CAMPUS AND AREA
University Daily Kansan, December 3, 1984
Page 8
Teacher wants shuttle voyage
By MARY CARTER Staff Reporter
Fred Stawitz wants to be an astronaut.
It hasn't been a lifelong dream for the 33-year-old math teacher from Topeka, but he says he would like the change in outlook that he would come from "looking out the window and seeing a ball in space."
"I think I'd have a different perspective from that point on," he said Friday. "Being able to step back off this planet . . . that's something fewer than 50 Americans have done."
President Reagan announced last summer that an American primary or secondary school teacher would be selected to ride next year on the space shuttle.
APPLICATIONS FOR NOMI-
NEES were released Saturday,
Stawitz says. He expects to receive
his information packet and application form from the National
Department of Administration within two weeks.
Stawitz said he fit the basic requirements for an applicant he is an American citizen, has five years of experience and is in good health.
He teaches math for the alternative education program of the Topeka public school district. He also taught math for the Upward Bound program at the University of Kansas last summer.
Stawitz said he thought his continuing education and teaching a night course at Washburn university, which help his chances of being selected.
He needs one more class to receive a bachelor's degree in computer science from Washburn.
It would be an extreme honor for the community and the state.
Fred Stawitz
His first bachelor's degree from Washburn was in math with minors in computer science and French.
STAWITZ SAID THE teacher selected would spend the year after the flight traveling around the country teaching the public about the space shuttle. Part of the program was to provide opportunities for such education programs.
"I want to go in with proposals that are really original and inventive," he said.
He has met with curriculum specialists in the Topeka public schools and wants to get ideas
from the gifted and talented students in Topeka too, he said.
Stawitz has spent the last several weeks asking state and Topka city officials to support his efforts in preparing the first American teacher in school.
"The response has been excellent," he said. "A lot of them would like to do this themselves."
"NONE OF THEM had been approached by anyone else about this. I told them why I thought I was a reasonable candidate, and asked that if I wanted them to be aware that this is not an individual project.
"It would be an extreme honor for the community and the state. I assured them I felt a responsibility to help their support would be returned."
Stawitz says he knows his chances are slim.
"I read an article in Capper's Weekly that said NASA was expecting 80,000 applicants," he said. "But I don't think as many people know about it as NASA would have liked. I don't think they'll have 80,000 and that's fine with me."
"Right now I have to sit and smile. Mentally, I'm hearing two voices. One says 'Why me?' and the other says 'Why not?' Right now I'm listening to the one that says 'Why not?'"
By HOLLIE B. MARKLAND Staff Reporter
The University of Kansas will fight to persuade state legislators to restore Boat of Rig's Regents budget for the KSKE budget university director of business affinity.
KU to fight for budget increases
"We're going to request our full proposal as submitted by the Regents," Nitcher said Friday.
In November, the state budget director recommended to Gov. John Carlin that KU receive a 6.1 percent budget increase over this year, which is 4.8 percent less than what the Regents proposed in September.
KU will press especially for higher salary increases for faculty, Nitcher
The University also will seek a larger budget for other operating costs, which include paper, laboratory equipment and books. The budget director suggested a 5 percent increase in the budget percent below the Regents proposal.
THE BUDGET DIRECTOR suggested a 5.5 percent increase for faculty salaries. The Regents requested a 7 percent increase.
An analyst for the Kansas Legislature Research Department visited KU last week to gather information about Gayle's budget request. Nitcher said.
"Early in January, the legislative research group puts out a book that
gives the current budget and analyzes the institutions' requests and the governor's recommendations," he said. "The book is given to him, and legislature to help them determine how much money to give to institutions."
WHILE THE STATE is analyzing and comparing budgets in preparation for the legislative session, which opens in January, KU will try to legislate to finance the university at the level the Regents requested.
One KU lobbying group is the Kansas University Alumni Association Development Committee, composed of alumni, the Alumni Association board of directors, KU association and staff of the Alumni Association.
Fred Williams, executive director of the Alumni Association, said the committee was an effective lobbying tool for the University.
"This group has become the lobbying group to address to local representatives the need and worth of bringing the University," Williams said.
THE COMMITTEE IS led by two chairmen, one Democrat and one Republican, Williams said. The committee is not politically active, but it is familiar with the Democratic and Republican sectors of the Legislature.
At a meeting Saturday, about 200 committee members discussed
methods to persuade legislators to grant KU the money proposed by the Regents.
Williams said Richard von Ende, executive secretary of the University, played an important role in making the committee effective.
"Mr von Englater has contact with many legislators." Williams said. "He knows when we need to make a change, and he knows how to deal with these people make their contact."
Marvin Burris, Regents director for budget, said the Regions would start to begin lobbying until Carlin made his budget recommendations.
LIAO ZHONG-KAI A chinese movie on early 1900's history in China Free Admission
7:30 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 3rd
Alderson Auditorium
Kansas Union
SKI COLORADO with the Topeka SKI Club *Aspen *Vail *Winter Park 842-5867 or 235-1578
4C COPIES
MIDWEST BUSINESS SYSTEMS
818 Mass.
842-4134
KWALITY COMICS
Comics & Science Fiction
107 W. 7th. 843-7239
Black Student Union meeting
KANSAS UNION
JAYHAWK ROOM
7:00 PM
mon,dec.3
BORDER BANDIDO MONDAY MANIA ALL YOU CAN EAT TACOS $2.99
1528 W. 23RD.
Make your own on our reg.$3.69 taco and salad bar
Across from Post Office
842-8861
ALL you can eat pizza
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SPECIAL Chicago Bears vs. San Diego Chargers
ALL for only $5 8-10 p.m.
ALL you can drink beer
West Coast Solcon 2222 Iowa 841-BREW
ON TAP :
Busch
Budweiser
Coors
Coors Light
December 3-7 9a.m.-5p.m. Union Gallery
SUA Fine Arts presents
ARTS & CRAFTS BAZAAR
MEET THE ARTIST!
J. R. Hamil will be on hand to talk with you & sign copies of his book.
RETURN TO KANSAS
Watercolors by J.R. Hamil Text by Sharon Hamil The perfect book to give to anyone who loves Kansas, or to keep and cherish yourself. This magnificent volume boasts more than one hundred full-color watercolor paintings by award winning artist Jim Hamil Here is the state in all its diverse beauty; the ever-changing Flint Hills, sweeping horizons, breath-taking sunsets, awesome thunderheads, bouquet of cartridge, and as the
horts of grazing cattle, and as the poet Vachel Lindsay exclaimed "oceans and solar-systems of wheat." The attraction and subtle grandeur of Kansas are here for all to see and appreciate. Sharon Hamil's engaging text covers geography, history, and cultural heritage—and provides glimpses into treasured favorite places, as well.
121 pages, 110 full-color illustrations, 12 3/4" x 9 3/4"
$27.50 until I/L/85; $29.95 afterward
Mon., Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Level 2 Kansas Union