Monday
August 19,2002
Vol.113. Issue No.1
KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Today's weather 83°
Tonight: 64'
Tell us your news Call Jay Krall, Brooke Hesler or Kyle Ramsey at 864-4810
Kansas coaches plan for winning seasons p.1B
Consumer news
Best Buy to open in Lawrence
By Lindsey Hodel
Kansun staff writer
Talk of building a new music store in Lawrence has stirred harsh feelings among some local musicians and music store employees.
Best Buy, a music and electronics retailer, will build a new store at 31st and Iowa streets. Critics point to the new store as the latest of national chains to expand in Lawrence and potentially push out local businesses.
"I don't like Best Buy coming in anywhere." said Cory Willis, manager of Love Garden Sounds; 936 1/2 Massachusetts St., a locally-owned record store. "It's another faceless corporation that is turning Lawrence into another faceless town."
David Corliss, assistant city manager, said the company would start construction at that site next week and should be finished by next spring.
Best Buy spouseswomen Jenny Bohlasvulsa said college students made up a huge portion of Best Buy's market. Because the store's opening is not official, Bohlasvulsa declined
to comment on when the store would be opening or how the store could affect the local economy.
The corporation now has 505 locations in 47 states and plans to open 60 more stores this year.
Although Willis he did not necessarily see Best Buy as a competitive threat, he said corporate chains were hurting local businesses.
"Their CDs pull you in to buy a toaster or something else you don't need. It's gross, but it's free enterprise." Willis said.
John Kiefer, owner of Kief's music stores, said the opening of the store may serve as an advantage to his business because it will allow customers to have a direct comparison between the levels of quality for the products available.
"My customers are shopping around and most have already gone to Best Buy in Topeka or Kansas City. This will just make it easier for them." Kieler said. "Lots of people believe that big box stores offer cheaper prices, but the
SEE BEST BUY ON PAGE 15A
John Nowak/Kansar
The Granada. 1020 Massachusetts St, is undergoing renovations. The new owners say "it's going to be crazy."
Granada gets new look, ownership
Steve Slaughter, Kansas City, Kan. senior, puts a fresh coat of paint on the walls at the Granada. The Granada was recently sold and is undergoing major renovations. The new owners want to bring an entirely new vibe to the club.
Chris Burket/Kansan
By Louise Staum
Kansan staff writer
The nightclub on 1020 Massachusetts St., will reopen Friday under new ownership. Although the name will remain the same, the rest is going to change, said Mike Logan, one of the new owners, who also the co-general manager of Abe & Ake's Landing. 8 E. Sixth St.
A whirlwind of renovations is going on behind papered-over windows, and Logan says grandeur is on the way.
Polyester and platforms may be on hiatus indefinitely after Thursday retro-nights at The Granada Theatre come to a close.
Logan, along with James Riding, the other co-general manager of Abe& Jake's, and Mike Elwell, Abe & Jake's owner, purchased the building in early July from Brett Mosiman. Mosiman also runs The Bottleneck, 737 New
"New floors, new walls, the inside is going to be brighter. It's going to be crazy." Logan said.
"New floors, new walls, the inside is going to be brighter. It's going to be."
Mike Logan
Mike Logan
New co-owner of the old Grenada
Hampshire St., and concert promotion agency Pipeline Productions.
Mosiman, who has co-owned the club since 1994 along with Elwell as a silent partner, said his reasons for selling his portion were personal, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Mosiman said he did not think Pipeline Productions' business would be affected by the sale.
SEE GRANADA ON PAGE 16A
University prohibits credit card solicitors
By Erin Beatty
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas students can walk through the Unions and campus this week without facing solicitations from credit card companies as part of a new University policy.
Provost David Shulenburger announced the policy Aug. 5, which imposes a three-week ban on credit card solicitations at KU's Lawrence campus.
"The policy is important because first-time students aren't necessarily in the best position to be making financial decisions, especially when offers are being thrown in their faces," Shulenburger said. "This will give students a few weeks to settle in and adjust to the campus without credit card offers."
The distribution of credit card materials will still be allowed at Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse during athletic events. The Kansas Union Booksstore, which are private, non-profit entities, will continue including credit card applications in bags along with purchases.
Kansas State Rep. Rocky Nichols, D-Topeka, introduced anti-sollicitation proposals to the House early this year, which were discussed by a House budget subcommittee on
capped by a Proverb of education. The bill father in a higher government committee May 11, and the Board of Regents is now working on the issue.
The Regents asked the Council of State University Presidents for further discussion and recommendation on credit card solicitation and are expected to enact a permanent policy this October.
Shulenburger
"The policy will set up baseline standards and assist students in making educated choices on financial issues," said Dick Carter Jr., director for external relations for the Regents.
The Regents have discussed proposals prohibiting solicitation of credit card applications for one week before and two weeks after the first day of each semester, as well as requiring banks to hand out material on the responsible use of credit cards along with applications.
The Regents also discussed requiring educational institutions to include educational material on credit card use in student orientation programs and materials.
Similar policies are being discussed among lawmakers and higher education officials across the country in the wake of reports that many students are spending irresponsibly on credit, falling deeply into debt. According to Jean Sherman Chatky of Money Magazine, today's college students carry more debt than any previous generation, with an average credit card balance of $2,200.
Kyle Barker, former student body president at Kansas State University, announced this spring Kansas State would not make any bans at its campus, Justin Mills, former KU student body president, said it was an important issue for the University to pursue.
Contact Beatty at ebesty@kansan.com.
This story was edited by Andrew Vaupel.
Oread housing debate still looms
By Nathan Dayani Kansan staff writer
Hawk Nights started last night with Union Fest, and students who attended walked away with free food and other prizes.
"There's a lot of new students to campus, and this helps them become part of the community, know about KU and become familiar with the campus." he said.
Todd Cohen, assistant director of University Relations, said Hawk Week was an opportunity for students to become acquainted with all the nuances of the University.
It continues today until Monday, Aug. 26 with various activities happening on campus.
Hawk Week coordinators have planned activities including a block party, community service project, dance at the Lied Center and an ice cream social.
Hawk Week events
Monday, Aug. 19: The night begins at 6:30 p.m. with an ice cream social at the Adams Alumni Center. Traditions Night follows at 8 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, where students can learn the songs and history of the University. The right concludes with Rock-a-Hawk, a festival with live music, dancing and games in the parking lot of the Lied Center.
SEE HAWK WEEK ON PAGE 16A
Tuesday, Aug. 20. Wescoe beach will be the site of a beach party, with live music and carnival games starting at 7 p.m. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will pass out free school materials from 6:30-11:30 on Wescoe Beach. A discussion of college
NEE EVENTS ON PAGE 16A
Justin Henning Kansan staff writer
It's as if they keep getting up before the referee can count to 10.
Planted at the center of a legales boxing match between the University of Kansas and the Oread Neighborhood Association are three dilapidated houses in the 1300 block of Ohio Street.
The houses have continued to stand amid continual requests by the University to build scholarship halls in their place.
In March, several local public hearings climaxed into a ruling by Ramon Powers, then the historic preservation officer of the Kansas State Historical Society. In his decision, Powers said the houses should be preserved because of their close proximity to the Ushor House, 1425 Tennessee St., which is on the
SEE OREAD ON PAGE 15A
Kansan File Photo
The University has requested the Dread houses be torn down, replaced by scholarship halls. In March, the historic preservation officer ruled that the houses should be preserved.