Tuesday, December 8, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
Streets, lots near campus closed during construction
Workers building press box, installing, replacing waterlines
By Melody Ard Kansan staff writer
Utility and building construction near the University's Memorial Stadium has caused street and parking lot closings in and around campus.
Parts of Lot 59 west of Memorial Stadium were closed because those parts were given to the construction crews working on the stadium's new press box.
Although some areas of the lot are open to the public during the week, Donna Hultine, assistant director of parking services, said the entire lot was restricted during breaks in classes because the space was not needed by University employees or students.
"The section across from the elevator and the gravel section by the press box is reserved for the contractor," Hultine said. "During school breaks, we have been pulling the big sign across to cut down on traffic, but during classes most of the lot is open."
The parking lot will remain partially closed until the press box is finished next fall.
Across from lot 59, city of Lawrence crews have been working to install a new waterline on 11th Street between Mississippi and Maine streets.
Crews also will be replacing a waterline on Illinois Street between Eighth and 11th streets.
Both streets are reduced to one lane of traffic. Completion of waterline installation is weather-dependent, said Debbie Vansaun, assistant utilities director.
Kristi Elliott / KANSAN
The project began Nov.16 and is scheduled to be finished in 90 working days.
"We don't have a specific completion date because we can't predict the weather," she said.
I can't predict the weather, she said.
Corinne Gant, Downs junior, said she had not personally had problems with the construction on 11th Street, but she said it would not surprise her if it was a minor inconvenience for drivers during certain parts of the day.
"It seems like a bad place to do that because it is such a highly traveled street," she said.
Student Senate finishes semester with report card on performance
By Seth Jones
Kansan staff writer
Students, senators tell what they want to see in the future
With one semester complete, University of Kansas students and senators are looking back and evaluating the job Student Senate has done so far.
Dion Jones, holdover senator, thought Senate needed to work harder to reach out to students.
"When they were researching the recreation center, the task force made an effort to go to groups, to get input," he said. "We need to do the same thing and just tell people about Student Senate."
Ryan Dickinson, Overland Park senior, echoed those comments.
"I don't think Senate does much to get students' opinion," he said. "During elections and campaigns, they're out talking to students. After that, students seem to get lost."
Kelli Lucke, Chanute senior, said she was satisfied with Senate's attempt to reach students but was not happy with its handling of problems.
"They spend too much time on their petty little problems rather than important issues with our student body," she said. "But as far as making students aware of what they're doing, what are they supposed to do, put up billboards? I don't expect them to do that."
Korb Maxwell, legislative director of the Student Legislative Awareness Board, said at times he felt like things were not really moving.
"I think this was a good semester, but it felt like we didn't do enough, like we were not as active," he said. "It has nothing to do with individuals, just the group as a whole."
Kevin Yoder, student body president, noted the high points.
"Park and Ride has been very successful, and we've moved further along on campus recreation," he said. "The Hollywood Theater discount is an obvious positive, and we've become more involved with the city, among other things."
Yoder did not want to grade himself on his own job performance as student body president.
Next semester, Yoder wants to see more work done with student outreach, online enrollment and campus safety.
"I'm never satisfied with my work," he said. "I think that is one of my better attributes. I do feel like we came a long way, but we can do
Solid Senate
Student Senate is doing a solid job, according to these senators and students who were asked to evaluate Student Senate's job this semester.
Kevin Yoder student body president A-
Korb Maxwell SLAB legislative director B
Dion Jones holdover senator B-
Partha Mazumdar graduate senator B-
Ryan Dickinson Overland Park senior B
Kelli Lucke Chanute senior B
Kristi Elliott / KANSAN
even more in the spring."
Partha Mazumdar, graduate senator, also thought more could be done.
"Something like the Hollywood Theater discount showed that Senate can really do something if they put their mind to it," he said. "The problem is, we don't put our minds to much."
Robotic creations experience toils of war for students' final exams
"Campaigns go on next semester, and that always brings up new issues," he said. "Things will be a lot busier, and I hope everybody gets more active next semester."
Maxwell said he expected more to be accomplished next semester.
By Julie M. Sachs Kansan staff writer
Students taking the Theory and Practice of Robotics will not take a typical final. In fact, they won't take a final at all — their robots will.
For the final exam of the class, which is offered for the first time this semester, students divided into teams of three and worked on building the smartest robot. The teams will be entering their robot creations in a robot-type Olympics called Robot Wars, said Arvin
Agah, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
Robot Wars is divided into four events, Agah said. The team that receives the highest points wins the competition and scores highest on its final.
The first event is the lap race where the robots are judged on their speed.
Robots then are evaluated on an event entitled the Mail Delivery System. The robots must go out in the hall and race to each doorway in the hallway. The robot that goes to the most doors is the winner of the competition.
Agah said that anything goes in what he calls the robot sumo wrestling competition.
"The violent competition got the most excitement out of students." Agah said.
For the sumo competition, robots are put into a ring. Robots must push each other from the confines of the ring in order to prevail in the competition, Agah said.
The final competition that determines the final examination grade is the robot talent show.
Teams must create a distinct talent
that their robots can show off in the show, Agah said.
As with the sumo competition, Agah said that anything goes.
James Williams, Weston. Mo., graduate student, said the class has been a great learning experience.
He said the Robot Wars final exam is not unique to the University of Kansas; it also is used at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The robot final will be held at 2:30 p.m. in 1014 Learned Hall. Agah said any interested students could attend.
ROBOT WARS
What: Competition between robots created by Theory and Practice of Robotics' students.
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: 1014 Learned Hall
Who: Robotics' students and anyone else who is interested
Seeking: wit, humor, critical thinking
The Kansan is hiring a movie critic for the Spring '99 semester. Submit one sample to 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall. Submissions are due today by 5 p.m.Refer questions to Tami Miller or Steph Brewer at 864-4810.
NOTICE OF HEARING AND PROCEDURAL SCHEDULE
Proposed merger
The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled three public hearings and established a public comment period concerning the proposed merger between Western Resources, Inc. (WRI) and the Kansas City Power and Light Company (KCPL).
On June 17, 1998, Western Resources and KCPL filed a joint amended application with the Commission requesting permission to merge the two companies. The proposed merger, valued at approximately $2 billion, would result in the formation of a new electric company named Westar Energy. Under the merger proposal, KPL, KGE, and KCPL would be operated as divisions of Westar Energy, with Western Resources as the parent holding company owning 80.1 percent of Westar. Westar Energy's corporate headquarters would be in Kansas City, Missouri, with customer service operations located in Wichita and field operations located in Topeka. Western Resources holding company operations will remain in Topeka. In the application, WRI and KCPL said efficiencies gained by the combined company operations will produce approximately $900 million in savings over ten years.
Regulatory responsibility
The KCC must determine whether or not the proposed merger is in the public interest. This determination is achieved through an in-depth investigation of all the issues involved, testimony provided by all parties at a technical hearing and input from customers of both companies at public hearings. In addition to the issues identified in the companies' request, other issues raised include rate disparity between KPL, KGE and KCPI customers, stranded costs associated with power generating facilities, and whether the proposed merger would create a barrier to competition with respect to potential future competition in the retail electric industry. The merger must be approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Public hearings
The Commission has scheduled three public hearings concerning the proposed merger to provide an opportunity for the public to testify before the Commission. Each public hearing will take place in two parts. First, there will be a question and answer question to allow customers to ask Commission staff and company representatives questions pertaining to the case. In the second part of the hearing, customers will be allowed to make their statements to the three-member Commission. The following public hearings have been scheduled.
7:00 p.m. Monday, January 4, 1999 Wichita City Council Chambers 155 N. Main, C
7:00 p.m. Monday, January 11, 1999
Olathe Public Safety Building
501E, Highway 50, Olathe
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 1999 Kansas Corporation Commission 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka
The Commission also will accept written comments from Western Resources and KCPL customers through January 29, 1999. Comments regarding the case should reference Docket No. 97-WSRE-676-MER and be sent to the KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604-4027 or submit your comments through the Commission's Internet site www.kcc.state.ks.us.
The Commission will hold a technical hearing concerning the proposed merger. At this hearing Commission staff, company representatives, and any interveners will present their case to the Commission.
Technical hearing
Western Resources, through its KPL and KGE operating divisions, provides retail electric service to approximately 610,000 customers throughout eastern and central Kansas. WRI also provides wholesale electric sales and transmission service to numerous municipalities and electric cooperatives in Kansas.
About Western Resources
KCPL provides retail electric service to approximately 189,000 customers in Kansas City and the surrounding area in Kansas and to approximately 256,000 customers in Missouri. KCPL also provides wholesale electric sales and transmission service to numerous municipalities and electric cooperatives located in Kansas and Missouri.
About KCPL
For more information about the proposed merger or public hearings, or technical hearing, contact the KCC Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027 or in Topeka call 271-3140 Any person requiring special accommodations at a hearing site under The Americans With Disabilities Act needs to give notice to the Commission at least 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing date.
Additional information available
PRE-ORDER!!
S. PARK KIDS EVEN KNOW:
We'll save you more than other bookstores plus 5% extra OFF all TEXTBOOKS* Save time & money for Sp'99!
Books are packaged and waiting for you before classes start. Save time hunting for books and standing in lines. Pre-order customers receive first "shot" at all books in stock, with up to 30% off new prices. "When you pre-order before December 30, 1998 from the JAYHAWK BOOKSTORE, you will automatically receive a 5% discount on your total order. Just pick up, your order before classes begin for the extra discount. No minimum order, no hassles - no kidding!"
Please indicate semester this order is for: Fall Spring Summer
Dept/Course Number Instructor or Staff (Please note if Lab or Discussion Group) LINE Number (IMPORTANT) TIME / DAYS PREFERENCE New Used
ENG 203 Kielman (example) 82345 8:30 M W F | | ✔
| | | | | |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Your Books Will Be Ready 3 Days Before Classes Begin
Name ___
KU Address: ___
City ___ State ___ Zip ___
Home Address ___
City ___ State ___ Zip ___
KU Phone ___ Home Phone ( ) ___
Fresh ___ Soph ___ Jr ___ Sr ___ Grad ___
The Fine Print!
- Books not picked up by the 2nd day of classes will be returned to stock.
* Some books may not be available prior to the start of classes.
* All books are returnable, with receipt, through the 2nd week of classes.
* All NEW books must be salable an new to quality for full refund.
* To qualify for discount, orders must be received by December 30, '98.
* Discount applies to books available at time of order packaging and no other discount.
"The Pre-order Professionals Since 1978" Mall or fax to: