TODAY'S WEATHER: Mostly sunny with a high of 74. NEWS: Kansas City rally to promote alternative lifestyles in the Boy Scouts.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
TALK TO US: Contact Kursten Phelps or Leila Schultes at (785) 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28,2001
WWW.KANSAN.COM
ISSUE 25 VOLUME 112
Commission will examine multicultural recruitment
By J. R. Mendoza Kansan staff writer
The Commission on the Status of Minorities is examining ways to recruit more minority students to the University of Kansas.
Justin Mills, student body president and Lansing graduate student, said the University lagged behind when it came to issues with minority students. Mills, along with 17 other KU students and faculty members, make up the commission. The committee met for the first time Tuesday.
Last spring, members of the Student Senate Minority Recruitment and Retention Committee submitted a report on the status of minorities at the University. The report said the University fell behind other Big 12 schools in recruitment and retention of multicultural students.
The report suggested the formation of the commission.
Danielle Dempsey-Swopes, interim director of the Equal Opportunity Office and commission member, said after the report was submitted to the chancellor's office, Provost David Shulenburger asked the commission to look at multicultural issues.
Dempsey-Swopes said the commission was given a charge by Shulenburger.
"In general, we are looking at the culture of the institution and to make sure our campus has a positive cultural environment," Dempsey-Swopes said. "We'll talk about a lot of the tasks and goals as we come along. We want to make sure that the institution provides programs and services to meet the needs of students — to make sure there is a positive environment."
James Carothers, interim associate provost and commission member, said the commission would address the extent of the plan in the Student Senate committee's report. He said it would be an ongoing process.
"The provost asked us to talk about the climate and make sure there is a welcome and supportive atmosphere for students at the University," Carothers said. "This is something where you can't do quick work."
Mills said the commission would also work with the Office of Admissions and Scholarships to see what plans it had to address recruitment. He also said it would take time to address the issues.
"You can't put a time element on it," he said. "It's good not to rush. I'd rather see steady improvement. We have to make sure we're doing action. We have to really do something to be effective."
The commission plans to meet every two or three weeks.
Contact Mendoza at 864-4810
Jayhawks lead the 'Way'
Early start, record sales from Rock Chalk boost University's offering to United Way campaign
By Paul Smith Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas is, so far, the largest contributor during the United Way fund-raising campaign with last semester's Rock Chalk Revue catapulting the University over the halfway mark of its expected contribution.
The revue presented the Douglas County chapter of the United Way with a $50,000 check yesterday from its fundraising efforts.
Stephen McAllister, dean of law and leader of the United Way campaign on campus, said the proceeds from the Rock Chalk Revue traditionally went toward the coming United Way campaign.
That check brought the total KU contribution above $143,000 — almost double the amount contributed by the campus this time last week. The United Way set a $202,701 goal at the University.
McAllister said an early start and the revue's record revenues put the University ahead and 75 percent to its goal.
Judy Billings, chairwoman of the United Way campaign, said the size of the University's contribution was no surprise.
"Traditionally, the University of Kansas is the largest giver," Billings said.
In this year's fund-raising drive, the
University is the second largest expected contributor, as the projected contribution of the business and industrial community exceeds $700,000. The overall fund-raising goal is $1,462,600.
But campaign officials are concerned about competing fund-raisers for the relief efforts in response to the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
"I don't know if we can even compare with last year's fund-raiser because of the recent national tragedy." Billings said.
McAllister also expressed concern about how the events of Sept. 11 might affect the local United Way drive.
"I just hope people will reach a little deeper and contribute to their local agencies as they would have had nothing happened in New York," McAllister
said. "It's important that we not forget about local needs at the same time we try and help needs elsewhere."
The proceeds from "The Power of You" campaign will help finance 29 Douglas County area agencies, including the Douglas Country Rape Victim Survivor Services, Douglas County AIDS Project and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Douglas County.
Douglas C. Stephens,
Esther Kottwitz, executive director of the Brookcreek Learning Center and KU alumna, said the United Way contributed about $20,000 to the center annually.
"We target our services to low income children," Kottwitz said, "so tuition can't amount to much. That funding is critical."
CALCULUS CIRCUS
Contact Smith at 864-4810
ANTHONY REYES/KANSAN
Laura Adams (left), Topeka freshman; Sara Zafar, Wichita freshman; and Derek Breid, Oronoco, Minn., freshman, do group work for their honors calculus class as Albin Jones, assistant professor of math, takes a little time to juggle with an oversized novelty tennis ball he bought at the U.S. Open. Jones said the group work his class was doing could be easily done outside. Jones usually juggles before class, Zafar said, and explains the geometric patterns.
Blood drive part of new competition
Basketball schools battle pint-for-pint in race to donate
By Courtney Craigmile Kansan staff writer
KU students have only one opportunity to donate blood on campus this semester because the American Red Cross and the Community Blood Center have combined their separate blood drives in response to student requests.
The winning school will receive a trophy at the Final Four tournament in March.
All pints collected during the fall blood drive, running from Monday through Friday, will count toward the Points for Pints program.
Two Duke University students developed the program, said Judy Green, blood drive coordinator for the American Red Cross. The program pits 19 of the nation's best basketball schools against one another in a race to collect the most pints of blood.
Mark Ruder, Interfraternity Council vice president for philanthropy and community vice, said the University had hoped to collect 1,100 pints of blood. He said the goal was based on the amount of past drives.
"The point is to increase the blood collection on campus, using sports to promote competition." Green said.
The Points for Pints organizers set a goal of 5,031 pints for the University, or about 20 percent of the student body.
SEE BLOOD PAGE 3A
Where and when to give blood:
- From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at the Kansas Union Ballroom or noon to 6 p.m. at Olver Hall.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Kansas Union Ballroom or noon to 6 p.m. at McCollum Hall.
Bamoun on 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Kansas From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Kansas
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse or
north to 6 p.m. at McCollum Hall.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse or noon to 6 p.m.at Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall.
Greeks to start construction on house for local family
By Jeremy Clarkson Kansan staff writer
Fraternity and sorority members along with Habitat for Humanity will build a house in the next two weeks for Maureen Mulally and her son, both Lawrence residents.
The first nail will be driven into the foundation of what will become the House that Greeks Built this afternoon.
Mulally, who is also a painter at McCollum Hall, said her son just celebrated his second birthday yesterday.
Mulally, who lives in an apartment, said she heard from other people about the project and applied in April. She said she was blessed to have been chosen.
"I think the nail driving ceremony will be an exciting present for him," Mulally said.
"I got my camera ready, and I'm going to take pictures along the way because it's going to go fast, and I'm really looking forward to it," Mulally said.
Keity Jo Karnes, assistant director of Greek Programs, said the last time the group built a house, which was in 1999, it was a success. She said she was confident because the students had worked hard raising money.
"Students always come through and continue to amaze me," Karnes said.
Karnes said more than $25,000 had been raised for the project. Advantage Heating and Air Conditioning, 416 N. Seventh St., donated an air conditioner for the house, and Amarr Garage Doors, 3800 Greenway Circle, donated a garage door.
Mark Ruder, vice president for philanthropy and community service of the Interfraternity Council, said he hoped students would want to help with the project. He encouraged students who were not involved in sororities and fraternities to participate.
"I'm thrilled I've had the opportunity to work on something like this," Ruder said.
Once construction begins, students will volunteer time during the day to help build the house.
Bo McCall, Lenexa senior, said he planned to help with the construction. McCall, a Kappa Sigma fraternity member, said a lot of people from his fraternity wanted to help.
"I'm interested in the community service stuff," McCall said, "and it is a good chance to get involved with the community."
INSIDETODAY
the construction is expected to last until Sunday, Oct. 14, when the house will be dedicated.
WORLD NEWS .2A
HOROSCOPES .6A
WEATHER .8A
CROSSWORD .8A
Contact Clarkson 864-4810
COMING IN MONDAY'S KANSAN
NEWS: A new study suggests law school entrance exams are biased against minorities.
NEWS: Learn how to avoid getting cheated at the auto repair shop.
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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