A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
MONDAY,AUG.20,2001
KU geology travels to Colorado
By Eve Lamborn
Kansan staff writer
CONTRIBUTED ART
KU geology students work at a dig in Cañon City, Colo., during a six-week field camp. Participants studied rock sequences and the shape of the landscape.
While most KU students enrolled in summer classes spent their days in the sweltering humidity of Lawrence, geology students worked in the dry, desert heat of Cañon City, Colo.
This summer, seven geology students spent six weeks at a field camp to fulfill the requirements of Geology 560 and 561, Introduction to Field Geology and Field Geology. These are the only courses in the KU geology department required for a major that are offered exclusively in the summer and in a different state, said Roger Kaesler, professor of geology.
"The idea of the camp is to give the students examples of the way rocks are exposed, displayed and behave in the field," said Kaesler, one of two professors who lead the annual trip. "These are things you can't do in the lab."
While in the field, students map rocks, examine and describe rock sequences, and look at the shape of the landscape, said Doug Walker, professor of geology. The summer cumulates in a two-week project where each student maps, diagrams and creates a detailed report of a specific area.
Students do their work on laptop computers awarded by
the student technology fund.
Kyle Spikes, Hugoton graduate student in geology, has spent the last two summers at the camp. He said the field experience contrasted distinctly with sitting in a classroom and looking at a textbook.
"Once you get to places where there are real rocks, the experience multiplies exponentially," he said. "It is the best tool
you can use because it is real, not a fabricated model."
The KU geology department owns the Cañon City facility, complete with permanent cabins. But the program still requires heavy alumni support. The department also offers scholarships to offset the cost.
The department offers a twoweek course at the end of the summer for any student who has
completed an introductory geology course. Students travel in vans to Salt Lake City and back, doing geologic exercises along the way.
the way.
"The students go into the field and see if it translates into a field experience that they like," Walker said.
Lamborn can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com
By Eve Lamborn
Kansan staff writer
Although this is the first semester that in-state students have to meet minimum standards to enter the University of Kansas, standardized test scores can affect students beyond acceptance into KU.
In 1996, the Kansas Board of Regents set requirements for students entering state schools, effective for incoming students for the first time this fall. One of the three criteria is a minimum ACT score of 21.A perfect score is 36.
"The ACT is not inherently tied to admission," said Admissions Counselor David Burge. "But it opens doors for you."
ACT scores also determine what math and English classes freshman students are eligible to enter, according to the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.
Additionally, the ACT is one of five factors considered by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships for the awarding of scholarships, Burge said.
"There is no formula that we plug people into," Burge said. "But it's safe to assume that the higher the score, the more competitive you will be for a scholarship."
Burge said the average ACT score for students receiving scholarships from KU is 28.
"We were encouraged to take it at my high school," she said.
Hannah Davoren, Tonganoxie sophomore, said she took the ACT four times during high school, each time in an attempt to increase her previous score.
Kansas high school seniors averaged a score of 21.6 on the ACT for the third year in a row, above the national average of 21.0, despite an increase in the number of students taking the test.
This year, 78 percent of Kansas high school seniors took the ACT, as did 38 percent of seniors nationally.
The percentage of Kansas students taking the test has increased each year since the Board of Regents set the new standards for state school admission in 1996.
Besides a qualifying ACT score, students can also have either a 2.0 grade point average or graduate in the top third of their high school class to meet the new admission requirements.
Chancellor's health keeps him from helping with move-in rush
Lamborn can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com
Hemenway recovers
menway recovers from Aug.8 prostate surgery
Paul Smith Kansan staff writer
A tradition came to an end yesterday as residence hall students moved into their rooms without the help of Chancellor Robert Hemenway. But he had a good excuse.
"I can't lift anything over 5 pounds," he said.
That order came from physicians at the University of Kansas
Medical Center, after Hemenway's Aug. 8 surgery to remove a tumor in his prostate. He is now recuperating at home and is upbeat about his condition.
"I feel fine," Hemenway said.
"I'm recovering rapidly, and I'm going to take it slow, but certainly by Sept. 1 I'll be back to a full schedule of activities."
consider early retirement.
The chancellor said he had no fear of reoccurrence, and his condition didn't prompted him to
The 60-year-old Hemenway battled the second most common form of cancer among men, particularly men over 50, according to the American Cancer Society.
"I've too much to do in the next five to 10 years." Heemenway said. Foremost on his agenda this year is the University's state funding situation, which includes fighting to maintain funding in the life sciences and other research areas.
Research saves lives as Hemenway has discovered through his own experience. Through research, doctors found success rates for beating cancer were much higher with early detection and treatment. This keeps many people going in for annual physicals, which is how Hemenway's tumor was discovered.
physical and the importance of catching such a condition in the early stages," he said.
News of his condition prompted a flood of cards and flowers to the chancellor's residence, so much so that
his family had to donate some of the floral arrangements to
Hemenway:
Says he is feeling fine.
certainness.
"There's literally hundreds of messages I've received," Hemenway said. He said he intends to each one personally
"It makes you aware of the importance of having an annual
By no means bedridden,
Hemenway is slowly working up
to his usual 60- to 70-hour work
week. He attended a routine
meeting at the Edwards Campus
in Kansas City on Friday, though
he had to be driven there.
And he expects to make up for his absence at the residence hall move-in next summer.
"I'll be back lifting rugs next year," he said.
churches.
"I'm going to take it slow, but certainly by Sept. 1 I'll be back to a full schedule of activities." Robert Hemenway
Robert Hemenway Chancellor
Smith can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kanans.com
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