Volume 124 Issue 81
kansan.com
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
SWINDLING STUDENTS
THEFT IS TOP CAMPUS CRIME
RACHEL SALYER
rsalery@kansan.com
When Greg Cholakis heard the door to his four-person Ellsworth suite open, he didn't think anything of it. He and his roommates had an open-door policy, so he assumed it was a friend, but the click of an ethernet cable sent him sprinting from his bed.
"I saw my Xbox was gone," said Cholakis, a sophomore from Long Island, N.Y. "I ran out the door, but I didn't see anyone.
Cholakis found two men upstairs. One was carrying his Xbox, and the other had the Xbox stand, games and movies.
"When they wouldn't give it back, I yanked it out of their hands," Cholakis said. "Then I told the R.A."
Cholakis isn't the only student to experience this crime. Records reported by the Office of Public Safety show that theft was the most common crime on campus during the fall semester.
Official numbers won't be available until February, but the Office of Public Safety reports all data to crimereports.com. According to online records, 64 thefts were reported from Aug. 22 to Dec. 16, 2011, accounting for 56 percent of all campus crimes. Captain Schuyler Bailey, who has been with the University for 27 years, said he thinks that theft is prevalent on college campuses everywhere.
Although theft has been occurring on campus through the
years, records show a 32 percent decrease in the last five years. In 2005, 291 thefts were reported, and 199 were reported in 2010.
Bailey thinks that student inattentiveness is the biggest cause of theft and attributes the decrease to more student awareness.
"We go to all 22 sessions of orientation, so the message is continual," Bailey said. "We want people to know that they play a role in the protection of their property."
Additionally, the University's 240 cameras also play a role in keeping theft down.
"They act as a deterrent," Bailey said. "And then if something happens, it is also a way to establish suspects."
Every residence hall has cameras monitoring entrances, and many campus buildings have cameras, but those were still the two most common places for theft to occur. Thirty-one percent of thefts occurred in buildings, and 20 percent took place in residence halls and campus apartments.
Items recovered after theft can be difficult to return unless the Office of Public Safety is sure to whom it belongs.
"I need to be able to prove that the specific item is yours," Bailey said. "iPods, computers, these things are all mass-produced, and we need a way to determine it belongs to you."
The best way to identify an item as yours is by writing down serial numbers, taking photos
and video of items and having things engraved. Legal Services for Students recommends insurance as another way to protect yourself.
"We encourage people to have renters insurance and to look at full-coverage car insurance," said Jo Hardesty, director and managing attorney for Legal Services for Students. "Their parents' home owner's insurance may even cover some things. But it's not just about having insurance. It's understanding what all your insurance coverage provides."
Renters insurance in Lawrence costs anywhere from $8 to $19, according to StateFarm's website. The price differences between the monthly charges make a big difference, Hardesty said.
"One price likely covers the current value of an item taken, while the more expensive price will cover the full replacement cost. That way, if your things are taken, you have a place to start. And more importantly, you're not at a total loss."
This was a lesson Cholakis had to learn the hard way, but he said it was a lesson he only had to learn once.
"It's a shame stuff like this happens," Cholakis said. "I definitely do things differently, but I learned to be prepared for the worst, and the best way to do that is be aware."
Edited by Taylor Lewis
Crimes reported between August 22, 2011 and December 16, 2011
Theft totals for the past five years high, but decreasing
crimereports.com
CAMPUS
Students audition for dance
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
Forty University of Kansas students demonstrated their dancingtalent as they vied for spots in the University Dance Company Monday night in the Robinson Center.
"It's about finding the talent here at KU and discovering who is passionate about the art," said Kelly Casper, a freshman from Rogers, Minn.
This semester, four faculty choreographers as well as a guest artist are looking to cast student dancers in their performance ensembles for the University Dance Company, which will perform April 19 and 20 in the Lied Center.
"This exposure to professional choreographers gives them an edge when they graduate," said Professor Michelle Hayes, chair of the department of dance. "In professional dancing, there are so many dancers for so few spots."
This year's guest artist is the dance company Black Label Movement, based in Minneapolis, Minn.
"I feel extremely nervous when I'm preparing but it's important to give yourself a pep talk," said Alexa Rush, a sophomore from Spring, Texas. "Confidence is the key. Judges can definitely see that."
Typically, 35 dancers are cast in at least one production for the Company. Dancers vying for spots put in much practice for the try out.
Rush practices twice a week for a total of eighths. Although she
did not make the Company last semester, she's hoping her practice has paid off.
"You have no idea what they're going to throw at you. It's a very fast paced audition." Rush said.
Four auditions were being held, encompassing three styles: one ballet, one jazz and two modern. Each tryout lasted 15 to 20 minutes where dancers learned phrase -segment of choreography - on the spot and then performed it for choreographers.
Sullivan said she enjoys the people in the Company. The faculty and dancers alike develop close friendships. The Company practices twice a week for two hours during each session in the evenings. Even with a full schedule, Sullivan says it's worth it..
Kenna Sullivan, a junior from Chicago is trying out for the fifth time hoping for her fourth consecutive spot in the Company. Even though she's a veteran to the process, she still puts a great deal of effort into preparing.
Time management is also an issue. Most dancers are taking a full load of classes. About half of the cast are majoring in something besides dance.
"The faculty's styles are diverse and adapting to them can be challenging." Sullivan said.
"University Dance Company opens a lot of different doors when you pursue a career in dance," Sullivan said.
- Edited by Jeff Karr
Kelly Casper, a student from Rogers, MN performs during the audition Monday night in Robinson. Troubles were held by the University Dance Company.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Student charged in endagement case
RACHEL SALYER
rsaler@kansan.com
A University student charged with aggravated endangerment of a child and attempted violation of a protective order appeared before a judge Monday.
Trevor James Benedict, age 18, appeared before District Two Judge Sally Pokorny from jail and received a preliminary hearing date. Benedict and his attorney also asked for a bond modification, but Pokorny denied their request.
Benedict also faces a juvenile child endangerment case. Both charges are based off of an Aug. 23 incident, in which Benedict is accused of placing his girlfriend, a minor, in danger by "permitting a child under the age of 18 years to be placed in a situation in which the child's life, body or health is injured or endangered," according to the Kansas statute on child endangerment.
CRIME
On Jan. 3, Benedict was remanded from court by Division Court Judge James George, and taken to jail. Details concerning why Benedict was remanded were not immediately available.
After Benedict was stopped by police for speeding, he
If Benedict "is convicted of or pleads guilty to a presumptive probation offense, the legislature 'presumes' that the defendant is entitled to a contract of probation. The defendant only serves the underlying sentence if he or she violates the terms and conditions of the probation contract," according to Kansas attorney Paul Cram's website.
More details in the case are expected to be released at Benedict's preliminary hearing, scheduled for Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.
Benedict does not have any prior convictions and faces presumptive probation if convicted, according to his defense attorney.
Edited by Gabrielle Schock
The victim has also been to Benedict's house numerous times since the protective order was issued. This is one reason why Pokorny cited for denying his bond modification.
CLASSIFIEDS 9 CRYPTOQUIPS 4 SPORTS 10
CROSSWORD 4 OPINION 5 SUDOKU 4
reportedly told police that he was going to see the victim in the case, and has since been charged with attempted violation of a protective order.
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All contents, unless stated otherwise. © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
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