FRIDAY,AUGUST 23,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
New Senate committee to monitor University use of tuition money
By Molly Gise Kansan staff writer
A Student Senate committee wants to hold the University to its promises.
The committee, which was formed this summer, will ensure that the University of Kansas continues to hear the recommendations and concerns of students regarding tuition. Student Body President Jonathan Ng said.
The University faces a tight budget, and a deeper cut is expected. Earlier this month Gov. Bill Graves announced a 1 percent state budget cut.
Ng said that, even with the budget shortfalls, the University is still obligated to spend a portion of tuition money on school enhancements.
"It's to make sure our tuition dollars aren't going to plug any holes where the budget dropped the ball." Ng said.
the bureau. The committee has a dual role. Ng said. One is to work with Provost David Shulenburger to
"It's to make sure our tuition dollars aren't going to plug any holes where the budget dropped the ball."
Jonathan Ng student body president
find out about how and when tuition money is spent and to offer student ideas.
The committee also educates students about how their tuition is spent by the University and how the budget affects funding choices.
Ng said Student Senate will launch a campaign this year to inform students about these issues. Students should understand how the budget process works, he said.
One goal of the committee is make sure that part of the tuition money goes toward improving the University, Ng said. Last year's ad hoc committee on university
funding recommended a list of such improvements that the tuition increase should support.
One example is the proposed salary package for Graduate Teaching Assistants. The proposal, which totals roughly $1 million, will be paid for by the tuition increase.
Other enhancements include classroom improvements and technology upgrades, like online enrollment. Online enrollment is an area where KU lagged behind its peer institutions, Ng said.
"If we're going to be a top 25 university, we should start thinking like one," Ng said.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, said student ideas about how the University spends tuition money play a critical role in the process of fund allocation.
"I think everyone feels very strongly about having Student Senate involvement," Bretz said.
Contact Gise at mgise@kansan.com. This story was edited by Christina Neff.
Contact Gise at
As virus travels west, zoo officials take precautions
Kansas City Zoo moves birds inside to prevent West Nile virus exposure
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zoo officials are moving some endangered birds indoors and vaccinating others to ensure the flock isn't struck by the West Nile virus.
The mosquito-borne disease has moved west since its arrival in New York in 1999. It was found last fall in eastern Missouri but only recently was detected in the Kansas City area.
Preliminary tests have shown 12 people in Missouri have tested positive for the virus,and one一 a 75-year-old St. Louis woman has died.
Since Spring, zoo officials in Kansas City have tested blood from sentinel birds, such as geese, for signs of the virus, as well as vaccinated or protected those animals that might be vulnerable. No positive cases have
been reported at the zoo, said Kirk Suedmeyer, the zoo's animal health director.
But other zoos have had problems. The West Nile virus has killed three exotic birds at the St. Louis Zoo, officials there said Tuesday.
Test results are pending for about 20 other birds that died mysteriously.
mysterious. In Kansas City, three endangered Bali mynah birds and several magpie birds from Asia have been moved indoors, Suedmeyer said.
Extra precautions are being taken with the magpies because they are a close relative of crows and blue jays, which are among the birds that appear to be most vulnerable to the virus.
"Because the mynah's are endangered, we've moved them where we could house them in an area that's almost mosquitproof," Suedmeyer said. "We thought that was prudent."
vulnerable to the Vaccinations also have been given to all zebras, ponies, donkeys and mules this spring. And the zoo has given the equine vaccine to its flamingos and a snowy owl.
"We're just trying to stay a step ahead," Suedmeyer said. "We didn't know if it would work. But other institutions have tried the vaccine and it doesn't hurt the birds."
With two to three dozen blood tests still awaiting analysis at Cornell University, it's possible some zoo animals have already been exposed to the virus.
But zoo officials think they've headed off any serious problems.
"I think we've taken a reasonable and prudent approach to prevent it from happening here," Suedmeyer said. "So far, it's worked."
Vaccinations also have been given to all zebras, ponies, donkeys and mules this spring. And the zoo has given the equine vaccine to its flamingos and a snowy owl.