THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011
PAGE 5
OFF-CAMPUS
Nursing students miss out on Lawrence life
JONATHAN COOPER editor@kansan.com
Most nights, Elaine O'Neill sits alone in her two-bedroom, high-rise apartment reading a nursing book. Outside her window, the outline of downtown Kansas City is silhouetted in the evening sky, and the loud hum of a bustling city rises from the street below. She lives a metropolitan lifestyle that many people would be envious of, yet all she can think about are her friends in Lawrence.
O'Neill is a first-year nursing student at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is one of many junior students that have transferred from KU in Lawrence to nursing school in Kansas City, Kan. In the process, many students feel that by living in Kansas City, they are missing out on a true college experience.
"Lawrence is more of a college life. You have a big campus, you
can walk around and you are with your friends," O'Neill said. "Here it's like you go to class, and you study."
A Prestigious Program
US News recently ranked KU's nursing program as one of the 50 best in the nation. O'Neill is aware of the statistics.
"I know it will be worth it in the end," O'Neill said. "It's a lot of studying and a lot of work right now."
While she is grateful for the opportunity and does not regret her decision, she does miss multiple things about Lawrence.
"I sometimes feel like I am in high school again because I have class from 8 to 3," O'Neill said. "In Lawrence I had maybe one or two classes a day."
She said the toughest part, though, was missing her friends.
O'Neill said that KU was the only nursery school she applied
to, despite having to move to Kansas City.
While having to leave a college town was not a factor for O'Neill, it was a deciding factor for another student.
College Town Nursing School
Stacey Frasher is the same age as O'Neill and attended high school in Kansas at St. Thomas Aquinas. She was a KU fan her entire life, but because of her aspirations in nursing and because she did not want to leave a college town after two years, Frasher decided to attend the University of Missouri.
"When I visited Mizzou I really liked the nursing school staff," Frasher said. "I didn't go to KU because I did not want to leave my friends once I got into nursing school, and here I do not have to."
The University of Missouri's nursing program is near the main
campus in Columbia, Mo. Frasher is in her first year of nursing school and said that although she studies more, she still is able to have fun and live the college experience.
"College life is a big thing for me," Frasher said. "I may not go out as much as I used to, but I still am able to go out every weekend."
Frasher said she believed she would have a better college experience than if she had gone to the University of Kansas for nursing.
"It's hard to say without knowing every girl, but I think I'll have a better experience than nursing students at KU simply because I live on campus," Frasher said. "I'm glad I decided to come here."
A Fix To The System?
Both Frasher and O'Neill agreed that KU's program, where aspiring nurses must leave Lawrence after two years, might keep
students from applying.
"I know examples of girls that did not do nursing because of that reason," O'Neill said. "One of my really, really good friends was set on nursing and she didn't want to come to Kansas City so she changed to physical therapy."
Frasher knows she is also a perfect example.
While logistics might prevent a nursing program in Lawrence, O'Neill suggested ways KU could make it work.
"They could find a way to move the building to campus," O'Neill said. "The only problem would be clinicals. I don't know if Lawrence Memorial Hospital is big enough to hold us."
"I definitely think I'll feel like I missed out, but in the end, the pros of nursing outweigh the cons of missing that college life."
Even though she misses Lawrence, O'Neill said she made the right choice to attend KU.
SEE MORE ON KANSAN.COM
O'Neill said.
O'Neill has gradually adjusted to life away from campus. She said weekdays were toughest for her because she used to spend them with friends. Instead, her evenings are spent in her apartment in the city, the ever-present nursing book in her lap, and the longing of Lawrence inside her.
HEALTH
Edited by Jason Bennett
AUTUMN MORNINGSKY/KANSAN
The Douglas County AIDS Project is on campus this week to mark World AIDS Day. The group offers students information on HIV
AIDS as well as free, confidential testing.
Group offers HIV/AIDS testing
AUTUMN MORNINGSKY
amorningsky@kansan.com
Red ribbons adorned trees on campus Thursday to mark World AIDS Day. The Douglas County AIDS Project has been on campus all week, promoting awareness and prevention of HIV and AIDS.
With around 100 confirmed cases in Douglas, Jefferson and Franklin counties, group members said they're reaching out to students because of the higher risks for people from ages 15 to 25.
"We do have a lot of young people; young people are one of the largest demographics of people that are potentially exposed to HIV", said DCAP volunteer Chad Steele. "A lot of people have multiple partners, which is another big risk factor."
The non-profit group offers students information on preventing the virus, as well as free and confidential HIV testing. For students still wanting to get tested, the process is easy. All it takes is a five minute mouth swab, and results are back within one to two weeks.
"There's a little bit of self-reflection that comes along with HIV testing," said DCAP prevention coordinator Olivia Bruschette. "If you can look back and know that, hey, maybe I should get a test, come on in and do it."
Students can still get tested Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union.
The tests are administered in the alcoves on the third floor of the Kansas Union.
Edited by Ben Chipman
TECHNOLOGY
Fingerprint scan introduced at student recreation center
IAN CUMMINGS icummings@kansan.com
Starting Monday, students can register their fingerprints with the Amber Student Recreation Fitness Center and leave their KU Card at home when they visit in the future. The rec center is switching to a new software system that will read students' fingerprints and obtain all the information currently accessed through the KU Card center.
Students can expect long lines Monday as the system is introduced to employees and visit-
tors, according to Devine Fitzgerald, a rec center spokeswoman.
plaints.
"It will be the first time that employees have
Students have often complained that they could access the rec center if they forget their card and about the inconvenience of carrying it with them. There have also been cases when students tried to enter with someone else's card.
"There's all sorts of discrepancies." Fitzgerald said. "People would come in and it would clearly not be their ID. They would say, 'oh, it's my brother.'"
When staff discovered these hoaxes, rec center policy was that both students be suspended for
used the system, so hopefully people will be patient," Fitzgerald said.
But Fitzgerald said the new system will ultimately be more convenient and was introduced through the efforts of student staff to address visitor com-
Students bring their KU Card one more time and register their fingerprints at the rec center's administrative office in room 103 or at the front desk, where they ordinarily swipe their card. Once they are registered, they will be able to enter with just their fingerprint, though they will still have the
option of continuing to use the card. The new system will allow students to use their fingerprints to purchase locks and register for fitness courses and sports, just as they now do with their cards. Students will still need to use their cards to check out equipment until that service is included in the spring semester.
Students should see more locations around campus where they can register their fingerprints in the spring, and the rec center will announce those on its website and through Facebook and Twitter, Fitzgerald said. Those other locations may take some pressure off of the rec center employees as they continue registering students.
After the new system is completely installed at the rec center, the Robinson Center will begin using it, too. Fitzgerald said.
"It's probably going to be pretty chaotic," Fitzgerald said. "The second semester is always busier because of New Year's resolutions."
Edited by Lindsey Deiter
ADMINISTRATION
University appoints new graduate studies dean
Thomas Heilke, professor of political science, will take over as dean of graduate studies Jan. 8, 2012, to a University release.
Heike is also director of the Center for Global and International Studies at the University.
Heilike will succeed Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic
affairs. The dean oversees doctoral and master's degree programs in 80 fields. The University conferred more than 1,900 such degrees last year, and approximately one-fourth of University students are graduate students.
Heike was associate dean of international programs from 2003 to 2007 in the former Graduate School and Office of International Programs and dean for six months.
Heike joined the University faculty in 1990 as an assistant professor. He became an associate professor in 1997 and full professor in 2004. Heilke is from Canada, and holds bachelor and master's degrees from the University of Calgary and a doctoral degree from Duke University. He has authored or coauthored more than 40 publications.
-Ian Cummings