TODAY'S WEATHER: A nice recovery wth a high of 61. SPORTS: Hayes will face No.5 Texas in first game as interim coach.
KANSAN
TALK TO US: Contact Kursten Phelps or Leita Schultes at (785) 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9,2001
WWW.KANSAN.COM
ISSUE 53 VOLUME 112
Decision delayed online enrollment
By Paul Smith Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas could have had online enrollment eight years ago. But a decision then to wait until a new enrollment database could be installed has pushed back to 2003 the online service's introduction.
Offering online enrollment in 1993 would have required developing a Web site that provided access to an aging enrollment database. Instead, the University chose to wait until it could replace the database with an updated system that would include online enrollment.
Tony Monley, Overland Park senior, said the University's decision to delay online enrollment did not surprise him.
"I think it's typical of a lot of things at this University — not taking initiative, and just trying to catch up to other schools," Monley said.
Money said.
Jennifer Holtaway, Geneva, Ill. sophomore, agreed and said it was ridiculous that the University had the opportunity to implement online enrollment, but decided against it.
"You can always upgrade things," Holtaway said
"You can always upgrade things. Hola day after Richard C. Morrell, university registrar, said the University had prepared to launch online enrollment in 1993—a full year ahead of the University of Missouri program —but the administration decided against it.
"KU developed a different strategy for a couple of good reasons." Morrell said.
The Student Records Information System, which is still in use at KU, was considered too old in 1993 and would eventually need to be upgraded.
"Building a Web-accessible front-end to the system seemed a shortsighted vision," Morrell said.
a shortsighted vision, Morristown.
The University is the only Big 12 Conference school that does not offer students the option of enrolling online. Kansas State University implemented an online system three years ago, and the University of Nebraska added its online registration program last summer.
The registrar's office is converting student records from the old system to a new student information database.
Jim Carothers, associate provost, said the University decided the PeopleSoft Student Administration System, which manages enrollment, would be the best program to facilitate online enrollment.
"Our commitment to the PeopleSoft system is what is delaying things here," Carothers said.
g things here, Catothers said.
For some students, such consolation is not enough. I should avoid giving气.
But for some students, such consolation is an exception. Evan Hopkins, Lawrence sophomore, said online enrollment would be a tremendous help to students.
it would be a tremendous help to steal "The archaic way they have it now is chaos," Hopkins said.
Contact Smith at 864-4810
Mills rejects cards to avoid solicitors
Justin Mills was never comfortable with the idea of giving out student mailing addresses so that students could get a free discount card that he thought few would use.
So Mills, student body president, rejected a proposal to give out student mailing addresses that would allow free Student Advantage cards to be mailed to students.
He said he was concerned that the mailing addresses could be distributed to other solicitors.
"I had to get everyone's opinion on it before I made a decision that affects more than 25,000 people," Mills said.
sion that affects more than 25,000 people. He said student senators agreed that the card wasn't worth the risk.
Judd Berube, community manager for Student Advantage, said that the contract for distributing the cards would have specified that no student mailing information would be sold or given to other solicitors.
given to other solicitors.
He said that he was willing to change the wording in the contract if the University was uncomfortable with it.
"It s mostly a privacy clause," Berube said. "I'm not going to burn my bridges with KU just to benefit now."
mmy burges with KU just to be on the Senate would need the approval of Richard C. Morrell, university registrar, to allow student mailing information to be given out.
Morrell said that the Kansas Open Records Act would not have allowed student mailing information to be distributed even if the contract specified that Student Advantage could not give away the mailing lists.
"The law is still pretty clear about that." Morrell said. "I think they would have had a hard time convincing us that they had a legitimate educational need."
Greg Banach, Overland Park senior, said that he wouldn't mind having his information being given out, but he probably wouldn't use the card.
"It doesn't bother me to get it in the mail," Banach said. He said that the decision seemed to have the students' interests in mind.
"It doesn't bother me to get it in the mail," Banach said
GTAs condemn proposal
Contract rejections show reason for displeasure about past negotiations
By J. R. Mendoza Kansan staff writer
Contact Daley at 864-4810
negotiations with the University has offered GTAs a minimum base salary of $7,000 a year, which would increase 10 percent every year during the following two years of the contract term, but the coalition rejected that proposal last spring.
Members of the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition released details yesterday as to why they are not satisfied with the contract negotiations with the University of Kansas.
coalition rejected that proposal The University also offered commitments to seek the same salary percentage increase for GTAs as for faculty, improved compensation for GTAs and faculty and authorization to have GTAs' insurance payments at the same level as that of other KU employees.
In a press release distributed yesterday, the coalition read statements made by Diana Carlin, dean of the graduate school, that the University ranks near the bottom in graduate teacher salaries and benefits among peer institutions.
Robert Vodicka, GTA and chairman of the negotiation committee, said about 40 people attended a coalition meeting last night to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
The coalition is also unhappy with limited health care benefits and a low tuition waiver.
cuss the ongoing negotiation. "I got a general sense that people were extremely unhappy with KU's proposal." hesaid.
extremely unhappy.
He said he could not comment on what was discussed or if any action would be taken. But Vodicka said he was optimistic that a contract could be reached to improve teaching conditions.
A press release from University Relations said that the University "believes that it has made reasonable offers" on the points of negotiations between it and the coalition.
tions,said she hoped both sides would be able to compromise and negotiate a contract.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Rela
"Promise and negotiate. 'The University will continue to negotiate in good faith,' she said. "We recognize the importance GTAs play at KU."
The next round of negotiations begins Monday, Nov.19.
day, Nov. 19. Alyssa Picard, a GTA in history from the University of Michigan, said she was astonished by the conditions of GTAs at KU.
She said GTAs at Michigan earn $1,500 a month. Picard said the contract of the Graduate Employee Organization at Michigan expired this month, and she expected the organization to finalize a contract in the spring.
ished by the conditions of "It is amazing the University of Kansas thinks people can live on $7,000." Picard said.
The coalition has been negotiating with KU for more than a year.
Contact Mendoza at 864-4810
Right: Members of the ROTC Air Force fold up the American flag after lowering it outside Strong Hall. The flag-lowering is one of many events the ROTC is participating in to celebrate Veteran's Day. Bottom: ROTC students keep a somber watch by candlelight last night. The 24-hour silent vigil at the Vietnam Memorial will continue until about 4pm today.
INSIDETODAY
JOHN NOWAK/KANSAN
Candle vigil remembers veterans
ROTC students honor those who served the United States with special tributes
By Courtney Craigmile Kansan staff writer
Students involved in the Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC kicked off Veteran's Day events yesterday with a lowering of the flag outside Strong Hall and had a 24-hour candle vigil near the Vietnam Memorial on campus, said Capt. Bill Howell, Navy ROTC Marine officer instructor.
Veteran's Day is Sunday, and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Kansas is doing its part to celebrate the day.
The vigil, which began about 4 p.m., will have two students guarding the flame at all times with students taking one-hour shifts.
Paul Brand, midshipman fourth class and Overland Park freshman, will guard the flame from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.
"I just wanted to serve my country." Brand said, adding he thought it was a good way to show respect.
snow response.
Matt Berger, midshipman second class said he had guarded the flame the past two years. This year, the Lake Zurich, Ill., junior, said the flag ceremony and candle vigil made him feel as if he was a part of something important.
"It's sort of likea brotherhood," he said. He said freedom was important to remember as the United States fought the Taliban in Afghanistan.
About 205 students are involved with the ROTC programs at the University.
In other events, the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating its 226th birthday tomorrow, Howell said. A celebration will be at 10 a.m. today at the American Legion, 3408 W. Sixth St.
Contact Craigmile at 864-4810
U.S. NEWS ... 2A
HOROSCOPES ... 5A
WEATHER ... 8A
CROSSWORD ... 8A
COMING IN MONDAY'S KANSAN
NEWS: Some Kansas City bars prohibit smoking. What do patrons think?
SPORTS: How did Kansas fare in battle against Texas?
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
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