Tomorrow's weather
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
COLD
Kansan
KS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PD BOX 3585
TOPEKA, KS 66601-3585
Tuesday
January 20, 1997
temperatures with possible rain that could turn into snow.
Section:
Online today
Later this week, check out the Kansan's new and improved website dedicated to Kansas basketball.
Vol. 108·No.82
Sports today
http://www.jhawkkbball.com
Raef LaFrentz, who broke his hand more than three weeks ago, has been cleared to play and should return to duty at the end of the week.
SEE PAGE 1B
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Campus celebrates King's dream
(USPS 650-640)
Public accepts call for unity
By Sara Anderson Kansan staff writer
Martin Luther King's message could be heard yesterday at the Lied Center during the Ecumenical Fellowship's commemorative program honoring the civil rights activist.
The event included selections from the Lawrence Children's Choir, the Lawrence M.L.K. Adult Community Choir, Scripture readings and keynote speaker, Rev. Harold Carter.
The program was the final event in the 13th Annual King Holiday Celebrations. Attendance was estimated at about 1,000. The event was open to the public.
"It's always an uplifting experience when the community can come together," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "The birthday of Martin Luther King is probably the most important day we can do this."
Carter, pastor of the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore spoke at the University last year and was well received, said Paul Winn, Lawrence human relations specialist.
Carter focused his speech on the theme of the day, Justice and Mercy: Accept the Call. He said the nation
needed a divine mandate for the new millennium and questioned whether the nation had fulfilled Martin Luther King's vision.
"Has Martin Luther King lived when we look at the nation?" he asked. "We need a divine mandate because people never do great things without a divine vision. Martin Luther King knew that we needed something as a foundation to build on that was big enough for whites, blacks, reds and yellows to be a part of."
Carter also spoke about the need for love and continuing to teach King's message.
"There is power in love, hope and fellowship," he said. "If America is to be a great nation it is not because of
huge corporations. It will be because we suffer together, that's what builds us up. We need to take the movement back to our homes and jobs."
The program ended with audience singing, "We shall overcome." Kristen Spiewak, Chicago, Ill., senior said she felt that was the most unifying part of the program.
"The singing at the end brought people together," she said. "I thought it was wonderful and the speaker was fabulous."
MORE INFORMATION
A shooting occurred at a Martin Luther King Day rally in Baton Rouge, La.
See page 8A
More information
The Rev. Harold Carter speaks to about 1,000 people at the Lied Center to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Photo by GR GORDON-Ross
Tradition Rival
It was a weekend of history, rivalry and disappointment for the Kansas men's basketball team.
An emotional Wilt Chamberlain returned to Lawrence to see his jersey officially retired and hung in the Allen Field House rafters at halftime of Saturday's game against Kansas State.
After years of speculation that he was bitter at the University, he told a standing-room only crowd that he was proud to be a Jayhawk.
Despite a 26-point effort by Kansas State's Manny Dies, Kansas won the game 69-62, holding off a Kansas State team that was determined to crash Chamberlain's homecoming party.
It was another chapter in a storied rivalry, and the win tied the school record for the most consecutive home victories at 55.
Although the Jayhawks continued their dominance at home, they were unable to beat Missouri on the road for the third year in a row, losing a one-point heartbreaker 74-73 last night in Columbia, Mo.
Coach Roy Williams reacts after a down-to-the-buzzer loss to Missouri. Missouri defeated Kansas 74-73 last night at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo. Photo by Steve Prupe/KANSAN
Above left: Wilt Chamberlain speaks after his jersey was officially retired on Saturday. It was his first visit to Lawrence since 1975. Photo by Steve Puppe/KANSAN
Above center: Kansas forward Lester Earl fights for a loose ball with Kansas State guard Duane Davis (30) and forward Manny Dies. The Jayhawks beat Kansas State 69-62 Saturday at Allen Field House.
Photo by GR Gordon-Ross/KANSAN
Students now can pay some utilities by phone
Service fee accompanies plan; students express mixed feelings
By Jeremy M. Doherty idoherty@kanson.com
Kanston staff writer
The city of Lawrence has a plan to help students ma out their credit cards while receiving hot, purifie water at the same time.
In a program that began earlier this month, the city is accepting utility payments by telephone with a Visa or Mastercard.
Ed Mullins, director of the city's finance department, estimated that about one-third of the city's 25,000 customers were students at the University of Kansas.
Called the Utility Service Bureau and, the payment system enables customers to dial a toll-free phone line that is kept in operation 24 hours a day. seven days a week.
"With the Utility Service Bureau now in place, the city of Lawrence is reinforcing its continued commitment to consumer satisfaction by providing our busy customers with an additional payment option that is simple and convenient to use." Mullins said.
In a prepared statement, Mullins spoke of the system's potential to please customers.
"I try not to use the credit card that often," Davis said. "Signing checks aren't too big of a deal, and when you have four roommates, someone always has to write up checks anyway."
Craig Davis, Omaha, Neb., graduate student, said he thought the system might encourage poor spending habits.
Some KU students who live off campus, however, are greeting the new option with mixed opinions.
Another element, which has given several students some pause, is that users of the new system will have to pay a little extra for the swift, convenient service.
Bills less than $50 instantly are tagged with a $2.95 service fee, and bills exceeding $50 will be charged $5.95 in service fees.
The city established the payment system through a
UTILITY SERVICE BUREAU
Call 888-255-0126 from a touch-one phone, toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The customer's utility bill account number, daytime phone number and credit card (Visa and MasterCard only) information are needed for the call.
U. S. Audiotex adds the service fee to the customer's charged amount, and the amount will be reflected in the customer's next credit card statement.
U. S. Audiotex keeps the customer's credit card information confidential.
partnership with U.S. Audiotex, a company based in San Francisco. Because customers have to cough up extra cash whenever they whip out their credit cards for the service, the city does not have to cover any fees prescribed by U.S. Audiotex. U.S. Audiotex helped to set up more than 90 other fully-automated payment
See CREDIT on page 2A
By Gerry Doyle
Perkins Loan cuts may hurt students
Kansan staff writer
The 1999 budget will be announced during the State of the Union Address Jan. 27.
Students with financial aid may be left short changed after the 1999 federal budget goes into effect.
The Clinton administration's budget proposal has not been released, but educational lobbyists say the new budget has no provisions for Perkins Student Loans. Although the federal government is increasing financing for other aid programs such as Stafford Loans and Pell Grants, the lobbyists say the growth would not cover the lost money.
The loans, founded in 1958, provide financial aid from the federal government to students based on need. The loans have a 10-year grace period and must be repaid at 5 percent interest, said Lisa Santa Maria, who is in charge of Perkins Student Loans at the University.
Although the lack of money allocated for the loans might not leave students short on cash, the idea of losing useful financial aid is frustrating, said Phil Stillwell. Lawrence graduate student.
Students with financial need who have Perkins Loans would not be left in the cold, she said. If the student qualified for federal loans, another loan would help cover the difference.
"It bothers me," he said. "I feel like education is a good investment. The government should be concerned."
Santa Maria said the move was surprising but might not be as final as the lobbying groups were painting it. She said the Clinton administration had announced about three months ago that the loans would be retained in 1999, so another shift in policy might not be final.
Diane Del Buono, director of student financial aid, said there were about 990 students at the University who receive Perkins Loans. The average loan amount is about $1,200 per semester, but the amount varies according to financial need. Although the potential move in principle is bad, the effects on students would probably be minimal. Del Buono said.
"This isn't the first time it's been talked about," she said. "It's a regrettable decision, but no need-based aid is in leonardy."
"Relative to the direct-loan program, Perkins Student Loans are a very small program," she said. "The impact may not be as significant as you might think."
The maximum amount for a Perkins Student Loan is $3,000 per year, Del Buono said. The loans are determined by financial need and usually come in conjunction with other federal aid.
Aid cuts
President Clinton's 1999 budget has no allocation for the federally-funded Perkins student loan program. Here's a closer look at the program:
Who's eligible? Any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at least half-time at a participating institution. An estimated 788,000 students receive loans this year.
Federal funding of Perkins loans
How much: Undergraduates can borrow up to $2,000.
per year, to a maximum of $15,000 for the time they are enrolled. Graduates can earn $5,000 per year up to $30,000. The average award is $1,342.
Paying it back! Interest accrues at a 5 percent rate,
starting after the student graduates or is no longer
enrolled halftime. Repayment begins nine months
after that time, and is complete in 30 years.
Bonus Some of the loan can be cancelled for community or military service.
Andrew Rohrback / KANSAN
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