2
Tuesday, July 20, 1971
University Summer Kansan
Did You Even Know There Is One?
Environmental Lab Ignored By University, Legislature
BvCRAIG PARKER
By CRAGI PARKER
Ross McKinney is not a
flamboyant man.
But the hard-working, internationally known director of the C.L. Burt Environmental Health Laboratory at KU has labored extensively for two decades in a fight against environmental pollution.
Since coming to KU in 1960, McKinney has received virtually no support from the University. She feels that the University hasn't really responded to her commitment to this area," McKinney said in a recent interview. "It has never adequately supported the research lab financially or otherwise."
The sad history of the University's refusal to support the environmental health program began 10 years ago.
"In all ways, we have been treated like a step-child," McKenny said. When he first joined the company in 1960, McKenney discovered that it was not nearly fully equipped. He realized the environmental lab aboard
radiology lab and the nuclear reactor center. The building was originally designed, due to soil structure at the construction site, but now it has a reactor building north of the new two-story laboratory section
But that meant that the fashionable reactor center would not be as readily seen by passersby. The new state administration, at additional expense, had the nuclear reactor built facing the street, with the fire department behind it. The money used to meet the added construction costs came from the fund that was established to support the new environmental labs.
McKinney had to use lab benches he recovered from the scrap heap because his lab had only a few benches with any benches or work tables.
Ten years later, the University still ignores its step-child.
"At the present time, there is no line item on the budget for us," McKinsey said, "nor do we get our priorities right." Civil Engineering department.
Kansan Photo
Ross McKinney
McKinney is the Glenn L. Parker Professor of Civil Engineering The other faculty members also in the civil engineering department, and they all teach a full class load. Their research
... quiet, diligent
"We have received no money for equipment from the University and no money for operations of McKinsey said. "We've had to by on low cost, and the lowest number of instruments. We have to be careful." The state didn't even pay for this building. We have gotten excellent support for our research industry and from federal grants.
McKinney is quick to add, however, that the situation is not all negative.
"In spite of the lack of support, we are greatly grateful to McKinney said. 'As is, we're recognized as one of the major programs in the United States.'"
McKinney said he thinks there is a lack of adequate communication between the faculty and students. Several years ago, the university full-scale report on the need for further development of environmental programs at KU. Students were also members of the environmental health lab were contacted while the study was being made, nor were they consulted about the materials arrived at by the study.
As a result of that study, the Center for Government Research and the Center for Regional Affairs were merged into a single unit. The Center for Social and Environmental Studies last year worked with them than $10,000." Some people don't even realize there's an environmental health laboratory on campus," McKinsey said. "We have to admit that it has been ignored by the administration here. This University is not interested in greening the squeaky wheel." McKinsey noted that "one interaction is that no one bother us."
In addition to gamerning outside support for research, for research projects, and for research equipment, McKinney spends time trying to find room for the people and machines involved in research.
"Basically, what we need is more," McKenney said. "We also need a full-time technician to help us. When your faculty has to spend time unpacking equipment and expensive way to get the job done."
Although it is not supported by the state, the environmental lab continues to work with state agencies on solving pollution
problems. The lab has worked on feedlot pollution problems, has done work in the area of public wetland involvement with the city of Lawrence to improve its solid waste disposal prove Member of the Workforce to have done research involved with speeding up the disintegration process in trash and solid waste burial in dumps of "land-fill" projects. The lab also does help eliminate water pollution.
"We've got a teaching function.
In a recent speech before the annual convention of the Kansas Public Health Association, Mr. McKinney said of another problem in the area of environmental pollution. McKinney said that pollution has created "one of the largest con games between the environmental con game."
"like a large wounded animal, the public has responded to the environmental danger with screams of lament," McKinney said. The children stress, various groups of people step forward to meet the
"The University is not interested in people who do good work... It's interested in greasing the squeaky wheel."
--a research function, and an a
research function, and an a
help them aid pollution problem
McKinney said, "but we're not
getting a adequate support
from the agency."
In a 1987 article in the Kansas Business, Review, McKinney warned that although pollution was causing problems in Kansas, it could become one.
McKinney an associate professor at Michigan MTU before coming to KIA age 33, has long been aware of environmental pollution and its effects.
"Few of the environmental problems which face other parts of the country, for example, here," McKinney wrote in the article "Kansas is a vital reserve for future expansion in the state." He noted at the time that Kansans were reluctant to face the pollution problems that existed in the state.
challenge. All are eager to do battle. All have the answers we seek." he said.
"The environmental con man is well educated, both technically and socially; but he has no knowledge of the sucker behavior in his mother's environment con man is an avoid collector of facts and figures that can be used at the drop of a handkerchief to refute and confuse any other "data concerning environmental pollution."
McKenny said that normally public awareness of pollution problems would lead to public awareness of pollution control programs.
"To date it has not been a good thing." McKinney said. "It has been a handicap to professionals who have been working long and hard to eliminate pollution. The steamed men in cam and diverted public attention in and diverted public attention from the real job to be done."
THE SUMMER SESSION KANSAN
Kansas Telephone Numbers
Newroom—UN 4-3646
Business Office—UN 4-4358
The Summer Session Kanaan, student newspaper at the University of Kansas, is presented by National Public Library, New York, NY, 1022. Mailsize 50 lb. may be mailed to $1 a mailbox. Published monthly by Lawrence, Kansas every Tuesday and Friday for the duration of the Summer Session. Accommodations offered to color, creat, or edit in the Summer Session Kanaan are offered
News Adviser—Del Brinkman
The opinions expressed in the editorial columns are those of the editorial staff of the *Journal*. All opinions expressed in the *Summer Session Ranawan* are not necessarily the views of the editor. Any opinions expressed in the *Summer Session Ranawan* are not necessarily the views of the editor.
Editor
Associate Editor
Photographer
Creative Partner
Bank Young
Business Manager Ron Keegler
Assistant Business Manager Ashley Blank
Member Associated Collegiate Press
Griff & the Unicorn
"Copyright 1971, David Sokoloff.
Use Kansan Classified
MASTERWORK
A Product of COLUMBIA RECORDS
Mall: Shopping Center
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Transcendental meditation is a natural spontaneous technique which allows each individual to expand the mind and deepen its powers.
INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Tuesday, July 20 7:30 p.m.
Council Room Kansas Union
FREE
SPECIAL!
FREE BIG MAC (55c Value) with purchase of another BIG MAC
901 W. 23rd St.
OPEN TODAY
CLIP THIS COUPON
FREE COUPON OFFER
11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
7 days a week
Good for a Big Mac Sandwich (55c value) with purchase of another Big Mac only at McDonald's 901 W 23rd St., Lawrence.
ONE PER CUSTOMER
Offer expires after Saturday, July 31, 1971
Thursday Only— SIDEWALK BAZAAR SPECIALS!
- HOT PANTS Were to 10.00 Now $4 sizes 5 to 15
- BELL BOTTOMS Were to 13.00 Now $5
- JUMPSUITS Now $ \frac{1}{2} $ PRICE
- DRESSES Now 1/2 PRICE
- SWIMSUITS Now 1/2 PRICE sizes 5 to 13
- EARRINGS NOW 50°
FREE PARKING
PROJECT 835 MASS. V13-4833
$ \mathbf{S}_{1} $
Patronize Kansan Advertisers