ATTENTION: Today's classes are canceled. The University's inclement weather policy is in effect.
TALK TO US: Contact Leita Walker, Jay Krall or Kyle Ramsey at (785) 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY
JANUARY 31,2002
ISSUE 83 VOLUME 112
No school, way cool...
Cancellation process looks at roads, buses before calling off class
By Leah Shaffer
ByLean Shaffer Kansan staff writer
Today marks the second time since 1978 that two days of classes in a row were canceled because of inclement weather.
Yesterday's cancellation of classes made Wednesday the first full snow day since 1993.
The snow day, the ninth on record was triggered by freezing rain Tuesday night and a forecast for precipitation and freezing weather.
Many KU officials are involved in the decision to cancel classes, said Lindy Eakin, associate provost for Support Services in the Office of the Provost.
Hesaid that personnel in the Office of the Provost worked together to determine whether classes should be canceled. They relied on police agencies and the university's department of facilities and operations to advise them on the quality of the roads.
However, Provost David Shulenburger makes the final decision to cancel. Eakin said.
KU Snow Days Since 1972
After the provost decides to cancel class, he informs the Office of University Relations, which then makes an announcement to the public and the
February 12th & 13th, 1978
February 7nd, 1983.
February 2nd,1983 February 12th,1985
February 12th,1985
January 20th, 1993 (morning classes only)
February 25th,1993
(afternoon classes only)
■ February 9th, 2001 (morning classes only)
news media by 5:30 am.
January 30th,2002
Often, the timing of the inclement weather is more of a factor than the amount. Eakin said.
Source: Office of University relations
"It's not how much snow. It's whether they can get the streets clear." he said.
UNDSEY KILIANY/KANSAN
Eakin said that the buses were often a litmus test as to whether class should be canceled.
"If the buses aren't running then the streets aren't safe." he said.
Dean Christy, facilities and operations construction supervisor, went out with his crew at 6:30 a.m. yesterday to clear the campus sidewalks and steps.
"It's back-breaking work." Christy said.
Facilities and operations personnel will work the rest of the week if winter storms continue as predicted.
The winter storm warning the
Dean Christy, facilities maintenance supervisor, clears the sidewalks on the streets of campus. He said the work was back-breaking, but he wanted to make sidewalks safe.
National Weather Service issued for Lawrence Is in effect until this afternoon.
The service predicted freezing rain changing to ice late today.
Contact Shaffer at
Contact Sharfer at lishaffer@kansan.com. This story was edited by Laurie Harrison.
Marcus Skala, Derby senior, Paul Chang, Olathe sophomore, Jeff Heidrick, Wichita senior, and Cliff Fowles, Assaria senior, get ready for a sled train down Campanile hill. These students enjoyed their day off of school by sledding for about three hours on the hill.
Students take to slick snow
Some go sledding play board games during snow day
By Maggie Koerth Kansan staff writer
Fil Vocasek didn't hear Wednesday's classes were canceled until nearly 11:30 p.m. But as soon as he got the call, the Dodge City senior knew he had to do something fun.
"We ended up inviting our friends over for an old-fashioned sleep over," Vocasek said. "We had movies, food and jammies — everything you need."
Word of the snow day trickled through the student body after the University of Kansas announced its
"Sledding is more fun on the ice," Tom Morefield said. The St. Louis, Mo. junior went out with several of his hallmates from Battenfeld Hall.
"We had a little celebration at 11:50," Kim Tholen, Iola junior, said. "Other than that, we just hung out and relaxed. That's what we're still doing."
decision to media outlets and on its weather hotline, 864-SNOW.
"We went sledding on the road, on Alumni Place," he said. "It was kind of dangerous because there were a lot of cars."
Gil Akos, St. Louis, Mo., sophomore, spent the eve ning boarding.
"Afterwards, we came back and had a rousing game of Monopoly until 4 a.m." Akos said.
Other students ventured out.
Ice covered everything Tuesday night, keeping Tosha Green, Lane junior, from enjoying her night of freedom. She didn't do anything except stay up a little bit later than normal because she didn't want to travel on the roads.
Like any true sleep over, Fil Vocasek's party was still going Wednesday afternoon. Vocasek said if it snowed he and his friends would probably venture out to go sliding.
"If it stays icy, though, we'll probably just stay inside and watch another movie," he said.
'Nobody could do anything,' Green said. 'The roads were frozen.'
Contact Koerth at
mkoorth@kansan.edu. This story was edited by Brooke Hesler.
Course retakes are still available
Bv Rachel Keeseee
Kansan staff writer
Students wanting to retake a course this semester to replace a D or F have additional time to do so.
The Office of the University Registrar has extended the Add/Drop deadline from yesterday to the next day classes are in session because of canceled classes yesterday and today.
However, James Carothers, interim associate professor in the Provost Office, said students should be aware the course retake policy, enacted in July 2001, included some restrictions.
"Students hope they can fix everything by retaking any class, but that's not the case," Carothers said. "The original class had to be in the student's first 60 hours at KU. And the course has to have been taken in Fall 2001 or thereafter."
The policy also applies to University of Kansas undergraduates and transfer students who want to replace a course they took in their first semester at KU.
"All these provisions are to improve a student's skill in an academic area, not to assist a grade point average." Carothers said.
a grade point Jason Hargett, Shawnee sophomore, said he met the qualifications for the course-repeat policy.
"I'm very happy about it, particularly as a sophomore, since I'm still getting used to college," he said. "It's nice to say you can screw up once in a while."
Hargett said he would use the policy next year for an introductory genetics class.
"I've just been frustrated that I didn't work harder last semester and that I have to pay hundreds of dollars to take a class again." Hargett said.
Joshua Wunderlich, Stilwell junior, said he was retaking classes without being able to replace his earlier grades. The classes he would like to replace he took before Fall 2001.
"I'm retaking the classes anyway,
Course retake requirements:
The original grade must be D or F
Only courses taken in Fall 2001 or after may be retaken.
- The original grade must be D or F.
- No more than five courses may be repeated.
A repeated course can't be a prerequisite for a class already taken.
A class can't be repeated if the original grade was given for academic misconduct.
A class cannot be retaken more than once.
A class must be repeated at KU. grade will be on the
The old grade will be on the transcript but not calculated into the GPA.
An application must be completed and given to the school's dean no later than six weeks into the semester, except for eight week courses.
Source.
www.registerar.ku.edu/repeat/faq.sht
ml
because I need them for my major," he said.
because I need them for my major. No, According to the registrar's Web site, students can retake classes in a school with the dean of that school's approval, but the original class grade will still count toward their grade point average if the student doesn't apply for the retake policy.
"I understand why there's limitations on it," he said. "It would probably get out of control if they let everyone do it."
Wanderlich said he was pleased that other undergraduates would have the opportunity to replace their grades.
For a list of course-retake regulations, go to the registrar's Web site at www.registrar.ku.edu/repeat/rules.shtml.
Contact Keeesee at rkeesee@kansan.com This story was edited by Justin Guenley.
Jessica Tims Kansan staff writer
Country legend on the road again; wows crowd
Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night could keep country superstar Willie Nelson from taking the Lied Center stage last night.
As the lights dimmed, fans clapped and chanted "Willie." He took the stage dressed in black. As he fastened his red, white and blue guitar strap, the crowd greeted him with a standing ovation. Cheers only grew louder after Nelson traded a black cowboy hat for his trademark red bandanna.
Nelson and his six-piece band played old favorites like "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" and "Always on My Mind." They also played songs like "Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me)" written by Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas, from Nelson's new CD The Great Divide.
SARA SNEPHERD/KANSAN
Between songs, the singer didn't talk and acknowledged audience applause with a simple thank you.
Nelson arrived in Lawrence on Tuesday before the weather turned bad, said Fred Pawlicki, director of operations at the Lied Center.
"If the artist is here and can go on, the show will not be canceled." he said.
Nelson's hectic touring schedule was another reason the show was not canceled, Pawlicki said.
"In the entertainment industry, routing is something they have to consider," he said. "He has a performance tomorrow in Omaha."
The bad weather didn't stop Nelson's fans from seeing him live, although there was a sprinkling of empty seats.
Michele Traband, box office manager at the Lied Center, said people were still calling for tickets yesterday afternoon.
Willie Nelson performs for a sold-out crowd at the Lied Center last night. The concert was part of Nelson's tour to promote his new album.
"Everyone that has called is still planning on coming from far away," she said. "The die-hard Willie fans are going to make it."
And they did. Few seats at the sold-out venue where left unoccupied. John Hughes and his girlfriend, Katy Hamilton, drove from Overland Park to see the show.
Hughes said he made the trek because "it's Willie Nelson. If he could make it, I could make it."
INSIDETODAY
Contact Tims at jjms@kansan.com. This story was edited by Gillian Titus.
LOCAL NEWS ...2A
HOROSCOPES ...2B
WEATHER ...4B
CROSSWORD ...4B
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The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
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