Monday, January 25, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Some book-order problems linked to Kansan server
An article that ran in The University Daily Kansan on Friday about a glitch in the KU Bookstores Web site did not state that the Kansan was the service provider for the site. It also contained an inaccurate statement about Mike Reid, bookstore manager for the Kansas and Burge Unions.
The reporter wrote that Reid refused to comment. Reid did not refuse to comment about the Web site problems but was unavailable at the time and later returned the reporter's call.
Justin Knupp, systems specialist for the Kansan, said that a change in software probably precipitated the book-ordering problem.
"We suspect that the problem was
at least initiated by the fact that over the semester break we installed a new e-mail server and software that is used as part of the on-line ordering site," Knupp said. "The University Daily Kansan does feel it needs to share some of the responsibility for the situation."
Knupp also said he regretted that internal communications problems at the Kansan may have contributed to inaccuracies in reporting the story.
The Kansan has been host to the server for the bookstore since Nov. 1997. Knupp said that until the problem with students' orders, there had been no problems with the server. He said he was alerted to the problem before Christmas,
but he could not pinpoint specifically what the cause was.
"We cannot rule out outside factors as contributein'; to this problem," Knupn said. "The Kansan would like to apologize to any students affected by this and to the bookstores for any problems this may have caused them."
Reid said he was unaware of any major problems with the Web site in the past.
In the midst of installing and configuring a new e-mail system and software, Knupp, the problem with the server solved itself.
Reid said he would continue working with the Kansan to ensure that the Web site was working the way that it should.
Evaluations highlight senator performances, accessibility
By Nadia Mustafa
Kansan staff writer
The Student Senate Executive Committee will begin the semester with their colleagues' comments in mind.
Senators evaluated the executive staff's performance at the last Senate meeting of the fall semester.
Julie Numrich, Senate executive chair, compiled and released the results of the annual midyear evaluations during the winter break. She said the results were not intended to serve as a disciplinary technique.
"The evaluations just give the executive staff ways to improve over the next three months," Numrich said. "I was satisfied with everyone's results and didn't see any surprises."
Senators were asked to rate individual executive staff members' performances in four areas on a scale of one to five, with one representing poor, three representing average and five representing excellent.
Kevin Yoder
Student Body President
4.24
4.08
4.36
4.8
Scott Kaiser
Student Body Vice-President
3.84
3.88
3.56
3.92
Julie Numrich
Executive committee chair
4.72
4.32
4.84
4.76
Dave Reynoldson
Treasuer
4.08
4.44
4.72
4.76
Patrick McGiffort
Assistant Treasurer
4.2
4.16
4.04
4.24
Jen Bonicelli
Executive Secretary
4.24
4.24
4.08
4.24
Chris Hess
Co Senator-Center for Community Outreach
4.32
4.4
4.56
4.48
Erika Nutt
Co Senator-Center for Community Outreach
4.6
4.24
4.36
4.28
Korb Maxwell
Legislative Director
4.52
4.44
4.72
4.64
Tom Moore
Campus Director
4.52
4.48
4.68
4.68
Nicole Skalla
Transportation Coordinator
4.4
4.48
4.52
4.36
Student Senate Performance Ratings
average 5: excellent Rachel Kesselman/KANSAN
Executive staff members were judged on how accessible they were to senators, how active they were in pursuing senators' ideas and soliciting senators' active participation, how they performed their overall job responsibilities and how they performed overall.
"Everybody gets good evaluations," he said. "I don't know what they actually accomplish."
Partha Mazumdar, graduate senator, said he was not sure that the evaluations served a purpose.
Seth Hoffman, Nunemaker senator, also said he thought evaluations wouldn't accomplish much.
In regards to overall performance, each executive staff member received a rating between 4.24 and 4.8, except for Scott Kaiser, student body vice president, who received a rating of 3.92.
"I'd be surprised if anyone changed as a result of the feedback based upon what I saw last year," Hoffman said.
Senators said that Kaiser was dedicated to issues such as the construction of a new recreation center and that he was receptive to most people, but that he needed to get rid of his negative bias, spend more time in the Senate office and implement more order during Senate meetings.
Kaiser could not be reached for comment
Kevin Yoder, student body president, received a rating of 4.8 in overall performance. Senators commented that Yoder was willing to do anything and that he wanted to bring the KU community together.
In the area of improvement, senators said that Voder should be
more outspoken and increase contact with all senators.
Yoder said that he was encouraged by the positive comments, but that he would work on the areas in which senators suggested he needed improvement.
"I took it to heart," Yoder said. "I'll try to be more open and more communicative with senators about what I'm doing."
Senators said that Numrich, who received a rating of 4.76, encouraged productivity and had a strong work ethic, but that she should give senators more information about legislation in a timely manner.
"It doesn't bother me," Numrich said. "I'll try to change a little bit, but I can't please everyone."
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INTERVIEW SUITS
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