A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2002
KU Memorial Unions post University history online
By Vonna Keomanyvong
vkeomanyvong@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
130 folders lie in a small room at the Kansan Union — pieces of history waiting to be unveiled to the public.
In the folders are articles that are part of kuhistory.com, a project the KU Memorial Unions began in January 2001. Although the site is already up, it is just a preview of the comprehensive site to come.
Henry Fortunato, Overland Park graduate student and editor-in-chief of the project, said focusing on KU history provided a lens though which to view the wider world.
"What is so cool about this site is that we have created so many passageways that you can chart your way through KU's history," Fortunato said.
David Mucci, the director of KU Memorial Unions, said the Web site was part of a two-part project.
He said the Memorial Unions wanted to put up 10 panels on the history of KU, featuring topics such as student publications, athletics and old KU traditions. But Mucci said he also wanted the panels to reach people outside of Lawrence.
"The panels would only reach a million people who come through the building." Mucci said. "We wanted to reach family
and alumni who weren't able to come to Lawrence but still wanted to learn more about KU."
So, along with the panels, the Unions got to work on the Web site.
With a pen and paper in hand, Fortunato spent about five months researching the history of KU.
He read books such as The University of Kansas: A History and The Years on Mount Oread. By May 2001, he had filled up three 80-page notebooks with dates and events.
Three other KU graduate students in history including John McCool of Evansville, Indiana spent their summers in the Spencer Research Library.
McCool, who had written 80 articles for the site, said he spent about four hours skimming through old copies of The University Daily Kansan, old alumni magazines, and old chancellors' papers.
He estimated that he had spent about eight hours working on each article.
"The Web site allows you to read as much or as little as you want, without you having to go out and find the information for yourself," McCool said.
One of the articles already on the site includes a story on Mayday Mayhem.
The tradition started in 1891 with the first "Maypole Scrap," when a group of students would
"The Web site allows you to read as much or as little as you want, without you having to go out and find the information for yourself."
John McCool Evansville, Indiana graduate student
fight over the possession of a maypole.
By clicking on the archive's live section, viewers can look at scanned photos of old Kansan articles and even read an actual copy of a student essay about the
Maypole Scrap. The essay, which was written as an assignment for a class in Advanced English Composition, includes the teacher's comments in red.
Fortunato said it was important for people to learn about the history of KU because if people forgot about history, they would be more likely to repeat it.
"Once you learn the history of the place, you realize that we've weathered storms of much greater magnitude. It gives you a better appreciation of what you have," he said.
Senate passes bill to fund blood drive advertising campaign
In six weeks, the site,kuhistory.com,will include all 130 articles.
— Edited by Amanda Sears
jay Caleb Notwehr
.cnothwehr@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
With more than $100,000 in its unallocated account, Student Senate debated for the fourth consecutive week whether to spend $1,512 of that money on advertising for University blood drives.
This time, Senate agreed to spend the money after an hourlong debate. The bill passed in a 37-22 vote.
Senate will now pay for all blood drive ads in The University Daily Kansan, one of which will run Monday.
"It's the only thing Senate will do all year that will save lives," said Andrew Bailey, sponsor of the bill and Lenexa senior.
The bill met opposition each time it appeared on the senate floor, largely because critics say it violates the University's non-discrimination policy. The drive prohibits males who have had sex with other males since 1977 from giving blood.
According to the policy, the University cannot discriminate students based on, among other things, their sexual orientation.
"The blood drive is a good thing," said Aaron Jacobs, opponent of the bill and Leawood junior, "But I don't think our rules allow us to fund it."
Supporters of the bill insisted that advertising in the Kansan was necessary in order to draw more students to the blood drives.
That claim was based on an unscientific survey conducted by Bailey, where approximately 60 of 500 students said the advertising in the Kansan was the main reason they knew about the blood drives.
"It saves lives and doesn't discriminate," Bailey said.
In an effort to compromise on the issue, some senators are taking their concerns to the Food and Drug Administration. Andy
Nopp, business senator and Manhattan junior, helped write a resolution that states the FDA targets homosexual men rather than dangerous behavior. The resolution, if passed, will be sent to the FDA, the Red Cross and various state and national legislators.
"We want to see a more fair policy across the board that doesn't discriminate," Knopn said.
Even so, Knopp said he was happy with Senate's decision to advertise the blood drive.
"It's about time," he said. "I wish people would find other outlets to oppose the FDA's regulation rather than hold senate money ransom."
Aaron Jacobs Leawood junior
"The blood drive is a good thing. But I don't think our rules allow us to fund it."
Student body president Jonathan Ng said he would like to move on to issues that have a more visible impact on the student body.
"Debate is healthy but I empathize with the student body when they wonder how relevant this is to them." Ng said.
In other news:
In his report to the Senate, Ng said he attended the first meeting of the KU Info task force Tuesday. Ng said the task force would debate on how to make information more accessible to students, which includes a re-evaluation of KU Info. Ng is the only student on the task force.
Senate allocated $1,650 to the Homecoming Steering Committee. The committee, which is run by students for the first time, will use the money for advertising. The steering committee plans to move this year's homecoming parade to Saturday morning.
- Edited by Lauren Beatty
Find it on www.kansan.com!
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SEPTEMBER 30,2002
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