2A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WFDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26. 2005
a a / w u a e l n p n v C c c "
Gene Wee Reservations Coordinator, Kansas Union
How long have you been at the Union?
Since 1969.
What is the oddest or most interesting event that you have booked at the University?
What's a typical day like for you? Well it's pretty busy. The phone rings, people come in, just answer questions for what people want as far as their needs for rooms, whether it's a one-time meeting or a change in plans for something that's already been set, setting up major conferences. People from SUA may stop by for updates for their "Star Wars" laser tag event that's coming up, things like that.
There's so many of them. We had all-star wrestling in here. That was because the students wanted the Chicago Knockers mud wrestling squad, so we got all-star wrestling. We may have to come back to this one. We showed this movie "Hail Mary," and that was controversial. A lot of Catholics opposed its version, and so there were stink bombs thrown here. The next day the rotten egg smell was still here, and it took about six months to get it out.
What are some of the largest groups that have been at the Union?
Well, several years
What are some of the most common types of events that are held at the Union?
What happens in the evening are mostly student groups. They have class all day, so the weekly meetings are at night. Chapter meetings, Student Senate, religious groups,
special SUA events.
ago the biggest group was probably the Special Olympics meet. All the Special Olympics groups would have their fall event and then have their awards banquet, and that pretty much filled up the entire fifth floor. That was around 1,200 some people. Our largest room is the ballroom that fits 1,000 people. Other big events are the regular New Student Orientation, weddings, NCAA Cross Country Championships have their banquet here. We're set up to take care of the students.
crowd a room. Hopefully we want to try to get this all online at the union's Web site, www.union.ku.edu, where you can find any event and schedule things
What is your favorite KU tradition?
There's a lot. I just went to Late Night, and that has evolved so much. But clearly it's graduation. It's so unique, coming down the hill; it's just a celebration, parents, family, just a very festive time.
Chinese program to get a leg up
ADMINISTRATION
BY STEVE LYNN
slyn@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
Edited by Alison Peterson
Provost David Shulenburger signed a memorandum Monday in Beijing to explore establishing a Confucius Institute on the Edwards campus that could give students an edge on the Chinese language.
Jeff Weinberg, assistant to the chancellor, said the Confucius Institute would primarily sponsor kindergarten through 12th grade Chinese language instruction, which could help University students in the long term.
"To begin a language at that level is important," Weinberg said.
The University hopes to complete the agreement on Nov. 14
The agreement was signed by Shulenburger and Ma Jianfei of the National Office of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, representing the Ministry of Education.
when a delegation from China will visit the University for three days. The parties have not yet worked out how the institute will be financed.
The Chinese government is willing to put money into it and the University would have to put effort into it as far as room and space, Weinberg said.
Bill Tsutsui
The signing of the memorandum was one of many activities in which Shulenburger was engaged. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius led the delegation of about 50 Kansas officials.
Two Confucius Institutes have been opened at the University of Maryland and in Chicago. China plans to open 100 Confucius Institutes worldwide by 2010 to increase trade and tourism and to encourage a better understanding of Chinese language and culture.
Along with language instruction, the institute could also provide a headquarters for delegations to and from China, he said.
The future is all about China. Our kids are going to have to be prepared for China's impact on the global economy."
Discussions began last summer when Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Diana Carlin, dean of graduate and international students visited China, Bill Tsutsui said.
“T
Associate professor of history and director for the Kansas Consortium for Teaching about China
Tsutsui , associate professor of history and director for the Kansas Consortium for Teaching about Asia said the group would be working closely with the Confucius Institute.
Tsutsui said the institute would help existing teachers teach Chinese language, recruit new Chinese language teachers and get more schools to teach Chinese. The Chinese government realizes how difficult the language is and wants to help, he said.
"The future is all about China," Tsutsui said. "Our kids are going to have to be prepared for China's impact on the global economy."
The Confucius Institute would also work with East Asian Studies at the University to sponsor cultural events, Tsutsui said.
Yao Hui, Yiang, China graduate student, said that the Confucius Institute would benefit the region because people would understand China better. Hui teaches first and third year Chinese language courses.
SCIENCE
— Edited by Kellis Robinett
Students can Explore Evolution
BY TRAVIS ROBINETT
trobinett@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The new Explore Evolution exhibit at the KU Natural History Museum will inform the public about what evolution is, what drives it and why it is basic to science education. The exhibit will present evolution as the most unifying principle in evolutionary biology by covering an broad scope of topics, from HIV, single-celled organisms and flies to finches, whales, chimpanzees and humans.
Leonard Kristhalka, director of the museum since 1995, said, "you can't just take evolution and put it in a box separate from all other science. Once you start questioning evolution, you are questioning all of science."
But, he added that the exhibit is not a direct response to Kansas' science education policies.
nesota, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas.
Funded by a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the exhibit is the result of four years of planning among six natural history museums, the others being at the University of Michigan, University of Min-
"I will say, however, that the opening of the exhibit is timely," Kristalka said. "It's always nice when an exhibit is opening at a time when it's a hot topic of conversation."
Leonard Kristtalka, director of the Natural History Museum, explains the development of the new evolution display called Explore Evolution. Kristtalka hopes the exhibit will inform the public on what evolution is. He said that without evolution, scientists cannot understand the diversity of life.
Kristalka said evolution should not be, and was not, in conflict with anyone's personal beliefs — evolution might be an uncomfortable piece of knowledge, but without evolution the diversity of life would not be understood. He said many people thought humans could only be special if they were specially created.
"The fact that we share history with all life is humbling," he said. "But you are special, because we are
the only species who knows about our evolutionary history."
Bruce Sherting, director of exhibits, said evolution's story was a lot to tell and a challenge to get across. He said the University came in as a participant with Judy Diamond, associate director of the University of Nebraska State Museum, who did most of the research.
He said as the exhibit developed, those involved at the University would give feedback and Diamond would continue to work on it.
The space for the exhibit was
renovated about two and a half years ago. Sherting said the space wasn't useful before, but now the room has narrow exhibit cases lit by florescent lighting so it feels roomier.
Teresa MacDonald, director of education at the museum, said the exhibit offered educational programs for a more in-depth tour.
Explore Evolution will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tell us your news
Contact Austin Caster,
Jonathan Kealing.
Alai Winkawa, John Bickel,
Ty Beavers in film at
864-4810 or
@kansen.or.com
Kansas newcomer
111 Stucco-Print Hall
111 Stucco-Print Hall,
Lawrence, KS 60545
(785) 864-4810
MEDIA PARTNERS
NEWS
KUJH
For more news, turn
HIGH-TECH-
TV on Sunflower
Cablevision
Channel 31 in Lawrence. The
produced news airs at 5:30 p.m., 7:30
p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. every
Monday through Friday, to check
SUJH at www.tku.edu.
JKH is the student voice in radio, the school news is news, music, sports, talk shows and other content made for students,
by stalwart. Whether it's rock 'n roll or regale, sports or special events, JKHW 90.7 is for you.
Red Lyon Tavern
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4962) is published daily during the school year except Saturday, Sunday, fall break, spring break and exams. Weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Periodical postage is paid in Lawrence, KS 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $120 plus tax. Student subscriptions of are paid through the student activity fee. Postmaster: Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 119 StauFFER-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
944 Massachusetts 832-8228
ET CETERA
Need we say more?
...available for $12.95 at
Jayhawk Bookstore ..at the top of Naismith Hill voted Best Bookstore by KU Students 1420 Crescent Rd.
Schedule of free fall workshops available online at www.lib.ku.edu/instruction/workshops
4
Register on the web, by phone or email training@ku.edu or 864-0410 and get the skills you need.
Paid for by KU
1
.