Kent State Sick Of Media Blitz On May 4

Many people have grown tired of the media blitz that occurs once a year at Kent State University to commemorate the killing of four students by National Guardsmen.<P> <IMG SRC="http://images.ibsys.com/2001/0503/754081.jpg" WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="150" ALT="Dr. Gordon Vars" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="5" BORDER="0"> <P /> NewsChannel5's Barbara Meek reports that instead of focusing on the massacre, one group wants the attention shifted to what's been learned and what can be done.<P> <P /> Every year since May 4, 1970 has been a media event.<P> <P /> "It's been a burden for Kent State ever since 1970," retired educational consultant Dr. Gordon Vars (pictured, above) said.<P> <P /> It's been 31 years, and it's about time that May 4 is more than a day to relive, but a guide on how to live, Vars said.<P> <P /> "So people can learn from it and not just say, 'Oh, wasn't that awful?' and then go back to their business," he said.<P> <P /> Before the memorials, the library and the programs can make a deeper impact on people, Vars and his wife want them to make more sense.<P> <P /> For instance, at the parking lot where the four students were killed, the markers stand isolated. There's nothing to direct you to what else to see.<P> <P /> It's the same with the memorial, WEWS reports. Strangely, there are signs against skateboarding, but no signs signaling where else you can go. Even the brochure at the memorial site makes no mention that there's a May 4 room at the university library.<P> <P /> <IMG SRC="http://images.ibsys.com/2001/0503/754079.jpg" WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="150" ALT="Kent State memorial" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="5" BORDER="0"> <P /> Once you get to the library, there is still no directory or no signs pointing you to the May 4 resource room. There are also no signs that there are fabulous archives -- one-of-a-kind documents -- on the 12th floor.<P> <P /> The Varses said that it could be much easier to learn about May 4 and ultimately learn how to resolve issues peacefully. <P> <P /> "And then as a result of this information gathering, act upon it," Alice McVetty-Vars said. "Go home (and) do something."<P> <P /> But first, you have to find what you're looking for, WEWS reports.<P> <P /> The annual candlelight vigil will be held Thursday evening. Friday marks the 31st anniversary of the tragic shootings at Kent State. <P> <P /> <ibs_related type="links"> <B>Previous Stories:</B> <ul> <li>March 5, 2001: <A HREF="/news/stories/news-52351520010305-050317.html">Rhodes' Career Clouded In Controversy</A></li> <li>September 8, 1999: <A HREF="/news/stories/news-990908-054349.html">KSU: Dedication For May 4th Shootings</A></li> <li>May 4, 1999: <A HREF="/news/stories/news-990504-102856.html">Remembering The May 4th Shootings At Kent State</A></li> </ul> </ibs_related>