Monday, August 18, 2003
The University Daily Kansan
HOME-GROWN ROCK Local musicians are no longer under the thumbs of big-time Hollywood producers. PAGE 6D
VOLUNTEER OPTIONS
Projects on and off campus allow students to
evade another night of watching television.
PAGE 12D
HOUSING
Section D
Security comes with insurance for renters
Protecting property with extra dollars could save money after disaster strikes
By Richard Gintowt
rgintowt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Students moving into rental properties have plenty of fees to worry about: a deposit, the first month's rent and new furniture to name a few.
But an unforeseen disaster could leave renters wishing they had made one more purchase—renters insurance.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, a New York-based trade organization, 73 percent of renters do not have insurance.
The $150 to $300 required to insure property for a year could be a worthwhile investment if renters have items of value.
Dennis Barbour, Kansas City, Kan., senior, lost everything in a fire on July 4, 2001. The fire could have been especially devastating considering that Barbour, a musician, had about $5,000 worth of guitars and amps ruined.
But Barbour and his two roommates had purchased a renter's policy from Farmer's Insurance and recouped about $7,000 apiece.
apiece.
"Without that I wouldn't have had anything," Barbour said.
Most students think they can avoid a major catastrophe, but they're not thinking about their basement flooding or their stuff
getting stolen."
Michele Kessler
Associate director of legal services for students
Michele Kessler, associate director of legal services for students, consults students who lose property in a fire or theft.
Kessler said she came across students with renters insurance only "once in a great while."
"Lots of students don't think they have stuff worth much money, but it doesn't take long to add up." she said. "Most students think they can
avoid a major catastrophe, but they're not thinking about their basement flooding or their stuff getting stolen."
Renters insurance covers personal possessions and liability if another person gets injured in the apartment.
injured in the apartment It can also cover the cost of temporarily living in a hotel if one's dwelling is unlivable.
Alejandra Soto, Insurance Information Institute representative, said taking inventory of possessions before buying a policy was a good idea. The inventory should include receipts from expensive purchases and should be stored in a safety deposit box.
"It's a great way to get in the habit of doing it so you'll know what to do when you buy a home." Soto said.
Students living in residence halls typically do not need renters insurance because they are covered under their parents' homeowners policy.
Most insurance companies offer some form of renters insurance. Insurance companies commonly offer discounted renters policies to auto insurance policy holders, Kessler said.
Edited by Brandon Baker
Avoid tangle with police
Photo illustration by Jared Soares/Kansan
Jaybowl, a bowling alley located on the first level of the Kansas Union, provides under-21 students with alcohol-free entertainment. Dawn Shew, Student Union Activities program adviser, said activities such as bowling were good alternatives for students who don't want to, or aren't legally allowed to, involve alcohol in their recreational pursuits.
SOBRIETY
Union offers under-21 activities
By Maggie Newcomer
mnewcomer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
When Patti Godsey arrived at the University of Kansas in Fall 2000, she was still 17. Her 18th birthday wasn't until mid-September.
"My friends had to sneak me into The Hawk," Godsey said. "They still talk about it."
Now, during her last year at the University, Godsey is quickly approaching her 21st birthday. For the last three
years, the Leawood senior, and other students wary of risking a minor in possession charge, has had to find alternative means of entertainment when she couldn't accompany her ID-blessed friends to the bars.
The Student Union Activities office, in the Kansas Union, offers safe, alcohol-free events to all students. The office organizes movies, comedy shows and concerts that are ideal for students who are under 21-yearsold, said Dawn Shew, SUA program adviser.
SEE ACTIVITIES ON PAGE 10D
Control group cracks down on underage alcohol usage
By Kevin Wiggs
kwigs@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
They roam through bars keeping an eye on all the patrons. They loiter outside liquor stores watchful of everyone who enters or exits. They are your Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, and they have one mission — to keep underage people from drinking.
As the new academic year starts, they are out in full force, with citations ready for the giving.
From July 1,2002 to June 30,2003,the ABC gave 61 minor in possession of alcohol citations, 36 possession of false ID citations and nine furnishing alcohol to minors citations, all in Lawrence.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is a part of the Kansas Department of Revenue. It was created as part of the Liquor Control Act of 1949.
The act created a system of regulating, licensing and taxing liquor sales. It set the legal drinking age at 21.The ABC continues to enforce the Liquor Control Act and now regulates over 2.600 liquor licenses.
The ABC has 15 agents who patrol the areas where they live in Kansas, said Pete Bodyk, operations officer for the ABC. They go to bars, restaurants, liquor stores and house parties looking for underage drinkers.
"We try to make our presence known," Bodyk said. "We look for where young people hang out and go to as many places as possible."
The ultimate power they have is the ability to take away liquor licenses from bars and stores.
ABC BY THE NUMBERS
■ Number of citations given by ABC for possession or consumption by a minor:
The Hawk ... 5
Granada ... 3
Jet Lag Lounge ... 2
Jayhawk Catering ... 1
Quinton's Bar and Grill ... 1
Cross Town Tavern ... 1
Jack Flanigan's Bar and Grill ... 1
Number of citations given by ABC for selling alcohol to a minor:
Danny's Retail Liquor ...1
Hird Retail Liquor ...1
Thev catch liquor
Source: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
They catch liquor stores by standing outside until a customer walks out and then checks his identification. They can also do "controlled buys" in liquor stores and bars. With "controlled buys," officers send in an underage person to attempt to buy liquor. If the establishment sells it to them, the next week a citation arrives in the mail. It will cost the store $1,000 and the clerk that sold it
SEE ABC ON PAGE 10D
HITCHIN'ARIDE
Bus riders get new access to routes
By Euron Meditz
emeditz@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Fall students will get to ride Lawrence buses for $20 with T-passes
This semester, students who ride the bus on campus will have the opportunity to ride Lawrence's public transit system as well.
The new T-Pass, on sale with campus bus passes beginning Aug. 18, would allow students unlimited access
to the city's transit system, also known as the T. Tim Akright, transportation coordinator for KU on Wheels, said the partial joining with the T would improve the efficiency of the KU bus system by eliminating overlapping routes.
"The T-Pass will not only serve as a great tool for students, but is also a first step to a more unified Lawrence transportation system," Akright said.
The T-Pass is a sticker for a student's bus pass that costs $20 for an 'academic year. A monthly unlimited access pass for residents to ride the Tis $17. The revenue, aside from set-up
Earlier this month, commissioners eliminated $50,000 of funding for the T when balancing the city's budget. Karin Rexroad, public transit administrator for the city, said the T-Pass program would not change. She said it would be another source of money for the transit system.
the transit system.
"If only 10 percent of the students who have purchased a KU on Wheels pass purchase a T sticker, we would see roughly $16,000 in additional rev-
fees, goes directly to the city transit system.
"Part of the attraction of this is the low price." Akright said.
The Lawrence City Commission approved the plan with little debate in June. Commissioner David Schauner said the new program was a win-win situation, for both KU on Wheels and the T before the commission unanimously approved the proposal.
Akright said he recommended the T-Pass to parents who were concerned about the safety of their freshmen students. The T buses run until 8 p.m. and also run on Saturdays.
enue." Rexroad said.
— Edited by Maggie Newcomer