BROWN'S
4
Wednesday, February 3, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
The Jayhawk Course Source is a well-intentioned venture that has proven itself to be an overwhelming failure, both in content and cost management.
Senate wasted money, time on Jayhawk Course Source
The publication was intended to be used as a supplement to the University Catalog and Timetable by providing information about testing styles, course outlines and attendance policies. Last semester's high-tech gloss version contained information on a whopping 150 of the thousands of courses offered at KU.
Not only is Course Source grossly limited in scope, but it also went way over budget.
Course Source officials had $5,351 from Student Senate to print two editions, yet spent $6,870.60 on just one. This was an act not of political corruption but of fiscal incompetence and mismanagement.
When Fossland and then Senate treasurer Spencer Colvin discovered that Course Source was overspending its entire budget, arrangements were made for Fossland to spend $2,100 on a sort of credit. That credit was extended on a pipe dream by Course Source officials that they would be able to raise $2,100 in advertising revenue. To date, Fossland has collected only $721.15, but he expects another $85 to come in soon.
Kevin Fossland, Course Source director, said he didn't know until after he had already spent about $6,000 on printing this white elephant of a publication that his budget was meant to be used sparingly over two semesters. He calls this a problem of miscommunication.
The future of the Jayhawk Course Source is uncertain. Not only is the publication $600 in the red from last semester, but it also has no money to work with this semester. All of the publication's administrative budget is gone, all except what remains of Fossland's $2.109 salary.
Fossland isn't sure how this semester's publication will be financed; he is even considering having another $2,000 credit line established.
The Senate should stop throwing good money after bad ventures and discontinue publication of Course Source.
Alison Young for the editorial board
There are many lessons to learn from what has happened at Colony Woods apartment complex - and students are not the only ones who should take note.
Tenants must protect rights
The story started in August when the 370-unit complex opened. First, tenants complained that there were too few parking spaces. When the complex tried to add parking spaces, the city rightfully stopped construction because the new spaces violated zoning regulations. The extra asphalt would have added to flood problems in the Naismith Valley area, which Colony Wongs is in.
It's a frustrating tale. Unfortunately, it is one that could have been avoided and can be prevented
Second, about 130 tenants met last week to protest unusually high utility bills. The complex's owner said he would reimburse those tenants who had outside security lights tapped into their utility book-ups.
been avoided and can be prevented.
■ The city should put all future site plans to a “Colony Woods” test: Allow more than enough space for parking and do not allow large units to be built in a small, enclosed area that has no place to expand. And city commissioners should wake up and find a solution to the complex's parking and electrical problems. Students are constituents, too, and they need help.
- Landlords should remember that students are not piggy banks waiting to be broken. Just because most students are temporary residents doesn't mean substandard living conditions are acceptable.
- Students who rent should be tough consumers. Don't accept just anything. And if problems persist, organize as Colony Woods tenants did. Also, students must remember to treat their apartments as they would their parents' homes. It costs landlords money to repair damage done by tenants, and that cost ends up being paid by all tenants.
There is an answer, provided there also is a will.
There is an answer, provided there also is a will.
Editorials in this column are the opinions of the editorial board.
News staff
Alison Young...Editor
Todd Cohen...Managing editor
Rob Knapp...New editor
Alan Player...Editorial editor
Joseph Rebello...Campus editor
Jennifer Rowland...Planning editor
Anne Luscombe...Sports editor
Peppone Winkle...Photo editor
Richard Stewart...Graphics editor
Tom Eblen...General manager, news adviser
Business staff
Kelly Scherer...Business manager
Clark Massad...Retail sales manager
Brad Lenhart...Campus sales manager
Robert Hughes...Marketing manager
Kurt Messermith...Production manager
Greg Knipnipp...National manager
Kim Scholmo...Traffic manager
Kimberly Coleman...Classified manager
Jeanne Hines...Sales and marketing adviser
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"MOM. NOW THAT THE SEASON'S OVER, CAN WE CHANGE DAD'S CHANNEL?"
Gorbachev may get his pink slip
Those of us who begin to suspect that Mikhail Gorbachev's years as Soviet boss are numbered may have to change that to months.
Among the heresies he committed in his latest speech was a striking rejoinder to what must be mounting criticism of his policies. Replying to the accusation that he is undermining the foundations of the Soviet system, he replied: "By what are they being undermined? By people's movement, by their activity aimed at handling more confidently the affairs in the country where they are the masters?"
Can that be the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union talking? It could be Fiorello LaGuardia, or Tom Jefferson in revolutionary flight, but a Communist dictator? Maybe Miss Raisa can straighten her man out; she's supposed to have something like a Ph.D. in Marxism-Leninism, which in the Soviet Union is the equivalent of a Ph.D. in driver ed over here. At any rate, somebody needs to take Mihailk
Paul Greenberg Syndicated Columnist
Sergeyevich aside and explain that, according to Marxist schematics, the people aren't the master in his country, at least not till the millennial period when the state withers away. The masters are supposed to be those who dictate on behalf of one class, the proletariat. Those masters are known as The Party. Or does Comrade Gorbachev think he was elected by the people instead of the Central Committee?
If General Secretary Gorbachev continues to rant about We the People — a most subversive concept in the Soviet system — how long will he remain General Secretary? Or the party the party? If the charge against him is that he is
undermining the foundations of the Soviet system, what better evidence than this heretical quote? Or do you think Tass distributed his speech only abroad, the way the Soviet economy produces its best only for export?
If this is to be the new party line, then the changes Gorbache advocates will go far beyond mere glasnost and perestroika, openness and reorganization, and raise the spectre of real and not just verbal demokratizatsiya, or democratization. Dawgone we now see that questions of democracy in Soviet society will be the main, central problems.<sup>1</sup> As they always have been. But a Soviet leader hasn't said as much since Nikita Khrushchev warily proposed a little more freedom for his subjects. And you remember what happened to him. Of course artists and intellectuals are the most expendable classes in the Soviet Union; maybe what the party boss says to them doesn't count.
K·A·N·S·A·N
MAILBOX
Not all fans were loyal
it goes without saying that Kansas basketball fans witnessed something Saturday that many believed could never happen. But indeed, the end of the Allen Field House streak was inevitable.
What I witnessed Saturday was a little different, and also something I thought perhaps Kansas fans had overcome. But unfortunately, when the team needed us most, when the chips were down, so were many of the fans. Down in the parking lot, that is.
Let me be clear here, the students stayed faithfully to the end as you would expect, and many never gave up hope. But with two minutes left and the team down by only six, the exodus had begun. Kansas, the fair-weather fan has raked its ugly head once again.
Adding insult to injury, no mention was made of this incredible streak by the field house announcer during the post-game. One would have expected at least one good cheer for the
team and teams of the past who have treated the home fans to 55 fantastic games. Instead, the fans who stayed loyally to the buzzer were left in silence.
To Coach Brown and all players past and present who have contributed to making Kansas basketball something to be proud of: Thank you! Our last streak started with Oklahoma, and many fans have every faith that tonight will be the start of our next home winning streak. And if by chance it's not, the true blue Kansas fans will be with you at the end, appreciative of your hard work on and off the court.
And fans, if you're thinking of leaving early, think again.
The proud tradition of Kansas basketball has
ranged in size for its weather foes.
Scott Swenson Topeka Senior
Cab service is needed
It is infuriating to waste money on condoms instead of using our money to fund the cab
I sincerely hope that the KU Student Senate reinstates the "tipsy taxi" service at a one dollar cost for students. In all of the three years I have attended the University of Kansas, this service has been the best idea that the Student Senate has devised.
service. Sexual health issues are not the responsibility of the Student Senate but that of the individual. If the Student Senate wants to mother us, give us an inexpensive, safe ride home.
Edith Gray
Edith Gray Fayetteville, N.C., junior
Team deserves tribute
I knew it had to happen sooner or later. The fair-weather fans that have made so many afternoons at Memorial Stadium so forgettable finally came out of the closet at Allen Field House last Saturday.
I don't know why I expected KU fans to stick around after the loss to K-State to give the Jayhawks the ovation they deserved after games in Allen Field House. I had hope, though.
I've been a lifelong KU basketball fan. I can remember when wins didn't come quite so easily as they have the last few seasons. An accomplishment such as 55 wins at home is one to be recognized, not walked out on. Until KU Jayhawk fans can learn to jump on the bandwagon for the whole ride, I can't see us calling ourselves "the greatest fans in the country."
Jim Williamson
Jim Williamson Lawrence graduate student
Beerbower Hall
B. Branit
BLOOM COUNTY
14th Washington Post Co
by Berke Breathed