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The Inside Front
:
Wednesday March 31, 1999
News
from campus, the state the nation and the world
CORRECTION
In yesterday's Kansan, Kim Fuchs, Merriam sophomore, was incorrectly identified in a cutline for a picture of the YOU coalition's information table.
in the accompanying story, the cost-fee ratio cited was incorrect. The state pays 60 percent of the University of Kansas' operating costs, while students pay 40 percent. YOU wants the state to pay 75 percent and the students to pay 25 percent.
NATION
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve policymakers left short-term interest rates unchanged yesterday resisting the temptation to ruin Wall Street's celebration of the first five-digit close of the Dow Jones stock average.
The central bank's monetary policy panel — the Federal Open Market Committee — ended a closed-door meeting by signaling it had left the benchmark rate on overnight loans between banks at 4.75 percent.
It has been at that level, a four-year low, since Nov. 17, when the Fed finished reducing it, during a seven-week span, from 5.5 percent in an effort to insulate the U.S. economy from the aftershocks of last summer's collapse of the Russian ruble.
In an announcement noting that their meeting had ended after 3 1/2 hours, policymakers also made no mention of a change in their thinking about the likely direction of future interest-rate moves.
Many journalists worry about media credibility
Economists had widely anticipated both no change in rates and no change in the bias, so financial markets showed little reaction. On Monday, traders drove the Dow Jones industrial average to its first close above 10,000. About 15 minutes before yesterday's announcement, the average was down 33 points from Monday's close and, a few minutes after, about 46 points.
WASHINGTON — Flash, it's not just the public who thinks the news media lack credibility. In a survey, a rising number of journalists say so, too.
Turning the tables on the media, the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press interviewed 552 national and local journalists and news executives in print, television, radio and the Internet on how they view themselves.
interpersonal The results, released yesterday, indicate that journalists think that reporting has become sloppier, that too many reporters use their articles and newscasts to speculate or state opinion and that financial pressures hamper the quality of news coverage.
The issue of newspaper credibility came up earlier this week when the Associated Press Managing Editors and the American Society of Newspaper Editors announced a project intended to pay more attention to ways that race and ethnicity affect what stories newspapers cover and who is assigned to cover them.
When asked to cite chief problems facing journalism, half the national news professionals in the Pew survey mentioned such things as sensationalism, a lack of objectivity and inaccurate reporting. About 40 percent cited too much emphasis on the bottom line, competition and declining audience and readership.
Deal allows Alabama Lt. Gov. to use bathroom
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A sometimes comical power struggle that brought the Alabama Senate to a standstill for nearly a month ended yesterday, leaving the lieutenant governor free once more to go to the bathroom without being afraid he will be stripped of his duties while he's gone.
According to a compromise reached before dawn, Steve Windom, Alabama's first Republican lieutenant governor this century, regained some — but not all — of the traditional powers exercised by his Democratic predecessors.
But it came at a high price, both for Windom and for an Alabama State-house that fell into slapstick turmoil just when Republicans were celebrating the return of two-party politics and Democrats were trumpeting the election of the state's first "New South" governor.
The turmoil began even before Windom took office, when Democratic Governor-elect Don Siegelman and the majority of Democrats in the Senate stripped Windom of nearly all his powers including the authority to appoint committees and decide which committee considers which bill. On Windom's first day on March 2, he snatched back his powers by gaveling through new rules during howls of protest from the Democrats
The Democrats responded with a boycott that used up one-third of the Legislature's meeting days and prevented any bills from being considered including the governor's centerpiece plan to enact a lottery.
Siegelman's allies then kept the Senate meeting in marathon sessions, forcing Windom to urinate in a jug under his podium on Sunday because he feared be replaced as presiding officer if he left even briefly.
Woman survives train dragging with 911 call
ANDERSON, Inc. — A car was re-ended into the side of a moving freight train and dragged for at least 3.5 miles as the driver used her cellular phone to frantically call for help.
Amber Scott escaped with only minor
injuries in Monday morning's accident.
"She was very, very lucky," Madison County sheriff's Maj. Ron Richardson said yesterday.
The Conrail train, its crew unaware of her plight, dragged Scott's car until the car apparently hit a railroad sign at another crossing and was jarred loose from the train.
When rescuers finally found the 19-year-old woman, her car was demolished, but she had suffered only cuts, bumps and bruises.
"I prayed to the Lord all the way down the track," Scott told Indianapolis television station WTHR.
Scott was stopped at a railroad crossing on her way to classes at Ball State University, when a pickup truck hit her from behind in the fog. Richardson said. The impact sent her car directly into the train's side.
The search for Scott started after the pickup's driver, Ross K. Schroeder, 25, told deputies there had been a car in front of him at the crossing and that it had disappeared.
Meanwhile, as the train was pushing her car down the tracks, Scott dialed 911 on her cell phone. Police dispatchers could hear a woman screaming for help and the sound of a train in the background, Sheriff Terry Richine said.
North Koreans attempt to flee from starvation
WORLD
YANJI, China — The North Korean refugee sobbed as he recalled the dying family he left behind: an ailing wife and two young sons, one with a bleeding stomach from eating bread made with tree bark.
"I can't eat. Whenever I look at food, I immediately see my children crying, dying before my eyes," the gaunt, distraught former soldier said, tears rolling down his hunger-pinched cheeks.
"It isn't just my kids. Everyone's children
die from death free from death."
are starving to death, freezing to death." With famine consuming them and their loved ones, desperate North Koreans are fleeing to China's bountiful borderlands in search of food. Often alone and on foot, risking capture and prison, the refugees have one goal: to keep from joining the army of dead created by four years of chronic food shortages.
A U.S. congressional delegation estimated last fall that 2 million North Koreans had died from starvation or hunger-related illnesses. South Korean intelligence officials say North Korea's population has fallen from 25 million to 22 million.
North Korea's stavility is more than an academic issue. The militaristic, often belligerent nation maintains one of the world's largest armies despite its famine. It has missiles capable of reaching Japan and other parts of Asia and is suspected of developing nuclear weapons.
The Associated Press
Goldwater scholarships awarded to KU students
Two University of Kansas seniors were awarded Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, which encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.
Marvin Decker, Pittsburg, and Stuartt Corder, Olathe, both seniors in mathematics, received the award Friday.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program awarded more than 300 scholarships this year from a field of about 1,000 students.
Rodolfo Torres, associate professor or mathematics, has advised Decker since last year when Decker arrived from Reed College in Portland, Ore.
"We are very happy for him." Torres said.
"He is probably one of the best undergraduate students we have at KU, mathematically. He's going to be a superb mathematician."
Corder said he thought he had a good chance at winning a scholarship because of his strong research background.
He said he found out about his award when he went to his department office after spring break and found a sign congratulating him on the door.
The scholarships pay $7,500 per year for either one or two years, depending upon the student's graduation date.
"I was kind of surprised and a little cautious at first, but I went around and talked to a few people to confirm it," Corder said.
The University has had 20 Goldwater winners since the program began in 1989.
—Chris Hopkins
TODAY IN HISTORY
1960: The South African government declares a state of emergency after demonstrations lead to the deaths of more than 50 Africans.
1966: An estimated 200,000 anti-war demonstrators march in New York City. Civilians not only wage war but also determine how it will be fought.
1967: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Consular Treaty, the first bilateral pact with the Soviet Union since the Bolshevik Revolution.
1970: U.S. forces in Vietnam down a MIG-21, the first since September 1968. Everyone in Vietnam knew that the restrictions imposed by the rules of engagement were insane, but only two Air Force officers fell on their swords in protest.
ON THE RECORD
A KU police officer was dispatched at 10:17 p.m. Monday to the seventh floor of McCollum Hall on a report that a student was having an asthma attack, the KU Public Safety Office said. The student received medical attention at the scene but was not taken to the hospital.
OAKS — Non-traditional Students Organization will have a brown bag luncheon from 11:45 a.m to 1:15 p.m. today at Alcove A in the Kansas Union, Call Simiete Berroya at 830-0074 for more information.
University Forum, sponsored by Ecumenical Christian Ministries will present "Transgender Journey" from noon to 1 today at the ECM Center. Jane Newman will be the featured speaker. Call Thad Holcombe at 843-4933 for more information.
The Pre-Physical Therapy Club will sponsor student/faculty advising at 6 p.m. at the Kansas Room in the Kansas Union for those seeking careers in Physical Therapy and other HSES majors. Dee Ozment of the School of Education will be the featured guest, Call Corey Snyder at 841.4670 for more information.
ON CAMPUS
441-440 or online for more information
KU Gamers and Roleplayers will meet at 6:30
p. m. at the Hawk's Nest in the Kansas Union. Call Ben Siegon at 865-5759 for more information.
The Student Alumni Association will meet at 7 tonight at Adams Alumni Center for election of next year's officers. Call Leslie Vink at 843-4525 for more information.
13.6 1...7
Latin American Solidarity will present the play "Vampirs" at 8 tonight at 100 Smith Hall. The play is by Spanish doctoral student Tomas Cha con. Call Megan Hope at 331-2403 for more information.
Writers Roosts, sponsored by Writing Consulting:
Student Resources, will be open today at
the following times and locations: from 9 to 10
a.m. at the Burge Union, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
at 4003 Wescoe Hall, and from noon to 4 p.m.
at 4006 Wescoe Hall. Call 864-2399 for more
information.
The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4962) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stuaffr-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Periodical
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 119 Stauffer Hall.
ET CETERA
postage is paid in Lawrence,
Kan. 66044. Annual subscriptions
by mail are $120. Student
subscriptions of $2.33 are paid
through the student activity tee.
The Kansan prints campus events that are free and open to the public. When information is submitted, the event's sponsor, name and phone number must be on the form, which is available in the On Campus mailbox in the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. Items must be turned in two days in advance of
the desired publication date. Forms can also be filled out online at www.kansan.com/services/oncampus — these requests will appear on the UDKi as well as the Kansan. On Campus is printed on a space-available basis. On Campus is a free service provided by the Kansan to the University community.
Postmaster: Send address changes to the University Daily Kansan, 119 StaufferFlint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045.
NATION'S AUTO SERVICE $10.99 OIL CHANGE UP TO 5 QTS · LIMITED TIME ONLY!! 910 E. 28TH ST. · M-F, 9-5 · 832-2211
A Seminar for Residential Tenants and First Time Home Buyers
The Lawrence Human Relations/Human Resources Dept. is pleased to present:
-- What your landlord's responsibilities are to you.
-- How to resolve conflicts with your landlord.
-- How to move from renting to home ownership.
Learn from the experts:
When: Saturday, April 10, 1999
Where: Community Building 115 West $11^{th}$ St.,
Lawrence, Kansas
Call 832-3310 to register. Advance registration required. Deadline: April 2, 1999
This seminar is free of charge. Lunch will be served.
Great Drink Specials EVERYDAY Sports Page
Brewery
A Great Place To Eat
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
- $4.00 Pitchers
- $1.00 Pint Draft Beer
Saturday
- $1.50 Wells
Sunday
- $1.00 Pint Draft Beer
- $1.50 Pint Draft Beer
• $1.50 Bud, Bud Light
& Coors Light
- Coors Light
- $3.00 Long Islands
- $2.25 Gusto Drafts
- $2.00 Bloody Mary $0.00 Margaritas
$2.00 Margaritas Great Food!
Great Food!
Pool tables are free from 11am to 5pm Daily
Open Daily at 11:00am * Group Functions Welcome
Located at Clinton Parkway & Kasold
832-9600
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY Kansan Classifieds Work
"
Cara Lakin, sophomore
The Kansan Classifieds have everything you could ever want, from basketball tickets to new roommates. They helped me locate my new apartment for next year.
" 99
Kansan Classifieds
Put your money to work
Stop by 119 Stauffer-Flint or Call us at 864-4358 Fax:864-5261