Awbrey reviews Senate's first year
By TINA BORAK
Kansan Staff Writer
A new philosophy of government at the University of Kansas, the Student Senate, was born last spring.
Its predecessor, the All-Student Council (ASC), had been a disappointment in University government, and the new Student Senate was part of the entire restructuring of campus governing bodies. Its goal was increased participation of students in the University.
The struggle for election to the new governing body ended April 24. The Independent Student Party won by a slim margin, and David S. Awbrey, Hutchinson junior, became student body president and Marilyn Bowman, Merriam junior, became its vicepresident.
The Student Senate succeeded the ASC April 29, and immediately factions arose within the Senate. Awbrey called for a unification of the Student Senate and urged members to forget individual aims.
The first step of the Senate was organizational in accordance with the 1969 Senate Code. Committees were set up and legislation was directed to them. The committee members were given the responsibility of finding where the power in the University lies and who the people in control are. Precedents had to be set; one such was
Nonviolence club begins at KSU
A class entitled "Nonviolence in a Violent Society," offered by the University for Man at K-State, has resulted in the beginning of an Institute for the Study of Nonviolence chapter on the Manhattan campus.
The Institute was founded in California by Joan Baez and Ira Sandpearl. Its purpose is to "study nonviolence, organize for nonviolent change, reach other people and to live and be free."
A branch of the Institute was founded at Golden, Colo., last winter. A representative from the Golden branch will serve as a consultant to the Manhattan chapter.
Sally Wisely, K-State sophomore, heads the chapter. She said it would be very unstructured, but that a balance of reading, discussion, meditation and fun would be sought.
The chapter is planning a retreat in Manhattan April 17-19. Information on the organization can be obtained through the University for Man.
Cable car caused sex claims California lady
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) — A 1964 cable car accident caused a former dance instructor and straitlaced churchgoer to become unduly amorous because she "reverted to the age of five when she craves to be close to another body."
That was the testimony given by Dr. Andrew Watson, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, in the trial of Gloria Sykes.
Miss Sykes, 29, is suing the city and county of San Francisco for $500,000 claiming the injuries she suffered in the cable car crash gave her an insatiable desire for sex.
Watson, the first psychiatric expert witness for the defense, said the only way Miss Sykes could be close to another body was through sexual intercourse.
He further testified that the accident made Miss Sykes frigid "because she is getting no pleasure out of her numerous sexual relationships."
Apr. 15
1970 KANSAN 5
the position of the Student Senate president in relation to the governing body. Awbrey's role became one of a coordinator.
"The problem was one of building trust," said Awbrey. "The Student Senate didn't trust the committees and wanted to take care of matters on its own. A lot of energy was wasted in Senate meetings this way."
The Senate began its task of a legislative body, and soon was faced with the problems of the disciplinary hearings involving three students charged with disruption of a seminar for Kansas law enforcement officials and interference with student elections,
Another problem the young Senate faced was the impeachment of Miss Bowman for her participation in the Chancellor's ROTC Review demonstration, May 9.
The Student Bill of Rights was written, partially because of these discussions, later in the year.
In reference to that document Awbrey said it was "the only document specifically stating the rights and responses of students in an academic community which was written by students without approval or direction by administrators."
The school year became marked with controversy. Relations between the state of Kansas and the Board of Regents and the University were strained for the first time in years. Resolutions were passed protesting actions by these bodies.
There seemed to be an endless hassle with the state legislature and the Regents, said Awbrey.
Regents had done every other meeting."
"We seemed to be concerned with what Sen. Shultz or the
Awbrey said he hoped next year there would be less outside interference with the University, however, "we hopefully adopted a more understanding attitude in Topeka."
The Senate was concerned with broad theory questions, such as the war in Vietnam and the military draft, and thus the campus was directed outward. A resolution was passed in support of the moratorium Oct. 15, and these national issues were submitted to the student body for referendum
The body was also oriented towards the University's problems. Policy making committees of the Senate dealt with all areas of the University.
"The Senate proved, in effect, that student and administrators
can work together in harmonious relationships for the benefit of all."
The Student Senate introduced a bill that later became policy: requiring 20 per cent student representation on all committees in the University.
On the whole this year, said Awbrey, the Student Senate was in the strict sense a legislative branch, but it was also an opinion forum for what the students felt. "Opinions of students were somewhat mirrored through our discussion on the floor."
But it did not do enough, he said. Many of the personal student problems, particularly those concerning undergraduates, were left unsolved. Issues left for next year include the freeing of freshman women from living is residence halls and the passing of
legislation that would more easily enable halls to take care of their own policies.
However, Awbrey was optimistic for next year's Senate.
"For me personally, the most rewarding accomplishment of the year was having Bill Ebert elected as my successor. Bill has many of the same opinions on University affairs as myself. A continuum has been created. What we started this year won't be impaired by his election," said Awbrey.
As for this year: "The Student Senate as a whole has provided better government than we've ever had before. We'll have to wait a time to see how many programs carry through, but all in all I have no regrets of what we did. I'm very proud of it." Awbrey said.
After the Relays . . .
meet at the
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