We endorse Martin
We, as executive editors of the University Daily Kansan, endorse Al Martin and Janet Anderson for student body president and vicepresident and urge their election next week.
The choice was not an easy one. Both parties have presented highly qualified candidates and platforms that, on the whole, are excellent.
BUT WE believe that on the major issue of the campaign—student rights and regulations Martin's position that all University regulations in non-academic areas be abolished is the better.
The difference between the two candidates is largely one of approach. Martin has stated his goal quite clearly, but is flexible in his means to achieve this major liberalization of student regulations. Tom Rader, on the other hand, is far more concerned with technical changes in the student-administrative system of determining regulations, while stating that the University is justified in building a "wall of protection" around students.
Rader's position is unacceptable to us because, first, we believe that the student body is mature enough not to need this protection, that it is unnecessary for the university to act "in loco parentis" for college-aged students. Secondly, we feel that if the University assumes that responsibility to "protect" students in nonacademic affairs, it automatically assumes the obligation to regulate their personal lives. This, to us, puts off that inevitable day when students must make their own decisions and be held responsible for the consequences. Rather than develop character, the University's system of "in loco parentis" retards its development.
KU IS AN educational institution. It should regulate those things which clearly affect its academic atmosphere, and it should offer counseling and advice to those students who need counseling, but it should never be, as it has been in the past, the adjutant to the corner policeman.
The Vox student rights plank, while concerned with procedural issues in student discipline, has failed to emphasize the role that the ASC, as the representative of student opinion,
can take in achieving student rights. We don't believe that creating another committee, as Vox suggests, would prove as effective a means of serving the student body, as would a responsible ASC aware of and responsive to the student interests.
At times, if student government is to effectively represent its constituency, conflict with the administration may be unavoidable. Both students and administrators share the same goal of a better university, but their methods may differ. In such cases, we believe that Martin's approach of presenting the student position despite any risk of antagonizing administrators is preferable.
BOTH PARTIES have advocated several worthwhile changes, particularly in the area of academic affairs. We agree with UP that the English Pro exam should be abolished and the Western Civ program modified, and we also agree with Vox that a pass-fail system for courses outside a student's major is a good idea, providing the technical problems can be overcome.
There are also planks in both platforms that we do not like. We are uncertain of the feasibility of constructing a new Kansas Union as extensive as that proposed in the UP platform, and we have already made clear our position on the Vox student rights plank.
We also recognize that virtually everything in the Vox platform could be accomplished within a year, while Martin admits that only a start could be made on some of the projects proposed in his platform. But we feel that Martin, in the long, run, will be the better student body president.
His honest and idealistic stand on student regulations indicates that he is the candidate who can make the changes in a student government that has long needed both changes and idealism if it is to fully represent today's student.
Fred Frailey, managing editor Justin Beck, editorial editor Jacke Thayer, editorial editor
A newspaper's role
A newspaper has a dual role if it is to effectively serve the public. It must both inform and, through the editorial page, advise its readers. It is as irresponsible for a paper to editorially avoid an important issue as it is for an editor to let his opinions appear as facts in the news pages.
To serve a community such as KU, a newspaper must do more than print impartially the day's events. It must also have a vigorous editorial page that comments on those events and offers advice when it feels that advice is needed.
Traditionally the Daily Kansan executive editors have endorsed candidates in student body elections. In the past two years however, no endorsement was made.
The endorsement is simply an expression of the editors' honest opinion. As in the past, the Daily Kansan will continue to give impartial newspaper coverage of the campaign.
The people say...
Objects to reviewer's comments
To the Editor:
Your book reviewer, who is perhaps content to remain in anonymity, seems to be saying that the greatest contemporary film makers (Fellini, Truffaut, Bergman, et al.) appeal only to a small, self-selected group of cafe espresso drinkers. I don't think that's true. John Russell Taylor's book deserves some criticism for being bland, but not for trying to make these film directors better known to us. He is especially good on Fellini, who
has certainly proved his popularity.
I agree with your man when he suggests that movies popular with gum chewers can also become classics, but I wouldn't be teaching courses in film history and criticism if I didn't believe that cinematic art can become as
Daily Kansan editorial page Friday, March 25, 1966
For 76 Years, KU's Official Student Newspaper
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY kansan
Dr Richard Dyer MacCann
Radio-TV-Film Department
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Newsroom—UN 4-3464 — Business Office—UN 4-3198
accessible as Brahms or Prokofieff to any alert and discriminating student.
Senior's reply
The Daily Kansan, student newspaper at The University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 St. New York, N.Y. 10022. Postage paid in New York and published and second class postage paid at Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays and examination periods. Accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the University are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or national origin.
The opinions expressed in the editorial column are those of the students whose names are signed to them. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the editor's. Any opinions expressed in the Daily Kansan are not necessarily those of The University of Kansas Administration or the State Board of Regents.
It is time for the hardest part of expressing an opinion publicly — defense of your views.
Patrolman Stultz:
I am sure the campus police perform many helpful tasks around the campus. Unfortunately, I have never been in a position to take advantage of any of these services. I seem to fall victim only to your parking control measures.
Be that as it may, I will apologize to you.
I cannot back down on my original position, though. I commend you for the good deeds you do. I condemn you (all patrolmen) for the almost fanatical fascination you have with parking regulations. Surely there can be more productive things to do than cruising parking lots looking for stickers that are taped on.
A sinful senior, Glen Phillips
a kansan review - 'Physicist' examines science, progress
Science is in chains, invisible but still real, harnessed for power against the world by a woman too lonely for life, for love, for power, that she is driven to ruling the world. She, a female hunchback lunatic, captures the greatest minds of science.
Onlookers see the power of science so often associated with progress. But is it progress, my friends, when the calculations, experiments, and theories can make the world into a ghastly scene of rubble, tattered matter blown about the cosmos? Is it progress when the powers of the world can latch onto a few individuals and exploit them for all their worth? Is progress and science necessary for existence?
SEE "THE PHYSICISTS," and these questions will remain unanswered but the mind and guts will be pumped up and out for examination. The production is mediocre but the play is still there, written for us by Freidrich Durrenmatt, to make us, the university bred and fed, think about the powers of science.
Three physicists are inmates of an insane asylum. One is there by choice, the other two have been ordered there by their governments to capture the greatest genius of the century. But all their plots are foiled when the hunchbacked administrator of the institution discovers their true identities and purposes. The physicists choose to return to madness to escape their responsibilities to the world. The administrator, absolutely nuts, has stolen the most important scientific discoveries for her own revenge against the earth.
What have we here before us? It is not a new thought but it is seldom discussed. The professors work on and on creating new helps to humanity while, at the same time, seeking new discoveries that will fry us till we're hot dust.
"The Physicists" is important to our time and is, in retrospect, important to the entire history of mankind. The big question is, "Can science live on and not destroy us, even from behind the walls of insane asylums?"
— Larry Ketchum
university forum
Vox offers choice
Thursday, March 31, the balloting for student body president and vice-president will be concluded. The students will have selected their "leader of sorts" for the coming year.
Previous in the governmental history of the University of Kansas this choice has not affected the voter. Only the record of a particular individual and at times his living group has been affected. The year 1966-67 uniquely offers the student the opportunity to elect an individual who is truly interested in the student and his government.
SWEEPING ACROSS Mt. Oread this past year has been an ever-increasing interest in student rights—its origin, justification and extent. The AWS is a prime example of the trend having only recently concluded a Rules Convention that recommended sweeping changes. The student has shown through limited example that he is capable of obtaining the inherent rights which he has so long been denied.
The ASC as the only agency for possible unification of all student interests can have new meaning with the coming election. Problems such as conflicting university and city disciplinary action for KU students and the unwritten rule of administrative authority can now be solved.
Along with this new potential for student government is the need for a leader who can accomplish the most in the interest of the student.
HE MUST BE chosen on the basis of his ideas—whether they are imaginative and responsible—and on the basis of his qualifications. To lead he must be capable, experienced, and aware of average student needs.
The selection of a candidate inevitably requires each student to study the issues of the campaign to see that they are responsible and reasonable. The campaign of money—waged with musical entertainment, beer, slick paper and layouts, balloons, and popsicles shows nothing except the unwillingness of a candidate to rely on the issues.
The candidates Vox Populi offers have not relied on gimmicks. They have instead attempted to present themselves and their ideas for a voter analysis, for the Vox Populi platform and objectives are the more realistic, feasible, and immediately beneficial to the student. With experience gained as the president of the freshman class of the year 1964-65, president of Ellsworth, chairman of the Committee Evaluations Board, etc., the Vox candidates have gained the ability to do what needs to be done...
Because the Vox proposals are responsible and because the Vox candidates have ability and experience that assures that things will be done and because Vox has attempted to present itself in a straightforward manner, we hope that you will consider casting your vote for Tom Rader and Dick Darville.
Vox Populi