4A
Monday, February 19. 1996
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
Native-American studies would benefit education
Last week Joe Byrd, chief of the Cherokee nation, visited the University of Kansas. Chief Byrd was here to support the University's cooperative programs with Haskell Indian Nations University. Byrd also was scheduled to speak with Chancellor Hemenway about a new Native-American studies program.
The Native-American Studies Task Force has been working on the addition of this program and will make a presentation to the University administration. If the administration approves, the program then will go before the Board of Regents.
Many KU students are familiar with Comanche, the stuffed U.S. Army horse that survived Custer's last stand, which is in KU's Museum of Natural History. However, when pressed about what the University offers in the way of Native-American studies, the answer is invariably, "Native American what?"
Strong multicultural programs, such as the AfricanAmerican studies program at the University, bring in money from the government that goes towards the
Addition of program would increase diversity of KU experience.
rest of the University. Adding multicultural study programs is financially beneficial to the University.
Many wonder why the University should add a Native American studies program with Haskell right down the street. Michael Yellowbird, professor of law at KU, said in an interview with KJHK that universities such as the University of Kansas provide Native Americans with a diverse college experience. They should be able to study Native-American history while at a major university.
The addition of a Native-American studies program adds to the overall education that one can receive. A good university offers a wide range of study areas, and the University does this to a great extent. However, there is a void that still needs to be filled, and a Native-American studies program could fill it.
DEBBIE THOMPSON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Maybe the Big 12 is not such a good idea for the old Big Eight
The Big 12 Conference: is sounded like a pretty good idea at first, but now it is growing into a burden for the Big Eight Conference and Kansas in particular. The problem isn't the merging of four Southwest Conference schools and the Big Eight; it is what has happened recently.
Steve Hatchell, the Southwest Conference commissioner, was pitted against Kansas' own Bob Frederick from the Big Eight for commissioner of the Big 12. One would think that since the Big Eight schools are letting other schools join their conference, they should have been rewarded with a commissioner from the Big Eight. But worse was awarding the conference headquarters to Dallas instead of Kansas City, Mo.
It is well known that the Kansas City area is a big supporter of Big Eight athletics. There is now discussion that the postseason basketball tournament could move after the contract with Kemper Arena expires in 1998. Kansas City would lose not
THE ISSUE:
The Big 12 Conference
only a prestigious tournament, but the local economic support that goes with it. In addition, Kansas City is more centrally located between all the Big 12 schools.
We were told this merger would improve our football standing. Considering the Big Eight had four of the top nine teams in the country, including the national champion Cornhuskers, this seems unlikely. None of the Texas schools finished in the Top 10.
What probably will happen is that Kansas' basketball and Nebraska's football prominence will improve the Texas programs.
Let's be open about the Big 12: It is not as beneficial to Kansas and Big Eight athletics as it is for athletics in the Texas schools. Sure, the conference football and basketball championships will be gold mines, but the real winners in the Big 12 deal are the Texas schools.
THOMAS PATTISON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Jeff MacNellv / CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Sexual harassment victims must speak up and fight
Finding myself with some extra time the other day, I decided to do something that is rare for me — watch television.
I don't usually indulge in America's premier pastime; in my opinion, most of the programs now airing are corny and inane. So, imagine my surprise when I stopped for a minute to watch some.
Gabrielle — I discovered it was discussing a socially relevant topic. The former Beverly Hills 90210 star was focusing on the issue of sexual harassment in our schools. I know many people are sick of this issue and consider it to be more the ravings of militant feminists than a blight of American society, but this cannot be ignored.
The first guest on the show was an adorable fifth-grader named Odessa, who had been violated maliciously by her own classmates at recess two days in a row. The day after the first incident, her mother notified the principal in person, yet the child was harassed again that day while a teacher watched. She repeatedly was poked in the chest and when she complained to the teacher on playground duty, she was told the woman didn't want to deal with it because she was having a bad day.
However, this was far less horrifying than the previous day's incident in which Odessa was dragged to a field by three girls to find her entire class waiting with a boy whom they were holding down on the ground. The plan was to force the two to have sex. The girl broke free, but nothing was ever done to punish the offenders.
KANSAN STAFF
element, the explanation I generally offer to people, but it doesn't describe my gut feeling about the situation. The most accurate word to describe it would be humiliation. There is no reason the victim of harassment should be embarrassed about the situation, yet that has been my experience and that of others I have spoken to. Even when recounting incidents to friends, I find myself blushing or lowering my eyes in shame.
Judging how hard it is to tell my friends, it amazes me when people actually have the courage to report incidents to a higher authority. I was especially impressed with the children featured on the talk show. To be able to discuss their experiences with both school officials and a national audience is no small feat.
What didn't impress me however, was the reaction of the said school officials. Both the children and their parents spoke of officials who dismissed the incidents as exaggerations on the part of the victims and/or innocent play on the part of the offenders. Sexual harassment is not harrassed. It may be to the offenders, but to the victims it is a violation of their bodies, and more importantly, a destruction of their self-worth.
No matter how small the incident, harassment hurts and it is time school officials and citizens of our country realize this and do whatever it takes to keep every child from experiencing this degradation.
Steph Brower is a Cary, N.C. freshman in Journalism
The principal's answer to the mother's outrage was that the child "blew it out of proportion." It was just a harmless joke, he said. A joke? That sounds frighteningly familiar.
cent joke, a mild flirtation, a friendly squeeze of affection. Well, take it from someone who has experienced such treatment — it's far from harmless. It's humilizing, demeaning and worst of all, almost impossible to avege. Oh sure, you can report the offenders — to teachers, administrators, even the police. But first you need to work up the courage.
"IT BLEW ME AWAY HOW MUCH SAFETY STUFF WENT INTO IT."
"WE'RE HERE FOR AN EDUCATION, NOT FOR A FOUR-YEAR GYM CLASS." Shannon Tauscher, Lawrence junior, about the proposed student fee to finance the new recreation center.
Sexual harassment in this country is considered innocuous by many. An inno-
I consider myself a feminist and fairly well-informed on what constitutes sexual harassment. I never imagined I would allow myself to be violated, that I would just sit there, grit my teeth, and say, "Stop touching me now. I mean it." Not much of a deterrent, especially when there are three of them and one of you. But I did and for a simple reason: fear. Fear of being accused of lying, fear of ridicule by my peers, fear of repercussions by my harassers — all of these played a part in my election to stay silent.
However, fear was not the sole factor in this decision. It is the rational
- Bill Harns, Olathe senior, about the safety precautions taken when handling extremely volatile rocket fuel.
"THEY ARE INTERESTED IN STUDENTS WHO ARE WILLING TO GET INVOLVED, BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WASTE A BUNCH OF TIME ON STUDENTS IN GENERAL."
Ken Collier, professor of political science, about political candidates' attitudes toward students.
STAFF COLUMNIST
"I WANT BOTH GROUPS TO FEEL WELCOME, BUT SOMEHOW IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS ALWAYS BOYS' NIGHT."
HEATHER NIEHAUS
Business manager
KONAN HAUSER
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
JUSTIN KNUPP
Technology coordinator
Jamie Sornberger, manager of Hideaway, 106 North Park St., about the new Thursday "Women's Night" at the club.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Editore
ASHLEY MILLER
Editor
VIRGINIA MARGHEM
Managing editor
ROBERT ALLEN
News editor
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
Business Staff
"WHEN REALLY BAD MURDERERS ARE EXECUTED, THEY ARE STRAPPED IN A CHAIR, AND ELECTRICITY GOES THROUGH THEIR BODIES, AND THEY DIE."
Chancellor Robert Hemenway, in his inaugural speech, about how he explained electrocution to his 8-year-old son.
Campus ... Joan Birk
Phillip Brownlee
Editorial ... Paul Todd
Associate editorial ... Craig Lang
Penture ... Matt Wood
Tom Plotkin ... Bill Petula
Associate sports ... Bill Petula
Photo ... Andy Rulletwood
Matt Pleeker
Graphics ... Hosh Musser
Special sections ... Novelda Sommerr
Jen Humphrey
Wife ... Trane
Illustration ... Micho Leaker
Campus mgr ... Karen Gerch
Regional mgr ... Kelly Connelys
National mgr ... Mark Odlaski
Special Sections mgr ... Norm Blow
Production mgr ... Rachel Gahill
Marketing director ... Heather Vallier
Public Relations dir. Angela Breelof
Creative director ... Ed Kowalstad
Classified mgr ... Stacy Weingarten
Internship/oo-op mgr ... T.J. Clar
OUT FROM THE CRACKS
First-timers have responsibility to cast their ballot
This year I will have my first chance to vote in a presidential election. While it is still months away, I am excited at the prospect of voicing my support for whomever I consider to be the best candidate. However, this excitement is wearing down; I'm becoming more realistic.
Of course, it was just a quick glance.
After years of hearing my parents and siblings talk about voting against someone rather than for someone, I determined that I would not fall victim to this negativity. Unfortunately.
STAFF COLUMNIST
after a quick glance at the candidates from both parties, I realized that this might be impossible. No one thus far has shown that they represent my interests.
I could be wrong. Perhaps, without, my knowledge, some clone of me and
my interests quietly entered the race. Then it would be my own fault for not remaining informed. Maybe the problem is that the only people who have been visible thus far are conservative, white middle-aged men. Or maybe it is a mixture of the two.
Especially in Kansas, home of Bob Dole, the Republican candidates are big news. The farther west you go in this state, the prouder people are. Consequently, he and his opponents are constantly in the news. From Steve Forbes and his flat tax to the ever-present Pat Buchanan, it seems that Sen. Dole has his hands full in his quest for the Republican nomination.
Furthermore, the first major primaries are for Republican candidates. Between the New Hampshire Primary and the Iowa Caucus, the Republican party has been particularly busy this month.
Thus far, the only Democrat making any noise has been Bill Clinton. Because he is the president, he gets more than his share of exposure, but with it comes more than his share of scrutiny. This only leaves many confused about who he is and what he really stands for. With no serious opposition, it leaves him a shoe-in for the Democratic nomination. It also makes me feel as if I am missing someone that may be better but who never got a chance.
With eight months left of campaigning and mudslinging, I am far from making a decision. But here are a few ideas I am going to follow before I cast my first-ever presidential ballot.
1. Vote. I have no respect for people who are of voting age and never cast a ballot. They then spend the next four years complaining. They are just as much to blame.
3. Become an informed voter. Read the paper — and not, just the funnies (although Doonesbury can shed light on many issues if you are a Democrat) — but the front page also. Watch the news. Find out what the candidates stand for. Go to a Young Democrats or College Republicans meeting to learn more about what the issues are and how they affect you.
Although the election still is months away, time flies more quickly when you are putting something off. Don't wait until October to learn about the issues. Do it now. You can use the knowledge you gain to support your opinion or to rally people to your viewpoint. When November rolls around, the decision will be easy. Good luck.
2. Listen to your friends, but make your own decision. If you support someone, vote for that candidate, not for whom your friends like.
Stacy Nagy is a Topeka sophomore in Russian
By Jeremy Patnoi
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