Thursday inside
Graduate with experience
Check out Jayplay for suggestions on what to do as college students
before walking down the hill. PAGE 3A
Acting out
Stamp of approval Senate approved online voting and passed the buck to the Student Legislative Awareness Board for funding an ad campaign about blood drive rules that affect gays. PAGE 3A
Olathe junior Kelli Wilhite puts the active in activist. Wilhite finds time to have a job, go to school and spend time with her friends too. PAGE6A
Runners' paradise
For three decades, Rim Rock has provided a home for KU cross country.
Renovations and a dry summer have altered the course but the traditions remain. PAGE 12A
'Hawk host still on the air'
After 58 years as a radio announcer for KU athletics, Max Falkenstien is still calling the shots. PAGE12A
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Tell us your news. Contact Michelle Burhenn, Lindsay Hanson or Leah Shaffer at 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
index
Briefs 2A
Opinion 4A
Sports 12A
Sports briefs 8A
Horoscopes 10A
Comics 10A
Vol.114 Issue No.11
KANSAN
The Student Newspaper of the University of Kansas
Thursday, September 4, 2003
No charges for Sigma Nu
Center for Campus Life continues investigation into hazing
By Abby Mills almills@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Sigma Nu fraternity will not be charged with hazing for a pledge incident that injured a 19-year-old Olathe.
"After reviewing all available information, it is concluded that the facts do not support the crime of hazing," a statement from District Attorney Christine Kenney said.
Kansas law prohibits a social organization from promoting or permitting
hazing; doing so is a misdemeanor
Patrick Redetzke, president of the University of Kansas chapter of Sigma Nu, said he agreed with the decision.
"I'm glad the truth has surfaced and our innocence has been revealed," he said.
Police also investigated Sigma Nu to see if alcohol was furnished to a minor in the incident. Kenney said the decision on those charges is pending.
those charges
The investigation began when the student was injured Aug. 13 at the Sigma Nu house, 1501 Sigma Nu Place.
Police reported the student hit his head in a pledge ritual. The pledge was thrown and expected to land on his feet, according to police.
Police found the Olathe student unconscious and he was sent by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, then to University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., for head injuries. He was treated and released the next day.
The University of Kansas' Center for Campus Life is conducting an independent investigation.
it investigation.
"We've made progress, but it's not
complete," said Danny Kaiser, the center's director.
Sunny studies
The investigation will determine if Sigma Nu violated KU's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The code prohibits hazing, which is defined as an action required for membership that is unsafe, endangers mental or physical health or causes excessive discomfort.
Sigma Nu could face probation or suspension if the the center finds it in violation of the code.
Megan True/Kansan
Molly Thornburgh, Lenexa freshman, spent yesterday afternoon studying Spanish in the Kansas Union. Thornburgh said she often came to the Union to study in between classes. Thornburgh likes the peacefulness and the view of the Campanile.
West Nile Virus strikes student
By Dustin Fox correspondent@kansan.com Kansan correspondent
The West Nile Virus has found its way to the University of Kansas.
Bryce Vermillion, Eudora senior, contracted the virus from a mosquito while visiting his brother in Colorado four weeks ago.
Vermillion said he woke up before ing and felt sick after a night of drinking.
a girl slack after a night of drinking.
"At first I thought I was hung over from the night before." he said. "It just continued to get worse though."
Vermillion said he suffered headaches, joint and back pain, nausea, fever and a rash on his back and shoulders as a result of the virus.
After three days Vermillion went to the doctor where he was told he had the virus. Because there is no vaccine for West Nile, the doctor gave Vermillion antibiotics to relieve his symptoms.
"I didn't really know what to think when they told me I had it," Vermillion said. "You can't believe it really happened to you. It's one of those things where you're kind of shell shocked."
where you're kind of weird. The fact that Vermillion suffered symptoms is rare, said Myra Strother, associate director and chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center. Many people with West Nile never know they have it, Strother said. Eighty percent of people infected with West Nile don't show any symptoms, she said.
snow any symptoms, she said.
"Hopefully a lot of us are getting the insect bites and we're not getting any symptoms." Strother said. "That way we're getting nice little antibodies built
up and then we're immune."
Though no one is completely immune from West Nile, those with weak immune systems, especially young children and the elderly, are at a much higher risk for contracting and suffering symptoms from the virus. Most human cases involve symptoms similar to those suffered by Vermillion, including fever and joint pain. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment estimates one in 150 people who contract West Nile will develop more severe symptoms like tremors, stiff neck and paralysis.
tons like ternets,
Because West Nile can't be passed by person-to-person contact, Vermillion didn't miss any class time. Aside from becoming fatigued from time to time, Vermillion said things were back to normal.
million said Vermillion likely would not be the last KU student with West Nile this year.
this year:
“This is probably just going to be something that's going to be around,” Strother said. “Eventually we're all maybe going to get bit and develop the antibodies.”
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed 17 human cases of West Nile Virus so far this year. There are several more unconfirmed cases, including two in Douglas County. In late August, a 93-year-old Butler County resident was the first Kansan to die from the West Nile Virus.
West Nile has hit Colorado, where Vermillion contracted the disease, the hardest. So far this year, Colorado officials have confirmed 635 human cases and six have died.
Danielle Hillix contributed to this story. Edited by JJ Hensley.
Recruitment team now funded
By Johanna M. Maska
jmaska@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Andrea Pantoja has worked for a year but she's just gotten her first paycheck.
bursary program. Pantoja, Mission, Kan., junior, works for the Multicultural Recruitment Team for the University of Kansas. This summer Student Senate, through the Equal Opportunity student fee, provided funding for team pay for the first time.
ing for team pay for the first time.
For three years, the team has worked as part of the Office of Admissions and Scholarships' emphasis on multicultural recruitment, Claudia Mercado, the program's associate director, said. But until now, the team, comprised of 11 students, wasn't paid. The small group of students give tours and stay in contact with potential students by phone and mail.
Pauline Sung, junior, and Takuya Jay Inoue, Countryside senior, greet each other at the Asian American Student Union both yesterday at the volunteer fair in the Kansas Union. The AASU was there advertising the activities and services they host and sponsor.
Pantoja said she remembered when she was recruited to come to KU. As part of a multicultural recruitment effort, Pantoja came to the University for an overnight stay. There, she found students like her. She thought she could fit in.
like her. She thought, Lisa Pinnamonti, director of the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said the office has increased its emphasis on multicultural recruitment over the past few years. Mercado is one of a three-member administration that organizes events aimed at minority students.
The administration works to organize events, such as multicultural senior day, multicultural junior day and Super Saturday which aim to showcase diverse facets of the University. They also send recruiters to predominantly minority areas of Kansas such as Wyandotte county. Their efforts also extend to areas of St. Louis and the Rio Grande area of Southern Texas. Mercado said at some of the high school fairs, they provide the only out-of-state option.
When students can backup what recruiters say, Mercado said, recruiting becomes easier. Pantoja said she works to connect with students. She meets students to give them a tour and she continues to stay in touch via phone calls and e-mails. She wants to make sure students don't go elsewhere.
don't go elsewhere.
After a year on the team, Pantoja didn't think she would be able to come back to the team. But the money, Pantoja said, certainly helps.
In the spring of each year, campus organizations can request E.O.F. funding from Student Senate. A separate committee is responsible for handing it out. The Multicultural Recruitment Team has applied for the past two years. Both times they got denied. But this summer, they got a surprise.
Jonathan Ng, former student body president and chair of the awarding committee, said the application was denied because the group asked for stipends,
7
not hourly wage. However, Mercado remained persistent.
During the summer, Ng and Mercado were part of a group that met again to review the application. They agreed on an hourly wage of $8/hour for members and $11/hour for the chair.
It was late this summer before Pantoja or Mercado knew they would get the money. Because groups don't always use the full grant, there is typically left-over
4.
money, Ng said. For this year, they've found enough.
But for next year, Ng said he hopes the group's funding will be more consistent. He has worked with the Provost's office to suggest funding be part of the tuition increase. As a diverse campus is part of the Chancellor's goal, Ng said this program fits the mold.
- Edited by Nikki Overfelt
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