Kansas University has taken a number of public relations lumps of late for various academic, athletic and social events, and a good deal of the criticism from the general public has been fully justified.

But we need to avoid getting so carried away with the “bad apples” that we forget the university’s “barrel” of benefit and outreach in so many categories. While some individuals on or about The Hill draw fire, there are hundreds of others who each day contribute to the gains of the school, the community and the state in countless ways. One need not look hard to note how much Lawrence, in particular, gains from the university and its actions.

It might seem like a little thing, but take into account the way the university and its people make it so easy for older citizens to share in its culture and outreach. A number of teachers at KU regularly allow older and nonenrolled residents to “sit in” or audit their classes at great enrichment. Teachers need to be contacted in advance, and there are times when having someone audit a class wouldn’t be appropriate because there is not enough room or because the subject matter is so specialized and requires smaller, seminar-type arrangements.

But more often than not, a KU teacher will do everything possible to allow visitors, particularly older ones, to share in what they have to offer. There are certain restrictions, as mentioned, but there also are many openings and many visitors have benefited in many ways from those experiences.

Too often in the various controversies involving KU and its people, we tend to overlook the ongoing benefits that the school creates, nurtures and maintains.

Just imagine what kind of community Lawrence might be without KU and the countless good people who make it the outstanding entity it is for the town, the state and the nation.