Joshua Seiden

TGIF...

2011-08-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

In a perfect world, this would be my night cap.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm running ahead of schedule on my nightly carb/sugar/starch loading. I'm craving something sweet, but I appear to be out of options.

The cold olive pizza failed to hit the spot. I'm now at the point where I'm torn between downing a handful of carob chips and granulated sugar, or opting for a shot of Listerine.

Some of you might not approve of my eating habits. Don't worry, I exercise zero hours per week. I'm a creature of habit.

However, Sporcle games frustrate me to the point where I can feel my head and chest throbbing, so that has to count as cardio or whatever the kids are calling it these days.

I am fully confident that with the exorbitant volume of "nutritional experts" and the like, a few hours of web searching should yield me some sort of authority proclaiming that my eating habits amount to the diet of a healthy future (and also that this is great way to spend a Friday night).

BAR EXAM PROCTORS > or = POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES...

2011-08-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

OK, I'll be the first to admit that I'm bitter/jaded/cantankerous/marginally attractive. But these Bar Exam proctors: are you fucking kidding me?!?!?!?

I just assume that the idea behind the manner in which they administer the exam is to exacerbate every negative stereotype possible when it comes to government employees. I felt like an extra on the set of "Full Metal Jacket," only the DMV version. (Please, someone tell me they watched that movie in preparation for tormenting us). Instead of engaging in horrifying combat, we were typing words and blackening circles on Scantrons.

I enjoy being shouted at, especially when it's entirely unnecessary. If you must bring me to tears, at least renew my drivers license and vehicle registration while you're at it.

I must've signed at least a dozen forms absolving the Examiners of all liability for anything that could possibly go wrong during the exam. This makes perfect sense, seeing as how they have sole control over every aspect of the test administration. Oh, but taking the exam is a privilege, and certainly not a right. Well, I've twice enjoyed this privilege. No wonder the shoeless kids in Liberia resent me.

The room temperature ranged from 40 to 90 degrees. Proctors were pacing the aisles while texting and taking mobile phone calls. I couldn't help but be distracted by what reminded me of a fashion show my parents took me to at JC Penny when I was a gradeschooler. Same clothes, and likely the same models. JC Penny runway model to exam proctor: a lateral move, or a demotion?

Allegedly, our restroom breaks were also monitored. I wanted to compliment my fellow pisser on what - by all indications - was a strong, steady stream. However, I'd already signed an affidavit swearing not to engage in urinal banter. By the way, are you guys hiring?

Long story short, on the most awkward day since losing my virginity, I'd prefer not to be threatened and berated. Especially when I'm already having buyer's remorse as to the thousands of dollars and countless hours I've spent memorizing archaic gibberish.

But hey, it's all part of the journey.

REINTEGRATION (I REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME)...

2011-08-05T05:36:00.000-05:00

Having returned home under the most awkward circumstances possible - I literally found out in court that I'd failed the Bar and lost my job - I wanted to catch-up with the folks back home, but I was also feeling a bit disgraceful. How do I blatantly insult my most successful friends when I'm in my 30's, unemployed, and shacking up in a bunkbed?

There absolutely has to be a way. I need to develop some sort of self-deprecating disarming mechanism. However, the self-deprecation must not depress my target audience, nor may I allow it to detract from my outward badgering of my pals. Seriously, this is all in good fun and I'm not really a dick (at least not as often as most KU Law grads).

The reintegration hit a major snag once the Bar Exam prep rolled around. Ten to 12 weeks of my life would be devoted to old white men talking about stuff that other old white men made up on a whim eons ago. A cursory glance at my law school transcript will reveal that this material "just didn't tickle my fancy" the first time around. My rapidly deteriorating attitude had to be a huge asset to my studies.

REINTEGRATION...

2011-08-05T05:24:00.000-05:00

My time out in the sticks was a real eyeopener. Having interned for over a year with the Missouri State Public Defender, I saw some pretty nasty cases. Though things moved a lot slower out in Dodge and the severity level of the crime paled in comparison to that of Kansas City, there was still plenty to learn.

I decided early on that I would need to focus on the specific intricacies of practice that were peculiar to my position. For instance, I learned a lot about state-level appellate practice, as well as how to draft effective motions and cohesive arguments in support of my written work.

It was constantly in the back of my mind that my days could be numbered, so I didn't put much effort into developing any sort of social network. I enjoyed the time I spent with my coworkers and colleagues, but as someone who's been reinventing his life every three years since 2000, I just didn't have the juice to dial up my personality.

Then again, my coworkers and colleagues probably appreciated this. My two-pot-a-day coffee habit and irreverent conversational tactics generated enough Josh that everyone got their fill during normal working hours.

My first priority in returning to Overland Park was to reconnect with those with whom I've lost touch over the past several years. Apparently, they've grown into adulthood and have stuff like kids and houses and reliable transportation. I anxiously await Fantasy Football '11. For the first time since '04, I don't have class or a five-hour drive ahead of me following the festivities.

Most importantly, I get a chance to revive my raunchy rapport with some of the most upstanding individuals our fine community has to offer.

DISCLOSURE...

2011-08-05T04:42:00.001-05:00

In the interest of transparency, here're some things I figure I will just put out there:

I failed the Kansas Bar Exam in February. Yes, it really does happen. Though I much enjoyed dueling pro se litigants over their traffic tickets while filling out archaic worksheets, I'm thinking I probably should've put a few of these things on the back burner and gotten in more studying.
Backtracking a bit to before I got my Bar results, the girl with whom I'd been romantically involved dumped me over the phone my first day back in Dodge. I had a court trial the next day against a massive douche who chartered a plane from Olathe instead of making the five-hour drive. Needless to say, I took it out on him.
I have trouble finding glasses that fit properly, and I frequently obsess over the discount variety you can find online. I've probably purchased too many pairs. My features just don't lend themselves well to the latest in optical fashion.
I enrolled in a free online dating site. This really wasn't much of a stretch, as I'd tried it before it was socially acceptable. I was about to jump ship, at which point I met a truly beautiful, amazing person. I recommend giving it a shot. Just be honest and don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

I doubt that much of this is of any sort of public interest, but here it is. For the three of you who keep up on my ramblings, this is just a bit of context.

ONCE AGAIN, IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

2011-08-05T04:27:00.000-05:00

After six months in Dodge, I'm right back where I started: on my parents' couch playing Sporcle games, watching terrible television, and indulging in my nightly 3 a.m. carb load.

Being out in SW Kansas was, well, an experience. I'm not entirely sure how else to describe that block of time. Since returning to Overland Park, a number of interesting things have found their way into my life; some better than others.

For the most part, my days and nights are uneventful. That said, I'll have plenty of time to keep all three of my readers posted in the days that follow. As they come back to me, I will convey my more memorable memories from Dodge "The Real DC" City.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

2011-03-24T00:22:00.004-05:00

So, here I am, living life to its full extent in Dodge City, Kan.

I have made countless observations since arriving here the first week of October. However, the thing that really sticks with me is the high volume of references to Dodge City made by seemingly unrelated sources.

For instance, I recently visited some sort of museum of history in St. Louis. There was a framed anecdote about some Old Westerner asking a carriage driver to take him from Newton, Kan. to Hell. The punchline was, "Give me $2.50 and get off at Dodge City," or something similar. Geez, and I thought Newton sucked.

Last week, I had the pleasure of viewing "Cocaine Cowboys". Though the Unintentional Humor Scale spiked quite a few times, it was a thoroughly enjoyable documentary on the Miami drug trade in the '70s and '80s. Obviously, the environment was volatile and the community blighted for a number of years. No less than three times during the course of the film, various interviewees declared that "It was worse than Dodge City."

Though the speakers were more than likely referring to "The Old West" or "The Wild West" or whatever term you prefer, I was flattered that a mustachioed cocaine dealer in a ribbed, pastel mock neck t-shirt made the smooth transition from regaling the audience as to his lavish life of model girlfriends and pet cougars to take a jab at my current town.

An unrelated observation I've made since arriving in Dodge would be the inability to obtain era-appropriate clothing, food, and soft drinks. As I type, I'm wearing circa 1997 pleated Dockers, a blousey oxford, and slamming Crystal Pepsi with a reckless abandon.

AND HERE WE ARE...

2010-03-10T00:04:00.002-06:00

Nothing pressing here, just glossing over the state of things.

The impending Secured Transactions midterm is the final hurdle before spring break (SB10). At this point, KU may as well just give me a degree in exchange for full payment of tuition and fees.

Let's just do that. No need to mess around with grades and tests and class discussion. Academic economy. Keep me from distracting the gunners.

It'll be nice getting back to the JoCo Public Library: stickier than a privately owned McDonald's, as uplifting as being ditched by your prom date at Arby's.

As of late, I've realized that I clearly do not take myself or my peers seriously enough to be in law school.

I'm on the wrong side of 30, and my idea of a good time is sitting in the Burge. While there, I pretend I'm in a country club and mock the majority of those in my range of vision.

If you think about it, the Burge really is like a country club of sorts. Exorbitant food prices, loud old white men, disgruntled staffers, and so on and so forth. We go there to see and be seen.

We attend a progressive institution. There's unsubstantiated talk of eliminating laptops in class. Speaking of progress, I've noticed that many of my cohorts are achieving higher speaking volumes than initially anticipated. Could this be evolution, or just plain doucheyness (sp?)?

Something I'd like to add: sweatpants are the new jean shorts, and anyone who has one also has the other. You heard it hear first, but you see it at Green Hall everyday. In full disclosure, my attire ranges from flamboyant to homeless. But still.

I don't know. That's where I'm at now. Check back later, and we'll see how things have progressed.

DIDN'T WANT TO GO POSTLESS IN 2009...

2009-12-31T17:21:00.003-06:00

Well, the title of this post pretty much says it all.

A lot happened with me in 2009. Since I didn't get around to memorializing it along the way, I will just list off some notable occurrences:

- Grew my hair out for a while, resulting in a James Brown type look.

- Drank more coffee and Red Bull than water.

- Bolstered my argyle sweater collection.

- Fell into the shrubbery in front of Green Hall.

- Learned to properly wrap a scarf.

- Spent more time in the Jackson County Detention Center than the bars.

- Spent more time reading than watching TV.

- Singlehandedly brought corduroy trousers back into the conversation.

- Watched my Fantasy Football dynasty crumble in the first round of the playoffs.

I'm interested to see what 2010 brings. Most importantly, I hope to avenge my first-round exit.

ANOTHER PRODUCTIVE NIGHT...

2008-12-14T01:20:00.003-06:00

So, we're in the midst of finals. A couple of tests last week, a couple more this coming week.

Anyway, I've had to employ guerrilla tactics when it comes to studying. I've tried to find an environment devoid of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, etc. I am very easily distracted (evidenced by the fact that I'm typing this entry while surrounded by neglected study materials).

Outside of a mental ward, such an environment does not appear to exist. I have instead chosen to frequent local eateries and bookstores.

A bookstore I visit on a regular basis has been a source of duress as of late. Last week, my studies were interrupted by some tool holding a keyboard recital. I generally champion such artistic expression, but not on that occasion.

Tonight, I managed to avoid the live music. I found a comfortable table and continued my quest for academic mediocrity. I, of course, found a variety of distractions. The first of which was a strange book that someone placed on one of the chairs at my table. It had a title something along the lines of "Sex Lives of Cannibals." No, I'm not going to look it up to verify. Nor will I link it.

I wanted to move the book so that people would not assume I had been reading it, but I sure did not want to be seen carrying it. Plus, whoever reads those types of books probably does not wash their hands often.

Later, I found myself privy to a series of loud phone conversations held by an obtrusive slob who had beached himself in a nearby chair. Not only was he an expert on geopolitics, but on meteorology as well.

I stuck it out until closing time, accomplishing approximately four percent of what I had set out to do. But as a byproduct of my finals beard and the strange book left at my table, I'm sure I managed to freak out the cafe staff. Yeah, great night.

HISTORY!

2008-11-04T22:54:00.000-06:00

WITH ALL THAT'S GOING ON...

2008-10-28T00:16:00.005-05:00

... It's nice having this to look forward to.

Sure, I've met plenty of McRib haters. Every year when I become vocal about my excitement for the McRib's triumphant return, the haters come out.

(These are generally the same people who don't like mustaches).

Well, haters, you just keep hating. As for me, I'll keep eating McRibs.

Thank You...

2008-10-09T18:17:00.001-05:00

... for stopping by.

VOTE OCT. 15TH

2008-10-09T18:03:00.002-05:00

Finals mustache...

2008-07-21T13:24:00.003-05:00

circa 2006

All four of you familiar with "professional" hockey are no strangers to "The Playoff Beard."

For those of you who aren't, basically, some players will decline to shave for the duration of the playoffs... I guess. I don't know, it's just what I heard. I don't follow hockey.

Anyway, I've elected to sport a "Finals Mustache" in light of the highly anticipated exams coming up within the next few days.

So, just to clear things up, the following are not reasons I'm growing the stache:

- Interviewing for a job as an ice cream truck driver.

- Getting an early start on this year's Magnum, P.I. Halloween costume.

- It looks awesome (OK, this one's debatable).

- I lost a bet with Dateline NBC's Chris Hansen.

- It goes great with my Poison t-shirt.

That's all I've got. I'm tired, so I couldn't really come up with much. Cut me some slack. I invite you to submit any potentially hilarious comments.

Home schooling...

2008-05-16T04:40:00.004-05:00

I consider myself a strong opponent of home schooling children.

Parents who choose to do so, based on my experience, do not make this choice because they wish to offer their children a higher quality of education. Rather, they wish to filter the intellectual and social aspects of a child's most formative years.

A friend of mine and me are in the midst of a jovial exchange on the subject. I said he should spend a day with my ex-girlfriend and her family if he thinks home schooling is a good option. At the conclusion of this day, I contend, he will agree wholeheartedly with me.

My friend replied that just as many troubled youths emerge from socialized school systems. He also insinuated that my choice to date a former home schooler might say a little about me.

The following is my response. I have omitted any information which may identify either my friend or my ex. However, if you're reading this blog, you probably know me. If you know me, it will be relatively easy for you to determine who my friend and ex are.

Sure, home schoolers get better test scores, but they're inherently disadvantaged once they move on.

The social aspects of socialized schooling are indispensable. Regular schools give kids the opportunity to become jaded during their most formative years. It's easy to be the smartest kid in the room when your kitchen/classroom consists only of your mother/teacher and siblings/classmates. Better to learn of your mediocrity before entering the workforce.

Most importantly, socialized schooling is where you learn important things such as how to ascertain pornographic material and illegal music downloads. However, the importance of making extremely public your most awkward transitional years cannot be overstated.

As to what it says about me that I dated a home schooler, I recall a conversation you and I had recently. You said women in general seem to be more concerned with present earnings than potential earning power when it comes to men. I agree, for the most part.

Thanks to the naïveté of my home schooled ex-girlfriend, present earnings were never really up for discussion. Had she attended socialized school, she would have been more materialistic (maybe not all bad, seeing as how she didn't believe in things like beds, air conditioning, and computers). Socialized school would've taught her that there are indeed guys available who make more than $7/hr.

Ok, maybe home school isn't all bad.

Is it safe?

2008-05-16T04:23:00.003-05:00

OK, a while back, I was watching a documentary on the evolution of hip hop. Of course, Naughty by Nature was featured at one point.

While being interviewed, Treach, front man for Naughty by Nature, exclaimed about what a thug he was. He went on to say that if not for hip hop, he would be in "your" house, breaking into "your" safe and "smacking your kids around."

To this day, I'm a Naughty fan. They were indisputably one of the greatest acts of the talent-packed early 90s. I interpreted Treach's remarks to be directed at the stereotypical white, suburbanite man.

Maybe I'm wrong, but as the old saying goes, "Perception is reality."

I was not at all offended by these remarks, however, I do take umbrage with the false assumption that all white, suburbanite families have money stashed in safes. To my knowledge, most suburban white people use banks.

My parents do, however, own a semi-portable safe. Unfortunately, they lost the key, and the thing is empty anyway. Basically, it's enshrouded in several layers of dust and dog urine and serves as nothing more than an embarrassing eyesore.

Sorry to disappoint you, Treach.

My 6:04 of marginal fame...

2008-05-02T00:47:00.004-05:00

Yeah, so this is actually from late July 2006, but I figured I'd go ahead and post it. My best stuff was left on the cutting room floor, but it was one hell of a time and everyone involved couldn't possibly have been cooler.

A fierce competition...

2008-05-01T17:02:00.004-05:00

So, this morning, I made the trek to Columbia with my pop on a business-related venture. It was an interesting ride, and not just because he attempted to put in eye drops, talk on his mobile phone, drive and write simultaneously.

What caught my eye along I-70 was the extremely high number of billboards advertising either churches or sex shops. Apparently, it's a fierce marketplace in which both entities must compete for members from the same client pool. For instance, one church had a billboard decrying pornography just yards from a sex shop's own oversized advertisement.

For a decent stretch of road, it was a pattern of sex shop-billboard for church-church-billboard for sex shop. In my head, I was formulating my own logic-game problems for use in future LSAT administrations.

There were a few fireworks outlets along the way, as well as some very homey-looking eateries, but Jesus Christ and Jenna Jameson were clearly the ones holding down the fort.

Then, somewhere between the time my dad drifted from shoulder-to-shoulder while washing his face with hand sanitizer and when we passed the exit for the Confederate Memorial Museum, I began to wonder whether adult entertainment and organized religion are truly mutually exclusive in those towns.

I could see where there would be enough church-goers to sustain a handful of congregations. I mean, we are talking about rural Missouri.

But as far as the sex shops and live nude arcades go, it just seems to me that they'd be awfully reliant on passersby/sex-toy enthusiasts from out-of-town to stay in business. I don't know.

What I do know, however, is that had I driven rather than my dad, we may have stopped at Live Nude Arcade for lunch as opposed to Subway in Concordia.

Oh, the Suns...

2008-04-30T00:55:00.003-05:00

OK, as much as I love the Spurs, the Suns are my favorite team. Though all but one of the games were close, the 4-1 conclusion to the series pretty much tells the tale.

It was a fun match-up to watch due to the competitive nature of the players involved. However, the latest carnation of the Suns just plain didn't have the juice to knock-off a precision machine like San Antonio. It's like pitting a Nascar against a Formula One vehicle.

The Spurs just do everything right from the front office to the hardwood. When they sign an aging veteran, they do so for a specific, predetermined purpose. For instance, players like Jacque Vaughn, Michael Finley, Robert Horry and now Kurt Thomas have been plugged in seamlessly.

Phoenix has also made some solid moves. Grant Hill, though injury-plagued, brought a lot to the table. Of course, the move in question is the Shaq trade.

I understand bringing in an extra big to combat Tim Duncan, the man who's punished you the last several years. While Shaq played well against Duncan, he was just too much of a liability to cough-up someone like Shawn Marion for.

The Suns run a short rotation anyway, so why not pick-up a couple of big bruisers to make Duncan's life a little tougher? In losing Marion, you have one less player capable of squaring off with the likes of Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

When facing a dominant player like Duncan, the idea is generally to make the other guys beat you. Well, Tony and Manu proved they can.

Sure, there was plenty of talk that Stoudemire and Marion didn't get along. So? The team played better.

What made Phoenix dangerous was their ability to run the court, filling the lanes with a speedy and versatile line-up. With Shaq, that just isn't possible. Steve Nash is not nearly as effective in a half-court game; a style of play that exposes his subpar defensive skills.

The analysts are already talking about Suns coach Mike D'Antoni getting canned. That would be a huge mistake, as the playoff Suns were clearly a different team than the one who racked-up a plethora of wins pre-Shaq.

D'Antoni should be given a year to right the ship, but he should be given the tools he needs to revamp his roster. Shaq is at the end of his career and will continue to be a liability at the line. Nash couldn't possibly continue at this high level of play for much longer. Raja Bell isn't getting any younger, Hill may not be back, and there's no guarantee Stoudemire's knee will hold-up for any duration of time.

That said, Phoenix has about a two-year window with this core. They can still run, but they'll need to make a couple of moves to adapt to the half-court game the true contenders will draw them into.

With their strong outside shooting, they've proven they can bust zone defenses. However, they need a lockdown wing defender of their own. They need to go specifically for a defensive specialist and disregard his offensive capabilities. That type of perimeter defense leads to turnovers, which will get the Suns running.

In addition, they should add another big body. If nothing else, just a clod who can throw another six fouls at the likes of Duncan. This would help keep Stoudemire - their most potent offensive weapon - out of foul trouble.

Should they address these needs via the draft (trade up for Kevin Love) or free agency?

I wouldn't know where to begin. After all, that's Steve Kerr's job.

I hate 'reality' TV, but....

2008-04-21T03:14:00.006-05:00

For some reason which is beyond me, I found myself drawn to Rock of Love 2 with Bret Michaels. I was actually rooting for various contestants.

Kristy Joe was my top pick, but that could be due largely in part to the fact that some of the girls I've recently dated make her look like the barometer for mental stability. See, I'm speaking of the contestants on a first-name basis. What the hell happened to me?

A very good friend of mine has been keen on the show since its inception. I was of the opinion that if people were to watch the show, the terrorists would win. (Full disclosure: I have absolutely nothing to substantiate that theory.)

Having attended four Poison concerts, I figured I could give the show a try. Gradually, memories of my hair band-laced youth found their way to the front of my mind.

I recall being in second grade when a neighborhood friend showed me a Poison poster promoting "Look What the Cat Dragged In." It took damn near half an hour for my buddy to convince me that the folks on the poster were indeed men.

Years later, I learned that the men I'd mistaken for women actually had carnal knowledge of more females than I will likely even meet.

When I began attending Poison concerts, I did so primarily for novelty purposes. Now an adult, I could finally see live the very bands my dad didn't want me listening to during my formative years. It was an added bonus to see Cinderella, RATT, Winger, and Warrant to name a few.

Upon gazing over what was close to a capacity crowd, it was clear that I was in the minority. The vast majority of concert-goers weren't there for novelty. In their minds, Poison was the biggest band in the world.

Sure, the show appeared to bring out the worst in everyone involved. Then again, I've learned that many things can bring people to reveal their ugly sides. At least ROL 2 was constantly entertaining.

Plus, after reading thousands of pages on Congressional Politics and International Relations, covering local government for area papers, and working for my dad in KCK for the past couple of years, I thought I could use a break from all that is boring.

As far as relationships go, I consider myself a monogamist. That said, I must admit that Mr. Michaels had a pretty sweet deal.

The guy deserves credit. The year is 2008 and he's on the wrong side of 40. He rocks bandannas, visible tattoos, bikerwear, eye liner, and the remnants of the type of hair grunge rock/metrosexuals nearly did away with.

I really learned a lot from this show. Redeeming value, poignant social commentary, and coherent dialog are easily trumped by entertainment value. I'm a true fan of indie work, but after a while, the pomposity is a bit overwhelming. Not a lot of that going around on ROL 2.

So when I attend this summer's Poison concert (July 9 at Starlight), it will be not for novelty, but as a true fan. And yes, I will be rocking my "Look What the Cat Dragged In" t-shirt, and quite possibly a bandanna and some shredded jeans.

The final tally...

2008-04-16T14:22:00.003-05:00

My stint in college journalism has drawn to an end. It was an interesting ride and quite a learning experience. My writing appeared in 17 issues at JCCC and 15 at UMKC.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my friends at UMKC for affording me the opportunity to end my journalistic experience on a high note.

At the end of the day, an award is merely a rubber-stamped piece of stationary. That said, below is the final tally of rubber-stamped pieces of stationary I've accumulated.

2008

Missouri College Media Association
1st Place: News Writing
Honorable Mention: Sports Column Writing

2006

Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Gold Circle Awards
Certificate of Merit: Personal Opinion, On-Campus Concerns

Kansas Associated Collegiate Press
1st Place: News Writing; Sports Feature Writing
3rd Place: News Writing
Honorable Mention: Front-Page Design; Review Writing; Series Writing

2005

Kansas Associated Collegiate Press
3rd Place: Sports Column Writing

Self gratification...

2008-04-14T15:25:00.003-05:00

At the April 12 Missouri College Media Association awards, my buddies at the University News fared fairly well.

However, I'm still of the strong opinion the contest was a sham and many of us got jobbed. Ironically, we won for stuff I didn't think we would get and didn't win for what we should have.

I don't know. Maybe it all evens out.

Our 1-2-3 finish in News Writing was kind of cool.

I should add that it did feel good to take to task many of the schools with actual journalism departments and sizeable budgets. Hell, our rickety shell of a building was quarantined part of the semester due to asbestos and other goodies.

That said, maybe I'll appreciate the awards we did win once I can no longer breathe on my own.

Adding insult to injury...

2008-03-26T13:58:00.002-05:00

So, last night while working at Office Depot (your loss, OfficeMax and Staples), a woman speaking quietly on her mobile phone ushered me over.

"Where do you keep your legal papers...like, divorce papers?" she asked.

I awkwardly directed her to what she was looking for. She was polite, but looked as though she’d seen better days.

Moments later at the front counter, the woman slid the papers - face down - to the young lady working the register. Following Office Depot protocol, the cashier asked the woman if she had a rewards card.

"No," the woman replied.

I wished the woman luck as she left.

It just occurred to me that nothing adds insult to injury like not getting rewards points when purchasing your divorce papers at Office Depot and then being wished luck by a guy pushing 30 and wearing a name tag.

Because my school mishandled my transcript requests...

2008-01-23T01:26:00.001-06:00

...here's proof I graduated.

Fantasy Football: Maybe next year

2007-12-04T04:05:00.000-06:00

From the Dec. 3, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

For those of you who have not been watching much football this year, the New England Patriots are really good and the Miami Dolphins are really bad. If you have any Patriots on your fantasy roster, you're probably in pretty good shape. If you have any Dolphins, I pity you because although I'm a complete fantasy dork, I cannot name a single player on Miami's active roster.

Even if you are not harboring any Dolphins on your squad, it's quite possible you have had a bum year in your fantasy league. It happens to everyone. When your number is up, all you can do is look back and chuckle at some of the terrible picks you made. Hey, I took Jamal Lewis with the no. 4 pick in my draft following the offseason he spent in prison. That one still stings.

In the spirit of poor decision making, the following are some of my favorite terrible picks from this year. No, I did not draft any of these players, but each of them has been on at least one roster in my league this season.

Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis

You're probably feeling even worse if you also took Isaac Bruce hoping he and Bulger would work in tandem to provide staggering point totals. Unfortunately, St. Louis employs an offensive line comparable to that of a mediocre high school team. I'm pretty sure playing QB for St. Louis will void your life insurance policy.

Trent Green, QB, Miami

I've always been a big Green fan. He worked hard, played with a lot of guts and never made excuses. That said, he was obviously a horrible pick this year. The declining skills that come with age, not to mention a new offense and a lousy team, are not exactly the blueprint for huge stats. It'll be extremely disappointing if the last play of his career goes down as throwing a cut-block on a broken play as a member of a winless team.

Priest Holmes, RB, Kansas City

If you want to go with a novelty pick, take Ricky Williams. At least people will admire your good humor. Sure, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Chiefs fan who did not salivate at the thought of Holmes resurrecting his glory days, but touching stories don't score you points on the fantasy gridiron, especially when the miracle comeback lasts all of four games and produces zero touchdowns.

Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City

OK, when a guy holds out for more money and skips training camp, the fantasy numbers generally are not favorable. LJ wanted to be paid like LT. That's fine, but first, you'd better play like LT. Instead, Johnson played like a complete bust before sustaining an injury. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He carried the ball a league-record 416 times last season. The previous record of 410 was set by Jamal Anderson, RB, Atlanta, in 1998. His career took a pronounced downward spike following his record year. Bad omens across the board for LJ.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia

Traditionally a fantasy juggernaut, McNabb is always a gamble due to his history of unfortunate injuries. If you're into someone who will score you oodles of points when he's on the field but will likely miss half of the season, McNabb's your man. If your league runs the way mine does, he seems to get hurt just in time for the ever-important playoffs.

So, for those of you who know your seasons are already doomed, get a laugh out of your poor roster choices and see if you can't steal a win or two from your peers who made the playoffs. The next best thing to having your own good season is derailing someone else's.

Culture: Flashback: The ultimate mixtape

2007-12-04T04:03:00.000-06:00

From the Dec. 3, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

A gallon of gas cost less than a Big Gulp. Pagers and Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts were all the rage.

Most importantly, music was good. You could turn on the radio without hearing a bunch of privileged Emo kids griping about their parents. Corporate radio would occasionally play songs sitting outside of the top-40. The year was 1998 and I was graduating high school (yeah, I'm old).

Fast-forward about 9 1/2 years, more than a few extra value meals and roughly 30 lbs. More so than my boyish figure, I miss the days when acts other than Hannah Montana could pack a K.C. venue.

Generally, we review current musical releases. I think the current state of music is lame. Instead, I hopped in the wayback machine and dug up some songs popular among my friends and me during my senior year in high school. I don't think anyone would argue that these are the best songs of the era, but just some random tunes that will likely revive some awkward and/or hilarious memories.

What you'll find below is a mixtape I like to call "The Top 5 Random Songs from my Senior Year." And yes, the format is a blatant rip-off from the movie "High Fidelity."

5. "P Control," by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, off "The Gold Experience" (1995)

This song had it all: suggestive language, precise instrumentals, and The Artist's legendary voice. Whenever this song emanated from the speakers, it was a given that a chorus of crackly-voiced adolescent boys would do their best to sing along, much to the chagrin of any females present.

4. "Fly," by Sugar Ray, off "Floored" (1997)

Laugh all you want, but you know you liked it. You had the CD and sang along so long as no one else was around. It was a catchy, mellow tune. No nostalgic mixtape is complete without a token pop song. While this was clearly the most commercial song on "Floored," the rest of the album was completely different. And good.

3. "Too Close," by Next, off "Rated Next" (1997)

What sounded at first listen to be a run-of-the-mill R&B dance song was actually a cautionary tale of a specific byproduct of close dancing. One of those funny-until-it-happens-to-you things. We'll leave it at that.

2. "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," by Dead or Alive, off "Youthquake" (1985)

Cheesy '80s new wave. Gotta love it. This song saw new popularity thanks to Adam Sandler's "The Wedding Singer." It was definitely in heavy rotation during our "suburban dance parties."

1. "California Love," by Tupac, off "All Eyez on Me" (1996)

When Tupac wrote this song and Dr. Dre laid down his signature beats, I doubt either envisioned a living room chalk-full of white Johnson County kids attempting to rap along while throwing what we assumed were gang signs. If this song's on the jukebox, it doesn't matter what bar you're in. Play it, and watch as the people in the crowd relive their own tacky high school memories.

Op/Ed: Memories, sweet memories

2007-12-04T03:59:00.000-06:00

From the Dec. 3, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

My 16 months at UMKC have drawn to an end, and it has been quite an experience.

Despite what the surveys may say, I argue that we are indeed a very diverse higher learning institution. If you don't believe me, take a walk across the Quad, through Miller Nichols Library and on to the University Center.

If I had to summarize my UMKC experience in one word, I would call it "unique." I took risks, learned some obscure facts and am left pondering a few questions. Following are some of the unique occurrences that come to mind as I reflect.

Life entails taking chances every now and again. I'd like to believe I did so by eating at Einstein Bros. in Royall Hall. I watched as a young employee took a brief recess from mopping and cleaning to prepare my sandwich … without changing his gloves. I was hungry, so I went ahead and ate it. Nothing brings out the flavor of a stale $8.00 bagel sandwich like a hint of Pine Sol.

Beyond the fulfilling liberal arts education I was afforded, I learned a few more things. For instance, I learned I could indeed receive class participation credit for wearing a homemade mask of former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. I thought it went well with the project and I guess my professor did, too.

I hope to have a photo on Facebook soon.

Another lesson I learned is facial hair is acceptable. My dad tells me I'll have a hard time finding a job if I continue sporting a beard. Chancellor Guy Bailey, with his mane of glorious whiskers, gives me hope. Not only does he have a beard and a job (well, and a Ph.D.), but his salary is several times that of my father. I looked it up.

As with any institution, there is room for improvement. But unfortunately, our university is lacking in some areas that should be of primary concern. I can't help but wonder why.

The general student body has no true advocate. The self-serving Student Government Association is a sorry excuse for an organization and, as evidenced by the new Student Union Campaign, places the aims of the administration before those of the students.

It's also time for the University of Missouri (UM) System Board of Curators to step up to the plate. In light of the Missouri General Assembly's anti-research and anti-education practices, the Curators mandated budget cuts across the UM System to fund faculty raises. Given the hand the Curators were dealt, I agree with this move.

However, at a time when fiscal responsibility is paramount, our Curators abandoned good judgment. In Kansas City for their Nov. 29 meeting, the Curators who made the trip stayed at the four-star Intercontinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. I support my tuition and tax dollars going to fund research and educational costs. I do not, however, approve of covering the tab for excessively lavish accommodations for public servants.

Having attended two other higher learning institutions, I believe UMKC is tops when it comes to harboring a diverse array of progressive opinions. I have attended many forums on campus fostering spirited discourse on highly divisive topics.

If our institution is to reach its full potential, we must continue encouraging these types of discussions. The University News is beholden to no one but our readers. I sincerely hope students, faculty and staff will utilize this fine publication to its full potential; as an open forum through which their concerns will be addressed.

Op/Ed: Student Union: I call 'do-over'

2007-12-04T03:56:00.000-06:00

From the Nov. 26, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Whether you voted for or against the new student union, you have to admit the election was a farce.

(Full disclosure: I voted "no.")

Those on both sides of the issue accuse each other of playing dirty. Maybe they're right, maybe not. It does not matter, because the election itself is null and void.

The Student Government Association (SGA) Election Code defines electioneering as, "… an attempt to influence opinion of a candidate or an individual's vote through verbal or non-verbal communication or the distribution of campaign materials."

Electioneering is not to take place within 25 feet of voting stations, according to the election code. However, electioneering was evident with every ballot cast.

The "introduction" accompanying the ballot question was nearly identical to a paid advertisement Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler placed in the Nov. 12 University News. The ad bore the title "Know the Facts About Your New 'U.'"

When the propaganda is attached to the ballot, the code has obviously been violated. This propaganda was passed off as information. When, in a local, state, or federal election, has a candidate or group been allowed to "inform" voters via the ballot?

The pro-union campaign was loaded with misinformation and funded by student fees. A huge selling point for this incarnation of the union referendum was students would "not pay until the doors open."

The actual ballot question asked, "Do you support UMKC building a new student union and raising student fees by $16.75 per credit hour (up to 12 hours) beginning in the Fall of 2011, which is the anticipated opening date for the new student union?"

With fall 2011 noted as the anticipated opening date, unforeseen hitches in construction could result in students paying the fee before the union is completed. Neither the introduction nor the ballot question said anything about students not having to pay until the union's doors open. This is contrary to the rhetoric spewed across campus by advocates of the project.

In addition to the misleading campaign, the timing of the election was oddly placed. If those pushing for the union truly wanted strong voter turnout, why was voting scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the week before Thanksgiving break?

If students took issue with the manner in which the election was conducted, they would have a tough time seeking remedy after 5 p.m. Friday or during a holiday week. According to the SGA Election Code, a week "consists of Monday through Friday and does not include Saturday, Sunday or University recognized holidays." In light of this, anyone who has qualms with the election should have these concerns addressed. The SGA offers a mechanism for such occasions. The constitution delegates jurisdiction of election disputes to the Superior Court.

According to Article VII, Section A. of the SGA Constitution, "This Superior Court shall exist pursuant to the SGA Superior Court Procedures, the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri, all laws of the State of Missouri, and all laws of United States of America."

In accordance with the SGA Constitution, the Superior Court is obligated to formally hear any properly-filed grievances pertaining to this election.

On a side note, the Superior Court was not appointed until after the election began.

As I mentioned above, I oppose the new union. I find it irresponsible to further increase the already skyrocketing costs of higher education for future students. To do so could very well make attending UMKC prohibitively expensive; effectively pricing us out of the market.

If a new union is such a good idea, then why was it not sold to alumni and local business operators as donor-worthy? After all, our university touts itself as being tied into the business community.

Maybe, in a legitimate election, the majority of voters would still opt for a new union. The only way to eliminate any hint of underhandedness is to hold another election with a valid ballot.

No matter which side of the fence you're on, you do not want the project to wear the festering blemish of corruption.

News: Suicide attacks: a growing phenomenon

2007-12-04T03:53:00.000-06:00

From the Nov. 12, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

If it seems as though national media outlets spend a lot of time reporting suicide attacks, they do so with good reason, according to Dr. Mohammed Hafez.

Suicide attacks in the contemporary modern era began around 1981. From 1981 to 2001, there were roughly 235 suicide attacks worldwide, according to Hafez, UMKC visiting professor of political science.

"Since 9/11, we've had about a six-fold increase," he said. "That's the first indicator that the war on terrorism isn't really working, at least in terms of suicide attacks, which take a lot of dedication and resources to stop. The trend line is an ominous one. It is going up, not going down. This is a phenomenon that's still on the rise."

Hafez began researching Palestinian suicide bombers following 9/11. His most recent book, "Suicide Bombers in Iraq: The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom," hit shelves in July. Hafez discussed his research during a Nov. 6 talk sponsored by Communiversity.

Through his work, Hafez examined the mindsets and motivations behind suicide attacks. He delved into possible ways in which suicide attackers rationalize their actions.

"[Suicide attacks] are often attributed to crazy people and irrationality and all that. Actually, the research now tends to lean toward the opposite view; that this is actually a very rational strategy at the organizational level," Hafez said. "You tend to kill a lot more people with suicide attacks than with conventional attacks. You have a 12-to-1 ratio where suicide attacks are better."

Hafez did not find a significant common thread between suicide attackers. His studies revealed instances of engineers and medical students carrying out attacks.

"The only profile that sort of sustains is one that's not very useful," he said. "It's usually males in their early- to mid-twenties."

Among the advantages of suicide attacks, Hafez noted mobility.

"Suicide attackers can make adjustments even to the last second," he said. "The human bomb starts running and finds an area to detonate himself. No smart bomb, not even the most expensive cruise missiles, can do that. So, this is actually the smartest bomb there is."

Another key advantage Hafez found was strength with which a suicide attack communicates an organization's stance.

"In terms of strategic communication, it delivers a message that 'we are so determined to achieve our cause that no matter what you do, we are not afraid of dying,'" Hafez said. "'We love death as much as you love life.' That's a rather powerful message that can be demoralizing to the other side."

Psychological impact was noted by Hafez to be among the most extreme effects of suicide attacks. For instance, those who make a daily subway commute to school or work may fear for their lives.

"What they've done, is they've taken rather neutral things or mundane things and turned them into hazardous areas," Hafez said. "They turn everyday things into potential hazards, and that has taken a psychological toll on people."

However, the shock-and-awe of such attacks will eventually diminish, according to Hafez.

"The more suicide bombings you do, actually society becomes accustomed to it," he said. "Israel has become accustomed to it. … People just become resilient after a while. Nonetheless, at least initially, it is powerful."

Through his research, Hafez said he found hardest recruitment to be the most difficult obstacle for terror groups. However, Hafez said, this does not apply to suicide attacks.

"With suicide attacks, it works in a different way," he said. "You have a person that carries out a suicide attack, and you issue a tape and create a mythology around that person."

The bombers who sacrifice their lives are depicted as heroic. When an attacker's family is contacted, the legacy is revered.

"They say 'congratulations,' because martyrdom is not a bad thing, it's actually a good thing," Hafez said. "You've gone to a better life. Now you're in paradise with God, and the prophets and the saints. You have all your sins wiped out. People actually see martyrdom as something to be celebrated, not something to be mourned."

News: A new 'U' meets opposition

2007-12-04T03:50:00.000-06:00

From the Nov. 5, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

UMKC is lying to students about the cost and features of a new student union, according to an ad-hoc campus group.

Students for University Progress, a coalition of students who oppose the proposed student union, has launched a campaign against the initiative. Members of the group say they favor a new student union, but oppose the current plan and lack of information available.

"We feel at heart that the new student union is not the best thing for the university or for the students," said Tim Collins, leader of Students for University Progress. "I personally have issues with a lot of the advertising and a lot of the things that are going into the student union."

Student Government Association (SGA) President Sean McClain has misrepresented the cost of a new union to students, Collins said. The new union would cost students $16.75 per credit hour up to 12 hours. In addition, students would continue paying $6.02 per credit hour for the University Center. According to Collins, McClain only said last week that students would continue funding the University Center.

"I never mentioned the University [Center] fee going away," McClain said.

Collins also accused McClain of abusing his office to endorse a new union, funding his efforts with student dollars.

"In my opinion, he has been doing a lot of false advertising," Collins said. "Not only that, but he is using student fees that have been allocated to him to create T-shirts and posters to push this referendum, which according to the SGA constitution, is prohibited."

McClain's name and title are featured on posters contrasting the new union referendum with last year's initiative, which failed by 25 votes.

Article VIII, Section G of the SGA constitution states, "Although a member of the Student Senate or an officer of the Executive Council may participate as a member of the student body in a petition for an initiative, referendum or recall, the use of his/her respective SGA position is strictly prohibited."

According to an Oct. 29 income statement of the SGA operating budget, a payment of $1,428 was made to Alphi Creations on Oct. 18.

McClain said the money was used to purchase T-shirts urging students to vote. However, this was not a violation of the SGA constitution, because he was not expressly advocating for or against the new union, according to McClain.

The T-shirts read, "What U Want/A New Student Union/Vote."

McClain said all four members of the Executive Council approved the expenditures and are members of a steering committee for the campaign for a new union.

"The campaign is strictly an informational campaign," McClain said. "We view from SGA's standpoint that the only way for students to make an informed decision is just to get information out there. The campaign's not geared towards any other way. We never tell students to vote 'yes' or 'no,' we just merely ask them to vote."

McClain said such efforts are in line with SGA's purpose.

"We kind of think it's one of our civic duties to make sure students vote and come out for elections," he said.

Matt Williams of Students for University Progress said McClain is abusing the power of his office.

"He is clearly using student funds to do things that are outside of his realm as president," Williams said.

In an Aug. 16 e-mail sent to various students, McClain wrote, "The Student Government Association needs YOUR HELP. You have been identified as a Student Leader on campus and we are looking for Committee members to help pass a Student Referendum for a new Student Union this Fall Semester."

Williams said he is skeptical as to whether the proposed union would be able to accommodate increased enrollment and serve student interests.

"If we're going to build something, then let's get an actual plan that's going to work; something that students are a part of," Williams said. "It's been a consistent problem on this campus that when there are major building additions, when there are major changes in policy, the student involvement is nonexistent."

According to the ballot language for the union, students will not pay the $16.75 fee increase until the building opens in 2011. As to why the initiative must be voted on this fall, McClain said Sept. 3, "… to collect a student fee for the following year, it must be approved by the Board of Curators at their January Meeting."

Students in search of graphic representations, such as an architect's rendering or blueprints, of the proposed union will not find them.

"We haven't hired an architect yet, so we don't have any type of information like that," McClain said. "They don't hire an architect until the fee's approved because an architect, you know, costs a couple million dollars. It's not a good investment if the building's not going to exist."

McClain said the university does have a "conceptual plan" of how the union's space would be allocated.

"If anyone wants a copy of it, they can ask me for it," he said. "It will also be available on the Web site for the student union next week. We just have to make sure we're getting all the details worked about."

Two informational town hall meetings will be held this week. One is 6 to 7 p.m. tonight in Pierson Auditorium. The other is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Hospital Hill in the Health Sciences Building, room 4301. Voting for the union takes place Nov. 14-16.

News: Funding in flux for Debate, Mock Trial

2007-12-04T03:48:00.000-06:00

From the Nov. 5, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) voted to deny the Debate and Mock Trial teams access to student activity fees. However, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler said nothing is etched in stone.

SGA passed a resolution Oct. 3, preventing the teams from requesting funds from student activity fees. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a recommendation to Tyler.

"I have not acted on that resolution at this point," Tyler said Nov. 1. "If I were to act on it, say, and approve it and there's no decision made on funding for Debate and Mock Trial, then they have nowhere to go. I really want to be able to have them have a place to go to [request] funding."

The Debate and Mock Trial teams want their funding fate in the hands of students.

Bridgett Johnson, president of Debate, filed a petition Oct. 25 in an effort to institute a campus-wide referendum. Under the referendum, the student body would be eligible to vote on how the teams should receive funding.

"We were informed by Mel Tyler today, this morning, that even if this referendum passed, that all referendums are only a recommendation to the university and that they would have to take the university's interests into mind when trying to determine if this referendum should go into place," Johnson said Oct. 26. "He made this very clear, that this would only be a recommendation. We're hoping that the Debate and Mock Trial [question] gets put on the ballot with the student union [question]."

Tyler said the university generally acts according to the results of student voting on such issues.

"In most cases, we do take those recommendations and move them forward. It's a recommendation to myself and to [Chancellor Guy Bailey] and we would sit and talk about the recommendation and then make a decision from there," Tyler said. "Most cases, we do follow the referendum vote and move it forward from there to the Board of Curators. The Board of Curators have final approval of any recommended fees."

College of Arts and Sciences Student Council President Klassie Alcine said the university should always follow the will of the student body.

"I think that, overall, the students are in support of this," said Alcine, a member of Mock Trial. "If the administration chooses to ignore this, then it shows the [kind of] administration we're dealing with."

However, procedural matters could keep the Debate and Mock Trial referendum from reaching the ballot. When a petition for a ballot initiative is filed, each signature must be verified. Student Affairs is in the process of validating the petition, according to Tyler.

"There were several names that did not have student numbers," he said.

Outside funding sources, such as private donations, have not yet been pursued.

"There has not been a strategy developed to look at funding opportunities from a giving perspective for those programs," Tyler said. "That's something I would definitely participate in if I was given the opportunity."

Tim Collins, president of Mock Trial, said other funding options must be secured before excluding the teams from student activity fees.

"I really have a problem with administration cutting funding from two nationally-recognized programs when there's no concrete alternative funding in place and saying 'that's a chance you have to take,'" Collins said. "These are two programs that have proven themselves time and time again on a national level. I just don't think it's right for the administration to play with students like that."

Tyler said he hopes to dispel notions that Student Affairs is working against the teams.

"I think that there's a feeling that this office does not support Debate and Mock Trial," he said. "We do fully support them. That's why I really will not close the door on funding opportunities for those two teams until there is a decision made. I'm hoping that we can move something forward where those programs … don't have to run around trying to find funding every year."

Should the referendum reach the ballot, student-voters would have three options: allocate an additional $2.50 per semester specifically for the teams, continue allowing the teams to request student activity fees or exclude the teams from student funds. The second option would not guarantee funding, but would permit the teams to ask for funds.

Though the majority of UMKC students are not involved in Debate and/or Mock Trial, Collins believes the entire university benefits from such organizations.

"I think what students have to recognize is that universities are typically recognized in one of two ways: either in academics or athletics," Collins said. "While every student may not be able to represent their university through athletics, there's one thing we all have in common, and that's academics. When we are successful, that represents every student on this campus."

Tyler said he recognizes the importance of such clubs to the university.

"My intention is not to leave Debate and Mock Trial with nowhere to go for funding until a decision is made from the university's perspective on where funding will come from for those two programs," Tyler said. "I always want to have them have a place to go."

Fantasy Football: It's about that time

2007-12-04T03:46:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 29, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

As we approach week nine of the NFL season, things are working themselves out. The best decision Nick Saban ever made was to bolt from Miami. The worst decision Trent Green ever made was to go to Miami. No matter who Atlanta puts under center, it's a lost season for Falcons fans.

Week nine brings us the real Super Bowl: New England at Indianapolis. Though both teams sport swarming defenses, I'd go with the over on this one. If you have either team's defense, you may want to go with your back-up this time around. While Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning will be the viewer's choice, fantasy buffs may want to look into some other match-ups.

Denver at Detroit

This is a big game for both teams. If the Lions win, they can move into first in the NFC North if the Chiefs knock Green Bay off. Though the AFC West is a little shaky this season, this is a must-win for the Broncos if they're even entertaining the notion of postseason play. If you have Jon Kitna, start him this week. Watch for Detroit to go four-wide in an attempt to outscore Denver.

Dallas at Philadelphia

T.O. returns to one of the several teams he's scorned in recent years. If anyone needs a big game, it's Donovan McNabb. Not to mention, the Cowboys lead the NFC East while the Eagles find themselves dwelling in the basement. Dallas can keep a leg up on the New York Giants with a victory, while the Eagles can keep their season alive. Tony Romo's been America's sweetheart since he carried Dallas to the playoffs last year. If you've got him, start him. However, my pick for player of the game is McNabb. Despite the criticism, he's a tough and gritty competitor. Plus, he's playing for his job.

Houston at Oakland

OK, unless you're a super fan or a fantasy dork (i.e. me), this game doesn't mean much to you. Raiders to start: LaMont Jordan and Daunte Culpepper. If Jordan's healthy, he'll tear up the field. Provided Culpepper isn't yanked before kickoff, he's yet another QB playing for his job. JaMarcus Russell suited up in week eight. The Raiders didn't spend the top choice on Russell to let him ride the pine.

Texans to start: Matt Schaub. He's the only consistent performer they have. This is the first season in which he's seen significant time and Schaub's been taking full advantage. Watch for another strong outing from the guy Atlanta should have kept.

News: Gen ed requirements revisited

2007-12-04T03:43:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 29, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

For students feeling bogged down by general education requirements, there could be relief on the way.

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is considering a reduction in the amount of general education credit hours to earn a degree. Currently, 66 credit hours are required.

Dr. Thomas Stroik, associate dean of A&S, is heading the subcommittee investigating general education requirements. Along with Stroik, seven department chairs work on the subcommittee.

"The college tried, over the last five years, twice before to revisit general ed. requirements," Stroik said during the Oct. 8 A&S Student Council meeting.

"Both times the faculty rejected the initiatives, so we're trying something that invests the departments more directly and hopefully we'll be able to come up with a program that is accepted. I think it will be."

In addition to reducing the amount of general education credits, the subcommittee is pondering a "two-platform" system, Stroik said. Under this system, A&S would require a certain number of core credit hours, with individual departments determining the distribution of remaining general education requirements.

For example, one department may require more English and less foreign language courses while another may require students to complete more credit hours in philosophy courses.

"Now, this is very early in the discussion," Stroik said. "This isn't a promissory note, but it is a direction we're investigating and I believe it is a very fertile direction at present. More importantly, the departments might have control over a portion of what the requirements are."

Stroik said he is enthused by the prospects of tailoring the curriculum to better meet students' needs.

"I think that's really an exciting opportunity that we have as we look at the structure of the college," he said.

A&S Student Council President Klassie Alcine said students would welcome change.

"For students, the changes would mean less time wasted trying to pass classes that they will remember nothing about," she said. "We need to know the basics like English, math, arts and sciences. Foreign languages should be an optional choice. We get to spend less money on classes that we won't ever use again in life."

Through an initiative in the A&S Student Council, Alcine has compiled and distributed a survey pertaining to general education requirements. So far, she has received roughly 350 responses.

Common complaints have been the Written English Proficiency Test (WEPT) and foreign language requirements, Alcine said.

"Students would get to take more classes that they want rather than feeling forced into seeing their money go to wasteful classes," she said. "I can't tell how many times people can't remember Spanish even though they spent 15 credit hours doing it. This will make sure that the major and department you have will cater to your needs. The only downside would be if someone decided to switch a department. Then they would be under new rules."

Alcine said she encourages students to provide input. To contact the A&S Student Council, visit http://studo.umkc.edu/assc/.

Op/Ed: The audacity of academia

2007-12-04T03:41:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 29, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

When it comes to grades, none of our professors have trouble assigning them, but some don't like the idea of receiving their own.

As reported in the Oct. 22 issue of the University News ("In a banner meeting, Faculty Senate evaluates evaluations"), several members of the Faculty Senate bristled at the idea of having to comply with a specific provision of a Missouri education bill.

The provision some educators take issue with calls for student evaluations to be posted on the Web.

Some members of Faculty Senate say this violates their privacy. Others are concerned with being libeled by students.

In an effort to avoid such problems, faculty members want to craft their own questionnaires. Their reasoning is simple: Students are not qualified to evaluate their professors' performance in the classroom. They want our money, just not our feedback.

So, what questions are students qualified to answer?

"Maybe only five questions that ask about things the students actually have the ability to judge," said Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Gary Ebersole in the Oct. 22 article. "For instance, was the course challenging or not? Did a professor show up for class, or not?"

Such a statement smacks of arrogance.

Faculty members routinely question the abilities of administrators to evaluate their teaching performances, pulling the "academic freedom" card without restraint.

This is comparable to an extremist who hides behind the First Amendment when held accountable for his/her statements.

Were administrators to craft their own evaluation surveys based on what questions they believed faculty were competent to answer, administration would likely be met with heavy resistance from the Faculty Senate.

Professors should be allotted academic freedom, but must accept and address criticism. Student commentary does not amount to punitive action.

Students and taxpayers (two groups with a lot of overlap) are the primary stakeholders. Tuition costs have risen roughly $40 per credit hour since fall 2006. The University of Missouri (UM) System Board of Curators has instituted a mandate ordering each UM school to trim its budget by one percent annually for the next three years. This was done to fund faculty raises.

In my opinion, anonymous student commentary should not be the sole tool for evaluating our educators. Any student who wants to call out a professor should have the guts to identify themself (without fear of retaliation).

Nothing should impinge upon students' rights to express their opinions. After all, we are paying for a service.

Whether we believe we are getting our money's worth or not, we should be allowed to toss in our two cents worth.

Fantasy Football: Everyone needs a tight end

2007-12-04T03:37:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

As any fan has recognized, there's a lot of glitz and glamour in the NFL. Tom Brady dating supermodels, Jesse Palmer appearing on reality shows, Tank Johnson getting raided for assault rifles, etc.

While these are the primary topics of discussion on my fantasy league's message board, they do not always tell us much about the action on the field. Well, I guess it does help to know if your quarterback is going to be accompanying his girlfriend for their child's birth or if the anchor of your defense will make bail in time to suit up.

Come to think of it, if the E! Channel wanted to run an NFL gossip show, it would likely give HBO's "Inside the NFL" a run for its money.

Anyway, back to football. If you're like me (first of all, I pity you), you are not too keen on blowing a draft pick on a tight end (TE). Unless you can snag Tony Gonzales, Antonio Gates or Jeremy Shockey, you're wasting a pick.

One can usually manage to snag a serviceable TE off waivers. That said, there are several factors to take into account.

The traditional way to select a TE is to just go for whoever has accumulated the most fantasy points. While this is generally a solid indicator of what to expect, bear in mind that your guy may have had one killer game while a key offensive weapon was sidelined or shut down.

If you want to break it down by individual stat lines, your eyes will probably jump to the touchdown column. Some teams will go with a particular guy on short yardage, possibly even using him as the running back. This could work for you, but if he isn't a deep threat, you'd better hope your team spends some time in the red zone.

For those who wish to play it safe, I say go for whichever player has the most receptions. You know they'll be calling his number with at least some regularity. If you opt to switch TEs on a regular basis, familiarize yourself with that week's opponent. If a linebacker or defensive end is going to get stuck covering your man, then you're in good shape.

One good way to net a few points is to go with the TE who starts alongside your quarterback. In some leagues, that doubles the value of each reception. Who doesn't enjoy getting 12-plus points for a touchdown?

Another way to do it is to see which pass-dominant teams are facing tough defenses with speedy defensive backs. Generally, the receivers will be locked down, effectively forcing the quarterback to lob at least a couple of balls in your TE's direction.

Little things like this are helpful, especially when your annual grudge match rolls around. Mine is pending tonight's results.

Op/Ed: Political apathy prevalent

2007-12-04T03:34:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Many of our elders like to chastise our generation for a perceived lack of interest in and knowledge of politics.

I agree that, for the most part, my generation is uninterested in politics. But can you blame us?

Political apathy can be seen on campus. Neither the UMKC College Democrats nor the College Republicans have updated their Web sites since 2006.

Many politicians on both the local and national levels emphasize the importance of young voters. However, factors such as skyrocketing campaign costs seem to have pushed us down a bit on the list of priorities.

It's no mystery that an effective campaigner will opt not to waste time on unlikely donors, and you'd be hard pressed to find many large donors in their early 20s.

Those who agree the younger generation lacks interest in politics should delve into the factors contributing to our apathy. Campaigning is less about the actual issues and more about aesthetic fluff; or so many national media outlets would have us believe.

For example, cable news has seemingly devoted around-the-clock coverage to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's decision not to wear an American flag lapel pin. However, this story was trumped by talks of just how much weight Al Gore would need to lose, should he enter the race, to make a serious run at the Democratic nomination. If we're going to discuss such important issues, maybe we should run and get Paris Hilton's thoughts.

With any campaign of prominence comes negative advertising and personal snipes. Character assassination trumps honest debate on substantive issues.

In Kansas City last week, Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., offered his thoughts on the nature of campaign tactics.

"If you want to attack someone, fine," he said. "Then go after their voting record."

Sure, volumes of political science literature posit that negative advertising has a significant impact on voting patterns. This is tough to dispute. However, the shock, awe and negative connotations instilled by propagandized talking points do nothing to enhance the political efficacy of the electorate. Rather, such factors breed fear and discontent.

One who chooses to become politically aware should do so out of honest interest to serve as a functioning member of democratic society, not because he/she has been frightened to the point of making a rash decision at the ballot box.

Then again, maybe we should be afraid. Roughly a year out from the 2008 Presidential election, we have yet to see a candidate on either side of the party line willing to reach out to the young electorate. This bears a striking resemblance to the last election.

Should this trend continue, the youth will only grow further disconnected from politics in general.

Eventually, leaders will emerge from the younger generation. But unfortunately, we may be doomed to the same fate of our current political system. Those best qualified for public leadership will opt for alternative careers, leaving our nation to be led by the leftovers.

Any political figure truly concerned with the future of our nation will recognize the dilemma and engage our future leaders. It's one thing to identify a problem, but another to rectify that problem.

News: Gangs of Kansas City

2007-12-04T03:31:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Anyone who tells you there are no gangs in Kansas City is dead wrong, according to Calvin Neal.

"If you talked to local law enforcement several years back, they would've told you that these gangs didn't exist," he said. "But then, we got to seeing all this graffiti around schools … and people began to accept that there are some gangs."

Neal serves as prevention specialist for Move UP, a local organization that conducts various prevention and intervention activities for adults and children. Move UP's focal points are crime, substance abuse and violence.

Neal addressed such topics during his Oct. 15 visit to UMKC in conjunction with the Sociology, Criminal Justice & Criminology Club.

Neal spoke of the experiences he has encountered during his tenure in prevention, beginning with an organization called the Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime.

To stifle violence in the area, the group engaged in activities such as mediation of gang disputes and street surveillance, he said. Sometimes, the group's efforts required visiting drug houses.

"We did everything that nobody else wanted to do," Neal said. "As a matter of fact, the police often told us that we did things they wouldn't do."

The Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime partnered with Project Neighborhood to form Move UP in 2000.

Neal spoke of the history of gangs dating back to the 1700s, but pointed to recent developments that brought gang issues to the general public's attention.

"A lot of people were not aware of these gangs and these gangs' activities until the late 1970s and early 1980s," he said. "We know what happened was, in California, the Crips and the Bloods. It has blossomed since then."

Neal attributes increased involvement in gangs to a shift in influences for today's youth. He said over time, peers, television and video games have unseated family and church as the most influential elements in the lives of young people.

However, tradition plays a significant role for many, according to Neal.

"It's not unusual for us to see three, four generations of gang members," he said. "So it was almost destined [for children of gang members to join gangs]."

According to Neal, there has also been a surge in the variety and nature of gangs.

"There are so many different types of gangs," he said. "So many that it's just kind of hard to describe."

Territorial gangs are prominent among local threats, according to Neal.

"It's interesting, especially when you're talking about Kansas City," he said. "For three blocks, there may be one gang and for the next five blocks, there may be another gang. All in the same community."

News: Affirmative action talk grows heated

2007-12-04T03:27:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

When Ward Connerly enters a room, one can expect spirited discourse and possibly some flaring tempers.

"Without question, racial discrimination and slavery and Jim Crow were wrong, but you can't unring the bell," he told the University News during a recent visit to UMKC. "You can't go back and say that 'for what was done to my great, great grandfather, I should get preferential treatment over some Asian person or white or whatever.'"

Connerly, who is black, is a long-time opponent of race- and gender-based preferences in education and employment, spoke in Royall Hall Oct. 18. Connerly founded the American Civil Rights Institute, whose motto is "Race has no place in American life or law."

In keeping with his organization's credo, Connerly is visiting various states to campaign for legislation that would eliminate any sort of racial, ethnic and gender related preferences in both schools and work places. The issue could reach Missouri ballots in November 2008.

Before addressing the audience, Connerly spoke to the U-News. He aimed to clarify his views on affirmative action, embracing some aspects while opposing others.

"Affirmative action is not a term of art. It comes in many forms," Connerly said. "There are affirmative action programs that simply guarantee that no one will be discriminated against. In that one, I think everybody wins."

He also praised efforts to enhance community involvement.

"There are affirmative action programs that simply provide outreach," he said. "Nobody loses from that, and those that are targeted benefit from it. Society also benefits from that."

Connerly asserted his stance on programs based on preferences.

"The kind of affirmative action programs to which I object and at which our initiative is directed are those programs that involve contracts that are set aside and minority preference points in the bidding of contracts," he said. "Different standards for college admissions; different standards for employment. Those are the kind of programs that involve, quote, preferential treatment and are the ones that are targeted for elimination. In that instance, I think that it is very difficult to say who benefits and who loses."

Affirmative action can even harm those it aims to help, according to Connerly.

"Justice [Clarence] Thomas, for example, says that even when he was targeted as a beneficiary he was stigmatized by this," he said. "I understand that and have seen it myself."

Connerly offered suggestions as to how affirmative action programs can be improved.

"I think that the fair and equitable way is, first of all, eliminate any preferences based on race or gender or ethnic background," he said. "But, I think we should go and look at socioeconomic kinds of things. Someone who has never had a parent go to college; that individual has a greater obstacle than someone whose parents have gone to college."

Some government intervention can be good for society, Connerly said.

"I favor socioeconomic affirmative action," he said. "I think the government should be helping those that need help. But, we should not say and we cannot say anymore, with the growing black middle class, that just because your skin is brown you automatically need help and therefore you should be targeted for some sort of, quote, affirmative action of the preferential variety."

Connerly cited the ambiguity of race as a reason why racial preferences do not work.

"With more people marrying across lines of race, the lines are getting more blurred and it's more difficult to demonstrate who you are," he said. "There's no membership card you can bring in that says 'I'm an authentic black.'"

Not everyone on hand agreed with Connerly.

Shariece L. Canady, vice president of the Black Law Students Association, said she believes affirmative action is necessary in higher education. Once admitted, students still have to perform well academically, Canady said.

"The students are going to have to prove themselves," she said. "If they can't make the cut, then they aren't going to be there very long anyway."

Before Connerly addressed the crowd, several audience members distributed fliers opposing legislation that would end affirmative action programs.

Throughout Connerly's brief lecture, audience members were vocal in their objection to his views. When he opened the floor to questions, several terse exchanges ensued.

Kimiko Gilmore said she was insulted by Connerly's initiatives.

"You're coming here, and you are making a mockery of the history of African-American people … you're making a mockery of my history," she said. "Just because you had success in Washington state, just because you had success in Michigan, you are not going to have success in Missouri. This is the 'show me' state."

Connerly replied, "That's what they said in Washington, that's what they said in Michigan."

The School of Law's student Federalist Society brought Connerly to campus.

"I was hoping that more people would have turned out for this event," said Wesley Carrillo, Federalist Society. "However, I was glad that the student associations and organizations were so well represented and very prepared for a discussion on the topic. It is important that our generation get involved with the matters that will have a direct impact on us as individuals and our communities."

Student Government Association Comptroller DaRon McGee said Connerly's initiatives show hypocrisy.

"I see a man who's benefited from affirmative action. Once he's taken the ladder to the top, he's pulling it away from others," McGee said. "Affirmative action is not meant to give anyone a step up, it's meant to create an even playing field."

News: UMKC professor recognized for progressive research

2007-12-04T03:24:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 22, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Complications during pregnancy or childbirth kill hundreds of thousands of women each year. Dr. Richard Derman of the UMKC School of Medicine spearheaded an international study that could greatly reduce birth-related deaths worldwide.

For his research, Derman received the Award for International Academic Leadership during the 23rd Annual International Relations Council Awards Banquet. The event, held Oct. 19 at the Westin Crown Center, drew prominent figures in the local community and beyond.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., on hand to receive the Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship, praised Derman and his fellow researchers.

"To make a better world is what drives Dr. Derman everyday," Hagel said.

Derman and his team conducted their research in rural villages in India. They aimed to alleviate postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after childbirth). In many developing nations, the drugs necessary to treat such conditions are unaffordable and impractical due to the conditions in which they must be handled. As an alternative, Derman treated women with misoprostol, a drug used to treat ulcers.

In developing nations, it is common for women to give birth at home, according to Derman.

"We said, 'people who have the benefit of being in a hospital are going to do real well, let's go ahead and do our research right in the villages where women deliver,'" Derman said.

Over the course of the study - December 2002 to December 2005 - misoprostol was successful in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in one out of every 18 women, according to a recent report in UMKC's Life Sciences News.

Derman addressed the challenges women face when giving home births in developing nations; challenges which can prove fatal.

"It's like having a death sentence," Derman said. "It really is amazing, and I don't think it gets the attention that we really need to give it."

At UMKC, Derman holds the Schutte Chair. He is also associate dean for Women's Health at the School of Medicine/Truman Medical Center, as well as associate dean for Clinical Research and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Derman's current study focuses on resuscitating newborn infants.

Fantasy Football: A little defensive, are you?

2007-12-04T03:20:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 15, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Yet another weekend of NFL play has gone by, and once again football fans got their fair share of entertainment.

LT finally had his breakout game. Tom Brady has more touchdown passes through six games (21) than any player in NFL history, effectively reminding us all that it's great to be him (like we forgot). Star rookie Adrian Peterson established the Vikings' single game record for rushing yards (224).

In perhaps the most notable feat of the weekend, Vinny Testaverde swapped his AARP card (he won the Heisman in 1986) for a starting spot on the Carolina Panthers and led them to victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Until Wednesday, he was out of football entirely.

My friends and I frequently joke about "old man strength," the controversial phenomenon positing that no matter how old some men get, they can still deliver beat downs to much younger men when necessary. Apparently, Vinny's got it.

The above anecdotes and factoids are stellar examples of the accomplishments which lead fantasy owners to put on the blinders and focus solely on offense. If like me, you were forced to rotate Chad Pennington and Jake Plummer at QB last season, the school of hard knocks taught you to be leery of relying too heavily on one offensive player.

Sure, which skill position players to go with should be evaluated on a week-by-week basis, but a little stability never hurts. Selecting a strong defense and a moderate but dependable back-up, when done effectively, can put you ahead in the standings.

As a rule of thumb, it's better to select a strong defense a couple of rounds early than a third-tier tight end just to fill a spot. Depending on how your league scores, your defense may earn more points than any of your skill players some weeks; especially if you have Baltimore or New England.

It's always a good idea to carry an extra defense. Some wait until the bye week to select a back-up for fear of wasting a roster spot. Personally, I'd rather have another good defense in tow than a possession receiver. Plus, securing two defenses gives your competitors less choices when their bye weeks hit.

Since many fantasy owners don't depend on many points from their defenses, this is a position you can afford to take a gamble on. For week seven, here are some defensive gambles worth taking:

Indianapolis at Jacksonville
Go with: Jacksonville. They've been just plain scary against the run all year. Part of what's freed Peyton Manning up over the years - in addition to his ungodly talent - is a strong ground attack. Jacksonville has the horses to put the kibosh on the Colts' bruised backfield. This would force Manning to air it out. Though most coaches cringe at challenging one of the best QBs ever, taking away the running game and tossing-in multiple blitz packages could do the trick. Bear in mind, Marvin Harrison is nicked-up and may not be at full speed if he plays.

Minnesota at Dallas
Go with: Minnesota. Normally, Dallas' defense would be a good pick here. However, given the strength of the Vikings' running game behind Peterson and Chester Taylor, the Cowboy defenders will likely spend a lot of time on the field. This is following Dallas' blistering loss to New England. When Tony Romo's on the field, he'll be expected to produce early and often. Romo may be a stud, but he's prone to forcing throws when the heat is on. T.O.'s unshakeable case of stonehands gives Romo one more reason to force deep throws into double coverage as opposed to hitting his money receiver across the middle. Minnesota's defense this season is reminiscent of the juggernauts the NFC North was known for in the early 90s.

Pittsburg at Denver
Go with: Denver. The Broncos are having a tough time thus far. The Steelers, however, are rolling after a disappointing 2006 campaign. That said, Big Ben can be forced into bad throws. Solid veterans such as Denver's Kevin Lynch and Champ Bailey are still among the top defensive backs in the league. If the Broncos' line can contain Willie Parker, their backs can exploit Big Ben's risky lobs. Based on the way Denver QB Jay Cutler's been playing, Denver's defense may have to score some points of their own if the club is to stay competitive in the AFC West.

Sure, I'm going out on a bit of a limb with some of these picks. But I'm also the same guy who told you to go with Derek Anderson at QB, Wes Welker at WR and LenDale White at RB.

That said, I'll gladly accept incessant ridicule from anyone who follows my advice to no avail.

Op/Ed: Botched opportunities plague immigration panel

2007-12-04T03:17:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 15, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Immigration debates often draw a polarized crowd. Last week's Discussions on a DREAM may have disappointed both sides, as it was more a collection of incompatible arguments than a fluid debate.

Four panelists favored the controversial act that would provide in-state tuition and an avenue to citizenship for undocumented children of immigrants. One panelist opposed the act.

While both sides made some strong points, they failed to meet each other on the same ground. Instead, the opposing sides spoke in narrow arguments.

Those in favor-Theresa Torres, assistant professor of sociology; Mary Lou Jaramillo, president and CEO of El Centro; Gilbert Guerrero, superintendent of Alta Vista Charter High School; and Janell Avila, an immigration lawyer-argued primarily on moral grounds.

They stressed the importance of affording Latinos the ability to become upwardly mobile and self sufficient. Their statements were peppered with compelling personal accounts of the difficulties Latinos face in today's U.S. society; difficulties exacerbated by unfair laws.

Kris Kobach, professor in the School of Law, and chair of the Kansas GOP, predictably argued against the act. He went through his normal routine of spouting facts, statistics and the importance of laws. He's been accused of being anti-immigrant, but seemed to steer clear of adding any fuel to that fire this time around.

The pro-DREAM Act panelists failed to meet Kobach on the technicalities of his argument. He cited the Heritage Foundation, arguably the most conservative think tank in existence, for his facts and statistics. None of the panelists attempted to discredit his numbers on these grounds, nor did they combat his statistics with their own.

Kobach noted the burden of taxpayers whose "subsidies" make in-state tuition possible for undocumented students. The rest of the panel failed to address the possibility that these students and their parents may be funding these subsidies in part through their own tax dollars.

Kobach's closing remarks pointed to an excessive backlog of those wishing to enter the U.S. legally. He said the agency responsible for processing those files is grossly understaffed. Well, how about allocating the funding to sufficiently staff such agencies rather than building a costly wall along the U.S./Mexico border?

Kobach could have pointed out the slippery-slope mentality of the just-because-something-is-a-law-doesn't-mean-it's-right argument. While any law should be subject to spirited debate, declining to follow it because you don't like it poses a flaccid argument. Where do you draw the line? For every law, there are at least a few people who do not agree it should be followed.

The pro-DREAM Act panelists clearly went for emotional appeals. Not to downplay the importance of their well-told and vivid tales, but everyone has sad stories. The human element should never be ignored, but at some point it's time to move to a more tangible argument and pose feasible solutions.

While the importance of such panels should not be understated, this particular discussion serves as a poor example of the types of discussions we should be having. To Kobach's credit, he entered a forum clearly slanted against his ideology. The panel and crowd overwhelmingly opposed him; a far cry from the sycophant-clouded GOP love fests he encounters on his own turf.

Not to discredit the other panelists, but no one exactly went out on a limb. They had nothing to lose, as they controlled the forum and the crowd was with them every step of the way.

I hope UMKC will host such forums in the future, but the community would be better served by a more balanced and well-prepared panel. Kobach worked for John Ashcroft in preparing anti-immigration law. He frequently appears on nationally-televised programs discussing this issue.

It takes more than compelling anecdotes to debate Kobach. You also need to do your homework and refuse to be intimidated by his lofty résumé.

News: Equipment mishap hits Sodexho customers

2007-12-04T03:13:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 15, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

If you paid with plastic at UMKC Dining Services, you may have less money in your account than you think.

A new system for handling transactions was implemented Aug. 29. However, the system provider, CBORD, did not fully install the new system, according to Jesse Pisors, general manager of Dining Services.

As a result, some bank and credit card charges initially failed to post to customer accounts.

"Only when a customer contacted us on October 3, 2007 expressing concern that charges made weeks ago had not shown up on her bank statement did we learn that many credit and debit card transactions were only 'pending' but had not charged individual bank or credit accounts," Pisors said. "We immediately contacted CBORD to find a solution to this problem. By Thursday [Oct. 4], CBORD had discovered the problem, recognized that it had been caused by their error and had begun the process of transmitting all these transactions."

This process alerted more patrons of the issue.

"By Friday morning, October 5, several customers contacted us to let us know that charges they had made in earlier weeks were now appearing on their online statements," Pisors said. "It is my understanding that charges are now being fully processed within 24 hours of the time of purchase and that this problem has been resolved."

Pisors said he believed the amounts charged to customers were accurate.

"As far as I am aware, no customer has been charged any more than the amount that they authorized at the point of purchase as a result of this problem," Pisors said. "The charges simply hit their accounts days or weeks after the purchases were made, instead of right away as they should have."

As to the number of patrons affected and the amount of money involved, Pisors said he did not have the information available.

"I expect that this affected all credit card purchases made after the full implementation of the new CBORD system on August 29, 2007 and before the problem was corrected on October 4, 2007," Pisors said.

Dining Services, managed by Sodexho, includes the University Center Cafeteria, Frëshens Smoothies Frozen Treats, Café à la Cart-Hospital Hill, Café à la Cart-Miller Nichols Library, Einstein Bros. Bagels, the UMKC Café and the UMKC-Store.

Though customers are now being assessed charges for purchases made in August, Pisors said he does not foresee banking problems.

"Since only the amount authorized by the customer is being charged to that person's account, there should not be insufficient fund charges from banking institutions caused by this problem," Pisors said. "Anyone using their debit account to make a purchase is responsible to be sure that they have funds sufficient to cover that purchase in their account, whether or not those charges appear on an online statement immediately or some time later."

Pisors said UMKC purchased the new system over the summer in an effort to speed up transactions and provide more payment options. During the installation process, CBORD failed to install a program necessary to charge customer accounts, according to Pisors.

"We at UMKC Dining Services had no way to know that these charges were not processing all the way through, because our cash registers told us that the cards used were valid and that the charges had been authorized," he said. "We are working closely with CBORD on an ongoing basis to ensure that all credit and debit card transactions are completely processed on a daily basis."

Customers of the UMKC-Store in the University Center may have experienced another charge card-related issue at the beginning of fall semester.

While fully integrating a new transaction processing system, customer credit and bank card numbers were recorded with pen and paper. Pisors said this was necessary and the banking information was carefully handled.

"This information was used to process authorized charges through our old system. All of these charges did go through on a timely basis," Pisors said. "Only those responsible for processing the transaction [had access to the account numbers]. It was destroyed immediately after the transaction had been completed."

Pisors said Dining Services is working with patrons who have encountered charge card issues.

"I sincerely apologize to our customers who were affected by this delay in credit card transaction processing," Pisors said. "We are explaining and apologizing for the delay in charges to anyone who visits our offices, calls us or e-mails us. I would invite anyone who was affected by this and who has questions, to call us at (816) 235-1417."

News: MOHELA audit reveals improper spending

2007-12-04T03:10:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 15, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Alcohol, a magic show and golden parachutes for executives.

These are a few things the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) bought with public dollars, according to State Auditor Susan Montee.

"It is public money," Montee said. "It is all public money, and when you look at other public entities and the types of expenditures that they make, they are not making these types of expenditures."

Montee released a 47-page report Oct. 11 of her office's audit of MOHELA's expenditures. During her presentation of the report, Montee cited lavish severance packages afforded to MOHELA's top executives. According to the report, MOHELA has paid or will pay nearly $2.3 million in severance benefits to four former executives who either resigned or whose employment was terminated in recent years.

"Basically, MOHELA was acting like a public company and paying out to themselves profits, but they didn't have any shareholders they had to answer to," she said. "But the reality is, these are public dollars and public funds and they just were having no oversight."

Top executives also received 12 weeks each of combined vacation and personal time off. Remaining time off could be cashed in at year's end. Three of five executives exercised this option during the period examined, totaling more than $200,500. Additional expenditures included more than $46,000 on annual MOHELA Board retreats and upwards of $28,700 for employee holiday parties over the past three years, according to the audit.

Currently, Montee is still in pursuit of minutes from the meetings during which compensation and severance packages were discussed.

"We filed a lawsuit to get access to those minutes," she said. "All the filings are in and we're just waiting for a court date to argue that."

Montee said withholding the minutes violates state statute and she's confident her office will obtain the information it needs.

"Each meeting of the authority for any purpose whatsoever shall be open to the public. Now that's pretty cut-and-dry," she said. "They can't have closed meetings. At the end of the day, when we have prevailed on our lawsuit - which I believe we will - there will be more information out there on what was discussed and what was done in the closed minutes."

The report states MOHELA's assets totaled roughly $234 million as of June 30, 2006. In addition, MOHELA has managed to accumulate wealth through reinvesting operating surpluses in additional student loans.

"The fact is, this entity is continuing to be able to amass assets, and they should not be the ones determining what to do with them based on what we've seen," Montee said. "We think that this is a General Assembly policy. Our concern and our recommendation based on [this audit] is that the General Assembly come in and put some policies in place and some restrictions on what you can and can't do with this money."

According to MOHELA's Web site, http://www.mohela.com, its mission "is to provide lower-cost student loans and other financial and educational resources to benefit a diverse group of students so they can access higher education and to enable them to successfully complete postsecondary educational programs."

Montee said the audit's scope focused only on MOHELA's operations rather than its initiatives.

"For our purposes, this was a look at how the place was operating," she said. "Our conclusion is that there were some significant problems with the way MOHELA had been operating in spending these types of dollars on themselves and things that did not have anything to do with their purpose of providing loans for higher education."

Included in Montee's report was a letter from MOHELA in response to the audit.

"The Authority genuinely appreciates the work performed by the State Auditor's Office and welcomes the opportunity to review past practices and make improvements to current and future operations, as may be necessary or appropriate," said MOHELA Board chair Dr. John Smith and treasurer and chair of the MOHELA Board audit committee W. Thomas Reeves in the letter.

Montee said MOHELA has committed to above-board operations from now on.

Chancellor Guy Bailey also released a statement.

"I appreciate State Auditor Montee's efforts in working towards a more efficient and effective government," Bailey said. "While I am committed to reviewing the findings of the report to determine the potential impact they may have on the UMKC campus community, I will refrain from comment until that review has taken place."

Montee also called on the General Assembly to help make higher education more accessible.

"We're very concerned that right now, Missouri is ranked 47th nationally in state-supported funding for higher education," she said. "We are trying to do everything we can to draw attention to those issues in the state and things like [MOHELA] which is there to make education more affordable is a necessary part of what we need to be doing on the state level."

To view Montee's audit, visit www.auditor.mo.gov.

Fantasy Football: Hot or Not

2007-12-04T03:06:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 8, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Going into week six of the NFL season, it's safe to evaluate a few glaring draft-day decisions.

If you have LaMont Jordan in your backfield, you have a late-round steal. But if you depend on Travis Henry to carry the load, you've likely come to the realization you drafted Ricky Williams version 2.0.

Brett Favre is stepping on the collective throat of anyone who says he should have retired. Those riding the Drew Brees bandwagon have likely bailed. But hey, at least you didn't take Michael Vick this year.

Like any season, there will be a rally or two (hopefully from my main man LT) as well as a few nosedives (my money's on Jon Kitna).

If fantasy football dominates your life - as it does mine - you've likely crunched a few numbers in preparation of the coming weekend's games. If unlike me, you have a life, don't fret. Below you will find some solid recommendations for week six.

Quarterback

Start: Carson Palmer, Cincinatti Bengals

Bench: Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

I hate to say it, but Palmer is practically guaranteed at 300-yard day against our very own Kansas City Chiefs. With Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson and T.J. Houshmanzadeh lining up wide, it could be a long afternoon for Chiefs fans. While our hometown favorites have performed well against the pass, the Chiefs defenders can plan on spending a lot of time on the field thanks to their anemic offensive counterparts. Schaub, on the other hand, faces a swarming Jacksonville defense. Going into yesterday's game, the Jaguars were ranked seventh in passing defense, squandering a paltry 178.2 yards per game.

Running Back

Start: LaMont Jordan, Oakland Raiders

Bench: Cedric Benson, Chicago Bears

Jordan faces off against the club he broke into the league with, the New York Jets. The Jets run defense ranked 25th out of 32 teams through five weeks and had yielded six rushing touchdowns. Provided he's good-to-go next week, you can expect business as usual from Jordan, who averaged 106 yards per game through his first four weeks. Benson faces a stingy Minnesota Vikings defensive attack, ranked top in the league.
(CORRECTION: Oakland plays San Diego in week six.)

Wide Receiver

Start: Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Bench: Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

Not only has Bowe established himself as the early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but he faces the fifth worst passing defense in the league in the Cincinnati Bengals. As mentioned early, he may not get to spend much time on the field, but if he does he should dominate Cincinnati's weak secondary. Unfortunately for Jennings, he's likely got his work cut out for him as Green Bay faces the Washington Redskins, whose defense gave up only two passing touchdowns through four games. Then again, maybe Favre will be able to propel Jennings to a career day at Lambeau Field.

Op/Ed: It's not always about money

2007-12-04T03:02:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 8, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

In light of the anti-education General Assembly in Jefferson City and ensuing University of Missouri System Board of Curators-mandated budget cuts, "entrepreneurial" has been the buzzword du jour at UMKC. If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense.

Last week, UMKC took a detour from the business model, opting instead for a solid commitment to making higher education affordable and accessible to as many students as possible.

On Oct. 3, Chancellor Guy Bailey and Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) President Thomas Burke signed an articulation agreement between the two institutions. With the agreement in place, students from KCKCC can now transfer to UMKC without fear of losing credit hours in the process.

A KCKCC news release quoted UMKC Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler as saying students can save as much as $10,000 by attending KCKCC for their first two years. Tyler also noted continued talks of additional transfer scholarships and the potential of offering UMKC courses on KCKCC campuses.

UMKC, as are area community colleges, is primarily a commuter school. Commuter institutions generally attract greater numbers of working students; those students in greatest need of cost-effective education consisting of courses that accommodate busy schedules.

In signing the articulation agreement, UMKC has affirmed the importance it places on serving this demographic, as well as serving those with other obligations prohibiting them from enjoying the traditional college experience.

In the midst of a financial crunch, it would have been easy for our university to instead become more selective when it comes to accepting transfer credit, effectively strong-arming students who may not necessarily be ready into entering the fray of a four-year institution.

Many students would have been forced to bite the bullet, resulting in sub-par grades and mounting debt. Through the articulation agreement, UMKC has placed the greater good ahead of short term financial gains through investing in the future of the community.

Among the dividends we can expect will be a more well-prepared workforce and a better educated electorate; an electorate that will opt for capable legislators willing to adequately fund higher education. Money should never serve as a barrier to entry for those who wish to enhance their knowledge.

As one who has partaken in UMKC's articulation agreements with area community colleges, I can vouch for the benefit of having such a resource available. It is comforting to know our institution does put learning first, whether that learning takes place here or elsewhere.

News: SGA votes to deny Debate, Mock Trial funding

2007-12-04T02:59:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 8, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

The Debate and Mock Trial teams are barred from asking the Student Activity Fee Committee (SAFC) for funding beginning next year.

This is the result of a resolution passed by the Student Government Association (SGA) Oct 3.

Prior to passage of the resolution, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler addressed the SGA. He spoke of the Debate team's need to secure permanent funding sources outside of student activity fees.

"We think there's opportunity in this community to raise money to endow funding for our debate program," Tyler said. "There's a lot of different strategies that can take place, but really nothing is going to happen until a decision is made; whether to fund it or not … As long as you continue to fund [Debate] out of [student activity fees], the administration will not have that conversation."

SGA Comptroller DaRon McGee disagreed with prohibiting the teams from approaching the SAFC for money before securing alternative funds, noting also that Tyler made no mention of Mock Trial.

"The problem I have with this is that what if we try to force their hand and lose and nobody funds them," McGee said. "Then, we have some programs that were very successful and nobody to support them."

Tyler replied, "That's a risk that you really have to take."

SGA Administrative Vice President Emily Shaw said she supported the resolution, as it served merely as a recommendation.

"This resolution has absolutely no power to stop it from going to the SAFC," Shaw said. "It just says something to the administration."

Later in the meeting, the SGA made several maneuvers before passing the resolution, the first of which removed a key amendment voted in during the Sept. 19 meeting. The amendment would have allowed the teams to continue requesting funding from the SAFC.

SGA President Sean McClain told the senate he would have a much better chance at securing funding for the teams through other avenues if the original resolution was restored.

"I see no point in passing this resolution because it won't help me," McClain said. "Unless you guys want to amend the resolution back to its original state, then that would be the only course of action I would recommend because it was my resolution."

SGA Executive Vice President Tara Kloeppel explained the aim of the resolution.

"This resolution could be a bluff, and Mock Trial and Debate teams could come to the SAFC and just get all the money that they want," Kloeppel said. "This resolution could mean nothing."

McClain added, "The resolution's not binding. They are merely recommendations to Student Affairs. What this resolution does is express what we think. It doesn't bind them to not be able to come back to SAFC."

McClain then clarified the nature of SGA resolutions in general.

"In some regards, every single resolution that we pass is a bluff, because we don't have any mechanism for enforcing them," McClain said. "The only person who can enforce them is Student Affairs, which is the Vice Chancellor, Mel [Tyler]. He approves all of our recommendations and he can decline them if he wants. So, everything's a bluff."

McGee motioned to omit Mock Trial from the resolution, citing Mock Trial's small amount of funding compared to Debate. According to budgetary numbers provided by McClain Sept. 19, Debate was allocated $42,500 in student fees for the 2007-08 academic year. Mock Trial received $10,000.

McGee's proposed amendment failed. The original resolution now goes to Student Affairs for consideration.

Fantasy Football: Pick up your pink slip

2007-12-04T02:53:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 1, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

With exception to those who've had bye weeks, NFL teams are a quarter of the way through their schedules. As with any season, there have been a few surprises (Green Bay's 4-0 start, New Orleans' inability to put it in the end zone, Terrell Owens' lack of inexcusably ridiculous behavior).

As we inch toward the season's halfway mark, it becomes time to unload some draft-day busts and look to free agents who have managed to over-perform. Here's who fantasy owners should take a look at cutting:

Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Taylor has long been a fantasy staple; however, he appears to have exceeded his useful life. Maurice Jones-Drew is clearly the main man in Jacksonville's backfield, though he has yet to get rolling as well.

Matt Leinhart, QB, Arizona Cardinals

His strong finish last season, coupled with a dangerous arsenal of receivers, made Leinhart an attractive choice for QB. However, his inability to muster a mastery of yet another new offense has led to paltry stats. Plus, he's now splitting time with Kurt Warner. Yes, Warner's still playing.

Donte' Stallworth, WR, New England Patriots

Stallworth looked like a solid pick, especially with a healthy Randy Moss as New England's top receiving threat. Unfortunately, Stallworth has been hampered by injuries and is largely unproductive.

Ahman Green, RB, Houston Texans

Following a couple of seasons among the league's best while playing for Green Bay, Green looks to be on the downward spiral in Houston. There probably isn't much tread left on those tires, plus Green has been fumble-prone.

Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins

Moss has been a solid fantasy performer with game-breaking ability; however, he has yet to exhibit significant productivity through three games. If you can find someone you like on waivers, it would be wise to dump Moss for that player.

Sure, it's early enough in the season the folks mentioned above could be positive additions, but if things change you can always try to snatch them off the wire later this fall.

Op/Ed: UMKC keeps getting Blunt-ed

2007-12-04T02:47:00.000-06:00

From the Oct. 1, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Despite Gov. Matt Blunt's oft repeated stump speech on the importance of higher education, actions speak louder than words. Missouri is 47th in the U.S. in per capita funding for higher education.

The effects of Missouri's disregard for higher education can be seen across UMKC's campuses.

However, Blunt was front and center for the ribbon cutting photo op at the Sept. 21 dedication of the Health and Sciences Building - a project funded largely by private contributions.

But when the Financial Aid office was flooded with students trying to track down their loan money, he was nowhere to be found. I guess a swarm of disgruntled students doesn't lend itself well to a publicity photo. Plus, Blunt would likely have been forced to interact with real-life students.

Speaking of loans, Blunt signed a bill authorizing use of loans sold by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) for capital improvement projects. MOHELA's mission is "to provide lower-cost student loans and other financial and educational resources to benefit a diverse group of students so they can access higher education and to enable them to successfully complete postsecondary educational programs."

Apparently, Blunt thinks it's OK for students to fund projects they will likely never use. As skyrocketing tuition makes college prohibitively expensive for more and more students, new buildings should be the least of our worries. After all, what good is an empty classroom?

In an effort to fund faculty raises, the University of Missouri (UM) System Board of Curators mandated annual one percent budget cuts for each UM campus for the next three years. This puts a variety of UMKC programs in jeopardy. The trickledown effect can be seen even in student life, where several extracurricular activities are on the brink of falling casualty to lack of funding.

Would a governor whose "highest priority" is Missouri's children allow these things to happen on his watch?

As reported in the Sept. 17 issue of the University News, the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is trying to figure out how to combat attrition among underclassmen. Funding was also a topic for discussion. A&S Dean Karen Vorst said the college would need to take an "entrepreneurial" approach to summer course offerings.

The entrepreneurial approach appears to be a popular one on campus. Faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to UMKC's own capital campaign.

"We are pleased to inform you that next week marks the launch of the 2007-08 Torchbearer Campaign - the annual faculty and staff giving drive," read the Sept. 28 email.

Donating to a noble cause such as higher education is admirable. However, our institution should not have to solicit funds from its employees in order to operate sufficiently. So much for those pay raises to be drawn from the Curator-mandated budget cuts; the university expects that cash to go right back into the pot.

Sure, Blunt speaks of grand plans to allocate additional money to Missouri's colleges and universities. What remains to be seen is where UMKC fits into the equation. The University of Missouri-Columbia already harnesses the lion's share of state funding. Its efforts to solidify status as the state's flagship university through a name change foreshadow future struggles for institutions such as UMKC to obtain state dollars.

Instead of a governor who simply regurgitates his father's partisan politics, we need a true advocate of higher education in Missouri who defends the entire UM System.

News: Community welcomes new Health Sciences facility

2007-12-04T02:43:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 24, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

A beautiful September afternoon marked the UMKC Health Sciences Building (HSB) Dedication.

Home to the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy, the $50.2 million structure, a component of the Hospital Hill Campus, began holding classes this fall.

Chancellor Guy Bailey said the HSB's positive impact has already been felt. Enrollment in the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy increased 14 percent and six percent respectively, according to Bailey.

"This building makes possible this kind of robust growth and for producing health care professionals," he said during the Sept. 21 ceremony.

Bailey also noted enhanced research in conjunction with the HSB. He said 14 patents have been filed by UMKC health sciences researchers in the past year, with four being granted.

"There is important research activity that will affect all of us here," he said.

Gov. Matt Blunt, R-Mo., said the HSB embodies many essential elements for both Kansas City and the state of Missouri.

"I'm very excited to be here today because of what this building represents in so many different facets," Blunt said. "[The HSB will provide] economic development, increased access to health care, increased quality of education for students and career opportunity for Missourians."

Steve Graham, interim senior vice president of Academic Affairs for the University of Missouri (UM) System, said the HSB brings prestige to the entire UM System.

"The University of Missouri has a great reputation, and its esteem comes from the sum of all of its parts," Graham said. "This health sciences building is a necessary component of that strength, and we feel that this facility will enable faculty and students to push back the frontiers of science."

Terry Dunn, co-chair of the Your UMKC campaign, said the success of the campaign has stimulated development and will lead to future innovation. The campaign has raised $202,644,248 since July 2000, according to Dunn.

"This money was raised to recruit talented students, attract great faculty members and enhance and construct dynamic facilities, such as the HSB, and to achieve excellence in key programs," he said.

Peggy Dunn, co-chair of the Your UMKC campaign, recognized contributors to the campaign.

"One of the reasons the campaign was successful was because it enjoyed noticeable support from faculty and staff; the individuals who daily invest their time and talents to furthering educational resources for our metropolitan community," Peggy Dunn said.

Peggy Dunn said the campaign has seen tremendous growth. In 2000, 369 "torchbearers," or donors, contributed $144,000. In 2007, the participation rate increased to $450,000 in commitments from 664 torchbearers. According to Peggy Dunn, $1.8 million has been donated by faculty and staff since July 2000.

Bill Hall, president of the Hall Family Foundation, said UMKC was in need of such a facility.

"I had a chance to view where students were taught before," said Hall, whose foundation contributed to the campaign. "There was no question about the need, and there's no question about what the deans and others have created here. It's wonderful."

Paul Hess, fifth-year student in the School of Pharmacy, spoke to the HSB's significance.

"The memories of the cramped and aging classrooms make me excited about the opportunities this new building will open up for future student pharmacists," Hess said. "I'm especially thrilled, with all the health science programs now located on the same campus … instilled in us will be the value of the health professions working together for those we serve, our patients."

Clarissa Chambers, senior in the School of Nursing, said the new complex provides convenience for students.

"I'm glad to have the opportunity to complete my final year of coursework in the [HSB] instead of the five different locations that the School of Nursing previously used," she said.

However, Chambers said convenience was only one feature the building offers.

"It's the unifying aspect of [the HSB] that I like the most," she said. "I know other nursing students share this sentiment. We are absolutely thrilled to all be in the same building."

Hall recognized students, faculty and staff of the HSB as catalysts of future development.

"Even though we've had a chance to give money, they're going to give so much more," he said.

News: Explosive debate dominates SGA meeting

2007-12-04T02:40:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 24, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

A controversial funding resolution resulted in an hour of spirited discourse before the issue was tabled at the Sept. 19 Student Government Association (SGA) meeting.

The proposed resolution, introduced by SGA President Sean McClain, would have cut funding from the Debate and Mock Trial teams and prohibited them from approaching the Student Activity Fee Committee (SAFC) for money.

"This was not originated from me. I am merely a messenger of this idea," McClain said. "The Vice Chancellor's [SAFC] has been talking about cutting funding to the Debate team for the last four years. This is not me, this is about [SAFC] and I am just following through with what that committee's decision was."

The gallery was standing room only, with more than 40 people attending the meeting, primarily in support of the Debate and Mock Trial teams.

According to budgetary numbers provided by McClain, the Debate and Mock Trial teams have the highest per student costs of any organizations funded by SAFC. However, the calculations appear to be skewed.

For the Debate and Mock Trial teams, costs per student were calculated by dividing total funding to the teams by the real number of participants. For many other groups such as Campus Recreation and Intramurals and allocations such as SGA Operations, costs per student were calculated by dividing funding allocations by the total number of students enrolled at UMKC.

McClain said regardless of whether the resolution passed, SAFC already made a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor and notified the coaches of both teams they will not receive funding from the student activity fee next year. The teams also need to seek alternative sources of funding this year, McClain said.

SGA Comptroller DaRon McGee said both teams would suffer severe hits under the proposed resolution.

"If we don't fund them, nobody will," McGee said. "I think that we're setting both of these teams up for failure."

According to McClain, other funding sources are available to both teams.

"The fact is that these monies can be found within the [College of] Arts and Sciences," McClain said. "The Mock Trial team was funded by the [College of] Arts and Sciences last year. The Debate team, in the past, has been funded by the Provost's office, and has been funded by the Vice Chancellor's office, and has been funded by the [College of] Arts and Sciences."

McClain said academic units funding the teams and allocating student fees is "a blatant misuse of funds." He said the teams are "competitive" and "exclusive" organizations operating outside the interest of the general student body.

"The point is, we're not cutting funding for these teams. I am going to personally help them find funding," McClain said. "I'm going to talk to the Provost, to the Dean at the [College of] Arts and Sciences and to the Vice Chancellor's Office for Student Affairs. I will be following up on this and this is a guarantee."

McGee and other senators yielded speaking time to Bridgett Johnson, president of Debate. Johnson contended the teams are not exclusive and are comprised of students from a variety of academic units, including the Conservatory and the School of Medicine.

"We have students that are in so many different organizations on this campus and academic units, that if we isolate to only Arts and Sciences, then we have to exclude all of the students that come to us who are not in Arts and Sciences," she said.

"We have students on this campus that purely came to UMKC because of the nationally recognized programs that we have."

Matthew Williams, member of Mock Trial, addressed the nature of both teams.

"These are academic associations that are put together to prepare students for the idea of going off to law school," he said, adding, "We are not an exclusive organization … any student can come to the adviser's office and find that you, too, can be on the Mock Trial team. We include anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it."

Williams asked SGA to consider the importance of voting on the resolution.

"As a former senator, I know how difficult the decisions you make are, but I have to tell you that your decision tonight may hold more weight than you even realize," Williams said. "It holds weight for five, six and seven years into the future. If we can't go to SAFC for money, then how do we get money, because we don't belong to a single academic unit?"

"As senators, you are saying we should not be able to go to SAFC for money and then are effectively closing the door," Johnson said.

Johnnie Weathersby, senator for the Block School Student Association, called for an amendment to the resolution.

"As it stands, I will move to amend it," he said. "Because to me, in all honesty, that's closing the door."

Weathersby's amendment would allow the Debate and Mock Trial teams to request funding from SAFC.

"That is what SAFC is for," he said. "But, in all fairness, understand that does not guarantee you guys money."

Johnson said the clubs were not asking for guaranteed money, rather they sought the opportunity to approach SAFC for funding.

SGA voted in Weathersby's amendment before tabling the issue for further consideration.

News: Supreme Court Justice, KC Law grad recognized

2007-12-04T02:37:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 24, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

In conjunction with Constitution Day and Celebrate UMKC Week, the university celebrated one of its notable alumni.

The School of Law and the Edward Smith/Bryan Cave Lecture series presented "The Supreme Court Then and Now," marking the 50th anniversary of Charles Evans Whittaker's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Held Sept. 17 in Pierson Auditorium, the program featured reflections about Whittaker and the Supreme Court in general.

"What better way to celebrate the Constitution by recognizing the important role that our strong and independent judiciary plays in our constitutional democracy?" said Ellen Suni, dean of the School of Law. "We're very, very proud to have Justice Whittaker as our alumnus."

Whittaker graduated from the then-Kansas City School of Law in 1924 and served on the Supreme Court from 1957 to 1962.

Kenneth Starr, former U.S. Solicitor General, served as keynote speaker. Starr summarized the past 50 years of the Supreme Court, noting shifts in ideological makeup of the justices.

Starr paid tribute to Whittaker's pragmatic approach to his voting and his straightforward adherence to the facts of each case in the short time he served.

"It would have been good, had health allowed him, to remain," Starr said.

Some of those who worked closely with Whittaker paid him homage.

Alan C. Kohn, former clerk to Whittaker, spoke about the era in which Whittaker served; a time of deep liberal/conservative division within the court. Kohn noted Whittaker's position as the swing vote.

"He was, therefore, the deciding vote on a number of important Constitutional cases," Kohn said. "It was difficult for him to decide between these two strong competing forces."

Jerome B. Libin, another former clerk, recounted accepting Whittaker's invitation to attend the Presidential inauguration of John F. Kennedy. Libin spoke of the day's especially inclement weather.

"Mrs. Whittaker and I sat freezing on a bench, watching the inauguration," Libin said. "It sort of capped-off a very wonderful experience for me."

Fantasy Football: Through the (waiver) wire

2007-12-04T02:34:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 24, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

It goes without saying that LT and Peyton are destined to rack up some serious digits on the fantasy gridiron. Once you get past those studs, there are no guarantees.

Well, it's probably a safe bet that at least a couple of Bengals will visit the slammer and Ricky Williams will (again) be denied reinstatement, but most leagues don't assess points for those stats.

So, if you weren't lucky enough to net a sure thing, is a championship out of reach? Of course not, but you'll have to be a little smarter than your counterparts. Frequent scouring of the waiver wire can mean the difference between an off-season of bragging rights and eight months of mockery from your peers.

That said, following are seven possibly-available free agents - in no particular order - who could put you over the top.

Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots

As a Miami Dolphin last season, Welker put up solid numbers as a return specialist and third receiver. Depending on how your league scores, he could have an impact. Thus far, he's been the Pats' second-best receiver. In New England, Welker will likely be called upon to wear several hats, as was Troy Brown during those Super Bowl runs.

Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns

Following Cleveland's jettison of Charlie Frye, Anderson seized the starting QB slot ahead of Brady Quinn. Judging by Anderson's five-touchdown performance in week two against in-state rival Cincinnati, the job will be his for at least the next several weeks. It'll take more than week three's lukewarm performance to bench Anderson anytime soon. He's at least a solid bye week sub.

Shaun McDonald, WR, Detroit Lions

Sure, he was number four on the depth chart two weeks ago, but McDonald's been posting solid stats for the pass-happy Lions. If you've got Jon Kitna at QB, you may want to consider McDonald as your third WR. Based on his solid week three digits, he could be an every-week starter in some leagues.

Roscoe Parrish, WR, Buffalo Bills

A recent injury put special teams vet Parrish in the lineup as the number three receiver. His blazing speed and quick moves make him a dangerous weapon on punt returns.

Chris Brown/LenDale White, RB, Tennessee Titans

Given Head Coach Jeff Fisher's tendency to utilize Brown and White as a two-headed monster out of the backfield, either is a risky choice. Brown was AFC Offensive Player of the Week following the first game, but White was the main man in week two. However, both have game-breaking ability and are good options if you find your backfield depleted on a bye week.

And if none of the aforementioned players are available? Keep your eyes on the injury reports and stats each week. Kevin Curtis, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, will likely be this week's most actively pursued free agent in fantasy football.

Culture: Wordsmiths at work

2007-12-03T17:48:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 24, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Glenn North wasn't having the best day.

"I was kind of feeling sad today, kind of melancholy," said North, graduate student in the Department of English.

North said he tends to feel that way when the seasons change.

Sept. 21 marked not only the final day of summer, but the most recent session of Working Words. The program is in its third year and provides a forum for graduate students in the Department of English to share their writing in an informal setting. Various genres of creative writing, including poetry and fiction, are read aloud.

"It's an opportunity for students and faculty of the university and the broader community to have an opportunity to witness up and coming talent," North said. "I think it's important for those people who have the opportunity to read to get a feel for how their work is going to be received by their peers."

Serving as emcee for the evening, North introduced two of his fellow graduate students during the gathering, held at the Kansas City Public Library Plaza branch.

"Hopefully, the two readers tonight will be able to pull me out of this melancholy, kind of depressed mode I'm in," he said.

Ashley "Red" Morgan offered a selection of short poems. Morgan said she strives to give her writing a unique flavor.

"I try to make it weird," she said. "'Funky' is a good word."

For Morgan, Working Words is an opportunity to explore new literary territory.

"I'm edging into this new phase where I'm trying to break out of what I usually do, which is very internal," she said. "I turn to the world; I turn to the outside and write about the things around me."

Katherine Tirado Ryen read a selection from her master's thesis. Ryen's piece, 'El Rosario,' is a work of historical fiction focusing on past and current perspectives in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For inspiration, Ryen draws upon the experiences her grandmother encountered as an emigrant to the U.S. with her mother in 1945.

"I'm drawing a lot on her personal experience and researching the Latin experience in the '40s and '50s," Ryen said. "The piece oscillates between the past perspectives and the present day perspectives."

Those on hand said Working Words was a valuable way to exchange ideas with peers.

So, were the writers successful in drawing North out of his end-of-summer funk?

"I feel so much better now," he said.

News: Labor studies professor in limbo

2007-12-03T07:35:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 17, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

For most of her life, Judy Ancel has been an advocate for workers' rights, including 18 years as director of the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) at UMKC. Despite years of service and community outreach, Ancel's status at UMKC is now uncertain.

ILS was earmarked as one of the first casualties of the University of Missouri (UM) System Board of Curators' mandated budget cuts of one percent a year for the next three years.

In a Sept. 14 interview, Chancellor Guy Bailey spoke of UMKC's efforts to shrink the budget. Changes include outsourcing of bus and printing services.

"You do a lot of these little things, you end up with a pretty good bit of savings," Bailey said, citing a collective budget reduction of roughly $450,000.

Around 6 p.m. one evening in May, Ancel received notice from Dr. Karen Vorst, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to check her mailbox for a letter from then-Provost Bruce Bubacz. The letter, addressed to the Longview Community College president and carbon-copied to Ancel, declared UMKC's intention to cancel the program. Longview was affiliated with ILS at the time .

"I called Dr. Vorst and asked, 'what is going on?,'" Ancel said.

That's when Ancel learned of the mandated budget cuts.

"I was told it was a done deal and there was nothing I could do about it," Ancel said.

Following a petition campaign and an outpouring of support from labor leaders in the metro area and abroad, UMKC softened its stance on ILS.

"The courses will still be offered," Bailey said. "What we won't have is a separate administrative structure for [ILS]."

Ancel, the sole employee of ILS, said any administrative cost is nominal, as she formulates her own budget. She provided figures showing an annual budget of $106,917, of which UMKC contributes $15,000.

"Part of the problem is that the Curators are funding raises by cannibalizing programs at the university," Ancel said. "They have systematically under-funded higher education in Missouri. The university has to cut off its right arm to stay alive."

Bailey estimates the administrative cut to ILS saves UMKC around $45,000, but said to check with Vorst for specific information regarding ILS.

In response to questions from the University News as to why ILS was targeted and how much money UMKC would save, Vorst forwarded an Aug. 1 statement from Bailey affirming ILS would continue as part of the Continuing Education Program. Bailey's statement also said UMKC was "working with the economics department to determine the role best suited for Judy Ancel, the former project administrator of the Institute for Labor Studies."

Ancel said she's yet to hear what - if any - position she will hold.

"I'm not an economist," she said. "I've worked nationally and internationally with unions and have a reputation for that kind of work."

ILS provides coursework on issues such as collective bargaining and labor in the global political economy.

"Our courses focus not on what employers are looking for, but how to defend yourself as a worker," Ancel said. "In addition, the labor courses inform students of how to engage in civic activity around issues of corporate responsibility."

Beyond the certificate program, ILS offers custom training workshops for unions. Ancel also hosts the Heartland Labor Forum radio program on KKFI 90.1 FM.

"[ILS] is a very visible part of UMKC, as there is almost no connection to the university for many in the community who are without children," she said. "We are a jewel in terms of fulfilling outreach to the community."

Whereas various programs within the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration are funded in part through private endowments, Ancel has not received instructions as to how she may solicit such funding for ILS.

"I haven't been told what I'm allowed to do, but that the dean will entertain proposals," she said.

Her future yet to be determined, Ancel is adamant UMKC will discard a valuable niche if it abandons ILS.

"I can certainly say that there is nobody else in the Kansas City area who academically looks at workplace and labor issues," she said. "I'm the person they come to. That specialty will disappear."

Visit http://www.umkc.edu/labor-ed/ for information on the ILS certificate program and outreach activities.

Culture: Sosland, n: exemplary student writers

2007-12-03T07:32:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 17, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

It is not uncommon for a student to wonder, "who wrote this?" when perusing an assigned reading. In this case, it may have been the person who sat in his very desk the previous semester.

The Sosland Journal, a compilation of exceptional student writing, is published annually by the English department. The finished product finds its way into the hands of students each fall.

"Because we like student writing to be at the center of our composition instruction, [the journal] is a standard text for all of our 110 and 225 courses," said Dr. Jane Greer, associate professor of English Language and Literature.

Any student in a composition or writing intensive course is eligible to have his/her work published. The three winners of the Ilus W. Davis Writing Contest and six others had their essays printed in this year's journal.

The journal's roots are deeply embedded in the English Department. Rheta Sosland-Hurwitt, a former UMKC student, got the publication started through the establishment of an endowment fund.

According to Greer, Sosland-Hurwitt so enjoyed her introductory composition course and felt such an affinity for the Department of English that she took it upon herself to empower English professors and students through the endowment.

Sosland-Hurwitt's contributions also make available additional resources to English professors.

With each publication comes a healthy dose of variety.

Ann Marie Ballew's essay on the rhetorical work of Dorthia Dix is featured in this year's Sosland.

"I'm very honored," said Ballew, a senior psychology major. "I worked really hard on the paper, and my hard work paid off."

John Archuletta, junior in premed, chose to address the variations of speech within the English language. The distinction between those who use the term "soda" and those who say "pop" is a case study cited in his piece.

Although this marks Archuletta's second entry to make publication in the Sosland, it wasn't exactly easy, due largely in part to his choice of subject matter.

"The most difficult part of the process was trying to focus on a specific range of speech, because the English language itself is so diverse," he said.

For Archuletta, it was a rewarding experience to once again see the fruit of his labors make it into the hands of his fellow students.

"I feel it's very nice to be published," he said. "It takes a lot of hard work to write something, but then also write something that's going to be recognized as exemplary. It's a very satisfying feeling."

For those considering submission of their own work for publication, Archuletta offers some advice and encouragement.

"One of the hurdles of getting into Sosland is actually - it may sound crazy - but actually submitting your work," he said. "A lot of people think [their work] is not good enough to be submitted, but you'd be surprised at how good people's writing is. You surprise yourself at how good it is if you simply submit it. If you don't give yourself a chance, you'll never know if you would have done well or not."

Op/Ed: Gold Standard must prove legitimacy

2007-12-03T07:25:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 17, 2007 issue ofThe University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

"Five days of voting registered 837 total votes, with Gold Standard Party candidates winning all four [Student Government Association (SGA)] executive council positions," read the April 23 edition of the University News.

In other words, less than six percent of UMKC's student body visited the ballot box. Given the paltry turnout, President Sean McClain, Executive Vice President Tara Kloeppel, Administrative Vice President Emily Shaw, and Comptroller DaRon McGee must prove themselves as true student advocates to establish any semblance of legitimacy.

Thus far, our executive council hasn't quite made its way to the plate.

Though the student body shot down last spring's Student Union referendum, the executive council is planning to uncork another campaign to undertake this project. The new union - if built - is estimated to cost $45-$50 million. According to McClain, student fees will not increase until the union opens.

Well, then where's the money coming from? One would be hard-pressed to find any developers willing to work on consignment. Still, it's going to cost students sooner or later.

Those in attendance for the Sept. 5 SGA meeting heard McClain's plea to eliminate funding to the Debate and Mock Trial teams. According to McClain, this would free-up approximately $64,000 for other student organizations, and also "send a message to the administration" to find another way to pay for the teams.

I am adamant that any disbursement of student activity fees should be carefully examined. Any organization wishing to acquire money should state a strong case. On the same token, anyone wishing to take money away from two organizations such as Debate and Mock Trial is obligated to supply sufficient reasoning, especially given the strong performance of these teams on the national level.

When the same guy pushing a $45-$50 million project wants to save $64,000 by crippling two active organizations, he'd better have his facts straight. Apparently, McClain did not.

Bridgett Johnson of the Debate team and James Gilmore of the Mock Trial team took issue with McClain's suggestion to cut funding, questioning his knowledge of the teams' organizational frameworks. Such a topic is worthy of spirited discourse. Instead, the issue was tabled.

Our SGA executive council seems a bit misguided and out-of-touch. To help them get on track, I offer a couple of causes in desperate need of student advocacy:

Financial Aid

Glitches in implementing Pathway - UMKC's one-stop student software application - have resulted in the delay of financial aid for many students until mid-September, according to a campus-wide e-mail. This is bad news for many of those awaiting aid. Not everyone is eligible for the short-term loans the Financial Aid department is hocking. Being that we, as students, involuntarily pay the salaries of the SGA executive council through our fees, it would be nice if they'd utilize their access to UMKC's higher-ups to push for a resolution to the aid problems.

Tuition

Cost per credit hour for instate/metro rate undergraduates increased nearly $40 from fall 2006 to fall 2007. In the midst of harping on a hefty project which will further increase the cost of attendance, UMKC students would be well-served if our executive council would address the growing amount of money necessary to earn an education. If the Student Union referendum passes, UMKC may ultimately price itself out of the market for many would-be students.

That said, my intention is not to beat-up on our SGA execs. I don't doubt they're nice folks.

Rather, I just hope to bring some prevalent issues to their attention. I aim to spare them the embarrassment of appearing to be a bunch of kids playing government at the expense of the student body they pledge to represent.

Op/Ed: Zealotry: the assault on faith

2007-12-03T07:23:00.000-06:00

From the Sept. 4, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

Clearly, we are in the midst of an all-out assault on organized religion.

However, the usual suspects aren't to blame. Not the "Godless sodomites," the "infidels," or other "secular progressives." The true threat to organized religion comes from the self-inflicted wounds brought about by zealotry.

I refer to zealotry in the fanatical sense, for those who relentlessly bludgeon others with their own religious beliefs effectively undermine the very belief systems to which countless individuals subscribe.

Religion, faith and spirituality are perhaps the most divisive topics for discussion in the marketplace of conversation. In many cases faith shapes one's entire ideology, from political views to taste in music. This being the case, these divisive topics must be approached in a delicate manner.

Unfortunately, the fanatics prefer a hard-line approach to recruitment. I frequently receive bulk mail from local religious organizations threatening a vengeful (insert respective god here) who will soon punish us all for our irreparable sins. However, if you're willing to attend the next service, you may still have a shot at salvation.

While a college campus is - or should be - among the most obvious safe havens for diverse beliefs and opinions, some take it a step too far. On many a walk from the Quad to the University Center, I've been approached by various individuals claiming to represent an assortment of religious organizations. I have found my personal space impinged upon by a zealot as he/she proceeds to interrogate me about my religious views and sense of faith. These are things I am reluctant to discuss with even the closest of friends.

Isn't the behavior of these zealots repulsive to many? I was under the impression religions intended to be inclusive entities, but have seen many folks who claim to be "pure of soul" condemn masses of fellow humans for factors as trivial as sexual orientation. Unless you have physically been to hell and back, who are you to tell someone else such a place exists and they're going there?

Faith is something with which many of us struggle on a daily basis. Many times, there is a fine line between fully accepting a core belief system into your heart and abandoning faith altogether. If you are at a crossroads in your beliefs, being hounded by a fanatic on your way to class most certainly has a negative effect on your impression of religion.

Ultimately, we all have to choose the road with which we are most comfortable. Regardless of how/if one chooses to meet God, each of us needs to feel a sense of purpose in our lives. Some of those closest to me have found their way through adherence to religious beliefs, letting faith guide them. Others are atheists.

Any involvement with religion should be completely voluntary. If one wishes to explore faith, religious organizations need to be accessible, not exclusive. Anyone with intentions of subscribing to a belief system is likely capable of finding it on his/her own.

When not manipulated and politicized, religion can be a beautiful thing for many. Faith can carry people to places they at one point only imagined going, especially through turbulent periods of time.

Zealotry casts an ugly shadow on those vehicles of perseverance. Now is the time for those truly altruistic religious organizations to denounce such fanaticism, as it serves only to foster bigotry.

News: Revamped discrimination, sexual harassment training unveiled

2007-12-03T07:18:00.000-06:00

From the Aug. 27, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

In late June, UMKC unrolled an overhauled discrimination and sexual harassment training program. The training sessions, facilitated by the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Access along with Human Resources, were first opened to department supervisors.

"The reason for that is that supervisors have more of a responsibility with respect to knowing what the definitions of 'unlawful discrimination' and 'sexual harassment' are," said Grace Hernandez, director of Affirmative Action. "We need to let them know where they have to report it if they observe it in the workplace."

Hernandez said the training, now mandatory for all faculty and staff, puts discrimination and sexual harassment in context.

"One of the most critical things within this training is not just giving them the definitions, but giving them scenarios, case law, and letting them know what to do if they see discrimination or sexual harassment occurring whether it be in the workplace or out in the classroom," she said. "We all need to know what to look for. Sometimes, some of the situations are not discrimination and we teach them to distinguish between what goes to Human Resources and what comes to my office. That's what this training is designed to do."

Hernandez, along with a colleague, developed the training program before arriving at UMKC.

Jill Avey, senior Human Resource specialist and facilitator for sexual harassment training, acknowledged gray areas in terms of concrete definitions of discrimination and sexual harassment.

"A lot of times people will come in wanting a recipe for what is or what isn't, what constitutes unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment and 'how do I know if I see a situation,'" Avey said. "Unfortunately, with the way a lot of employment law and employee relations go, there's not always a 'yes' or 'no' answer."

Avey noted further examination serves to clarify such situations.

"You throw a few more things into a scenario, and very easily, you can see how there might be a potential problem," she said.

Hernandez believes the training is clarifying discrimination and sexual harassment for participants.

"It's interesting to see how many folks don't really know those legal definitions of discrimination and then sexual harassment," she said. "It's great to see that once we conduct the seminars, how they come away with having a better understanding of what it is and what to do if they see it."

Avey and Hernandez agreed there has been a "spike" in instances of sexual harassment reported since training began, which they credit to a better understanding of what constitutes such behavior. So far, 17 training sessions have been conducted and more than 400 participants have attended.

Hernandez spoke to the challenge of getting students on board with the training.

"As much as we would like to train 14,000 students, it's just impossible because of our resources," she said. "If we let faculty know, they can bring certain situations to our attention and we can bring students in and talk to them and let them know what is or isn't proper behavior."

In an effort to promptly reach students, an addendum concerning sexual harassment has been attached to each class syllabus. Hernandez said the addendum was included not for legal reasons, but for the sole purpose of raising student awareness.

"Ultimately, it's about the students and protecting our students here on campus," she said. "What's foremost on our minds is ensuring that students feel safe here."

Klassie Alcine, president of the Arts and Sciences Student Council, does not believe the addendum is sufficient.

"I think the issue only angers students and professors, the fact that UMKC paid out for the actions of professors and the professors received hefty raises," she said. "Just reading a letter doesn't solve the problem. Firing the professors would have shown that UMKC doesn't support sexual harassers."

Alcine believes students should take a direct approach should they encounter such an issue.

"The first thing students need to do is to tell their professor or any person of power," she said. "Sexual harassment can be handled by telling the person that their behavior makes you uncomfortable."

Hernandez said students should approach issues of discrimination and sexual harassment in the most comfortable manner possible.

"What I would love to see is for the student to come directly to this office," she said, adding that students can choose to take such issues to trusted faculty members as well. Hernandez said her office hopes to soon develop a training program for student leaders.

"We want students to feel very safe and secure," she said. "We will be very sensitive to whatever their complaint is."

News: Provost search in full swing

2007-12-03T07:13:00.000-06:00

From the Aug. 27, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

As fall rolls on, UMKC continues its search for a permanent provost.

Chancellor Guy Bailey emphasized the significance of selecting the proper candidate.

"The provost is not only our chief academic officer, but will [serve as chancellor] if the chancellor is away," he said. "It's extremely important."

Given the essential role of the provost, Bailey hopes to find an individual familiar with the complexity of the position. Bailey noted the university facilitates a full range of professional programs in addition to the general offerings.

"One of the things that makes our provost job very terrific, but also very difficult, is the wide range of programs we have," he said.

In addition, Bailey seeks a candidate with broad administrative experience and the ability to combine forces with various departments.

"I'm looking for someone who interacts well with faculty and likes to work with faculty, staff, and other administrators; a very collaborative person with good vision and high energy," he said. "Of course, you always look for someone with a very high integrity."

Deputy Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Access, Dr. Karen Dace, said the provost search will be conducted with transparency, relying on a diverse search committee and public forums.

"Students, staff, faculty and the community can come to speak with the search firm," she said. "They will talk about the characteristics they think a provost should have."

Dace expects the committee to narrow the list of candidates in mid-September following the forums.

"We will determine who we want to move further in the process," she said. "At that point, we will contact folks and ask candidates to come the last two weeks of October."

Dace offered her own sentiments as to what qualifications a provost should possess.

"Because this is the chief academic officer for the campus, this is someone who has a great scholarly reputation and record, who is good at leadership both on and off campus," she said. "It's a challenging job, so it requires a lot of knowledge and commitment."

According to Faculty Senate chair Gary Ebersole, roughly 20 applications have been received thus far with many more expected.

"I'm not at liberty to talk about [the applicants]," Ebersole said during the Aug. 21 Faculty Senate meeting. "I can tell you that there is no internal candidate at this point, but there is a semi-internal candidate in a sense that somebody who was an employee of UMKC in the past is apparently interested in returning in this position."

Ebersole said the provost search, assisted by Greenwood & Associates, Inc., is running on schedule.

"Our goal is to have a permanent provost hired and in place January 1," he said, adding the Faculty Senate plans to screen the candidates and forward a list of three to Bailey in December.

News: Campus Confidential

2007-12-03T07:08:00.000-06:00

New investigation opened following settlement

From the Aug. 20, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

The University of Missouri - Kansas City has launched a new investigation into allegations that two professors sexually harassed female students and staff.

The allegations, initially reported by a graduate student in May 2005, charge that Drs. Keith Haddock and Walker S. Carlos Poston II, then of the Psychology Department, created a sexually hostile environment in the Health Research Group lab.

The first internal investigation was completed in June 2005, with the then-director of Affirmative Action concluding there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charges, said Chancellor Guy Bailey.

However, acting on advice from its legal council, UMKC in July 2007 agreed to a $1.1 million out-of-court settlement with Dr. Linda Garavalia, associate professor of Psychology, and Megan Pinkston-Camp, a former psychology graduate student.

Bailey said he was briefed about the lawsuit by the University of Missouri System legal council in Nov. 2006, at which point he realized the allegations were new and another investigation would be necessary.

"The lawsuit was not against [Haddock and Poston], it was against the university based on our response and so forth," he said.

Bailey noted the university had to wait until the legal issues were resolved before conducting a second internal investigation.

"Almost as soon as we settled out of court, we began a full-scale investigation into all of the allegations," he said. "We're going to get to the bottom of everything and take the appropriate actions."

Bailey appointed Grace Hernandez, director of Affirmative Action, to conduct the new investigation.

"We're committed to due process for everybody," Bailey said.

Hernandez stressed that in light of the ongoing investigation, objectivity is essential.

"In order to be fair to both sides, I asked them to present to me lists of who they wanted me to interview," she said. "What I'm focusing in on right now is what exactly happened in the lab."

Hernandez estimated she would interview roughly 100 people and is currently about halfway through the process.

According to the lawsuit filed by Garavalia and Pinkston-Camp, Haddock and Poston "made references to oral sex as plaintiffs and other women ate bananas," and "made references to their own penis sizes in relation to pencils, bananas, rulers and other objects" in addition to other sexually-oriented behavior.

"If we knew [the allegations] to be true, that these very egregious things had occurred, we wouldn't even be doing a reinvestigation into the matter," Hernandez said.

Haddock and Poston were promoted from associate to full professors and assumed additional duties as interim chair and interim vice chair of the Informatic Medicine and Personalized Health Department in the School of Medicine.

Bailey said they were promoted in April 2006 and the lawsuit was filed in August 2006.

"[Haddock and Poston] weren't promoted while these allegations were out there," he said. "The dean of the School of Medicine would have known nothing about [the charges] because the [internal investigation] was closed, essentially."

Replying to inquiries from the University News, University Communications stated that they were promoted Sept. 1, 2006, and that Haddock's annual salary was increased from $75,876 to $93,376, while Poston's raise was from $76,707 to $101,707.

Haddock and Poston were unavailable for comment, but released the following joint statement through University Communications: "Given the active investigation, I have chosen not to respond to questions from the media." As the investigation continues, both continue their work in the School of Medicine. Garavalia is on sabbatical this year.

"This is one of the most serious sets of allegations that have ever hit the university," Bailey said. "We're going to get to the bottom of it and do the right thing."

News: Student sues over use of N-word

2007-12-03T06:46:00.000-06:00

From the Aug. 20, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

In a lawsuit filed Aug. 2, DeLana Sattarin, graduate student of Sociology, alleges Dr. Peter Singelmann, professor of Sociology, used the N-word during a Jan. 18 class discussion in an effort to silence her.

Sattarin was unavailable for comment. Singelmann, in Mexico at press time, was contacted by the University News via email. He admitted using the N-word, but asserted it was in the context of class discussion.

"I cited the racial 'no-no' and some sexual vulgarities in class as illustrations of what in the USA is Constitutionally guaranteed under the right of free speech, in contrast to what people can get away with in other democratic countries," he said, adding that he learned of the lawsuit through email while abroad. "In no way did I suggest that this should be so. On the contrary, I used the extremes only to illustrate the comparatively and rather unique extreme ways in which Constitutional interpretations prevail in this country."

The incident occurred during Singelmann's Globalization and Developing Nations course. In a Jan. 30 letter to then-Vice Chancellor and Provost Bruce Bubacz, Sattarin stated that during the course of a discussion pertaining to free speech, Singelmann used the N-word three times.

"I have lost my enthusiasm for the class and plan to drop it," Sattarin said in the letter. "I cannot see myself paying for a class where I am being disrespected because I am Black and happen to be intelligent."

Grace Hernandez, director of Affirmative Action, conducted an investigation into the matter during the winter semester. According to an April 5 memorandum on the investigation, Sattarin requested a formal written apology from Singelmann as well as a verbal apology, a three strikes rule for professors with the third offense resulting in immediate termination, and a refund for the class.

According to the memorandum, Hernandez's investigation concluded that "Although it was evident that there was insensitivity on the part of Dr. Singelmann in his use of the 'N' word during a classroom discussion, this office could not substantiate [Sattarin's] claim of racial discrimination."

Hernandez recommended Sattarin be given a full written apology from Singelmann and a refund for the course, both of which she received. In addition, Hernandez recommended Singelmann be issued a letter of reprimand and attend sensitivity training.

"These were recommendations that were made based on a review of the matter by my office," Hernandez said Aug. 15. "When those decisions are made by my office, we look at under the law, what is race discrimination. Based on what happened that's how we make our assessment."

The lawsuit acknowledges that Sattarin received a written apology and refund, but claims the apology was insincere.

"I have hurt particularly one student and have apologized for this, but not for illustrating a point that I believe needs to be made," Singelmann said.

Hernandez said her office has no plans to reinvestigate the matter.

Sattarin's lawsuit claims she could not graduate in May as scheduled due to dropping Singelmann's class, and calls for a jury trial and for the University of Missouri Board of Curators and Singelmann provide compensatory and punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Deputy Chancellor for Diversity, Access and Equity, Dr. Karen Dace, said she did not believe the lawsuit would negatively affect the Memorandum of Understanding UMKC signed with the NAACP in April.

"One of the reasons that we signed the memorandum is that we know we need to be doing some work here," Dace said.

Op/Ed: Requirements Optional

2007-12-03T06:26:00.000-06:00

From the Aug. 20, 2007 issue of The University News

By Joshua Seiden
News Editor

The folks in Jefferson City sure have our best interests in mind.

In an act reeking of sheer altruism (sarcasm intended), the Missouri State Legislature passed a law geared toward placing more legislators in teaching positions. A summary of Section 173.475 of Senate Bill 389 states: "A public college or university shall not reject an applicant for a faculty position based solely on the lack of a graduate degree if the applicant has an undergraduate degree and has served at least eight years in the General Assembly." This overrides any current institutional requirements.

Nowhere in the text of the full bill is it stated that the undergraduate degree must come from an accredited institution. Technically, a legislator toting a diploma obtained from a now-defunct online degree mill has the same shot at a teaching position as a Ph.D. from an Ivy League school. It's a bit disheartening for those who made the sacrifices necessary to successfully complete a rigorous graduate program.

Legislators backing the bill cite real-world experience as their selling point. The bill's primary champion, St. Louis-area legislator Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake, was quoted in a July Associated Press report as saying, "The books don't teach about the influence of special interests. They don't teach about campaign contributions."

Green is partially right. My college algebra book didn't have much to say about campaigns and elections, nor did the required reading for British Literature II.

However, one of my Political Science professors assigned "The Interest Group Connection: Electioneering, Lobbying, and Policymaking in Washington," a book whose title is fairly self-explanatory. This was just one component of the empirical literature we explored in the course. Were Green to visit Amazon.com and enter "special interests"+"campaign contributions" into the search window, he would likely discover that such books do indeed exist.

The importance of employing educators with relevant field experience is not lost on me, but the legislators who pushed this bill are downright disingenuous on multiple fronts.

If they believe they are truly qualified to serve as educators, why do they need a law to find employment? After all, politicians (usually) must be adept at promoting themselves to get elected in the first place.

In addition, if one does not value formal education enough to complete their own, does he/she have any business educating others? If they truly wish to school us on the intricacies of politics, our legislators should push for more intensive internship programs, providing students with firsthand field experience.

Regarding the value of formal education, let's not forget that when the legislature disagreed with the subject matter of a professor's research, they slashed funding to our university. College campuses are traditionally the most inclusive marketplaces for the exchange of ideas and also serve as essential forums for discourse on the most divisive issues of society. Those who attempt to meddle with these primary functions of higher learning institutions compromise the integrity of academic freedom.

In an era of skyrocketing tuition and textbook costs, we would be much better served by elected officials who spent less time securing post-office employment and more time working to make college affordable to those of us who value higher education.

...you'll be missed

2007-05-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

Charles Nelson Reilly

January 13, 1931 - May 25, 2007

...NBA Playoffs

2007-04-22T16:36:00.000-05:00

NASH FOR MVP!

GO BULLS!

GO SUNS!

...recent headlines

2007-04-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

Careful, She Bites

My Eyes are Up Here

Just Give Them What Keith Richards is Having

Beware of Foaming Flagellants

He Wasn't the Only One Getting Blazed

...on a serious note

2007-04-17T02:00:00.000-05:00

Thoughts and prayers to each of those affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech University on Monday.

...recent headlines

2007-04-16T14:40:00.000-05:00

'Dominatrix Mom' Arrested on Prostitution Charge

Guard Busted for Bible Belting

Dirty, Old Man gets Community Service

That's a Sick Phone

Outsourcing Break-Ups

...just a thought

2007-04-16T01:28:00.000-05:00

You can offend some of the people all of the time, and you can offend all of the people some of the time. However, if you can manage to offend all of the people all of the time, then you're either:

a) an exceptional individual.

or

b) a total dick.

...gone, but not forgotten

2007-04-15T17:44:00.000-05:00

...a quotable

2007-04-15T16:47:00.000-05:00

The subject of this post is a quote from a good friend of mine. Here's how he describes himself:

"I'm tall, white and handsome. I wear glasses, not contacts. Used to have what some people affectionately call a 'chinstrap.' I do not anymore. I am not all that sarcastic. I enjoy all of these things: playing outside, taking photos, working (generally freelance design), going to the bars, clubs, concerts, sporting events. Or just sitting around, watching some tv, movies, whatever. Long walks on the beach. Sunsets. Puppies. Kittens. Talks about nothing and everything. Sleeping. Scrabble. That's all."

The following quote garnered him "Quote of the Week" status (according to me) for the week ending on St. Patrick's Day:

"I'm sorry. You guys can just go fuck my dog. Thank You."

- Nick Kroeker to the two door "men" and mustached rent-a-cop at Tanner's when he was denied reentry.

Be sure to visit Nick's homepage.

...just a thought

2007-04-14T03:29:00.000-05:00

You can be certain without being right. You can also be right without being certain. And, you, are certainly wrong.

...back to normal

2007-04-14T03:24:00.000-05:00

OK, so I got shelled in the Board of Trustees primary. Oh well, at least I didn't whore myself out to any self-interest groups/ glad hand the good 'ol boy network. Plus, I got to be on public access TV.

That said, expect a little more stank as far as my future blog postings go. Topics will include fantasy football, unbathed emo kids, the unprofessionalism of service industry "professionals," and of course, the perpetual odyssey that is life in JoCo.

Some postings will be long; some short. Most will be lame, but hopefully at least somewhat offensive.

BE SURE TO VOTE TUESDAY

2007-02-23T12:42:00.000-06:00

Hey, Everyone.

Looks like we're down to the wire. This Tuesday, Feb. 27 is the day to vote in the primary. Many polling stations have changed, so be sure to double check where you need to go to vote.

If you haven't had a chance to view the candidate forum, I strongly suggest giving it a look.

Other than that, I just want to thank all of you for the tremendously encouraging support you have given me throughout.

Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden

CANDIDATE VIEWS AND PRIORITIES

2007-02-22T15:10:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon.

Apparently, the vast majority of the local media did not deem it necessary to attend Tuesday night's JCCC Board of Trustees Candidate Forum.

Neither did the groups and organizations who chose to make endorsements prior to the event.

For those of you discerning individuals who wish to make an informed choice from the slate of candidates, I strongly suggest viewing the forum. It can be seen on Time Warner (Ch. 17) and Comcast (Ch. 22) at the times below.

Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden

Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

ENROLLMENT DROPS 1.3 PERCENT

2007-02-19T11:33:00.000-06:00

JCCC's spring '07 enrollment is 17,312, a 1.3 percent decrease from the spring '06 total of 17,546, according to a Feb. 19 JCCC press release.

While full-time enrollment increased by 71 students this spring, part-time enrollment decreased by 305 students. In the second semester of the long-awaited tuition payment plan, JCCC has seen a net decrease in enrollment compared with last spring. Though total credit hours enrolled saw a slight increase, JCCC is educating less students.

The numbers below clearly illustrate that a vast majority of JCCC's student body is comprised of part-time students. These recent statistics emphasize the necessity for an inclusive tuition payment plan; one that covers part-time students.

SPRING 2006
Full-Time: 5,789
Part-Time: 11,757
Total: 17,546

SPRING 2007
Full-Time: 5,860
Part-Time: 11,452
Total: 17,312

CANDIDATE FORUM ON FEB. 20TH

2007-02-15T15:27:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon.

There will be a Trustee candidate forum held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20th in the Polsky Theater in the Carlsen Center (formerly the Cultural Education Center) on the Johnson County Community College Campus.

For those of you who can't make it, the forum will be shown live on Time Warner channel 17 and Comcast channel 22. It can also be viewed online.

A big thanks to JCCC and the Johnson County League of Women Voters for sponsoring this forum. I hope to see you all there.

Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

2007-02-10T21:17:00.000-06:00

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QUESTION/ANSWER FOR THE OLATHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2007-02-10T16:15:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon.

Below, you will find a questionnaire I completed for the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. There will be a TV broadcast of candidate forums on local public access channels prior to the election. More details to follow.

Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden

1. Recognizing that taxes paid by county taxpayers to help fund the college is a significant issue for voters, where do you stand on the possibility of increasing the mill levy in future years?

Before altering the public funding JCCC receives, we must first take all necessary steps to ensure that we are maximizing our current budget. Currently, that is not happening. Current Board members have earmarked $835,000 of JCCC’s ’06-’07 budget for “Legal Services.” This is an increase of $735,000 from the previous year, or equal to the cost of 11,667 credit hours at the current resident rate. We need to remember that first and foremost we are a higher learning institution. We cannot continue sinking money into activities that do not enhance the educational experience for our students. That said, money should never be an obstacle to providing top-notch education to as many students as possible.

2. Are there new funding sources that can be explored outside of taxation and tuition to support the college and its programs?

We are fortunate at JCCC to bolster such a robust donor list. One responsibility of the Board of Trustees is to identify the needs of the college and relay those to our donors to ensure we are receiving what we truly need.

Beautiful buildings are nice, but right now we need to expand our student services and financial aid. Over the course of this academic year, nearly 4,400 students have been dropped from classes due to non-payment of tuition. This is absolutely unacceptable.

To determine our needs, there must always be open lines of communication with our top-notch faculty. After all, it is our diverse faculty who are most familiar with the needs of our unique students.

We must also form ties with area businesses for our career and vocational programs. This type of symbiotic relationship is key to our entire community, in that businesses willing to invest in the expansion of our programs will receive highly-educated and well-prepared contributors to the workforce.

3. What should JCCC’s role be in addressing the needs of the non-English speaking community?

Diversity is a primary component of any higher learning institution. Our college is here to serve the community and our non-English speaking neighbors are an integral part of our community as a whole. We must do the right thing, which is to address the needs of anyone who is here legally and wants to learn.

4. What are the three biggest challenges JCCC faces and what should be done to address them?

I have pinpointed three specific areas, each equally important:

- We must open the lines of communications between leadership and students, faculty and staff. This is the first step in restoring trust in our leadership. A college campus must be an open marketplace for ideas, driven by spirited discourse. Such has not been the case at JCCC, as only a select few have been allowed to espouse their opinions.

- Every student must be put in the best possible situation to be successful. We must immediately expand the tuition payment plan to include part-time students; a practice Kansas City Kansas Community College has engaged in for years. On the payment deadline for the spring semester, 2,378 students were dropped from classes while only 641 students were enrolled in the tuition payment plan. Currently, the plan is available only to full-time students. The average age for JCCC students is 26, indicating that we’re home to many non-traditional students who likely balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities with education. It’s fair to say that in most cases, these students do not enjoy a great deal of financial flexibility due to the bills an independent adult incurs. We owe them access to first-rate education.

- We need to remember that first and foremost we are a higher learning institution. We cannot continue sinking money into activities that do not enhance the educational experience for our students. For 2006-2007, $835,000 of the JCCC budget has been earmarked for “Legal Services,” up from $100,000 in 2005-2006. Was the Chuck Carlsen debacle a one-time occurrence, or is another costly calamity lurking around the corner? If mistakes have been made, those responsible must hold themselves accountable and step forward so that our community may press on. The Board must ensure that proper policy and procedures are being followed.

5. Are there any specific initiatives that you feel the Board of Trustees should take to strengthen the college, relationships, or involvement of the community?

The first step is to restore honesty and integrity to our leadership. Right now, much of our community has lost faith in those who run our institution. While there were tough decisions to be made, all that matters at the end of the day is whether or not the right decision was made. In many cases, the wrong decisions were made. If we reinvent the college as an open marketplace for ideas driven by spirited discourse, we will likely restore trust through soliciting the opinions of students, faculty, staff and citizens. With this type of climate, I fully believe that we can adequately address the needs of the community. As we’ve seen this past year, the current system is not serving our community and tax dollars are being grossly misappropriated.

6. Why do you want to serve on the JCCC Board of Trustees and what makes you especially qualified to do so?

During my time as editor-in-chief of JCCC's student newspaper, I filled an integral role in driving the only true on-campus news source. Though met with extreme resistance and lack of support on many fronts students, faculty and staff could always depend on unparalleled news content and opinion pieces known to inspire spirited discourse. During my brief stint as editor I covered such hot-button issues as institutional cronyism, the tuition payment plan, and our college's shortcomings in the area of diversity. Our content truly reflected the interests of our readers, which to me is a much greater accomplishment than any of the accolades collected by the paper as a whole or by myself. I had no fear of asserting my position as a dissenting voice then, nor do I now.

QUESTION/ANSWER

2007-02-06T14:29:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon.

The Kansas City Star's editorial board mailed questionaires to all candidates in order to decide who to endorse in the upcoming elections. Below, you will find the questions and my answers in their entirety.

Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden

First off, here is my campaign mission:

I have chosen to run for Trustee for the sole purpose of putting every student in the best possible position to be successful. My principle-driven opinion is not for sale and you can expect my utmost candor. I have declined all party support and campaign donations in this non-partisan election, so I am devoid of any conflicting interests. As I should be, I am beholden solely to the best interests of Johnson County Community College and our community as a whole. We like to say that learning comes first at JCCC and now is the time to ensure that it truly does.

1. Please list your experience in elective or appointive office, or as a candidate for public office. If you have been a candidate in the past, please list the offices you sought, the years and election outcomes.

In the past I have avoided campaigning for public office. I have only chosen to run for Trustee because I believe the insight attained during my time at JCCC would be a valuable asset to the college. I'm not looking for a stepping stone to future offices or for free access to possible business partners.

2. Why are you running for a seat on the board and what would be your top three priorities if elected?

In recent years, JCCC's leadership has failed to make itself visible and has stifled the voices of those with dissenting opinions. An issue I touched on as editor of the student paper - institutional cronyism - has run rampant. This has eliminated any system of checks and balance and led to dishonesty at the top. Here are my top three priorities, each equally important:

- We must open the lines of communications between leadership and students, faculty and staff. This is the first step in restoring trust in our leadership. A college campus must be an open marketplace for ideas, driven by spirited discourse. Such has not been the case at JCCC, as only a select few have been allowed to espouse their opinions.

- Every student must be put in the best possible situation to be successful. We must immediately expand the tuition payment plan to include part-time students; a practice Kansas City Kansas Community College has engaged in for years. On the payment deadline for the spring semester, 2,378 students were dropped from classes while only 641 students were enrolled in the tuition payment plan. Currently, the plan is available only to full-time students. The average age for JCCC students is 26, indicating that we’re home to many non-traditional students who likely balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities with education. It’s fair to say that in most cases, these students do not enjoy a great deal of financial flexibility due to the bills an independent adult incurs. We owe them access to first-rate education.

- We need to remember that first and foremost we are a higher learning institution. We cannot continue sinking money into activities that do not enhance the educational experience for our students. For 2006-2007, $835,000 of the JCCC budget has been earmarked for “Legal Services,” up from $100,000 in 2005-2006. Was the Chuck Carlsen debacle a one-time occurrence, or is another costly calamity lurking around the corner? If mistakes have been made, those responsible must hold themselves accountable and step forward so that our community may press on.

3. What have been your most significant accomplishments as a board member, civic leader or business or educational leader? Please be specific.

During my time as editor-in-chief of JCCC's student newspaper, I filled an integral role in driving the only true on-campus news source. Though met with extreme resistance and lack of support on many fronts students, faculty and staff could always depend on unparalleled news content and opinion pieces known to inspire spirited discourse. During my brief stint as editor I covered such hot-button issues as institutional cronyism, the tuition payment plan, and our college's shortcomings in the area of diversity. Our content truly reflected the interests of our readers, which to me is a much greater accomplishment than any of the accolades collected by the paper as a whole or by myself.

4. Did the departure of the former college president, Mr. Carlsen, have any impact on your decision to run for the board?

The only element that would have weighed heavier on my decision to run would have been if Carlsen had retained his position. Many integral members of the campus community expressed their disapproval of Carlsen to me. However, this was done in confidence due to various forms of intimidation that seemed to thrive on our campus. In speaking with Carlsen on numerous occasions, it was obvious that he was not used to being held accountable and felt no responsibility to carry out the duties of his position with the honesty and integrity our community deserves.

5. What steps would you take to repair some of the relationships with students and staff damaged by the board's handling of the Carlsen situation?

The first and most important step is to open the lines of communication on all levels. Our Board members must be visible and accessible to students, faculty and staff. We absolutely must solicit the opinions of those who work tirelessly to preserve our status as a first-rate higher learning institution. We must treat those individuals with the due respect and listen to their opinions, not just dismiss them.

6. What lessons should the college have learned from the Carlsen situation?

Never again can we allow the stewards of our tax and tuition dollars to put themselves before our college. No public official or employee can be allowed to operate outside of scrutiny and policy. What we are dealing with now is the result of a flawed/seemingly non-existent system of checks and balances.

7. What are the biggest challenges facing the college?

Righting the ship will be a challenge on several fronts. We must use extreme care and refrain from haste in selecting our next president. This is likely a 20-25 year commitment and due diligence must be served. A crystal clear job description must be put in place and adhered to from day one. The services we provide to students must be expanded, namely the tuition payment plan. Our rate of attrition is inexplicably high. It is inherently important that we retain and continue to recruit top-notch faculty. With communication and cooperation, we can restore trust in our leadership and reinvent ourselves as a progressive higher learning institution built on integrity and fueled by our commitment to our community.

8. Are there academic areas into which the college needs to expand?

Throughout this trying past year, our academic programs have continued to thrive. We should continue moving forward with our career and vocational programs while striving to enhance our transfer programs with area four-year institutions. Our students and our community would benefit greatly from a more expansive slate of transfer programs. Our leadership must pursue options to expand these programs.

9. What qualifications would you like to see in a new president?

Personally, I want someone who has thrived in pressure situations and served as a strong leader throughout potentially volatile situations. While this is a very public and high profile position, I want someone who is an educator rather than a politician. We need a candid individual with a passionate devotion to education.

10. Is the college receiving the right amount of funding, too much or too little? Would you recommend adjustments one way or the other?

Before increasing or reducing funding, we need to take each necessary step to ensure that we are maximizing our efficiency and utility with the money we currently have. Frankly, I do not believe we are doing so. That said, learning comes first and money should never be an obstacle to providing top-notch education.

11. What additional steps should the college take to assist the region's effort to become a bioscience leader?

This one of the many areas in which we must keep abreast of current trends and developing technology. It is our responsibility to recruit those currently in the field to teach and lecture at our college so that our students are adequately prepared to aid the progression of science. We are a publicly funded institution and must do our part to give back.

12. What is the role of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art? Should taxpayers subsidize art acquisitions and collections? If so, at what level?

Though museums are beautiful attractions to any campus and valuable gifts to any community, I view them as just that: gifts. I believe such endeavors should be funded entirely through voluntary contributions, completely independent of any tax dollars.

WHERE IMPROVEMENT MUST BEGIN

2007-02-04T16:07:00.000-06:00

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We Need a Forthright Board

For 2006-2007, $835,000 of the JCCC budget has been earmarked for “Legal Services,” up from $100,000 in 2005-2006. Was the Chuck Carlsen debacle a one-time occurrence, or is another costly calamity lurking around the corner?

If mistakes have been made, those responsible must hold themselves accountable and step forward so that our community may press on.

Our leaders at the college have the responsibility to be forthright with us. Openness and honesty are cornerstones to rebuilding trust in our leadership. We must demand that the stewards of our college tell us the truth, however damaging it may be to JCCC’s reputation.

We need to remember that first and foremost we are a higher learning institution. We cannot continue sinking money into activities that do not enhance the educational experience for our students.

No School for You

According to our college’s Strategic Plan, “The success of its students – in terms of helping them reach their goals – should be the college’s main objective.” It’s extremely difficult for our college to help students reach their goals if the students cannot afford school.

On the payment deadline for the spring semester, 2,378 students were dropped from classes while only 641 students were enrolled in the tuition payment plan. Currently, the plan is available only to full-time students.

We must immediately expand the tuition payment plan to include part-time students; a practice Kansas City Kansas Community College has engaged in for years.

The average age for JCCC students is 26, indicating that we’re home to many non-traditional students who likely balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities with education.

It’s fair to say that in most cases, these students do not enjoy a great deal of financial flexibility due to the bills an independent adult incurs. We owe them access to first-rate education.

MY "TO DO" LIST FOR JCCC

2007-01-21T22:04:00.000-06:00

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Put it on the Table

A college campus should be an open marketplace for ideas, driven by spirited discourse. Unfortunately, such has not been the case at our college. Students, faculty and staff should feel fully comfortable expressing their opinions with no fear of repercussion. If we are dedicated to being a progressive learning institution, we must demand the candor of our entire campus community.

Treat Our People Right

Our faculty is our most valuable resource. Without our fine professors, we would not have a college. We should never dismiss their concerns or attempt to silence their voices. If we are going to continue to retain and recruit top-notch faculty, we need to give our professors due respect.

Demand More of Our Leaders

Honesty and integrity on all levels are essential to our college’s duty to serve as a valuable staple of Northeast Kansas. This starts at the top. We need transparent and accessible leadership to avoid harmful debacles such as the one we have been dealing with for nearly a year now.

Get Our Priorities Straight

On our campus, there has been a lot of emphasis on whose name goes on which building. At the end of the day, the only name that matters is JCCC. We need to remember that our students are the top priority. When making decisions, the first question should always be: “How does this help the students?” We must put every student in the best possible position to be successful.

VOTE FOR SEIDEN

2007-01-13T22:50:00.000-06:00

Hey, Everyone.

I'm running for Trustee at Johnson County Community College. If you're registered to vote in JoCo, you can vote in this election. So far, I'm the only candidate with a true student perspective.

There will be a primary election on February 27. The general election is April 3. Let me know what's important to you as students, faculty, staff and citizens and be sure to vote me in. After all, I can't change anything unless I'm in office.

For information on where to vote or how to register, visit the Johnson County Election Office site.

Regards,
Joshua Seiden