Shoplifters plaque Union Bookstore
By FRED PARRIS
Kansan Staff Writer
Student shoplifting, a perennial headache for the Union bookstore, is continuing to take its toll in money and reputations.
Some 25 students have been apprehended for the offense so far this semester, says James H. Stoner, bookstore director.
All types of books and equipment are stolen by the shoplifters. Popular items include ballpoint pens and magic markers.
A person suspected of having stolen merchandise is allowed to move unhindered until he has passed through the check-out area, Stoner said. He is then confronted by store employees as he leaves the bookstore.
Various explanations are
offered by the shoplifters for their actions. The most common is they forgot to pay for the item, or didn't realize they had it.
Others say they were "in a hurry" and didn't have time to go through the check-out line.
One student, who had taken a textbook, said his own book had been stolen and he was merely trying to replace it.
Only a small minority of those caught claim they did not have money to pay for the items they stole. Stoner said.
All persons discovered shoplifting are turned over to the Dean of Men or Dean of Women's office, he said.
Donald K. Alderson, dean of men, says several factors are considered when deciding on the approach to be taken with each shoplifter. These include the
student's age, his personal situation, and whether he has had any previous run-in's with authorities.
Sometimes parents are notified of their child'd predicament, depending on the circumstances.
If the student admits his guilt, the matter is handled solely by the Dean of Men's office. If the accused denies the charge, the University Disciplinary Committee looks into the incident.
All persons brought before the dean's office for shoplifting charges are automatically put on probation. Alderson said.
The number of second-time offenders is negligible, he said. Repeaters are liable to suspension from the University, in addition to other punitive measures.
for every shoplifter caught,
another gets away. Those not
apprehended by store employees
often leave traces of their
activities. Crumpled book covers
found buried among
merchandise and ripped-off price
stickers are among the more
visible leavings of sticky fingered
students.
Replacement cost of the stolen items is tacked into the bookstore's general operating expenses, Stoner said. It is store patrons who ultimately pay the bills, by higher prices.
Stoner declined to pinpoint the store's annual financial loss caused by shoplifting. He said it probably equalled the national average for retail stores, which is one to three per cent of the gross intake.
Various precautions are taken to discourage students from
shoplifting and catch those who do. Some clerical employees, Stoner said, have their desks positioned so they can watch patrons.
During peak shoplifting periods, including the present pre-Christmas season, managerial employees help guard against pilferage.
Shoplifting is more common during mid-semester than at the beginning of school, Stoner said. This may be because students are more willing to pay for their large, "expected" expenditures than for the small, "nuisance" purchases which come later.
A few persons are stopped erroneously because of suspicious actions on their part, Stoner said. Bookstore employees have instructions to be reasonably sure of guilt before accosting anyone, he said.
UDK News Roundup By United Press International
Reward offered
TOPEKA,Kan.—Gov. Robert B. Docking announced last night his office will offer a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the fire which destroyed Nichols Gymnasium at Kansas State University.
Arson is suspected in the fire which destroyed the building Friday night and Saturday morning.
Speck death postponed
CHICAGO—Illinois Supreme Court Judge Daniel P. Ward yesterday signed an order staying the scheduled Jan. 31 execution of Richard Speck, convicted slayer of eight Chicago nurses, pending an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ward acted on an appeal filed by the Cook County public defender's office, which has been fighting to save Speck from the electric chair since he was accused of strangling and stabbing the nurses in their townhouse apartment in July, 1966.
100
79th Year, No. 62 The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas Wednesday, December 18, 1968
ASC endorses ROTC
By TOM WEINBERG Kansan Staff Writer
The All-Student Council (ASC) last night passed a resolution suggesting ROTC courses should remain accredited.
The endorsement was necessary because a group of students are now working on abolishing the ROTC program at KU, John Lungstrum, Salina law student said. He did not know who the students were.
The ASC also passed a resolution calling for a direct line of communication to the Kansas State Legislature and discussed methods
"The ROTC program at KU is important to many students. The program is beneficial because it is a low cost program of recruiting officers and those students who wish to complete their education and coordinate it with their military obligation can do so," Lungstrum said.
students could use to purchase season football tickets during enrollment.
Dave Miller, Eudora sophomore, said the ASC seating board is working with the athletic department so students could sign an optional fee card at enrollment guaranteeing them a football season ticket.
Miller said it was impossible to grant an additional 500 student basketball tickets this year. "The acquiring of an additional 500 student season tickets this year would necessitate a budget loss of $6,000." he said.
Other ASC business discussed last night included;
A report on the Senate Code conference committee, which is a joint committee of three ASC and three University Senate members.
"This week we went through more than half of the Senate Code and approved changes. The faculty has been very cooperative. In many areas they have actually suggested
ways of giving more change to students," Lungstrum said.
Lungstrum said the committee plans to finish its work in time to put the Code before the ASC and University Senate in February and then to the students in March.
- Rusty Leffel, Prairie Village junior, said the ASC Academic Affairs committee is continuing its study of course teacher evaluations. Leffel said Dr. Raymond Schwegler, director of Watkins hospital, will soon revoke the visiting rule that prohibits a student from visiting another student until the patient has been in the hospital for 24 hours.
Also at last night's meeting, the ASC encouraged the Student Union Activities (SUA) to bring the UP with People to KU. The group is composed of students who sing about America.
"I'm getting ready for Miami"
Flu vaccine is now available; free to students at Watkins
Hong Kong flu vaccine is now available to students, Dr. Raymond Schwegler, director of Watkins Hospital, said yesterday.
Students may come to Watkins any time except meal hours Schwegler said, and be innoculated free of charge without seeing a doctor. He said elderly and ill
BULLETIN
The Christmas vacation began at noon today as classes for the remainder of the week were cancelled.
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe announced that because of the influenza and other related sickness, the University would close three days early.
James Gunn, administrative assistant to the Chancellor, said the move was made in hopes of stopping the further spread of flu and because much class work and class attendance has been halted by sickness.
Dr. Raymond Schwegler, director of Watkins Hospital, said, "it is unquestionably an epidemic," but was unable to estimate how many flu cases exist.
persons have been treated and 500 to 600 doses are left for students. He added that a second vaccine shipment is due today or tomorrow.
Schweegler, who reported 12 hospitalized with flu, said the campus has an epidemic but should shake the disease by final period.
"The flu should reach its peak when students go home," he said. "However, when they return, they will have built up antobodies from exposure and vaccine to combat the disease."
Schwegler assured students that Watkins is arranging with professors to excuse ill students from classes.
Although only a small number of seriously ill persons are hospitalized with the respiratory disease, large numbers of students are treating themselves at home. Schwegler said.
"We have swamped with students coming to the hospital fro medication," Schwegler said, "and many have called for advice and information."
There have been no deaths among KU students, although there may be a small mortality rate among elderly persons, Schwegler added.