4A
Friday, November 17, 1995
OPINION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
THE ISSUE: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
KU slow to meet standards
The University of Kansas has been slow to act on meet-
slow to act on meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.The A.D.A., passed in 1990, guarantees civil rights protection from discrimination to individuals with disabilities. It ensures equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.
The act took full effect on January 26 of this year, signaling a dangerous risk for universities such as KU which have not complied fully with the act.
The situation becomes more important because of the 1992 Franklin vs. Gwinnett County Public School case in which the Supreme Court ruled that individuals can file private lawsuits under the A.D.A. The University now must scramble to meet these statutes. Ensuring availability of adequate educational aids and services is expensive, but a multi-million dollar lawsuit would be much more damaging to the University's pocketbook and reputation. A judge or jury might look at an entire budget and analyze expenditures since
University may face lawsuit if it fails to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
the laws took effect. These outsiders would not appreciate capital improvements or expensive educational programs when federal obligations have not been met.
Officials must involve local groups representing people with disabilities, keeping them aware of progress. They must feel a part of the process because they must plainly see good-faith despite budget limitations, which may somewhat hinder total compliance.
Most importantly, funds must be allocated to improve facilities throughout campus.
It is obvious that the University should be past the planning stage in all areas, and officials need to right this wrong quickly.
A financially strapped institution such as KU must protect itself because a lawsuit would waste millions. Federal laws also must be respected from a moral stand point. The University must meet these statutes; further tardiness is inexcusable.
JOHN WILSON FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THE ISSUE: DONATIONS
KU research money well spent
Since 1994, a total of $94 million dollars has been granted to the University of Kansas for research.
Faculty and student research projects are among the most important functions that KU performs. Not only should the University be a place of learning ideas, but it also should be a place where new ideas are created Without research discoveries, the University of Kansas would be incomplete in its mission to educate at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.
Plus, many important developments have been accomplished at the University in the last year. The fossil of the first beaked bird was discovered. A discovery at the University of Kansas Medical Center makes it possible for HIV to be reproduced in monkeys, paving the way for future vaccine breakthroughs. A software program called Ecobehavioral Assessment Software Systems that school psychologists used to regulate the attention levels of inner city students was used in 13 Kansas schools, six schools nationally and three foreign schools.
Research at the University of Kansas is a vital part of higher education and must be prioritized.
These programs are important in enhancing the reputation of the University and improving society.
The University of Kansas should remain a great research institution. Drastic education cutbacks by the Republican Congress should not be allowed to affect the progress that faculty and students have made at KU.
IAN RITTER FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSAN STAFF
Marko Fields /Kansan
Rubber-banded coupons enrich charity for seniors
I felt just horrible.
But I honestly didn't know. I'm one of those starving students that you hear so much about, and when I saw a 75-cent coupon attached with a rubber band to a $3.50 box of cereal at Dillons, I wasn't going to pause to ruminate how it got there or what it was to be used for.
"You know you can donate that," said a knowledgeable friend.
All I thought was, "Bonus!"
As he explained it, little old volunteers hobbled into Dillons at 4 a.m. to attach these coupons to cereal boxes in hopes that you will offer to donate them to a senior citizens' group. In the checkout, the cashier is supposed to ask if you would like to donate it. If you say yes, the face value of the coupon will be given to the group. If you say no, somebody's grandmother may not receive a meal or transportation to her doctor's appointment because you would rather sit at home and munch on a cheap box of Trix.
Sure, to the Angelina-needs-to save-75-cents-for-a-beer fund. Donate?
The guilt! I never knew that there was a charitable purpose for those coupons. I just thought Dillons was being nice by cutting those little pieces of paper out and attaching them to the boxes for me. The only question I ever received from a cashier was "Do you want to use
STEPHIANE UTLEY
Business manager
MATT SHAW
Retail sales manager
JAY STEINER
Sales and marketing adviser
JUSTIN KNUPP
Technology coordinator
COLLEEN MCCAIN
Editor
DAVID WILSON
Managing editor, news
ASHLEY MILLER
Managing editor, planning & design
TOM EBLEN
General manager, news adviser
The participating stores are Alvin's IGA at 901 Iowa St., Food 4 Less at 2525 Iowa St. and all three Dillon stores. The Dillons are located at 1740 Massachusetts St., 3000 W. Sixth St. and 1015 W. 23rd St. Perhaps I only encounter the employees in all five stores who do not inform customers that they can donate the coupon to senior citizens. But since it's such an effortless way to help, these stores must make sure customers know.
Not everyone is as supportive of this program as I am. Manufacturers don't like it. They see coupons as advertising and don't expect them to be redeemed, Carlson said. Procter & Gamble have refused to allow their coupons to be used this way. Other manufacturers are shrinking the values of the coupons or are shortening the time they are valid. As if a company that owns everything from Folgers to PeptoBismol to Tide would feel the burn of a 75-cent discount.
Donating the coupon is easy. It's fast. And it will make you enjoy those little fruity grapes, oranges and bananas that much more.
Campus mgr ... Meredith Hennings
Regional mgr ... Tom Dalaczo
Regional exec ... Nassau America
Special Sections mgtr ... Heather Mason
Production mgtr ... Naeast Eastern
Marketing director ... Kirsty Rafa
Marketing director ... Kirsty Rafa
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Internal/soe-mar mgtr ... Kelly Connolly
Angelina Lopez is a Tulsa, Okla., senior journalism
"Uhh... Yes."
Business Staff
Mainstream conservatives are logical, not extremist
Instead of cursing me as a bratty youth, Marguerite Carlson, executive director of Douglas County Senior Services Inc., which runs the program, laughed and explained the situation.
ago, Carlson said, it has raised an average of $30,000 each year. That's a lot of 30-cent coupons.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
this?"
Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that works to help people over 60 remain active and independent, Carlson said. For the elderly, they provide meals through delivery and a common dining room, transportation, educational programs, community information and a day program for senior citizens who cannot be left alone.
Douglas County Senior Services
I'm writing this letter to express my extreme frustration with Chris Hampton's column linking Rabin's assassination to mainstream Christians in America. I know that she's a liberal, so I will excuse her for being ignorant about the political landscape in Israel, but I don't excuse her for a deliberate smear campaign against mainstream conservatives. I challenge her to truthfully state specifically what is extremist about Pat Buchanan, Jesse Helms, or the conservative agenda; like a $500(child tax credit to parents, common sense llegal reform, school choice, a moment of silence, balancing the budget, giving seniors choices in Medicare
Volunteers from around the community - retired Chamber of Commerce members, nursing home residents and KU students from fraternities, sororities and residence halls - clip out coupons for cereal and cosmetic products and attach them to the boxes.
Douglas County Senior Services
ince. receives the face value of the
coupon if the shopper donates it.
Since the program began four years
Editors
News & Special Sections...Deborah Allison
Editorial...Heather Lawrence
Associate Editorial...Sarah Morrison
Campus...Virginia Marghemlin
Associate Campus...Teresa Veseyz
Associate Campus...Paul Todd
Sports...Jennil Catton
Associate Sports...Tom Brickson
Office...Robin Allen
Wife...Robert Allen
On-line coordinator...Tina Passett
STAFF COLUMNIST
Applications are now available for positions of editorial board members, columnists, and cartoonists.
If you are interested, you may pick up an application at 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. They will be due Tuesday, November 28 by 5 p.m.
Do you think the opinion page is too liberal? Do we infuriate you? Well, get off your couch and apply for the Kansan opinion page.
Have your voice heard
This notion that people don't act on their own accord is right in step with the liberal handbook. Yigal Amir is a wacko and did a nutty thing. Just like people who kill abortion doctors. They are not getting marching orders from anyone. Operation Rescue is about saving innocent life. I'm not a member, but I'm glad they're around standing up for the unborn. I have a question for the extremist monitors: why wasn't John Hinckley (the guy who shot Reagan) labeled a left-wing extremist?
If you have questions, please call Ashley Miller or Heather Lawrenz at 864-4810.
like HMO's and MSA's, cutting government waste, devolution of power back to the people and a less intrusive, oppressive government?
Jason Walters
Shawnee sophomore
Don't let anyone else speak for you. Get involved.
Society has little room in its ranks for uncoolness of good Christians
I'm a crihmhm.
I suppose it is better to rely on our proven and feared justice system to strike terror into the hearts of criminals. Because if there is no higher standard, then only fear of punishment remains to encourage proper social behavior.
I said, "I'm a Catholic."
Lately I've been telling people who ask my religion that I'm a Catholic, but I'm trying to be a better one.
It's a little goody-goody, but it still holds that hint that I have a basic badness and immorality that I haven't been able to overcome.
Judging from Ricki Lake, Americans have "love thy neighbor" down cold. That seems to be a pretty cool religious edict.
There. I've done it. I have publicly outed my belief in Jesus Christ and God. Fear of public scorn has made this declaration a long time in coming.
It is a shame it is not in vogue to push morals as the solution to our nation's problems. The Republicans tried, but they were soundly repudiated for trying to push a radical right Christian standard. Since when are the ideas of "thou shalt not kill," "honor thy father and thy mother" and "thou shalt not steal" either solely Christian or radical?
But wait, wait.
I'm not a very good one.
STAFF COLUMNIST
Everything is gray areas. Environment, social status and personal beliefs all shade how wrong an action is. Nothing is so bad in American society that someone can't find an excuse for it.
I mean look at Jesus. First of all, he was a virgin. He never made a lot of money, and it doesn't seem like he was into sports, unless you count fishing as a sport. Worst of all, his dad and he said that certain things were wrong, sins so to speak. Always.
I want to be taken seriously, after all. Who in their right mind would really try to be a good, religious person in the United States?
There — I feel better now.
But if Americans are going to use a few screwballs as an excuse to reject the institution, you have to wonder at their continued support of our government.
Let's face it. God just isn't cool.
The only young people I've ever met who expressed a belief in a religion without following it up by saying, "But I'm not a very good one," I thought were a little strange.
That's not a real popular idea these days.
Christ and God also were into punishment. You do something wrong, you pay a price. Pretty simple equation.
In the U.S., we have parole and rehabilitation. So what if you killed 12 people? You had a rough life, and now you are a changed man. We'll let you off with four years served of your life sentence. But don't do it again.
Probably part of religion's fall from favor is due to some poor choices by God on who would run his various churches. Some real scoundrels are making a bad name for all the really good people. I can't see Mother Theresa as a pedophile, even though she is Catholic.
God also has let his name be attached to some pretty radical groups.
Jake Arnold is a Lawrence senior in Journalism.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
By Shawn Trimble