Tree limbs, waste oil to supplement energy plant
By MIKE THIESEN
Forests could be springing up near Lawrence, tree trimming could save the University of Kansas hundreds of dollars and waste oil may soon be put to use in heat buildings at KU.
All of these are being considered as supplementary sources of energy for a proposed traspowered heating and cooling plant at KU. The University also is awaiting the attorney general's approval to begin a feasibility study of the plant in order to research building funds from the Board of Regents.
William P. Smith, dean of the KU School of Engineering, said yesterday that the various sources of energy were being studied to supplement electricity for the war effort during demand periods, usually in the winter months.
THE PROPOSED STEAM plant will be powered by solid wastes which will be burned in the steam turbine. Students will study University to heat its buildings. The proposal for a solid waste steam generating incinerator was made by Smith after he foresaw problems that could arise with shortages and high prices of fossil fuels now available.
Max Lucas, chairman of KU's energy study task force, said that at today's costs, the University could save about $1.2 million a year with Smith's proposal.
Smith said that future shortages and higher
After investigating options, including a coal burning plant, Smith concluded that the trash-filled basin would not be adequate.
prices of fossil fuels likely would force the University to abandon its present steam generating plant.
THE REGENTS HAVE approved a contract with an Omaha firm to begin a feasibility study of Smith's plan to see if it can supply the future heating needs of the University.
Lucas said that the attorney general's office was reviewing the contract to see if it was in the proper form and was meeting with the other parties.
Lucas said that he expected no problems in getting the contract approved and that the attorney general's approval should come soon because the study was supposed to start May 1.
The study, by the Omaha firm of Henningson, Durham and Richardson, should last about four months. In September, the University will submit the report to the Regents to be considered by the state before the University requests initial funding of the plant in the 1978 fiscal budget. Lucas said.
ALTHOUGH THE IDEA of producing energy from trash isn't new and definitely unstretched, Smith said, his proposal for the University is somewhat unique.
"Most of the landmills in operation have been built to relieve sanitary plants. Ours is to satisfy steam pressure."
However, Smith's proposal also would have the
About 90,000 persons live in the proposed collection areas of Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. The three counties generate an average of about 168 million people, enough to exact the amount needed to meet KU's needs.
advantage that most of the plants do. Smith said he thought the KU plant would help solve the solid waste management problem in the tri-county area that would send its trash to the plant.
BUT SMITH SAID the University had a variable steam demand that peaked in the winter, when the flow of solid waste wasn't as constant as in the summer.
Smith said the existing plant could possibly be used to meet the demand when there wasn't enough trash, but he was still trying to find other options, such as compost and waste oil in the new plant's incinerator.
Smith stressed that the trees and waste oil would only be used to supplement the burning of trash in the incinerator. He said that during the summer, when there was an excess of trash, the plant would begin to burn some of the steam into electricity, which could make up for the cost of tree farms or buying waste oil.
Waste oil is becoming an environmental problem, according to Smith. It is being dumped in sewers and on the ground, causing damage to the environmental system.
SMITT SAID THAT waste oil, removed from automobiles and other internal combustion engines.
could be burned and supply as many BTUs as regular oil. A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat need to raise the temperature of one water degree Fahrenheit.
Although a system of collection will have to be worked out, Smith said, the waste oil will be much cheaper than the fuels used by the present KU plant. At an average cost of five cents a gallon, waste oil costs about $3 per cent of the cents, compared to 70 cents per million BTUs for oil, and $1.75 per million BTUs for oil, he said.
Another supplemental fuel being studied is the burning of wood in the plant's incinerator.
THE UNIVERSITY has received an $89,000 grant from the Ozarks Regional Commission to experiment with the use of fast-growing trees as an alternate fuel supply.
Smith said that 500 acres of fast-growing trees probably could supply the fuel needed by the University during peak periods. Only part of the trees would be used each year so there would always be trees ready to use and new trees to take the place of those used.
Gary Naughton, assistant state forester, is supervising the experiment through Kansas State University's forestry department. KU doesn't have a forestry department.
Smith said KU would use three or four test plots to experiment with different kinds of trees, such as cottonwoods, Siberian elms and black locusts, to see which grew the fastest. Smith said research would
be done to find the optimum density and the best harvest cycle
"I THINK OUR cycle will be about three years," Smith said.
As an example, Smith said, if the University had 500 acres of trees it would cut about 170 acres each year so that it could have a whole new crop every three years.
South said he was looking at three possible sites for the University tree farm. One a 300-400 acre site is on land owned by the City of Lawrence along the river. Another a 120-150 acre downstream from the Clinton Dam on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and another site is on land owned by the University at the Sunflower Ordinance Works.
Smith also said the plant could use tree trimmings that were now taken to the landfill.
TREE TRIMMING IN LAWRENCE could supply fuel equivalent to 100,000 gallons of oil each year, he said.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Smith said he thought Henningson, Durham and Richardson would find his proposal feasible for the
"The alternative is to build a coal plant," he said. Smith said the cost to construct a coal plant would be about the same as the $10-$12 million system he is proposing. But the savings would be greater with such-powered plant because of the high cost of coal, compared to the "free" garbage that could be burned.
KANSAN
Cigarette tax could rise
By JIM COBB
Consideration is expected today in the Kansas House of Representatives on a bill that would raise the state cigarette tax by one cent a pack.
Funds raised by the increased tax, expected to total about $2.4 million a year, might be used to develop new cancer programs at the KU Medical Center.
The bill was added to the House's calendar by a motion of State Rep. Lloyd Buzzi, R-Lawrence. It had previously been stricken from the calendar and had been expected to be sent to a summer interim study committee.
Wednesday, April 21, 1976
Historic buildings open Saturday for charity tour
BUZZI SAID YESTERDAY that today's concern, regardless of whether the House voted to pass or kill the bill, wouldn't change if passing such a tax either next or next.
That committee would have made an intensive study of the bill and would have presented recommendations to the 1977 legislature.
Buzzi, an advocate of the bill, has said in the past that there was considerable opposition to the increased tax, but that there was also a much tax now than earlier in the session.
Buzzi he planned to propose an amendment that would earmark most of the additional tax revenue for cancer research at the Med Center.
"Even if it loses tomorrow," Buzi said, "we won't lose our interim study. Its consideration might even enhance the chances for an interim study."
The bill had such provisions in its original form, but the Med Center sections were struck from the bill by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
BUZZI SAID THAT the Senate was opposed to earmarking the funds' use and that he would be cautious in writing the amendment.
The bill hasn't been discussed in the full
Administrator at Med Center to new position
"It's a change-of-pace opportunity," Feldmann said. "I'm going to be a part of Med Center affairs on a departmental basis."
By MARION ABARE
KANSAS CITY, Kan.—J. Howard Fieldman has resigned as associate vice chancellor for finance at KU Medical Center to pursue a position in Med Center radiology.
In his new position, Feldmann said, he will be administrative officer for the department.
His resignation becomes effective June 1
when he will begin his new duties.
See page 3
Feldmann said he would leave the administrative arm of the College of Health, and leave his office.
Feldmann holds a masters degree in accounting from the University of Missouri at Columbia and is a certified public accountant.
He has worked in finances for 18 years, where he began as comptroller at the Med Center F.1, 1968. About 10 years ago, he said, he switched to the budgetary end of the company to become associate vice chancellor for finances about one and one-half years ago.
Keith L. Nitcher, vice chancellor for business affairs, couldn't be reached for comment. No successor to Feldmann has been named.
House before today, Buzzi said. Although he
im not opposed to sending the proposal to
the study committee, he said, he preferred
immediate passage.
"We need to be getting the money, we need to be saving lives and building a great cancer research program here in Kansas," Buzi said.
Robert B. Kugel, executive vice chancellor for the Med Center, said he was in favor of labeling the funds for the Med Center's $27 million investment in sedication would be given to the bill today.
"THERE IS SO much that needs to be
done in cancer research and we have some very good people here to do that work," he said. "We're all ready to take advantage of this."
Buzzi said that if the bill passed, about 90 per cent of additional revenues might be given to the Med Center. The bill doesn't pass, Buzzi said, he hopes it will go to a summer study committee and pass next year in the legislature.
Commission debates Teamsters' contract
Kugel said he would be "delighted" if the measure passed.
"I sincerely hope we'll be able to crash it through," he said.
By JANET SCHMIDT Staff Writers
Paying fair wages and providing good working conditions for public employees without negotiating a labor union contract in the night by the Lawrence City Commission.
Solving grievances of city workers was included on a list of projects the commission said it intended to complete during the year. The commission also;
-Approved a resolution to appropriate land in a park and new baseball diamonds.
Signed the Bicentennial Wagon Train
Pirmature Scroll presented by the
[Bicentennial Wagon Train]
- Delayed action on the authorizing of stop signs at 15th and Barker-Connecticut highways.
Mayor Fred Pence said that he agreed and that the commission had made every effort to find solutions that were satisfactory to the workers.
CITY MANAGER Buford Watson formally announced to the commission that he had received a letter from Truck Driver Local Union (Teamsters) No. 968 in Topeka stating that Lawrence public employees had affiliated with the Teamsters Union. Emily Water, writer, water, parks and recreation departments affiliated last week with the union.
"There must be some middle ground between having the Teamsmasters and saying it is a bad thing."
About possible unionization, Commission Barkley Barkley said, "I would like to believe that our emphasis should remain on problem solving and not on recognition.
Commissioner Carl Mibke said he was in favor of recognizing a local union of employees but that he wouldn't support the Teamsters.
"They said recognition wasn't even an issue, Pence said. "It's all a bunge of stuff."
"I DON'T THINK that recognition of a local group is a bad thing or that negotiation is an expensive task."
"I think we've made a good start on it, we should continue our efforts for paying fair wages and providing good working conditions."
The city had appraised the land several years ago and made an offer to the owner of the property. He refused the offer because it cost more than what he wanted to sell it for. Walson said.
Commissioner Donald Binns said recognizing a local union was no longer an option.
THE COMMISSION also authorized condemnation of private property on Lyon St. in North Lawrence to appropriate the land for use as a city park.
Binns said he would approve condemnation only if an effort were made to
talk to the owner and make another offer on the property.
The commission voted 6-9 to accept the resolution of condemnation with Binsn
The city plans to build new baseball diamonds in the park.
THE COMMISSION agreed to Bimn's recommendation that a study be made of the need for stop signs at 15th and Barker, Connecticut, 19th and Barker, and a continuing enforcemental authorizing the installation of the stop signs was presented to the commission.
"Every other city in the country is making an effort to keep the traffic flowing and here we are erecting stop signs everywhere to stoll it." Bims said.
THE BICENTENNIAL Wagon Train Pilgrimage Scroll was presented to the commissioners for signing by Clence Hills of the Lawrence Bicentennial Commission.
New editors are selected
Jim Bates, Great Bend senior, will be editor of the summer Kansas. Carol Stallard, Onaga junior, will be summer business manager.
Debbie Gump, Oksaloa senior, was selected yesterday by the Kansas Board to be editor of the fall Kansan. She is also the vice president, was sctected fall business manager.
Kala Mays Stroup's internship for Chancellor Archie R. Dykes ends June 1
By DEBIMORROW
Internship rewarding for Stroup
Staff Writer
Kala Mays Stroup is concluding her year as an intern for Cancellor Archie R. Dykes, a year that she says has been "unique and valuable."
At the same time, Stroup said yesterday,
she was looking forward to returning to her
duties as dean of women when the intern-
ship ends June 1.
"I think I'll do a better job in the dean of women's office," she said, "because now I understand the University administration process better."
Stroup, an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow in Academic Administration, also has worked in the past [del] Shankel, executive vice chancellor.
SHE HAS WORKED under with Dyken and Shankel under the "mentor" system to develop the tech.
everywhere with them," attending
happening with decisions and
solving problems.
Throughout the year, Stroup said she had participated on many committees, met with the Board of Regents, chaired KU's Parent's Day, done research for Dykes and Shankel and followed the budget process through every stage.
"The budget is a year-long process," she said, and "you have to justify needs much earlier."
She said most people working with the budget were reasonable and tried to unedict it.
"I HAVEN'T BEEN a passive member of the administration." Stroup said. "Dykes and Shankel have made it possible for me to participate as a regular member."
"I really couldn't list all that I've done. They (Lyries and Shankle) allowed me to do it," she said.
Social Welfare seeks new dean
Rv.JERRY SEIR
Staff Writer
The search for a new dean for the School of Social Welfare will begin today, when the school's faculty nominates members for a search committee.
The search committee will screen possible replacements for Theodore Ernst, who has resigned the dean's post effective to begin full-time teaching and research.
Ron Calgaard, vice chancellor for academic affairs, met yesterday with the school's faculty to discuss the search procedure.
Calgaard said after the meeting that the search committee would make an intensive effort in its first weeks of existence to decide whether the search should be an internal one limited to candidates from KU, and whether candidates would be considered for the job.
The committee will spend a few weeks
discussing outside candidates. Calgaard said he would then consult with the committee to decide whether the remainder of the search would be internal or external.
"I think if we decide to conduct an internal search, we can make the appointment of a new dean by the end of the year," Calgaur said.
Calgaard said faculty members expressed a variety of views on the internal versus external search question during experiment.
"I do have preference to name a new dean as soon as possible." Calgard said. "I will do so."
To properly conduct an external search would take longer, he said, and an external search would make it necessary to name an employee to serve until all candidates are considered.
An acting dean will have full power, Calgaird said, and selection of an acting dean wouldn't interfere with the progress of any of the school's programs.
Ernst said last night the search committee would consist of five or six School of Law students, three students, one representative from outside the University and one representative from inside the University.
Ernst said he would meet soon with students in the School of Social Welfare to nominate students to serve on the committee.
Calgard will make final selection of a new dean after the search committee has narrowed the choice to three or four cannery firms. A letter of approval by Chancellor Archie R. Dykes.
Faculty of the school will vote for nominees for the faculty seats on the search committee. The faculty's choices will then be submitted to Calgair, who selects the
ticipate in every part of the University I've had an interest in.
It has given me more confidence in my abilities and beliefs. The whole experience
And although Stroup has been the only coman in a predominately male area, she seems to be one of the few.
"I've had no problems here, but there are relatively few women in administrative positions," she said. "It's not that women have to see what they do, or that to seeing women in decision-making roles.
"WE HAVE MANY capable women administrators on this campus. They may not be visible but they are here. History simply has no models for women to follow."
She said that the dean of women's office and the University were coping with the problem by sponsoring women and other minorities in administrative programs.
"These people may not be able to get this experience anywhere else," she said, noting that this was one area she had looked into this nast year.
She said she now had a different view of the dean of women's office and was more comfortable there.
"I have a greater appreciation of the contact that office has with prospective, present and past students," she said. "The students tend to be remembered later on."
IN ADDITION TO her work with KU,
Stroup was the coordinator for federal
program Title III for St. Mary College in
Baltimore and Donnelley College in
Kansas City.
She said that was one of ACE's main purposes for the intern program. She said the program was also to develop leadership qualities.
STROUP WAS ALSO required by ACE to write position and analytical papers on important questions in university ad- ducations. We attend three one-week seminars, she said.
She will attend her last semester in May in Washington, D.C. She has attended graduate school and is a faculty member.