The University Daily Kansan emphasizes the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
SYRING: This year, as of Feb. 18, 12 American children had died from being left unattended in a car.A new bill would make leaving them in the car a crime. It shouldn't be necessary. See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
WWW.KANSAN.COM
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
See Kansan.com for more opinions and Free for All comments
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 6A
OUR VIEW
Close look shows maintenance funds to be well-spent
Recently, The University of Kansas unloaded more than $100,000 to renovate administrative offices in Strong Hall. Across campus and at the University of Kansas Medical Center, $300 million worth of "deferred maintenance" waited patiently. Most of the needed repairs are in Lawrence.
Last week, the Lawrence journal-
World listed numerous expenditures to renovate Strong Hall, some of which seem superfluous. For example, a $1,300 icemaker wax added to the kitchen and three radiator covers to the provost office totaled more than $8,000. Seriously? With roots to repair, who need icemakers in Kansas winter weather? The provost's radiator covers probably keep his office toasty warm, but did they really require $8,000? Maybe the construction crew that built these covers, the University's Facilities Operations, should learn a few lessons from do-it-your-
self guides. Online sites provide instructions for how to build a radiator cover for far less than $1,000.
Wiser expenditures could have saved a few extra thousand for the pot hoiled parking lots or the tileless roofs. Not that a few thousand makes much of a dent in $300 million.
With ever increasing maintenance projects at the University, the latest makeovers in Strong Hall could be perceived as an injustice to
students.
Despite that, the decision to renovate top administrator's office areas was reasonable. In fact, these administrative people understand something about deferred maintenance. The paint jobs in administrator's offices were the first in 13 years. One of the old kitchen sinks didn't work. The replaced furniture was more than 30 years old, and it wasn't even trashed — it was placed elsewhere on campus where furniture was older yet.
The exorbitant cost of deferred maintenance is unfortunate, but it is not a result of bad budgeting. Yearly, new maintenance problems arise, and because the University lacks funds to address them, the cost of deferred maintenance on the Lawrence campus alone increases by $20 million per year. The state of Kansas provides only $4.4 million for its yearly upkeep.
The University campus com
prises 200 buildings and 1,000 acres. It's not easy to maintain. Students should credit our administrators for dealing with the problem and should allow them a little renovation on their own section of the campus without complaint. Deferred maintenance will just have to wait.
Non-smokers deserve smoke-free campus
Alison Kieler for the editorial board.
COMMENTARY
I thought I knew how long 20 feet was, but apparently I was wrong. There's a sign posted clearly on the doors of Malott Hall, which says, "SMOKE FREE ENTRANCE: No smoking within 20 feet." Yet every morning when I trudge up, I pass through a cloud of smoke, courtesy of a crowd of smokers huddled not three feet from the door.
I understand it's cold and windy, and not the best condition to feed your habit. I'm sure smokers feel they should be able to smoke without snow blowing into their face or rain extinguishing their cigarettes. But the non-smoking students and faculty shouldn't be punished by their decision to smoke. We deserve to be able to walk to class in a smoke-free environment. Thankfully, some organizations are starting to respect that.
BROSE GENTRY
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
On Sept. 1 of last year, the University of Kansas Medical Center's campus became smoke-free. This may seem like a drastic or controversial decision, but it's necessary if smokers refuse to follow posted restrictions. Most workplaces — approximately 70 percent, according to the American Lung Association — have gone to
a smoke-free policy. Though much of campus is outside, we all still have to walk to class. There's no way around that. Therefore, the entire campus can be seen as one entity, much like an office, which is why it's not unreasonable to make the entire campus smoke free.
Some may view this as a restriction of personal liberties. However, smoking does not affect only you. When someone smokes a cigarette he or she is also forcing others to accept the consequences of the bad decision. According to the American Lung Association, even short exposure to second-hand smoke can cause "blood platelets to become stickier, damage the lining of blood vessels, decrease coronary flow velocity reserves, and reduce heart rate variability". As a result, non-smokers that are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly are 25
percent more likely to have coronary heart diseases. Secondhand smoke also contains many of the same chemicals found in first-hand smoke, such as "formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and arsenic ammonia." According to Cancer Research UK, an independent organization dedicated to cancer research, arsenic ammonia kills the lungs cilia, tiny hairs that line the airways and clear toxins. With fewer cilia, it's much easier for toxic chemicals to stick in the lungs. Non-smokers are being subjected to similar health risks, but we have no choice in the matter so I have no sympathy for smokers who complain about the possibility of not being able to smoke on campus.
Hopefully, the University will eventually recognize the benefits of making our campus smoke-free. Until that happens, smokers should obey posted restrictions. I'm sorry that smokers have an addiction that needs to be fed, but my lungs are pink, and I like to keep them that way. Smoke if you must. Just don't do it where other people have to breathe your smoke against their will.
Gentry is a Kansas City, Kan., sophomore in English.
FREE FOR ALL
Call 864-0500
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 incoming calls are reported
to whoever pulled the fire alarm
in Wescoe: Thank you very much,
because I was tired of that lecture
I got into my car today,and it was hot as hell. I loved it!
I am on the KU Blood Drive Student Committee, and the Blood Drive is not canceled. We just had a forum. It is not canceled. Please, still show up to donate.
Thank you
I think that Mario Chalmers looks just like the alter-ego of Steve Urkel, Stephan Urklee.
to whoever pulled the fire alarm
in Wescoe: Thank you very much,
because I was tired of that lecture
It's Wednesday evening, and I'm about to make some chicken enchiladas. There's a huge storm on the coast.
to whoever pulled the fire alarm
in Wescoe: Thank you very much,
because I was tired of that lecture
Not to make you guys jealous or anything, but South Texas is treating me fine. It's 80 degrees and
Wal-Mart has better foam boards
--to whoever pulled the fire alarm
in Wescoe: Thank you very much,
because I was tired of that lecture
图
图
Free-for-All, I just saw Russell Robinson and two of the hottest chicks I've seen on KU campus, is it because he's from New York?
图
Last night, my roommate told me in her sleep, that penguins told her to shave her head.
To the guy I screamed at by the bookstore; I'm sorry. I thought you were trying to rape me.
Sherron Collins can solve a Rubik's cube in his sleep. Not even Chuck Norris can do that. You know how I know? I loot an Oracle.
It's only been a week of Lent, and I've already messed up four times.
My drama class once pretended that the hill by the Campanile was an amphitheater, and we did plays. it didn't work very well.
图
I don't know about Delta Force hating greeks, because I'm a Greek in Delta Force, and they seem to
题
like me. Maybe it's just because every likes me.
The Blood Drive is not canceled.
The Blood Drive is not canceled.
Show up to donate.
图
Bob Barker is just a corpse puppet
I'm sure glad I'm not dating Mother Nature. She's the biggest
he is a tool, publish this.
tease I know.
What would happen if a vampire got a tattoo of a cross?
My geology teacher is singing "Dick in a Box" while we're taking a test. What is his problem?
Somebody, please, tell me how you even sneak a live chicken into
got a tattoo
he is a tool, publish this.
My roommate just had his dad call and bitch me out, because I sometimes park half-way on the grass at our house. If you agree
Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He
wait!
Sonic, why is it so hard to bring the spoon out when I order it?
a basketball game.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
>> COMMENTARY
Criminalizing leaving children in cars unfortunately necessary
Every day in the United States, mothers, fathers and baby sitters leave children alone in the car. It might be for 10 minutes, or it might be for an hour. Regardless, it shouldn't happen.
Last week, the Kansas Senate Transportation Committee reviewed a bill that would require anyone who leaves a child in the car to pay a $25 fine. The bill states that, "it shall be unlawful for any driver who is 16 years of age or older to leave a child 8 years of age or less unattended and unsupervised in a motor vehicle." Offenders could pay as much as $500 if they leave a child in the car more than once within three years.
BY KAITLYN SYRING
The bill is a positive one, and one that I support. However, it's unfortunate that the bill is necessary. It's sad that this is a problem in the U.S.
KANSAN COLUMNIST
OPINION@KANSAN.COM
When I was little, my mom and dad carted my older sister and me everywhere. If Mom had to run errands, we went. Megan would climb in the car while Mom held me, and, together, they would get my car seat adjusted. Then, I'd get buckled up. Mom would make sure Megan had her seat belt on and say, "I love you, buckle up." Megan had learned the phrase in kindergarten class. Then, off wed go to the grocery store
OPINION@KANSAN.COM or the video store or Dillard's. Mom would perform the tedious task of getting me out of the car seat, only to put me back in after 10 or 20 minutes in the store. It didn't matter. We were going in with her. She liked having us along, and we sure loved going. We had very astute feedback for lipstick selections and macaron brands.
It was the same with my Dad. If he wanted to go to the driving range, we went with him. He didn't mind going through the car seat rigmarole. He enjoyed having us along, even when we threw his golf balls so we could leave earlier. Those trips are my favorite memories and his favorite stories to tell.
Maybe Megan and I were just lucky. But that shouldn't be it. Don't mothers and fathers want to take their children along? Is enforcing a fine the only way children can get out of the car? When parents leave their children in the car, they miss
According to Kids and Cars, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing deaths of children in non-traffic, motor-vehicle-related accidents, 219 children in the U.S. died last year from incidents that involved being left unattended in or around a motor vehicle. This year, the total is 12 deaths, as of Feb. 18. These fatalities include being backed over, being strangled by power windows and developing hyperthermia or heatstroke from a car that was too hot or too cold.
out on great times. However, if the company of children is not enough incentive, leaving children in the car is a safety issue as well.
Children left alone in cars are also at risk of abduction. The Kids and Cars Web site features several articles about children who were abducted this way.
Mothers, fathers, baby sitters,
just don't do it. Don't leave children
unattended in a car. It only takes a
few minutes for something awful to
happen. Take the children with you.
Such a simple act keeps them safe and could turn in to a priceless memory for all.
>> TALK TO US
Gabriella Souza editor
864-4854 or gsouza@ikansan.com
Nicole Kelley. managing editor 864-4854 or nkelley@kansan.com
Courtney Hagen, opinion editor
864-4924 or chagen@ikansan.com
Patrick Ross, managing editor 864-4854 or pross@kansan.com
Natalie Johnson associate opinion editor
864-4924 or njohnson@kansan.com
Lindsey Shirac, business manager
864-4014 or ishirack@kansan.com
Jackie Schaffer, sales manager
864-4462 or jschaffer@kansan.com
Malcim Gibson, general manager, news adviser
184-367-2667 email us at malgimgibson@hotmail.com
Jennifer Weaver, sales and marketing adviser
864-7666 or jweaver@kansan.com
>> SUBMISSIONS
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor 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 Courtney Hagen or Natalie Johnson at 644-8180 e-mail opinion@kansan.com.
General questions should be directed to the editor at editor@kansan.com.
LETTER GUIDELINES
**Include:** Author's name, class, hometown (student)
or position (faculty member/staff) and phone number
(will not be published)
**SUBMIT LETTERS TO**
111 Stuaffer-First Nail
1435 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence. K5 66045
(785) 664-814, opitionukam.com
Maximum Length: 200 words
Maximum Length: 500 words
**Include:** Author's name; class, hometown (student); position (faculty member/staff); phone number (will not be published)
**Also:** The Kansan will not print guest questions that attack a reporter or another columnist
GUEST COLUMN GUIDELINES
Gabrielle Souza, Nicole Kelley, Patrick Ross, Courtney Hagen,
Natalie Johnson, Alison Kieler, Tasha Riggins and McKay
Stangler