Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, February 6, 1990
3
Seniors take special test to judge course changes
Bv Carol B. Shiney
Kansan staff writer
Yesterday, seniors in Western Civilization classes began taking tests to help the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences assess its new curriculum.
Susan Twomby, assistant professor in education policy and administration, said the Academic Profile, developed and published by the Educational Testing Service, would test general academic knowledge and skills in the humanities, social sciences and natural
"It doesn't ask for recall of specific information that a student would learn in an individual biology course," Twombly said. "However, it assumes the student had taken some type of introductory courses."
Phillip Paladun, acting director of the Western Civilization department, said testing would continue during the next two weeks. About 500 seniors are enrolled in Western Civilization classes, he said.
Paludda said students would not be forced to take the
but he stressed its importance.
"Without student input we could repeat the same mistakes over and over again," he said.
" ever and over again," he said.
Twombly said seniors were being tested for two recessions.
The Kansas Board of Regents asked Regents institutions to administer the test to provide data about what students were learning. Twombly said.
"Across the country, increasingly, state legislatures and people like the Regents are saying, 'We're putting a lot of money into higher education,'" she said. "'Prove to us what you're doing.'"
In addition, Twombly said the college wanted to evaluate new curriculum changes it had instituted for students entering the college in 1897.
"This will hopefully jet the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences know if the new curriculum is doing in fact what they hoped it would do, if it's making a difference," she said.
She said the curriculum requirements were substantially different and college officials wanted to know whether the new curriculum was making a difference. The test results showed the main next year, and the results will be compared, she said.
Twomby said the test also would measure college reading, writing, critical thinking and how students used mathematical data.
Twomby said Western Civilization was the only department administering the test.
"We wanted to make sure we got a broad cross-section of majors," she said.
Larry Waggle, graduate teaching assistant in Western Civilization, said he was upset when he was notified Jan. 14 that the GTAs would have to give the test to their students because the class would lose time and because he would have to revise his syllabus.
"It was a frustrating ordeal that we went through," he said.
Waggle said only about 11 of the 40 seniors in his two classes took the test.
Curt Schlesinger, Morton Grove, Ill., senior, said he was a little surprised when his Western Civilization GTA notified the class Jan. 26 that the test would be given.
"I don't think it's right for the University to evaluate us on such short notice," he said.
However, after taking the test yesterday, he said he thought the test was fair.
"It had questions on it that a college senior should be able to answer," Schlesinger said.
Qualified admissions proposal endorsed by legislative panel
Regents support bill to set GPA standards
By Rod Griffin
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA — A bill introduced Friday by the House Appropriations Committee would institute qualified admissions at the University of Kansas and other Board of Regents institutions.
The bill would allow the Regents to establish minimum admissions requirements for graduating Kansas high school students who want to be admitted to Regents schools. The requirement is a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a high school curriculum that included the following:
Four units of English
Three units of mathematics Three units of social studies
Three units of natural science
Two units of foreign language
The bill would allow individual Regents institutions to adopt other rules in addition to those specified.
State Rep. Bill Bunten, R-Toptea and chairman of the committee, said the committee introduced the bill at the request of the Regents.
"It seems we have as many remedia courses for students as regular course."
Martine Hammond, director of academic affairs for the Regents, said the evidence has shown that students at universities less than well prepared."
Hammond said the Regents had studied qualified admissions in other states. The number of students com- mitted in these states had increased dramatically after qualified admissions programs were instituted.
She also said the number of students applying to Regents schools was not expected to decrease if qualified admissions were enacted.
If the bill were enacted this year, it first would apply to students now in seventh or eighth grade.
"It is our intention that students would be notified of the requirements and will meet those requirements," Hammond said.
The Regents now can only recommend that students take the courses specified in the bill.
Hammond said the Regents were planning to give certificates of recognition to students already completing those courses.
"I think the critical issue is whether we can help young people be better prepared for the demands of higher education," Bruce Lindvall, KU director of admissions, said.
Williams speaks at Ellsworth Hall Coach encourages student sportsmanship at basketball games
Kansan staff writer
By Paul Augeri Kansan staff writer
Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams had a T-entr
tossed his way for a change last night.
Williams, chosen as Ellsworth Hall guest of the month, sake candidly to about 100 residents and guests for 45 minutes.
After the discussion, a member of the Excellence for Ellsworth program tossed Williams a Jayhawk T-shirt and then flanked Williams for a photographed photograph, and 12 others mobbed him for autographs.
Williams, who traditionally tisses T-shirts before home games, praised fan support and again discouraged students from using profanity during games at Allen Field House, especially fans who shout "--hole" after opposing players make free throws.
"He didn't bark too much but he got his point across." Brian Merckens, Dearborn, Mich., freshman said.
Williams was persuaded easily to appear at Ellsworth as this month's guest.
"All it took was a phone call to his secretary," Jay Lewis, Prairie Village freshman, said. "Him taking time out from his horribly busy schedule meant a lot to everyone here."
Williams said he spent five years working toward his master's degree at North Carolina but said jokingly that he wasn't sure if Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs ever graduated from college.
Williams also thanked the crowd for its contributions to Kansas' play.
Williams said Big Eight Conference official Ed Hightower had been one of the most consistent referees this year. Highlighters studies his officiating techniques and possible mistakes from video tapes of each game.
"I think we have the best fans in the country," Williams said. "I think you help us score more too. And I think all that enthusiasm will help us defensively."
During the Oklahoma game, Williams said he and Tubbs consulted with an official on a call. Tubbs argued while Williams suggested that the referee give Tubbs "20 technicals so we can get out of here."
Keith Thorpe/KANSAN
Flying weather
Heather Seewers, Overland Park sophomore, uses a brazeey knoll on West Campus to loft her kite into sunny skies. Warm winds brought above average temperatures to the Lawrence area yesterday.
Police investigate abduction of KU student
By Curtis Knapp and Matt Taylor
and matt taylor Kansan staff writers
KU police questioned residents and pedestrians on Engel Road yesterday afternoon about any information regarding Friday's abduction of a KU student.
Police questioned people about 4 p.m., about the same time of day as Friday's abduction, said Lt. John Mullens of the KU police.
"A lot of people who were around the area on Friday at that time may be back here today." Mullens said. "Since many classrooms are on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, residents of that area probably walk along the same route."
The student who was abducted and battered Friday also said she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted two weeks earlier, according to KU police reports.
The 19-year-old woman, whose name has not been released by police, said she was kidnapped Jan. 19 and taken to a party at a fraternity house, police reported. She said a man taped her to the floor and seduced her.
The woman, who lives in one of the residence halls on Engel Road, said the Friday abduction occurred in the 1500 block of Crescent Road, police reported. She said she was hit from behind while walking toward campus at 3:35 p.m. She regained consciousness about 5 p.m. on a sidewalk in front of a residence hall.
Mulens said the woman was treated for bruises at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and released.
Mullens said the victim's account of what happened was incomplete.
A joint task force involving KU police and the Lawrence Police Department is investigating the incident. Mullens said.
GOULASH AGAIN?
So, college food was not exactly what you expected. At least it is a hot meal. The homeless would not complain. But, they do not want your leftovers, only your time.
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with it's homeless shelter in Lawrence.
There will be training sessions Feb. 17 and 24.
If interested, mail in coupon. For more information, call 865-5688.
I WANT TO HELP!
dend to: KU Student Volunteers c/o Salvation Army 924 New Hampshire Lawrence, Kan. 66045
Name:
Address:
City:
Phone:
--drum at • All Remo hardware - 35% off
JOE'S Iow's • All Remo drumsets - 30% off
DRUM • All drumheads - 40% off
SHOP 1000 Massachusetts
Pre-Business Sophomores:
Applications for the school of Business Fall 1990 are due Feb.15. Applications are available in 206 Summerfield Hall.
Complete transcripts and ACT scores must be on file with the University.
For more information call 864-3844