A sacred right
A journalism camper wrote an editorial recently concerning the fire dangers at Lewis Hall. Since that time, the young woman's reputation has been maligned by counselors, dorm heads and supervisors. She has been the subject of countless rumors and the constant object of whispered comments and remarks.
The article was true. It told of the oversights which left Lewis Hall unsafe in case of fire. Certainly her article did little for camp publicity. But it was true.
Unfortunately, those who are hurt by the truth will sometimes attack it, or worse, the person who tells it.
In this case, the girl became the victim of an attack aimed at her, not at her article, defaming her character, not denying her words.
While admitting the truth of the article, these people, angry because of adverse publicity, took issue with the girl's character, as if this would charge the fact that campers believed fire escapes were locked, and that proper emergency procedure rules were not posted.
This is a long-recognized fallacy of logic: to
attack the person instead of the issue. But it is not pleasant to think that persons of the counselor and supervisor echelons would succumb to it.
The editorial was true; what the girl said was right. Whether she is "such a person" would be difficult to prove and irrelevant anyway.
The girl was doing what she has been taught:
to find the truth, to print it, and to stand by it.
She did what she had been taught and in return was ridiculed, maligned and reprimanded.
When a student cannot perform as he has been taught, when he cannot live up to the principles he has learned because of harassment by the very people who supervise his learning, then surely a change must be made.
The right of fair comment is sacred to journalists, and student journalists are taught to protect and honor that right. They may be asked to defend what they say—fair enough. But they should not be forced to defend their personal honor for saying it.
—Caron Balkany
A "do-it-yourself" job
Many intelligent teenagers are knowingly or unknowingly reacting to the challenge to formulate their ideals. Disenchantment, disillusionment, and discontent accompany this time of change and evolving ideals.
The adult who uses his wide range of experiences not as a guide—but as an ultimatum for the behavior of his teenager—"this is wrong, this right, do it this way and no other," fails to realize the importance of making a personal decision, whether it is later proven to be a good one or not.
Fiddler
Many teens will not accept even the most reasonable ideas as fact when they are forced
upon them with personal opinion guarantee. It is necessary for some to personally formulate ideas if they are to be significant.
A teen finds it necessary to grab eclectically and at random everything he thinks may apply to his future. Growth is a painful, messy process. It involves a "try, try again attitude" which can easily turn to a disillusioned "I give up."
The teenager has a sensitivity that can grasp much. His future lies in how far he is willing, and others are willing, to let him test himself.
- Susan Sacks
Change for the better?
Since KU2s beginning, its planners have pursued an active interest in landscaping and area beautification. It was a tradition that started with Joseph Savage, and fortunately, has not been neglected in the streamlining of modern construction and improvement.
However, this is not to say all America is so wise. Land tract developers, particularly in the boom state of California, eradicate the beauty of the land as they progress. Modern construction has left in its path the ruined vestiges of orange groves in the Los Angeles area.
The proposed "scenic" highway across intentionally-isolated Fire Island was loudly opposed on the eastern seaboard by residents afraid of a similar situation. Campgrounds in northern New Mexico have been graded under and stifled by the concrete of "modernization."
Expansion and land development are not wrong. But those who use the land, and must change it, should have more regard for its original state. Plans should be made to utilize and enhance the natural features of the land.
Cassandra Church
THE SUMMER SESSION
kansan
Serving KU for 77 of its 101 Years
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Newsroom—UN 4-3646 — Business Office—UN 4-3158
The Summer Session Kansan, student newspaper at the University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 1 East 50 St., New York, N.Y., 19622. Mail subscription rates: $4 a month or $7 a year. Second class postage to New York, N.Y.; third class to the destination of Summer School. Accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the Summer Session Kansan 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 on the staff of the paper. Guest editorial views are not inessential, the expression is intended to convey the opinion of the Kunlun University and are not necessarily those of The University of Kansas Administration or the State Board of Regents.
The Summer Sass on Kanam will print all the ltters to the edtor that space allows. All ltters must be a juk in ink by the sendr with its addres and class or form of juk for the letter it has been printed. The letter must contain 20 words. Cannot portions or of any lttter may be deleted by the edtor if they are contradictory to the policy of the paper.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Managh g Editor...Robert Stevens
Assistant Managing Editors...Ack Poelhouse, Rita Haugh
and Power Lint muth
Photo Editor...Lymmiel Q. Van Beschoten
Business Manager...Tom DiBiase
FACULTY ADVISERS: Business: Prof. Mel Adams; News: Blaine King
2
Summer Kansam
editorial page
Friday, July 28, 1967
ACTUALLY HE'S DONE PRETTY WELL—HAGN'T SMOKED FOR A WEEK.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
being Serious
The summer is over, almost. The last issue of the Kansan has hit the streets. To this editor and to many other summer school students it is the end of an era. To many others it was the start of four years—to some of these it will be a good four years and to others a disappointment.
Much has happened in four years since this editor first walked upon Mount Oread. Old Fraser is only a memory as are the pickets which protested the new building's design. Four new residence halls have opened, another was turned into classrooms. New Robinson became reality as Old Robinson is soon to turn to dust.
Many new faces have appeared . . mainly in the Athletic Department. Wade Stinson has replaced A. C. "Dutch" Lonborg who retired. Three new head coaches have been named for the three major sports. Dick Harp is working for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bill Easton is helping prepare for the Olympics next year in Mexico. Jack Mitchell has turned to newspaper publishing.
The students have changed, too. This year was peaceful compared to demonstrations of past years. Two years ago more than 100 students were arrested for a "sit-in" in Strong Hall.
Charlie Hook slit his wrists and daubed the bulletin boards in the Military Science Building. Students marched on Old Fraser. Coaches were hung in effigy.
Great people have come and gone. Maxwell Taylor, Truman Capote, George Lincoln Rockwell. Edward Albee, Wayne Morse . . . have all visited campus, Entertainment has come from Henry Mancini, Harry Belafonte, Al Hirt, Robert Goulet, Peter Nero, Johnny Rivers, The New Christy Minstrels...
KU had a birthday—a big birthday. Plans were unveiled to raise $18.6 million. Classes were suspended at times. Forums were held. Franklin Murphy and other past chancellors returned. KU became 100 years old, now 101.
But to this editor that era has ended, an eva which began four years ago in the Midwestern Music and Art Camp. A new era must begin.
To incoming freshmen and even many band campers, this era has just begun. An era which will bring KU and the majestic Jayhawk as close to their hearts as it is to every graduate.
No one can leave KU without having fond memories.