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Wednesday, April 11, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Overlooked students
The University should offer essential services for meeting the needs of the visually impaired
The University of Kansas is lacking the services that are essential to meet the academic needs of at least 21 visually impaired students.
Some of these students recently met with Student Assistance Center directors to discuss expanding and improving the services needed. The directors and University administration should listen to their grievances and they should waste no time in acting upon their suggestions.
By offering services that are more than adequate for KU's visually impaired students, the academic reputation of the University would be enhanced. The administrators should consider that the key to the University's success lies not only in the success of students who are not physically challenged, but also in the success of students who are
At Watson Library, for example, more than 2 million volumes are available for use by sighted students. The library, however, lacks a collection of books on tape for visually impaired students. It has one reading machine,
which reads books aloud to users through a voice synthesizer, and one image enlarger, which magnifies text on a television screen. Unfortunately, the reading machine is broken.
This lack of materials for the visually impaired is unacceptable and no longer should be tolerated. KU's visually impaired students deserve the same quality and availability of services provided to their sighted colleagues. It is imperative that they receive these services not only for their own academic success but for the success of the University.
Another complaint of visually impaired students is of the enrollment process. Registering for classes and paying fees is confusing enough for students who have sight and can read the signs, let alone students who have visual handicaps. This process offers no assistance to those who cannot see.
Student Assistance Center directors and University administration, therefore, should take heed and listen to the complaints and suggestions of the students that they serve.
Melanie Matthes for the editorial board
Homeless get help
New York court orders trial to review allowance
A ruling last week by the New York State Supreme Court shows that someone has finally realized that the homeless problem will not just disappear.
The court ruled that the state must give welfare recipients enough money to afford adequate housing and ordered a trial to determine whether New York's shelter allowance is enough.
Finally, there is an answer that effectively addresses the problem. Let's hope this ruling will prevent any of New York's 450,000 welfare recipients from having to live on the streets or in homeless shelters.
Guidelines of this type should be enacted on a national level in order to guarantee all citizens their right to adequate housing.
It is painfully obvious, even as you walk the streets of Lawrence, that the homeless need help. The homeless are not all drug addicts and schizophrenics; many are families with small children who have fallen on bad times.
Many U.S. families are just one paycheck or welfare check away from homelessness, and the state of New York has found an effective way to stop the growth of the homeless population.
Cory Anderson for the editorial board
Recycling bill fails
Kansas City voters would rather pay for cable TV
n the same day that senators in Washington passed a $21 billion clean-air
bill, voters in Kansas City, Mo., decided that they couldn't spare $1.89 a month to recycle their way through an increasing landfill problem.
With nearly 5,000 more people voting against the proposal than for it, Kansas City residents told their government that they did not want to pay the monthly fee to implement curbside recycling.
Problems with the recycling campaign were many. Landlords were upset that they would have to pay the fee for their tenants. Many voters apparently were caught up in the misconception that, by voting for recycling, they would be voting in favor of putting a sanitary landfill near Bannister Mall.
That's too bad because by forking over about one-tenth of what many people pay for cable television each month. Kansas City residents
could have reduced the amount of trash going into the city's primary landfill, which should be full in a matter of years. Voters could have cut down on the waste that occurs every time someone tosses away a bundle of paper, causing yet another tree to be cut down and turned into a pile of grocery bags.
It truly is ironic that in a time when the nation's leaders see a need for vast overhauls in 20-year-old clean-air legislation, Kansas City voters cannot see past their pocketbooks or past the parking lot of their local mall.
Quite simply, for $1.89 a month, they could have helped protect the world's rapidly diminishing environmental resources.
Until they can, and until grassroots legislation can move to the forefront of environmental issues, the country's natural resources constantly will be in danger of extinction.
Baseball cards could get the U.S. economy really swinging
Chris Evans for the editorial board
Fact: In a few years, the leading industry in the United States will be entertainment.
Fact: The Dow Jones industrial average is composed of 30 of the largest, not to mention boring. U.S. companies and thus is subject to the performances of these corporate giants.
Fact: Baseball cards were one of the leading investments of the 1980s, with appreciation rates so high that some financial planners urged their clients to include baseball cards in their portfolios. Really.
Fact: It couldn't hurt the United States to have a leading economic indicator that always went up.
Solution: A panel of experts, presumably 11-year-old boys, picks the hottest 25 baseball cards of the year, the Securities and Exchange Commission gives its blessing and
Steve Buckner
Staff columnist
before you can say, "Back, back, back," a foolproof measure of the sports-crazed, entertainment-driven U.S. economy is born — the Mattingly Index.
The Mattingly Index would work the same as any market. The prices of the chosen 25 cards would be charted, and the value of baseball cards would be reflected. The panel of experts would rate cards for inclusion based on performance of established stars (hence the name, Mattingly Index, who not
only is a star but also plays for a New York-based team, and we all know that the world revolves around New York) and the potential of rookies and other young players.
The selection process is the key for the Index. A delicate balance needs to be maintained among the established stars, such as Don Mattingly, Jose Canseco, Bo Jackson, Will Clark and Roger Clemens for realized, blue chip value, and the rookie and second-year players, such as Andy Benes, Sandy Alomar Jr., Todd Zeile, Be McDonald, Jerome Walton and Jim Abbott for rapid, astronomical appreciation. The Index also would have to be flexible to accommodate injuries and miscreants. A few Wade Boggs and Pete Rose types could hurt the economy, so the powers that be would have discretion to juggle the Index's roster to have the most valuable 25 cards on it at all times.
What would fuel the Index? Demand, of course. But don't worry, part of the U.S. economy would not be entirely in the hands of pre-pubescents. The real money behind the surge in baseball card popularity is from affluent adults who relive their youth by buying and boarding cardboard rectangles with baseball players' pictures on them. For these people, baseball cards represent the best of both worlds: eternal youth and an appreciating asset. Who could ask for anything more?
A bit silly, you think? Well, what matters most to the majority of you: Bo Jackson's home-run output or General Motors' priced-to-earning ratio? Which do you read first, the sports section or the business page? Exactly. Also, have you ever seen a stock certificate before? I don't know what's worse, the gaudy design or the fact that you can't keep 'em in a
shoe box.
That's the beauty of the Mattingly Index. Simplicity even a child can follow. What a concept! If you thought people got excited about business in the 1800s, you haven't seen anything yet. Economics would be taught in the grade schools. Heck, part of the U.S. economy would be formed in the grade schools!
The best part is you can't lose: To repeat, baseball cards only appreciate in value. And if a player falters, his card is replaced by a stronger performer.
In summary, the Mattingly Index would provide its participants with loads of entertaining amusement and the U.S. economy with cook-the-books profits. Sounds like the American way to me.
> Steve Buckner is a Lawrence graduates student in journalism.
Other Voices
My, oh my, oh my. Did you hear what those rich, white men said about flexible tuition this week? Jack Vowell, a Texas congressman, said, "This might be a way to control enrollment . . . by selecting people who could afford to go to UT Austin."
James Vick, vice president for student affairs, said it was the administration's answer to the overcrowding problem: "I don't think it would be hard for them to come," but it would make it harder for them to come."
So take heart, students. If these gentlemen get their way, a UT education (such as it is) will be reserved for the brave, the dedicated, the ones who really want to come here.
It'll be reserved for the middle class.
The University is a public institution, paid for by Texas taxpayers — all of Texas 'taxpayers, not just those able to afford tuition. All those taxpayers' children deserve an equal shot at attending the University. Boosting tuition will deprive people of that equal shot.
From The Daily Texan, the University of Texas, Austin, April 6.
News staff
Richard Breck...Editor
Nielmil...Managing editor
Christopher R. Relaton...New editor
Moonh...Planning editor
John Milburn...Editorial editor
Candy Miemann...Campus editor
Rita Donaldson...Campus editor
E. Joee Zurga...Photo editor
Stephen Kline...Graphica editor
Kfs Bergueltz...Art/Features editor
Tom Boltz...General manager
Margaret Townsend...Businesses manager
Tumi Rank...Retail sales manager
Mary Miller...Compus sales manager
Kathy Stolle...National sales manager
Mike Lehman...National sales manager
Mindy Morris...Co-op sales manager
Bernice Blumey...Production manager
Mindy Lundt...Assistant product manager
Carrie Staninka...Marketing director
James Glaasnapp...Creative director
Jamie Rothorn...Classified manager
Winnie Sturdy...Founder
Jeanne Hines...Sales and marketing adviser
Business staff
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LETTERS to the EDITOR
Budig fails to act
I believe the KU administration must share the blame for rising anger among the student body and dismayed alumni. Chancellor Gene A. Budig seems strangely absent until after crisis occurs. Statements issued after-the-fact are statements issued too late. And statements are not enough. Budig
Several editorials have attacked discrimination at KU: the racist incident at SAE, continuing discrimination against gays and lesbians by ROTC and the sorry role of the AIDS epidemic, among others.
Budig's stalwart aid in this endeavor has been Judith Ramaley. It seems Budig wants to avoid controversy. So, Ramaley has become a roadblock to progressive ideas or groups on campus.
has failed miserably in planning and taking proactive steps.
Ramaley should be the national poster child for the "Just say no!" campaign. Look at all she has accomplished: Just say, "No condom machines!" Just say, "To five clearly outlined proposals from Students Concerned About Discrimination!" Just say, "To keep your appointments with the Student Senate AIDS Task Force!" Just say, "To African-American students" until they feel compelled to march in protest on campus. We all know Ramaley can just say "No!" But to what can she say "Yes?"
Instead of being proud of KU, I am shamed by the unenlightened.
regressive postures exemplified by this administration. "Head in the sand" attitudes do not make problems go away. Instead, they feester and grow until the ugliness can no longer be ignored.
Christopher R. Craig
KU is in crisis through neglect. Ramaley may be the appointed target, but Budig bears ultimate responsibility. Budig should change his approach or give his office to someone who cares enough to get involved, setting a good example and taking action before tempers boil over.
Christopher R. Craig 1979 KU alumnus
Place your vote
Now that it is obvious that the Student Senate does many valuable things, go to the polls and vote. The polls, open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., are located at Watson Library, the front of Wescoe Hall, the Kansas Union, the Burge Union, Summerfield Hall, Learned Hall and Lindley Hall. All you need is your KUID. Voting days are today and tomorrow.
William N. Sanders
StudEx Committee chairman
If you've noticed the mass of people running around like chickens with their heads cut off, showing pamphlets in your face and
It is very important that you go to the polls and make a responsible decision as the Student Senate allocates more than $1.3 million each year and represents the concerns of the student body at all levels of state and University governance.
sporting silly buttons, then you know it is the first day of Student Senate elections.
CAMP UHNEELY
HERE'S A LIST OF RIDICULOUS PROMISES
WELCOME TO NEXT YEAR
TURN JAYHAWK BLVD. INTO
JAYHAWK CANAL = THIS WILL
PROVIDE A ROMANTIC SETTING
FOR LEARNING AND WILL ONLY
ATTRACT MOSQUITOES AND SMELL
DURING SUMMER CLASSES.
RELOCATE THE UNION -
OUR PROPOSAL IS TO TEAR
DOWN HOME AUDITORIUM AND
MOVE THE UNION BUCK-BY-
BRICK TO A LOCATION CLOSEER
TO WESCO BEACH.
DON'T FORGET TO
VOTE
AMERICAN
GLADIATORS
COALITION
FOR
STUDENT
SENATE
TODAY
DON'T DELAY
PAID FOR BY AMERICAN GLADIATORS COALITION
BY SCOTT PATTY
GET FORNICATING DOGS OFF
CAMPUS - WE SUPPORT THE
CREATION OF AN OFF-CAMPUS
LOCATION FOR DOGS IN HEAT TO GO.
LAMBADA DAY - A DAY-LONG
CELEBRATION OF THE FORDIDEN
DANCE WILL UNITE STUDENTS
WITH PROFESSORS.
ELIMINATE PARKING SERVICES -
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PARK UWER-
EVER AND WHENEVER THEY WANT WITHOUT
THE HANDLE OF A BIO TICKET ON THE CAR.
MORE MONEY - REDirect Funds FROM
THE STUDENT SENATE ACTIVITY FEE INTO A
SPECIAL ACCOUNT FOR KANSAN CARTOONISTS.