Thursday, March 20, 1980
3
Tornado safety is not a breeze
Bv DON MUNDAY
Staff Reporter
Spring officially began before sunrise this morning, heralding the advent of the approaching tornado season.
In the Lawrence area, the tornado season can be expected to begin near the end of March, according to Joe Eagleman, professor of meteorology.
"There are no set dates, it's just as soon as the right atmospheric conditions occur," Eagleton said.
"The average time that activity begins to pick up is during the last part of March or the first part of April. Usually it peaks in June and they tap off in July."
More than 10 years ago, Eagleman did research that helped rewrite the then-prevalent theories about proper safety measures during a tornado.
AFTER STUDYING BUILDINGS damaged by tomaeones, Eagleman concluded that the northeast corner of a house sustained the least amount damage. This contrasted the common belief that the northeastern corner offers the best protection.
At first, his conclusions were met with skepticism, but after other researchers came up with similar information, even the National Weather Service began to change its thinking. The southwest corner belief was more popular than the north. Eagerman said, despite the efforts of meterologists in recent years to change public thought.
the northeast part of the structure is the next best thing.
Thus, the safest place to be during a tornado is the northeast corner of a poured-concrete basement, Eagleman said. For buildings without adequate basement room,
If the tornado is crossing one's path at a right angle, then criving away from the tornado would be possible because the wound of a tornado is only about 30 to 40 mph.
"Two factors enter in, the size of the room and its location," Eaglennan said. "A northeastern room is the best-positioned and a smaller room is safer."
If A PERSON is caught in the open when a tornado is nearby, appropriate action would depend upon what direction the tornado was moved, he said.
"However, in congested areas, that wouldn't be advisable," he said. "In the Witchia Falls, Texas, storms, action like that caused considerable problems."
If driving away from the tornado's path is unfeasible or if the tornado is moving toward the car, the automobile should be abandoned for low ground, he said.
A BRIDGE may offer shelter, especially if the open sides of the bridge do not lie in the tornado's path, Eagleman said. However, if it is not a tornado's path, lying on low ground is recommended.
Ditches or ravines are suitable for this purpose, he said, providing that the ditch is not already flooded by heavy rams and animals; as well, as they could fall and become a hazard.
"People are a lot better informed about things in these cities than in England." said Eagleman, an author in many cities, such as Lawrence, there is a siren system to alert people, and some people are even building homes.
KU supports federal conservation program keeps campus thermostats at required levels
University Daily Kansan
Even though a federal government program regulating public building temples had been shut down to follow its guidelines after the expiration date, according to Richard Perkins, a former president of the council.
The Federal Thermostat Control Program requires most public buildings to maintain a temperature of 65 degrees during the summer, but not during the winter. Parkers said last week.
THE THERMOSTATS in most of KU's
buildings will remain at 65 degrees until the weather changes, and maintenance crews will begin setting the thermostats at 78 degrees for the summer, he said. The changeover will take about three days.
The thermostats in KU's buildings are locked, controlled and periodically checked by the maintenance crews, Perkins said.
Before the 1973 energy crisis, the thermostats were not controlled by anyone, he
After 1973, facilities operations controlled the thermostats. The temperature was then at 88 degrees in most buildings except areas outside and other exempt areas, Perkins said.
said. The temperature was usually kept between 72 and 75 degrees.
The temperature was lowered to 65 degrees this winter in compliance with the Federal Thermostat Control Program,
The original intent of the program was to prevent a heating oil shortage in the Northeast, where its use is heaviest. But because the gas supply was never materialized, a DOE spokesman said.
Because of this, the future of the program after April 1 it is in doubt.
which was launched last July by the Department of Energy, he said.
Henry Bartholomew, a DOE official, said "No decision has been made. We're still working on our options."
Included in the renovation are plans for improving accessibility for handcapped residents. The addition to the building's two wooden stairwells up to fire standards, and remodeling existing windows.
THE RENOVATION, which could begin as early as this summer, created controversy last month when alternate schools in New York and studios could not be decided upon.
one architectural firm of Design Build Architects will prepare construction plans for the renovation if the preliminary drawings are approved.
Regents to discuss Marvin renovation
The **$2.5 million Summerfield Hall** building would add 20,000 square feet of space to the building's present 40,000 square feet.
STUDENTS
The new space would include five new classrooms, an audiovisual room, a seminar room, additional reading room and study rooms and doctoral study rooms.
Approval of the Marvin Hall plans would be the first step in the $2.8 million building renovation that will affect about 40,000 square feet of the building.
FACULTY MEMBERS
The Regents will consider authorizing the University to ask the governor and the 1980 Legislature for a $319,000 appropriation for the replacement of the University Theatre's lighting console, which are included in fiscal Year 1981 expenditures.
By BILL MENEZES
If you have not yet signed up to use the C&J SURVEY for the Spring 1980 Semester, please complete this coupon and return it to its instructional Resources in Room 400 atrium.
A request to spend $10,000 from private funds for site work and landscaping at the corner of 15th and 19th streets also will be presented to the Regents.
COURSE NUMBER LINE NUMBER # OF FORMS
AMONG OTHER ITEMS on the Regents agenda are a $319,000 request from the State Leiglature for a Murphy Hall lightning cable, a $180,000 request for site work on Daisy Hill, and a revision of the schedule. Please provide a fee schedule for students on the G1 Hill.
Staff Reporter
Preliminary architectural drawings for the project will be sent to the final plans for the remodeling of Hall are among the items to be discussed at the Kansas Board of Regents meetings in April.
The corner will be the site of a new information booth that will house maps of the University, information pamphlets and a pay telephone.
Funding for the Summerfield fire sources. State funding for the repair of existing facilities had been already reserved at the time the project was
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We are now leasing for Fall and Spring.
The booth, to be purchased by the KU Endowment Association, was contracted for construction by the Kansas Construction Company of Lawrence at $43,140.
If the final remodeling plans and construction documents are approved by the Regents, the University director of purchasing open bidding for the con-
Choose your home, now, for next year and ensure location and color of decor. Offering 10 and 12 month leases.
- SUMMER STORAGE *
Lease now with 2 month storage package.
Can you haul your belongings home for
a small storage fee? Call Park 25 and see.
APARTMENTS
Large 1 and 2 bedroom-bath 2 bedroom-2 bath
2 pools—2 laundry rooms—bus service
Call or come by and talk with Gary, Ellen or Kathy
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