Wednesday, June 24,1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Med Center to be competitive
Hemenway leads meeting creating public authority
By Duane Wagler
Kansan staff writer
Next month will be the first meeting to discuss the transition of the governing of the
A statute from Kansas
University of Kansas Medical Center from a state agency to a public authority board. A stat
Senate Bill 373, passed in February, commissioned Chancellor Robert Hemenway to call
the first meeting of the 14member board consisting of six University officials, three of them non-voting, and eight governor-appointed members.
Included in the bill is the stipulation that the chancellor and executive vice-chancellor of the Med Center, Donald Hagen, would be on the board.
Hemenway said that the main reason for the transition was to help the Med Center survive in the increasingly competitive Kansas City area health care market.
"What the status as public authority enables it to do is to really compete in that hospital marketplace without one hand tied behind its back." he said.
The bill mandated that the transition be completed by Dec. 31, but the University hoped to have it finished by Oct. 1, said Marlin Rein, University director of budget and governmental relations.
The change would allow the Med Center to avoid the labyrinth of state purchasing
procedures when ordering equipment. Hemenway said that the transition would help level the field, allowing the Med Center to compete with other hospitals in
funds like other hospitals
"As a state agency, the hospital wasn't even permitted to collect the interest off the cash that it would put into the
"What the status as public authority enables it to do is to really compete in that hospital marketplace without one hand tied behind its back."
Robert Hemenway University of Kansas Chancellor
such purchases as emergency room equipment.
He said that the transition also would allow the Med Center the freedom to invest its
bank," Hemenway said. Rein said he thought having board members from the University would help the Med Center remain true to its mission of being a teaching laboratory.
"That's why there are certain people
specified to be on the board from the University — so that this institution doesn't get away from what its basic heritage has been," he said.
Saferide doesn't offer lift
Students can use program in fall semester
By Liz Wristen
Kansan Staff Writer
Bar owners will not see Saferide vehicles retrieving patrons this summer.
The familiar white vehicles with the red and white logo will return for student use when the school year resumes this fall.
Safeeride is a student-funded program that was developed to provide KU students with a "safe ride" home after an evening of studying or entertainment. The program runs every evening during the regular school year. Vehicles pick up students in the Lawrence area.
"Saferide was set up for the safety of KU students," said Nicole Skalla, transportation
coordinator for KU on Wheels. "Currently, we are working to improve the system with the addition of more cars so that the program will be more efficient."
Without the availability of Saferide this summer, few options remain for students after 6 p.m.
These options consist of driving while intoxicated, walking home, choosing a designated driver or calling a taxi service.
The summer Saferide option doesn't exist for a few reaops.
A smaller number of students attend the University of Kansas during the summer, which minimizes the use of the Saferide program. Skalla said that it also would cost $3,500 a weekend to contract the use of Saferide cars from the Lawrence Bus Company.
Last year, Saferide received a budget of $108,000 for use in the fall and spring semesters. The upcoming year will allow Saferide a budget of about $125,000.
"I think that the absence of Saferide in the summer is a loophole in student services," said Scott Kaiser, student body vice president. "We still have students here in class, and without any kind of
RIDE INFO
For information on Saferide, call 864-SAFE.
For Taxi Information call the Lawrence Taxi Service at 842- TAXI.
program, I think it shows that we have an area of weakness that we need to concentrate on improving."
Student Senate is looking into setting up a Saferide program for future summers. Skalla said that Senate and the transportation department were hoping to receive other means of program funding in the meantime.
Senate members are working with the State of Kansas to set up a designated driver program that would include a grant from the
state to promote the idea.
The program would push students to choose a designated driver before going out. Skalla said she hoped that local bars would promote the program by offering free sodas to designated drivers.
Julie Francis, health educator at Watkins Health Center, provided a few tips for safe weekend fun.
"The person who is the designated driver needs to be chosen before going out," Francis said. "That person needs to stay sober the entire evening so he or she can make sure that everyone else gets home safely and responsibly."
Lawrence Taxi Service runs 24 hours a day, and students can travel to most areas in Lawrence for about a $6 fare, said Mike Jalali, Lawrence Taxi Service manager.
Students may call the Lawrence Taxi Service for more information at 842-TAXI. Saferide will resume services the first weekend of fall classes.
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