Thursday, October 12. 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 3
Subscriptions sold to students could be a scam
By Katie Teske
Special to the Kansas
Students who wrote checks Tuesday to college-age vendors claiming to be selling magazines for a competition may have been scammed.
The vendors, who weren't authorized to be on campus or several Lawrence apartment buildings, attempted to solicit subscriptions for $20 to $40 each.
Ashley Wann, Lindsborg junior, bought a magazine subscription from a woman who came to her residence on Crestine Drive. Later that evening, a man also tried to sell her a subscription.
"Their approaches were very similar." Wann said, adding that she planned to put a hold on her check.
I called every one should, and I thank him for shaping him on how he check Danny Kaiser, director of the Organizations and Leadership Center, said he had no record of scheduling space for the vendor on campus.
"I didn't know anything about him, so I can't say if these people are going to get their magazines or not." Kaiser said.
The Lawrence City Clerk said that neither company had a license to sell magazines in Lawrence.
Kaiser said anyone who wanted to have a table at Wescoe Beach or the Kansas and Burge unions must first be sponsored by a group or organization and pay that sponsor a fee. The sponsor also must be present at all times because he or she is responsible for the vendor's actions.
Furthermore, a University Events form requesting space must be filled out and approved by the Events committee.
Kaiser said even though the magazine seller was not approved, he should not have been on campus in the first place.
"Even if you don't reserve the space, you still can't use state property for personal gain," he said.
The receipt one of the vendors handed out provided an Indiana address. The Better Business Bureau confirmed that the company, American Community Services Inc. Clearing House, was a member. However, American Community Services Inc., said the vendors did not work for it but for independent contractors.
Information on the back of Wann's receipt listed things salespeople were not allowed to say. The vendors that approached Wann violated several of the rules, including saying they were from a disadvantaged background, that magazines purchased could be distributed to a hospital as a gift or that they were participants in a contest working for prize awards and not solicitors working for money compensation.
An American Community Services Inc., representative said that if students decided they didn't want the magazines, they could cancel their orders within three business days of buying the subscription by mailing a signed and dated copy of the cancellation notice attached to their receipt.
Miller advised students to check their receipts before purchasing a subscription.
"It's the student's responsibility to read the fine print." Miller said.
Interstate Certified Publishers, another company that was selling on campus Tuesday, provided a Web site and Reno. Nev., address but no phone number. It asked that customers make contact only by mail.
The Better Business Bureau in Reno said Internet Certified Publishers had an unsatisfactory reputation because of unanswered complaints.
Blood drive collects more than last year
By Jennifer Valdez
writer@kanson.com
Kanson staff writer
The Lawrence Community Center last week collected more than twice the amount of blood it collected in last year's blood drive, helping to alleviate a blood shortage in Lawrence.
About 1,400 University of Kansas students and faculty turned out for the Lawrence Community Center blood drive Oct. 2. A total of 868 pints of blood were donated, surpassing last year's total.
Amanda Storm, donor recruitment representative for the center, said the results were impressive.
"In the past, the most we had was 600 donors and"were able to collect 400 pints," she said.
This year's drive, called "We Need You to Bleed Crimson and Blue," was dedicated to Laura Leftwich, the KU student who died this year in a car wreck on Interstate 70. Rachel Greenberg, Sigma Delta Tau social chairwoman and San Antonio, Texas, junior, said the sorority, of which Leftwich was a member, was sending cards to her family that donors had signed during the drive.
"It's important to keep Laura's memory alive not only through our sorority, but through campus as well," Greenberg said. "It's a great chance for her family to know she's still remembered."
As part of the drive, a donor competition took place between sororities, fraternities, residence halls and scholarship halls. The winners in each category were: Grace
Sellards Pearson residence hall's 4th floor west, with 42 percent participation; Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, 40 percent; Sellards Scholarship Hall, 38 percent; and Beta Theta Pi fraternity, 32 percent participation.
John Cathcart-Rake, Salina fresh man and member of Beta Theta Pj, said the fraternity's victory in blood donation represented the importance its members placed on community service.
"I think we go above and beyond to participate in community service, which is a major part of our house," he said.
Ambriel Renn-Scanian, president of Sellards and Topea junior, said participation from scholarship hall residents was proof of their willingness to help and become involved in the community.
She said it was more convenient for students to donate this year because the drive didn't run too closely to the Red Cross Drive.
"Last year, this blood drive and the Red Cross drive were too close together and people couldn't donate," she said. "This year was different. It was more convenient that way."
Storm said she appreciated the participation of all those who donated blood and the businesses that contributed to the drive and donated awards to the winners.
"We truly appreciated them coming out; it was such a tremendous turnout," Storm said. "We hope to continue partnering with Krispy Kreme and Chipotle for the spring blood drive."
— Edited by Warisa Chulindra
A worldly conversation
Bruno Pieroni, left, first-year graduate student from Brazil, talks to Joe Potts, director of International Student Services, and Gorgias Sanchez, first-year graduate student from Venezuela, at the "World at KU" reception. The event was the University's first reception for its international community and was sponsored by the Office of International Student Services and the Office of International Programs. Photo by Carrie Julian/KANSAN
Gore mellows, Bush provides specifics in second presidential debate
By J.D. McKee
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Republicans liked George W. Bush, Democrats liked Al Gore and Green Party supporters didn't like either candidate after watching last night's presidential debate.
The debate, held in Winston-Salem, N.C., was a more informal and civil affair than last week's debate in Boston
Allen Cigler, professor of political science, said he thought the candidates paid attention to the critique
from the last debate.
"Gore softened his image with slowing his speech and not attacking as much," he said. "Bush was in a situation where he had to prove he's smart and intelligent enough to be president."
Cigler said he thought Bush succeeded in doing so by making a point to provide specific details about his policies.
The candidates agreed on many major points during the first half of the debate, which covered topics such as foreign policy and civil rights.
Catherine Bell, Coffeyville freshman, said she was more impressed with Gore.
"Although Bush and Gore agree on foreign policy, I think Gore shows more competence in international affairs," she said.
"Bush is doing better than anyone expected because he's been made out to be an idiot," he said. "But Gore is showing much more expertise."
Mark Goode, Littleton, Colo., sophomore, said he was surprised at how well Bush did.
Mike Yimer, Lawrence freshman,
said he thought it was a good debate but found Bush to be more in tune with his beliefs.
"I agree with Bush because he believes in less government, and he seems like a nice guy," Yimer said. "Gore is too liberal and seems too much like an attack dog."
Yimer also said that the two candidates sounded similar on foreign policy, but that he liked Bush's views on education.
"I think education works best at the state level instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to fix the problem," he said.
Green Party supporters were disappointed once again that Ralph Nader was excluded from the debate.
"The debate lacked for absence of third-party candidates," said Daylin Cook, Colorado Springs, Colo., sophomore. "People have a right to know what the third parties sand for."
Cook said she didn't think the debate settled any questions people had about the two major-party candidates, but she said she thought Gore came out on top.
"The group that loses out the most is the American people," Cook said. "They shouldn't be forced to pick between the lesser of two evils."
Cigler said it was too soon to tell what kind of effect the debate would have on voters.
"It's more important what people will say in three or four days," he said. "I suspect there will be no major movement in the polls."
The third and final presidential debate will be Tuesday in St. Louis.
— Edited by John Audelhelm
Clothing Consignment and Used C
Quality name brand clothing at low prices!
15th & Kasold 830-TUNE (8863)
Orchards Corners Hours:
Time: Sat 10
hreads 'n Tules
Clothing Consignment and Used CD Shop Quality name brand clothing at low prices!
Sun. 1-5pm
Clinton Parkway & Kasold
◊ 832-9600 ◊
Great food,
Daily drink specials!
Sports Page Brewery
SLACKATHON
come to wescoe beach today to "slack"...watch some classic movies and help a great cause the rape victims survival services of douglas county all we ask is $1 donations or more to R.V.S.S.