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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
STUDENT SENATE
Senate approves rights changes
VIRALAMIN
vamin@kansan.com
Student Senate approved a mandatory $15.05 student-fee increase per semester and a few changes to the Student Codes of Rights and Responsibilities at its meeting on Wednesday.
The fee increase is due to inflation and maintenance costs. The money will help maintain services at Watkins Memorial Health Center, Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center and Legal Services for Students. In addition, the fee will add a blue SafeBus route to south-west Lawrence. Josh Dean, Finance Committee chairman, said the fee increase will benefit students.
"The $15 increase ensures that our students continue to have access to these services that will make their life easier," Dean said.
"It means they don't have to go to private doctors. They don't have to have a gym membership. They don't have to own a car. That's what we are really paying to maintain."
The changes to the Students Codes of Rights and Responsibilities were mainly made to update and simplify the code.
Now, when students commit a housing violation, they do not have to go through two processes. This allows violations to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Article 8 of the code on campus expression was updated, and expands student's freedom of speech. Students cannot be punished for what is said on social media websites or through other online communication unless it is disruptive to the University's operations.
Article 16 will eliminate a statement in regards to students
publication. The amendment will remove the sentence "Similar freedom must be assured for the oral statement of views on all University-controlled radio and television stations."
Aaron Harris, the rights committee chairman, said this will help clean up the article.
"We left it to be implied that all forms of student press are free from censorship. Before it said that TV stations and radio stations would be free from censorship, now we are making sure student press is free of censorship" Harris said.
Two amendments, however,
failed to gain support from Student
Senate. The first would have
allowed University housing officials
to be able to walk into a University
housing room without prior notice
if they thought rules were being
violated. Currently, residents have
the option to prevent University housing officials from entering their room, unless it is an emergency.
"We were not willing to give that concession to the University," Harris said. "That has been three years in a row we have not given that concession."
The other amendment that failed would have allowed the University to discipline students off campus. Currently, Article 20 states the University cannot discipline students unless a violation of the code takes place in the University or at a University-sponsored event.
The Students Codes of Rights and Responsibilities will be officially updated once Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little signs off on the changes.
— Edited by Katie James
BILL TO FUND LINE ITEM BUDGET
Student fee increase of $15.05 per semester starting
fall 2012
BILL TO FUND INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
$1,410 Printing and other funding for the annual "People of KU" magazine for international students
BILL TO RENOVATE WESCOE BEACH
the bill is passed.
$100,000: Funds coming from the Student Senate reserve account for improvements to Wescoe Beach, including added lighting; University administration will contribute $150,000 if
Committees: Finance, University Affairs
BILL TO AMEND THE STUDENT CODE OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SPRING BREAK
Extends protections to students' speech online and simplifies the code and disciplinary process.
Committee: Student Rights
Expenses pile up during Spring Break
AVALON COLE
acole@kansan.com
Spring break is finally here time for thousands of students to run off to the beach to relax, party and enjoy the sun. But the three most popular spring break destinations Gulf Shores, Ala., Panama City, Fla., and South Padre Island, Texas, can also be the most expensive Both Panama City and South Padre Island are ranked among the most expensive spring break destinations this year, according to a recent survey by CheapHotels.com.
Zach Procak, a sophomore from Sun Prairie, Wis., said he would spend around $600 on his trip to Panama City, including transportation, housing expenses, food and miscellaneous costs. Procak said he is vacationing with a group of eight people and they would split the costs evenly.
said. "You never really know how much you'll spend."
"I would say the most expensive part of spring break is housing or extra spending money," Procak
Kylee Brooks, a freshman from Overland Park, said she estimates she will spend $1,000 on her trip to Gulf Shores, Ala.
Brooks said the house where she will be staying with 11 other women costs $267 per person to rent, but she considers this to be a relatively good deal.
Brooks has spent about $200 on new items for the trip, including a new swimsuit and sunglasses, so she can leave her more valuable items at home.
"I have never been on a spring break trip, but I heard it can be pretty crazy," Brooks said. "I wouldn't want to lose anything, so I bought cheap alternatives instead."
Kelsey Ball, a sophomore from Wichita, said she would spend about $600 on her trip to South Padre Island. Ball is staying in a hotel that costs $225 a night per person and has complimentary breakfast and lunch.
"All of my friends talked about going to the Gulf Shores or Panama City," Ball said. "But after discussing expenses, we decided to branch out to make things cheaper."
Ball said that by choosing a hotel instead of a house, she and her friends were able to cut their food expenses drastically, which lowered the total cost of the trip.
"Spring break expenses can get out of hand if you are not careful," Ball said.
Kristi Gramlich, a junior from Overland Park, went to the Gulf Shores last year and spent around
$600.
"I was able to keep my cost down to $600, because I was frugal about my spending." Gramlich said. "Some of the girls I went with would eat out every night and buy souvenirs, which are things I avoided."
Gramlich said there are ways to keep costs down during spring break, such as ordering something cheaper when eating out, buying alcohol as a group and spending less or nothing on souvenirs.
Edited by Corinne Westeman
MARCH MARCH
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
Student protestors and members of Occupy KU march down Jayhawk Boulevard during the busiest part of the afternoon on Thursday. The protestors began their march at the Chi Omega fountain, went down Jayhawk Boulevard through the Kansas union and down to the Spencer Art Museum, which is displaying an exhibition on activism.
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
Tabitha Marcotte, a junior from Hays, marches with fellow student protestors during the March March led by members of Occupy KU on Thursday afternoon. The protesters processed from the Chi Omega fountain, down Jayhawk Boulevard, through the KU Union, and to the Spencer Art Museum which is currently displaying an exhibition on activism.
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
Claire Kewin, a senior from SL Louis, jons in the March March organized by members of Occupy KU as they walked江ayhawk Boulevard on Thursday afternoon. The signs of the protesters ranged from protests related to the Occupy Movement to support of Professor Romkes to protesting against the Coca-Cola company in response to the company's alleged human rights violations.
HEALTH
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A woman holds up an "Aero Shot" caffeine device in Boston, on Feb. 7. The lipstick-sized product went on the market last month in Massachusetts and New York and is also available in France. A single unit costs $2.99 at convenience stores. Caffeine intake rises on campus during exam weeks, with sales of caffeinated beverages tripling at The Hawk Shop.
Caffeine keeps research buzzing
"During finals week, there's definitely an increase in energy drink sales due to students needing to cram and stay awake to get everything done." Terry said.
"Caffeine is a drug that increases alertness," said Ann Chapman, dietician for the University. "That's why it's popular."
While Chapman said that a daily intake of 200 milligrams to 300 milligrams of caffeine is OK for students, every person's tolerance is different. Too much caffeine can result in headaches, jitteriness, irritation and sleep deprivation, she said. One cup of coffee can have between 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams of caffeine; a 5-hour Energy shot has 148 milligrams; and most 12-ounce cans of pop have around 40 milligrams, according to Medicinenet.
Aeroshot is the most recent caffeine supplement to hit the market. It was introduced by Breathable Foods last month. The lipstick-sized container packs 100 milligrams of caffeine per puff.
Dawn Terry, an employee for The Hawk Shop at the Burge Union, said that sales of caffeinated beverages nearly triple during finals week.
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
In the past 10 years, energy drinks loaded with caffeine have become a staple of college life to some, especially during midterms and finals week. While there is little harm in consuming caffeine in moderation, too much can pose challenges to students' wellness.
For those wanting to decrease their caffeine intake without feeling drowsy throughout the day, Chapman recommends getting more sleep and eating almonds instead. Research has shown that protein in almonds stimulates insulin production, she said.
"The problem is if it becomes a habit, it can compromise your health," Chapman said.
To improve sleep quality, Chapman recommends avoiding caffeinated products four to six hours before going to bed and avoiding pulling all-nighters.
Edited by Anna Allen
"I think for the most part I don't see the same person coming in every day buying an energy drink or energy shot," Karpowitz said. "I see students using it as needed rather than as a daily necessity."
Wendy Karpowitz, assistant buyer for the Hawk Shop, said that the highest-selling caffeinated product is Coke Zero.
TRANSPORTATION
"I just like to have a cup of coffee in the morning," Matthewson said. "It makes me feel less tired." When she gets tired in the afternoon, Matthewson switches to green tea.
is only available in Boston, New York and France. The FDA is investigating its health effects because of the ease of consumption and concern for potential abuse.
No SafeBus over break correction to schedule
Kendall Mathewson, a law student from Tulsa, Okla., does not drink energy drinks, but she said she does enjoy tea and coffee.
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Safe Ride and Safe Bus will not operate during Spring Break.
+
KU on Wheels sent an email Thursday afternoon to students and ran a correction for its calendar, which incorrectly implied that services will operate from March 22 through 24. Service for Safe Ride and Safe Bus will
be suspended March 18 through 24.
be suspended March 18 through 24.
Safe Ride and the regular Safe Bus schedule will continue on March 25
Safe Bus will also add a new route for the fail 2012 semester. Safe Bus Blue (55) will run from Clinton Parkway and Wakarusa Drive through Kasold Drive and 6th Street to downtown Lawrence.
Vikaas Shanker
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