OPINION
7A
WEDNESDAY MARCH 26 2008
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008
COMMENTARY
Deskie work entertaining, annoying
© yynu Dachrin 3.26.08
Tyler Dachrin
Being a deskie and working for the dorms isn't exactly an easy job, because hell breaks lose almost every weekend.
Dorm residents have always been mixing alcohol with the strict rules of KU residency. As a former Hashie, I've been there and done that. When the majority of freshmen move into the wonders of dorm living, they embrace their freedom by secretly taking a couple of shots behind closed doors and venturing outside to celebrate their independence, but this becomes a problem when these risqué activities aren't performed in moderation.
Going from a resident that must abide by rules to a deskie whom must enforce them, is a major change. At the beginning of last semester, I started my job by answering the phone at the desk and working security shifts on Friday nights. Now, the life of a deskie also includes lack of a consistent sleep pattern because shifts have to be covered 24/7. When the clock strikes 11 p.m. I am stuck working security until 6 a.m. every Friday.
A whole new world presents itself when the sun sinks behind Daisy Hill. When it gets dark, the lights go on in the dorms, and I'm stuck at a desk desperately trying to stay awake, but lately, that hasn't been much of a problem because of the lack of residential cooperation.
I hate busting people in the dorms, but when it's seriously evident that rules are being broken, the deskie side of me has to enforce them. But I've also become a bit bitchy and impatient with the consistent disrespect.
When I say disrespect I mean the things that happen when the night progresses and drunks flood the halls.
Destruction takes place: Ceiling tiles are torn down and broken, posters on walls are destroyed, and a lot of lobby furniture always manages to either be damaged or misplaced. There may even be vomit for us to clean up. It just seems like common sense to respect the surroundings that people live in, but it's not happening.
In a way it's also been entertaining (but annoying) watching
everyone come in around midnight or 1 a.m. wasted. After we set up the desk, almost every resident that comes through complaints about having to swipe their card or check in their guests. I hear this all of the time and frankly, I am a bit sick of hearing it. But sometimes, people can't even swipe their card because they're too drunk.
Some girls will come in, looking like they're about to fall over (a side note: don't wear high heals if you can't walk in them), their make-up is smudged from crying, and they look like they might poke on someone. I also see many girls cry, but the funniest thing I've seen so far was when one girl was screaming and crying into her phone. "I can't believe you danced with her all night at Abe and Jakes!"
Aside from handling pathetic and dramatic situations, people actually play beer pong in their dorms. As a former resident, I wonder what these people think they're doing. It's impossible to pull this off because, surprise! cans and ping-pong balls make noises. I've walked by a few rooms on my rounds and have heard these noises loud and
clear. An occasional, "On no notice missed, I suck at this game," has accompanied these obvious noises as well.
When all of this goes on, a deskie has to do her job. I don't get any joy in writing people up, but honestly, it should be easy for residents to use common sense and common curiously. I absolutely hate cleaning up after residents at 4 a.m., so please, have your fun, but tone it down a bit.
Osterhaus is a Seneca sophomore in journalism.
COMMENTARY
Airline policy forces passengers to pack the most into every trip
I'm finally being forced to pack light. No more cramming that third pair of black heels into my suitcase five minutes before leaving for the airport. No more excuses.
Previously both United Airlines and US Airways allowed two checked bags per passenger free of charge, as is standard for most airlines. Starting May 5 however, they're creating yet another way to irritate passengers, by slapping on a $25 fee for a second checked bag and every other bag after it. This fee doesn't even apply round-trip. You have to pay it both to and from your destination.
Although this new rule didn't affect your spring break travels, it comes just in time for summer getaways. Even if you're not a pack rat
like me, who prefers to lug around a heavy bag rather than not be prepared for a possible freak snowstorm in the Bahamas, this new rule can still make traveling a hassle. Often when traveling, because of those must-have souvenirs you come back with more luggage than you left with. Usually if I'm only traveling with one suitcase to combat this problem I pack a duffle bag to check as my second bag on the way home in case I can't fit everything back into the suitcase. No longer can you fall back on that second bag option though, unless you want to pay the fee that is.
Don't expect to cheat the system by just buying a bigger suitcase. The fee for the second bag isn't the only change in policy. These airlines also increased the fee for over-weight bags from $50 for each bag that goes over the 50 pound weight limit, to $100 per bag.
According to the US Airways Web site, the reason for the changes to their baggage policy is because of high fuel costs. "We've simply had to look at ways to offset our increased operating costs," the Web
site stated. Yet, if these airlines just wanted to decrease operating costs, they would have only created the $25 fee for the second bag, not increased the fee for overweight bags as well. It just seems like another way to gouge customers.
Right now the only airlines with this new policy are United Airlines and US Airways. Other airlines seem to be following suit however. Southwest Airlines recently changed their policy from three to two checked bags per customer free of charge. In order to keep up, other airlines may soon be changing their policies as well.
At what point are airlines going to stop reducing the services passengers have come to expect when flying? Pretty soon passengers will be reduced to nothing more than standardized knapsacks to carry their belongings.
I guess now my only option is to restrain my pack rat tendencies. I probably didn't need that third pair of black heels anyway.
Hudson is a Wichita junior in journalism and business.
Debate recap @ KANSAN.COM
Catch Wednesday's Senate debate online, on the air
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To contribute to Free For All, visit Kansan.com and add the Facebook application, or call 785-864-0500. Free For All callers have 20 seconds to talk about anything they choose.
Wilco is coming to St. Louis And what that bastard didn't say is that all tickets are sold out. StubHub sells them for 50 a piece, though.
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Wilco is coming? Details please. It would make my life to see them play.
I love you, Jenny Hartz. We should get together and make a "Caucasians: Segregated by Desegregation" scholarship.
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KU IT once again pulling its Big Brother crap.
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KU did have a speed-dating event. Three people showed up. And you call yourselves a loose campus.
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Wilco May 14. Sweetness.
Damn you, Hannah Montanal Why are you so addicting?
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KU IT department:"Proudly working ourselves right out of a job."
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To the guy who put up with my grandparents in the airport when our luggage was delayed: Do you like coffee?
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I just called KU IT, and it didn't know how to update its own Web site. I'm just glad I'm paying people to be awful at their jobs.
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I'm pretty happy that I'm still on spring break.
Is anyone else having issues logging on to any KU Web
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My "shampoo" happens to be conditioner. Damn it.
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