University Daily Kansan, February 27, 1985
CAMPUS AND AREA
Page 1
State work-study money is available
By JEANINE HOWE Staff Reporter
$35,000 originally slated for students in this year's work-study program is now available for additional students needing financial assistance, the assistant director of financial aid said yesterday.
Pam Houston, the assistant director, said the state-supported program had not used $35,000 of its $150,000 budget for fiscal year 1985 because the financial aid office had overestimated the program's cost per student for the 1984-85 school year.
"The amount of money committed is not being spent at the rate we
expected," she said. "It will allow for other students to take advantage of the program."
The state work-study program helps students who prove financial need to find off-campus jobs. About 50 students are participating in the state work-study program. Houston students could benefit from the money.
Houston said interested students should contact her at the financial aid office.
UNDER THE PROGRAM, the state pays 50 percent of a student's wages and the employer pays the rest. KU also offers a college work-study program, in which the federal government pays 80 percent
of a student's wages and the University pays the remaining 20 percent
Each year, the financial aid office estimates how much money each student will receive in the state program. Houston said the office's calculations, which are based on salary amounts and the number of students participating, had been too high this year.
She said the office realized a couple of months ago that money was available, but paperwork slowed the process of making that money available.
In fiscal 1984, the program received about $90,000. Houston said. It received roughly the same amount in fiscal 1985, but the amount was
boosted to $150,000 by funds left over from fiscal 1984, she said.
The work-study program began
July 1, 1983, after the Associated
University of Kansas, a student lobby-
ing group, opposed a program to
the Legislature.
Jobs offered through the work-study program are often related to students' interests or career goals. Houston said this enabled students to gain job experience while earning money to navy for school.
She said the program was used during the summer as well as the fall and spring semesters.
"Sometimes students have difficulty finding summer employment, so this helps them," she said.
Group proposes state shield law bill
By NANCY HANEY Staff Reporter
The right of a reporter to keep a source confidential soon could be guaranteed by state law if the Kansas Press Association can convince legislators to adopt such a bill.
The association wrote the shield law bill, which is sponsored by State Rep Joan Adam, D-Actchion. It will be amended in the House Judiciary Committee.
A shield law protects a reporter from prosecution for refusing to reveal the identity of someone who
has given him information. Many states already have shield laws to protect confidential sources.
Ted Frederickson, assistant professor of journalism, said a shield law was needed in Kansas to define the privileges of a reporter.
"The problem is the reporter is never really sure at the time of the interview whether he can keep the name confidential," he said.
FREDERICKSON SAID that if the reporter was asked to name a source after he had promised not to, he had to decide whether it was more important to keep his word to the source or go to jail.
In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court said reporters had no special immunity from disclosing sources. The opinion in Branzburg v. Hayes prompted states to enact a media law, so far, none of these have been tested in federal court, but some have held up in state courts.
Since 1978, reporters in Kansas have had what is known as a qualified privilege to refuse to disclose a source. Qualified privilege is fair and accurate reportage of a proceeding. In Kansas v. Sandstrom, the state Supreme Court decided that courts should determine on a case by
case basis whether the reporter had a right to qualified privilege.
THE COURTS' decision must be based on two tests. First, the jury must decide if the the defendant's need for the information is necessary and then must also decide whether the need outweighs the reporter's privilege.
William Westberke, professor of law, said shield laws allowed reporters to keep a confidential basis for news stories.
However, the use of confidential sources is not a good practice. Frederickson said, although it is sometimes necessary.
CAMP COUNSELORS WANTED