THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
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WWW.KANSAN.COM
MONDAY APRIL 24.2006
OUR OPINION
Hashinger's new look will change residents
The renovations at Hashinger Hall are nearing completion. This semester marks the last that the hall will be empty of students. It reopens in the coming fall.
Numerous improvements have been made to the hall during its renovation. An expanded theater, new dining facilities and improved lobbies and study spaces are just a few of the changes that will update Hashinger and will be welcome to returning residents currently in McCollum. But the hall will not be the same place when the residents return or after they have graduated.
The improvements to the theater and other areas dedicated to the performing and creative arts will foster that traditional aspect of the hall's residents, but other changes may do the opposite. Students will be more self-sufficient with the addition of sinks in rooms. Repainting will cover the murals and other artwork that past residents have left as their legacy. The building will be the same, but yet a different place.
Issue: Hashinger Hall renovations
Stance: Important updates and improvements will leave an indelible mark on residents.
Change will come gradually, of course. The Hashinger residents living in McCollum as part of the Home Away From Hash program are guaranteed spots in the hall when it reopens in the fall. They will bring back what they remember of the old Hashinger, but they will graduate and future residents will have a stronger influence on the future atmosphere on the hall.
Hashinger was in need of renovations. It will be more energy efficient and better serve the needs of the students who call it home. But those changes will come at the price of part of the identity associated with the hall.
Ty beaver for the editorial board
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Catholic church not meant to condemn
In response to Richard Martinez's article, I would like to clarify a few points from the perspective of a 20-year-old cradle Catholic.
First, I would like to say that I agree that an institution that condemns women and homosexuals should be subject to scrutiny and critical evaluation. The Catholic Church, however, does not condemn these people. We treat them as we would any other human being, though we do not condone women being ordained as priests or homosexual intercourse.
The Vatican has never asked Catholics to follow any of the teachings it puts forth blindly, for that matter. It is that belief that breeds people who unfortunately give Catholics a bad name, and misunderstandings about what the truth behind Catholic teachings are. Martinez's closing question as to whether the opinions expressed were the thoughts of the writer or of the writer's priest brings up a good point. No one should follow any teaching on "blind faith." The Catholic Church does not put
forth any teachings without in-depth reasoning behind it, and fully encourages its followers to learn the "why" of the faith. Catholics are not meant to be dumb animals, but free thinkers who strive for the betterment of themselves and the community.
Finally, we could dance around the separation of church and state for years and years without ever getting any closer to agreeing. Regardless of religious beliefs, a person is entitled to stand up for their moral beliefs, obviously within reason and with intelligence. Yes, some people argue a point because "their priest said so." Yes, some people condemn a person or people because that's what they were raised to do. Yes, some view Catholics as mindless, bigoted fundamentalists. I must say in response, that anyone with those views or any others similar are the true close-minded ignorants.
Jasmine Pasimio Columbus junior
Calendar should consider the true women of distinction
COMMENTARY
The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center is now accepting nominations for the 2006-2007 KU Women of Distinction Calendar.
Anyone who knows a "KU woman who has distinguished herself through outstanding achievement and/or contributions to KU" — a student, faculty member or alumna
— can submit a nomination for the calendar.
MATT ERICKSON opinion@kansan.com
Perhaps you know a woman who fits these conditions, maybe someone who contributed to a celebrated research project, someone who headed an honorable student organization or someone who was a leader in advancing women's rights.
But I've got a better idea.
Certainly, people who did these and other illustrious things would deserve to be called "Women of Distinction."
These women could very well be the most well-known at KU by the time the issue is released in the fall, so shouldn't they be considered "women of distinction?"
I think we all know who the real "women of distinction" are here at KU.
In fact, let's make these women the only subjects of the
I am speaking, of course, of the progressive, courageous women who auditioned for the Playboy "Girls of the Big 12" issue two weeks ago.
calendar. Their achievements, their contributions to KU and their advancement of the status of women everywhere are all immeasurable.
We're all told that so-called "women of distinction" belong in leadership positions in classrooms, on athletic teams and in the workplace. But, instead of taking one of these routes, these women did what people said they couldn't: They proved that women can also take off their clothes for money.
Along with these women, Playboy and its readers should be commended for what a great thing they have done. By traveling to college campuses across the nation, Playboy shows young women that they have the power to be exploited. And what a power that is.
One could say these young women are patriots. Exploiting women is an American tradition. For example, aboutface.org documents all the ways that American advertisers have exploited women and their bodies for sexual appeal.
one acknowledges that women who pose in Playboy or similar publications have a right to do so, some people find the idea of women selling images of their nude bodies a bit objectionable and not just because many find such publications to be im moral.
They might make claims that Playboy, its readers and the women who pose in it are contributing to a culture that suggests women can be most successful if they are sexually appealing, that a woman's greatest asset is her ability to sexually excite men.
Now, though nearly every
They might say this obsession with sex and appearance contributes to body image problems, self-esteem issues and eating disorders for millions of girls and women around the world, as well as continued discrimination against women in all walks of life.
Well, that's just too bad because these women have the right to pose naked if they want to, and Playboy has the right to show them. And what's more, Playboy models often go on to have success in acting, modeling and other fields.
That's much more important than the welfare of millions of women across the globe.
Erickson is an Olathe freshman in journalism and political science.
Free for All
Call 864-0500
am the King Kong of picking trippy music.
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kansas editors reserve the right to omit comments. Stlandrous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
They need to pull John Randle's scholarship now.
I say pyramid scam. What's going on these days?
I wanna know where the gold at. Show me the gold. I want the gold!
am the King Kong of picking trippy music.
Chuck Norris does not like the pyramid scam, Free-for-All.
Just so you know, WB, you're not a news station, and nobody is watching you for your weather updates, so knock it the bell off.
Free-For-All, they say change my spending habits.
am the King Kong of picking trippy music.
The only thing I hate more than Spangles food is Spangles commercials.
To the people in Ellsworth 1051, you might want to get that mattress squeak checked out.
According to one friend.
am the King Kong of picking trippy music.
PAGE 5A
checked out
If George Bush had an easy button, he would push it and Chuck Norris would kill Osama Bin Laden.
Chuck Norris doesn't use an easy button, he gets the job done.
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Regardless of how high gas prices are, who would admit to owning a Geo Prism?
I think the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences thinks that classes like Western Civ help unite us all. The only reason we unite in that class is because we all hate it.
Please vote: Who would win in a game of one-on-one right now between Michael Jordan and Brandon Rush.
Who lets their dog take a crap on the sidewalk, hon-
So the squirrels on campus are definitely not afraid of people. One just attacked me.
To all the hippies: My Aviator only gets 9 miles a gallon, and I drive around with my collar popped looking for a handicap spot on campus, because I don't want to walk within 200 feet from the frat.
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To the guy who thought he was a hardass and kept challenging the preacher on Wescoe Beach, you really need to get laid or something, man. Calm the hell down.
To the GDI chuckling about a frat guy in a Dakota, were you laughing because your moped gets better gas mileage or because Templin finally beat Elsworth in a Dungeon
& Dragons tournament.
to figure out the details.
Zeta Phi Beta sorority incorporated have the cutest girls I have ever seen in my life.
to figure out the details.
Dude, I went to high school with the smoothie-making guy, and we call him Gran Turismo, like the game, GranTurismo. I'll leave you to figure out the details.
TALK TO US
Patrick Ross, associate opinion editor 864-4924 or pross@kansan.com
Alene Karlin, managing editor
849-4684 or nkartlin@microsoft.com
Jason Shad, opinion editor
849-4284 or jaahd@microsoft.com
Jonathan Kealing, editor
824-4854 or jkealing@kansan.com
Joshua Bickel, managing editor
654-4854 or jbickel@kansan.com
Ari Ben, business manager
664-4452 or adddirector@kansan.com
Malcolm Gibson, general manager, news adviser
864-7867 or mgibson@kansan.com
Sarah Connelly, sales manager
864-4462 or adsales@kansan.com
Jennifar Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
884-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
GUEST COLUMN
GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 500 word limit
Include: Author's name; class, home-town (student); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
Also: The Kansan will not print guest columns that attack a reporter or another columnist
I'm sure we've all watched Lena and seen random strangers on the streets asked questions and respond incorrectly when asked some of the simplest questions. We laugh and think, "Wow. I can't believe they didn't know that."
When it comes to the rights guaranteed under the U. S. Constitution, however, the Leno scene is not too far from the truth.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Jonathan Kealing, Jonasua Biokel, Nate Karlin,
Jason Shaad, Patrick Ross, Ty Beaver, John
Jordan, Malinda Osborne
KAITLYN SYRING opinion@kansan.com
SUBMIT TO
111 Stauffer-Flint Hall
1435 Jayhavk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
(706) 894-4810, opinion@karsan.com
the Kansan welcomes letters to the editors and guest columns submitted by students, faculty and alumni.
The Kansan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For any questions, call Jason Shaad or Patrick Rosa at 864-4810 or e-mail opinlon@kansasan.com.
Syring is a Salina sophomore in journalism.
Bottom line: Knowing your rights is the utmost form of empowerment. Making yourself familiar with the Bill of Rights enables you to handle a lot of situations that get thrown your way. If you know the rights to which you are entitled, you have the power to stand up for yourself and make right a long line of wrongs.
COMMENTARY
How well do people know their rights? How well do students know their rights? Surprisingly and disappointingly, not very well. The most basic rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are unknown to an overwhelming number of people.
Students must know their rights
SUBMISSIONS
The First Amendment, the foundation of our rights as citizens of the United States, is a second-rate issue to many students. A majority of students don't know everything it entails, or, worse, believe it gives us too much protection. Ironic, is it not? According to MSNBC, when students were enlightened as to the exact text of the First Amendment, one in three thought the amendment went "too far" concerning the rights it guarantees, giving people too much leverage.
Hodding Carter III, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, said that "these results are not only disturbing, they are dangerous."
Lack of familiarity with your rights become a problem when dealing with any form of authority or law enforcement. We are taught at a young age that we should always be honest. While honesty is the best policy, you have the right to stay quiet when a police officer asks you questions. When they tell you, "Whatever you say can and will be used against you," they mean it. You absolutely have the right to know the officer's information, and should take note of the name and badge number.
We have to take full responsibility for our education and bills and an endless amount of other things as college students. More often than not, however, when dealing with authority figures, we are treated like we're kids again. Everyone is entitled to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. This means you, as a student, have the right to be treated fairly by people in positions of authority. If you are in danger of being suspended from school, you have the right to know the exact charges that you are facing and you have the right to a hearing.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
Maximum Length: 200 word limit
Include: Author's name and telephone number; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member/student) phone number (will not be published)