Family ties
The Claftins of Overland Park - David. Bradford and Kristen - aren't entirely certain why they've been picked as the 1984 Parents Day family or why they'll be
honored at tomorrow's KU-Florida State game. But the Claffin clan, descendants of a pair of 1907 Jayhawkers, is sure about one thing: They've never considered studying any place but KU. See story, page 3.
Cooler
High, 70s. Low, mid-50s Details on page 3.
The University Daily
KANSAN
Vol. 95, No.15 (USPS 650-640)
Friday, September 14, 1984
Computer throws book at the unsuspecting
By LAURETTA SCHULTZ Staff Reporter
Janita van der Walt had never entertained the idea of becoming an aircraft riveter, not even as a hobby.
But during the summer, van der Walt, Bloomfontein, South Africa, graduate student, received a notice from Watson Library that a book on the subject had been checked out in her name and was overdue.
"Of all things, aircraft riveting. I'm studying German. What has that to get to with me?" van der Walt said. "They believe that computer as if it were some little god sitting there."
The 'little god', that has become a devil for van der Walt and a handful of students and faculty members is the computer that the library system uses to keep track of books.
The computer has timed students and faculty members for books that they swear they have returned or never checked out
Jerry Crippen. Hill City graduate student is another student at odds with the library computer
"I GOT A NOTICE that a book was overdue, but I had returned the book a long time before," he said. "I didn't have any proof the book had been taken back."
Elizabeth Banks, associate professor of classics, recently paid $20 for a book she said she had returned.
"There was nothing to demonstrate that I had brought back that book. I had no recourse," she said. "The computer printout is the law."
is the law Complaints like these are common, said Mary Hawkins, assistant dean of public services for the library system.
Hawkins does not deny that the complaints may be valid. But she said that the library frequently had trouble determining whether complaining students and faculty members were telling the truth.
A student remembers returning a book
and our computer shows that they haven't." Hawkins said. "What should we do?"
STUDENTS AND FACULTY members can right back, Hawkins said, if they think that the library's computer is wrongly throwing the book at them.
They should tell the library that the book has been returned or was never checked out. The library then will conduct a search for the book - a process that usually takes several months. It the book still does not show up, it is declared lost and the borrower is fired.
"But a borrower can appeal a fine." Hawkins said.
The only problem is the Library Fines Appeal Board, which was formed in April 1982 has never met, she said.
Gary Samuelson, a clerk with the library fine office, said that about 15 appeals had been filed with the board in the last two years. As long as the appeal is filed, the fine is delayed and library privileges are not revoked until the board makes a decision, he said.
THE APPEALS JUST accumulate over the years. "Hawkins said. 'There are not that many, but we are extremely anxious for the board to meet. We would welcome a
Robert Cobb, executive vice chancellor, issued a memo two years ago announcing the formation of the board.
Yesterday, he said he was not aware that the board had never met. He said he suspected that a step in the process of forming the board had been skipped.
"If it hasn't met, it is probably missing an enabling step of some kind." Cobb said. "I am pleasantly surprised by the low number of appeals. Perhaps the existence of the board has been enough to make it successful."
He said he would look into the matter and determine why the board was not reviewing appeals.
HAWKINS SAID THE problem of un warranted fines could be solved if the library gave borrowers receipts for returned books.
"Generating a receipt would be a massive operation," she said. "It would provide certain protection for both sides. But the extreme volume of paperwork would just be too much."
Borrowers sometimes create additional problems by trying to beat the system, she said.
"They sometimes want to show a librarian where the book is on the shelves to prove they returned it," she said. "But we don't know it we walked in and out it on the shelves."
In such cases, the circulation desk checks for two items. When the books are returned, they are stamped with a return date and are entered on the computer. If librarians find that either one of these steps has been completed, then the fine will be adjusted or nullified.
we try to be fair, but there are bound to be complaints. "Hawkins said 'We're not out to get anyone and we do not naturally assume the fault is with the borrower.'"
Members of the KU Crew skim across the Kaw River. Members working out sophomore; Stuart Jackson, Wichita senior; Aaron Pirner, Goddard sophomore yesterday morning were, from left to right, Peter Stocker, Golden, Colo. Jim Morris, Lawrence sophomore, and Gary Cukjati, Pittsburg senior.
Candidates seek endorsement from teachers
Bv SUZANNE BROWN
Staff Reporter
Seven candidates for the five Douglas County seats in the Kansas Legislature last night told a teachers' political action committee of their concern for education and sought to win endorsement from the group.
The candidates and a representative for another candidate spoke at the forum, sponsored by the Lawrence Education
Association. About 20 people attended the forum at Deerfield Elementary School, 101 N. Lawrence Ave.
The candidates appearing at the forum were state Sen. Wint Winter Jr., RLawrence, and his opponent, Lawrence Seaman Jr. state Rep. John Solbach, DLawrence, and his opponent, Martha
The LEA's representative assembly will endorse candidates Monday based on discussion at the forum and candidate interviews conducted last week.
Parker state Rep Betty Jo Charlton, D Lawrence, and her opponent, Jule Hack
the candidates spoke exclusively on education issues, especially those facing the Kansas Legislature in the 1985 session, which
ALSO AT THE forum were state Rep. Jesson Branson, D-Lawrence, who is unopposed for re-election, and a representative for Mike Schmidt. Democrat candidate for the 3rd House District Schmidt is running against state Rep. David Miller, R-Eudora
begins in January. All pledged their support for increased salaries for Kansas teachers, who ranked 36th on a national teachers salary scale.
Most of the candidates also supported binding arbitration in negotiations between teachers and local school boards. This resolution gives a neutral arbiter the authority to resolve contract disputes between teachers and school boards. Under
See FORUM, d. 5, col. 4
Diana decks coastal area goes inland
Storm's fury leaves thousands stranded without food, power
By United Press International
As darkness fell yesterday, 23,000 people haddled for their third night in storm shelters, and officials took precautions to protect homes and property ripped apart by the storm.
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Hurricane Diana ravaged North Carolina's coast for 18 relentless hours yesterday, turning beach towns into twisted shambles and leaving thousands without food, water and power and wondering about the fate of their homes.
National Guard troops joined local police patrols and Mayor Ben Thomas of Long Beach, which was hit hard by the storm, set an 8 p.m. to 7.30 a.m. curfew because "you always have the possibility of sightseers doing some looting."
At Yaupon Beach, firefighters and volunteers patrolled the streets, and fire Lt. Alan Essey said "if any body loots, we'll block the roads and search everybody who tries to come out."
COME ON AT LEAST 16,000 people were without power by nightfall. Streets were flooded and jammed with debris and, officials said at least 5,000 refugees in storm shelters had been without food for 24 hours
Property damage was massive — $20 million in the communities of Oak Island, Yaupon Beach and Long Beach. Gov. Jim Hunt asked President Reagan for federal and because "the storm is having a devastating effect on the state."
"We are hurt and we are hurt bad," said Police Chief Wilf Corning at Southport near
See DIANA, p. 5, col. 1
Author aims wit at KU in book about campuses
By JOHN EGAN Staff Reporter
In her humorous new book, Lisa Birnbach's College Book, Burnbach covers the country in her survey of 186 U.S. college campuses, taking the pulse of the American student body.
The author of the 1981 bestseller, Official Prepgy Handbook, has unleashed her infamous wit once again — and the University of Kansas is one of her targets.
In examining KU, Birnbach reveals tidbits to "Most Popular Majors"—business, journalism and political science—and the "Campus Cult Figure"—the Tan Man, a "very tan fellow who hangs out on campus year after year."
campus. We've also travelled from college to college through all 50 states for $2^{1/2}$ years to research the book, which recently appeared in Lawrence bookstores for $9.95
BIRNACH OFFERS GLIMPSES of noteworthy schools such as Yale University and Dartmouth College. But of the Big Eight universities, only Kansas State University is overlooked
In the 515 page paperback book, billed as "the first and only college guide to tell it like it is," about two pages of vital statistics are devoted to KU.
Henderson, who works as a sales clerk at Hatch Book Store, 2018 W. 23rd St., said about five copies of the book were on the store's shelves.
At least two students who have read the passage about KU, however, think that Birnbach doesn't tell everything "like it is."
George rottonman, Salina first year law student, who also has read the KU passage, said, "I thought they left out a lot of good things. I thought about things to do or places to go was Greek."
"I don't think she spent enough time here," said Timothy Henderson, Fratt senior "I thought the part about the Tan Man was fine."
"I THINK SHE did a fair job," Henderson said yesterday. "I think she had some inherent prejudices about Kansas."
For instance, Birnbach lists the "Most Popular Off Campus Hangout" as the Wagon Wheel Cafe, 507 W. 14th St., which doubles as the "biggest Greek bar in town."
But Debbie Schopper, Leawood senior, said
she thought the Wheel was no longer a hub for students.
student.
"It probably used to be, but not anymore. I don't think the Wheel is anything anymore," she said.
WHAT BIRNBACH HAD to say about sororites and fraternities was all Greek to the president of the Panhellenic Association. Under the category of "Greek Life," Birnbach writes "very big, pressure to push."
Chris Wells, the Panhellenic president, said. "It's a big part of life for a lot of people, but we're a minority on this campus."
mannbach says that the Greeks compose 15 percent of the student population, a figure she claims is on the rise.
According to Art Farmer, assistant director of the office of student organizations and activities, about 20 percent of the male population belongs to fraternities and about 13 percent of the female population pledges sororites.
And as for the pressure to participate in rush activities, Wells said, "That depends on each girl. There's not that much pressure on them."
BRINCH DOESN'T LIMIT her comments to the Greek minority. About the 'Gav
Situation *at KU*, she writes "fair amount of eats" on a scale of 1 to 10, 3.3"
Ruth Lichtwardt, president of the Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas, said, "I don't know whether to be insulted or what.
"I'd say she was right about the fair amount of gays," she said. "I would say the quality of gay life in Lawrence is lower than in Kansas City, but higher than a 3. I am assuming that she has not personally said that therefore she knows not of what no speaks."
Even Student Senate doesn't escape Burrbach's caustic cuts.
Birmingham. "Students are pro-administration and they tend to let the Student Senate decide student issues. The bad thing about student government is that they are really a part of the administration," Birmingham写。
But Birnbaeh, quoting a KU source, lashes out most strongly at the department of human development and family life.
"As far as departmental weakness, TOP1, is a red joke," she writes. "Sherman, so, you know."
CARLA VOGEL, STUDENT body presi-
dent, said, "I have to agree with her. It's sad.
That's why needs to be changes."
At least two errors concerning KU cropped up in the book.
opinion.
The book lists the phone number for the office of admissions as 664-3911, but the number is actually 864-3911. And the "Least Popular Major" is listed as agriculture, yet KU does not offer a degree in that field.
In other swipes, Birnbach states that KU football "has seen better days" and that "religious culls are all at odds with one another."
carmaniposition of the department, said, "In my opinion, it's not a fair assessment."
DESPITE SOME OF the unkind words about Greeks, gays, football and other topics. Birnibach lauded other aspects of KU.
"The campus is pretty," she writes, "and not flat. Fans of the University maintain that part of their school's appeal is that it sits on ton, as sort of a beacon."
And dispelling the backward, Dorothy and Toto image of Kansas. Birnchab quotes a KU source as saying, "This is a pretty sophisticated campus."
Apparently Birnbach realizes there's no place like home for many students.
"People are extremely satisfied with Lawrence." she writes, "so much so that they say that they have difficulty leaving."