2. (1) $ a > 0 $ $ b < 0 $ $ c > 0 $
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
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QUESTIONING THE CULTURE
Alcohol on the BRAIN
Recent studies suggest as few as 100 instances of binge drinking can reduce both size and cognitive ability in these two sections of the brain.
Sources: Sandra Brown and Karen Hansen, doctors of psychology at the University of San Diego and specialists on the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Hippocampus
Photo Illustration by Andrew Hoxey
Hippocampus Essential to memory processes, particularly committing new thoughts to long-term memory.
Prefrontal cortex
Prefrontal cortex Planning abilities, controlling behavior, decision making reasoning and solving complex problems
Long-term effects of alcohol abuse may begin now with binge drinking
BY RAY SEGEBRECH1
rsegebrechtkansan.com
For years, Ben had assumed all alcohonics were homeless, men hudding below bridges inside cardboard boxes and nursing bottles out of paper bags, like he saw in movies. But that was before Ben began college and came to know an alcoholic much
more personally — himself.
In less than one semester, Ben, who did not want to reveal is his last name, developed a dependence on alcohol that altered that belief, and his life, forever.
THE COLLEGE PARTY LIFE
While attending a Kansas City, Kan., high school, Ben liked to drink and attended
parties on weekends. Within his circle or friends, getting drunk was typical. But Ben also always had a limit. As an athlete, he had coaches constantly demanding his time and fitness. His parents expected an equal dedication to academics. The discipline was enough for Ben graduate high school with a 3.5 grade point average.
But the following fall, when Ben enrolled at Missouri State University, those parameters disappeared. Without coach or parental oversight, Ben could binge drink as often as he wanted in culture that seemed not only
SEE ALCOHOL ON PAGE 4A
Hangovers — more than just a headache
A "hangover" after binge drinking is usually a sign of brain damage. Binge drinking harms the brain on a continuum — common hangovers and more severe symptoms suggest greater brain damage.
Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, thirst, headache, muscle ache, nausea, vomiting, decreased sleep or poor quality in sleep, sensitivity to light and sound, problems with attention and concentration, mood symptoms, depressing, anxiety, irritability, tremors and sweating.
Sources: Sandra Brown and Karen Hansen
CAMPUS
Trailblazing architecture students win design award
BY BETH BEAVERS bbeavers@kansan.com
Creativity and a unique approach to design won 15 architecture students a Design Excellence Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects' Kansas City chapter.
The students designed and built a trail shelter at the head of the new Rockefeller Prairie Trail, a nature trail north of Lawrence in Spring 2009. The trail leads to an overlook structure built by students in Fall 2008.
The award-winning trailhead is composed of used telephone poles, which make up the roof and serve as supportive beams.
"It won the award because it is unique," said Berry Clemens, communications coor.
Alex Rea, St. Louis senior and one of the students involved in the project, said Westar Energy
dinator for the Kansas Biological Survey. "When you look at it, it is pretty striking."
"It won the award because it is unique. When you look at it, it is pretty striking."
"It was partly budget, but architecture is making a push to be more green," Rea said. "So we were going along with that trend."
donated used telephone poles to the group for the project.
BERRY CLEMENS Kansas Biological Survey
Clemens said the structure had panels on the sides that gave information about the surrounding environment and its history. She said the land originally belonged to Charles Robinson, the first governor of the state of Kansas and one of the first regents of the University.
The shelter also includes benches
where visitors can pause to admire the prairie and surrounding wooded areas.
SEE AWARD ON PAGE 3A
Rea said the group's design com-
CAMPUS
BY MEGAN HEACOCK
mheacock@kansan.com
Decoding the health-care debate
Concerned Active and Aware Students hold awareness campaign
The health-care debate is plastered all over the media.
But that doesn't necessarily mean that the average student understands it.
Cara Smith and Stephanie Atwood sure didn't. So, as co-coordinators of Concerned Active and Aware Students, they decided to do something about it.
"We were just thinking about how there's all this news about health care and reform in the media now, but neither of us really knew what any of it meant," Smith said. "And I got the impression from other people I talked to that they didn't really know either."
To help students navigate the debate, CAAS will hold a Health Policy Awareness Campaign today and tomorrow in front of Wescoe Hall. Co-coordinators Smith, Topeka sophomore, and Atwood, Topeka junior, have organized the campaign to present the issues and facts of healthcare reform with nonpartisan intentions.
Atwood said that the presentation of the issue was often too complicated or biased, which made it difficult for students to make informed choices.
index
well-informed, to have opinions about the issue and then do something about their opinions to shape how Kansas senators vote for the bill," she said.
Atwood said a common misconception about the bill was about the public option. She said many Americans viewed this as the equivalent to a government takeover of health care. Atwood said she didn't know what the public option meant until she started researching it, and found that, in reality, the public option would be available alongside private insurance.
SEE HEALTH CARE ON PAGE 3A
"We want students to be
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All contents, unless stated otherwise; © 2009 The University Daily Kansan
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Glancing back at a historic day
Man who witnessed raid on Pearl Harbor to return for attack's anniversary. HISTORY | 3A
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