Monday September 23, 2002 Vol. 113. Issue No. 23 Today's weather 75° Tonight: 45° THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Kansas football reels from loss, looks ahead to Tulsa p. 1B
Budget problems force 13 layoffs
By Jenna Goepfert
jgoepert@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
University officials announced Friday that 13 employees would be laid off and as many as 38 vacant positions would be eliminated.
The reductions came in response to Gov. Bill Graves' announcement last month that an additional $1.2 million budget cut would be necessary to cover the state's budget shortfall.
Eight of the 13 employees are classified staff, state civil service workers, which include two security officers, four
administrative assistants and specialists a computer technician and a maintenance repairman. One of those positions will be reduced to half-time instead of eliminated.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, said the classified workers likely would be relocated to other positions at the University when their jobs are eliminated in November.
are eliminated in not only Five unclassified staff positions, which are year-to-year appointments to the University, will be eliminated as of June 30, 2003. These are non-teaching positions and include a research assistant, software consultant and three administrative support positions. One of those positions has been reduced to 75 percent-time.
Bretz said the University was not required to give unclassified workers notice until January, but officials wanted to give those employees more time to find new jobs.
"In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to eliminate these positions, but these are extraordinary times," Bretz said. "The state is in a very difficult position."
She said officials may face another round of cuts in January, but they were doing all they could to protect the University's academic mission.
Bretz said all departments were also
asked to take cuts to their operating budgets to help cover the $1.2 million shortfall.
In June, the University laid off 22 employees—10 classified and 12 unclassified and eliminated 32 vacant positions as a result of an initial 3 percent state budget cut of $7.4 million. Bretz said eight of the classified employees had already been relocated.
Thelma Simons, president of the Unclassified Professional Staff Association, and Bretz said unclassified staff might not be as fortunate because their jobs were so specialized.
"We've already lost several unclassi
fied staff on campus, and if we have another round of cuts, we may lose more." Simons said.
"This is going to begin affecting services we provide students immediately," she said. "My other concern is that these people are losing their livelihood."
Bretz said the latest cuts were painful but necessary in order to stabilize the University's future.
"The administration is trying to brace itself so that, if we do get cut, it won't be as disruptive." Bretz said.
Demolition career better than it looks
by Erin Beatty
ebetta@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Wanted: workers willing to demolish structures, operate heavy equipment, haul trash and rubble and transport large objects as demolition contractors.
The demolition industry has an image problem, said Michael Taylor, executive director of the National Association of Demolition Contractors, but he's out to change that.
Taylor said that in a survey of
appealing careers, high school juniors chose demolition contracting 49th out of 50 ranking above only commercial fishing.
"People have the wrong perception about demolition contracting." Taylor said. "They think it's the kind of job where you live in a trailer and are unemployed four months out of the year."
Demolition contracting involves more than the destruction of buildings and bridges, which Taylor said most
SEE DEMOLITION ON PAGE 54
Remembering the Exodus
Eric Braem/Kansam
David Saylen, Omaha, Neb., junior, searches out the best spot to hang a string of leaves from the Sukkah at the KU Hillel House Friday. Construction and decoration of the portable shelters is part of the seven-day Jewish holiday Sukkot, which commemorates the period following the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. Hillel members will display a portable Sukkah on campus Wednesday.
New members of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority celebrate their induction into the chapter in the Kansas Union. The Kappa Sigma Chapter of IZTA will become the 14th sorority at the University of Kansas.
New sorority joins KU
170 women join new chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha
By Todd Rapp
trapp@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Zeta Tau Alpha is on its way to becoming the 14th sorority at the University of Kansas.
The sorority ended formal recruitment with bid day Friday night and became the Kansas colony of Zeta Tau Alpha. The colony, along with 170 new members, will become the Kappa Sigma Chapter of
Zeta Tau Alpha.
The sorority selected new members from more than 400 prospective members. Terri Millsap, national extension director for ZTA, said academics were the deciding factors for getting into the sorority. Having a lower grade point average meant less chance of being accepted.
One of the chapter's goals was to get active in the existing fraternity and sorority system at KU as quickly as possible said Millsap. Established sorority members wore ZTA pins and helped spread the word about the newest sorority Delta Chi sorority allowed ZTA to use its chapter house for some informational
meetings during recruitment.
"They were tremendous,very supportive." Millsap said.
The idea of being a charter member motivated many women to apply, Millsap said.
sap said.
"Our one big slogan was 'Opportunity of a Lifetime.' It was something very appealing to a lot of women, to make this chapter what they wanted it to be," Millas said.
Trend setting and development were reasons Abbey Rossow. Olathe freshman, was interested in joining ZTA.
"I'm starting something new, creating
SEE SORORITY ON PAGE 5A
Football players charged, sued following recent bar fights
By Kelly McNearney
kmcnearney@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
According to police and court reports Brock Teddleton, junior defensive tackle, head-butted a bar patron during a fight at 1:50 a.m. March 9 at Jack Flanigan's Bar & Grill, 806 W.24th St.
One University of Kansas football player and one former player are facing battery charges stemming from recent bar fights.
The victims in both cases have filed lawsuits in Douglas County District Court.
The victim, a 5-foot-7-inch, 140-pound male, sustained injuries from the 6-foot-6-inch, 315-pound Teddleton.
"He had to get reconstructive surgery on the whole left side of his face," said Mike Barnacle, Chicago senior and friend of the victim. "He's had to sleep in a chair for about half a year because he can't lie down."
Barnacle said the victim left Lawrence because he no longer felt safe. The victims in both cases declined to comment, citing the pending lawsuits.
cling the pointing to the victim in the March 9 case filed a lawsuit for damages against Teddleton April 12. Criminal battery charges were also filed against Teddleton.
The original jury trial date was set for Sept. 18 but was postponed until Dec. 18, according to court records.
The actions of a few players have caused problems for the entire team.
"I have had to ban the football team
from the bar every year," said Dannie Thompson, owner of Flanigan's.
He said he banned the entire team because it was too difficult to decide which players would cause trouble. Thompson said he had open communication with football coach Mark Mangino.
At 1:40 a.m. July 26, Ryan Atkinson, former defensive tackle, was involved in a fight at Quinton's Bar and Deli, 615 Massachusetts St., according to observers. Police reports state the suspect was charged with battery.
Four observers said Atkinson hit four men while on the bar's back deck and then ran away. He punched one victim in the face and knocked him off his feet, causing serious injuries, said Kristen Layton, Olathe senior and friend of the victim.
Bar fights
Brock Teddleton Kansas football player charged with battery in Douglas County District Court for his involvement in a fight March 9 at Jack Flanigan's Bar and Grill.
"He had five stitches on his head, a broken nose and a broken cheekbone," she said.
sie said.
Layton said the victim underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damages to his face.
The victim said he has filed a civil lawsuit against Atkinson for damages. Atkinson left the team at the end of last season. Atkinson no longer attends KU.
Rvan Atkinson
Ryan Atkinson
Former Kansas football player charged with battery in Douglas County District Court for his involvement in a fight July 26 at Quinton's Bar and Deli.
Neither Teddleton nor coach Mangino were available for comment yesterday. Atkinson could not be reached for comment.
Teddleton did not suit up for the Sept. 14 game against Southwest Missouri State, but he appeared in uniform at Saturday's game against Bowling Green.
— Edited by Lauren Beatty