CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
227
3
Tuesday, April 5, 1994
FACES
Watkins pharmacy assistant fills the bills
Heather Lofflin/KANSAN
Despite hectic pace, man says position at center easy to take
By Denise Nell
Kansan staff writer
Steve Ballew has trouble going out in public in Lawrence without beingrecognized.
$^{10}$. As the office assistant to the pharmacy clerk at Watkins Memorial Health Center, Ballew sees hundreds of students each week.
"I've had some people comment that they see me here all the time," he said about the pharmacy. "At parties, people tell me about experiences they've had at Watkins."
Ballew, who has been working in the Watkins pharmacy for five years, began his career at the University in 1978, when he studied fine arts and print-making.
After graduating in 1982, Ballew decided to stay at the University. He got a job in the Kansas Union Bookstore, where he worked for the next five years.
"I liked the atmosphere," he said. "I liked working with students. It's never dull."
When Ballew decided that he was ready for a change, he interviewed around campus for different positions. He accepted the Watkins pharmacy job, where he is responsible for maintaining order in what he said was an often hectic atmosphere.
Ballew said he was responsible for working the front desk and cash register, keeping the books and directing phone calls. He also trains student employees, who take his place on weekends.
"It's an art dealing with people," he said. "You have to be diplomatic a lot of the time."
Ballew, who works at Watkins Monday through Friday, said that he spent most of his free time working as a proofreader for technical journals. But he said he put most of his energy into his job at Watkins.
"It's a high-energy job," he said. "Some days, it gets a little hectic. But you get the adrenaline going, and it's kind of exhilarating."
Ballew said some of the more trying moments in the pharmacy came at the end of the semester when students tried to get their prescriptions filled before they left town.
"Sometimes tempers get a little short, but I figure it's part of my job to try to keep things going smoothly," he said.
Ballew said he planned to stay at Watkins as long as he continued enjoying the job. He attributed his happiness there to the pharmacy staff.
"The people here are great to work with," he said. "They're a great crew, and that's what's kept me here for five years."
Cathy Thrasher, a pharmacist at Watkins, said that Ballew was an essential part of the pharmacy staff.
"He's the first person a lot of people see when they come in," she said. "When any students do surveys about care in Watkins, they've always had positive comments about how he interacts with students."
Steve Baille, office assistant to the pharmacy clerk, has worked at Watkins Memorial Health Center for five years. He said he could not go anywhere on campus without being recognized.
"It's an art dealing with people."
Steve Ballow Watkins office assistant
Heather Lofflin / KANSAN
'Do-nothing Legislature is stalled
As session ends, legislators try to pass long-awaited bills
By Stephen Martino Kansan staff writer
Although many bills have been sent to Gov. Joan Finney, many legislators contend that important issues and needs of the state have not been addressed.
The last full week the Kansas Legislature will be in session began yesterday, and many members said that not much had been accomplished during the first 12 weeks of the session.
"If the Democrats had been in control, we would have addressed school financing again, health care reform and a comprehensive crime package," said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. "Last year, we didn't accomplish anything in 91 days. This year we might do it in 90."
Conference committees met yesterday and will meet today and tomorrow to work out differences between House and Senate legislation. Most of the hallmark bills, such as crime bills, appropriation bills for kindergarten through 12th-grade schools and Regents institutions, are in these committees. On Thursday, the entire Legislature will convene to act on the recommendations of the conference committees.
The most high-profile legislation of the session, death penalty legislation, still is stuck in a conference committee. Senate members refuse to budge on its narrow scope.
However, State Rep. Clyde Graeber, R-Leavenworth and head of the death penalty conference committee, said he thought that the House would take up the issue Thursday. He said he thought that the House would concur with the Senate legislation at that time.
"I know most people don't like the bill, but it is more important to get something on the books," he said.
The death penalty bill seems indicative of the entire session. Even though Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, they have not been able to stave off splits in their own party to work together and pass legislation.
During the debate on the Regents budget in the House, many conservative Republicans defected from their party's leadership to vote against it. They said it was in response to a lack of support on issues that they favor, such as a constitutional amendment guaranteeing parental rights.
House Majority Leader Vince Snowbarger, R-Olathe, said he thought that his party had done a good job watching over the session.
However, Finney said at a Thursday news conference that this year had been a "do-nothing session."
Students flock to birdfeeders in spring
Inexpensive feed kits are available
By Jamie Munn Kansan staff writer
One local merchant wants KU students to look to the sky for new friends this spring.
Karyn Riney, owner of The Birdwatchers' Store, 15 W. Ninth St., said that she had steady business from KU faculty and staff but that students were buying more bird feeders than during her previous three years as owner.
"Putting out a bird feeder used to be associated with older people," Riney said. "But now, younger people are getting involved."
Although she saw more student customers during gift-giving holidays, Riney said, she thought that the recent rise in student environmental activism contributed to the strong sales of the feeders.
"It's environmentally friendly, and it fits their consciousness," she said.
Riny said most of her student customers had hung feeders at their apartments or houses.
Rinye said most students enjoyed watching nature and found it relaxing after classes.
But students don't have to strain their pocketbooks to feed area birds.
Because she can purchase the most popular kind of feed from an area farmer, Riney offers black oil sunflower seeds for 38 cents a pound.
Riney said students could buy kits, starting at $6, that incorporated recycled plastic coca bottles into feeders
"You can feed birds and keep it pretty reasonable," she said.
Riney said that birds usually need the feeders most in spring. Most people think that winter is the most difficult time for birds, Riney said, but because Lawrence does not have constant snow coverage, birds find berries and seeds clinging to trees and bushes during the colder months.
"But spring can be a pretty difficult time." Riney said.
Most of the 'winter food has been eaten then, and the birds need the extra energy to begin the breeding season. During breeding season the birds are under more physical stress, she said.
Even if students don't want to buy feeders, they can put seed out on clay pots.
"And all animals appreciate a simple water dish," she said.
Riney said she also sold hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeders start at $3 at her store. She said students could make their own food, a simple mixture of sugar and water. Even though hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, Riney said, red food coloring is unnecessary.
Paul Diedrich, associate director of project development at KU's lifespan institute, said he and partner Marilyn Fischer had sometimes had as many as 22 feeders in their backyard.
"We just enjoy listening to them and watching them," he said. "Our favorites are the chickadees and the woodpeckers."
Diedrich said he and his neighbors also enjoyed the visits of humming-birds.
He said he encouraged people to buy a bird feeder because the birds' habitat was decreasing.
Brian Vandervliet / KANBAN
Karyn Rinye examines one of the many bird feeders she sells at The Birdwatchers' Store, 15 W. Ninth St.
STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SENATE
Is now accepting applications for the four $1000 Gordon L. Woods Leadership Scholarships $$$$$$
Applications are due Friday, April 8th at 5pm
Applications are available at the Student Senate Office Office of Student Life
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Tuesday, April 5th 9:00 to 4:30 International Room/5th floor Kansas Union
International Room/ 5th floor Kansas Union
Come on up th the 5th floor (right next to Woodruff Auditorium) to see just what it is Kinko's can do for you
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your branch office