focus on awareness all year long
The second semester has brought renewed involvement from the board on campus. The board is asserting itself in two key forums: the National Student Primary and the board's annual lobby day, which was yesterday in Topeka.
The Student Legislative Awareness Board's fall semester consisted of a buildup of rhetoric with minimal action or results. But thus far this semester, the board has been much more active on campus These efforts show how powerful the board could be at the University of Kansas, but continued work is needed throughout the semester.
KU students formed the board for the entire campus to become more informed about politics.
The awareness board has been much more active this semester, building campus support through events such as the National Student Primary and the lobby day.
But for the board to be truly effective, they must avoid periods of meaningless rhetoric and focus on action all year long.
The primary was well advertised with fliers throughout campus. Voting booths were set up in the Kansas Student Union and Wescoe Hall. The University was one of 50 universities nationwide to participate, and the results will be sent to CNN, MTV, National Public Radio and Washington.
THE ISSUE:
SLAB
Abortion bill insults a woman's right to make her own choices
During lobby day at the capital, the board addressed credit card tuition payment and the crumbling classroom bond issues, but their focus was on a part of the budget called Other Operation Expenses.
Other Operation Expenses consists of funds allotted for new technology at the University, and this year's budget calls for a zero percent increase in this area.
JOHN WILSON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Abill traveling through the Kansas Statehouse called The Woman's-RightTo-Know bill would mandate a 24-hour waiting period between the time an appointment for an abortion is made and the actual procedure.
Within this 24-hour waiting period, the consulting physician is responsible for supplying the patient with the necessary information needed before terminating a pregnancy. The physician's duty is to inform the patient of the risks, alternative options and any information pertinent to the abortion.
On Feb.27, the bill passed the Senate Public and Welfare Committee with a vote of 71-53. State Rep. David Haley, formerly on the board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Kansas City, is opposed to the bill. He said that when the governor was running for office, he made campaign promises not to increase or decrease any laws pertaining to abortion. We soon will find out how valuable those promises are.
The bill repeals the present law authorizing an eight-hour waiting period and replaces it with the 24-hour period.
THE ISSUE:
Abortion legislation
Any waiting period is allegedly to help inform the patient desiring an abortion. Is that to say that women who have abortions are making hasty decisions?
State Rep. Barbara Ballard also feels strongly against the new bill.
"The 1992 abortion law was a difficult compromise between both sides, and both parties should honor that compromise by not reopening the debate," she said.
For more than two decades, a woman's right to an abortion has been one of the most controversial issues facing our society. It still seems that many people against that decision are doing anything they can to prevent abortions from happening. Whether they have to wait zero, eight or 24 hours, women have the right to choose abortion.
SARAH PRESTON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Jeff MacNelly / CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Students erred in voting against recreation center
Some may argue that the proposal presented a duplication of services, because we already have exercise
The University of Kansas finds itself today in the midst of an identity crisis. We are closer to the year 2000 than to 1990, but our school continues to function as if this were the 1950s. For instance, students overwhelmingly rejected a proposal last week for a new student recreation center.
Although the cost was high — about $90 a semester for each student — this campus desperately needs such a center to compete with other respected universities.
Unfortunately, the University now is the only school in the big New 12 Conference that does not have a legitimate recreation center.
Surprisingly, even that so-called academic institution, Kansas State University, just finished building one. The University's relative deficiency in this area undoubtedly will hurt its high school recruitment in the future.
As the leaders of Students Against the Recreation Center continue to celebrate the referendum results, we need to realize that their victory is our loss. Ironically, while the University considers adopting a qualified admissions policy to improve its public image, it turns its back on a significant opportunity to do that very thing.
STAFF COLUMNIST
However, Robinson's equipment often is rendered useless because it is used for classes and intramurals. This circumstance sometimes prevents students from exercising at convenient times.
Time and time again, we hear that fitness improves the body and mind.
equipment at Robinson Center.
Ironically, the University provides health care at Watkins Memorial Health Center and mind enhancement in the classroom but refuses to feed both at the same time.
We had the opportunity to remedy this odd phenomenon, and we failed.
ent physician preaches the value of physical fitness. And although I am included in the group that probably never would use the center, to argue against its merits would be ignorant at best.
In rejecting the proposal, many students cited a need for more computers. This is unquestionably true. However, the University is a public institution, and the state should supply it with needed academic
Every compe-
resources. When we begin providing funds for things such as computers, we set a horrible precedent for our future.
From there, the state likely would begin forcing students to pay for many more academic improvements. This possibility is unacceptable.
The proposed recreation center is merely one example of the University's lack of vision. Many other situations, such as enrollment, add/drop and advising, desperately need reform. All too often, these issues are ignored completely or revision possibilities are postponed indefinitely.
Finding a solution to the University's problems is not simple. Administrators, student senators and motivated students often work many hours hoping to improve the University.
Heading toward a new century with a new chancellor, the University must begin to address its future.
Unfortunately, as was the case with the proposed recreation center, this work frequently bears little or no fruit.
Until the University adopts an adheres to a realistic, beneficial philosophy for its future, our school will remain behind the times.
Mike Walden is a Leawood sophomore in political science.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Recreation committee should accept defeat
The recreation center planning committee seems to have a hard time accepting reality. Last week's referendum was seen as a mere setback, not an end to their initiative.
In my opinion, having less than 5 percent of the student body come out in favor of a proposed new center is a little more than a mere setback.
One member of this committee even said that despite recent results, we were going to have to finance a center at some point because there was a critical need for this facility. I fail to understand how there can be a critical need when 85 percent of the student body didn't even care enough about it to participate in the referendum.
The issue is dead. Quit trying to bring it back to life.
in the administration who already have taken steps to relieve the overcrowding at Robinson. By promoting the end of open admissions, we can look forward to a smaller student population and probably a lower percentage of students who spend their time in the gym instead of studying.
Besides, there are other people
And, as an added bonus, with the institution of pay-by-the-hour fees, there is sure to be a drop in the number of students signing up for classes in Robinson, thereby increasing the hours available for recreational use. Problem solved.
Bill Flaherty
Internet story is just too hard to believe
I'm sorry, but I find it really hard to believe that KU police and the Secret Service approached a student in the computer lab at Ellsworth Hall because she
Lawrence graduate student
received an e-mail message that had the word abortion in it. I think there is a lot more to this than we are led to believe.
In my experience, Secret Service have appeared when the life of a president has been threatened. Received e-mail is like junk mail — no one has any control over what you receive. However, we certainly do have control over what we send.
There is no harm in expressing your opinions. But there are laws that protect people from life threats. Remarks written in a note on the Internet that have phrases in them such as "Better off dead," "Should be shot" or "Looking down the barrel of a gun" should be, and are, perceived as life threats. These protectors are only doing there jobs, and for that I am thankful. I think your article that appeared Feb. 28 completely missed the boat.
Joanne Peterson Academic computing data control technician
Pat Buchanan's extremist ideals make disliking him an easy task
It is as if Washington, D.C. is putting on a little show just for me.
I love election years. As a registered independent with some borderline, utopian, anarchist inclinations, and not to mention being a pretty crusty cynic, I find that the candidates' bizarre behavior never ceases to stimulate little bursts of glee in me. I awaken every morning and read whatever the candidates
said the day before, often clipping the dumbest statements made. The second page of the Kansas City Star makes these dreary winter mornings worth looking forward to eagerness.
Every election brings with it the token clown. In '92 it was Ross Perot's running
mate James Stockdale stumbling on statistics and figures. This year, the extremist ravings of Pat Buchanan continue to strengthen my distrust of the candidates. Sometimes I love to hate, and hating Buchanan is easy.
More than anyone in the history of the world, I hate General George Custer and his over-the-top endeavors to eliminate the Native-American population. So when Buchanan introduced himself to the voters as the president who would restore Custer's name to the Montana battlefield where he was justifiably slaughtered, my sights were set.
In my mind, it was a fight between Buchanan and me, and I wouldn't rest until he was down for the count.
However, my job of voicing nationally the danger and threat of Buchanan hasn't been necessary. I haven't felt the need because Buchanan is doing it all by himself.
First, he is running for the most important national office, serving as a figurehead merely to spout sound bites at the State of the Union address. National political power rests within the legislative branch, and the Clinton administration has illustrated the frustratingly weak importance of the presidency.
Second, Buchanan, as well as the other front-running candidates, has failed to recognize that 54 percent of voters in the last presidential election were women (why do you think Newt didn't run?).
Although there are millions of women who are anti-abortion opponents, even the strongest cringe at Buchanan's desire to outlaw abortion.
Buchanan has said he would make all impregnated rape and incest victims, regardless of age, responsible for carrying the baby to term. This could mean cases of even 11-year-old girls trying to cope emotionally with the rape while at the same time nurturing a growing fetus.
A disgusting proposition, but an easy one to make when you are a protected man living with an almost zero possibility of rape, and no chance of being forced to carry a child to term.
My one mention in defense of Buchanan is that he has been honest. I appreciate that.
I do not have to critique Buchanan's every move because he puts it on the table, and no one has to question how he feels. Like it or not, his beliefs are apparent, and, frankly, he doesn't care what you believe.
Roaches are always easier to stomp when they run out into the light.
Leslie Bowyer is a Lawrence senior in art history.
ASHLEY MILLER
Editor
VIRGINIA MARGHEIM
Managing editor
ROBERT ALLEN
News editor
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
KANSAN STAFF
Campus ... Joann Birk
... Philip Brownies
Editorial ... Paul Todd
Associate editorial ... Craig Lang
Illustrations ... Mike Wheeler
Sports ... Tom Erickson
Associate sports ... Bill Petula
Photo ... Matt Flickerow
Graphics ... Kosh Musser
Social sections ... Novella
Wire ... Tara Ternary
Illustration ... Misha Leaker
HEATHER NIEHAUS
Business manager
KONAN HAUSER
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
JUSTIN KNUPP
Technology coordinator
Campus mgr...Karen Gersch
Regional mgr...Kelly Connolly
National mgr...Mark Oglakne
Special Sections mgr...Norm Blow
Production mgr...Rachel Caillin
Marketing director...Heather Vailer
Public Relations dfr...Alex Crawford
Creative director...Ed Kowaldwil
Classified mgr...Stacey Weingarten
Internship/oo-op mgr...T.J. Clark
THE COMPLETELY POINTLESS ADVENTURES OF BRIGG AND FRO
1
V