Sidekick

Fri Dec 11 2009 17:09

I wonder why K-State wastes their time and resources clearing the stadium parking lot??????? Its so pointless, they could focus their energy elsewhere. Like clearing campus better!

Your name

Thu Dec 10 2009 11:49

Sorry ladies and gentlemen. High School is over for you. College doesn't cancel class because its not possible to make up classes when you're in the higher levels of dificult majors. I'm sure many people complaining are either fr or those in easy majors. People in higher levels of tough majors cannot afford to miss a class period (teachers and students. Administration made the correct decision.

Disappointed in Schulz

Wed Dec 9 2009 19:07

To seriously -

Professional women who are mothers are dominantly responsible for the childcare - for the childcare AND housework, actually. Women's "double shift" has been the focus of several scholarly studies; married professional women put far more hours toward feeding, tutoring, hugging and hauling the kids than do men. I stand by supposition that Schulz likely does not do the lioness's share of labor around kids, cooking, and laundry. It is the privilege that is attached to his position (his salary, his likely reliance on his wife to be the one who handles childcare, etc.) that I believe made it difficult for him to consider working moms, poor working moms in particular. Outside of how his privilege influences his decisions for the campus community, I do not care whether he and his wife split things 50/50 or not. But I do want him to see things from the perspective of those without such privilege. It matters. A university should be as wed to social justice as it is to education. They are not inseparable. Not in my book.

However, I believe he will see this kind of feedback and can change his approach so that such decisions are made in a more inclusive manner. Ideally, he will not make the decision about closing campus on his own. Ideally, he will be but one vote among a small group that includes exempt and non-exempt staff, students, and Facilities so that the decision reflects what KSU can do and what KSU should do.

seriously

Wed Dec 9 2009 18:04

Okay first of all this is obviously not the "first real decision-making situation the new administration has faced." That's one of the most absurd statements I've heard. IYou truly think that up until December 2009 they've made no other decisions, save for whether or not they would cancel class these two days?? And also President Schulz's wife is just as much of a professional as he is, look at her numerous accolades and accomplishments. It is not quite accurate to assume that she was the only one taking care of the kids while they were growing up. But your point about gender and class is well-taken.

Your name

Wed Dec 9 2009 15:14

Are you willing to risk your car or your life for class Lynn?

I'm not. I almost crashed several times yesterday because of poor road conditions, and I was driving as carefully as I could. I saw many cars lose control as well. Today was not that bad, but yesterday was flat out dangerous.

Disappointed in Schulz

Wed Dec 9 2009 15:13

Lynn and Northerner -

This isn't about whining or winter or roads. This is about class and gender. Keeping the largest employer in the city open when schools and day cares close means mothers - especially single mothers and working class mothers (who may also be women of color or immigrant women and thus even more disadvantaged in our deeply stratified society) - are losing precious days of pay or benefits that most men and certainly the president of the university are not losing under the same circumstances. The world did not present the same challenges to President Schulz, Lynn. So, again I say, this is not about whining or winter or roads. It's about social justice.

Lynn

Wed Dec 9 2009 14:42

Oh grow up! The world does not stop for a snow storm, if you felt you needed to stay home, stay home! How many people went sledding after class? If you are on staff and felt the need to stay home, that is what vacation is for. The world will present you with many challenges in this life, this was just one.

Northerner

Wed Dec 9 2009 14:34

Whiny Kansans. Yesterday/today was a typical winter day for those of us from MN, ND, WI, Canada... Yes, the plows suck in Manhattan, but the roads were similar to where I am from when we get a 9"+ snow dump and we rarely got snow-days.

I feel bad for those people who had children who didn't have school or care. But really, they probably shouldn't have gotten off in the first place either IMHO.

Ethan

Wed Dec 9 2009 12:41

Do we really need to form bureaucratic committees to come up with a new policy on this? If Fort Riley close, the FREAKING MILITARY, perhaps maybe we should be closing? It's common sense! No wonder the state withholds money from us, we're administered by incompetent boobs.

Disappointed also

Wed Dec 9 2009 12:04

I agree with all the above statements but want to add that even the State offices in Topeka are closed today. They had a lot less snow then we did here in Riley County. Safety of students, faculty, and staff should be first priority. It is easy not to worry about it when you live on-campus and do not have to drive around town. The ball was dropped on this one!!

Disappointed in Schulz

Wed Dec 9 2009 11:29

Here's the deal, in my opinion, the decision to close KSU is made by a man who in all likelihood was not responsible for childcare in his family and does not think to consider the childcare problems that result when every local school and most local childcare facilities close due to weather. He has probably always been able to rely on his wife to handle the childcare issues. Moreover, his class position has helped his family in these and other ways. If he misses a day of work to stay home with the kids - and I would hazard a guess that he has missed few days for that reason - he hasn't lost a day's pay or risked getting fired. Choosing not to close KSU under the circumstances of the last two days was a gendered, classed decision.

Given the lip service that our president has offered about the status of women on campus - and there is little doubt that the dilemma of childcare when schools close has disproportionately landed on women workers on campus - I am disappointed in his decision to keep campus open these last two days.

anonanon

Wed Dec 9 2009 09:37

Are you kidding me? I know it's close to the end of the semester, but editors, come on. Convenience*
And I agree that snow removal in Manhattan is terrible. Come on, Manhattan.

Anon

Wed Dec 9 2009 08:41

I feel the same way. If the city of Manhattan and K-State Facilities weren't absolutely horrible in completing snow removal within a timely period it wouldn't be so bad. I went out yesterday at noon, expecting the road to have been cleared since they had had about 6 hours and Manhattan is well, not that big. Anderson (an "emergency snow route") was messy, slippery and seemed like it hadn't even been treated with salt! Campus was exactly the same -- but after my classes (approx. 2PM) the roads were all clear.

Perhaps instead of spending their time and money (both from my sales tax contribution and my tuition) on frivolous things, the city or K-State could invest in a few real snow plows/salt placers instead of some pickup trucks with plow attachments. I think my campus privilege fee should cover being able to get to class SAFELY.

sss

Wed Dec 9 2009 07:48

The interviews are over. The get-to-know you socials are over. We've seen the cute little facebook entries. Now, in the first real decision-making situation the new administration has faced, they have blundered.