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Wednesday, August 29, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Waste dump suit
Cooperation needed in dumpsite cleanup effort
"D don't drink the water" took on new meaning for Jean Martin in 1982. That was the year she says.
that dioxane was discovered in her well water during testing by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Martin also says the dioxane in her water is the result of chemical leakage from a University of Kansas low-level radioactive waste dump just east of her property near Det Soto in Johnson County.
Greg Crawford, KDHE director of public information services, said dioxane was a probable cancer-causing element. The three carcinoide classifications are possible, probable and known.
The KU dumpsite was used by the University from 1964 to 1982 as a disposal site for wastes from KU's main campus in Lawrence and the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. Kan. Waste was disposed of in two plots covering about two acres of the site's 23 acres.
John Parisi, an attorney of the Overland Park law firm of Shamberg, Johnson, Bergman and Morris, filed a lawsuit on behalf of Martin and her family on July 24 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kan. The Board of Regents is named as defendant in the suit as executor of the University. The suit asks for an injunction against the Regents to force cleanup of the dumpsite and for a declaration that the site
But KU and KDHE officials say the tests revealing dioxane in Martin's water were faulty.
Crawford said the tests on Martin's property were conducted after testing on University property where chemicals were known to be. Residue left in the equipment after testing on the KU site caused tests on the Martin property to register dioxane levels. he said.
After discovering the faulty tests, further samples of Martin's water were taken that revealed no dioxane. Crawford said.
Frances Horowitz, vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, said University officials did not believe chemicals were in Martin's well water. The University would be the first to acknowledge any chemical leakage, if any had occurred, she said. Chemicals have moved within the University property, she said, but not off the property.
Dumping at the site was conducted in accordance with all regulations in effect at the time, Horowitz said. Use of the site was discontinued, she said, because new regulations were put into effect that the dumpsite no longer could meet.
The University has monitored the site since its use was discontinued, Horowitz said. When chemical movement within the site was detected, Black and Veatch Engineers and Architects of Kansas City, Kan., were commissioned in 1989 to evaluate the site. She said the evaluation reveals that no chemicals have moved beyond University property.
But because there has been some chemical movement, University officials are in ongoing talks with KDHE officials, discussing possible action to be taken about the dumpsite, Horowitz said.
Options being considered range from taking no action to capping the waste area and installing a groundwater collection and treatment system. The latter option could cost millions of dollars.
Horowitz said she would be surprised if the first option were chosen.
But the University must wait for the Legislature to allocate funds for any cleanup efforts at the dumpster. That means educational programs must compete with clean-up programs for financing.
Martin, meanwhile, continues to live with the uncertainty of the safety of her water supply. And any chance of cancer-causing chemical leakage is too much of a chance.
Should KU be blamed because its dumpsite does not stand up to current standards?
The University already held itself accountable by commissioning the Black and Veach teams.
Understanding and sympathy should be extended to Martin for the burden put upon her by a possibly dangerous water supply. Perhaps could be planned to confirm ber fears.
But Martin also should understand that the University, rather than neglecting its dumpse, is making an effort to begin its cleanup. Instead of opposing KU, Martin should join forces with the University and lobby the Kansas Legislature for financing
Mary Neubauer for the editorial board
Worthwhile work
At last, street repair is a welcomed change for all
It was a long time coming, but construction and repair work have begun on roads throughout Lawrence. Although temporarily inconvenient to some, repair and expansion of certain streets will be a welcomed change for all.
Lawrence residents no longer will be forced to dodge pot-holes when traveling down Sixth Street. Although the work was a hassle for students, the program has completed just before the return of KU students.
The expansion of intersections along 19th Street has been needed for years. Turn lanes are being added at 19th and Louisiana streets. That will ease congestion from Lawrence High School and University traffic, as well as daily traffic flow.
Many have said the solution to traffic problems at 19th Street and Naimshi Drive would be to expand the intersection. That is happening. Turn lanes are being added to allow traffic to move through the intersection faster and more safely.
Resurfacing of much of Massachusetts downtown makes Lawrence's business section more attractive.
City officials should be applauded for their efforts to improve our roads. Tolerance of the temporary inconveniences that accompany the construction is in order. The repairs now being completed are a solid beginning to much-needed improvements.
David Harger for the editorial board
"A BRIEF RUN-DOWN OF THE NEWS: NO PLANE"
Fifth year seniors needn't explain
An Ode to Fifth Year Seniors:
The semester has barely begun.
Yet I've been questioned by more than a handful of my peers;
"Shouldn't you have graduated?
Aren't you out of here yet? What are
you still doing here?"
Each time I wonder if I should reply with a fictious response. Something along the lines that I am familiar with, or that I are a first-year law student.
Better yet, I could say I'm back at KU because I funked a few courses.
Nevertheless, I don't fit into any of those categories. I'm back at KU because I'm a fifth year senior, part of the class beid of Spring 1990 graduates.
Other fifth-years have been juggling a hectic work schedule along with a heavy load of classes. Those
We follow last year's group of 244 fifth-year seniors. A new tradition blossoms.
I needed the extra semester to complete a double major. Other fifth-years have changed majors in the course of their higher education. Some students change majors more frequently than I think that what college is about anyway?
Jennifer Metz
Staff columnist
students should be applauded
And some fifth years just couldn't squeeze it all in over four short years. Whatever the reason, we're all back for more
We get to hear that infamous whistle blow between classes a few more times.
We can go to the KU Homecoming game one last time without wearing the classic navy blue sweater with a Jayhawk on it. You know, the ones that signal ALUMNI KU alums must have a drawerful of them.
And, we all have to pay tuition for an extra semester or two
We get to hear the campanile toll a few more times
And we'll all get ripped off one last time when we purchase our textbooks at the local bookstores.
We even may have to wait in long lines in Strong Hall to add or drop a class.
There are a few advantages to
being a fifth year senior. The older you get, the shorter the lines are when you go to pay fees in Hoch Auditorium and the Kansas Union
And this probably will be the last time in our lives that we can wear jeans and T-shirts every day if we have the desire to do so.
The real world wasn't quite ready for us fifth-years anyway. We're still busy packing in all of the knowledge that we can get for our money.
I went through the graduation ceremonies in May and I call myself a "pseudo-graduate" of the University of Kansas. I walked the Hill after some pleading from my parents. They needed some proof in pictures that I'd done so in full cap and gown because KU doesn't offer an elaborate ceremony for December graduates.
On graduation day, many students were sort of sad to be leave old KU I enjoyed the irony of the situation when I got my diplat that I wasn't graduated yet.
Cheers to the should-be class of Spring 1990 graduates.
The fifth-year seniors.
▶ Jennifer Metz is a Kansas City, Mo., senior majoring in journalism and English.
Can love survive in the theater of the real?
Letter the darkened theater with a new girlfriend on my arm, and right away I know there's going to be trouble. Cary Grant is sitting in the next seat. Instinctively, I tighten my grip on my girlfriend and vow silently that I won't let Grant steal this one.
"Who's your girl this week?" Grant asks, elegantly sipping a Coke. "Her name is Kate." I growl. "I can't bear her."
To be fair, Cary Grant isn't the only movie star ruining my love life.
Eric Swanson Staff columnist
Grant merely shrugs, smiles and sips.
I know that elegant pose, all right. Cary Grant has stolen four of my girlfriends, just by sitting there lookuing suave and debonair. He doesn't even say anything, because he knows he doesn't have to. One look at his effortless worldliness and my girl is gone.
'My analyst tells me that these people are either dead or fictional.'
Last week, as I was preparing to seduce this blonde in the luxury of my apartment, Jimmy Stewart showed up and stole the girl right out of my arms with his practiced homely charm.
I flee to my analyst for comfort, but he's no help. "You are merely hallucinating these stars as an agent learning to be a ladies man," he says.
My analyst loves this tale. He suggests I commit myself to Watkins Health Center for observation and intensive therapy. I flee.
To the movies, of course. This time, the movie is "Risky Business?" I've got my current girlfriend on my arm and I'm enjoying the movie when Tom Cruise shows up in his underwear and begins dancing in front of my girlfriend. Five seconds later, she's gone.
"Come up and see me sometime," purrs Mae West. He smiles, shrugs and goes.
My analyst tells me that these people are either dead or fictional, and that I am too immature to accept reality. He's beginning to write my bill when there's a soft tap on his shoulder.
Eric Swanson is an Arvada, Colo., senior majoring in English and journalism.
Other Voices
Children need rights
All the world is interested in children. Well, almost everyone who is anyone except the United States.
Twenty-two countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child, two more than the minimum required. Unfortunately, the United States is not among them. The document apparently is still under development. That completed, President Bush has to send it to the Senate.
Among the goals of the U.N. accord are the protection of children from abuse, neglect, abduction, economic and sexual exploitation, war and
It's too bad a subterfuge like tacking the treaty as an amendment to some other bill is needed, probably the course that will be taken once the president submits it to the Senate. This country ought to be a leader in pressing for the rights, health and education of children. Star
From the Kansas City Star
KANSAN STAFF
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KERSTIN GABRIELSON
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Letters should be typed, double spaced and less than 200 words. They must include the writer's signature, name and telephone number. Writers affiliated with the University of Kansas must have their names on each page.
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KU contradicts its policy concerning anti-discrimination with ROTC
The Kansas receiver the right to reject or edit letters, guest columns and cartoons. They can be maligned or brought to the Kansas newsroom, 111 Staffer Flat Hall, Letters, columns and cartoons are the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kansas. Editorials are the opinion of the Kansas editorial board.
Once again, the University administration has pulled the wool over the eyes of its students and the surrounding community.
In April of this year, concern about the ROTC's discriminatory policies regarding homosexuals arose. Article 10 of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, it was noted, specifically states that University-sponsored or University-approved organizations are prohibited from discrimination against students on the basis of sexual orientation; yet the campus ROTC programs, in accordance with Department of Defence policy, did in fact discriminate against homosexuals.
The University administration, by endorsing the ROTC, was in fact contradicting its own written policy. Responding to the mounting concern over this inconsistency, the University Council met May to address the issue. Two amendments were proposed, including a provision disallowing the ROTC from conduction ceremonies
Guest columnist
David Orr
All was fine and dandy, we were led to believe,
our goal was a fair and just administration. We now
complied with the rules.
There's just one hitch: Chancellor Budig did not sign the resolution at that time, nor during the four months that have passed since then. And, judging from the Aug. 23 University Council meeting, he has no intention of signing it at all. In a feeble explanation of this sudden turnaround, Del
on University grounds, and another excluding future credit hours earned from ROTC courses for meeting graduation requirements. The resolution was to take effect just as soon as Chancellor Gene
The University Council meeting at which the ROTC matter finally will be decided is scheduled for tomorrow. We wish to remind the Administration, as we have before, that at other universities the American Civil Liberties Union has not hesitated to take legal action to eliminate this type of discrimination at college ROTC programs. We sincerely hope that the anti-discrimination amendments will be approved, and that such action on our part will not be required.
Shankel, acting executive vice chancellor, claimed that the "ROTC is a program which many think is beneficial." That is very true, Mr. Shankel, as the fact that two decades ago, the lawful detainment of homosexuals in mental institutions program which many people thought was beneficial.
▶ David Orr is the vice president of the KU chapter of the AQW
Three Imaginary Girls
By Tom Avery
I