Monday, March 30, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Wheels turning for public buses
By Marc Sheforgen and Jeremy M. Doherty
msheforgen@kansan.com
msherforen @ kansan.co
joherty@kansan.com
Kansan staff writers
Talk of a fixed-route public bus system in Lawrence once again is gaining support.
Lawrence resident Mary Michener, shown here at the Massachusetts Street bus stop, is chairwoman of Citizens for Public Transportation. Michener's group collects petition signatures and donations in an effort to convince the city to create a public transportation system. Photo by Geoff Krieger/KANSAN
Citizens for Public Transportation is collecting petitions and donations to bring a city bus system to Lawrence.
Mary Michener, co-chairwoman of the group and Lawrence resident, said that there are many cities smaller than Lawrence that have successfully run a city bus system. She said that such a mode of public transportation was long overdue in Lawrence.
"More people could go shopping or visit their friends," she said. "We want people to realize that people are missing art events, sports events and most importantly, job opportunities."
Because KU on Wheels' buses travel to and from campus, it is useful mainly to students. Many Lawrence residents face difficulties in getting around town, Michner said.
Michner is uncertain of what would happen to KU on Wheels if a city bus plan was developed. She said that the two could combine to form a single system.
Scott Kaiser, transportation coordinator, preferred that option as opposed to dismantling KU on Wheels.
"A bus system run by the city without any student input would end up meaning reduced services for students," he said. "They'd end up paying more for less services."
Lisa Marte, Dominican Republic freshman, said that she was concerned that KU students no longer would be able to use their bus passes.
Makiko Aihara, Japan freshman,
said that a bus system in addition to
KU on Wheels could benefit many
students.
"Many international students don't have cars, so they need a ride to go to Walmart or Target," she said. "Right now there are no buses to go there. so it is kind of difficult."
Last year, the Lawrence City Commission rejected a plan for a public bus system.
Fred Sherman, city planner, said a study last year showed that a bus system would create a annual deficit of $1 million.
"The City Commission decided that they didn't want to see taxes go up, and they voted it down," Sherman said.
Paul Fairchild, co-chairperson of Citizens for Public Transportation, said that last year's City Commission decision would not discourage the group from continuing and increasing their efforts.
"It's just a challenge that we have to overcome, and I think the way to overcome it is with enough public support," he said.
The group sent out 1,150 letters stating their case to Lawrence residents in March. In addition, the group enclosed a form soliciting signatures
and donations for $10, $25 or $50.
Michener said the petition, which thus far has attracted more than 1,000 signatures and $615 in contributions, indicated the community's support for their cause.
"We do want it, and we will pay for it," she said.
Crime reports decrease during break
Bv Laura Roddy
Iroddy@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
While University of Kansas students basked in the sun at the beach or hit the ski slopes during spring break, it was business as usual for the KU Office of Public Safety.
Without many students on campus, criminal activity reported to the office decreased.
"Overall, it's been a pretty slow week," Officer James Anguian said. "Some of our spring break crises don't get
reported until after (students)
get back."
Anguiano said one person was arrested on campus last week for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The person was not a KU student.
He also said that several students reported theft of property during break but that the thefts occurred while classes were still in session.
Lawrence public schools also were not in session last week.
"We really don't see an increase of criminal activity from high school kids here on
campus." Anguiano said
A deserted campus does not change the way officers operate.
"We still patrol normal shifts just like we would during the regular school year," Anguiano said.
Police were able to do extra patrols of places such as the parking lots and Stouffer Place Apartments, he said.
Because of the extra patrol time, some students may return to their vehicles and find a note left by an officer. Anguiano said that if officers found vehicles that looked like they had been
damaged or broken into, they tried to contact students by phone or left them notes.
Brenda Chung, Hong Kong sophomore and Lewis Hall resident, said she had not worried about the safety of her property during break because of security monitors patrolling at all times.
If students do find missing or damaged property, they should file a report with the public safety office as soon as possible, Anguiano said.
Web page to assist in course selection
By Gerry Doyle
gdoyle @kanson.com
Kanson staff writer
The University of Kansas has a new way to help fight through the web of misunderstanding that can surround class choices.
The page was designed by Mike Turvey, Lawrence freshman. Turvey said that the page was a relatively easy project and that it would be a great help to students looking for help when choosing classes. Turvey said he began working on the project in December.
A new Web site constructed by the provost's office features a way for students to find out more about classes before they enroll. The site, located at www.ukans.edu/~content, contains information, provided by the professor of a given course, ranging from topics covered in class to expectations of students.
He said that the project would help him as a student and was entertaining to put together.
"It was a blast," he said. "It was fun to take everything I've learned and actually make something useful for other people. It will really help students get information directly from faculty, and now the faculty can do it all by themselves."
Faculty wanting to add their course information to the site can simply log on and enter their password to enter, Turvey said. Faculty participation is voluntary.
Associate Provost Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett said that the site seemed to be getting a good response. It grew out of an idea to have faculty evaluations posted for students, and ended up as a compromise: no class evaluations will be released, but students will have a tool to help them select
COURSE CONTENT WEB SITE
Where: www.ukans.edu/~content
What: A breakdown of a selected class in areas like course expectations, number of students in the class and topics to be covered.
What classes are online: Faculty are not required to post their classes on the site.
classes.
The project, which was pulled together quickly, will be useful to both students and faculty, she said.
"I'm amazed," she said. "He seemed to somewhat have done it overnight. If students are balancing their schedule, this lets them know what expectations are before enrolling. It's optional for faculty, but I think it's going to work pretty well."
Scott Sullivan, student body president, said that the Web page was a good way for students to get their money's worth out of their class selection. It was the optimal solution for everyone involved, he said.
"In my eyes, it's something everyone can agree upon," he said. "Instead of a class being completely surprising, students will be informed. Really, they'll be a more educated consumer. They'll know what they're paving for."
Laurence Draper, professor of microbiology and University Senate president, said that it was a student-centered project, but that it would help faculty.
"It started as a student initiative," he said. "It will help the student because normally they only have word of mouth, a number, a time, and a few lines in the catalog. It will help me because the student will know what they're getting into. It's not a contract, it's simple information."