Monday, August 28, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
3
Lola gets hosed down after being shampooed by Lawrence residents Megan Fobes and Jason Krug. Fobes and Taylor volunteered at Saturday's Pawzfest, which raised money and awareness for the Lawrence Humane Society. Photos by Nick Krug / KANSAN
Pawzfest draws pet, band supporters
By Meghan Bainum
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Some 200 Lawrence residents and KU students trekked to the Granada Saturday to listen to local bands — and learn about the Lawrence Humane Society.
They made the trip to Pawzfest, a benefit for humane society.
Though hampered by hot temperatures, the event managed to raise $1,000 for the humane society's new addition, which will help with the overcrowding problem at its animal shelter.
Midge Grinstead, executive director of the humane society, said she was excited about the response, especially since this was the first year for Pawzfest.
She said one of the main reasons for the event was to attract younger people and students to the humane society, either as volunteers or
possible pet owners.
Kyle Fisher, Lawrence junior, said that while he didn't know much about Pawzfest, he came to see Shaking Tree, one of his favorite bands. "They are a great band, and I always go see them play." he said
Plans already are underway for Pawzfest II.
Kristina Stegman, volunteer coordinator for the humane society, was happy with the first fest, but she said that things would be even better the second time.
"I've learned a lot this year, so we can focus on different things for next year." Stegman said. Grinstead said some of the ideas for the next Pawzfest included a later start time, less bands and stand-up comedy between musical sets.
Annie shakes off after taking a bath at Pawfest, a benefit for the Lavender Humane Society at the Granada. Along with the dog wash, owners and pets were entertained with music and dog treats.
She said she hoped Pawzfest would become an annual event.
Erin Paden, Lawrence senior and humane society volunteer, said she was excited about the prospect of Pawzfest happening every year.
"I think it's a really good idea, and it's something that needs to be continued," she said. "It's good for the humane society, and it's fun."
— Edited by Clay McCuskin
New candidates want evolution taught
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Bv Jason Krall
Last year, the Kansas State Board of Education fueled a national debate on science education by approving standards that de-emphasized evolution. This year, Kansas' Republican voters have responded by voting for candidates who want to change the standards back.
Three of the four candidates who advocated changing the standards to again include evolutionary theory defeated
their opponents earlier this month in the state's Republican primary.
And because the four candidates all will face Democratic opponents in November who also favor the change, the new board members are likely to reverse last year's controversial decision shortly after they take office.
Bruce Wyatt, a Salina Republican candidate, said that, if elected, he planned to move that the board adopt the original recommendations at the same meeting at which he is sworn in.
"Our science standards should reflect the consensus of the scientific
ic community worldwide,
he said, "and that consensus is that evolution is part of science."
The primaries were the first chance voters had to show their views on last summer's decision, and they indicated mixed feelings on the issue around
the state. While Vice-Cairwoman Linda Holloway was defeated decisively by challenger Susan Gamble, who took 60 percent of the vote, evolution supporter Carol Rupe ousted incumbent Mary Douglass Brown with just 52 percent. Wyatt topped conservative Brad Angell 58 to 42.
Yet, the candidate who won by the
Voters in Kansas' recent Republican primary voted for three out of four candidates who want to re-emphasize evolution in state testing standards.
CURRENT TEACHING STANDARDS
The current standards do not require teachers to cover macroevolution, which holds that man is descended from earlier species.
biggest margin was the only incumbent who voted for the new standards. Steve Abrams took 68 percent of the vote in District 10, which covers south-central Kansas, including Sumner and Cowley counties.
The standards currently do not require teachers to cover macroevolution, which holds that man is descended from earlier species. References to microevolution, or change within species, were left intact.
- References to microevolution, or changes in species within a habitat interspecies.
supporters of the standards have advocated teaching both creationist theory, much as it is described in
Supporters of the current standards advocate teaching both creationist theory, much as it's described in the Bible, and intelligent design, the idea that an intelligent agent designed living things.
the Bible; and intelligent design, the idea that an intelligent agent designed living things.
The board, in a 6-4 vote last August, took macroevolution out of the state's science standards and statewide assessment tests, leaving the decision on whether to teach it with local school districts.
The state board endured a backlash from Kansas parents and from science educators nationwide who claim the standards were approved for political reasons and because of religious beliefs.
Edited by John Audlehelm
Smoking in halls concerns officials
By L. Candy Ruff Special to the Kansan
Smoking should be banned in all residence halls at the University of Kansas, state and local fire officials say.
one fire hazard is always there," said Gale Haag, Kansas State fire marshal. "It is unrealistic to allow students to smoke in their residence hall rooms. That needs to stop."
Among KU's seven residence halls, only Lewis, Templin and Ellsworth halls are smoke-free. At Hashinger, Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin, McCollum and Oliver halls, smoking is allowed in students' rooms on certain floors, with roommate permission.
Of the smoke-free halls, two have been newly renovated and include sprinkler systems. Only smoke detectors are required in the halls where smoking is permitted.
Rich Barr, fire marshal for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical department, said he was concerned about smoking in residence halls.
"The residential halls are the largest concentration of students on campus," he said. "If we had a major fire, there could be a large loss of life."
Nearly 2,700 students live in halls that allow smoking. The Kansas Legislature passed a law in 1995 that forbids smoking in any state-owned facility. However, an exception to the law allows Regents universities to set their own smoking policies.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said the decision to allow smoking in residence hall rooms was made to accommodate on-campus students who smoke. The University thought those students might otherwise choose to live off campus, leaving residence hall rooms — a loss of revenue for the school.
Of the state's five Regents universities, only Pittsburg State prohibits smoking entirely. Only seven percent of students applying for housing last year identified themselves as smokers. Seventy-two percent said they wanted a smoke-free environment, citing secondhand smoke and safety as reasons.
Smoking is the housing department's biggest headache. Stoner said.
"Of the complaints we receive, we hear about smoking more than anything else," he said. "Students don't like secondhand smoke, and they complain about roommates who smoke."
A complete ban on smoking would end the complaints. It might also have prevented a fire that blazed Jan. 18 in McColum Hall. Barr said that when firefighters arrived, they found that students disposed of their smoking material in stairwell trash chute.
Within 24 hours of the fire, a fatal residence hall fire at Seton Hall University in New Jersey took the lives of three students and injured 62. Because a sprinkler system would have prevented such a disaster, New Jersey lawmakers passed legislation in July mandating sprinkler systems in all residential housing at state and private universities.
The lack of sprinkler systems in the residence halls at KU where smoking is permitted concerns fire officials. Depending on smoke detectors is not enough, Barr said, because sprinkler systems put out fires at their source, which prevents fires from spreading.
Renovations are planned for the five residential halls without sprinkler systems, said KU architect
Fire safety article promotes legislation
"Burning Issues," a publication of the National Fire Safety Association, reported that nationwide, from 1990 to 1994, there was a yearly average of 1,437 residence hall fires at universities and colleges.
On average, one person died and 54 sustained injuries each year. These fires did an average of $5 million in property damage each year.
The installation of automatic fire sprinklers in residence halls would greatly reduce the amount of property damage, injuries and deaths, according to the publication. Sprinkler systems were present in only 28 percent of the residence halls where fires occurred.
A fatal fire Jan. 19 at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., prompted the state's lawmakers to respond. In the next four years, each college, university, and boarding school will be equipped with sprinkler systems. Gov. Christie Todd Whitman signed the legislation in July that established a $50 million fund for low interest loans.
The Pennsylvania legislature held hearings July 21 on a bill that would require all existing college and university residence halls as well as all newly constructed buildings to have fire sprinkler systems within five years. The bill set up a loan fund of $100 million.
Illinois lawmakers also responded with similar legislation. A fatal fraternity house fire in June at Millinik University in Decatur, Ill., killed one student. The building did not have a sprinkler system. The Illinois Legislature planned to have hearings in early 2001.
In April, federal legislation appropriated $100 million from 2001 to 2005 to install sprinkler systems in the nation's colleges and universities. Grant awards come only with matching funds from each institution.
Edited by Gleisson Abreu
Warren Corman, and sprinklers will be added.
"We can put the sprinkler system right into the new construction at a cheaper cost," he said.
"It all comes down to the money." Haag said. "Because there is a lot of money involved, they will wait to do it. But you will see the bodies of dead students stacked up in front of a burning building before anyone is willing to make a move."
Rep. Henry Helgerson, D-Wichita, said he would sponsor legislation that bans smoking in all the buildings at the Regents universities when the State Legislature convenes in January.
"No smoking in state buildings means all state buildings," he said.
L. Candy Ruff was a Reporting II student this summer. She is also a democratic Kansas state representative from the 40th district. Ruff may support legislation to ban smoking in residence halls.
Edited by Gleisson Abreu
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