The University News » Archive
The virtues of U.S. citizenship
While the U.S. Congress is embroiled in a heated debate to find an acceptable compromise on decades-long, elusive comprehensive immigration reform, ordinary Americans wonder: Just what does it take for an alien immigrant to attain citizenship? On April 11, 59 immigrants from 38 countries took the solemn oath of allegiance to the flag of United States before a judge of the federal court of the Western District of Missouri. I was among the newly inaugurated American citizens. On this chilly Thursday morning, close to 300 immigrants converged on 9th Street, the Court’s premises, anxiously waiting to witness the initiation rituals of their relatives. Parking spaces were gone by 8:00. Young, middle-aged and the elderly were already lining up at the security desk, ready to assemble in a large hall where the process was … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
The promising future of solar energy
Solar power systems have come a long way since 1839, when Alexandre Edmond Becquerel observed the photovoltaic effect via an electrode in a conductive solution exposed to light. Solar energy, the radiant light and heat from the sun, is harnessed and used in various forms. They include solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis which can make considerable contributions to solving some of the most urgent energy problems the world now faces. Twenty years ago, it was clear solar power wasn’t going to get anywhere by itself. Photovoltaic panels were expensive and inefficient. Even solar systems designed to heat water, a far less technologically tricky task, were bad buys on the open market. Producing electricity from sunlight cost 10 times more than generating power using coal or nuclear energy. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Terror in the media
The tragedy that beset the city of Boston a week ago Monday, when two bombs were denoted near the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon, killing three people, including a young boy, will leave a scar on the city and country for a long time to come. Watching Diane Sawyer on ABC News that afternoon, I watched a particularly disturbing exchange take place between her and a reporter on the scene in Boston. For several minutes the two went back and forth, defining and redefining the terms “terror” and “terrorism” and if the events in Boston, not yet even 12 hours old, could be called an “act of terror.” The two eventually concluded the details fit inside the parameters of the definition they’d come up with and that, yes, it was … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
‘Number One’ magazine brings change to spring issue
“Number One” continues to showcase the best work that UMKC’s creative students have to offer with its latest issue released early April. “Number One” publishes a range of creative work by students, including poetry, fiction, short plays, creative non-fiction and artwork of various mediums. “We’re very much open to what any artist or author has to offer us,” said Nicholas Sawin, co-editor-in-chief. “We can take a lot of risks,” he added, noting that the magazine is “for the students, by the students.” Sawin, a third-year MFA student studying fiction and playwriting, graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in English and journalism. “It takes a lot to get this out,” he said. To ensure there would be enough material, Sawin and other staff members solicited submissions by setting up promotional tables, visiting writing … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Say ‘goodbye’ to traffic lights with driverless cars
Traffic lights could soon become history due to a new software system that aims to automate the movement of vehicles at road intersections. “The idea is not a driverless car. Driverless cars take away the fun of driving. The main objective is to improve traffic flow inside the city and do away with the traffic lights because they are expensive to maintain,” said Vijay Kumar, professor of computer science and electrical engineering. Kumar first learned of sensor technology during a workshop in London, and he said he was intrigued by the possibilities it offered. The foundation of the idea comes from the “ambiguity effect.” According to Kumar and his graduate assistant Amol Khedkar, drivers face the “ambiguity effect,” a cognitive bias where decision making is affected by a lack of information or ambiguity. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Chancellor strives to promote diverse
“‘To celebrate diversity in all aspects of university life’ is goal number five in the overall university-wide Strategic Plan at UMKC,” said Marsha Pyle, Dean of School of Dentistry and Director of Counseling Marita Barkis. A strategic plan is the overall achievements a university hopes to accomplish in a specific duration of time. UMKC’S 10-year strategic plan is “to lead in life and health sciences; to deepen and expand strength in visual and performing arts; to develop a professional workforce and collaborate in urban issues; and to create a vibrant learning and campus environment.” This is the first specific plan of diversity the university has put together, although it has been underway since 2011. Chancellor Leo E. Morton initiated the steps toward broadening diversity with a Diversity Counsel. Some of the efforts taken were … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Dining Hall leads list
With almost ten different restaurants on campus for students to eat, take a break, or socialize, there are five certain places the majority of students go, according to JP Singh, UMKC’s dining service general manager. The UMKC Dining Hall, located on the first floor of the Student Success Center, is the most used food facility on campus. Singh believes this is because of how convenient the dining hall is with its decently priced buffet. It also might be most popular because the dining fee is covered by the UMKC financial aid meal plan. Stacey Branson, freshman communication studies major, regularly eats at the dining hall because of her financial aid meal plan. Financial aid does not stop Chick-fil-A, located on the second floor of the Student Union, from coming in second place. This … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Denim Day raises awareness for victims of sexual assault
Denim Day USA is a day to wear jeans as a protest against sexual violence. It was started in 1999 as a result of an overturned conviction in Italy where an appeals court judge ultimately ruled a 16-year-old student had consented to her alleged rapist, her driving instructor, because of her tight jeans. “We encourage everyone in the UMKC community to wear jeans on April 24 to show solidarity for survivors of sexual violence,” said Kelly Rifenbark, UMKC Violence Prevention Coordinator, who is in charge of this year’s Denim Day event. Denim Day has been observed worldwide and by UMKC for the past five years. “I hope students will gain an awareness of their personal misconceptions of why sexual violence occurs and decide to challenge their beliefs,” Rifenbark said. “The passive educational event allows … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Job hunting sucks, whore yourself’
In May, I will leave UMKC for hopefully greener pastures, but more likely very desperate, underpaid pastures. I’ll be graduating with an English degree. If you’re like me, you’re unimaginably bothered by the language you see other people using to market themselves on career sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed. It’s not that I don’t know what I want to do. I know exactly what I want to do. But being an editor at a literary magazine is not an entry level position. So, I’m resigned to searching jobs online that have even an inkling of connection to my major. I’ve made my profiles on career sites by posting a flattering, conservative photo of myself, answering questions about my past jobs, what “skills” I believe I have to offer and posting my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
U.S. double standard insults other countries
What would be the reaction if a politician facing international charges of crimes against humanity offered himself for president? There would definitely be a public outcry, and neither the Republicans nor Democrats would entertain such a pariah. Yet a similar scenario has been endorsed by a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer. She has been agitating for a change of foreign policy by the Obama administration, encouraging its cooperation with two individuals facing crimes against humanity charges by the International Criminal Court. These charges include rape, murder and forceful eviction of civilians. Frazer, who was George W. Bush’s top diplomat for Africa, has criticized the Obama administration for taking a hard-line stance against Kenya’s controversial elections of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto as president and deputy president, respectively. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
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