monday, february 16, 2004
news
the university daily kansan
3A
Former presidential press secretary speaks on the media, White House
By Rupal Gor rgor@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Officials are not running around in a frenzy with beautiful people in the White House like the show The West Wing depicts.
But the energy of people in the show does convey the attitude of those in the White House, said Marlin Fitzwater, former press secretary to two presidents.
He worked as a writer and consultant on the show for two seasons.
seasons.
Fitzwater used his sense of humor to capture the audience on Friday at the Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union, where he received the William Allen White Medallion.
Fitzwater spoke about his
"He's a very interesting person who certainly lived in an incredible period in history."
Tom Volek
Professor of journalism
time in the White House, and journalistic principles. The expansion of the media was one of his top issues.
Fitzwater said that by the time he left the White House in 1992, CNN covered more events than NBC, CBS and ABC combined.
This was because journalists were taking advantage of media growth through satellite cable and the Internet, getting information to the public right away, he said.
Journalists were competing for first-hand information to be accurate in reporting.
Accuracy was one of the principles of journalism that Fitzwater stressed was important.
Another principle was the right for people to know what was going on in the government and the White House.
and the white house. As a press secretary, Fitzwater had to address the nation in different situations.
Fitzwater conveyed what it was like to be on the other side of the media — dealing with the press.
He said the worst time for a presidential press secretary was when the president got sick or was around violence.
The press secretary was the person who told the nation that something was wrong.
He showed humorous side
White House, he had to tell the nation about the president getting sick.
when he spoke about a time when President George H.W. Bush was sick and vomited on the Japanese prime minister.
The word "barf" has never come from somebody in the White House, Fitzwater said.
His beeper started beeping with the message, "President barbed."
Tom Volek, associate professor of journalism, learned things from Fitzwater that he hadn't known. For example, Fitzwater talked about the inner workings of the White House.
"He's a very interesting person who certainly lived in an incredible period in history," Volek said.
Edited by Collin LaJoie
Hall implements security measures
After last week's burglaries, K.K. Amini Scholarship Hall tries out lock-down
By Noeley J. Spellmeier
nspellmeier@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
K. K. Amini Scholarship Hall has decided on a temporary policy after its burglary last weekend.
A trial 24-hour lockdown will be implemented for the next few weeks, said Mike Khadavi, hall president and Overland Park junior.
Last Saturday night, someone burglarized five rooms in the hall.
The suspect actually knocked on the kitchen door, and someone in the kitchen let him in.
It was originally thought by a resident that the suspect came in through the front door when the lock was not working.
"The problem with this is that it is difficult to enforce. If someone is leaving for class, they may not want to wait around"
Mike Khadavi Overland Park junior
He said he was there to see a "Chris" on the second floor, so the resident let him go.
Now the hall is trying to make it so that anyone who comes in anywhere but the front door must be escorted.
At a meeting Thursday night.
necessary. Several options were discussed, including the lockdown policy and escorting guests.
policy and occorrence The hall does not currently have an escort policy.
residents met to decide what, if any, new safety measures were necessary.
Khadavi said he thought the Exec Board, along with some residents, favored a stricter guest policy.
guest poster
One possibility is never letting a guest be without a resident with them at all times.
"The problem with this is that it is difficult to enforce," Khadavi said. "If someone is leaving for class, they may not want to wait around."
When non-residents are let in, they would have to call their host at the front desk.
As of now, the hall is going to try to be more aware of the guests.
Then, they would have to wait for their host to come and get them.
get them. This also leads to problems, though.
If the person who let them in is leaving, they may not want to wait for the other resident.
And if the resident is not in his room when his guest calls, it may be difficult to track him down.
The hall has not yet had an official meeting to inform all of the residents of the plan, but the new procedures will take effect throughout the week, Khadavi said.
- Edited by Collin LaIoie
KU alumnus, judge seen as role model
By Jodie Kraftt jkraftt@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of three profiles of KU alumni for Black History month.
In his high school yearbook under the name Cordell D. Meeks Jr., Meeks listed his career ambition: to become a judge. He was in ninth grade when he realized he wanted to be involved with law, and hasn't looked back since.
He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in 1964 and his law degree in 1967.
Meeks is a district court judge for the 29th judicial District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kan. Born and raised in Kansas City, Meeks said his father was also a judge, but he was never pushed that direction.
Meeks said his role model was actually Delano Lewis, a KU graduate and former U.S. ambassador to South Africa. Lewis also received his undergraduate degree from the University and the two were involved in some of the same organizations.
Meeks said interacting with different people in these organizations at the University taught him a lot.
"KU was a perfect slice of what life was going to be about," he said.
said. Meeks' involvement in the community didn't stop after graduation: he serves on 34 boards and organizations in the Kansas City area and on campus. His campus commitments include being a member of the Chancellor's Club, an adviser for minority development for the School of Nursing, an advisory for Edwards Campus and a member of the Law Society Board of Governors.
errors.
"It's sort of a hobby of mine," Meeks said. "People ask me how
"If you're willing to help yourself, he's willing to help you."
Mark Dupree
Kansas City, Kan., senior
I have the time and my answer is. I don't play golf."
He committed to many of these organizations and boards because some of them had never had any black involvement.
"Part of erasing deep-seeded prejudice is to demonstrate to others that we can step in and do it." Meeks said.
Mark Dupree is one student who has experienced Meeks' philosophy first-hand. The Kansas City, Kan., senior was paired with Meeks as part of an internship opportunity during his senior year of high school. For a few weeks, Dupree shadowed Meeks to learn about his job.
Some of Meeks' favorite organizations are those that help children. He said he liked programs that taught today's youth how to develop the skills necessary to become productive citizens.
learn about his job. Dupree said a shared interest in law first connected the two, but they have remained friends for many years. Dupree visits Meeks once or twice a month and said the pair talked about the importance of communication between people and Dupree's career goals. Dupree said Meeks even talked to a few law firms about internships for him.
"If you're willing to help yourself, he's willing to help you," Dupree said.
Dupree said he thought Meeks' combination of friendliness to others and his ability to remain true to himself made him successful as a judge and person.
"I think that's why he is where he is today," Dupree said.
- Edited by Cindy Yeo
Top of The Hill is your chance to vote for the best. Fill this out and return it to Room 119 Stauffer-Flint or visit Kansan.com to fill out the online survey. Your name will be placed in a drawing to win a S30 gift certificate at the winner of The Best Overall Restaurant!
RESTAURANTS
TOP OF THE HILL 2004
RESTAURANTS
BEST MEXICAN:
BEST CHINESE:
BEST BREAKFAST:
BEST BURGERS
BEST SUBS:
BEST ITALIAN:
BEST STEAKHOUSE:
BEST VEGETARIAN:
BEST PIZZA:
BEST FRENCH FRIES:
BEST WINGS:
BEST BUFFET:
BEST ICE CREAM:
BEST CUSTARD:
BEST COFFEE HOUSE:
BEST ATMOSPHERE:
BEST DELIVERY SERVICE:
BEST BAKERY:
BEST POST-PARTY FOOD:
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE:
BEST KC RESTAURANT:
BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT:
BEST OVERALL:
YOUR NAME:
YOUR PHONE:
RETAILERS
BEST CAR WASH:
BEST GROCERY STORE:
BEST GAS STATION:
BEST CAR SERVICES:
BEST COPY CENTER:
BEST BANK:
BEST EYE DOCTOR:
BEST LAWYER:
BEST FLOWER SHOP:
BEST LAUNDROMAT:
BEST GOLF COURSE:
BEST DRY CLEANERS:
BEST MOVIE RENTAL:
BEST LIQUOR STORE:
BEST MUSIC STORE:
BEST SHOE STORE:
BEST MEN'S CLOTHING:
BEST WOMEN'S CLOTHING:
BEST SPORTING GOODS:
BEST BIKE SHOP:
BEST JEWELRY STORE:
BEST DEPARTMENT STORE:
BEST ELECTRONICS:
BEST FURNITURE STORE:
BEST PET STORE:
BEST CELL PHONE CARRIER:
BEST PLACE TO SELL CD'S:
BEST PLACE TO SELL OLD CLOTHES:
BEAUTY SERVICES
BEST WORKOUT FACILITY:
BEST HAIR SALON:
BEST BARBER:
BEST MASSAGE:
BEST WAXING:
BEST TANNING SALON:
BEST NAIL PLACE:
BEST TATTOO SHOP:
SCHOOLS
BEST PLACE TO STUDY:
BEST BOOKSTORE:
BEST RESIDENCE HALL:
BEST SCHOLARSHIP HALL:
BEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS:
BEST FRATERNITY:
BEST SORORITY:
BEST STUDENT ORGANIZATION:
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
BEST SPORTS BAR:
BEST DRINK SPECIALS:
BEST MARTINIS:
BEST MARGARITAS:
BEST WELLS:
BEST BEER SELECTION:
BEST DANCE CLUB:
BEST BILLIARDS:
BEST BARTENDERS:
BEST TO MEET GIRLS/GUYS:
BEST ATMOSPHERE:
BEST TO WATCH KU BASKETBALL:
BEST STRIP CLUB:
BEST LIVE MUSIC:
BEST OVERALL:
BARS
HOUSING
BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX:
BEST TOWNHOMES:
BEST LANDLORD:
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD: