TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Today is last chance for library renovation suggestions
By Michelle Burhenn mburhenn@kansan.com mbatwen staff writer Kansan staff writer
Today is the last day a library task force will take public comment about future renovations in Watson Library.
A task force e-mailed a survey to a random sample of 3,400 students, faculty and staff and also distributed the survey at library service desks. Stella Bentley, dean of libraries, created the Watson Library Reconfiguration Task Force after University of Kansas libraries received money from the tuition enhancement plan, which was
announced last month.
The task force will review the library's public space and make recommendations to improve its appearance and usability with a portion of the money that KU Libraries will receive over the next four years. The libraries will receive $800,000 in the 2003 fiscal year, $500,000 in both 2004 and 2005 and $1 million in 2006.
Bill Myers, director of library development, said changing the library stacks was not an option, but making the library easier to use was something the library administration wants to work on
"It's outdated in work and
style, but it's also just worn out," Myers said. "We want this to be a welcoming, attractive place for users."
Myers said Watson Library had not had a renovation for about 20 years; and the administration wants it to be less confusing and brighter.
He said although administration and employees had some ideas about how to improve the library, the task force would rely on survey results to determine its options.
"Students are the primary users.That's who we want to hear from and respond to." he said.
Myers said the library had
received about 800 completed surveys.
The survey asked recipients what they would like changed in the library. More group study areas, a coffee shop, clearer organization and a brighter entryway were some options on the survey. Myers said the task force would present its recommendations to the dean during winter break.
Matt Seger, Newton junior, said the library should be easier for students to use.
"It's huge," Seger said. "When I first used the library my freshman year, it was way too overwhelming."
"We want this to be a welcoming, attractive place for users."
Bill Myers Director of Library Development
Seger said he recommended the library install more signs to aid first-time users.
A brighter library would create a better study area for students and a better work environment, said Stefanie Warlick, a circulation supervisor.
"This is what I look at," said the 2002 graduate as she looked into the Watson entryway. "If you go to Anschutz, it's so bright and a
nicer place to be."
Cody jackson, circulation desk student assistant and Nickerson junior, said the University should not waste its money to improve the library's appearance and instead should focus on improving student services.
services. "I would see it as a waste of money to repaint floors and ceilings just to attract students," he said. "The problem is that we'd ideally do everything on the survey, but obviously we're limited."
Jayhawk alumna leads administration
- Edited by Erin Ohm and Andy Samuelson
By Katie Nelson knelson@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
After working in the White House for six years, it's been hard for Janet Murguia to kick her C-SPAN habit.
Considering her 15-year stint in Washington, D.C., working for former President Bill Clinton, and Al Gore's presidential campaign, Murgula's affinity for politics might be understandable.
After leaving the University of Kansas in 1985 with three degrees, Murguia returned to the University in July 2001 as executive vice chancellor for University Relations.
"I tell people now that I'm back, the only political party I represent is the Jayhawk party," she said.
Even in the White House Murguia always showed her true colors— blue and red, she said. Her screen saver read "Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU."
Murguia received law, Spanish and journalism degrees from KU. For part of that time, she worked as an intern at KU's public radio station, KANU-FM. Now, she is in charge of it.
Lured from Washington to Kansas by a job offer from Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Murgia started working for KU in July 2001. As the executive vice chancellor, she oversees public relations at each of KU's campuses, the public radio station, visitor services and the special events and trademark licensing office.
One of Murgia's main priorities is creating a support system for first-generation students of color in order to bring to and keep them at KU, especially at the graduate level.
"Obviously, having been a student of color at the University of Kansas and being a Latina in a senior administrative position at this University, I feel I have an obligation, a responsibility and a
commitment to make sure that we are doing everything we can on behalf of the University to pursue diversity." Murgia said.
That dedication was evident to Alex Guerrero when he heard Murguia speak at a Hispanic American Leadership Organization meeting three weeks ago. Murguia's talk made the first-generation Topeka senior think about attending graduate school more seriously, he said.
"It was inspiring," he said. "I had never thought about it when I first came to KU, but the more you learn about school, the more you learn you've got to keep going to get a good job."
Murgia's twin sister, Mary, and her brother Carlos are federal judges for the U.S. District Courts of Arizona and Kansas. Another brother, Ramon, is a lawyer who served as chairman of the largest Hispanic advocacy organizations, La Raza. They all grew up in Argentine, a Mexican-American neighborhood in
Kansas City, Kan., and all of the Murguia clan, except Mary, live in the Kansas City area.
These family ties made Murguia's decision to come back to Kansas easy.
"My heart was always in Kansas," she said.
Bringing Murguia back to KU was a natural choice for the school, too. Hemenway said.
When he spoke with Murguia in Washington, D.C., Hemenway said he was aware of her public relations abilities.
"She's been very effective in helping us see the value in interacting with the public, determining a message for KU and communicating that KU is an incredible University with all kinds of positive things going on all the time," Hemenway said. "I think there is no more dedicated Jayhawk than Janet Murguia. She is very effective in sharing that enthusiasm with other people."
— Edited by Melissa Shuman
Lindsey Gold/KANSAN
Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for University Relations, is one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America as rated in the October 2002 issue of Hispanic Business Magazine. Murguia received her bachelor's degrees in journalism and Spanish and his law degree from KU.
Voice your opinions without losing your voice
The University Daily Kansan is now hiring editorial cartoonists, columnists and editorial board members.
Submit a copy of the application with position of interest indicated, typed answers to the questions on the application, a current resume and one example of either an editorial or column.
Sign up for an interview when you turn in the application.
Applications are due in Room 111 Stauffer-Flint in Amanda Sears' box by 5 pm, Monday, December 9
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