UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, August 18, 1993
11D
KU Info operator Jennifer Paparek, Lawrence senior, looks up a phone number for a caller. During emergencies, KU Info receives as many as 250 calls per hour.
From KU history to the weird, KU Info is your know-it-all call
By Katie Greenwald
Kansan staff writer
"Did Andy Gibb commit suicide?" said Michaela Hayes, KU Information Center employee.
"Just a second, I'll see if I can find it."
Susan Ekins, coordinator for KU Info, said that although KUInfo usually answered questions about KU services, it had received some fairly bizarre phone calls.
"Our business is not to answer trivia questions, but if we know, we'll tell you." Elkins said.
KU Info began in 1970 as a rumor control, Elkins said. But due to its popularity, it became a permanent part of the University.
"You spell 'jacuzzi', j-a-c-u-z-phone."
Haves said and hung up the phone.
The center's office, which overlooks Memorial Stadium, is crammed full with reference books, newspaper clippings and files that contain a little bit of information about everything.
Employees should be able to answer any question regarding University events unless something has changed and the info center has not been told.
"Events in the news are kind of tough," Elkins said.
When a severe snowstorm hits or another emergency occurs, KU Info is flooded with calls from students.
"During emergencies, we become essential," said Lesie Jones, Miami graduate student. "We have gone from 50 calls an hour to 250 calls an hour."
During one snow day in the spring when classes were canceled, the center received 2,000 calls, he said. Other busy times were when Hoch Auditorium caught fire and when several buildings were evacuated this spring because of fumes from a chemical leak.
The most popular question was "What are Robinson Center's hours?" said Jones, who has worked for the center for one year.
On anormal day, common questions students ask are about the hours of many KU facilities.
He said that keeping up with current information was one of the things he liked about working at KU Info.
"I also like being able to help people," Jones said. "One way or another, we can always help them."
Hayes, Dallas senior, said that finding the answer was what she liked best about working at the center. Not finding the answer is what Hayes likes the least.
"I like it when I can find the answer and not have to refer them to someone else," she said after an unsuccessful search for Audrey Hepburn's dates of birth and death.
But she did find the answer to the first caller's question. Andy Gibb did not commit suicide. He died from an inflammatory heart virus.
HELP: More services for KU students
Continued from Page 10.
Support for minority students:
The Office of Minority Affairs offers
The Office of Minority Affairs offers programs aimed at enhancing the educational success and opportunities of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and American Indians.
It offers individual advising, departmental referral, scholarship information and emergency grants.
The office also has a library and cul-
tural al video collection, offers advising for organizations and co-sponsors celebrations of heritage.
For more information, call 8G4-4351 or go to 145 Strong Hall.
The Freshman-Sophomore English
- Asian American Student Union
- Black Student Union (BSU)
office has a minority tutoring program it aids with composition and revision of writing assignments. Students must be referred by their first year or sophomore English instructors. Sign-up begins Aug. 26 at 3081 Wescoe. For more information, call 864-4523.
Many student peer support groups are available to give assistance and support including:
Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HAI O)
■ Lesbian-Bisexual-Gay Services of
Kansas (LesBiGayOK)
Hillel (KU Jewish Student Organization)
- international Student Association
- Native American Student Association (NASA)
OAKS—Non-Traditional Students Organization
**Women's Student Union (WSU)**
a contact of these organizations
864-
i contact one of these organizations,
refer to the KU directory or call 864-
3506 or 864-4861
Support for international students;
International Student Services offers
international and national training.
International Student Services offers immigration and personal counseling, a program that provides homes for students during breaks and programs that advise students on various issues.
For more information, call 864-3617 or go to 2 Strong.
The Applied English Center provides
The Applied English Center provides English-language courses for students who are not native speakers. It also offers orientation to the United States and KU, as well as field trips and cultural events. Call 846-4606
For more information, call 864-4606 or go to 204 Lippincott.
Support for victims and survivors of sexual assault and harassment;
The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center has trained staff members who provide programs, workshops and assistance to students regarding the prevention and education of sexu-
a request for hardship.
For more information, go to 115
Strong Hall or call 864-3552
al assault or harassment.
Strong Hall or call 864-3552
Women's Transitional Care Services gives shelter and peer counseling to battered women and their children.
To receive help, call the 24-hour crisis hot line at 841-6887.
If you think you have been sexually harassed, you can file a grievance at the Office of Affirmative Action. For more information, call Tom Berger, grievance officer, at 864-3686 or go to 31.3 Strong Hall.
Ombudsman;
Contact the University Ombudsman with assistance in a variety of problems. The ombudsman can assist students with:
A complaint with University staff, faculty or office
Grading problems Discrimination
Consultation in following normal University procedures
The service is confidential and neutral. The ombudsman will work informally to solve problems between the University and a student.
Students who wish to talk to Ombushua man Robert Shelton can go to his office in 104 Smith Hall or call his number at 864-4665. Students can leave a message on his voice mail if he is not there.
SURVIVAL: Tips to succeeding at KU
Continued from Page 1.
thing we do to try and make that easier is to have meet a professor nights in the residence halls where the students can make those contacts."
Jackson recommended that students talk to professors about problems with classes.
"For almost any academic question, the first source is the professor," he said. "If students are anxious about tests, it is often helpful to go over critical lecture material with the instructor."
Jackson offered his own advice on preparing for tests.
"Don't cram. Take part in study sessions and review the material carefully," he said. "Keep up with tour daily assignments and don't try to relearn everything all in one night."
Kretschmer said many students also had concerns about how they would succeed in a large class.
"Many students come here assuming that all of their classes will be large, but there are some small ones," she said.
Jackson said that budgeting time helped control the amount of stress a student feels.
"Students need to realize that this is going to be different than high school or community college, and they need to organize their time wisely," he said. "They also need to make sure to leave some time to relax and enjoy."
Kretschmer said students also could experience emotional problems when adjusting to college life.
"Students don't often talk about homesickness, but a lot of them experience that," she said. "If that comes up, aphone call home is really the best remedy."
"Alot of students wonder 'how will I find my niche' and it can be overwhelming," she said. "Once they get involved they often find a smaller community within KU."
Ndomby Flhunsu, Kinshasa, Zaire,
senior, said new students should not
worry about trying to fit in.
"They need to know that college is nothing to fear," he said. "Relax, don't rush and be yourself and don't be influenced by others."
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