THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
Kansas, Missouri universities reciprocate tuition
By Cate Batchelder Special to the Kansan
Kevin McCabe and Colin Rohlfing, St. Louis seniors, are happy to make fun of the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri, even by selling their own "Muck Fizzou" shirts. They can afford to joke because both came to the University of Kansas, in part, because of the reciprocity policy between the two states.
This policy allows Missouri residents to pay in-state tuition in Kansas state schools if majoring in programs not offered in Missouri state-run schools and vice versa.
McCabe, a double major in
international studies and East Asian languages and cultures, with a concentration in Chinese, heard of the policy at his high school, where he first took the language. His teacher knew a lot about the top Chinese programs across the nation.
"She not only said that KU has a really good program, but that they offer some kind of deal," McCabe said.
Out-of-state tuition costs $337.45 per credit hour for most undergraduate classes. Instate tuition is $97.35 per credit hour.
After budget cuts and tuition hikes, McCabe and other nonresidents of Kansas receiving ree
iprocity are dealing with the added expense.
McCabe said he could handle tuition hikes because his plan-B schools would have cost significantly more anyway. Had he gone to another school, he would have dealt with higher tuition, longer drives to and from home and tougher admission standards.
"This worked out almost perfectly because I wanted to get out. I wanted to take Chinese," McCabe said.
Fellow roommate, and "Muck Fizzout" entrepreneur, Rohlfh, receives reciprocity for majoring in architecture and architectural engineering. He may continue in
the professional master's program as well.
"I figure if I'm going to come here and be a nerd for five, six, seven, eight years, I might as well save my money and buy a really cool protractor," Rohlfing said.
He also considered going to other schools that offered reputable programs, but those would have cost more. Ultimately, he chose KU.
"My parents love me for it—definite brownie points. I'm now their favorite child," Rohlfing said.
The School of Architecture carries a majority of KU students who receive reciprocity. Renee
Wiesner, assistant to the University Registrar, said about 250 students were using reciprocity on campus. Of an estimated 650 architecture students, 229 are using reciprocity in its respective programs. Twenty students are on the waiting list—the first year there has been one.
Other KU programs using the policy include a Ph.D. in linguistics, a B.A. in architecture, a B.S. in architectural engineering, and a professional master's of architecture; a B.A. or M.A. in East Asian languages and cultures; and a B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literatures (SLAV).
"It's a good policy because it
means we don't have to reinvent the wheel," said Marc Greenberg, SLAV chairman and professor. "We are able to offer a richer curriculum and specialize in certain areas."
For Kansans wanting to go to Missouri, some of the programs include dentistry, forestry or metallurgical engineering.
Missouri natives have until Sept. 23 to turn in waivers. Students receiving reciprocity must maintain academic standards, which vary from department to department.
Contact Batchelder at
editor@kansan.com. This story was edited by Katie Teake.
Childcare grant deadline nearing
By Kyle Ramsey
Kansan staff writer
Students with preschool-aged children have little more than a week to meet the priority deadline for a grant aimed to lower the students' childcare costs.
The priority deadline for the Equal Opportunity Fund grant is Sept. 20. Although applications will be accepted throughout the semester, students who meet this deadline will have the best chance of receiving aid, said Stephanie Covington, associate director of student financial aid.
The grant helped Jodi Lee, Lawrence senior, make ends meet while enrolled at the University of Kansas full-time.
Lee's two daughters, Matty, 5, and Nora, 3, attend Hilltop Child Development Center, 1605 Irving Hill Road.
"It was amazing how much it helped,"she said.
Lee said she had first received the
Pick up an application Applications are available at the Office of Student Financial Aid, 50 Strong Hall.
grant two years ago. Before that, the cost of having both daughters enrolled at Hilltop was more than $900 per month.
Hintop Lee said she now paid about $580 each month.
Student parents who are interested in the grant must be enrolled in six or more hours to qualify. Children must also be five years of age or younger.
five years ago. The grant fund received $42,000 this year, which was appropriated from campus fees.
The grant covers a percentage of the total cost of childcare,depending primarily on income and number of children.
The office's goal is to award each recipient 35 to 50 percent of the total childcare cost, and the grant can be used at any childcare facility, Covington said.
If both parents are students,student financial aid will award a grant to only one of them.
"If they are married and both go to school, only one can get it," Covington said.
Hilltop financial director Martha Langley said 20 to 30 families have applied for the grant at Hilltop - which serves 212 children.
For Lee, splitting her time between school and motherhood left little time for employment. Without the grant, Lee and her husband would have to apply for more loans to cover childcare and household costs, she said.
"I tried that, and it didn't work," Lee said.
Applications are available at the Office of Student Financial Aid, 50 Strong Hall.
Contact Ramsey at kramsey@kansan.com. This story was edited by Andy Samuelson
Town gathers to rebuild its only grocery store
The Associated Press
AGRA — When the town's only food store burned to the ground four years ago, most folks resigned themselves to 10-mile drives for a loaf of bread or jug of milk.
But Sherri Baker and a few others in this Phillips County farm town of about 300 had other ideas. A new grocery store was needed, but getting it was another matter.
"We felt we needed something. You lose your grocery store and the town just starts slipping away," said Baker, whose father worked at the old Peoples Store that dated to the 1930s.
She stands in front of a gaping hole filled with overgrown weeds between
two storefronts. It's just about all that's left of the old store.
letter to her. "It was a little mom and pop store, but it was important to this community." Baker said.
After the owner decided against rebuilding, there was little choice but to pass the hat and hope for the best. What came next was the creation of the Agra Community Improvement Association which oversees the store.
"We decided to have a community-owned store, so we decided to sell shares for $100 each," said Bette Latham, the store manager.
She said supporters had also created a cookbook featuring recipes from area residents and sold around 1,000 copies for $15 each.
The University of Kansas . School of Fine Arts . Lied Center presents
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 14,2002
7:30 P.M.
ROBERT MIRABAL
WITH RARETRIBALMOB