Section A·Page 6
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
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Track athletes deserve praise
Christianity still relevant today
As a supposed big supporter of Kansas track and field, I would expect Sarah to do a little more research before she writes something discouraging about our program. The fact is, besides the athletes we are redshirting, we still have many athletes that have proven themselves to be consistent high quality performers. Sarah failed to recognize that we still have three All-American athletes competing in Ryan Speers, Andy Tate and myself. Show me another team on campus that can boast to having three All-Americans on their squad. I won't argue that redshirting these athletes will make us very thin, but we aren't ready to throw in the towel this outdoor season and look ahead to next year.
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This is a letter in response to Sarah Warren's column in the Kansan about the men's track team ("Loss of seniors is devastating to outdoor track season success," March 28). As a member of the men's track team, I was genuinely hurt by the words that were printed. I have worked extremely hard for my four years on the track team.
I came to KU as a non-scholarship athlete who needed work to compete at the Division I level. As a result of my hard work, I have become a school record holder, a Big 12 champion, a national qualifier and an All-American. Although I have accepted the fact that despite these accomplishments I will remain fairly anonymous throughout campus, I won't accept being called "dead weight" by a reporter in my own school's newspaper.
I don't understand why this negative article about our program is featured on the front page of the sports section while the article about us placing eighth at nationals was printed on page 8. Although I have always wanted to see our team get more coverage in your newspaper, I think the entire team would agree that this is not the kind of coverage that we want Just like the team has accepted that these great athletes will not be competing for us this outdoor season. I would ask that you accept this and move on to covering the outstanding athletes that are competing. I have a feeling that many athletes that you have never heard of will step up this season and make big contributions on this year's team.
For those who supposedly have eternity to figure things out, there seems to be a lot of frantic arguing going on lately, especially concerning the importance of Christianity in today's society. I'm writing in response to two previous columns — one asserting that Christianity is flawed and irrelevant today, and another contending the opposite.
As the biggest supporter of Kansas track and field, I would expect Sarah to notice that we aren't wearing pink shorts anymore.
Each of them have a few good points, but miss the bigger picture. The first columnist was right in saying that Christianity is a flawed belief system; basically, it is founded on contradictions. A lot of people have been incensed by this statement, but there has been hardly any proof offered to back up what they're sayi-ng.
Brian Blachly Paola senior
And they're not going to get any help from the Bible, which is truly an error-ridden text. Although there are a number of good stories and parables, it is still something written by humans and for humans. In fact, there are many parts that are outright immoral. In Numbers (15:32-36), a man is found searching for sticks in the forest on a Sunday; so, naturally, God commands Moses to kill him for his crime. Later on (in 25:16-17), a command is given by the Lord to Moses to "Vex the MIDianites, and
smite them." Six chapters later, Moses and the children of Israel kill all the men and boys of Midian, burn their cities, and steal their goods and cattle. But it gets worse. They kill all the men's wives because they are not virgins, and for those who are still virgins — they have the privilege of becoming sex slaves to the priests of Israel.
And Jesus wasn't much better. Although he is said to be the paragon of good morality, according to the New Testament this is hardly warranted. In Luke 12:47,48, Jesus gives instructions on how to beat slaves. He displays his affection for life by drowning innocent animals (Matthew 8:32), and he even encourages castration (Matthew 19:12). As for family values? "I am come," he said, "to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Matthew 10:35-36). Jesus attacked merchants with a whip (John 2:15), and many of the burnings of unbelievers during the Inquisition were justified using his words: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6). At one point, Jesus even irrationally curses a fig tree! (Matthew 21:18-19)
Jesus certainly did good deeds, and many of the things he taught were worthwhile, but he made mistakes. He was human, and part of being human means searching for answers. The first columnist contending that Christianity is no longer relevant did so with good ideas but shaky logic. She was searching for her own answers.
Is this who we should really look up to, who we should have our children turning to for moral guidance? Isn't there someone better we can find?
For me, science and philosophy offer more than any religion ever could. I've tried Christianity; my family is Christian, but it doesn't work for me. I need something more logical, more consistent with reality. For many, though, this isn't possible. For those who still need to be supported, for those whose lives need an external source of happiness and worth, Christianity is by far still relevant today. To imagine that we are here on our own, that it is up to us to do what is right, is tough indeed. As Freud said, "It takes a person of great faith to be an atheist." Christianity is still relevant because people need it, and as long as they do, it will survive.
Cody Marrs
Wichita freshman
Sleepout increases awareness
I wanted to take a moment to comment on Ben Tatar's latest column ("Helping homeless people means care, not board." April 3).
Before I do that I would like to commend him for volunteering at Jubilee Cafe and being inspired enough to do something for the homeless on his own accord. I think his column addressed a bit of human nature we are losing in our society: compassion toward our fellow human beings. However, while someone like Mr. Tatar may have the self-initiative to give some of his precious time to the homeless, other students, faculty and community members don't have that same desire. I would argue further that many of them are not aware that there are more than 200 homeless individuals in Lawrence. Therefore, raising money to help those in need is not "worthless." It might actually make some students more aware of the homeless citizens of our community. And by "pushing students into the cold with pillows and flashlights," perhaps they too will learn to have compassion for the plight of those who are homeless or unwished.
Mr. Tatar also makes another unremarkable statement in his column: "we students can't imagine what it's like to be homeless."
While he states the obvious, he lacks the realization that a majority of individuals don't give a second thought to the unfortunate circumstances of the homeless. I sure didn't think twice until eight other students and myself went on a weekend Urban Plunge in a strange city "impersonating" someone who was homeless. This real-life experience not only benefits the student, but also the homeless population. I can say that since that experience I have been, and always will be, an advocate for homeless citizens' rights. Whether that be through letter writing to legislators, attending city council meetings, volunteering at the Jubilee or raising money for social services.
I am sure many people will continue to criticize the actions of those who falsely integrate themselves into street life or a shelter. I would argue that one couldn't truly understand what kind of battle our homeless citizens have until we attempt to walk in their shoes.
Corey M. Snyder
Topeka senior
Paper diplomas cheap option
Good ol' KU has managed to outdo itself again in terms of unabashed cheapness. If you end up graduating from this institution, don't expect the usual diploma folder diploma. This University has given a literal meaning to the diploma being merely "a purchased piece of paper." I have two degrees from other universities, and both provided this rather obvious "amenity." Heck, even my high school in the middle of Redneckville, Texas, graciously provided this "perk." KU's next step will probably be an e-mail with the diploma as a.pdf attachment for home printout. At least students could use a higher grade of paper for the diploma. This could save what must be millions of dollars going into the simple printing of diplomas.
John Culbertson Lawrence graduate student
Graduate students should vote
This Wednesday and Thursday, graduate students should cast their votes in the Student Senate elections. In order for campus elections to result in the best representation for all student concerns, the participation of more graduate students is required.
Student Senate-funded activities affect graduate students on a daily basis. Yet constantly, Senate and its leaders ignore what would be logical and helpful for the University's graduate and professional student communities.
Former student body presidents have explained to me that the reason for this disregard of graduate concerns is that graduate students do not vote enough. Senate will never adequately fund graduate groups nor respect our needs unless more of us vote in the Senate elections. Graduate-specific issues do not even appear in coalition campaign platforms, except for Delta Force's ongoing support of GTAs during contract negotiations.
Undergraduate students do not know firsthand the rigors of graduate school, although all graduate and professional students have already had the undergraduate collegiate experience. It is the shared responsibility of undergraduate and graduate students to work together on behalf of graduate student needs.
The graduate student constituency must no longer be ignored. Grad students, voting in this election is a first step to a better KU.
GTAC president and Delta Force graduate candidate for Student Senate
GTAs may not have it so bad
I feel that the article titled, "GTAs for higher rallies" in Friday's
paper leaves out some important details that are worth mentioning out of fairness to the administration. Perhaps some of these details are specific to my department, but it is my understanding these policies are University-wide.
Does the University of Iowa give free tuition to GTAs? Is the University of Iowa salary figure computed from nine or 12 months of work?
The University's compensation to the GTA is $16,100. The alternative would be to get a part- or full-time job to pay for school.
Full-time GTAs get free tuition. The one semester I took classes at KU and did not teach, I paid around $4,000 for out-of-state tuition. This would be $4,000 annually. Consider the case of an out-of-state GTA who is paid $500 a month — this is less than average, $333. Nine hundred dollars a month for nine months is $1.10. He is out of state, he receives $8,000 of free tuition for the nine months he teaches.
Compare this to a full-time job that pays $42,933 a year — not a great, but a reasonable salary. If you only work 20 hours a week, you should only get paid $21,467. If you only work nine months out of 12, you should only get paid $16,100.
To be fair, few part time jobs pay $20 an hour, have flexible hours and give health benefits.
Wayne Miller GTA in electrical engineering and computer science
Campus needs more well-lit lots
In regards to the parking story you ran on Wednesday ("Irate student sounds off on parking ticket"), I too am a frustrated parker. I have two night classes this semester and am on campus after dark twice a week. I have had the hardest time finding places to park that I feel are safe. Campus is so dark, and I have fought all semester to park in well-lit areas.
Consequently, I have received three tickets. The first ticket was in the new parking garage north of the Union. Classmates kept saying we wouldn't get charged that late at night, then bam—$20. Next, I parked in a well-lit spot south of Wescoe. There was no sign visible where I parked, and yet I received a ticket for parking in a restricted space. Supposedly, the spot is restricted through 7 p.m. My class begins at 7 p.m., and I got there no earlier than 6 p.m. Bam—$20. Third, I was going to my class in Wescoe again last week and couldn't find a place to park. I was sure there were many spots in the lot south of Memorial Stadium, but I was not about to walk up that hill in the dark. I parked in front of a dumpster. Bam
— $20. I know parking in front of a dumpster was wishful thinking on my part (wishful because I hoped to get away with it), and I plan to pay that ticket, along with the two others
However, the lack of "safe" parking on campus at night is definitely a problem, and I don't think safety-conscience students should be penalized. I feel the Parking Department should keep student safety in mind and stop ticketing at night. I have not bought a parking permit for this semester, but the Parking Department has found a way to make their money. I don't agree with the fines.
My last peeve is the new parking garage. Why, on earth, does it cost $1 an hour? There is no other lot in the entire city of Lawrence with rates this high. One of my night classes is in Smith, and I feel the safest place to park is in the garage. However, I have to pay $5 a night to park where I think it's safer. This doesn't seem right to me. It's as if the University is saying, "park in all the dark, creepy places you want, but if you want to feel safe, you'll have to pay."
I'torn between whether I should feel safe and pay or continue to be afraid while walking to class. It isn't fair.
Christa Henton Independence senior
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