Section B·Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, March 9, 2000
Rock Chalk kicks off United Way's year
Show's revenue helps finance programs in Lawrence area
by Michael Sudhalter Kansan Correspondent
rock Chalk Revue is a highlight of the spring semester for many students, alumni and the United Way of Douglas County. The Rock Chalk Revue has been donating its ticket proceeds to the United Way of Douglas County, formerly known as the Lawrence United Fund, since 1983.
The United Way uses the donation to help provide funding for 29 service programs, including the Boys and Girls Club, Hospice care, the Rape Victim Survivors Service and the Big Brothers organization, said Jo Bryant, executive director for the United Way of Douglas County.
"Last year we gave a donation of $37,000, and we are expecting to raise between $35,000 and $40,000 this year," said Angie Bezdek, business manager for revue and Topeka senior.
"The Rock Chalk donation is the first and largest donation of the year for our organization, it is a huge kickoff event for us," said Bryant.
Bryant said the total donations in 1999 came to $1.34 million dollars for the Douglas County branch.
In addition to the Rock Chalk donation, the participating fraternities, sororities and other houses provide community service for organizations sponsored by the United Way.
"The amount of community service done is a competitive matter among groups participating," Bryant said.
Lillian Ruggles, Wichita senior, is the community service co-coordinator for Rock Chalk Revue. Ruggles coordinated community service projects for the groups and met with representatives every two weeks and kept a tally of hours worked.
This year participants contributed 28,000 hours of community service.
"All of the community service is done here in Douglas County." Rugles said.
The community service requirement was added in 1991. Ruggles provided assistance to groups that needed help deciding which community service projects to work on.
Rock Chalk Revue raises money for the United Way to conduct its programs and enacts those programs through community service.
"A lot of work that people don't know about goes into Rock Chalk. The donation that the show makes to United Way is a kickoff something they really count on," Bezdek said.
Play practice penalties go from pocket to charity
ay Brooke Hesler
Kansas Correspondent
While this year's Rock Chalk Revue may seem like all fun and games to the outsider, the men and women of the 10 Greek houses represented in the revue know better.
That's not to say that they don't have a good time at rehearsals. That's not to say they mind the cleanup after the production. But it's the fines that put a damper on some of the fun.
Marie Mossberger, executive director for Rock Chalk, is in charge of levying the fines. She said she didn't enjoy issuing fines anymore than the houses enjoyed receiving them.
"They (the cast and crew) know I have to do it, and they really don't complain too much about the fines because they know its for them," said Mossberger, a Leawood senior. "It's to keep them motivated."
Chalk participants have failed to clean the dressing rooms or rehearsal areas. However, Mossberger said that almost all of the fines imposed were a result of a certain percentage of cast members failing to show up to required practices. When more than 10 percent of the cast is absent, the chapter is assigned a $200 fine.
Cast members with tests, doctor appointments or work are excused from practice, Mossberger said. If members don't have an excuse, they are required to attend.
"It's pretty hard to get stuff done when we don't have all our cast there," said Max Carr, Beta Theta Pi member and Rock Chalk director. "Those people have to bear the cost of their actions, though."
Mossberger said the houses divided the fine among the people missing. Katie Eagan, Kappa Kappa Gamma member and Rock Chalk director, said once her chapter just barely had 10 percent of the cast missing. Eagan said that after the fine was split among
"It's pretty hard to get stuff done when we don't have all our cast there. Those people have to bear the cost of their actions, though."
Max Carr Rock Chalk director
the people missing, it came to $35 per person.
She said that the fine for chewing gum was a bit harsh. She also said she never had seen the rule enforced.
"I think most of the fines are justified, but $35 is a lot of money to a college student who usually doesn't have a lot of money to begin with," said Eagan, a Tulsa, Okla., junior.
Delta Gamma member and Rock Chalk director Jennifer Pittford had a different take on fines.
"Of course I think that some of the rules are uncalled for," Pittsford, a Houston junior, said. "The gum rule is pretty tough, but I understand that we have to keep the place we practice in clean. There's a reason for all of the fines, so I do understand why they exist."
The fines imposed during Rock Chalk rehearsals, which total about $2,000, go to United Way. However, Mossberger is quick to point out that is not the reason the fines were created.
"We don't do it for that reason. It's just kind of a bonus for United Way," she said. "The reason we do it is to make sure people show up and do what they're supposed to do."
Mossberger also said that all of the 10 participating houses had been assigned fines at least once. Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and Phi Delta Theta fraternity have been fined the least, Mossberger said. The pair has only been fined once for attendance reasons.
Focusing on ROCK CHALK ..And Wishing Good Luck to All Participants Come by and see our large selection of Greek merchandise
928 Mass.·843-0611
KU T-Shirts and Tank Tops Screen Printing Sew-on Letters Embroidery Greek Jewelry Party Favors Fitted Caps Custom-made Paddles Group Disounts
SPIRIT
935 Massachusetts • 749-5164
VISA AMERICAN EXPRESS DISCOVER MasterCard.
Know that you like the life sciences, and
· want to be a part of the health care team?
- want a degree that will help you in medical school?
Jer a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science at the University of Kansas.
- want to work in a research lab?
Sizeable scholarships for Kansas High School graduates are available for the $ 4^{th} $ year of the degree. Smaller scholarships are available for non-Kansas High School graduates.
CHECK IT OUT!!!
Web site: http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/med_tech/
e-mail: jgodwin@kumc.edu
Phone: (913) 588-5220
Delta Gamma and Beta "HOCUS FOCUS"
.G. and Beta would like to thank our cast, crew and everyone who helped to pull off our show. It's going to be a "magical" evening!
Good luck to the entire cast of Rock Chalk 2000.
ROCK CHALK REVUE
"Out of Focus"
ROCK CHALK of Focus"
Out of Focus"
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
R E V U E
Support your fellow students & the United Way of Douglas County.
Call SUA for tickets now! 864-3477