THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 123 ISSUE 43
SHARING IS CARING
Evan Palmer/KANSAN
Omri Gillath, an assistant professor of social psychology, and Ruth Ann Atchley, an associate professor of cognitive psychology and department chair, pose Monday afternoon in Professor Gillath's office. Gillath, Atchley and Mohamed El-Hodin (not pictured) have been given a grant to figure out why people give to others and why generosity exists. The research plans to focus on behavioral, cognitive and neural causes of generosity.
Unlocking secrets of generosity
Researchers received a grant to study the science of generosity
BY JUSTINE PATTON jpatton@kansan.com
A few nights ago, Virginia Heinen, a junior from Leavenworth, agreed to add an extra couple of hours onto her shift at On The Rocks Discount Liquor so her sick coworker could go home.
"She wasn't feeling well, and I
really didn't mind staying for an extra couple of hours," Heinen said.
However, not every student on campus would have been so generous.
To understand just why that is, three KU researchers are now studying what makes some people act generously while others do not.
The study is funded by a two-
year grant from the University of Notre Dame's Science of Generosity Initiative.
The researchers are Omri Gillath, an assistant professor of social psychology, Ruth Ann Atchley, associate professor of cognitive psychology and Mohamed El-Hodiri, professor of economics.
Gillath defined generosity as "the act of giving," which does not have to include donation money.
He said anything anyone does throughout the day can be done generously. Examples could include professors spending an
extra 10 minutes with students after class or residents doing service within the community.
Gillath said the researchers want to find out who is more likely to be generous. He said the trio is also interested in finding a connection among generosity and a person's sense of security.
"We're focusing on attachment theory, which suggests that if you feel more secure in your relationships you feel loved and cared about, and if you feel there are people out there that will help you when you need it, you're more likely to be generous yourself,"
Gillath said.
"I love everyone I work with. We're just like a group of friends, so it was almost like doing a favor for a friend," Heinen said. "And I know she would do the same for me."
Heinen said she has a great support system in her life, filled with great friends, family and coworkers.
The research will take many different forms, ranging from self-report questionnaires to studying participants' brain activities.
SEE STUDY ON PAGE 3A
ATHLETICS
Perkins to face public hearing in November
BY STEPHEN MONTEMAYOR smontemayor.kansan.com
The Kansas Government Ethics Commission announced Tuesday that it will hold a public hearing on complaints against former Athletics Director Lew Perkins.
The hearing will be Nov.16 at 1:30 p.m. in the commission's Topeka office. Director Carol Williams said the commission is considering two complaints against Perkins.
The first complaint alleges that Perkins received athletic equipment at his home for free by Medical Outfitters. The complaint alleges Perkins received the equipment in 2005 and that it remained in his home until 2009.
The second complaint alleges that, also in 2005, Parkins requested and received physical therapy sessions from employees of The University of Kansas Department of Sports Medicine. The ethics commission's complaint says this is a violation of a state employee policy.
Perkins could receive up to $15,000 in fines. Williams said the commission can issue a maximum fine for the initial violation and a maximum fine of $10,000 for the second violation.
Williams said the commission will present the facts of the case publicly and then can go into executive session to determine whether to issue a fine. The commission's final decision, however, must be made publicly. The commission can also send the case to the attorney general's office for criminal prosecution.
SEE PERKINS ON PAGE 3A
Students attend the Latin American Film Festival Tuesday at 7 p.m. in room 4025 Wescoe Hall. The feature film will be "Bueno Vista Social Club"
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
Festival showcases films on Latino culture and history
NICOLAS ROESLER
nroesler@kansan.com
On Tuesday Oct. 12, the first
Every semester, the Center of Latin American Studies holds a film festival to showcase different aspects of Latin American culture and history. This fall, the festival is showcasing four documentaries, including a recent release from Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone.
CAMPUS
film, "The Take," was shown to about 15 University students. On Tuesday night, "Buena Vista Social Club," an Academy Award nominated film, brought 24 students to a Wesco Hall classroom.
Travis Andregg, a junior studying at Johnson County Community College, said he came to the event to improve his Spanish.
"I wouldn't watch a movie at home in Spanish," Andregg said. "This gives me the chance to do
Each movie features a keynote speaker who introduces the film and speaks about issues that the film focuses on. For "Buena Vista Social Club", Ketty Wong, an assistant professor in the School of Music, introduced the music and culture of 1930's Cuba to the audience.
that."
"People around the world didn't know about this music;" Wong said
SEE FILMS ON PAGE 3A
INDEX
Classifieds ... 5B
Crossword ... 4A
Cryptoquips ... 4A
Opinion ... 5A
Sports ... 1B
Sudoku ... 4A
WEATHER
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2010 The University Daily Kansan
SUSTAINABILITY | 3A
This week, the University celebrates Campus Sustainability Week by asking students to help shape the first Campus Sustainability Plan. Three brainstorming sessions remain, with two taking place today.
Center seeks student input
CAMPUS|6A
Credit or no credit is question
Proposed policy changes would allow graduate students the option of taking classes as "credit or no credit." The changes would not be finalized until next spring.
Withey will recover and be ready by November
MEN'S BASKETBALL|1B
The redshirt sophomore center is currently on crutches, as his broken right foot finishes healing. Without the 7-foot Withey in practice, other players have sped up their game.