University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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OCTOBER 1941 9 up against abuses? Can we as students allow pro- fessors to be fired simply because they believe in so noble an ideal as that war is evil. If a man believes that war is evil under any circtunstances, should he be fired and deprived of the means of livelihood. It is time that the great sleeping giant,'the student body of the University of Kansas awoke and de- manded its rightsg those same rights which we may soon be called upon to defend with our lives. The gifts of freedom and democracy have been dropped in our laps. But these gifts, like all gifts, carry with them a responsibility which must be as- sumed in order to preserve the possession. Nothing worthwhile is enjoyed without giving. In the case of the preservation of our rights, the giving assumes the character of being alert to the maintenance of the creed of intellectual freedom. Support this creed and we cn preserve our mental integrity and our right to call ourselves possessors of a liberal education. The student body as a whole is also to be blamed. How can they sit in apathy and not rise up in arms at some of the action on the part of the University ofiicials. The University of Georgia recently was in an uproar in which the students protested en masse against the politics in the administration of the school. Perhaps we have not an identical problem, but if the student body does not remain alert similar evil conditions will arise. An alert and sober thinking student body has the right to know the reason behind administrational moves which affect it directly. And on the other hand, an administration which recognizes such rights has the right to demand an alert and sober minded student body. A democracy is built on a fundamental respect for man as a thinking individual, and we assume that a thinking student will be strong enough to follow his line of thought with action. The heritage is yours, you jayhawkers, our school has been blessed with this freedom which is essential to a liberal education . . . but you as students must assume the responsibility of preserving that freedom in order to enjoy such an education. We preach not for a militant mob clamoring at torchlight demonstrations. Rather do we prefer a group of students jealous of their rights to the extent that no moves of the administration which might result contrary to the student advantage may go by unquestioned. You have taken too many things lying down which may make for an undesirable situation in the future. You should rise up in protest to demand a free Kan- san . . . you should do all in your power to secure a footing for such worthwhile projects as the at- tempted Review which suffered so sudden a death. You should question any advance in the payment of activity fees. In short you should demand to know the cause and the result of each action taken by school officials which might reliect on your own economic situation or on your chances of securing a liberal education. Such action should be encouraged by the adminis- tration. A student body which is on its toes keeps an administration on its toes . . . and vice versa. Such a student body is as essential to a good Univer- sity as is the required democratic administration. These two desirable elements will combine to establish once more the University of Kansas as a citadel of intellectual freedom, a home of truly demo- cratic characteristics, and an educational plant which turns out excellent examples of intelligent and broad minded citizens. This is the aim of all educational institutions . . . or at least should be, and it is only in this way that the educational institution can fill a worthwhile part in the life of our nation. Our appeal is to the students as well as the faculty and is made with the noble ideal of a liberal educa- tion in mind. Can the University of Kansas answer the chal- lenge? If not, we no longer deserve to be called an educational institution. TIIE STUDENT DIAGAZINE. . . . IIECUIIDING CARIPUS LIFE, TRENDS AND 0I'INIONS AT TIIE UNIVERSITY 0F KANSAS AT LAWVRENCE, KANSAS

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OCTOBER 1941 11 Cn Becoming Jayhewlcers AYHAWKERIZATIONH of around 775 fresh- men neophytes each fall is no small task, but being one of those 775 to be ujayhawkerizedv is not easy either! Freshmen aren't as green as they used to be. They no longer believe the Student Union building to be a form of closed shop. They already know the A Cappela sings without a piano. No, the big problem isn't bleaching out the green in freshman, itis preaching in the spirit of Kansas! Many new students come here with some mighty false ideas about college life. It's quite a setback to some of them to find out college isn't all rah, rah! A great deal of that country club atmosphere went out either with the racoon coat or the beginning of the news reel. The jolt of the actual thing sets most freshmen to thinking. High school was never like this. Rush week was never like this. There's never been any- thing like this! University life is different, there is no question about that. It is for this reason that the University of Kansas has a freshmen orientation week-a week designed to help each new man during the change he goes through ON BECOMING A JAY- I-IAWKERY A feeling of affection for the old state U. gen- erally develops in a boy or girl even long before high school graduation. Maybe the folks went to K.U., maybe they went to Manhattang or perhaps the track team or high school band had been down for the Relays. Whatever the reason is, most stu- dents come here ready and willing to be trans- formed from a Podunk Piratel' into a Kansas Jay- hawker. To facilitate this transformation, every person on the Hill has a job to do. A propaganda war launched from the oflices of the registrar and men's student advisor opens up with a lively spring campaign. No less than twelve items, ranging all the way from self-addressed post cards to actual magazines, find their way during the course of the summer to each prospective student. The freshmen are encouraged to do everything from ZW lean Ummm being on time for meetings to buying their JAY- HAWKERS when they pay their fees. Time for arrival in Lawrence for the opening of school comes before the student realizes it. Packing for an around-the-world voyage has nothing on the packing the average freshman does to come to college. The neophyte's mind is a maze of uncertainty as he reaches Lawrence to begin his first big year in a real University. What will classes be like? Will the Chancelor like me? What will I say when I meet Helen Johnson? Will I feel out of place with- out a convertible? Needless to say, these questions aren't long unanswered. Men and women's rush week is the first big bombshell to burst over Mount Oread at the start of each school year. Freshmen boys drag out their National Honor Society pins and clear up their athlete's foot to make an impression. Freshmen girls drag out an old skirt, buy a new sweater, and pick out a pair of pearls. A source of fear and apprehension to most was the psychological examination required for entrance. I. Q.'s were given a good work-out in something like a four-hour session. The University administration believes in a gradual but firm preview to the horrors of finals. Physical examinations gave the freshman his first taste of the line If nothing else is learned at K.U., it is a certainty that the student learns the art of patience. Well, anyway, he learns to wait. The physical examination is trying, but necessary. Every- thing is expected, and everything inspected! Next on the program came registration in the basement of Frank Strong. There were lines again, even longer lines, but this time you had your clothes on. Instruction regarding neatness is always given, and the conscientious freshmen spend hours printing their card strings. Highlight and lowlight of regis- tration is having your picture taken. Everyone always resolves that next year he will be ready,' for the take, but next year never comes. A great deal of time is spent from here on out concealing your por- trait from the librarian and your classmates.