lifestyles
The latest in 'lifting
New equipment at Robinson Center has some KU students wanting to pump up. Others, though, say the changes mean little.
By Jake Arnold
Matt Flickner / KANSAN
Matt Flickner / KANSAN
Charles Thomas, Wichita, junior, works out on the new exercise equipment at Robinson Center as Chris Hurst. Overland Park, junior waits for his turn.
Gar Welsch, Topea senior, takes advantage of the new weight-room equipment.
R
obinson Center is trying to muscle in on the competition.
Private workout facilities are stealing health-conscious students away from Robinson, luring them with promises of less wait to sweat. I have heard Robinson is so
"I have heard Robinson is so crowded." Holly Hopkins, Empo
ria junior, said while trying out another facility.
But the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation wants students like Hopkins back.
"We were concerned that students were paying to go elsewhere," said Wayne Osness, chair of the HPER department.
A year ago, the department did a survey of students' athletic needs and wants. Students' No.1 priority was that they wanted new and better equipment in the fitness center, Osness said.
"It is by far our highest usage area," he said.
Matt Fickner / KANSAN
The department took that to heart and purchased more than $40,000 worth of new workout equipment. The last time equipment was bought in 1980.
The purchase was made possible with funds such as those from towel and locker fees from student and faculty users.
The new equipment is made by Universal, the lowest
Because of the amount of equipment purchased, not all of it would fit in the two rooms. Some machines were placed in a nontraffic hallway around the weight room.
into the free-weight room. Most of the new equipment was placed in the room with the stationary bikes, stair climbers and other resistance machines.
But, Ossens foresees problems if the hallway is heavily used because of its narrow confines and its nearness to, and possible disturbance of, a physical laboratory.
If it should become a problem, the department has several back-up plans, such as putting the excess equipment in a racquetball court. Options like these are unattractive to the department because its budget won't
The hours of power
The unexpected bulk delayed the opening of the weight room by three days, but Osness said there were no complaints.
"The equipment took up more space than we thought." Osmess said.
When students can use the new weightlifting room at Robinson Center.
bidder for the contract.
Chris Hurst, Overland Park junior, builds his arm strength on one of new exercise machines while Charles Thomas. Wichita junior, watches.
Day Hours
Mondays- 6-8 a.m.
Thursdays 5 p.m.-midnight
Fridays 6-8 a.m.
12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sundays 1 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Onessed the old equipment was outdated but in good shape. The department decided to keep it in addition to the newly purchased equipment.
"It is state of the art." Osness said.
The older machines, used mostly by students working with free weights, were moved
allow for hiring an extra monitor
The gym's peak hours of use are 5-9 p.m.
However, the transformation is not yet complete because seven more pieces must be back-ordered and have not arrived yet. Universal will also give a seminar on the proper use of the equipment within the next two weeks.
The student jury is still out on the new equipment.
"There appears to be enough stuff to ease the crowding problem," said Any Shav
But crowding is not Robinson's only problem for students like Brendan McDonough, Wichita junior.
maker, Wichitajunior
"It is in a basement," he said. "There are no windows, it's a cave. Plus, parking is impossible."
McDonough and students like Alison Rothman, Cincinnati junior, prefer places like
Total Fitness Athletic Center, 2108 W. 27th St.
"Robinson smells," she said. "This place has a better atmosphere, and it is more convenient."
Martin Tuley, co-owner of Total Fitness, estimated that 30 percent of their customers were KU students.
Total Fitness is open 24 hours a day,and Tuley thinks that is one of their major selling points.
"Robinson is not accessible, and when it is, it is packed." Tuley said.
But Osmens hopes the department's efforts will lure students back.
"Robinson is a gold mine for students," Osness said. "They pay very little, and there is a lot of opportunity. We are hoping the students will come back."
And for Hopkins, the department's efforts may have paid off.
"Now that I know they have more equipment, I will try them," she said.
Many students think like Ericka Norwood, Lawrence junior, though.
"The new machines in the weight room are great," she said. "But working out is working out as long as you have access."
Fox is 'turning on the heat'
The Associated Press
Accusations and retorts abound as Fox and NBC duke it out over control of TV airwaves.
The occasion was the regular January gathering of the Television Critics Association, a forum for networks to showcase their new programs — and make their case against competitors.
All-American NBC, of course, is in the midst of an anti-Fox offensive, complaining to the Federal Communications Commission that Fox is hiding illegal foreign ownership behind its leader, Australian-turned-U.S.-citizen Rupert Murdoch.
PASADENA, Calif. — Even the sedate, silken atmosphere of the Ritz-Carillon Hotel couldn't help warring network executives muster civility.
Among the broadcasters, Fox Broadcasting Co. was particularly eager for a turn at the podium. And NBC breezily tried to wack Fox with it.
NBC wants the FCC to take action against Fox if Murdoch's company is found in violation of foreign investment rules — or it wants a "level playing field," Ohlmeyer said, giving other networks a shot at foreign investors.
"I think it says something about a person who would renounce his citizenship to buy some (TV) stations," said NBC West Coast President Don Ohlmeyer.
Fox is also playing fast and loose in other areas, NBC claims, such as bypassing its lack of a San Diego affiliate by broadcasting between the city and Tijuana, Mexico. Fox gained a federal waiver to do so.
"This is about competition in the marketplace," said Fox Television Chairman Chase Carey. "This isn't about regulations or anything else."
Aggressive Fox moves in the past year, including acquisition of NFL broadcasts and of new affiliates, provoked NBC's wrath, he said.
"It wasn't until we turned on the heat in the last 12 months and stepped up this competition that they started to cite all these regulatory factors," Carey argued.
Any FCC action against Murdoch's U.S. TV holdings, responsible for most of parent company News Corp.'s earnings growth in recent years, could seriously affect his profit base, the magazine said.
Besides running up lawyer's bills and raising questions about its future, the scrutiny comes at a time when the network is trying to focus attention on a victory: its ratings.
ABC remains the ratings leader so far this season in the 18-49 crowd.
In the quest for the coveted 18-49 viewing audience, the group favored by advertisers, Fox said it has posted a 10 percent increase
On other fronts, Fox can boast the kind of cult TV series that give a network cachet, including "Melrose Place" and "The X-Files."
Fox invited a comparison to its competitors' performance: ABC is down 4 percent among 18-49 viewers; struggling CBS has slid an alarming 17 percent and NBC has remained flat.
Fox also has signed series development deals with top producers David E. Kelley ("Chicago Hope" and "Picket Fences") and John Landis ("Dream On").
for the first 16 weeks of the 1994-95 season compared to last year.
The network has made painful missteps as well. Attempts to create some type of national news presence for Fox affiliates have floundered, and the sorry ghost of Chevy Chase's failed late-night show has yet to be vanquished by a new contender.
Fox also has a dominant children's lineup, including "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers," and made a respectable showing in its first year of NFL broadcasts.
Looming above it all is that irritating ownership challenge by NBC and, separately, from NAACP officials unhappy with Fox programming.
Granted, the network's ratings are impressive, a shiny new coat of paint on the Fox house. But like any property owner, Fox must know that having the deed in order is what really matters.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
People and places at the University of Kansas.
Cultural Calendar
EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES
Exhibition—The Imagination Workshop, 8 p.m. Saturday at Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan. Tickets are $16, $12, $8.
Fine Art Jewelry and Metalwork, Jan. 3-Feb. 7 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. 9th St.
Lecture-Photography, by Joel Sternfeld, 2 p.m. Saturday at Atkins Auditorium in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
Topeka Performing Arts Center presents "Guys and Dolls," 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Georgia Neesec Gray Performance Hall at the Topeka Performing Arts Center,214 S.E. Eighth St. Tickets $37.50, $30 and $22.50.
PERFORMANCES
Lawrence Arts Center presents Prairie Wind Dancers "New Works Concert," 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. 9th St. Tickets $5,$3.
KU Opera presents "H.M.S. Pinafore." 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Swarthout Recital Hall. Tickets $6 public, $3 students and senior citizens.
Dept. of Music and Dance presents Faculty Recital: Oread Baroque Ensemble, 7 p.m. Monday at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd.
Quality Hill Playhouse presents "Slightly Effeminate Men," 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday at 303 W. 10th St. Tickets $8, $10.
Missouri Repertory Theatre presents "Bartleby the Revenger: A Story of Wall Street," 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Studio 116 of the theatre, 4949 Cherry St. Tickets $7.
AUDITIONS
e
Lawrence Community Theatre will hold auditions for "Other People's Money" at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 and Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the Gladys Six Green Room at the Lawrence Community Theatre, 1501 New Hampshire St.