KYU
Tomorrow's weather
The University Daily Kansan
Hot and partly cloudy. High around 100. Low of 72.
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Thursday, August 31, 2000
Sports: Senior Danielle Geronymo is enjoying success with the Kansas volleyball team.
SEE PAGE 6A
Inside: Lawrence's only abortion provider may face problems after a recent ruling.
(USPS 650-640) • VOL. 111 NO. 07 For comments, contact Nathan Willis or Chris Borniger at 864-4810 or e-mail editor@kansan.com
SEE PAGE 3A
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Tempers flare as heat blazes
By Rob Pazell
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Along with buckets of sweat and misery, the unbearable hot weather also can produce flaring tempers.
produce talking strings. Lawrence's recent string of 100-degree plus temperatures may have caused an increase in domestic crimes among spouses and roommates, said Christine Tonkovich, Douglas County district
attorney. She said hot temperatures could cause aggression in close quarters because people may not want to go outside.
"The confinement along with heat irritation may cause increases in domestic crimes," she said.
BLAZING
TEMPERATURES
IN LAWRENCE
Sunday: 109
Monday: 109
Tuesday: 96
Yesterday: 107
Today: 105
Heat also can cause an increase in other aggressive behaviors.
Chris Crandall, associate professor of psychology, said that while theft and car accidents tended to decrease in hot weather, assaults, murders and rapes tended to increase.
"High temperatures make people angry, hostile and physiologically aroused," Crandall said.
See BEATING on page 3A
Chancellor addresses fire danger
Chancellor Robert Hemenway sent an e-mail yesterday to faculty, staff and students urging everyone on campus to take extra precautions to avoid starting fires.
Hemenway also noted that parking or driving in short grass is liable to start a fire involving the vehicle.
Citing lack of rain and high temperatures, Hemenway wrote that careless disposal of cigarette butts had been the cause of five fires on campus in less than a week.
"Please make sure that everyone, especially students, is aware of the need to be particularly careful during this period of heat and drought," Hemenway wrote.
J. D. McKee
Laser equipment may deter speedy drivers
Jack Thompson, Rocky Mountain Regional Sales Manager and D.O.D. representative from Laser Technology Inc., teaches the KU Public Safety Office about the new laser equipment. Photo by Tara Kraus/KANSAN
Detectors to give better accuracy, enable research
Bv Rob Pazell
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The chances that speedy drivers will be nabbed on campus increased yesterday when KU public safety officers learned to use new speed-detecting laser equipment.
The office bought the two laser units and a speed statistical package from Laser Technology based in Inglewood, Co.
Jack Thompson, regional manager, said the lasers were designed to hit one target, as opposed to other radar-detection systems, which can pick up several targets. Thompson compared the jump in accuracy with the difference between a shotgun and a rifle.
"When there's a cluster of vehicles, it's harder for an officer to pick up the specific speeder on radar," Thompson said. "With the laser, they can pick out a target and pull the trigger."
Thompson said the laser units also contained devices that could
measure distances at accidents and crime scenes. Officers can shoot reference points of ranges up to 4,000 feet and put that information into a palm-held calculator. The unit also can measure anything as small as 2.5 centimeters.
This can cut time at the scene in half. Thompson said.
Interferences like radio waves could limit radars,but not lasers, he said.
"The only real limitation on lasers is extremely inclement weather, such as a blizzard." Thompson said.
The laser units were purchased as part of a federally funded Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, which was written and administered by Sgt. Rose Rozmiarek of the KU Public Safety Office. Rozmiarek said the lasers were a specific goal of the grant.
"The laser gives us increased speed detection on campus and the capability to run studies on specific intersections." he said.
The officers who trained with the lasers put them into action yesterday and will continue to train other officers, Rozmiarek said.
"Hopefully this will give the University of Kansas the knowl edge it needs to deal with traffic and pedestrian traffic," he said.
- Edited by Kimberly Thompson
Police search for suspect in battery case
By Rob Pazell
By Rob Pazell
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The KU Public Safety Office is searching for a male suspect accused of sexually battering a female University of Kansas student Saturday in a residence hall.
The battery took place between 3:30 and 4:20 a.m. while the woman was sleeping in the sixth-floor lobby of Hashinger Hall.
Police said the suspect lay next to the student, kissed her and touched her breasts as she slept. The student awoke and confronted the suspect, who then left the area.
The public safety office has issued a Crime Stoppers alert with a composite drawing of the suspect.
Lt. Schuyler Bailey urged students to be careful about where they go to sleep.
"We discourage people from sleeping in public areas," Bailey said. "We encourage people to go to their room and lock their doors."
Bailey urged students to help in any way they can.
The public safety office offered these tips:
"If anyone sees someone or something suspicious, please call us." Bailey said.
Do not sleep in areas accessible to the public. For safety and security, sleep in your locked residence hall room.
- Lock your residence hall doors at all times, even while occupying the room.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, clearly say "No," leave the area immediately and notify the police.
Report to the police anything or anyone that seems suspicious or out of place. Be alert and aware of your surroundings as well as the locations of the KU campus emergency phones.
Anyone with information about this crime or any crime can contact the KU Public Safety Office at 864-5900 or call KU Crime Stoppers at 864-8888. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash award if the information provided leads to the apprehension of the suspect.
- Edited by Gleisson Abreu
Organization helps provide support for international students
Special to the Kansan
By Livi Regenbaum
Students from around the globe gathered Friday for the kickoff International Friends dinner.
International Friends is a Christian organization at the University of Kansas that welcomes and serves international students and their families regardless of religious affiliation.
The conversation partner program provides the students with the opportunity to practice their English and get to know American culture by meeting one-on-one with another KU student every week.
International Friends has a number of programs aimed at helping these students adjust to life at the University. Programs allow students to practice speaking English, participate in Bible discussions and take triv.
Mike Wuthrich, a Wichita graduate student who has been a volunteer for the past year, spoke highly of the conversation partner program.
"This program is great because it
"International Friends is a welcoming atmosphere where I can meet people from different countries. The programs offered here also allow me to learn more culture."
Raymond Wu Hong Kong sophomore
about American culture."
helps internationals practice their English." Wuthrich said. "It also exposes them to American culture."
The conversational English class is another program that enables students to practice. It is a new program that meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Burge Union.
"I have learned a lot from these programs as an international student."
said Boon Chew, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, senior. "These programs serve as an activity I can do other than school work, and I have met wonderful friends I can count on."
Raymond Wu, Hong Kong sophomore, said he also enjoyed the atmosphere of International Friends.
"International Friends is a welcoming atmosphere where I can meet people from different countries." Wu said. "The programs offered here also allow me to learn more about American culture."
Len Andyshak, director of International Friends, said he enjoyed serving the needs of students.
"It allows me to show them God's love by loving and reaching out to people," Andyshak said.
International Friends has weekly Friday night dinners at Andyshak's home and sponsors regular trips. It also provides host families for international students.
for more information, contact Andyshak at 749-5894.
— Edited by Shawn Hutchinson
Dave Haynes, Lawrence resident, serves a freshly cooked hamburger to Mohammad Al-Masri, a graduate student from Jordan, Friday night at the International Friends dinner. International Friends is an organization that helps foreign students adjust to life and culture in Kansas. Photo by Craig Bennett/KANSAN
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