THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 123 ISSUE 29
READY, SET, SEW
Student fashionistas 'make it work'
Jerry Wang/KANSAN
Kris Velasco, a sophomore from Wamego, examines contestant Paige Hunter's entry in the first round of the SUA Project Runway preliminary challenge at the Kansas Union Monday evening. "Project Runway was the first committee event that I went to as an SUA member, so it has a special place in my heart," Velasco said. There were eight entries in the preliminary challenge, and only five will proceed to the next round.
Students compete to earn a final spot for SUA's Project Runway
BY MEG LOWRY
mlowry@kansan.com
Students at the University are familiar with the landscape of campus: the Chi Omega fountain, the limestone buildings where classes are held and the flourishing flowerbeds found in the spring. However, only eight were up to the challenge of designing and creating clothing to mimic it.
The preliminary competition for the Student Union Activity's fifth annual Project Runway took place Monday at the Kansas Union. The designers
were instructed to design an outfit or piece of clothing that represented their favorite place on campus or in Lawrence.
The judging panel made up of SUA members scored the submissions of eight designers. Five designers will be selected to present their collections.
"We wanted the challenge to be personal," said Sara Miller, a junior from St. Francis. "Their location may not be stand-out to everyone, but it is meaningful to them."
"This year will really be a tough decision."
RACHEL ANDERSON Senior SUA member
Each runway show will feature three outfits designed, sewed and
"Today we really just wanted to focus on what they can do," said Rachel Anderson, a senior from Manhattan. "We want to see if their personality will shine through on the runway."
presented by the student contest. Each designer is limited to a $150 budget, given to the contestants by the SUA. All of the outfits will represent a themed challenge.
"We try to give them a pretty broad challenge topic," Anderson said. "That way they have more creative leeway and it is fun to see what they come up with."
Miller said since the SUA Project Runway first began, it has acquired a following of interested designers and students who enjoy attending the show.
BLOGS KANSAN.COM
Basic Training: blogging from the fort barracks
SEE RUNWAY ON PAGE 3A
Check out Kansan reporter Kelly Stroda's experiences while she's embedded at Fort Leavenworth.
OPINION | 5A
Equal rights for Native American women
The Tribal Law and Order Act acknowledges protection for a community with alarmingly high rape statistics.
CAMPUS|3A
KU Blood Drive week beqins on campus
The drive started Monday. Hosts said there's a continuous need for donors
INDEX
Classifieds...8A
Crossword...4A
Cryptoquips...4A
Opinion...5A
Sports...10A
Sudoku...4A
WEATHER
TODAY
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7548
WEDNESDAY
Sunny
Sunny
Evan Palmer/KANSAN
Christina Wells, professor of law at University of Missouri, debates with Stephen McAllister (right), professor of law at the University of Kansas, while Bill Lacy (left), director of the Dole Institute of Politics, moderates Monday night at the Dole Institute of Politics. The event, which took place in honor of Constitution Day, revolved around free speech as it pertains to funerals.
THURSDAY
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All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2010 The University Dall / Kansar
CAMPUS
Debate focuses on First Amendment
Snyder v. Phelps puts treasured law into perspective
BY ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON amcnaughton.kansan.com
Last night, accompanied by ringing bells, audience members at the Dole Institute of Politics recited the Preamble to the Constitution.
The reading of the Preamble served as the introduction to the discussion "Is Nothing Sacred? Snyder v. Phelps and Free Speech." The Dole Institute of Politics and the School of Law co-sponsored the event in honor of Constitution Day, which was Sept. 17.
Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute of Politics and a moderator for the discussion, said Stephen McAllister suggested the topic. Lacy chose it for discussion because of its enormous appeal.
The discussion about the case featured Stephen McAllister and Christina Wells. McAllister, a University professor in law, argued for the Snyder family.
"It's controversial and timely"
Lacy said.
McAllister focused his opinion and presentation of facts around the premise "Is Nothing Sacred?"
"The big picture issue is that is there no limit? This case really tests how much we believe in certain principles," McAllister said.
Wells, a professor of law at the University of Missouri, said she believed strongly in those principles. She presented arguments in favor of free speech and the First Amendment.
Wells focused on picking, saying people have the right to talk to someone and target someone in particular.
"All protestors target someone," Wells said. "You don't necessarily have the right to be free from speech that is offensive to you."
In 2006, Fred Phelps and members of the Westboro Baptist Church picked the funeral of
Marine Matthew Snyder. Snyder's family sued and the case has been granted an appeal to the United
States Supreme Court. The case goes before the court on Oct. 6.
Wells said the Phelps' participation and presence at the 2006 funeral did not violate any state funeral laws.
McAllister said traditionally, in the U.S., anything goes.
"The case really tests how much we believe in certain principles."
STEPHEN MCALLISTER KU law professor
lister said.
Cierha Berry said she came to the event because she sees Fred
"Is the American view the best view? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. This case may decide that." McAl
"I can understand where they are coming from now in terms of freedom of speech," said Berry, a junior from Salina.
Phelps everywhere and wanted to know what members of the Westboro Baptist Church were currently involved in.
Kate Gleeson, a second-year law student from Lawrence, said she has a hard time respecting anyone who protests a funeral and after
Matt Franzblau, a graduate student from Bridgewater, New Jersey, said his heart went out to the Snyder family. As long as the Phelps' are on public property they can't be told what to do because they have rights, Franzblau said.
"I went in there pro-speech and came out the exact same," Franzblau said.
Kyle Larson, a senior from Olathe, said although he did not agree with their speech, he did believe it should be protected.
tonight's discussion she would be more receptive if the Supreme Court did restrict speech.
"This event reinforced my beliefs," Larson said.
—Edited by Sean Tokarz
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