THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2005
VOL.115 ISSUE 97
WWW.KANSAN.COM
SAFETY
Sororities increase security
Some chapters install new security systems
Courtney Kublen/KANSAN
BY ERIC SORRENTINO
esrentino@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Erica Hummel, St. Louis sophomore, gets her hand printed with the help of her sorority sister, Kathryn Noyce. Pi Beta Phi's new security system was installed Tuesday and Noyce was responsible for making sure everyone's handprints were logged into the new system. "It feels very 'Mission Impossible-'ish," Hummel said.
Local break-ins have influenced sorority chapter officers at the University of Kansas to increase security at houses on campus.
Though last week's break-in at Sigma Delta Tau wasn't a factor in chapter changes, the new security measures aim to prevent similar situations.
A member of Sigma Delta Tau reported to Lawrence Police that a man was in the house about 4 a.m. The woman said he was possibly taking pictures of her while she slept last Thursday.
Pi Beta Phi installed a high-tech security system vesteard.
The Recognition Systems, Inc. "Hand Key II" was put in at the front and back door of the sorority house. The system, which has been on the market for six months, scans and analyzes palms. It cost about $10,000.
The system is simple to use: A member enters her specific code, places her hand on a scanner and the door unlocks after it analyzes certain areas of her hand.
"I think it's good because anyone can get into a place that requires a code," Natalie Adams, secretary of Pi Beta Phi, said. "I'm excited for the security system because it increases the safety of all the girls in the house."
The new system replaced faulty finger-scanning equipment.
There were a few break-ins last year with the old system because the finger-scanner wouldn't operate in cold weather.
Other chapters aren't so concerned with recent reported break-ins.
The changes were made to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons from entering the house. Non-members had gotten the code and entered the house at various times of the night.
Paul Gor, president of Delta Delta Delta, said that the sorority has not had a problem with break-ins. The Olathe junior said that a guest speaker talked to the sorority about self defense and ways to protect oneself in the case of an emergency. The speaker offered pepper spray to each sorority member as a defense mechanism as well.
Since the change, only one break-in has been reported, said Kelsey Walsh. Leawood sophomore and Kappa Kappa Gamma event chairwoman.
operate in cold weather.
The system was not strong enough to read the sorority members' fingers when they were numb from the weather, Adams, Shawnee junior, said.
"I think a lot of girls learned from this and know now to be aware of their surroundings," Gor said. The Alpha Gamma Delta house, across campus.
As of this semester, the chapter requires the use of an index-scanning door mechanism to enter the house. Keypads with a universal code are also used.
Show aims to recruit
Kappa Kappa Gamma also has made some changes to prevent break-ins.
RECRUITING
Rock Chalk Road Show tries to attract more students from rural Kansas
SEE SECURITY ON PAGE 4A
BY DANI LITT
dlltit.kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF REPORTER
KU ENROLLMENT PER COUNTY
John Wessel, Dodge City freshman, chose to attend the University of Kansas largely based on his experience with the Rock Chalk Road Show last fall. Wessel liked the excitement and knowledge of the recruiters.
"They were really enthusiastic," Wessel said. "They told us going to college is important and that they have scholarships to make it easier."
The Rock Chalk Road Show is a University of Kansas recruitment event that targets western and central Kansas. It visits places such as Dodge City, Salina and Great Bend to promote the University to students who may not otherwise consider it a possibility.
Graphic by Cameron Monken/KANSAN
Lisa Pinamonti Kress, director of the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said she wants all Kansas students to know that the University is an opportunity for them. The road show began in Fall 2003.
Wessel is part of the first recruiting class of the road show. About 145 high school seniors across western and central Kansas attended the 2003 road show events.
But with only nine more students enrolled than in 2003 from targeted counties, it was hard to tell if the admission office-funded program had been successful, said Pinamonti Kress.
The University has a stigma of being
focused on business while Kansas State University is more focused on agriculture. Shalie Gaskill, Dodge City, freshman said. She also said that location is a big part of why students in western and central Kansas choose to attend Kansas State University instead of the University of Kansas.
Gaskill said she came to the University despite the stigma because she was looking for something different.
"KU also has the stigma of being prepy and upper-class versus K-State, which has a
more relaxed and hometown feeling." Gaskill said.
Out of 145 seniors who attended the 2003 road show, 83 students applied and 82
SEE RECRUIT ON PAGE 4A
Rival recruits westerners
K-State attracts more in-state students
BY ERICA KOOP
correspondent@kansan.com
CORRESPONDENT WRITER
Throughout high school, Luke Johnson had planned to keep the tradition set by his father and brother by attending Kansas State University.
When admissions counselors from the University of Kansas visited his high school in Deerfield, a small town in southwest Kansas, he ignored them because his mind was made up. The University wasn't an option.
Johnson's plans changed after he decided to visit the University and fell in love with the atmosphere of Lawrence.
Now a senior at the University, Johnson studies graphic design. He transferred after two years at Garden City Community College.
"College is as much an experience as it is an education," Johnson said. "Lawrence just felt like the right environment to
SEE RIVAL ON PAGE 4A
ENROLLMENT
In-state enrollment at the University of Kansas and Kansas State University
◆ 18,969, or 87 percent, of Kansas State University's students came from the state of Kansas in Fall 2004.
♦ 26,814, or 69 percent, of the University of Kansas' students came from the state of Kansas in Fall 2003.
- On average, the University drew 33 fewer students than Kansas State from counties with populations of less than 13,500 people, comparing the latest data available.
Sources:
University of Kansas Office of
Institutional Research &
Planning
Kansas State Office of Planning
& Analysis
United States Census
SAFETY
Inspectors monitoring light fixtures after fire
BY TY BEAVER
tbeaver@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Chevron Energy Solutions, the Overland Park company that installed the lights in buildings arcund campus, hired American Sentry Security to report problems with the lights and ensure safety in the buildings, said Steve Spurgeon, Chevron marketing manager.
Fire inspectors from American Sentry Security have been roaming the halls of campus buildings at the University of Kansas.
The inspectors are part of an investigation led by Chevron Energy Solutions at the request of the University after a fire at Spencer Research Library on Jan. 7. The fire was caused by a
malfunctioning fluorescent light. Only the light fixture and a small area of carpet were damaged.
Inspectors were originally present in all the buildings but
ed for inspections, Spencer Library inspections were scaled back to the Spencer Museum of Art, Spencer Research Library, Haworth Hall, Malott Hall and Watson Library after modification of some light fixtures a week ago. Spurgeon said.
Those buildings were chosen because of the high number of
Watson Library 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They swept the buildings, checking the lights
Thirteen buildings were targeted for inspections, Spurgeon said.
Yesterday, only the Spencer Museum of Art, Spencer Research Library and Watson Library had inspectors in them because they were identified as having the most valuable or flammable materials.
people present in the buildings during the day, he said.
Andrew Box, Kansas City, Mo., graduate student, said he told the patrols were a waste of money. A lot of people are in the buildings most of the time
and would notice a fire, he said.
Another student doesn't understand why a few personnel are hired to do something anyone in the building can.
"I think there are enough people in the building that if a light broke, there would be dozens of witnesses in seconds," said Jawad Nashatizadeh, Emporia graduate student.
He has seen the inspectors in high-traffic areas such as the first floor lobby of Haworth and
the bridge between Haworth and Malott Hall.
Inspectors should instead spend time in areas with less traffic where a problem would go unnoticed. Nashatizadeh said.
How long the inspectors stay on campus is uncertain. Spurgeon said, adding that a plan was submitted yesterday to decide how to proceed with the investigation.
Edited by Kim Sweet Rubenstein
All contents, unless stated otherwise,
© 2005 The University Daily Kansan
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