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CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, April 6, 1994
2
Roommate's death leaves man in bind
Landlord still demands rent
By Roberta Johnson Kansan staff writer
Early in the morning on March 2, David Sturm, Lawrence resident, returned home from his job to find that his roommate, Dave Spangler, had died from complications caused by the implant of a pacemaker two weeks before.
The next day Sturm informed Property Management Services, which owned his apartment building, of the situation — and he and Spangler's family were told to continue paying the rent, Sturm said.
"They said, 'Since you're the closest relative, that makes you an heir and liable.' Sturm said, 'They can't hold them responsible. Dave was near 26 years old. They didn't pay the rent for him. It was like, 'Your son's dead, but we want our money.' His parents basically told them they wouldn't."
Now the company's owner, Bill Bulgren, is suing Sturm for the entire amount of the rent. In addition to court costs, March's rent and late fees, Bulgren is suing Sturm for rent until a new reenter is found.
Spangler's parents are not listed as defendants.
Representatives of the company and its lawyer, Jeffrey Heeb, declined to comment. Bulgren was unavailable for comment.
Jo Hardesty, director of KU Legal Services, said that charging missing people's rent to the roommates until a new renter was found was legal.
Hardesty also said no law existed
that provided for a roommate's death.
"In leases, you are jointly and separately responsible," she said. "That means if one person leaves, the other is responsible. The best thing a student can do is to seek an attorney."
A letter from Property Management Services said that Sturm had until March 18 to vacate the apartment or pay the rent.
Sturm said that he had offered to pay the rest of his share of the rent but that the company had refused.
"They will not take my half," he said,
"I'll ail or nothing. But if I could afford living by myself, I wouldn't have had a roommate,
"The owners of the building are taking it to court. I have 10 days for a written apply. And I plan to reply."
If he does not file a written reply, Sturm must appear in court April 14.
The department of student housing has a different policy for a roommate's death, said Fred McElhain, associate director of student housing. The department will work with a roommate, whether it means breaking the housing contract or moving the student to another room, he said.
Sturm said he got no such cooperation from the company. He said that all he wanted was to get out of his lease and that he didn't care if it meant getting kicked out.
Sturm said that he had been looking for another apartment since Spangler's death but that no place would accept him because he still was on a lease. However, he found an apartment this week and is moving in.
Sturm said he wanted the company to be more understanding.
"He died in the apartment," Sturm said. "I could understand it if he skipped out. But he just skipped out of this earthly plane."
John Gamble/KANSAN
A student runs past the snow-covered tulips near Anschutz Science Library. The cold weather struck much of eastern Kansas and created hazardous conditions on many roads. The National Weather Service in Topeka forecasts low temperatures and precipitation through the remainder of the week.
Running for cover
KU Vietnamese students share their heritage
Kapsan staff writer
By Denise Neil
Chong Ly wants to know more about his Vietnamese heritage.
Ly, the president of the Vietnamese Student Association and Topeka junior, moved from Bac Lieu, Vietnam, to the United States in the mid-1970s with his family because of the turmoil surrounding the Vietnam War. Many of the members of the association did the same thing, he said.
"Most of us came over here when we were still young," he said. "We don't remember or understand the Vietnamese culture. Many of us are Americanized, but we want to maintain our culture."
Ley said that one of the main goals of the
UNITING TO BE HEARD
association, which has existed since 1983, was to familiarize Vietnamese students with their heritage and language. Vietnamese KU alumni often help by sharing their knowledge with the about 60 members in the group, Ly said.
"First we learn about our culture, and then we spread it around to others on campus," he said.
Ly described the association as a social rather than a political group. The group sponsors different activities throughout the year such as the celebration of the Vietnamese New Year, which took place Feb. 19 of this year.
The association also tries to arrange activities with Vietnamese students in surrounding universities such as Wichita State University and Kansas State University. Last month, the club invited those students to come to Lawrence and participate in a sports tournament.
The association also is planning a campout for the end of April, Ly said.
Andrew Manivong, Shawnee sophomore and member of the association, was born in Vientiane, Laos. But Manivong said he felt comfortable with the Vietnamese students.
ed each other.
Manivong said he liked the group because the members helped and support-
In a way, it's a social club, but they also try to do things important to education," he said. "We all know one another and spend time together, so if you ever need notes from a class, someone usually has some for you."
Joseph Nguyen, one of the alumni who helps the students learn the Vietnamese language, said the group not only taught its members to survive at the University, but it also provided them with a sense of security.
"They feel at home," he said. "It's a change of atmosphere. In an American school, you see Americans all the time, but when you come back to the group, you still feel like you belong."
CAMPUS/AREA BRIEFS.
The fee increase was passed by Student Senate in early February.
Tonya Cole, Liberal Arts and Sciences senator and sponsor of the bill, said Watkins would begin to lobby for student support of the fee increase within the next few days.
Students to vote on $15 fee increase for Watkins' facelift
On the election ballot April 13 and 14, students will decide whether they want to pay $15 more to finance the expansion of Watkins Memorial Health Center.
John Shoemaker, student body president, said the bill went to referendum because of a state statute. The statute mandates that any student fee increase relating to academic buildings or student health facilities be put to student vote.
Man dies from trailer fire
Elston's wife, Edna, escaped. She was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
A Lawrence man was killed when his trailer-park home at 1908 E. 19th St. caught fire early yesterday morning.
Rex Elston, 32, died of smoke inhalation, said Bill Stark, battalion chief for the Lawrence Fire Department.
The interior of the trailer was heavily damaged, Starksaid.
The fire was caused by a short circuit in an electric cord leading to a washing machine, Stark said. Edna Elston was awakened by the smoke and ran past the room that was on fire to get to a telephone. Shortly after she called 911, Rex Elston was trapped in the back room by the flames.
Kansan announces new editors,business managers
Editors and business managers for the Fall and Summer 1994 University Daily Kansan staffs were chosen yesterday.
David Stewart, Lawrence senior and journalism major, was chosen as the summer editor. Judith Standley, Mulvane junior and magazine major, will be the summer business manager.
Stephen Martino, Olathe senior and a journalism and political science major, was named fall editor. Jennifer Carr, Mt. Prospect, Ill., junior and advertising major, was named fall business manager.
The selections were made by the Kansan Board, a six-member board consisting of journalism professors, the Spring 1994 editor and business manager and a member of Student Senate.
Andersen elected mayor
She will replace the current mayor,John Nalbandian, who will remain on the commission. Commissioner Bob Moody was elected vice mayor.
Commissioner Jo Andersen, who has served on the Lawrence City Commission for one year, was elected mayor last night during the commission's meeting.
Andersen said that as mayor, she did not have plans to make sweeping changes.
"I think Lawrence is near perfect," she said. "I want to keep it that way."
However, Andersen said, she wants to focus on well-planned growth for Lawrence, maintenance of infrastructure and issues concerning young people.
infrastructure and issuance concerning young people
Lawrence's mayor is nominated and elected by
city commissioners and serves as mayor for one
year.
Briefs compiled by Kansan staff reports
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