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Opinion
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Friday, April 6, 2001
Perspective
Coalitions differ from national political parties
For comments, contact Chris Borniger or Nathan Willis at 864-4924 or opinion@kansan.com
There seems to be a misunderstanding pervading the editorial staff of the Kansan that somehow Student Senate
coalitions are akin to political parties. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let me state that again: Student Senate coalitions are not political parties.
Although it may be easy to make that extrapolation, given the national political climate that we inhabit, there are striking differences between the two bodies.
Political parties define themselves by national issues that do not go away. These include such topics as education, foreign policy and crime. Student Senate coalitions, however, are defined by temporary issues that often are resolved within the term of their tenure.
Student Senate issues are grounded in priority not ideology. Coalitions are formed by students who have similar ideas on how to address the issues they think are common to the student body and work to get elected on these issues.
After their terms expire, new coalitions are formed to address the new issues that have arisen since the original
Branden Bell guest columnist opinion@kansan.com
student senators' terms began
In addition, politicians affiliated with political parties continue to run for re-election until retirement or death, and have the ability to take credit for things they've accomplished during their years of service.
It would be ludicrous for student senators to attempt to do so. As they are here for an average of four years, it would be unprincipled for them to take credit for things that none of them had been involved with but that some party they are affiliated with had accomplished before these students had enrolled at the University. It would be akin to a modern-day Republican taking credit for freeing the slaves.
This is the manner in which Student Senate elections were held in the recent past, coalitions dissolving and forming each year. Delta Force is the irregularity. And there is a good reason they were held this way, as anyone who takes a glance at state and national legislatures can see.
Since that network region can see Factionalism breeds gridlock, just as James Madison warned many years ago. One shudders to think of how ineffective our Student Senators would be if they engaged in the same partisan wrangling that grips the state and national levels of Congress.
The dissolution of coalitions at the end of the election allows for a spirit of bipartisanship within Student Senate, which is conducive to effective governance on behalf of the student body.
I was shocked and appalled when I discovered the conduct that some of the United Students' candidates engaged in last year, and I am personally outraged that any Kansan opinion staff member would seek to tie myself or the VOICE coalition to that same conduct.
The VOICE coalition is filled with bright, enthusiastic students who want to leave this University a better place than they found it. They are devoting countless hours for an opportunity at the privilege of performing the thankless, under-appreciated and unpaid task of being a student senator.
They do not do this to pad their resumes or to perpetuate a clannish social club, but because they want to make a difference at the University of Kansas for the students they seek to represent.
To attempt to link these good people to the actions of a few students in the year past is ludicrous and unfair, bordering on yellow journalism. It's like trying to blame a modern-day Democrat for slavery.
This process does not benefit from mud-slinging, whether it comes from the media or from the parties themselves. The VOICE coalition prides itself on running a clean campaign, not having received a campaign violation to date, and will continue to do so.
Attempts to turn our University's electoral process into some sort of blame game, regardless of who initiates them, does a disservice to the maturity and intellect of the student body.
Bell is a Tulsa, Okla., junior in political science. He is an off-campus senator in Student Senate and a VOICE candidate for a liberal arts and sciences seat.
DeVertins
9.11.15, New
THE NEXT STEP FOR AMERICAN JUSTICE
Heard on the Hill
Eric Devericks/TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Do you plan to vote in Student Senate elections next Wednesday and Thursday?
"I don't know. I don't care."
Andreana Jackson
Leavenworth senior
"Yes. I think it's important to participate."
Claire Hagen
McPherson
freshman
"Yes. I'm interested in KU's future."
Megan Danner
Naaperie Ill.. senior
"No. Vote for what? I don't know the purpose of it."
Timothy Bell
Liberal sophomore
Perspective
Columnist reveals secrets, sins of torrid background
I'm scared.
A group of disgruntled student senators are conducting background checks on University Daily Kansan staffers. They claim that because we check backgrounds of candidates (as most reputable newspapers do) they have a right to check us out. After all, our parents have a right to know about our drunk drives arrests, too.
As I said, though, I'm scared — mostly that people will discover my penchant for jaywalking, which could damage my credibility as a columnist. And people may be less likely to look to my friend Mr. College Answer Person for advice if they know about his extensive criminal record.
So I'm making a pre-emptive strike. I'm hanging out my dirty laundry to dry right here and now. Please don't judge me too harshly: I'm young and good-looking.
Clay McCuistion columnist opinion@kansas.com
ing. Folks like me can't be expected to think before we act. But bear this in mind: Has J.D. Jenkins ever been so honest with you?
Following, in no particular order, is a list of the sins that might emerge in a check of my background.
It's true; I acted in musicals in middle school and high school. I acted, sang and even attempted to dance. I realize that such a revelation would have killed Ben Waller's presidential campaign, but the truth is the truth.
- The pictures of George W. Bush, the donkey and I are entirely innocent. We were merely taking it out for a breath of fresh air. I still don't
I have, on certain occasions, been at parties where alcohol was consumed by students. And minors. And pets. I may have even consumed such alcohol myself. I don't exactly remember.
I thought it was tobacco. Honest!
know how it got stuck in the tree with "Laura is a fox" on its side in iridescent body paint.
George and I had to spend the night in the slammer, but once the donkey was taken down and found to be entirely unharmed, we were released with a few stern words. It sure didn't hurt George's career any. As for the donkey, I hear it in a cabinet position now.
I have worked at the Kansan for eight full semesters. This in no way has kept me from developing as a normal college student, except for my penchant for recording everything said to me with a secret microcassette recorder.
I have watched entire episodes of both *Full House* and *Home Improvement*. I still find Bob Saget and Tim Allen creepily endearing.
I'm not a natural blond. I don't even really wee hair. Its an incredible wig bought from "Boy's House of Wigs" s' stuff."
You see, I'm actually a 50-year-old insurance salesman getting my kicks by fraternizing with young, outrageous college students. My exploits will soon be made into a movie starring Tom Selleck. Christopher Walken and Uma Thurman
I was never actually an agent of Fidel Castro. True, we might have been friendly back in the '60s, but I have always been a red-blooded American citizen. The picture of me and Fidel skipping merrily along the Havana beach (which Jenkins' thugs have undoubtedly found) was a gift from the old coot a couple of years ago. It's a memento of a special time and nothing more.
There. At great personal risk to myself, my family and loved ones, I've bared all to the University community. As I stand naked and shivering in the stiff (but slightly arousing) breeze of truth, I pray that you will forgive my trespasses against each and every one of you. Just don't tell my mom.
As for the gay rumors — they are unequivocally false. Just ask my boyfriend.
McCuiation is an El Dorado senior in journalism and English.
Editorial
Department should help save team
The Athletics Department can do more to help alumni keep men's swimming afloat.
Recently, a group of Kansas swimming alumni have begun raising money to save the men's swimming and diving team at the University of Kansas. They need to raise $740,000 to keep the program running for the next two years, $1.36 million to finance the program until 2006 and a $10 million endowment to keep it going permanently.
Despite all these efforts, the Athletics Department is not offering any help saving the team. But judging from the outpour of support from students and alumni, the department should step in and do as much as possible to help this effort.
The cutting of the men's swimming and men's tennis teams has enraged many in the University community. Students, faculty, coaches and alumni from across the country have expressed their disappointment with these cuts. We can all understand the difficulty in making such sacrifices when there just is not enough money to go around. Something had to be done, and the department chose to cut teams.
What is upsetting is that when approached with a possible solution to the problem, the department seemed to turn its head.
Some have complained that the Athletics Department is requiring the alumni to raise too much money too fast. The department set a deadline of Saturday, June 30 for the $740,000 needed to run the program for the next two years. Bob Frederick, athletics director; said the department required two years of funds up front so that the department could tell recruits that the team wouldn't just be operating on a year-by-year basis.
The short deadlines make it all the more important that the department help the alumni raise funds. The least the department could do is provide alumni with a list of people to contact to raise money. That would require minimal effort from the department and could significantly ease the fund-raisers' mission.
If the department really cares about keeping the teams here at the University, it needs to step up to help this cause. Although funds are tight, the department can help in other ways.
Brett Norman for the editorial board
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. The Kansan reserves the right to edit submissions, and not all of them will be published. Slanderous statements will not be printed. For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
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Stop blaming others for your own inaction and apathy. Take action and go vote April 11 and 12.
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japlay at kansan.com
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webeditor at kansan.com
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So is the area in front of Murphy Hall going to be a mud hole until I graduate? I was just wondering.
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I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Cayce Thomasson had been found. I know others on campus did as well. Welcome back, Cayce. I hope you can overcome whatever happened. Our prayers are with you.
I don't know if I'm going to vote for Delta Force or VOICE, but I do know they're all dorks.
writer at kansan.com
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japlay at kansan.com
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webeditor at kansan.com
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The story about Senate campaign spending was very interesting.
I think it's so stupid that Drew Gooden wants to hold a press conference for his decision on leaving for the NBA. It's so selfish; he just wants to get attention. Hey Drew, here's a way to get attention: Stay for two more years, win us a national championship, then go to the NBA and sit on the bench.
Was anyone else annoyed by the insert in today's newspaper? If the Oracle is for the Greek community, then it should only be given to the Greek community. Thank you.
I
I'm upset because we went to the Tunnel of Oppression, so now I feel oppressed.
I would like to know why where we're cutting sports, but yet we can afford to keep on the lights at Memorial Stadium at all hours of the night.
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Just wanted everyone to know that the Florida media recount is over, and George Bush would have won had there been a recount. So all you Gore people, stop your whining.
They should stop saying it's going to be 70 degrees and sunny because it hasn't been once this week.
writer at kansan.com
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features at kansan.com
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japlay at kansan.com
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webeditor at kansan.com
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I'd like to congratulate Paul Sedlack for standing up to the parking department. And to the parking department: If you can't handle complaints, then maybe you shouldn't be working there. Customer complaints are a part of almost every job.
I was just wondering if we could possibly get male strip joints in Lawrence because it's just not fair.
Hi. I just got beaten by an oversensitive stick. Therefore, I am outraged by the April Fool's edition of the UDK.
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I was just wondering if VOICE is an entirely new coalition, then how have they already produced results for students? Thanks.
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