Friday, December 8, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
KU diversity a concern for students of all races
By Leita Schultes
writer@kansan.com
Kansan stuff writer
Ben Chapman said the limited diversity at the University of Kansas was almost enough to make him want to go to another school.
His statement echoed that of many minority students on campus, who say they feel isolated on a campus where nearly 21,000 students — 81 percent — are white.
But Chapman, McPherson sophomore and a white student, said that diversity affected all students, regardless of race.
He said more diversity would improve his experience at the University. His opinion was shared by others.
Like Chapman, Titus is white but understands the value of diversity.
She said she became interested in promoting diversity while still in high school.
"I saw a lot of racism in high school," she said. "I just always knew that was wrong, and I wanted to come to a school that was more diverse. I thought KU would be that, and I have been a little disappointed."
Titus said there were a handful of white students on campus who were concerned about diversity. But most were not confronted with racial issues and weren't forced to consider their importance.
Jessica Scott, Haven freshman, agreed that for most white students, diversity was not a primary concern.
As a white student, she said she didn't notice the small number of minority students when she first came to campus.
"The more you look around, the more you notice it," she said.
Scott said she didn't know if a more diverse student body would help her educational experience.
"it's hard to say, because I've never really been around a big group of diverse people," she said. "But it couldn't hurt it."
Alberta Wright, assistant director at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said students at KU tended to make diversity an issue only for minorities.
She asked why white students didn't go to Black Student Union meetings or stop in the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
"This is where everyone is supposed to come and learn about diversity and multi-culturalism at KU," Wright said.
She said the KU community needed to decide together what diversity was by talking about issues openly and honestly.
"Right now there is a fear of fear," Wright said. "Overcome the fear of being different and overcome the fear of those who are different. It's a two way street."
Getting clothes ready to ship to refugees in Nepal, Jonj Kweon, Seuk, Korea, graduate student, separates the different kinds of clothing with Erik Goodman, Beaver Creek, Ohio, senior. KU Students for a Free Tibet sponsored the clothing drive. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN
-Edited by Kate McCarty
By Nathan Dayani Special to the Kansan
Activists fast to raise money to ship clothing items to Tibet
This holiday season, members of Students for a Free Tibet hope that they will have something to celebrate. But hold the egg nog, lights and presents — this group is focusing on Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
The KU chapter of Students for a Free Tibet, established in the fall of 1997, is preparing to send 138 pounds of clothes to a Tibetan refugee camp near Marpa, Nepal. Students from KU residence halls and Ecumenical Christian Ministries donated the clothing.
The KU Students for a Free Tibet will fast from sunrise to sunset Sunday in front of the Firststar Bank at 9th and Massachusetts streets.
"It's a group of refugees that doesn't get noticed quite as often as several other groups," said Ben Burgen, Eskridge sohomore.
Karen Keith, Tulsa, Okla., sophomore, hopes that both students and residents will donate at the fast to help pay for the postal expenses.
However, the group does not have enough money to send the 138 pounds of clothing to the refugees. Burgen estimated that the group needs about $800 to send the clothing to Nepal.
Last summer, Erik Goodman,
Beavercreek, Ohio, senior, visited
Marpha. During his visit, he noticed
STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET
KU Students for a Free Tibet will fast from sunrise to sunset Sunday in front of the First Bank, Ninth and Massachusetts streets, to raise money to send clothing to Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
that the refugees had to endure many hardships.
He said that the refugees left their homeland because government officials from the People's Republic of China have suppressed Tibetan cultural and religious practices.
For more information, contact Ben Burgen at burgen@falcon.co.uk.uks.edu.
Information also can be found at www.ukans.edu/~amnesty/tibet.
Chinese forces invaded Tibet in 1950. Since the beginning of the Chinese occupation, an estimated 2,700 monasteries have been destroyed and subsequently rebuilt.
Goodman said that 1.3 million Tibetans have died because of the invasion.
He said that that he thinks many countries shy away from acknowledging the problems with the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He would like to see predominant countries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, advocate for fundamental religious freedoms and human rights for Tibetans.
"It is a very serious situation, and time is running out." Goodman said.
Freshman memories
Rea Judilla
Age: to
Hometown: Wichita
Lives in: Templin
Hall
Major: fine arts and psychology
Marca Judilla
Can be found:
Singing in the St.
Lawrence Choir,
at shops on
Massachusetts Street, reading art magazines or listening to Launyn Hill or Miss Saigon.
Came to KU because: "My father taught here many years ago, I was impressed with their art department. We come here to football games and the campus is gorgeous."
ate, but lawyers are in such low esteem in this country. Maybe I'll go into corporate law. That way, no one's life is in my hands — just their wallet.
Thanksgiving was not a very good time. I did not go home because my parents were going to visit my Aunt Lula. She has cancer and is not going to last long. I don't want my last memory of her to be sick, so I didn't go
home ... I played video games for three
more sex." I want to add a suggestion to replace all three of those: "Turn to Christ"..
Continued from page 1A
Lia Wullbrandt
Wesley Becks
As a freshman, I have a fair bit of stress. I moved away from home. I'm not sure what to expect from finals.
It was good to relax and do nothing, lit
Major:
graphic design
Can be found:
Watching
"The Simpsons," listening to Lincoln Hendry and
I'm still trying to make close friends, etc. And I would be breaking out if it weren't for the grace of God.
Today is Nov. 28. It's a good day. I was hyped for Western Cvl because I had to read "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. DuBois. I was ready for discussion, but the class was cancelled ... Lately, I have not had much to write about. Nothing is going on. OK, school work is getting intense ... I've been thinking of double-majoring lately. I'm not so sure anymore, though. I might minor in finance. I love to talk about money, supply, demand, micro economics, all that ... Lately I've been thinking of going into law after I gradu
This whole journal project is
I almost got hit by a car. I remember something about right-of-way and pedestrians! I was crossing the street on my way to eat. A car had just passed by, so I stop on the street. A silver Mazda 626 was bearing down on me. I stepped back to let the car pass. Evidently, the bottle-headed, absent-minded female driver did not care because she and the passenger were laughing ...
erally. The food was the bomb, though ...
Massachusetts Street, or reading books that are "downers."
My previous mentioned Aunt Lola passed. I guess this is just our family's time. Why the hell did she get cancer? What did she do to deserve this? Aunt Lola, I know you hear me. I miss you. RIP...
Came to KU because: "I came here because KU has a good design department and a beautiful campus. I also love the town."
Age: 18
H o m e t o w n :
Hampton, Iowa
Lives in: Hashinger
Residence Hall
Enjoyed Western Civ II discussion today. Today we discussed Night, but we carried the
Weday Techs
This whole journal project is titled "The Freshman Experience." I guess my freshman experience is with God. Maybe I'll remember the stuff.
or listening to jazz and classical music.
Came to KU because: "I had no money to go to Arizona State University."
discussion to what defines race. We talked about U.S. involvement, or lack thereof. We asked the questions I've been asking. Why Bosnia? Why not
Lia Wullbrandt
Age: 18
Wesley
Becks
Age: 19
H o m e t o w n :
Topeka
Lives in:
McCollum Hall
Major: political
science
Can be found:
Clubbing at Tremors,
playing basketball,
reading Toni Morrison
Andrew Pull
reading the Bible and Stephen King.
Came to KU because: scholarship money
Andrew Pull
Age 18
The one thing I am sure of is that I will always know God and He will always love me. The things of this world will pass away, but the things of
Lives in: Grace Pearson Scholarship Hall
Age: 18
Hometown: Colfax,
N.D.
Major: mechanical engineering
Can be found:
Watching movies, listening to contemporary Christian
Thanksgiving was fun. I got to see snow — real snow. Somehow Kansas' Decembers don't seem right. A winter without snow is like a bird without wings ...
learning.
Maybe I keep some of the
friends I've made for
life. Maybe I'll hit by a car
to tomorrow.
Who knows?
I get the feeling the editors of the Kansan have been taking out as many of my comments about God as possible. I'm beyond being politically correct.
Practically every day I read comments in the Kansan about other people's problems. And all society tells them they is "make more money." "drink more" or "have
Andy Pull
the spiritual nature are eternal.
College has waken me up to God's plan for my life. My newfound faith has changed my speech, my behaviors, my thoughts, and my emotions.
What greater freshman experience could there be?
This is the first time that I'll have been home long enough to actually unpack my bag. Plus, it seems like very much I time go my town has make all these changes, without me.
I'm almost nervous to go home for Thanksgiving. I've been home twice, but only for the weekend.
It's not like Hampton, Iowa, isn't allowed to change without my official work, but it's just
Lia Wullbrandt
strange that I didn't know the stop light posts were being repaired ...
It was so great to see all my family and friends at Thanksgiving. I didn't get to see everyone as long as I wanted to, but hopefully I get to see them longer during winter break. There were little changes in Hampton, and at home, but nothing too drastic. Actually, it was kind of of strange how it seems that I've changed more.
Some of my friends even said that I'd really changed, but I seemed happier and they liked my new attitude. I have to agree with them. I have become quite a bit happier since I've come here ...
This time in between Thanksgiving and winter break seems so weird. I mean, it's just a few weeks, but so much rides on those few weeks. I'm beginning to feel the stress of finals. I don't have any comprehensive exams, but I'm quite busy with final projects and papers. I think a hot tub would be a nice investment ...
It would be wonderful if there were at least one extra hour in the day. But I'd most likely just spend it sleeping. Even that would help me out around now.
Robert "Brandon" Tubbs
Brandon Tobias
Age: 18
Hometown: Osage City
Lives in: Pearson
Scholarship Hall
Came to KU because: "The money, K-State was too tight."
Major: architecture and urban design
Can be found: Playing flag football, listening to alternative and modern rock, trying to learn the piano or in Manhattan visiting his girlfriend.
Police say teen drank drove, caused accident
Continued from page 1A
house, where, Hefley said, Sean drank again. He initially was supposed to meet his family at the Kansas football game, but he decided to go see his girlfriend. It was on his way to her house in Lenexa that the accident occurred.
Danny Kaiser, director of the Organizations & Leadership Development Center, confirmed that Sean Scott was at Phi Gamma Delta that night but would not confirm whether Sean Scott had been drinking. The fraternity had been scheduled to go dry in July, but it met certain requirements, which fraternity members would not disclose, that had pushed that date back to July 2002.
Roscoe Mendenhall, the house corporation president for the University of Kansas chapter of the fraternity, said the public did not need to know the fraternity's alcohol policy.
Kaiser said the University of Kansas had not taken any action against Phi Gamma Delta.
We recognized from the onset that this was going to be a very serious situation," Kaiser said. "We anticipated there would be an investigation. We didn't want to get in the way to mess that up. Nothing has been swept under the rug. Nothing has been ignored. It's just been postponed."
Kaiser said he was not sure yet whether the University would take any action against the fraternity.
Phi Gamma Delta did not confirm any of the night's events.
"The members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity will continue to keep both families of this unfortunate incident in our prayers, and hopefully this incident will help to educate the University of Kansas community on the dangers of drinking and driving," said Jake Brown, Phi Gamma Delta president.
Brown deferred any further comment to Mendenhall, who declined to comment yesterday.
He had accused the press in September of trying to exploit the story.
"Why do you want to do a story?" Mendenhall said. "It's a tragedy in my mind without somebody trying to make it worse."
Robert Farha, the owner of the Wheel, said yesterday that he was unaware of the investigation and declined to comment.
Tom Bath, Sean Scott's attorney, declined to comment.
A supervisor at the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center said yesterday that she could not confirm whether Sean Scott had posted bond and been released.
His bond conditions include surrendering his license and not using alcohol or associating with anyone who is.
Fritz, assistant district attorney, said his office would decide before Sean Scott's Jan. 8 court date whether Scott would be charged as an adult.
As an adult, Fritz said, Scott could face 38 to 43 months in prison. If he remains in the juvenile system, the judge has a number of sentencing options, ranging from 18 to 36 months in a juvenile detention facility to probation to paying a fine to treatment.
Fritz said his office would consider how the crime was committed, what public safety issues existed and Scott's age, sophistication and maturity in deciding whether to seek prosecution through the adult system.
The Kansan sued the Kansas Highway Patrol on Nov. 29 to require the release of its report on this accident. The report has not been released, and the Kansan maintains its suit.
Editor's note: The Kansan alleges the Kansas Highway Patrol violated the Kansas Open Records Act by not releasing the report. The highway patrol maintains it is covered by an exception in the open records law.
Edited by John Vuhlhelm
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