THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.101.NO.140
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1992
ADVERTISING:864-4358
(USPS 650-640)
Finney signs bill regulating abortions
NEWS:864-4810
By Greg Farmer
Kansas staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Gov Joan Finney yesterday signed into law a bill regulating abortions in Kansas, but neither anti-abortion nor pro-choice activists at the University of Kansas are pleased.
"I do not believe in abortion," Finney said in a news conference yesterday. "I have repeatedly said I would sign legislation that restricts abortion to any degree. I believe it is imperative that I keep faith with the Kansas people that I keep my word. Therefore, I am signing House Bill 2646."
House Bill 2646 will guarantee a woman's right to an abortion until the age of 18.
After the fetus becomes viable, a woman cannot have a legal abortion unless her life is in danger or the fetus is severely deformed.
The bill requires that doctors notify parents of girls younger than 18 years old before an abortion is performed and that counseling be provided before and after an abortion. The bill also increases penalties for blocking abortion clinics.
"For the first time in Kansas history, legislators have voted to restrict, not liberalize, abortion laws," Finney said. "Counseling, informed consent and a degree of parental notification are included. Years may pass before we have another such opportunity."
Finney's decision came on her last day
to sign or veto the bill, which will go into effect July 1. It is intended to serve as the state's abortion law if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to overrule its 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about the constitutionality of a Pennsylvania law that threatens the Roe decision. The law prohibits abortions after the 24th week of pregnancy unless the mother faces death or irreversible harm, establishes a 24-hour waiting period after an abortion is requested, and requires women to notify their husbands. It also requires doctors to inform a woman of the age of the fetus before performing an abortion and explain the risks and alternatives.
Some think the high court's decision, which should come this summer, will reverse or drastically undermine its Roe decision that abortion is a fundamental constitutional right.
Both anti-abortion and pro-choice activists at KU said they were disappointed by Finney's decision to sign the bill.
"Although far from perfect, this bill, accompanied by reflective policy changes, will certainly reduce the number of abortions performed in Kansas," she said.
Patricia Trausch, president of KU Students for Life, said Finney's decision would hurt the governor with anti-abortion voters.
"She ran on a pro-life platform," Trausch said. "She has said that she maintains pro-life beliefs, but then she turns and signs a bill like this one, which pro-life groups throughout the state oppose."
"We want restrictions that don't leave room for misinterpretation," she said.
Jenifer Dodd, president of Kansas Young Democrats, said she opposed the bill because it created too many restrictions on abortion.
"It's a really restrictive piece of legislation," Dodd said. "That's probably the reason the governor signed it. It's a pro-
Trausch said she would support a bill that allowed abortion only when the life of the mother was in danger.
"Some say this is a good compromise because people on both sides are unhappy," she said. "But I don't think this is an issue we can compromise on."
life billasfar as Ican see "
Some supporters of the bill, including State Sen. Wint Winter Jr., R-Lawrence, touted it as a compromise, but Dodd said compromise was not possible.
Winter, who helped develop the bill, said he was pleasantly surprised by Finney's decision to sign the bill.
"Some people never will be satisfied," he said. "But this bill removes Kansas as a lightning rod for extremism and radicals. This means we have a moderate law. It took some courage for the governor to break away from extremists."
Harold Fakhoury, an 18-year KU employee, shapes the glass needed for a chemistry student's liquid-hourglass project. Fakhoury, who celebrated his ninth year of citizenship in the United States on Wednesday, spends his days in the basement of Malott Hall with glass-blowing equipment. He makes the tubes and stoppers that would normally cost the department hundreds of dollars to buy from factories.
Take a deep breath
Stubborn struggle with sickle cell
Determined, a 27-year-old KU student guards his independence
By Katherine Manweiler
Kansan staff writer
Randy Downing walks with a cane. Although he is only 27, his steps are small and cautious like a person three times his age.
After missing 25 days of class this semester, Randy Downing, Coffeville junior, crams for a pharmacy exam in the student lounge at Malot Hall.
Downing. Coffeyville junior, is carrying a 17-hour course load on his way toward a degree in pharmacy. He likes to listen to Quincy Jones music and go fishing, and he is a hard-core Star Trek fan.
His doctors tell him he has about three years to live.
Downing is the only student on campus known to have sickle cell anemia, an incurable genetic disease that affects one out of every 1,600 African Americans.
Most people with sickle cell anemia do not live past the age of 35, and they rarely finish college because of frequent hospitalizations.
Downing has been in the hospital for more than three weeks out of the last month, but he does not remember the length of his stay or the exact dates.
"I don't even want to know what the day is or how many days I've been in, because then you start counting days and hours and it makes it harder," he says as he lies in his bed at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. "So I say, 'Hey, he's going down. It must be another day. The sun's going down. It must be night.'"
A continuous intravenous drip of Demerol, a powerful pain suppressant, helps Downing control the pain from the sickled cells that have gathered in his sternum and lower back, interrupting the flow of blood and causing what is known as a sickle cell crisis.
"Iimagine someone driving one of the large railroad spikes into your bone with a sledgehammer," he says.
The doctors have not given Downing an estimate of when he will leave the hospital this time. He will leave when he controls his pain with oral medication.
It's not easy
Downing spends his days in the hospital watching television and sleeping.
"I mostly watch the Learning Channel," he says. "I do have to have my daily dose of 'Star Trek' and my daily dose of 'Mirred With Children.' I have to watch those two. Basically, that's all there is to do. I watch TV pre-t
tough all day unless I want to take a nap."
Life outside the hospital for Downing is filled with homework and classes. He usually spends free time alone in his room at Hashinger Hall resting and watching television or listening to music.
In his room there is no carpeting and no posters on the walls.
He dreams about earning his pharmacy degree and getting a job.
"What I want to achieve in the next three or four years may take my whole life, but I've got all the time in the world," he says.
It is difficult for him to get around on campus because of the stairs and hills.
"I have the joints of an 85-year-old man, doctors tell me," he says. "You begin to wonder how much longer you're going to be able to get around on your own. How much longer can you be self-sufficient?"
Downing's closest friend at KU is Debra Fitzpatrick. he met Fitzpatrick, a Cincinnati senior, in one of his first pharmacy courses. After long talks and shared laughter, the acquaintance turned into a friendship.
"People that have sickle cell are just like other people except they have a few extra obstacles that they have to overcome." he says.
Most of Downing's classes are in Malott Hall. It takes him five minutes to walk down the stairs behind Wescoe Hall.
But the fear strengthens his resolve. "I'm always going to have my independence," Downing says. "I may need some device to help me get around, but I'm not going to depend on somebody else to do that for me. If I were to lose my independence," Downingized wheelchair — whatever, but I'm not afraid of losing my independence anymore, because I'm not going to let it happen."
One night in January, the friendship
deeemed as the two spent most of the
Downing usually misses two or three school each semester because of his disdain.
In Downing's hospital room, a large stuffed rabbit holding a carrot sits on the windowsill. His best friend gave it to him to keep him company when she can't be with him. They named the rabbit Bugsy.
evening in Downing's room talking and slow-dancing.
Fitzpatrick was the first girlfriend Downing ever had. Although they are no longer dating, both say their friendship has grown deeper.
"Debra helps me out a lot," he says.
"I thank God for her every day. I spent a lot of time finding somebody who can handle my problem emotionally."
Most of their time has been spent in Downing's room watching television, listening to music or talking. After all, they like to be entertained, plus he often lacks the strength to go
Downing says it has been hard to find women who accept him.
out. But he managed to take Fitz-
rishan and Nabil's Restaurant on
Valentine's Day.
Continued on Page 5
"She's not my girlfriend anymore, but we're close enough that people think we are," Downing says. "It's kind of weird. On a friendship basis, we're closer without the commitment. We still draw strength from each other when we need it."
Fitzpatrick and a friend who lives next door to Downing at Hashinger are the only people who have come to see Downing in the hospital. Fitzpatrick visits two or three times a week — as
Shankel defends confidentiality
By Jenny Martin and Gayle Osterberg Kansan staff writers
Beginning today, students can voice their opinion about whether administrators should inform the community about the outcomes of sexual harassment investigations.
A task force this week released a draft report of 10 recommendations to improve sexual harassment policies and procedures, including a recommendation that the University publicly report any action related to sexual harassment.
Copies of the draft will be available beginning today at the Kansas and Burge unions, Watson Library and the law library.
Through May 5, students can pick up a copy of the draft report and submit written comments to Sandra Wick, interim executive vice chancellor, interim executive vice chancellor.
Wick said a lack of communication with the University community during an investigation could create a perception problem.
"The University is at times not as forward as it could be," she said. "I think what it's perceived as is sweeping the problem under therug. In actuality, the University has to protect against defamation of character and infringement of rights."
In the past several months, KU's procedures have been scrutinized by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Department of Education because of reports by student complainants that the University mishandled complaints of sexual harassment in the law school.
During the recently publicized law school case, some law students unrelated to the investigation thought the lack of information worsened the situation.
"I think most students would like to have more information," said Pam Von Essen, second-year law student.
Shankel said that under current rules administrators could not comment about specific complaints because of confidentiality and due process requirements within the University's grievance procedures.
In a prepared statement released
yesterday, Shankel said the Kansan's decision to print sexual harassment allegations against a law school professor did not respect the confidential nature of University procedures.
The Kansan yesterday reported that former law students were unhappy with the way the University handled their complaints. The women alleged that the University did not communicate with them, that procedures were vague and that the process took too long.
Shankel in the statement said, "It is important to note that these allegations were first brought to the University's attention less than one year ago, and federal offices investigating similar reports indicate that two to three years are required for their resolution."
He said the University was actively pursuing all allegations that had been brought to its attention.
Robert Jerry, dean of law, said in a prepared statement that the Kansan's decision to "identify an individual faculty member as the object of allegations which are reportedly pending in a confidential personnel process is highly inappropriate."
The Kansan identified Emil Tonkovich as the law school professor cited in the students' sexual harassment complaints.
"In my view, how the student newspaper's decision comports with journalistic ethics deserves scrutiny," Jerry said.
Connie Burk, member of Students Against Violence Against Womyn, said she spent yesterday answering telephones at Women's Transitional Care Services Inc., a battered women and children's shelter in Lawrence. Many people called the shelter after the publication of the articles, she said.
"We feel the newspaper is responsible to the needs of students," Burk said. "Maybe the University is unhappy with the article, but the students aren't."
Shankel said, "The University of Kansas is concerned for the welfare of all of our students, and we are concerned about the allegations printed in yesterday's student newspaper."
CNN correspondent speaks of experiences
By Shelly Solor
Kansan staff writer
Before CNC foreign correspondent Peter Arnett interviewed Saddam Hussein in the Persian Gulf War, he had to strip naked for a full-body search and sterilize his hands with disinfectant.
He was trying to get a side of the story that throughout much of the war, no one else could get close to: the Iraqis.
But in the many letters he received during and after the Persian Gulf War, Arnett was accused of being a traitor and a sympathizer with the Iraqis.
"Candid reporting from both sides is required to uphold the ideals of democracy," said Arnett, who for much of the 1980s worked as a reporter allowed to stay in Baghdad.
Arnett, who as a journalist has covered Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and other areas in conflict, talked about his experiences in a speech last night to about 1,000 people at Allen Field House. His speech. The Public's Response to the War in Iraq was presented Senate and Student Union Activities.
Arnett talked about the importance of the media's role to inform the public
and how both the Iraqi and U.S. governments restricted the press during the Persian Gulf War.
Peter Arnett
"The U.S. is the example for the world for freedom of the press," he said. "But even with
these rights, that freedom is constantly threatened."
He said the government thought the press should be unquestioningly obedient in times of crisis.
"I have struggled to uphold the freedoms of the press," Arnett said.
He said he had been the target of several investigations, expelled from five countries and arrested and detained in two countries.
Arnett said the press could not win or
arrest a war, as some people claimed
that he was planning an attack.
"Information is not dangerous," he said. "Sixty-four reporters died in Vietnam, and it was not trying to influence the war. They were trying to do their job and get information."