To the editor:

“Welcome, party animals!” Those were the first words I heard spoken by newly appointed Chancellor Hemenway; he was addressing his first new student convocation. It struck me at the time as a rather inappropriate introduction to university life, but perhaps I was just suffering from old-fashioned notions about universities being places of learning and their leaders being serious and respected preceptors, not buddies.

I may still be out of step with the times when I complain about the university initiating three “drunk bus” routes (two buses per route) for the weekend safety of these party animals (University Daily Kansan, Aug. 13); the routes cover the center city: Sixth to 25th streets, New Hampshire to Crestline. Three times an hour between 9 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday and again from 9 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, when Party Animal U. is in session. We, who live at a corner where buses must stop (and noisily start up again), will be reminded, as we are awakened, of this new and important function of the university, as will other residents along the routes.

There is a deep well of respect in Lawrence residents for their university, and it seems not unreasonable to expect to be shown some reciprocal respect; it would have been considerate of “gownies” to have consulted “townies” regarding routes and hours of operation. Had the map and schedule been timely published in the Journal-World instead of “privately” in the UDK, it might have generated some animated discussion.

Jean and Bill Mitchell,

Lawrence