Kansan
Weekend weather
Today: Partly cloudy with a high of 102 and a low of 72.
Saturday: Partly cloudy with a high of 100 and low of 72.
Sunday: Partly cloudy with a high of 97 and a low of 69.
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Thursday, September 1, 2000
Sports: The Kansas Football team battles the heat while gearing up for tomorrow's game at Southern Methodist. SEE PAGE 18
Inside: Students agree that 23rd Street's congestion is dangerous.
SEE PAGE 3A
USPS 650-640) • VOL. UU NO. 08 For comments, contact Nathan Willis or Chris Borniger at 864-4810 or e-mail editor#kansan.com
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Marvin craft shop needs upgrade
Technician believes vent system caused respiratory problems
By Kursten Phelps
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Mark Umholtz, the School of Architecture's craft shop technician, said he wants everyone using the shop to breathe easier - something he said isn't possible
with the existing ventilation system.
Uhmoltz, who has been the shop technician since 1983, wants the school to replace the ventilation system for the welding equipment and install a central exhaust system to reduce the amount of wood dust in the air at the Marvin Hall facility, which architecture and design students use to construct models and projects for various classes.
Umholtz began experiencing respiratory problems three years ago, which he said he suspected were triggered by being exposed to excessive wood dust and toxic welding fumes without proper ventilation. He said his medical costs had reached $5,000 and were still mounting.
Swann said that several safety improvements were completed during the summer, including lowering the shop's occupancy from 10 to six students and restricting use of
"We're still guessing on all the causes, but it points to the welding fumes and all that stuff" said Umholtz, who now wears a respirator while working. "Last September or October my doctor told me not to go back unless they make some changes."
Uhmholtz said he was concerned that the air quality of the room could be hazardous to students' health, but Mike Swann, associate dean of architecture, said no data had been collected to prove the existing systems were inadequate.
the welding hood to one student at a time to reduce the amount of fumes produced.
Umholtz said a glass door on an adjoining office was also installed so he could observe shop activities in an environment with cleaner air.
Vince Duet, a third-year architecture student from Chicago, started using the shop last semester before the improvements were made. He recently began working for Umholtz, who now requires Duet to wear a respirator. He said that last semester he had experienced occasional bloody noses
See FUMES on page 5A
Panel to mull genetically altered food
By Jason Krall
writer@kanson.com
Kansas staff writer
Believe it or not, fish are helping farmers grow a better tomato.
Farmers are using genes from the sole fish, a flounder-like bottom-dweller accustomed to cold temperatures, to make their tomato crops more resistant to cold weather.
It's just one example of genetic engineering in agriculture. While more than 70 percent of the nation's crops have undergone some form of genetic engineering, some people argue that most consumers are unaware of the technology's health and environmental risks.
Ecumenical Christian Ministries will host a panel discussion on the issue Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. featuring panelists on both sides of the issue.
Paul Johnson, head of the Organic Farmers Cooperative of Kansas, and Orley "Chip" Taylor, professor of entomology, will argue against genetic engineering in agriculture. Bill Wood, agent for agriculture at Kansas State University's Douglas County Extension, and Bob Benton, a Kansas State researcher, will argue for its benefits.
Also scheduled to attend, though not confirmed, is Reform Party presidential candidate John Hagelin, a physicist who has criticized genetic engineering in agriculture.
Some environmentalists claim that the technology could upset ecosystems. For example, insecticide drawn from the tissue of genetically engineered corn has been found to kill the larvae of Monarch butterflies. Taylor is currently researching that topic.
And tomatoes that survive cold weather become a food source for coldweather insects that normally wouldn't eat tomatoes.
"The point is, we're tampering with nature's plan," said Susana Curatolo, doctoral student in engineering and physics who will moderate the discussion. "We try to see that it is possible to grow things organically, to work with nature."
While federal funds are already being used for research on genetically enhanced food, Curatolo said farmers had incorporated the technology faster than researchers could assess its costs.
Allergens can be be released when genetically engineered crops are dusted with insecticides, said Stephen Benedict, professor of microbiology.
But many of the ethical issues tied to genetically engineering food are as old as agriculture itself, he said. Farmers have been playing with genetics for centuries, including everything from cross-pollinating corn to breeding cattle. But new technologies raise new concerns.
Cross-cultural reception aims to link minority students, athletes
"By the time we find out if there is a negative side effect, we won't be able to do anything about it," she said.
But perhaps the technology's greatest advantage lies in the increased volume farmers can produce, and some argue that genetic engineering may hold solutions to world hunger.
More dry days increase chances for blaze
"You have to be careful that you don't create something that will take over its environment," Benedict said.
"Folks around the world who don't have that California-fruit-basket dirt can grow things they wouldn't normally grow," Benedict said. "It makes it much easier to feed people."
Lack of precipitation, combined with the current high temperatures, has become hazardous on campus. Signs were posted on campus yesterday to insure that unnecessary fires were not started in the dry grass or landscaping. Officials have become extremely cautious of the high potential for fire around the University. Photo by Melissa Carr/KANSAN
By Leita Schultes
At least that is the hope of Gary Kempf, director of student athlete life and coaches' development. Kempf helped plan the Student Athlete of Color Reception, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Naismith Lunge in Allen Fieldhouse.
Students of color and student athletes of color will find common ground at a reception Tuesday night.
Kemp said this is the first year for the event, calling it an "informal gathering." The students will be welcomed to the University of Kansas and learn about one another's lives.
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
"We just want to give an opportunity for the athletes of color and students of color to meet each other." he said.
Edited by Lori O'Toole
Santos Nunez, assistant director of the Multicultural Resource Center, agreed.
Often, interaction between athletes and their classmates can be impeded by busy schedules and separate facilities. Alberta Wright, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said the lack of exposure especially was reflected on minority student athletes.
"what we want to do is encourage dialogue between the two groups," she said.
"Even coaches acknowledge that the athletes of color aren't exposed to the other students of color," she said.
Head football coach Terry Allen said that he planned to attend the reception, and that it would provide athletes with an opportunity to branch out from their teams and meet other students.
Hakim Muhammad, Kansas City, Mo., sophomore, said it was important for multicultural students to have a broad base of friends because they represented a minority on the KU campus.
"It's good to interact, especially in an environ ment like this," he said.
Jason Hylton, Costa Rica junior, said he felt there was both a lot of diversity and adversity at the University.
"It's good to always have different kinds of friends. You don't have to be around the same people all the time." he said.
"it sounds like a good idea because KU isn't exactly the most diverse place, being mostly white." Hylton said. "We all want to see more of our own culture around.
The reception is sponsored by the Athletics Department and the Multicultural Resource Center.
— Edited by Kathryn Moore
Students find unique home at commune
By J.D. McKeen
writer @kanson.com
Kansan staff writer
The Ecumenical Christian Ministries building is not a typical religious institution.
Aron Carlson, left, Lawrence senior, discusses spirituality with fellow members of Koinonia, from left, Joanna Griffin, Wichita junior, Catie Schroek, Oak Park, Ill., senior, E.J. Reedy, Topeka senior, and Jenny Pramuk, Akron, Ohio, graduate student. The students are joined by their interest in exploring spirituality in a communal living environment. Photo by Carrie Julian/KANSAN
Although it is home to four separate churches on its upper level—Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ, Church of the Brethren and the Religious Society of Friends—below its floors reside a much different group.
In the ECM building's basement live six college students brought together by a desire for communal living and a shared interest in exploring spirituality rather than orthodox religion. The community is called Koinonia, a Greek word meaning "radical fellowship."
"Religion is definitely a part of it, but in a more general sense of the word," said Catie Schroeck, Oak Park, Ill., senior.
This semester is Schroeck's first at Koinonia. She said she learned about the community because she had known some of the previous participants. It appealed to her, she said, because it was inexpensive and a unique living situation.
It's in between the dooms, when you don't get to know anybody," she said. Schroeko said she also welcomed the chance to explore her spirituality with others.
"A lot of University students are searching for a lot of things, and spirituality is one of them," Schroeck said.
"It's in-between the dorms, which are so social, and apartments, where you don't get to know anybody," she said.
Jenny trannuk, Akron, Ohio, graduate student, also came to Koinonia to learn more about her spirituality.
"Communal living forces you to interact with people," she said. "It makes you learn about yourself. It's ever-changing and never dull."
Pramuk, who at two years has lived at Kohnonia the longest, said spirituality was the common denominator
among the residents.
"We're all spiritual people, not necessarily religious," she said.
Part of the mission of the community is to help people understand their spirituality and faith.
"An integral part of being an educated person is examining and exploring the spiritual journey," said Rev. Thad Holcombe, who oversees Koimonia. He said the project began as an all-women's group in the 1940s at the Westminster House, which was across the street from the current location of the ECM, 1204 Oread Ave. In 1960, it became coed.
Holcombe said that members of Koinonia must commit themselves to a covenant, which includes going on a retreat with the other members at the beginning of the semester and performing three hours per week of leadership and/or
participation in the ECM ministry.
Members also are limited to three years of participation in Koinonia.
The members also are required to take turns preparing a dinner for the other members every Wednesday along with a topic of discussion usually revolving around spirituality or social responsibility.
"We don't require the members to be Christians," Holcombe said, "But they must acknowledge that Koinonia has a history that comes from the Christian tradition."
Forcing the members to conform,however,is by no means a goal of the group.
"We want to support exploration of what it means to be a person of faith," Holcombe said.
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