Thursday, February 10. 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Senators nix blood drive ads
Finance chair alleges sexual discrimination
By Erinn R. Barcomb
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A bill that would have paid for advertising for the Spring 2000 American Red Cross Blood Drive was declared out of order by Aravind Muthukrishnan, Senate Finance Committee chairman, on the basis that it violated a Student Senate law prohibiting the use of Senate funds to facilitate discrimination.
At last night's meeting, some committee members said they thought the blood drive discriminated against homosexuals because donors are asked questions that single out men who have had sex with other men.
Bob Arpke, All Scholarship Hall Council
blood drive chair, said KU students were forced to adhere to the Red Cross's questions, as mandated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Moreover, Arpke said the other group which sponsors blood drives, Kansas Blood Services, already does a drive with KUAC.
Supporters of financing advertising in the University Daily Kansan argued that a blood shortage in Lawrence made the drive's success especially important.
k. J. Woodring, Nunemaker senator, sponsored the bill. He said the issue was with the quality of the blood, not the quality of the person.
"We're going to punish students who want to have a blood drive and help out locally," he said.
Some committee members, such as Erin Simpson, liberal arts and sciences senator, argued that supporting the Red Cross perpetuated the discrimination of homosexuals and reinforced negative stereotypes.
Lisa Braun, holder senator against the bill, said Student Senate needed to send a message.
"You start at the little things to stop discrimination," she said.
Muthukrishnan defended his decision, saying that while the blood drive was a good thing, it did facilitate discrimination.
"The University of Kansas has had a long history and tradition to make sure there isn't discrimination based on sexual orientation," he said. "A stand needs to be taken somewhere."
Muthukrishnan's decision was upheld 10-8.
Arpke said he was not surprised by the response, because of a similar instance last semester when a bill passed as long as a subcommittee was formed to examine the discrimination issue further.
Jason Thompson, Student Rights chairman, said that after the subcommittee spoke with the regional Red Cross and FDA, members
saw no reason to change the questions asked.
"They don't want people with mad cow disease giving blood," Thompson said. "As far as any sexual practices, they are uneasy about changing anything with sexual orientation."
Arpke said he would work with Senate to try again to get advertising financed before the March blood drive. If not in the Kansan, they would advertise through living groups, making it harder to reach students living off campus.
In other Senate news:
A bill that would have financed a speaker on science and religion on behalf of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship failed in University Affairs.
A bill to finance a comprehensive survey of student opinion for use by Student Senate passed in Finance.
A resolution to condemn the Board of Regents tuition hike passed in University Affairs.
KU celebrates school exchange
By Doug Pacey
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The celebration of the oldest-surviving university exchange in the Western Hemisphere ended yesterday.
The University of Kansas and the University of Costa Rica have had an official exchange policy for more than 40 years.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway and other Kansas faculty members have been in San Jose to take part in the three-day celebration.
"We've had an official exchange of faculty, research and students with the University of Costa Rica for more than 40 years," said Mary Jane Dunlap, public information writer for University Relations.
reasons.
Though the official exchange has taken place for more than 40 years, unofficial exchanges have been taking place for at least 50 years, said Charles Stansifer, professor of history.
Documented records report that exchanges began as early as 1946 when E. Raymond Hall, a scientist at KU's
Natural History Museum, and Ruben Torres Rojas, a scientist at Costa Rica's Natural History Museum, made an agreement to share faculty expertise.
The formal exchange began in December 1958 when then-Chancellor Frank Murphy and then-University of
Costa Rica Rector Rodrigo Facio signed the agreement.
The exchange allows students from both countries to attend college at a special rate, Dunlap said. There are no in-state or out-of-state tuition costs.
There are eight KU students studying at the University of Costa Rica through the KU program, but
Hemenway: traveled to Costa Rica
40 students from schools nationwide participate in the program, too.
"There are many study abroad programs in Costa Rica," said Amy
"We've had an official exchange of faculty, research and students with the University of Costa Rica for more than 40 years."
Mary Jane Dunlap
University relations
Timkar, coordinator for the Study Abroad program. "But since ours is so well-established, students from all over are interested in it."
Many schools began exchanges with Latin-American universities during the 1960s, but KU's program is the only one to have survived.
There are 18 Costa Rican students studying at KU during the 1999-2000 school year.
A similar celebration took place at KU last April, and one will occur at Kansas State University next spring.
K-State began taking part in the exchange in 1984.
A construction worker continues to work on the east side of Joseph R. Pearson Hall. The School of Education will move into the newly renovated hall next fall. Photo by J.M. Dailey/KANSAN
Department moves on the way
By Ryan Devlin
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
With the School of Education scheduled to move to Joseph R. Pearson Hall for Fall 2000, the debate of which schools and departments will move into Bailey Hall has just begun.
Construction on the $14 million renovation of JRP is moving along according to schedule, said Warren Corman, the University of Kansas architect.
When renovations are completed, the school will move into JRP, and other departments will transfer to the 100-year-old Bailey Hall. Tentative movers include the humanities, African studies and communication studies departments.
Robert Rowland, professor and chairman of the communications studies department, said he was optimistic that his department would be granted a spot.
we have been given an estimate as to what we will receive." Rowland said. "But until the Chancellor approves things, we won't know what we're getting for sure."
Meeting the needs of the different departments in terms of space was a
complicated process, said Diana Carlin,
interim assistant provost.
"What people say their needs are and what guidelines are are often two different things," she said.
Carlin said the decision-making process was still in the early stages and expressed her optimism that everyone would be satisfied in the end.
The departments will move into Bailey Hall as it stands now — Corman said no money had been allocated for any renovations or changes.
Bailey Hall was constructed in 1900 and originally housed the department of chemistry.
The building was named after Professor E. H. S. Bailey, who headed the department for 50 years. In 1956, the department moved out and the school has been there since.
Bailey Hall was placed in the Kansas Register of Historic Places in 1995.
JPR, originally used as a residence hall until 1992. had been used by the University as office space and for storing library overstock until 1997, when renovations began.
Once the school moves into JRP, the 10-year process of design and development will end, Corman said.
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