THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16. 2005
VOL.115 ISSUE 116
WWW.KANSAN.COM
CAMPUS SAFETY
Violent crimes on the rise
Report shows overall crime decreasing
BY JOSHUA BICKEL
jbickel@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Violent crimes have increased for the third year in a row at the University of Kansas.
NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIMES ON CAMPUS
During one year, they doubled to 10 in 2004, according to KU Public Safety Office statistics released last week.
Violent crimes, defined as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, are on a three-year increase at the University. Below are the numbers of violent crimes reported to the KU Public Safety Office from 1997 to 2004.
"It's not a significant increase overall," Capt. Schuyler Bailey, KU Public Safety Office, said.
Despite an increase of violent crimes, overall crimes have decreased 43 percent since 1997 and 3 percent in 2004. Violent crimes accounted for less than 2 percent of all crimes reported in 2004.
Number
Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, which is assault with the intent to cause bodily harm or death.
Year of rapes of robberies of agg. assaults of murders total
1997 7 0 13 0 20
1998 1 1 4 0 6
1999 1 2 4 0 7
2000 4 0 3 0 7
2001 0 0 1 0 1
2002 1 0 2 0 3
2003 1 0 4 0 5
2004 4 1 5 0 10
Source: KU Public Safety Office
Five aggravated assaults, four rapes and one robbery were reported to the public safety office in 2004.
Property crimes including theft, burglary and vandalism accounted for 75 percent of all crimes reported.
Simple assaults, when the intent
to cause bodily harm is less, also increased 79 percent in 2004. This was due to an increase of domestic violence incidents. One couple was responsible for about one-fourth of the domestic violence calls. Bailey said.
Bailey said the public safety office's education efforts and an increase in overall awareness contributed to the decrease in overall crime.
Paige Rudd, St. Louis freshman, said she feels relatively safe at the University despite the increase in violent crimes.
The public safety office works with student organizations including fraternities and sororities, as well as faculty and staff on crime intervention and safety.
"The police do a pretty good job for a huge campus like this," she said.
The University had more reported crimes than seven of the 12 schools in the Big 12 Conference, according to 2003 and 2004 statistics from the universities. Only two Big 12 schools, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, reported more violent crimes than the University in 2003.
— Edited by Megan Claus
By the numbers
1,479 The number of crimes reported in 1997.
Overall reported crime at the University of Kansas is down. Below are the numbers of reported crimes to the KU Public Safety Office from 1997 to 2004.
1,208 The number of crimes reported in 1998.
1,094 The number of crimes reported in 1999.
971 The number of crimes reported in 2000.
897 The number of crimes reported in 2001.
807 The number of crimes reported in 2002.
862 The number of crimes reported in 2003.
834 The number of crimes reported in 2004.
LAW SCHOOL
Provost announces interim dean
Provost David Shulenburger announced yesterday afternoon the appointment of KU law professor Michael Davis to serve as interim dean of the law school. Davis will succeed current dean Stephen McAllister, who is scheduled to step down Aug. 15. The interim position is scheduled to last through the 2005-06 academic year. Davis said he would follow goals set by McAllister. The interim position is scheduled to last through the 2005-06 academic year.
Though Davis served as the school's dean from 1980-1989, he said he realized the position was different now.
In addition to finding a permanent dean, Davis will be faced with the hiring of staff members
"I think the landscape has changed some. It's a larger job now, although the dean has more help in doing the job," he said. "I think the fundamentals are the same."
and accreditation through the American Bar Association.
"We have had these before and made it through in pretty good shape with good results," he said of accreditation. "I'm confident we can do it again."
Currently, Davis is employed as an attorney at the Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP law firm. Its main office is in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
Davis is admitted to the bar in both Kansas and Missouri, according to his firm's Web site, www.stinsonmoheck.com.
While he plans on continuing employment at the firm, his workload will be reduced, he said.
McAllister announced his resignation earlier this year. He had said in earlier reports that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
McAllister served as dean for five years.
- Kansas staff reports
CRIME
Randle released from jail
John Randle, former KU foot ball player, was released from Douglas County Jail Monday afternoon on a $1,000 bond.
Randle bonded out at 5:38 p.m. He obtained the bond amount through a bondsman, according to Douglas County Jail records.
Randle
Mangino, KU football coach,
dismissed Randle from the team
Mark
Randle was involved in an argument with a 21-year-old male inside It's Brothers Bar and Grill, 1105 Massachusetts St.
A police officer reported witnessing Randle punch the man in the face, causing injury to his nose and cheek.
Randle's next court appearance is set for 1:30 p.m. on April 14 in Douglas County District Court.
After the bar closed, the argument continued outside.
Joshua Bickel
after Lawrence police arrested him early Sunday morning and charged him with battery.
PROFILE
Amanda Kim Stairrett/KANSAN
Father Vincent Krische became monsignor Vincent Krische on March 3 when he was bestowed the honorable ranking by Pope John Paul II. Krische has served as the director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center since 1977. He will be formally installed as monsignor tomorrow.
FATHER FIGURE
Priest's influence spreads beyond walls of center
By Dani Litt ♦ dlitt@kansan.com
For almost 30 years the chapel of St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center has stood on the northeast edge of campus. Programs and services have changed throughout the years, but one factor that has remained constant has been Father Vincent Krische — or more simply, Father Vince.
The friendly, soft-spoken priest is a staple in the University of Kansas' Catholic community. It's been that way since 1977 when he became director of the center.
When he arrived, Krische wasn't sure he was the right person for the job.
But since his arrival, the center has grown from a small program to a teaching institution with three priests, 24 fulltime employees and more than 500 student participants.
Spiritual programs, teachings, daily and weekend mass, mentoring, service projects, conversion and social activities
Contributed Photo
Father Vincent Krische and Archbishop James P. Keleher meet with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican last November. Keleher invited Krische to meet with the Pope while he was on sabbatical in Rome, where he attended the Pontifical North American College. Each bishop is required to meet with the pope every five years.
have flourished under his supervision.
His good works and service have reached beyond the campuses' Catholic community to the University and the city of Lawrence.
Today's weather
On March 3, Krische, a Topeka native, was promoted to monsignor by the pope through a recommendation from the
SEE FATHER ON PAGE 6A
All contents, unless stated otherwise.
© 2005 The University Daily Kansan
Off to Israel
Off to Israel Jewish students from the University of Kansas spent winter break experiencing the sights and sounds of the home-land. The trip was sponsored by the organization Birthright Israel. PAGE 8A
Intramural Basketball
Take a look,it's in a book
The open league held its title contests in Allen Fieldhouse last night. Contests were held in the men's, women's and CoRec division. PAGES 1B,4B
Columnist Stephanie Lovett thinks the Blue Valley School District and parents need to re-think banning books high school students should read before entering college. PAGE 7A
Grave reviews Former Jayhawk basketball player Jeff Graves hasn't changed much since graduation. He still works hard, knows who he is and has no apologies for his critics. His setbacks only make him stronger. PAGE 1B