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University Daily Kansan, August 30, 1982
SenEx considers research park
By DEBORAH BAER Staff Reporter
Though some professors at the University of Kansas think a University-related research park in Lawrence is long overdue, money could be the deciding factor in whether the plans for such a park are continued.
Frances Horowitz, vice chairman for research and graduate studies, said at a University Senate Executive Committee meeting Friday that she was asking the university to investigate the development of a research park at the University.
A research park is a compound of businesses conducting research using some of a university's facilities, the report said.
Chancellor Gene A. Budig said he had no loose cash around to finance such a park, but the University would reap benefits from this park a built, Horowitz reported.
"The Chancellor's response is that if there is faculty support of this, then he will receive the best possible care."
A research park would provide jobs for graduate students and consulting positions for faculty members, Horowitz said.
The report, the 123-page document prepared by the Institute for Economic and Business Research at the University, lists criteria for successful university park development and analysis. The report includes the University in terms of these criteria.
Ernest Angio, ex officio member of SenEx, said a research park was long overdue. But he said such a project, which would cost $10 million dollars to build, would need state support.
"Frankly, I do not sense and I do not see that support." Angino said.
Angino referred to the cuts made in KU's budget by Gov. John Carlin and spoke of other candidates for the state's governorship.
"The people who know him behind the scenes say Sam Hardage is anything but a friend of higher education," Angino said.
Several SenEx members agreed that a research park would increase economic development for the state and that it could be an important aid could improve the state's economy.
Horowitz said state funding for the project would include tax benefits for corporations in the research park and supplemental appropriations to the University for the library and the computer system.
She said the computer system was totally inadequate even for the University. The existing system is one of the University's weak points listed in the research institute's report, she said.
Some of the University's strengths are the pharmacy and engineering schools.
The availability of housing in Lawrence at lower rates than in many areas of the country and a fairly comfortable climate were advantages that could attract research corporations to Lawrence. Herowitz said.
The cultural characteristic of Lawrence is another strength, she said. People moving to a town to join a research corporation typically are interested in availability of theatre concerts and in the quality of schools, she said.
She said Topeka had been ruled out as a possible site for a research park that could be shared by other units. She added that the cultural climate found in Lawrence,
And Kansas City, although its location would allow universities from both Kansas and Missouri to use the park and, thus, both states would help finance it, was deemed inappropriate because it did not have a well-recognized four-year university program.
"Lawrence has a much greater probability of succeeding than Topeka or Kansas City." Horowitz said.
Horowitz said a park that was essentially private but related through research to the University, similar to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and another park at Stanford University, was being considered.
The IEBR report was funded by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and the University, Horowitz said.
She called it a balanced and honest appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of Lawrence and the University. She also said that the director of the institute had told her that more research parks failed than succeeded.
"There are enough advantages that such a park is female, but it becomes a male."
Where to build a research park in Lawrence is a question that remains unanswered. Horowitz said the Kansas University Endowment Association, which owns land on West Campus and holds it in reserve for spontaneous University growth, did not approve the use of that land for a research park.
She said that if the University decided to continue investigating the possibility of building a research park, the Chamber of Commerce would notify landowners about the search for land sites for the park development.
The Chamber of Commerce and the University also would contact University supporters to find corporations that sponsor students. Join the research park, Horowitz said.
"The parks that succeed do so when they have early commitments from corporations."
Even if a decision were made this year to go ahead with a research park, it would be another 10 or 15 years before any buildings were built, because corporation are also to make decisions about joining such a park, Horowitz said.
Despite making three arrests for stealing, KU police are still investigating the continuing disappearance of husband from an apartment.
3 arrested in KU bike-theft inquiry
of bicycles from campus.
"There are people who are in the business of stealing bikes on a full-time bases – we haven't caught them yet," KU Police Capt. John Courtney said Friday.
Police on special assignment caught two men in the process of stealing bicycles early Friday morning. Another group of bicycle thieves was apprehended earlier, Courtney said.
Courtney said more than 20 bicycles, worth $4,500, had been stolen since the start of school.
"It only takes 30 seconds to steal a bicycle," he said. "We have people assigned strictly to watch bicycles."
Bolt cutters are being used to cut locks and chains. Courtney said the thieves were taking new, expensive bicycles mainly between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Bicycles that have been recovered are being held as evidence.
Courtney said the two suspects arrested Friday morning might also be involved in battery thefts.
Arrested Friday with bond set at $1,500 were Harold Merwin Shultz and Gary Wayne Christie, both of 710 E.. 19th.
Courtney said a third person involved in Friday morning's thefts was not caught by police.
Apprehending those who are stealing bicycles is difficult because a lookout is usually involved, he said.
"If they see us or someone else it's hard to detect somebody."
Courtney said students' bicycles would be safest if kept in the students' rooms.
hard to detect on camera.
Students are slow at reporting stolen bicycles, which hinders the investigation, he said.
The thieves are probably trying to sell the bicycles out-of-fox, said he. He advised that people who are planning to buy bicycles should check the serial numbers and make sure they are not stolen.
Anyone seeing someone with a bolt cutter or anything suspicious should contact the police, he said.
Groups try to temper tailgate party
By DARRELL PRESTON Staff Reporter
Alcoholism is the major drug problem on the KU campus, and the Kansas' dry forces leader said yesterday he found it hard to believe the KU athletic department's plans to give beer away before the first football game.
The Rev. Richard Taylor, president of the Kansas For Life at Its Best, a Kansas temperance group, said yesterday he wrote a letter to Chancellor Marianne Foley asking the athletic department promotes consumption of an item that causes alcoholism.
James Scaly, administrative assistant to the chancellor, said yesterday that to the best of his knowledge Budig had not received the letter.
The tailgate party will feature free beer and popcorn for students with tickets. It is intended to build spirit and increase student ticket sales, according to Mike Hamrick, administrative assistant to the athletic director.
Taylor said he asked Budig in the letter if the athletic department would promote consumption of a cancer-causing item.
The letters were prompted by the KU athletic department's plans to sponsor a tailgate party before the first KU game against Wichita State Sept. 11.
Why then, he said, does the athletic department promote beer, which leads to alcoholism in one out of every ten beer drinkers?
Hamrick said that if a student is going to drink he will do it whether or not the athletic department provides the beer.
before the game—the Athletic department is promoting a mind/altering drug." Taylor said.
"The KU athletic department could promote attendance by providing free lunch."
"The athletic department misses the point about the boxers, but it's not too drunk."
Another group opposed to the beer giveway is the Senate Executive Committee, which voted at its Friday meeting to draft a letter to the athletic department opposing the beer give away.
Ellen Gold, professor of communications studies and member of SenEx, said, "My concern is that when the athletic department and the University of Kansas socializes students so that they have to drink water, they must believe that it is an inappropriate role for the University and athletic department."
NOTICE!!!
There is an error on the
SOUTHERN HILLS SPORTINGOODS
coupon in the Fall 82 Lawrence Book.
It should read 10% off not 15% off.
We apologize for any inconvenience . . .
The Lawrence Book
THE BLACK STUDENT UNION
Inspirational Gospel Voices will be rehearsing every Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. beginning August 31st At 4051 Wescoe anyone can be a member all musicians are welcome
sponsored by Student Senate
ATTENTION GRAD TA'S and RA'S!!
GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING
on Tuesday, August 31 at 5 p.m. to discuss graduate contract revisions. Be there in the Big Eight Room (Kansas Union) to voice your concern.
(Student Senate-funded ad)