Letters to the editor
Readers voice their opinions
Against Kansan story To the Editor:
Pom pon try outs are closed to everyone to prevent such inconsiderate pictures and articles as were present in the U.D.K. yesterday.
The girls are informed the first day of clinics that no one will see them try out except the judges. The girls themselves are kept in a separate room so as to eliminate seeing other contestants try out. There are several reasons for the closed clinic: 1) No pictures or articles with names could be used depicting the individual trying out. 2) No humiliating comments or gossip could be spread concerning any individual's performance. 3) Many contestants do not want their names given to the public unless they are successful in try-outs.
On March 11th as the organization for pom pon try outs began, two UDK reporters approached Vince Bilotto, alumni field director. They were told that clinics were closed and the reporters left. However, by the end of try outs their presence was noticed. When approached as to why they were still in the building, UDK reporters replied that they wanted to stay, it was a university event which they should not be barred from, they had made no records concerning specific names of students trying out, and had taken no pictures. At this time, it was explained to the reporters, contrary to reports in March 11, 1969 issues, the reasons for the closed sessions as stated above.
However, a picture did appear in the newspaper taken by UDK reporters who were unnoticed in the balcony of the field house. How would you like to be one of the girls photographed? This inconsiderateness points to the very need for closed pom pon try outs, better supervision of articles placed in the UDK, and honest reporters.
Shirley Gossett Overland Park, senior
A letter to seniors:
Commencement, a ritual commemorating the completion of one stage of man's search for knowledge of himself and of his environment, should mark the transition from dependency to contribution. It is at this time that we must direct ourselves to the question of how our education can be made relevant to these times. We, the seniors of 1969, face this question now.
A group of seniors has expressed a desire to make a significant contribution now, acting upon some available alternatives. This action which relates directly to seniors and is within the framework of the institution, needs support.
One concern is that of the senior gift. One thousand dollars has been allotted from the senior class budget for this gift. Traditionally the gift has been a tangible addition to he campus. While past gifts were certainly not frivolous, an interested group has proposed the possibility of channeling this year's funds into a scholarship program for minority groups, initiation of a black studies program, or some other social concern. How would you suggest that our gift be made relevant?
The second concern is that of our commencement itself. Due to deterioration of university-owned caps and gowns, the university this year turned to a rental agency for
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their procurement. In a few weeks, seniors will receive a bill for four dollars to cover the rental cost. Our question is this: Could this money (approximately $6000) be more effectively channeled?
We propose as an alternative to cap and gown rental that the $4.00 might be better directed. The idea is fresh and at this time personal concern in mind that requires support, or possibly we, as a class, could select an outlet for these funds. Theoretically, nothing we propose involves sweeping social change. But it is here and it is now, and the seniors of 1969 can be heard. Contact one of us if you wish to be heard.
Linda Davis Pbil Davis VI 3-3910 VI 2-1882
Nancy Schiffer Cathie Wiehe
VI 2-1340 VI 2-9992
Lisa Jenkins  Susie Stuckey
VI 2-9992 VI 3-3910
Clif Conrad VI 2-1200
Joe Goering VI 3-6994
Elaine Greenock Vi 3-3910
New left defensive
To the editor:
Yes, Harold R. Smith, say more-I want to hear an example of how a civilization becomes so worshipped, people forget about listening to the voice of the human mind.
The 'New Left' as you call it isn't really so new, having been around every since Jesus. We do not demand an end to White Racism. We demand an end to all hypocrisy and naive condemnation of anyone
because of his name, clothes, title, past deeds or what he stands for. Do you know how very interesting are people? Or are they just ugly fantastically complex organisms walking down the street—each containing a past and a present full of unbeautiful stories and emotions just waiting to be released as Pandora's Box?
Yes, it's too bad Chicago policemen who haven't had any sleep for three days suddenly discover great untapped energies which need the spontaneous clubbing of other persons heads; simply because they have closed minds and can't communicate a simplep language, lost as they grew up in our over-structured society, and have to resort to saying. You believe different than I do, so you are wrong; thud.
"The one thing they really want seems to be to destroy this country." Really? Do we bear arms against you as your policemen do against us? Can't you see your society following the patterns of one's past? and falling of your own blind-cold accord—anymore, America doesn't elect its
THEATRE ... Telephone VI 3-106S
representatives to represent, we elect them to dictate to our self un-guided actions.
You started you are willing to kill for your friends, therefore, they are worth more than someone else's life. One question; would you die for them??? I also was stunned when you joyously exclaimed, it might interest me that over fifty per cent of our national budget is being spent on hospitals, schools, medical aid, and farming aid for the illiterate Vietnamese. Gosh, that's really swell if you can believe your own propaganda. One more question; where do our ghettos, Indian reservations, Harlems,
Appalachias, and two-hundred 'other' million people fit in?
Then, yes, there is the ROTC bit. You can get credit for learning medieval games of war—but then where may I ask are the classes on the study on and of the application of pacificism.
You can pary for peace just as much as anyone else, and more, or you can try doing something about it—but, be careful to 'Do your own thing.' And remember when you call out a name—we are just your brothers and sons; you may call us idealists if you will; so were Columbus and Gandhi.
J. A. Serbner