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Monday, April 23, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Remedial math
KU's self-taught math program a poor solution for pupils to learn what they should already know
The verdict is in. SIMPL is not so simple.
A study of the Self Instructed Mastery Plan, the University's remedial mathematics program, showed that only 26 percent of the students who enrolled in Fall 1988 successfully completed it.
succession Worst 21 percent of the students who struggled to master the self-paced, self-taught classes failed. That so many failing students did not drop the course and got a failing grade on their transcripts may give a clue about why the program is a failure in its mission to teach courses that should be, but aren't, taught in many high schools. It also points up the necessity of a qualified admissions program that would force high schools to beef up their programs so its students could meet the admissions standards.
admissions$^{1}$ Why would 21 percent of the students enrolled in the course, upon realizing that they were failing, not drop the class and avoid the blight of an F on their transcript? One reason could be that these students, many of whom are new to the University, did not understand the system or the serious consequences of low grades on their transcripts. Perhaps they were too confused by the freedom and responsibilities attendant to living away from home for the first time.
A program that forces new students to act responsibly without the reminders that come from professors, regular class sessions and
strict deadlines just does not make sense. The study shows that too many students are being penalized by the University for the deficiencies of their high schools. But the University's hands are tied.
The larger question, though, is whether the University should be in the business of teaching remedial mathematics "to be sure, students must be made mathematically literate. In an increasingly technological world, a working knowledge of mathematics is as important today as a knowledge of English. Without mathematical literacy, citizens in the future will be as handicapped as those who can't read or write today. It will be impossible to function and compete with other nations where the teaching of mathematics is not merely an afterthought.
after thought. At the same time that the University is penalizing students, though, the state is penalizing the University by forcing it to teach math classes that should have been taught in high schools and that must be taught before students can progress into University-level classes.
The state penalizes the University, the University penalizes the student and in turn the student penalizes society at large. With all this penalizing going on, few students are learning and the University is wasting their time and money.
Richard Brack for the editorial board
Members of the editorial board are Richard Brack, Daniel Niemi, Christopher R. Ratston, John P. Milburn, Liz Hueben, Cory S. Anderson, Angela Baughman, Andres Cavelier, Chris Evans, Stephen Kline, Camille Krehbiel, Melanie Matthes, Jennifer Metz and Scott Patty.
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Riverfront Plaza
City should give downtown equal promotion time
The Riverfront Plaza could prove to be a valuable asset to Lawrence by attracting more customers and new businesses to the city. But to fulfill the plaza's potential, the city needs to promote both the old and the new.
Because of the plaza's location, shoppers presumably will travel through the downtown area to get to the mall. The plaza is a part of downtown, not a separate entity. Why, then, would the city emphasize the plaza with larger signs advertising the plaza than those that point toward the downtown area? By doing so, the city is providing potential mall merchants with incentives to locate there rather than in vacant downtown locations.
The city should be careful not to over-
promote Lawrence's newest attraction. By itself, the plaza is a great place for customers to take advantage of discount prices on name brand goods. But combined with the downtown, the plaza makes Lawrence an awesome retail market.
Downstown merchants have been in Lawrence for a long time without the competition of the Riverfront Plaza. Downstown businesses do not have the potential to ruin their newest competitors. Unfortunately, this is not true of the plaza businesses.
pizza businesses.
The city should remember this when promoting Lawrence's shiny, glitzy retail attraction and offer equal promotion to the Lawrence businesses that have contributed so much to the city's economy for so long.
Truth about Iraqi situation needs to be explained in media
Jennifer Metz for the editorial board
I was saddened to witness the journalistic bias of the University Daily Kansan on April 10 and April 16 in the cartons on the opinion page. I think the cartoons demonstrated an obsessive hostility in this country, especially here on our campus, to everything related to Arabs.
The story of Libya and Iraq trying to develop chemical and nuclear facilities needs to be clarified. This issue in the media, and especially in the Kansan, is not an issue in countries that are unable to obtain nuclear technology. Rather, it is two ARAB countries that are doing so.
The truth about Iraq is important and needs to be explained. Iraq is not just trying to develop these programs for fun. Iraq must look over its shoulder at Israel. Israel is the only
Eyad
Baidas
Guest columnist
country in the Middle East which has such capabilities. Israel started its programs more than 40 years ago.
Israel has already tested its medium-range Jericho missile and launched an espionage satellite. Israel also possesses more than 100 nuclear weapons and has an advanced chemical weapons program. Moreover, Israel has a strong defense against Iran which bought Chinese missiles and has made weapons deals with Israel, according to an NBC news report.
It should be noted that both Iraq and Libya signed an agreement through the United Nations to use their chemical and nuclear capabilities for peaceful use and to keep their plants open to international inspections. These two countries, as well as many others known to have nuclear and chemical weapons, have signed this agreement. They should be duly notified that Israel and South Africa have signed no such agreements. Yet, they have far larger chemical and nuclear arsenals capable of destruction.
Recently, two experts of the International Atomic Energy Commission visited Iraq to inspect nuclear facilities. Iraq was not found in violation. Let's see if Israel will open its nuclear or chemical plants to international inspections. Libya also has repeatedly invited the international
community to inspect its chemical facilities.
Being unable to counter the Arab deterrent militarily, the United States and Israel have mounted a massive, world-wide public relations effort and launched an intensive diplomatic campaign to deprive the Arabs of these weapons, returning the region to its previous unstable balance and restoring Israel's domination in the area.
According to Middle East International, Jan. 10, 1980, last year at an international conference in Paris the United States refused to accept an Arab initiative on limiting chemical weapons paralleling nuclear weapons limitations. It is important here to note that the Arabs are not really interested in a tradeoff of nuclear for chemical capability, they want to
maintain their chemical capability to deter Israel's huge and advanced conventional forces.
When speaking of chemicals and gases, we should not omit the incidents of Israel's use of tear gas on Palestinians for almost two years on a daily basis. According to some experts, this should be considered chemical warfare. One of the tear gases used by the Israeli army against Palestinians can release cyanide into the body and can result in cyanide intoxication, in addition to the irritation and inflammation of the body tissues. This can result in congestion of the lungs. Hundreds of Palestinians have died and many miscarriages have occurred as a result of such warfare. Jonathan Fine, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights, calls Israeli tear gas "poison gas."
The acquisition and stockpiling of weapons for mass destruction will continue on both sides. It is a fact, however, that Israel is the country that introduced this form of mass destruction into the Middle East. The Arabs want a solution to the Palestinian problem. After 40 years, the Arabs, especially the Palestinians, have learned that force will never achieve a long-term solution. Now Israel has to learn that, too.
I hope this information will help the University Daily Kansan look for the truth instead of perpetuating racism and ignorance at a time we need to join in a process of healing on this campus after the recent racial incident.
Eyad Baldas is a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, senior majoring in biology.
Other Voices
Town's dancing ban infringes on rights
Tradition lives in Purdy, Mo. where dancing is a sin to a majority.
Now the community of 922 residents and its school board are free to continue a century-long tradition of banning social dances, despite the hopes of a minority that school dances would be permitted.
The decision does nothing to explain the Supreme Court's rationale. By simply refusing to hear the case, the court let stand a 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis last year.
Using the rationale of the appeals court and by refusal to grant a full hearing, the courts have delivered a powerful message that leaves the majority to impose its beliefs — however sincere they may be — on the minority. The minority of Purdy students and their parents asked for nothing of the school board that would infringe on the rights of any students. But the board, and now the courts, did exactly that.
From the News-Leader, Springfield,
Mo., April 17.
News staff
News staff
Richard Brack ... Editor
Daniel Niemi ... Managing editor
Christopher R. Relaton ... News editor
Lisa Mose ... Planning editor
John Wilburn ... Editorial editor
Candy Niemann ... Campus editor
Mike Conadine ... Sports editor
E. Joseph Zurge ... Photo editor
Stephen Kline ... Graphic editor
Kati Dagustal ... Arts/Features editor
Ton Ebien ... General manager, news editor
Margaret Townsend...Business manager
Tami Rank...Retail sales manager
Miyae Miller...Corporate sales manager
Kathy Stolte...Regional sales manager
Minie Lonholm...National sales manager
Mindy Morton...Co-op sales manager
Nate Stamoe...Production manager
Larry Murdoz...Assistant production manager
Carlie Glanlake...Marketing director
James Glanlake...Creative director
Janet Norfolk...Classified manager
Wendy Strickland...Teamsheet manager
Jeanne Hines ...Sales and marketing adviser
Business staff
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LETTERS to the EDITOR ROTC to train
All ROTC programs, be it Navy, Air Force or Army have one standard purpose: to train young men and women to become future officers in the U.S. armed forces. This is carried out by having the student attend certain military science courses as well as a leadership lab. These University-approved courses, as well as the respective ROTC programs, are open to all KU students regardless of race, religion, sex, disability, national origin, political affiliation, age (as specified by law), ancestry or sexual orientation.
Not one student is denied the
Chad A. Doty
Olathe freshman
Design panned
right to attend military science classes. However, upon graduation, each individual who wishes to obtain a commission must pass Department of Defense standards - standards that were chosen by the U.S. Congress and approved by the president.
the pro.
So, if current law prohibiting homosexuals from joining the military upsets you, write to your congressman and get the facts. The KU ROTC programs, as well as all others nationwide, discriminate against no one.
As an architectural studies student, I often hear the statement "Form follows function." An amusing example is taking shape on Sunnyside Drive: the Robert
Dole Human Development Center is in the form of a hamster Habitrail. I hope others are as humored as I am, and if anyone locates the hamster wheel, let me know.
Heather Suggs
Lawrence Junior
During my six years at KU, I have become aware of the racial tension that pervades the University. Unfortunately, this tension has increased during the past few weeks.
Efforts saluted
I do not deny the political failings of my country, but at least my people have never despised, assaulted or failed me because of my skin color. Foreign students who have become disillusioned with KU's racial prejudice find
solace in the fact that soon they will return to their homeland. But for African-Americans, the United States is their homeland. Because I have never been treated as inferior by my own people. I cannot understand fully the plight of African-Americans. I can only imagine how devastating it must feel to be treated as a second class citizen in one's own country.
I salute the efforts of those who, despite great adversity, still believe in the dream that one day Blacks and whites in the United States will occupy the same position in society. Ann Dean, when I look back on my experiences at a U.S. university, I shall remember you as one of the most courageous people I ever knew.
Socheata Un
Socheta Un Phnom Penh, Cambodia, law student
CAMP UHNEELY
WITH THE UPCOMING
DEMISE OF CAMP
UHNEELY (JUST 10 STRIPS
AWAY) WE THought WE'D
SHOW YOU A Few OF THE
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NEVER GOT OFF THE GROUND
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No, It's Not A SWIMMER, IT'S JUST A CONDOM FLOATING ON THE WATER.
MW
TERRORIST
HINE SNEIZED
FRASER HALL
AND ALL I
HINE ON MY
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SHOUVE
THOMAS
A TAKE OFF OF DE HARD
BY SCOTT PATTY