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Monday, January 28, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Math changes help
Task force finally finds solution for misdirected math students; ACT scores help with placement
T the University math department finally solved what seemed to be a simple equation: students who struggle in math courses need extra help to pass them
an courses need extra help to pass them.
Two-thirds of the KU students who enrolled in Math 002 and 101 last semester received an "A", "B" or "C". In 002, that represented a 37 percent increase from Spring 1990. In 101, the percentage was 23 percent higher.
The dramatic improvement came about after the department turned to the expertise offered by a University task force.
task for sugars.
Incoming freshman have 002 or
101 according to the ACT performances.
That action comes as no surprise. The test score policy has been stated in the undergraduate catalog for several years but has not been enforced.
Flashcards, a math standby in elementary schools, entered the computer age for individual practice.
And Math 002 and 101 students began to spend more time together in the classroom once a week for 002 classes, twice for 101
All the changes made sense. It's too bad the math department had to rely on a task force to develop such simple solutions.
Rich Cornell for the editorial board
Fair treatment for disabled
Proposed rules tailored to improve accessibility
New, broad-ranging rules designed to improve access to public buildings were introduced last week by the federal government. If the rules are enacted, the government will have taken an important step toward securing fair and equal treatment for disabled individuals.
The new rules are designed to make the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 a reality. Congress estimated more than 43 million Americans had one or more physical or mental disabilities when the legislation was enacted...
The law prohibits general discrimination and includes comprehensive civil-rights protections for people who are blind, deaf, use a wheel chair or have some other disability.
The legislation would give Congress a means to regulate and enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by adding specific requirements.
The new rules, considerably more stringent than past regulations, apply to all new construction and remodeling of public facilities. A civil penalty of up to $100,000 could be levied for violations of the rules, if they become law.
Specifications for the width of checkout aisles in grocery stores and the length of time elevator doors must remain open are among the changes. At least 5 percent of the tables in libraries and restaurants must be
accessible to people with disabilities. The rules go so far as to specify the maximum thickness of carpet pile — one-half inch.
Such specifics seem trivial, and are necessary to ensure equal access to public buildings. The new rules may lead to changes in remodeling plans at the University of Kansas, but Jim Long, director of Kansas Unions, said no problems were anticipated
The largest remodeling project under way at the University of Kansas is the one at the Kansas Union. But Long said the long-range planning process was designed to be flexible enough to incorporate changes in regulations. Constant evaluation of new regulations during the three-phase project by facilities planning, the architect and the Student Assistance Center has enabled construction to progress while meeting the newest standards for access.
The University sometimes faces a choice between current regulations and new, more restrictive regulations that will become effective after construction is complete.
Bob Turvey, associate director of the Student Assistance Center, said that when faced with such a choice, the University generally chose to meet the more restrictive regulation.
Congress now has the opportunity to make a similar choice. By enacting more stringent regulations, greater equality for disabled people can be achieved.
Rod Griffin for the editorial board
■ The Kansan editorial board members are Juli Watkins, Stacy Smith, Brent Maycock, Amy Zamierowski, Melanie Botts, Tiffany Harness, Rod Griffin, Chris Siron, Rich Cornell, Melanie Matthes, Clare Ginn, Elicia Hill, Jennifer Schultz, Debbie Myers and Carol Krekeler.
War causes student to evaluate life
T The bar scene in Lawrence during the first Friday night of the Persian Gulf War was much the same as any other Friday night, but it hides.
Buildings in Baghdad exploded on television screens at Molly McGee's, right next to the television that showed a talk show.
One man discussed with a friend how he wholeheartedly supported the U.S. troops in the gulf as he waited to get into the Jazzhaus, while other people drank beer and ordered pizza to pass the time.
A television at the Yacht Club showed people being loaded into ambulances on the Saturday after a sports event, as one might expect.
I realized that I could not ignore the war, try as I might, by going out. The war was in effect since the coming and going of the Jan. 15 deadline crept over me again.
I feel very strange and uncomfortable about my country being at war. I want to know how I am supposed to rearrange my priorities to reflect the seriousness of what is happening in the gulf. Going to class and to work
Debbie Myers Staff columnist
I know that a lot of other people are uncomfortable, too. More and more concerned people demonstrate daily. Still more gather in front of the television in large groups for hours at night. Most of the soldiers in the gulgather to count each other. Yellow ribbons are everywhere.
and out to party on the weekends just doesn't seem very important when I consider that hundreds of men and women are coming home from the war, in body shops.
And the Jan. 16 KU basketball game was not the same, either. After the decision to play the game as scheduled finally was made, it was kicked off by becheing but by a Browns team, who troops in the gulf. Some spectators felt guilty for attending the game, while others tuned in to portable
televisions and radios.
Kansas coach Roy Williams may have hit on the answer as he talked to his team Jan. 16.
Which brings me to my original question: How do you act when your country is at war?
"I pregame, we talked about what was going on and how meaningless basketball is at times like this." Williams said. "I also talked to them about the fact that I've gotten two letters recently from soldiers in Saudi Arabia and how much they hear about how we're doing."
Freedom for another country — but freedom nonetheless. Freedom to play basketball, to attend a university, to have a drink.
That statement made me think. I'm sure the U.S. soldiers in the gulf want to know that our thoughts are with them. But if we think about why we are fighting in these orders, it is probably because they believe in fighting for freedom.
Debbie Myers is a junior majoring in journalism.
THE MISSILES FROM IRAQ FLY TOO HIGH TO BE IN OUR AIRSPACE...?
university daily kansas
JORDAN
Group doesn't want to fight unless oppression stops here
On Thursday, Jan. 24, the members of Black Men of Today declared their inten-
Today declared their intention to resist if the U.S. government decided to call a draft because of the war in the Persian Gulf. This decision was not made lightly or half-heartedly, but after many hours of spired debate. During that debate, many questions arose concerning the nature of the war and its economic and foreign policy. Foremost among those questions was why President Bush was so concerned with promoting freedom in Kuwait — restoring the puppet monarchy — but not concerned with the freedom and equality of African-Americans in his own country. The general consensus of the group was that as long as the U.S. government continued to treat African-Americans as second class citizens, we felt no obligation to fight for that cause. The war that is not for freedom but for the interest of oil companies and greed.
President Bush continually argues that he is trying to preserve the interests of the United States, but, obviously, he is not talking about African-Americans. He expressed this lack of concern when he vetoed the Civil Rights Act last year. He also said that with his criminal war on the African-American man, commonly called the "War on Drugs," and with a foreign policy that exploits the Black and Brown nations of the world.
We also found it an insult that President Bush chose Jan. 15 as the day to start his war. The 15th, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, is a day that represents peace and pride for the African-American community.
Cory Anderson
Considering the president's opposition to the King holiday, it is quite clear that this choice was designed to divert attention from the holiday. Furthermore, this is a slap in the face to the African-American community and our leaders who fought and died for equality.
Guest columnist
The makeup of the troops in the Persian Gulf is an example of the U.S. government's destructive policy concerning African-Americans. We make up almost 30 percent of the Army personnel in the gulf, and some estimate 60 percent of the front line troops. Some argue that people know there is a chance for combat when they enter the military and they do so by their own choice. This is true, but many African-American youth have very few choices. After high school, African-Americans are left with few options if they want to go to college. Federal grants are almost non-existent, so the choice becomes either a life of paying back federal loans or a life of trying to access college. Make sure we take advantage of can-Americans we support our brothers and sisters who have been caught in that trap and are now forced to shed blood for the interests of wealthy whites. Our brothers and sisters are in our prayers daily, and we will continue to support them.
Another goal of the war is supposedly to protect Saudi Arabia.
Well, Saudi Arabia has a policy, "the Mutawaf," that discriminates against non-Arab Blacks by restricting their movement into Saudi Arabia. It would be crazy for us to try to protect a country that has no respect for us. The same applies to us fighting to the interests of U.S. oil companies.
Some would call our decision unpatriotic. To me patriotism is a love for your country, and I do love this country because so much of my ancestors' sweat and blood went into building it. Also, we have proven our patriotism by our participation in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and every other war the United States has fought. What I don't love and in many ways despise is the U.S. government and its treatment of people. I think it and its unpatriotic to ask us to fight for this country before our problems have been effectively addressed and we have been compensated for the 400 years of continuing oppression that we have been subjected to.
Cory Anderson is an Omaha, Neb., senior major in journalism.
Furthermore, if the U.S. government decides to fight for the freedom of our brothers and sisters in South Africa and stop the naked aggression that goes on there, then I will gladly pick up arms. Until then our decision stands. We will not fight in the Pact until we take it. By further our own oppression by strengthening the Western influence in the Middle East and Africa.
John Lewis, Kansas City, Kan. senior and Mbora Ward, Kansas City, Kan., junior contributed information to this column.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Sexist letter offensive
I wish to address Aaron Rittmatter's article published in Thursday's Kansan. He wrote that "by sending a woman (U.S. ambassador April Glaspie) to negotiate with Saddam Hussein, we sent a subtle, but well-worded question, 'Do you don't send a Hallmark. We didn't care enough to send the very best."
This remark smacks of sexism. Rittmatter is saying that a man is best and a woman is not. How can a woman who is at competent, or more competent and experienced in the policies of the U.S., government concerning a nation, be inferior? Is it possible that the subtle message the U.S. was sending to the government and culture of Iraq was one of belief in the equality and competence of women as well as men?
Liz Green
Omaha junior
It is a moot point to say that Saddam would have reacted differently with a man. A male U.S. ambassador could not have prevented the invasion of Kuwait and a man could not have prevented all casualties. The sex of the U.S. ambassador to Iraq was not an issue in the war.
BMT wrong on draft
who would have to serve in their places. Perhaps they can inform our families of their reasons when we begin to return in body bags. I am not saying I'd rather die due instead, merely that if I were called to serve another country, I would not make it more likely that someone else would go in my place and die.
Also, the only figures I have seen on the men and women serving in the Persian Gulf War show 55 percent of the men and women others. Disproportionate? I think not!
I am writing in regard to the Black Men of Today's decision to avoid any possible draft. I wonder if they have given any consideration to those of us
With respect to the ludicrous statement that the deadline date was a slap in the face for African-Americans, I find it hard to believe that Mr. Trump would be willing Council were trying to cloud Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday with war.
Jeff Carlstedt Wichita sophomore
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