Monday, April 23, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 5
Letters to the editor Brownback wrong on abortion
To read once again Sen. Sam Brownback's claim that microscopic cells are more important than the woman in whose body they are growing is tiresome.
Now he asserts that we need not care for the environment that sustains human life and future generations because we "have a soul." This assertion is more than double-talk; it is profoundly ignorant and reprehensibly irresponsible. The sooner we throw this monumentally misinformed man out of office the better.
Jeri Kaester office manager department of continuing education
Alternatives to abortion exist
I read in the Lawrence Journal-World about Sen. Sam Brownback's pro-life presentation Tuesday. The article mentioned a student asking about options for a woman carrying a severely deformed child, a child who might not live. I hope that student is reading this. It's also for anyone else who might wonder the same thing.
There is a place in Wichita called Choices Medical Clinic. In addition to providing resources to help with more "normal" pregnancies, Choices has a program of "perinatal hospice," when the outcome is not as hopeful.
I encourage anyone affected by a situation like this to contact Choices and see what it can offer. They have testimony from people who have carried their babies to term, only to have them die. However, these parents felt a closure that might have been missing if they had chosen an abortion. Check out all of your choices before making any decision. Choices Medical Clinic can be reached at 800-879-7451.
Verna Froese
Watson Library library assistant
Watkins proctor pick is suspect
I am not a resident of Watkins Scholarship Hall, but if I were a resident, I would sign the petition demanding a voice in deciding the hall's new proctor. I would support the petition in order to clarify due process and to discover if Kaill Kuiper being involved in the lawsuit was a factor. Certainly, this should not be a way of penalizing an applicant, especially one of Kaill's caliber.
The University is a mentoring society to students, faculty and staff. At its best, participation in the University is
supported by a personal concern for all and for all to take part in establishing the rules for an institution. In this instance, the evidence of such a mentoring influence is lacking.
I have known Kaifi for two years. She has served as an exemplary leader in Ecumenical Christian Ministries. She is a member of the Sexuality Education Committee sponsored by ECM, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Canterbury House, United Methodist Campus Ministry and Hillel ministries. She has always expressed tremendous support for Watkins and the other scholarship halls. If Aldan Loveland is ultimately appointed as the new proctor, Kailli will accept this and continue to be a supporter of Watkins Scholarship Hall.
Thad Holcombe Ecumenical Christian Ministries pastor
Lawsuit influenced proctor pick
I am outraged at the apparent act of retaliation by the department of student housing against the women of Watkins and Miller Scholarship Halls because of their lawsuit against the Bank of America.
As the Kansan reported, the woman selected by the residents of Watkins as their proctor for the upcoming school year was, in an unprecedented move, vetoed by housing. The reason was the proctor-elect's involvement in the lawsuit. The basis for this decision not only contradicts the housing' own policies but appears to be a blatant act of intimidation. The women of Watkins and Miller should be able to freely express their concerns regarding their housing situation through well-trodden legal avenues without fear of losing their housing privileges or being thrown out of hall offices to which they have been freely elected.
Elizabeth Miller Watkins, the most generous benefactor in the University's history, endowed this trust for the explicit purpose of ongoing upkeep of Watkins and Miller. As a former Watkins "lifer," I applaud the current hall residents for taking the giant step of suing the fund trustee, Bank of America, to force it to account for the distribution of the monies from the trust. I am appalled that as a party to this action, a qualified and deserving woman will not be allowed to serve her fellow residents as proctor.
I have faith that the legal system will work out a fair outcome to the Bank of America litigation. I hope that housing will show the same faith and let the case play itself out in court and not feel the need to intercede on very hurtful and personal levels with hall residents. In the spirit of Elizabeth Miller
Watkins and her desire to make a college education affordable and attainable for all women, I am joining other alumnae in donating money to provide a scholarship, in an amount matching the compensation given to the Watkins proctor; to the woman who housing has deemed unworthy.
Ko alumna former Watkins Scholarship Hall resident Bethesda, Md., resident
Columnist didn't do research
Andrew Marino, like many of his KU contemporaries, sure is confused about civil rights issues. In his April 20 column ("Principles, not passion, will bring end to racism"), he revealed not only his ignorance, but his racism when he asked that fewer minority professors would be granted tenure if merit were the true criterion for tenure. It assumes that if merit were the true criterion that minorities wouldn't measure up. In reality, however, a great many more White males have benefited from "affirmative action" in this workplace than have minorities or women.
Under Chancellor Hemenway, this University has faced 17 federal lawsuits alleging civil rights violations. Many of those suits have been settled quietly. Only a year ago, a jury in federal court found that KU had violated the civil rights of Marie Aquilino.
Most importantly, the KU administration has led to all of us—and to the courts—about what they know about discrimination on this campus. They knew, but didn't bother to tell anyone, that a federal agency had found them out of compliance with federal civil rights law. They knew about an internal study that substantiated the minority faculty's widespread claims of discrimination. They knew about an internal study that substantiated the discrimination against women in this workplace. They have hidden—or refused to even gather—the federally mandated data on hiring and promotion practices that would conclusively reveal the racism and sexism in this workplace. They knew that between 1996 and 1999, the hires of White males outnumbered the direct hires of either minorities or women.
Yes, there are ideologues on both sides of this issue, just as there were ideologues on both sides of this issue in 1968. As long as the battle for racial and gender equality is fought by those, such as professor Raymond Pierotti, who courageously rise above the very real threats to their own personal security, there will also be ideologues, such as Andrew Marino, who fill the
ranks of either the real or the figurative lynch mobs, hunting down and persecuting the "uppity."
Mike Cuenca assistant professor of journalism
Religion not needed to be moral
In response to Mr. Pull's letter, "America needs religion now," on Tuesday: I'm sorry, but no, we don't. We need morals, which are a completely different story. Even supposing that religion were the best way to form moral values, which is a debate I won't touch, why does it have to be Christianity? Religion in schools and government is fine, so long as all religions are represented and no one is looked down on for his or her beliefs. If you want to post the Ten Commandments, fine, but post the rules that all other religions live by as well. Be prepared to use a lot of wall space.
Unfortunately, representing every belief system in the world wherever one is represented is impossible. Therefore, religion should remain a personal and private choice. If each person accepted that other people's beliefs, whatever they are, are just as valid as their own, and people consented to work together with others of differing beliefs for peace and justice, society could teach all people to be 'good' without resorting to religion.
Minnetonka, Minn., sophomore
Story wasn't fair to schol halls
I think that Wednesday's article "Factors influence housing decisions," April 11) comparing housing choices provided an inaccurate and incomplete representation of the scholarship halls. The only insight into this unique and successful living environment dealt with lower rent and chores. No mention was made of the fact that being accepted into a scholarship hall is in fact a form of academically and financially based scholarship, or of the community that is built in these fifty-person homes, where we share meals, a recreation room, living room, computer lab, free laundry facilities, a twenty four hour open kitchen and pantry, a fantastic location, and so much more. We have the same kind of governmental system that the sororities and fraternities do, with all the expected chairs, such as community service and social, and events with other halls, such as picnics or Royals games. One unfortunate difference is that we can not involve alcohol at our official events because housing will not allow us to spend any of our budgeted money on
any event where alcohol is served, but considering that it costs several thousand dollars less per year to live in a scholarship hall than a sorority or fraternity, I think that it is a sacrifice that many are more than willing to make. Do your research, Ms. Newcomer. While it is clear that you really do not care, as a journalist you should at least pretend effectively.
Laura Brunow
Dallassophomore
I'm a senior now, and some of you may recognize me. I've spoken to your classes, written for the Kansan editorial board, and for too many articles to count, I provided quotes intended to represent the queer community.
I've taken time out of the group in my final year to apply to grad schools and work on a thesis. It's interesting to watch, though I’m saddened to witness the new class of queer activists dealing with the same issues I fought.
Last week, a story referred to what we've termed "Pride Week" for almost a decade as "Gay Pride Week," a sort of way of simplifying issues for Kansan readers. Why not "Queer Pride Week," if there's a need to clarify?
And why is it that when some homophobe writes "AIDS kills fags dead" on a door, the *Kansan* labels each quote as from a gay or straight source? Is it more newsworthy that a heterosexual resident also found it offensive?
I don't mean solely to criticize the Kansan, however. Although more than five years since Queers & Allies chose its more inclusive name, the Kansan style guide finally allowed for the use of the word queer this year.
The theme of this year's Pride Week was "Unity Through Community." This isn't a reference just to the diversity of gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgendered people, but also a welcome to heterosexuals. Having a queer friend is the best way to cure your phobias.
Studies show that those in favor of equal civil rights for queers are college educated, and there's a reason for that. You're here to educate yourself, so do it. Maybe it's not politically correct, but there you have it: If you disagree with my access to the rights and privileges you enjoy, it's a blind ignorance.
For now, I'm sitting back and enjoying it. This is the first Pride Week since I've been here where I'm not working with Q&A, and it's nice to get this perspective. I'm disappointed that some of my fellow students haven't taken this opportunity, but I have faith that will change. Be proud!
Matthew Skinta Andover senior
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BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING * ALL DIGITAL
| In-suit | | | |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 Josie And The Pussycats $^{130}$ | {1:30} | {4:30}, {7:10}, {9:40} |
| 2 Pokemon 3 $^{131}$ | {1:10} | {4:10} |
| also... Along Game A Spider $^{132}$ | | 6.55, 9.30 |
| 3 Enemy At The Gates $^{133}$ | {1:15} | {4:05}, {7:15, 10:05} |
| 4 Blow $^{134}$ | {1:20} | {4:20}, {7:10, 10:10} |
| 5 Spy Kids $^{135}$ | {1:25} | {4:25}, {7:00, 9:20} |
| 6 Freddy Got Fingered $^{136}$ | {1:55} | {4:35}, {7:15, 9:30} |
| 7 Ridge Jones's Diane $^{137}$ | {1:40} | {4:35}, {7:15, 10:05} |
| 8 Along Game A Spider $^{138}$ | {1:45} | {4:25}, {10:00, 9:25} |
| 9 Crocodile Duende in LA $^{139}$ | {1:50} | {4:35}, {7:00, 9:25} |
| 10 Heartbreakers $^{140}$ | {1:00} | {4:00}, {7:00, 9:45} |
| 11 Someone Like You $^{141}$ | {1:35} | {4:15}, {7:15, 9:40} |
| 12 Joe Dirt $^{142}$ | {2:00} | {4:25}, {7:40, 9:50} |
PLAZA 6
Sat & Sun Daily
1 O Brother, Where Art Thou?⁽¹⁾(1.55) 4:40) 7:05, 9:35
2 The Mexican ⁽²⁾ (1:45) 4:30) 7:06, 9:35
3 Chocolat⁽³⁾(1:45) 4:30) 7:06, 9:35
4 Kingdon Come⁽⁴⁾(2:00) 4:45) 7:10, 9:40
5 Traffic⁵) (1:50) 4:35) 8:00
6 Tomcats⁶) (1:55) 4:40) 7:10, 9:40
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