Volume 126 Issue 28
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
kansan.com
elson
RACES
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
at the after party in Lawrence on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Those interested in running a Halloween-themed 5k have two upcoming opportunities in Lawrence on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.
MARK ARCE
marce@kansan.com
According to Active.com, fall is an ideal time for outdoor workouts because of the comfortable temperatures and changing scenery conditions perfect for running races.
"My favorite season is fall, because it's warm outside and I can run," said Sarah Schneider, a junior from Mulvane. Schneider is vice president of the KU Running Club,
which has participated in numerous races and is hosting a National Intercollegiate Running Club Association on Nov. 5.
Schneider isn't the only one who's enthusiastic about fall and the coinciding running conditions. According to Running USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to distance running, the number of 5-kilometer races and race participants in the United States has increased dramatically. The total number of running events in the
U. S. reached over 26,000 in 2012 with 6.2 million people participating in 5ks alone, according to the organization.
Running USA's 2013 State of the Sport said the spike in participation is due to improved race management, creativity in events and increased accessibility to information via websites and social media, among other factors.
Some organizations within and outside of the University are responding to the recent popularity
of 5ks by creating their own events. For example, Student Union Activities is putting on a 5k called "The Jogging Dead 5k: Run or Die Trying" on Oct. 27. 27. KU Student Endowment is also planning a 5k called "Crimson & Boo! 5k Run" for Sunday, Nov. 3.
KU Student Endowment came up with the idea in response to the success of similar events. Proceeds from the race are going toward KU Endowment's Student Leadership Award, which is given to outstanding campus leaders every spring and can be put toward tuition or the cost of textbooks.
Sarah Morris, the President of the Student Endowment Board, said, "We've received a lot of positive feedback and a lot of interest in the event so far, so we're excited about this year and how we can grow it in the coming years."
to Lawrence in September, The Glow Run 5k is on Saturday, and Run or Dye will come to Lawrence, but has yet to announce a date. All three partner with various charities and provide a percentage of the proceeds to them, in exchange for the charities providing volunteers.
In addition to student organizations, races also seem to be popular among charities and for-profit organizations. The Color Run came
"We get different charity partners [in] every city we go to. We try to find a good charity partner
SEE 5K PAGE 7
LAWRENCE
Alcohol, fake ID possession among top local offenses
CODY KUIPER
ckuiper@kansan.com
If you happen to have a run-in with Lawrence police, odds are you've got one of two things in your hand: stolen property or a beer.
In 2012, local law enforcement issued 341 citations for a minor in possession of alcohol. This makes MIPs the second-most common public offense in the city behind theft. This doesn't mean 2012 is an anomaly, though. Since 2006, MIPs have been no lower than the fifth most common public offense in Lawrence.
Those charged with an MIP face a multitude of consequences, including a $300 to $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, 40 hours of community service and an automatic license suspension of 30 days. If charged with unlawful use of a driver's license (a fake ID) the fine could range from $300 to $2,500, up to a year in jail and 100 hours of community service.
When it comes to MIPS and fake ID charges, students have a couple
Softening the blow
of legal options: diversion or fighting the case. Diversion is essentially a contract with the city prosecutor that requires the offender to pay a larger fine and adhere to conditions laid out by the prosecutor. In exchange for staying out of trouble, the charge will be dismissed and made unsearchable by anyone outside of law enforcement.
Steve Allton, staff attorney for the University's Legal Services for Students, estimated that 90 percent of first-time offenders in these cases at the University go on diversion, something that he highly recommends for students.
"A lot of times what we're concerned about is doing anything we can to make sure the student keeps the citation from turning into a conviction," Allton said. "It's common that employers ask about convictions more so than charges, so the nice thing about diversion is if you do complete it, you can tell your employer you don't have one." Allton also recommends that students fill out the application for diversion themselves, rather than hiring a lawyer, to save money.
Diversion is common for first-time offenders, but if a student were
to get caught a second time. Allton said it becomes more complicated and the best option is to lawyer-up.
If a student decides to argue the case, they face a potential conviction as well as lawyer fees and fines upwards of $2,000. If they lose the battle in court, the offender will be convicted of a misdemeanor. That misdemeanor will stay on your record for three years, after which it could potentially be expunged, or completely wiped away, from the offender's record.
"It not a given that those people won't get a second diversion, but it's definitely less likely," he said. "Usually if somebody has a previous conviction, we recommend they seek private counsel because it probably more likely [that] if they have counsel, they will be given diversion again."
Underage students are caught drinking through a combination effort from local law enforcement and bars and restaurants through-
The Prevention
SEE MIP PAGE 7
INTERNATIONAL
Course explores global careers
KATIE MCBRIDE
kmcbride@kansan.com
A course on international careers allows University students to solidify their curiosity about working in another country into a clear career plan. The class involves a spring break trip to London or Costa Rica, where students visit global companies and meet with employers. The deadline to apply through study abroad is Nov. 1.
It takes determination for a student to get the chance to work abroad, said David Gaston, director of the University Career Center.
"International employers are not necessarily coming here to recruit you," Gaston said. "You have to go convince someone that you have skills and abilities that will be valuable to them."
Gaston helps coordinate the Preparing for International Careers courses, which aim to teach students the steps necessary to begin an international career.
"We talk to a lot of Americans who have gone abroad. They share their stories and give students insight about what it is like."
Hamel said one focus of the course is to provide students with a realistic picture of what working abroad is like, as there can be significant differences in culture, work style and expectations from one country to the next.
said julie Hamel, assistant director of the University Career Center and one of the instructors for the course.
Before leaving on their trips, the students are assigned the task of setting up an informational interview with someone in an industry the student is interested in. During their time abroad, they conduct the interviews, providing students the chance to ask questions about the work environment and what it takes to obtain a job abroad.
She adds that those who seek work abroad should be flexible, adaptable and open to new experiences.
"If you're the kind of person who's going to take on that challenge, you can't be locked into the way you do things." Hamel said. Additionally, Hamel said that
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
SEE CAREER PAGE 7
SPORTS 10
SUDOKU 5
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Today's Weather
Don't forget
To ask Mike what day it is
Sunny. SSE wind at 14 mph.
A