THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.101,NO.121
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
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With Hoch funded, KU's needs shift
By Greg Farmer
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA — In light of Thursday's $18-million breakthrough on Hoch Auditorium, University of Kansas officials told a Senate subcommittee Friday that the University's new priorities were an increase in faculty salaries and a 100-percent fee waiver for graduate teaching assistants.
On Thursday, Gov. Joan Finney recommended a budget amendment that would appropriate to KU $18 million during the next three fiscal years for planning and rebuilding Hoch, the 64-year-old auditorium gutted by fire June 15.
"The governor addressed one important issue, but now GTA fee waivers and increases in faculty
salaries become even more important issues for us," said Del Shankel, interim executive vice chancellor. "I consider them to be crucial issues for the
Shankel, Chancellor Gene Budig and Tom Beisecker, head of the Faculty Executive Committee, addressed the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee for KU's Lawrence campus Friday.
The Ways and Means Committee removed salary recommendations from all budgets earlier this month under those increases later in the session.
Budig said faculty salaries were indicators of institutional quality.
The Legislature's failure to finance the third year of the Margin of Excellence during the 1990 and 1991 sessions
Kansas 1992 Legislature
caused faculty salaries at KU to fall in comparison to peer institutions, Budig said.
"We are very concerned about the cumulative effect of these less-than-adequate years," he said. "When the time for consideration of salary increases comes, we ask for your support."
Shankel reminded the subcommittee that two faculty members in the biological sciences, Shankel's home department, had decided to leave the University, citing a lack of state support as reasons for their departures.
"We're not talking retirees or new assistant professors here," Shankel said. "We're talking established faculty with abilities and expertise that we value and that our students need."
Beieseeck said faculty needed a positive signal from the Legislature.
"What we are asking for is some sense that this is not something that is going to continue forever," he said. "There are faculty members who are not actively seeking employment elsewhere. But if the sense is that this is going to continue, those faculty will start looking."
The Ways and Means subcommittee for Regents system wide issues did not recommend the 100-percent fee waiver for GTAs that the governor had recommended in January and the House of Representatives approved earlier
Budig said that KU officials felt very strongly that the fee waiver for GTAs should be increased to 100 percent.
this month.
Shankel said strong undergraduate programs depended on the best graduate students.
"We cannot compete for the best graduate students without the 100-percent fee waiver," he said. "The future quality of the institution and the education we offer will be determined in part by those graduate teaching assistants that we can attract."
Beiecker, a professor of communication studies, said the department of communication studies recently had lost the recruiting battle for a talented graduate student from the University of West Virginia.
"Our total doctoral package was less
than the master's level package at West Virginia," he said. "We cannot expect to get the best students without competitive benefits."
State Sen. Richard Rock, D-
Arkansas City, said the subcommittee
and committee were being forced to
missions during tough budgetary times.
"I don't believe this Legislature has a desire to reduce the status of the University of Kansas or the Regents, but we're dealing with difficult circumstances," Rock said. "The Regents system is the star in our crown, and KU is the leader of that. But I still feel we can only do this year what we have the money to do."
"And we are having great difficulties finding sufficient funds to do what should be done."
KU foreigners find out how to stay in U.S.
By Svala Jonsdottir
Kansan staff writer
Almost 200 international students attended a workshop Friday to learn how they could stay in the United States after graduation.
Daphne Johnston, assistant director of the KU International Student Services, said the immigration workshop was the most popular program the services conducted each year.
She said about 10 percent of the international students who graduated from the University went on to work in the United States.
*Most of them do practical training, and are most go on to the H-1 visa,* *and are used for job purposes.*
Practical training allows international students to work in the United States for up to 18 months after graduation as long as the job is related to their major. After they have completed the practical training, they can apply to the H-1, or temporary work position, which is valid for up to six years.
Agota Vasarhelyi, Budapest, Hungary, junior, said she wanted to work in the United States after graduation.
"I would like to get some training in my major before I go back," she said. "I am interested in the temporary work permit, but of course I am also interested in the permanent immigration."
Vasarhelii said she thought there were better iobs here than in Hungary.
"I like it here, and I see more opportunities here than where I am from," she added. "I would like to see my country again, but right now I would like to be here."
Howard Eisberg, Kansas City, Mo.,
lawyer, said he handled immigration cases for students from several universities in Kansas and Missouri.
"Generally, there is a four-step process toward permanent immigration," said Eisberg, who conducted the workshop. "You graduate, then go on to post-graduate practical training, convert to H-1 visa and convert from that to permanent residency."
Qualifying for the practical training and a temporary worker visa is relatively easy in most cases. Being eligible for permanent residency, which is a three-step process including labor certification, is more difficult, Eisberd said.
"The more education you have, the easier it is to qualify for the permanent residency," he said. "Basically, you are ineligible if you are not qualified U.S. worker for the job."
To becoming a permanent resident can take several years and cost from $2,000 to $5,000 in legal fees, Eisberg said.
Andy Thomas, Manchester, England, junior, said he attended the workshop because he was interested in immigrating.
"It seems to be a very complicated procedure," he said. "I am here only for a junior year abroad, but I want to come back."
He said most of the other British students he knew came to the University for a year with the intention of going abroad, but Thomas said he wanted to stay.
"There is better quality of life here, and there is more freedom," he said. "I am planning to finish my degree in England and then come back here for graduate school, which would probably give me a better chance."
ChristineMcFarland/KANSAN
Piece bvpiece
Athletic department employees D.W. Acker, left, and Dennis Kennedy, dismantle the basketball court Friday at Allen Field House. Pieces of the floor will be sold to the public through the Williams Education Fund and the KU ticket office.
Gov. Joan Finney announces a proposed budget amendment Friday at the Statehouse in Topeka. Chancellor Gene Budig, looking through notes, was on hand along with other Regents school representatives to hear and comment on the amendment.
Cheating McFartand/KANSAN
Finney recommends $18 million for Hoch
Budget proposal benefits four schools
By Greg Farmer
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA Chancellor Gene Budig literally and figuratively stood behind Gov. Joan Finney Friday as she explained budget amendments that included $18 million for the reconstruction of Hoch Auditorium.
Budig, members of the Board of Regents and presidents of other Regents institutions joined the governor and her Student Advisory Council for a news conference Friday.
"It's been a long week at the University of Kansas," Budig said referring to the men's basketball team's
loss in the NCAA tournament. "But you have made us happy again."
The Regents universities were the big winners Thursday when Finney announced her recommendations for how the state should spend the $185 million in retroactive disproportionate share funds it will receive from the federal government.
Disproportionate share money is Medicaid money the state receives as compensation for care of patients in state mental hospitals. Kansas will receive $185 million for care given between 1987 and 1989.
Finney proposed Thursday several budget amendments to spend the windfall Those amendments included $54.7 million for capital improvement projects at four Regens universities, including $18 million during the next three fiscal years for
planning and rebuilding Hoch.
"We'd really like to hug you, governor," said Jack Sampson, Regents chairperson, as he draped his left arm over her shoulder.
"Quite frankly, it's the best news we've had in a long time," said President Jon Wefalf of Kansas State University, which will receive $18 million to build a new library. "Thope the Legislature, in its wisdom, will agree with your recommendations because, quite frankly, they're brilliant."
In addition to the projects at KU and K-State, the governor's recommendations included $10 7 million for a technology center at Pittsburgh State University and $8 million for a physical science building at Fort Hays State University.
Finney said she thought the Regents universities needed the capital improvement money more than other agencies.
"Our Regents universities deserve continued support," she said. "These buildings are vital to our educational system and the state's economy. In order to see that our economy moves forward, it's important that we place a great emphasis on higher education."
Joe Cinalli, KU director of Associated Students of Kansas, said he was ecstatic.
"I think the governor made the wisest choice she has made all session," he said. "After looking at all the needs in the state, she decided that KU's Hoch need was the biggest. I think she is absolutely right."
Hoeh, which was gutted by fire June 15, provided 7 percent of the University's total classroom space.
'Life Goes On' star speaks in Lawrence
By Katherine Manweiler
Kansan staff writer
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 300 people Saturday night heard the message that obstacles can be turned into opportunities from Christopher Burke, star of "Life Goes On," an ABC television series.
Cottonwood is an agency that provides support services for adults who are developmentally disabled and/or mentally retarded in Douglas and Jefferson counties. The ceremony recognizes Cottonwood clients who have had jobs.
Burke spoke at the seventh annual Cottonwood Employment Recognition Awards Ceremony at the Eldridge Hotel.
Forty-seven employees and employers received awards. Many of the employees were recognized for keeping the same job for more than three years.
Burke told the crowd he was bitten by the acting bug when he was five years old, after he heard applause for his performance as a chorus member in a Christmas pageant.
Burke's role as Corky Thacher, a 20-year-old with Down's syndrome, in "Life Goes On" was not his first job. Burke, who has Down's syndrome, first worked as an assistant to a public school for people with multiple disabilities.
"Working with those young children was wonderful, but I never let go of my dream of becoming an actor." Burke
He encouraged the audience to keep their dreams in sight.
"I think it’s really great because I think it gives us a
great opportunity to have jobs like this." Burke said.
He said it was an honor for him to be a part of Cottonwood's awards ceremony.
"Be sure you keep your eye on your goal, speak up for yourself and make sure your dream comes true," Burke said.
But he played down the idea that he was an inspiration to people around the country with disabilities.
"It's not just me," he said. "Everybody is an inspiration."
terri Rerry, a Cottonwood client, has worked at Wendy's for the past two months. As she received her award, Burke kissed her on the cheek. The crowd burst into applause while Grant blushed and hid her face with her certificate.
"It makes me feel good that he came here, but I feel kind of embarrassed because he gave me a kiss on the cheek." she said.
Grant said she enjoyed her job at Wendy's, but seeing Burke reach his goal to be an actor gave her hope that someday she could be a singer.
Roseann Boldridge, director of employment services for Cottonwood, said she had contacted Burke more than a year ago about speaking at the ceremony. Several Cottonwood clients put together a Christmas package of letters and pictures for Burke, and he accepted the invitation soon afterward.
"I never really imagined that I'd take no for an answer." Boldridge said.