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Wednesday, April 18, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Minority Affairs
University is taking a step in the right direction in beginning the search for office's new director
As a result of a student protest last Wednesday, led by the Black Men of Today, the University has decided to reopen the search for a new Director of Minority Affairs.
This seems like a good idea at a time when minority students are again starting to feel the pressures of insensitivity and bigotry on campus. A strong Minority Affairs office would be a good first step to solve some of these problems.
in looking for a new director, the search committee should be sensitive to the input and comments of not only minority students but of all students who encounter discrimination. It would not be necessary to restructure the office to include all of these students, but a
director who is sensitive to all students with discrimination problems would do a lot to improve campus climate.
Although the office was in an interim period this year, it did not become static. The interim director hired two much-needed assistant directors and the peer mentoring program was re-started. The office is to be commended for these efforts.
But apparently many minority students were not satisfied with the service they received from the office, hence the call for the opening of the search.
This shows, once again, the power of a unified student voice and the importance of student input into administrative affairs.
Cory Anderson for the editorial board
Stop parking fee increases
Students should know where their money is going
It seems that the only way to solve large financial problems at the University of Kansas is increasing fees - increasing fees and emptying the pockets of the not-so-rich students.
And KU students don't seem to worry about it.
There is a parking permit increase proposal that would increase the cost of KU student and faculty parking permits $5 to $10. The $23-parking permit for residence halls would go up to $33 a year. The cost of blue, red and yellow permits and campus passes would increase under the proposal.
But the increase does not guarantee enough spaces for everybody to find one. It would only "meet financial responsibilities and upkeep," as Don Kearns, director of parking, said.
Next fall students will have to bring more money to school to pay off a series of "small"
fee increases, including considerable increases in tuition, fees and the cost of bus passes.
This issue should concern KU students. The changes in permit fees were presented early this year to five committees and no complaints were brought up. All meetings were open to the public and information about them was published in the Kansan.
Last Thursday, the Parking Board approved the proposal after waiting 15 minutes for public comment. Now, if the amendments are passed by the Regents, changes will go into effect Aug. 1.
It may be too late for anyone to change the outcome of this unfavorable proposal, but students should care about their money instead of having KU officials decide what will be done with it.
Andres Cavelier for the editorial board
Ceremony becomes sideshow
Pecular as the self-destruction seems, it holds deep meaning for the participants. For them, all devoutly Christian, it is the celebration of their
In an unusual Easter celebration, about a dozen people in the Philippines were crucified last week.
Her crucifixion this year was even more attention-grabbing than in the past. While Latin chants resonated in the still air, two men dressed as Roman centurions hammered four-inch nails through Reyes' palms and feet and into the cross.
Each year, penitent Christians emulate the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ by having themselves nailed to crosses during a ritual performed on Good Friday. In ceremonies throughout Luzon island, each participant stayed on the cross for up to 10 minutes before being taken down. Among the best-known of the penitents is Lucila Reyes, a 32-year-old faith healer who has been crucified 14 times.
Derek Schmidt
Staff columnist
faith designed to be a somber spiritual moment.
To cater to the throng, vendors set up stands to sell food, including hot dogs, and drinks. The peculiar mixed aroma of incense and grease surely will be memorable to those who attended
Photographers and reporters also congested the scene. As the crowd grew, people in the back began
As the fame of this annual ceremony has grown, thousands of people from around the world have flocked to watch. In Cutud, about 3,000 people, including many tourists, gathered to observe the crucifixions.
That's why the hot dogs were inappropriate.
yelling at news people to get out of the way. After all, they had come a long way to see the spectacle, and they wanted a clear view.
The observers came at the behest of a morbid curiosity.
"This is just a Filipino play," said
nee 44-year-old Frenchman.
But the props, including the blood, were real.
Reasonable people would be appalled if curious crowds swarmed around Chilean torture incidents or gas chambers in the United States.
Some argue that because the participants volunteer for the crucifixions the event is not analogous to torture or executions. But the principle, respect for human rights and refusal to sanction violations, is the same.
The religious intentions of those crucified in the Philippines are understandable. But the event has deteriorated into little more than a lucrative sideshow.
▶ Derek-Smidt is an Independence senior majoring in journalism.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Budig chastised
After attending the April 11 events in Strong Hall, I can only shake my head in disbelief and say how appalled I am at what has taken place. When students band together for an important cause such as this, doesn't it say something about the need for immediate action and not empty promises? Must we continue to publicly demonstrate to call attention to issues that should have been addressed by the administration a long time ago? How come neither the University nor Chancellor Budig treat us with the respect, dignity and commendation that we deserve?
Unfortunately, I don't think that Chancellor Budig can answer these questions, as he wasn't able to answer many other questions posed to him in the press conference. What sticks in my mind is his statement that last Wednesday was his day to be at the University of Kansas Medical Center and that he had to take time away from there to meet with us. Should I be honored? Come off your high horse, chancellor. You know very
well that you wouldn't have had to take time out if you had properly addressed this issue to begin with.
Chancellor Budig apologized on behalf of the University to Ann Dean and the rest of the student body. What good is an apology? Apologies didn't suffice from Matthew Willebnorg — why should they from the chancellor? Budig also stated that he was ashamed that the incident occurred. Ashamed? Chancellor, perhaps you should be ashamed of yourself instead. Your stance on this issue is much like a bowl of Jell-O. What kind of firm action are you going to take?
As a Jewish woman on this campus, I am part of a minority, and I refuse to sit back and watch. Who is to say that I won't be the next victim? And if that is the case, do all minorities on this campus have to walk in fear of being the next victim? This is ridiculous; this is the 1990s! We society regressing? We need to eliminate these white supremacist attitudes and strive for a diverse and cultural student body. Listen and learn, chancellor, for you soon may be part of a minority of people who don't support ethnic diversity, and then you'll experience our frustration.
Erin P. Shaw
Pound Ridge, N.Y., sophomore
News staff
Richard Brack. Editor
Daniel Niemi. Managing editor
Christopher R. Raleton. News editor
Lisa Mose. Planning editor
John Milburn. Editorial editor
Candy Niemann. Campus editor
Mike Considine. Sports editor
E. Joseph Zurga. Photo editor
Stephen Kline. Graphic editor
Katie Bergquist. Art/Features editor
Tom Eblen. General manager, news adviser
Margaret Townsend ... Business manager
Tami Rank ... Retail sales manager
Misey Miller ... Campus sales manager
Harry Auldleigh ... Regional sales manager
Mike Lahone ... National sales manager
Mindy Morris ... Co-op sales manager
Nate Stamos ... Production manager
Alessandra Pinto ... Assistant production manager
Carrie Staninka ... Marketing director
James Glenapp ... Creative director
Janet Norholm ... Creatived manager
Wendy Starts ... Research manager
Michael Hunt ... Sales and marketing adviser
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Students should cure cultural myopia
A couple of months ago, a good friend of mine asked me if my Honduran roommate was excited about the release of Nelson Mandela.
"Aren't we all?" I replied.
Then she commented that since Honduras was in Africa, my roommate probably was particularly excited. Another friend was surprised that Mexicans celebrated Columbus Day.
"Why do they?" he complained. "Columbus discovered America, not Mexico."
But why should the citizens of the United States know about countries that do not have a major influence in world affairs? After all, the United States is the richest country in the world, and what happens elsewhere will not directly affect the lives of students in the Midwest. This is not a new argument. What is new is the world environment in which the college students of today will have to live and work tomorrow. When the previous generation, that of our parents, was in college, knowledge of world affairs and geography was peripheral to anybody's concerns. For our generation, that is hardly the case. Most of the main concerns that U.S. college students have today are closely related to what happens in the rest of the world. Drugs, for instance, is at the top of the list. Yet few of the "concerned" ones that know the raw
During his trip to Venezuela earlier this year, Vice President Quayle supposedly wished that he had taken Latin in school so he could "talk to the Latin Americans." Considering these anecdotes, it is amusing to see people not in compliance when I tell them that I come from Bolivia, a country between Portugal and Sri Lanka.
Miguel Roca
Guest columnist
material for cocaine and crack is grown in Bolivia, refined in Peru and exported from Colombia. What is worse, some of those who do know that are probably still thinking that Bolivia lies between Portugal and Sri Lanka.
The environment was a common concern for the coalitions running for Student Senate. By now, everybody knows that the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest could affect the world climate. Yet I have run across many who do not know exactly where the Amazon is, let alone the socioeconomic conditions in Brazil that prevent a halt to deforestation. There have been several articles on this page talking about this country's trade deficit and Japan's unfair competition. But they have not pointed out that there are 129 Japanese students on this campus and only 88 U.S. students taking Japanese, a small portion of which actually will major in it.
If we are to take KU as a representative public university in this country, we might find a hint of why the Japanese have penetrated the U.S. market and why the U.S. people have not done the same in Japan. As a last example, the changes in Eastern Europe are opening endless business opportunities, many of which could be lost through lack of knowledge of the different languages and cultures of the Eastern European nations.
Despite all of these examples, the United States still is the only country
that has the combination of military strength, economic power and diplomatic influence that makes it a superpower. Perhaps having an interest in international affairs 20 years ago was as practical and relevant to everyday life as being interested in astronomy or baroque music. But today, not being aware of what goes on in the world puts the individual at a disadvantage and this nation's preeminence at great risk. Knowing about other countries and peoples is no longer a matter of general culture or being "open minded." On the contrary, not knowing might turn out to be a professional as well as a personal handicap. That is why it is necessary that KU students adopt a more "outward" look into their lives and careers in order to be better prepared for the future. It also is a responsibility of student leaders to encourage that new outlook and provide adequate learning opportunities. We hope that the newly elected senators and officials realize that being a leader goes beyond budget allocations and administering student services. A real leader is not one who merely walks in the front row along a known and deteriorated path. A real leader is a visionary person who takes a new path and makes other people follow.
Lawrence is one of the most inland cities in the country. Nevertheless, there are plenty of opportunities to get a feel for the outside world. The University's Study Abroad program makes it possible for many students to study and live in other countries for a summer, a semester or an academic year. In many cases, the cost involved, excluding airfare, is similar to what an out-of-state student pays to live and study at KU. Even those who receive financial aid can use that money to spend some
time in one of the many places around the world. It is certainly a better deal than the "Sign and Travel" program of American Express. Most students who take advantage of the Study Abroad program see their lives changed for the better by experiencing life in another country. It enriches their spirits and gives an edge to their resumes.
Unfortunately not everybody can study abroad or travel overseas. We also have to admit that there are more fun ways of spending a weekend than reading about Japanese culture or the social problems of Latin America.
That is why the KU International Club has worked hard to organize the 38th Festival of Nations. Students will get a glimpse of 17 different nations Friday, April 20, right on campus. International students will be playing music, showing videos, art, maps and posters from their countries. This event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn in front of Stauffer Flint Hall. At 8 p.m at the Kansas Union Ballroom, there will be a talent show of musical performances and dances. What a way to have fun and learn at the same time!
If students can't make it, remember that there are more than 1,800 students from 91 foreign countries on this campus. Interacting with them can give interesting insight into what other people think and how they live. Both parties have a lot to gain from such interaction.
We would like to borrow the slogan of Earth Day: "Think Globally . . . Act Locally." This simple attitude will gain a better world for ourselves and our children now and in the 21st century.
> Miguel Roca is the president of the KU International Club.
CAMP UHNEELY
BY SCOTT PATTY