Section D·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 21, 2000
KU students with budget woes are
Playing it cheap
By Stephanie Tweito
Special to the Kansan
College is expensive, and many University of Kansas students are left with little cash for entertainment.
Cheap movies and free recreation are offered on campus, and dozens of Lawrence bars and restaurants cater to students and their small entertainment budgets. Daily food and drink specials are abundant. Students can even see a movie for 60 cents or rock climb for free.
"The key thing is knowing the specials in town," Mariana Hinojosa, Hutchinson senior, said. "Every day in Lawrence there are good specials. You can eat a lot of good food for cheap, like half-price appetizers and happy-hour specials."
Lis Neigert, Caracas, Venezuela,
senior, said taking advantage of restaurant and bar specials was a good way to save money.
"Lots of times they won't just tell you," she said. "Sometimes you have to ask for the specials."
Hinojosa and Neigent both know about specials and deals for almost every day of the week for places other than restaurants.
Hinojosa said she got to know the specials after living and working in Lawrence for several years, from Kansan ads and from calling and asking places about their specials.
But for those students who are less aware of bargains and student discounts, here is the lowdown on various cheap entertainment options in Lawrence.
On Campus
Campus offers more than just classes. Dozens of events go on every day and night that don't cost much or are free.
Organizations such as Student Union Activities, Recreation Services, the unions and the University's museums provide cheap activities and entertainment for students.
"SUA was formed to provide entertainment and involvement opportunities for students," said Leslie Heustead, program director of the Kansas Union. "It definitely is there to offer opportunities for entertainment at an affordable price."
FUN FINDING ONLINE
For more information on arts, entertainment, recreation and the Lawrence community visit www.lawrence.com. For information about campus organizations, visit www.ukans.edu.
Amy Brozenic, Kansas City, Kan., senior, said she saw the movie Gladiator for free last semester at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St. The showing was sponsored by SUA.
"It was so much fun to watch a movie with a bunch of college people. Liberty Hall was packed, and it was all students. And it was free, so that was fun." Brozenic said.
Recreation Services also offers free student recreation, including weights and exercise equipment, swimming and a rock climbing area.
"We provide the equipment and will teach them how to do it for free," said Mary Chappell, director of Recreation Services.
Recreation Services also organizes intramural and club sports teams. It offers about 30 individual and team intramural sports. Individual and dual sports are free, and team sports cost $25 or $30 per team, Chappell said.
They also have 25 club sports teams, such as badminton, roller hockey, crew, lacrosse and water polo. Club dues range from $5 to $110, but most are no more than $50 per semester.
The Jaybowl, on the first floor of the Kansas Union, offers inexpensive bowling for students. Games are $1.50 each and shoe rentals are $1. It's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The University also is home to four museums that are free to students and offer a variety of exhibits: the Museum of Anthropology in Spooner Hall; the Natural History Museum in Dyche Hall; the Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St., behind the Kansas Union; and the Wilcox Classical
Museum in 103 Lippincott Hall.
Cheap options off campus and around town are plentiful.
Around Town
Window shopping on Massachusetts Street is an inexpensive way to spend a day
Neigert said she sometimes played pool at bars during the day when there were free tables that were open.
The Lawrence Humane society, 1805 E. 19th St., is home to dozens of animals that are hungry for attention. Playing with the animals is free.
Another one of Neigert's favorite inexpensive outings is to go to Borders Books, Music & Cafe, 700 New Hampshire St.
"It's great because you can go in, pick out a book, read it in the coffee shop and put it back," she said.
Other coffee shops in town offer quiet places to read or gather for a cup of coffee and conversation.
The Java Break, 17 E. Seventh St., is open 24 hours.
"I can go and spend $2 on some coffee and stay for however long studying, talking or whatever." Hinojosa said.
Other restaurants — such as Taco Bell, Steak n Shake, Perkins and Burrito King — are open late or 24 hours.
These places offer cheap food or just a place to hang out at all hours.
Recreation
Away from campus and Lawrence businesses are several parks that offer free relaxation.
"Or I'll go to Clinton Lake and go fishing. That's a lot of fun, too," she said. "And it's cheap."
Hinjoza said she visited the wetlands by Mary's Lake Nature Trail — near Haskell Indian Nations University, at Haskell Avenue and 31st Street — for a refreshing nature walk.
Brozenic agreed that taking advantage of good weather and the outdoors provided good entertainment.
"Sometimes I'll go for a walk with my friends 'i'm bored and it's nice outside," she said. "And I know there's a lot of great bike trials, too."
Lawrence parks have multi-use trails for biking, hiking, jogging and nature-walking.
Clinton Lake State Park, west of Lawrence on Clinton Parkway, offers fishing, camping and bike trails.
Other bike trails are at Naismith Valley Park, 912 W. 27th St.; the levee along the Kansas River; the Santa Fe Railroad line, which was recently renovated into a hiking and biking trail; and hard-surface walkways along Clinton Parkway.
Many Lawrence theaters offer student discounts, making theater outings more affordable for students on a budget.
SUA offers discounted movies regularly, and the SUA Movie Card, which costs $35, will give students access to films for
There is also an 18-hole disc-golf course at Centennial Park, 600 Rockledge Road.
Movies
about 60 cents per movie.
The movies are usually played at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union, but occasionally play at Liberty Hall, Heustead said.
Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., has a two-for-one special on Tuesdays for the theater and Thursdays for video rentals.
Both Hollywood Theaters, 2339 Iowa St., and Southwind 12, 3433 Iowa St., offer discounts to student with valid KUIDs. Student tickets cost between $4 and $4.25.
Renting movies can also be a cheap alternative. Dozens of movie-rental stores offer rentals from $4.90 to $3.75.
"Just getting a friend and splitting the cost is fun. The more the merrier, and the cheaper, too," Hinojosa said.
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