THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014
PAGE 3A
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STUDENT SENATE Coalition referendum discussion continues
The Student Rights and University Affairs committees of Student Senate voted for the creation of a new bill on Wednesday night regarding the coalition referendum introduced in the last full meeting before break.
If passed on the floor, the referendum would be included on this year's ballot, giving students a chance to voice what they think about the current coalition system based on the question. "Should coalitions be prohibited from forming and campaigning for Student Senate elections?"
"I can say that there are students put off by Student Senate because of coalitions," said Marcus Tetwiler, student body president.
He said including the referendum on the ballot may lead to a greater voting participation from students in the election looking to provide input.
During the discussion in the Student Rights Committee, the
question was raised whether the wording of the petition would be considered non-binding or binding. If binding, this means the 2014-2015 Student Senate would be forced to create a bill based off the results of the student vote. Tetwiler was hesitant to refer to it as a binding referendum.
He interpreted the wording as non-binding, and said he wants students' answers to be considered as data collection for the future senate's use rather than something that calls for direct action.
A University Affairs committee member asked whether the third option "other" would be included on the ballot to allow students to provide comments.
"A clear set in stone yes and no is more effective, but that's my opinion," Tetwier said. "It makes it more clear to hone in on data."
The conversation is slated to continue in next week's full student senate meeting.
- Amelia Arvesen and Miranda Davis
STATE SENATE Kansas House rejects plan for energy rules
TOPEKA — A measure to repeal the state's 2009 renewable energy standards for power generation was rejected Wednesday in the Kansas House despite critics who argued the requirements drive up utility bills and unfairly push one industry over another.
The 77-42 vote was one of two procedural votes to reject the measure that was approved 25-15 by the Senate on Tuesday. The bill had the backing of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and small-government groups who oppose government mandates.
The standards require utility companies to provide 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. They were put in place in 2009 when
legislators allowed the construction of a coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas as part of a trade-off struck by then-Gov. Mark Parkinson and power plant supporters. The plant has been stalled by legal and regulatory challenges and is yet to be constructed near an existing plant in Holcomb.
Critics argued Wednesday that the energy standards are unnecessary and lead to higher utility rates, as much as 22 percent since the standards were put in place.
"I support wind energy. What I don't support is the mandate," said Randy Garber, a Sabetha Republican who made the motion to agree with the repeal. "I support choice, free choice."
Supporters say the standards promote economic growth.
Meet the Crimson and True candidates
KEVIN HUNDELT
His mom is a social worker with Catholic nonprofits. He said his parents have been role models throughout his life, teaching him to stay humble and work hard.
Kevin Hundelt calls himself a momma's boy.
Hundelt, a junior from St. Louis, wants to guide Student Senate to realization change. He said he sees too much argument between senators for too little progress, and wants to guide Senate to focus on the student body.
"Sometimes, how we argue can be a little pedantic," he said.
Hundelt want to host workshops to help senators collaborate.
"There are some egos in Student Senate," he said. "What I could do is be an example of what everyone could be."
Hundelt has loved being involved with Senate from his first experience. At his first Student Rights committee meeting, he watched a heated debate to prevent a revision that would have allowed officials to enter dormitory rooms without the resident's consent or a warrant.
He remembers being inspired by how passionate senators are about defending students' best interests.
After graduation, Hundelt wants to work in urban planning in his home city. He wants to help the community in St. Louis at a structural level.
Hundelt wants to be the voice of students, trying to work for their best interests by putting himself in others' shoes. He asks himself how a proposal would benefit average students.
"Those people in St. Louis deserve better," he said. "It's wrong that they don't have the high quality of life that I had in the suburbs."
— Edited by Blair Sheade
Sara Anees' father is a traditional Pakistani man: quiet and reserved. It's hard for her to hear about her father's struggles against discrimination when he chose to attend college in the United States.
SARA ANEES
"That makes me treasure what it is I have here so much more," Anees said about her time at the University.
When she meets international students on campus, she can't help but associate their struggles with her father's.
Anees, a junior from Wichita, wants to bring changes to campus that will impact people who she said haven't really had a voice in Student Senate.
As a Pakistani-American, Anees said she doesn't meet many other student senators who are Muslim. She wants to establish reflection rooms on campus where anyone can relieve stress and Muslim students can pray throughout the day.
"Especially for students like me who have to pray five times a day and can't because it's structurally impossible — unless you want to pray in the hallway — (reflection rooms) would be really useful," she said. "It's hard because you don't want to ask for those types of things."
Anes got involved in Senate hoping to make a difference in students' lives.
"Student Senate helped me to get a large perspective on what students do here," she said.
She admires student organizations like the Sailing Club and the Tightrope Walking Club. Anees was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in eighth grade. There are cold days when she wakes up and her body is tense and sore, but she fights through how hard it is to move. She said this makes her appreciate how much work students put into perfecting skills like tightrope walking.
"I've had a different background," Anees said. "Because of that, I've had to open my eyes and see how other people live."
- Edited by Blair Sheade
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People with O- blood types are universal donors, but can only receive O- blood. People with AB+ blood types are universal recipients but can only donate to those with AB+ blood types. The KU Blood Drive is going on next week in the KS Union and other campus locations.
CAMPUS FROM PAGE 1A
version of the social media policy at the beginning of the month that changed the language of the policy to address faculty concerns about academic freedom.
"My hopes have to do with the response, rather than the document itself — that is, we are able to get to a document that satisfies the Regents and also the members of the University communities," Gray-Little said.
The final policy will be recommended to the Board on April 16.
INSURING GRADUATE STUDENTS
An issue that has recently become a topic of concern and discussion for the administration and graduate students is the Affordable Care Act's provision that employees who work over 30 hours a week must be insured by their employer. Due to graduate students' concerns that there will be a reduction in the number of hours they are allowed to work and University concerns about cost, administrators have begun talking about a solution.
"We are looking at what are the consequences of the Affordable Care Act provisions and how it will affect graduate students and how will it affect the University and how can we get to a point that is not harmful to the graduate students," Gray-Little said.
CHECK OUT KANSAN.COM FOR AN UPDATE ON THE CRISIS IN SYRIA
Edited by Alec Weaver