The University Daily
University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas
KANSAN
Wednesday, January 20,1982 Vol. 92, No. 78 USPS 650-640
Water heater explodes
5 Oklahoma students dead
By United Press International
SPENCER, Okla. — A water heater explosion bl毗 apart an elementary school cafeteria filled with students at lunchtime yesterday, spewing metal and concrete fragments that were there said.
At least 34 others were injured, eight critically, in the noon-hour blast. Investigators blamed the explosion on excessive pressure in the water heater, which had been serviced earlier in the
"IT JUST BLEW, just kind of a swish," caferaite worker Florence Hardy said. "It didn't knock me out. When I got up children were lying everywhere."
John Reid, a spokesman for Gov. George Nigle, said that the bodies of four students and a woman teacher had been recovered from the ruins of the hospital. The bodies of 14 fifth-grade died at a hospital. Names were withheld.
Authorities continued to search through the ruined section of the Star elementary school and discovered a bullet hole.
fourth-graders and teachers in the cafeteria at
the explosion apparently had been accounted for.
The first police officer to arrive at the scene, Midwest City Sgt. Paul Lung, suffered a heart attack but was later reported in stable condition in a hospital.
An investigator at the scene, who asked not to be identified, told UFI he was "pretty well satisfied" that overpressure in the water heater caused the influx of heat in the kitchen, 30 yards north of the kitchen.
The source said the situation could be compared to an unopened can of food on a stove.
"IF YOU HEAT it up, it will eventually blow the pressure it was subjected to."
School superintendent Tom Payzan said the water heater had been served early yesterday after kitchen workers had reported that the pilot was not functioning and details about the type of work done on the heater.
A care supervisor Reggie Woods said most of the injuries appear to be from flying debris.
The explosion left an orange door standing in
its frame at the rear of the kitchen, although the wall around it had been blown away. The concrete block east of the cafeteria leaned with its roof dangling to the ground.
Lunches, sneakers and ketchup bottles lay among chunks of broken table, glass and condiment cups.
"It was like a dream," said Kasey Bayless, "who was buried under the rubble with other children. "There were bites on top of me. I tried to get up and it was hard. I had to pull myself
AN 8-YEAR-OLD girl said she was a waiting her turn to go to the serving line to get food when the restaurant opened.
"Our table was waiting to be called and the explosion just started from the back of the cafeteria by the kitchen. Holly Chase said, "We got up and ran my head, I heard the others scream and I sat."
In the Oklahoma Senate, Sen. E. Melvin Porter, D-Oklahoma City, interrupted floor debate when informed of the explosion in his office on Wednesday that a statue stood for a brief prayer led by the chaplain.
Sexual harassment policy faces review
By ANNE CALOVICH
Staff Reporter
Employees and students would be treated the same under a revised proposed policy on sexual harassment to be presented tomorrow to the University Council.
The proposed policy, which was approved by the Senate Executive Committee in December, is the result of a study by the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Harassment.
Two policies, one for professors and students and another for employers and employees, were proposed separately in an initial draft on sexual harassment policy by the administration last
The committee's study found that student opinion favored a stronger policy for students, so the study was interpreted as evidence.
THE COMMITTEE was formed to review sexual harassment policies, Shirley Harkess, and John J. Scalise.
The results of the December study indicated that there should be only one policy on sexual harassment, the one originally proposed for nurses, and that it be expanded to include students.
"I don't see how it makes any difference if it's an employee or a student," Joan Wyrick, chairman of academic procedures and policies at UMass Amherst. "It's just as bad to flunk a class as to lose a job."
BECAUSE SEXUAL harassment is considered "sex-based discrimination" by the Equal Employment Opportunities Office, sexual harassment grievances would first be handled by the Office of Affirmative Action, Harkess said.
The policy would define sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other physical and physical conduct of a sexual nature, especially if they would affect employment or academic decisions or performance, or make a working or educational environment uncomfortable for students, faculty or classified staff members.
Under the proposed procedure, a person with a harassment complaint would first contact the director of the Office of Affirmative Action or one of his assistants.
The board would mediate between the two parties, or a formal hearing would be held to ensure that all issues are addressed.
The representative would then meet with a Discrimination Hearing Board composed of three members of the representatieve choice, faculty, and enriched faculty and classified staff members.
IF A SANCTION were found to be merited, a IFAP would be seen and sanctions would be left in place. A BAN was not required.
conduit by an instructor; to the vice chancellor for academic affairs if the Faculty Code of Conduct were violated; to the dean of student life in the case of student misconduct; or to the director of personnel services in the case of misconduct by a classified staff member.
"I favor a clear, precise procedure," Wryck said. "I'm not sure we need it, but you don't lock the door."
Robert Cobb, executive vice chancellor, said he would not comment on the proposed policy, but said he hoped a resolution would be reached quickly.
Harkess said Senex would present the report tomorrow for discussion and acceptance.
THE REPORT includes opinions from the University community on sexual harassment, but it did not detail how wisdespread the problem might be.
"I'm sorry that it may be necessary, but it's better to have a procedure before you need it," she said. "There may never be an instance of it at KU, and I would really be glad if there was not, but we need to have a clean-cut procedure instead." People, people, people know what recourse they have."
The policy also would have to appear in the same publications that other anti-discrimination policies under the Affirmative Action Office must be published in. These would include a statement affirming and classified employee handbooks, and the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
"I think it should be available in the faculty and student handbooks, but I'm not sure it needs other publication," Wyrick said. "If you make much of something, pits it out of proportion."
Harassment policy outlined
By KEVIN HELLIKER
Staff Reporter
A lack of guidelines banning sexual harassment of state employees led to Gov. John Carlin's order last Wednesday for a policy to guarantee "prompt, confidential and appropriate handling of sexual harassment complaints."
Carlin's order followed studies by several state agencies which defined sexual harassment as a problem separate from sexual discrimination.
Mike Swenson, assistant press secretary for Carlin, said yesterday that these studies began after the Statehouse received a national survey from the White House Office of Governmental Affairs on now states were combating sexual harassment.
Although the national survey was concerned with discrimination in employment, it prompted an in house survey that pointed out the need for policy in the area of sexual harassment, Swenson and Jones.
"There was no rush of problems. The decision to force a policy was more for prevention."
"Through our own survey, we determined that there were inadequate guidelines for an employee to file a complaint of harassment," he said.
Although discrimination usually involves denial of employment on the basis of sex, harassment occurs within the working environment, Kay Meadows, director of the state Equal Employment Opportunity Office, said yesterday.
"Harassment includes unwelcome advances and promotion for sexual favors," Meadows said. "References to women such as honey or butter are often used to pour the morning coffee are also harassment."
"A woman who resents this treatment doesn't get promoted."
Meadows said complaints of harassment in the past had been handled by the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights. Now the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, in conjunction with several other agencies, is drawing up a new policy that should take effect within the year.
Roger Lovett, chief legal counsel for the Commission on Civil Rights, said yesterday that the commission had received complaints of discrimination in employment practices, but not when they occurred.
The new policy will ensure that managers, supervisors and employees in all agencies are provided with a uniform.
"The public generally thinks of harassment in an erotic sense, but the person doing it may not realize that."
"Any time a large number of one sex ridicules or cajones those of another sex, that's what happens."
"I can't recall any specific case of sexual harassment," he said, "but it's not a totally specific term.
Meadows said many people who sexually constituted that their actions constituted harassment.
"It's a condition within the employment situation that heretofore had not been satisfied."
Carter, Ford join blitz to pass faltering ERA
By CYNTHIA HRENCHIR
Staff Writer
Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford joined an 11th hour attempt Monday to save the Equal Rights Amendment, which showed signs of being rejected for the fourth time in Carter's home state of Georgia.
In a joint statement issued in Atlanta, Ford, Carter and their wives urged all states considering the amendment to pass it, calling the measure "one of today's important issues." The president's remarks were followed by Rosalyn Carter and Betty Ford was part of a national blitz to save the Amendment.
THE CONTROVERSIAL proposal could come up for a vote later in the week in Georgia, where it first appeared in 1974 while he was governor. It is not expected to pass.
Tuesday in Oklahoma, the state senate again defeated the amendment 27-21 in a reconsideration vote. The margin was the same as in last week's vote.
To many, these incidents, along with the December decision of U.S. District Judge Marion Callister of Idaho that says states have a constitutional right to change their minds about ERA, appear to demonstrate an impossible struggle for the amendment:
Tanya Hoyer, the National Organization for Women chairman in Topeka, is looking for a position as an Associate Director.
"We're almost scared to make a move." There's been no action at the legislature to scrub it.
"We are monitoring it carefully, but not really looking for it."
Questions have been raised in Washington, D. C. by the quickness of the Idaho judge's ERAk data.
Officials at the NOW headquarters in Washington have been working to get a measure to expedite the Supreme Court to hear the appeal immediately, Hoyer said.
Meanwhile, lamenting the lack of strong leadership and understanding for the proposed amendment, the adviser for the KU Commission on the Status of Women keeps
working for a cause whose time is running out.
"It doesn't look good, but there's always the possibility," said Barbara Ballard, also director of KU Emily Women's Resource Center.
The amendment, passed by Congress in 1972 and given an extension in 1978, now lacks three of the necessary 38 states needed to make it part of the nation's constitution.
Kansas ratified the ERA on March 28, 1972, six days after Congress passed the bill allowing the ERA proposal to go before the states.
IN THE later years of the ERA battle, five states that ratified the amendment earlier tried to rescind their action. Formerly, such states had been accorded increased importance in the Constitution and was invalid.
The Callister decision could revive attempts to rescind the ERA. Ballard said she hoped it wouldn't have much effect in Kansas or on pro-am联赛 ERA in the era of campanying.
"NOW and ERA groups keep working. We won't give up until there's nothing to work for."
Time is running out for the national campaign for the ERA fund, however June 30 is the deadline for ratification of the proposal, but reassuring amount of time has it stopped Ballard.
"People keep asking me why I waste my time," she said, leaning forward in her chair. "but if you really believe in something, it is not a waste."
"It's something you have to keep doing because maybe, quote, a group will see the light."
BALLARD SAID the pro-ERA movement lacked leadership in comparison to Anti-ERA groups such as the Stop ERA organization led by Phyllis Schaffy.
"Phyllis serves as a role model to a lot of women." Baaald said.
"Because she feels she was able to accomplish much as a woman, she felt others
"But others don't have the same opportunities."
she thought people interjected
see EB agave 5
Athletic director search to start soon
By BARB EHLLI Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
The committee making the decision hasn't started interviewing applicants or nominees, but is still looking at resumes. Del Brinkman, of the search committee, said yesterday.
Rumors run rampant. Speculations fly. But until the magic date of Jan. 29, the search committees appointed by Chancellor Gene A. Nelson are designated for Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
It plans to meet this weekend to discuss the 35 nominees it has at this time. The committee is accepting all nominations, he said.
qMary brittle
of the search committee, chosen from members of University of Kansas Athletic Corporation, Del Brinkman, chairman and dean of the School of Journalism; Shawne Shaw, AIAW representative and associate dean of the School of Journalism; Greg Smith, Chicago senior and student representative; David Adkins, Topeka junior and student representative; Laurence Rose, professor of law and faculty representative; Dlason Slowich, Wichita
"How quickly we can move depends on the quality of the candidates," Brinkman said.
alumnus, and Joan Edwards, Kansas City
alumnae.
one athletic director will be required to have a baccalene degree, a commitment to and knowledge of the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and proven skills in business and personnel administration.
The job description says that the one-year renewable contract will be available on or after FFE.
The committee must follow certain affirmative action guidelines. Brinkman said. The job description says that applications are sought by candidates and requires no discrimination in the selection.
Bill Hancock, service bureau director of the Big Eight, said the Big Eight had no involvement
"We view it as an institutional decision," he said.
The position became available Jan. 2 when Bob Marcum announced his resignation and accepted a position as athletic director at the University of South Carolina, where he was offered a three-year contract at $9,000. His salary was $52,000 at KU.
In the interim, Del Shankel, professor of microbiology, is acting as athletic director.
Weather
DREARY
There is a chance for freezing drizzle or rain this morning and a chance for snow tonight, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka. The high temperature is now a tonight of 20. It will be colder Friday, with a high in the 20s.
Progeny of first baby boom start mini boom of their own
Staff Reporter
By DEBBIE SEUSY Staff Reporter
ALTHOUGH THE "baby boom" generation has grown up, it may be the explanation Lawrence Memorial Hospital officials have been told that "mini baby bump" began there two years ago.
Although 50 may not seem to be a phenomenal number, it is only two or three babies shy of the birth rate this time last year, which was the highest birthrate for LMH since 1962.
More than 50 babies were born this month, Bob Campbell, community relations director of the Children's Hospital.
"The babies of the big baby boom are now boasting their own babies," said Campbell.
THE NATIONAL birthrate has been declining since the post-World War II baby boom ended in 1944 according to the U.S. Census Records. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported a very silny increase in the rate of birth per 1,000 population starting in 1978.
Since that time, the rate of births in Kansas
has gradually increased, although the increase two years ago was more than the 1978-80 increase.
Campbell sided LMH had maintained a birthrate of less than 800 a year until 1980.
"We had 980 births in 1800 and over, 1,000 births last year," he said. "That's an average about 65%."
Are all of these new arrivals actually "baby hoon" babies?
However, Campbell said the birth rate could bit 100 bib month.
"THERE ARE multiple, multiple reasons." Victic Frieder, maternal child care coordinator at
"I think there are a larger number of children because having kids is now acceptable," she said. "People now think it's all right to have children later in life. People are planning families better—around jobs, careers—they're having babies when they want to have babies."
Campbell said obstetricians had noted a tendency for their patients to be older women.
"I've heard many doctors say that the average are of their patients is up," he said.
See BABY page 5