Leben leaves office amid praise, criticism
By MELISSA J. THOMPSON
Staff Writer
Steve Leeben will leave his position as student body president today with the knowledge that he will be a key player in our future.
He forget to send a birthday card to his nephew, Daniel, who was born nearly a year ago today while ballots that elected Leben to the presidential office were being counted.
Leben also leaves office with a food of praise and criticism about his performance during the past twelve weeks. Few of his critics or supporters are bewkern in their opinions.
Chris Caldwell, Overland Park senior and former Student Senate Treasurer, has worked closely with Leben this term. He said Leben was a strong leader—aggressive and determined.
That type of leader is a mixed blessing to any political body, he said, because a strong leader would have more political clashes and create more enemies. Although Leben had his share of political clashes,
-KANSAN-
Analysis
Caldwell said, he was not any less effective as president.
"I THINK Steve has good reason to look back and be proud."
One senator, Ed Duckers, Salina junior, said he thinks Leben would find only discontent and alienation among the Senate if he were to review the year's happenings.
"I think he's done a real good job of killing the Senate." Duckers said.
Duckers, a Nunemaker senator, said he thought Leben was not a strong leader but was just strong.
Because of Leben's personality, Duckers said, people become disenchanted with the Senate.
Leben's major downfall as president was that he
did not delegate responsibility to others. He did not want to work with people and he was paranoid of being in the spotlight.
JILL GRUBAUG, Fomenac, Mo., senior had known thelegen four years he has been at the University of Kansas. She admitted that perhaps she had not taken responsibility for her term. But trying too hard is no fault, she said.
Leben's critic, Grubbaugh said, were ignorant of the reasons behind many of his decisions. They simply did not see how hard he worked or how much he really cared, she said.
"It (the job) was hard on him not only from the standpoint of the workload—because that's hard on everybody," she said. "But Steve took a lot of heat that he didn't deserve."
She said some of the heat had been caused by press coverage of Leben's critics who had not talked with Leben about the problems before airing their feelings in the press.
BUT THE greatest criticism Leben has received concerns his lack of delegation of power.
Randy McKernan, Salina senior and a former senator who ran unsuccessfully for president last spring, said Leben had failed the prime test of leadership. He did not no-matter how hard he had worked on other things.
One relationship that showed this failure most surely was with Ralph Muny, student body vice president.
"I don't think Ralph had an open hand in anything that he wanted to do at all."
Leben's desire to do everything himself showed in his personality, McKernan said, to the point that he intimidated people if he did not get his way in matters.
LEBEN ACCEPTS the criticism of his performance as president with somewhat of a philosophical sigh. He admits that he should have been more candid in his response, dissolved some of the discontent among the senators.
but he maintains that they could also have sought involvement on their own.
His personality did come into the job, he said, but he does not think he could have done any worse a job.
"Ralph and I are still friends, he said
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
There were a number of things that I would go back and chanm if I could, but I still don't think it was worth it.
"I think I fell into all the traps that I could have taken," Lohen said. "I let all the aspects of my life come to the surface."
LEBEN expressed some regret that the relationship between Muyan and him was not closer.
"I don't think it came out until after the campaign the variety of issues on which Ralpa and I don't agree."
See LEBEN page three
He said that during the past year, issues had come up upon which the two had disagreed very strongly, but he said their disagreement was not because of
Vol. 88, No.94
KANSAN
Lawrence, Kansas
Thursday February 16,1978
Graduation planned for Memorial Stadium
By BRIAN SETTLE Staff Writer
Commencement exercises at the University of Kansas will be in Memorial Stadium this spring, Shirley Domer, assistant to the chancellor, said yesterday.
Officials had been working to keep graduation exercises at the stadium since December, when it was announced by Clyde Walker, athletic director, that extensive renovation might preclude any activities in the stadium.
DOMER SAID the decision to go ahead with commencement was made last week. He, before, behind him, could have assured that it would have liability insurance coverage in case parts of the stadium were damaged during the game.
"I'm very pleased we've been able to work out the insurance details." Walker said. "I've always thought we would be able to give the details to have graduation in the stadium."
Domer said work to replace the stadium seating would not be completed by commencement and no stadium setting would be used during the ceremony. Instead, she said she had organized an event where the playing field for guests, with the graduates to be seated in temporary bleachers.
"WE'RE FORTUNATE the timing of the different phases of the construction allows this event to take place." Demer said. "With a well-organized crew, the turf will be torn up the next week."
She said the plan that was decided on was one of two choices.
One alternative would have used a portion of stadium seating for spectators, she said. However, when it was learned that no part of the stadium seating could be used, the plan for seating on the playing field was adopted.
"Everybody was really cooperative, from the athletic department on down," she said.
THE RENOVATION project includes the stadium's concrete structure, replacing the old wooden benches with aluminum seating and new carpeted floor facilities and athletic dressing rooms.
Chancellor Archie R. Dykes said yesterday, "I recognize the importance of the tradition of graduates and faculty marching down the hill and the tradition of holding the graduation in the stadium. I am confident we can be continued in spite of the renovation work."
Specific seating arrangements, the location of the commencement platform and other details will be worked out between now and commencement, Dykes said.
Capsules
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
From the Associated Press, United Press International
Coal talks to resume
WASHINGTON—President Jimmy Carter's call for the immediate resumption of coal strike negotiations proved successful yesterday after defiant industry representatives agreed to a White House meeting with union leaders.
Although the 73-day strike is not threatening Carter's economic program yet, it could cause short-term damage to employment and production figures, administration economists said yesterday. See story page two.
Carter
Oil leak closes Alaskan pipeline
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—An oil leak east of here forced the shutdown of the $7.7 billion trans-Alaska pipeline yesterday afternoon, according to spokesmen for Alysca Pipeline Service Co. Initial details were sketchy, but federal agency officials said there was some indication of an explosion. A BFI spokesman said there was some indication of an explosion.
The leak was at a lowpoint in the line, the spokesman said, and oil was spilling uncontrolled at the rate of about two to three barrels a second.
Crews were airlifted to the scene and trying to control the spill, which officials estimated could total 20,000 barrels.
The pipeline service company said the cause was undetermined.
Arms sales protested
JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Menachem Begin yesterday bitterly protested the U.S. decision to sell war planes to Egypt and Saudi Arabia and said he would go to Washington next month to try to smooth over the growing quarrel between Israel and its chief ally and arms supplier, the United States.
Beain
Begin said he wanted President Jimmy Carter to reconsider the decision he made Tuesday night to send a message to Arabia because “it contains the promise of peace-making process and the belief that all people can be heard.”
Locally...
The Kansas Jayhawks emerged as the champions of Big Eight last night by defeating the Iowa State Cyclones, 80-70, in Allen Field House. Kansas won the Big Eight title outright when Nebraska, the Big Eight's second place team, beat Owens and the Kansas Wildcats. Owens' sixth and is Kansas' 37th in 71 years of membership in the old Missouri Valley. Big Six, Big Seven and now Big Eight conference. Last night's victory formula was typical of KU wins this year. Six players scored nine or more points, with John Doughues leading the way with 21. Darnell Valentine had 17, Timmy Webster had 16 and Paul Mokeski and Clint Johnson each chipped in nine for KU. See page 6.
Darrell Valentine, freshman guard, dribbles in Iowa State's Andrew Parker en route to two of his 17 points in the Jayhawks.
On the way
Staff Photo by RANDY OLSON
89-70 victory at Allen Field House. The victory, coupled with Nebraska's loss to Oklahoma, gave KU its first Big Eight chlammy.
975 cast votes in opening day of Senate races
Despite a personal illness and a small shortage of labor at some polls, Jill Grubaugh, Student Senate elections chairman, said yesterday's elections went "pretty well."
Voting began yesterday in Student Senate elections for class officers, Senate seats and student body president and vice president. The elections will continue today.
Records show that about 975 students voted at the 14 polling locations. The station receiving the heaviest turnout was on the fourth floor of Wescoe.
Grubbaugh also said that the committee had come to a decision about write-in candidates. She said that write-in votes for presidential candidates would be counted.
The question arose two days ago when a University Senate Code rule was found that said all executive candidates must file a declaration of intention to run.
Polls will be open today at:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Kansas Union lobby, Wesco Hall cafeteria, Jayhawk Boulevard information booth, the four Sumpfield Hall, and in Summerfield Hall, and in Learned Hall.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in McColum, Phi Delta Thaout, Daintith, Ellsworth, Joseph R. Pearson, GSP-Corbim, Delta Delta Delta, GSP-Delta Delta, Delta Theta Pi and Sigma Kappa.
To vote, students must have an identification card bearing a 1978 spring graduation seal.
Ballots will be counted tonight in the Hawk's Nest of the Union after the polls close. Graubaugh said he expected to have some results by 2 a.m. Friday.
- complaints about the elections and polling procedures will be accepted by the Senate
Financial aid deadline moved
The deadline for applications for student aid for the upcoming academic year has been postponed until Friday afternoon, Jeff Greenberg, president of Student Financial Aid, said yesterday.
The original deadline was yesterday, but because the University was closed Monday, the financial aid office asked for a postponement, he said.
"There are still students who are having trouble getting around because of the locks."
Zoning question stalls developers
By CAROL HUNTER
Staff Writer
Clinton Reservoir area developers were put on hold yesterday by a Douglas County Commission in need of funds to build the promised Clinton Parkway.
The commission took under advisement for one week four requests by developers for the project.
Commissioners expressed fear that if areas along the proposed parkway were zoned commercial, the county might have to pay land owners more for the parkway right-of-way. Commissioners need additional money to build the part-way because they learned last month that their land had risen from $8.5 million to $9.5 million.
THE PROPOSED parkway would be a 41-mile, four-lane highway with two bicycle paths. It would extend west from Iowa to Illinois and Missouri, where it will run through both city and county
land, will be paid for by 70 percent federal and 30 percent city and county funds.
Developers, however, said they thought a delay until the right-of-way was appraised.
"THE BASIC question is simply that there's a condensation coming up and someone's afraid that the price will go up vis-a-vis the right-of-way." Tom Murray, representative for Hank North, one of the developers, said.
All tracts that developers want zone commercial are crossed by parkway right-of-way. Three requests totaling 19 acres are for land at the intersection of the parkway and Dragstrip Road. The other request, for 36 acres, is for a tract west of Dragstrip Road.
Commission chairman Peter Whitenight
BECAUSE THE developers own the land, they could profit if the right-of-way price rose and if their land was commercially zoned.
said the commission had to consider the interests of Douglas County taxpayers. He said commercial zoning could triple the value of the right-of-way.
"THAT MAKES a hell of a difference when you're talking about the number of acres we're talking about," he said. "It may be that until such time as the negotiations for the right-of-way are completed we may have to wait on these items."
Appraisal of the county's portion of the right-of-way will be finished in March, but it may not be completed by director, and negotiations with landowners should be completed by July. If landowners and appraisers can't agree on a price, state appraisers will declare a price by Sep-
Developers contend, however, that the value of the land already has risen because the city-county planning guide designates a portion of the land for new development. The plan, the Clinton
Reservoir Area Mini-Comprehensive Plan
In 1974 as a guide in making
ganzin decisions.
WHITENIGHT said there was a difference between commercial designation in a plan and commercial zoning. A company may raise the value of the land, be said
By granting commercial zoning, however,
the increase in value would be definite, he
felt.
BUT GEORGE Oysterhand, chief appraisal of the Kansas Department of Transportation, which is appraising the right-of-way, seemed to agree with the landowners.
"Zoning in itself does not create value," he said. "Land is always appraised at its highest and best use regardless of what it's being used for now.
"If a piece of land had commercial value, if there was a demand for its commercial use, we would appraise it higher whether it had commercial zoning or not."