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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
OUR OPINION
Where in the world is geography knowledge?
The University Daily Kansan has published editorials about numerous concerns that affect students on a global scale. The University itself has an excellent Study Abroad program and is developing its Confucius Insititute for Chinese studies. Numerous students participate in activities to draw attention to world events such as the chaos in Darfur, Sudan and join groups such as the Peace Corps that work with the disadvantaged the world over.
A study conducted by Roper Public Affair for the National Geographic Society found that many people who are college-aged can't find important countries or states on a map. Two thirds can't locate Iraq. Six months after Hurricane Katrina, one third couldn't locate the state of Louisiana. Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia — nations often in the news — were also difficult for students to locate, as were the states of New York and Ohio.
And yet, our age group — people from 18 to 24 years of age — just doesn't appear to give a flip about the world at all, and with the world becoming more and more global, this could become a major handicap not only to individuals but also to our country.
This isn't new news, either. A similar survey conducted for the Society in 2002 also showed that Americans were severely lacking in geographic knowledge. To add insult to injury, less than 30 percent of those polled said it was important to know where nations in the news were located and only 14 percent said it was important to be fluent in a foreign language.
Terry Slocum, associate professor and chairman of geography, said that this wasn't a new phenomena and that other professors in his department have complained for the past 15 to 20 years about students that didn't know their geography. One source of the problem
Issue: College students and geography
Stance: Students lack important knowledge about the world in which we live.
could be the lack of geography courses in middle and high schools. he said.
The necessity of understanding geography is an important concept for students, especially those who wish to work with major companies or have jobs overseas.
But there is hope. Any student reading the Kens
The United States is one of the most powerful countries in the world. In the last five years, our government has conducted two military campaigns overseas, sending thousands of Americans abroad. Our economy is a major player in the world market and there's a reason our country was once called a "melting pot" of cultures.
It is unacceptable that we, the future leaders and citizens of this country, do not know about our global neighbors and downplay the importance of such knowledge. One should not live, work and play in this world without understanding it.
student reading the Renaissance — or any newspaper — is attempting to increase his or her knowledge of the world. Any student who studies geography or learns a foreign language is preparing him- or herself for the future. Go online to http:// www9.nationalgeographic. com/roper2006/question_ 01.html and test yourself. Show the world that not everyone, especially Jayhawks, is ignorant about his our her role in our global society.
"You can't understand world affairs if you don't know where things are." he said.
Ty Beaver for the editorial board
Make safety a priority
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
With finals quickly approaching, we are all busy trying to plan our summer vacations. For many, that includes quality time soaking up the sun at one of the many area lakes. Unfortunately, for some that quality time turns into a disaster. But it doesn't have to be that way. Being aware of the basic safety precautions and local laws will help keep you and your friends safe.
First of all, those dorky little vests that you always see people wear on TV? That's not just the costumers having fun. Personal Flotation Devices are integral to keeping you afloat should you fall out of the boat. Find one that fits properly and wear it. At minimum, you need to have one Coast Guard approved PFD for each person on the boat and readily available, and for boats measuring more than sixteen feet you also need a Type-IV throw cushion. If you don't like the bulkiness of the PFD while it's on, consider an inflatable.
Secondly, make sure you have some way of signaling for help should you get stranded. This can include day and
Also, remember that the noise from your boat or personal water craft, glare from the sun, and summer's heat serve as stressors and increase the rate of fatigue on you and all on board. Because of this, one alcoholic drink on the water is equal to three on land. If you decide to drink while boating, make sure you have a designated non-drinking operator who can ensure a safe arrival back at the marina.
nighttime flares, a signal flag or utilizing one of those free AOL disks as a light reflector. If you want to go a little bit more high tech, learn how to use a marine vhs radio. Marines are required to monitor channel 16, or you may even be in contact with a Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol who will be able to assist you.
Have fun this summer with whatever you decide to do. I look forward to seeing you all back here safe and sound in the fall. Except for the graduating seniors. To all of you, get outta here!
Julie Carey Springfield, Mo., senior
PAGE 9A
TALK TO US
Jonathan Kealing, editor
684-4854 or.jkealing@kansan.com
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Learned skills and grades don't always correlate
▼ COMMENTARY
This is hard for me to swallow. I have a very difficult time dealing with the thought. I confess: I am grade obsessed.
Last week, my world came crashing down. I realized that I'm probably not going to get a 4.0 GPA this semester.
by grading standards, I have actually gained more skills and knowledge that will allow me to live a fulfilling life and have a career one day than I ever have before.
Obviously, there's a lesson here: Grades don't mean everything. When I say this, I don't mean that school is just a conformist mind-control device used by The Man to bring you down or that you should just drop out and play your acoustic guitar on Massachusetts Street all day.
I just mean that grades don't really reflect what you've accomplished.
Education, especially higher education, is about preparing yourself for the years ahead of you. Make this your goal, and the grades will sort themselves out.
Please, continue to study for finals and finish your end-of-semester projects. But make those things exercises in showing what you've learned, not struggles to get certain grades.
I'll pause for a moment for all of you to wash the taste of vomit from your mouths. I completely understand the contempt that we grade-obsessed people draw from those who don't need everything they do validated by a percentage.
I've found that this mindset makes things considerably less stressful. So, this is my advice, to the slackers and the grade-bobsessed alike: Quit stressing about grades and just try to absorb skills and knowledge.
But please, have pity on me. I suffer from an innocent mental condition. I must make all "As."
So, when it became apparent to me that it would be near impossible for me to do so this semester, I was crushed. My life was pretty much over.
I briefly considered just completely letting myself go like Ron Burgundy after he gets fired in "Anchorman," wandering the streets with a scraggly beard and drinking milk straight from the carton. But then I realized I had a column to write.
Or, you can drive yourself crazy and go the Ron Burgundy route. It's your choice.
My topic was to be what I had learned during my freshman year of college. I had planned to put down a bunch of clichés about getting parking tickets, ordering pizza and swimming in fountains. Instead, I decided to put down a bunch of clichés about not chasing grades.
After a 15-minute period of moping, I got to thinking.
Because this semester will likely be the first time in my academic career that I don't achieve a 4.0 GPA, one might surmise that I have learned less than I have during any previous semester during college, high school or any previous educational level.
MATT ERICKSON
opinion@kansan.com
But I've learned more this semester than I ever have before, even though I've only taken four classes.
In my Spanish class, I've learned to communicate—albeit crudely and awkwardly—in an entirely different language. During my Intro to International Relations course, I have developed the ability to read through the entire front section of The New York Times and actually understand what most of the articles are saying—not a bad skill for someone who wants to write about politics.
And, most beneficial of all, my Research and Writing class in the Journalism School has effectively served as an instruction manual for the career field I want to enter when I graduate.
Erickson is an Overland Park freshman in journalism and political science.
In this, the worst semester of my entire academic career
Free All for Call 864-0500
be a top 25 university if they spent as much on education as they do on lawn care.
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
Show me the money. Louder. Show me the money!
Free-for-All, be honest. Are you a virgin?Think about it.
I want whoever stole my hammock to know that the second you lay down to relax in it, I'm going to show up with a pellet gun and cover you in pellets, so good luck relaxing, and you're a bad person. That's mean. Don't steal. I want my hammock
You know, I bet KU would
-
back. Bye
It's taken me four years to finally see the letters on the side of the military science building. I think they were hiding
pus listening to "Thriller" and it was glorious.
Dear Ms. Margaret Amini Scholarship Hall Sucks: Step out of your hotel room and come look at Stephenson Schol Hall. That's complete
suckage.
I just walked around cam
I think I'm in love with the Pita Pit delivery guy.
Penis Pit? They should call Pita Pit Sex But because I think I want to get on every single guy that works at Pita Pit.
Woo!
Any messages about me killing puppies are absolutely not true.
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Also: The Kansan will not print guest column that attack a reporter or another columnist.
Jonathan Kealing, Joshua Bickel, Nate Kartin,
Jason Shaad, Patrick Rose, Ty Beaver, John
Jordan, Malinda Indea
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The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Jason Shaad or Patrick Ross at 864-4810 or e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
▼ COMMENTARY
Focus of scandal should be on rape
KELLY COCHRAN
opinion@kansan.com
Members of Duke University's nationally ranked lacrosse team were accused of raping and sodomizing an exotic dancer hired to perform at one of their team parties. Because the case involves wealthy students in a poor community and an African American female victim, the story, which started as an allegation of gang rape, has spiraled into a series of mini-wars pitting rich against poor, white against black and women against men. It concerns me that the focus has shifted from the accusation of such a humiliating and violent crime to an issue of one demographic triumphing over another. I am disturbed by the fact that the shock of such a violent rape existed as hardly more than a stutter before it was drowned out by other perceived injustices.
While the incident may represent culture clashes, let's look at what's really going on. Sexual violence on college campuses needs to be stopped and it is something that should concern every member of society equally. It's easy to blame behavior on being under the influence or to claim that boundaries were not clear. In the case of the lacrosse team, the victim's status as an exotic dancer leads some to believe that she "asked for it." An appropriate reaction is an effort to prevent similar instances from occurring.
Rape and sexual assault has received more attention in recent decades, yet it is still one of the most under-reported crimes, with more than half of all sexual assaults left unreported. According to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. Our society is becoming more aware of sexual assault and understanding that it is a situation of victimization, and because of that rape and sexual assault has fallen more than 64% since 1993.
Even though sexual assault is on the decline, reaching complete eradication of sexual assault still requires victims to report the incidences. Kristen Abell, Program Coordinator at the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, said that sexual assault was the most common problem seen at the center. While assault technically fits under the category of physical abuse, victims are also just as likely to be counseled for emotional abuse as well.
Sexual violence on college campuses needs to be stopped and there are resources that specifically address sexual assault on campuses. Web sites, hotlines, and on-campus groups are there to be used and to help stop these crimes from happening. Be aware and help make sure no one has to be subject to such a violent crime.
Cochran is a Mission sophomore in journalism.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
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