Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 6, 1998
Campus cash-to-card machines will not process new $20 bills
All five locations lack software to read money
By Sarah Hale
Kansan staff writer
The redesigned $20 bill has been in circulation for a few weeks, but students shouldn't be too quick to use them at some places on campus.
The cash-to-card machines, which allow students to put money on their University of Kansas smart cards digitally, are not accepting the new bills.
The five machines located at the Kansas Union, Burge Union, Watson Library, Computer Center and Wescoe Hall have not been installed with the new software that reads the bill.
"We haven't even received the software from the Federal Reserves," said Mary Ann Graham, KU card center manager. "After we receive the software, we'll fix it."
Graham said that that she hoped the cash-to-card machines could be updated by mid December.
The Federal Reserves haven't issued the software anywhere in the United States. Other machines that accept money, such as those at laundromats or casinos, also have had problems.
"From what I understand, it's a problem with the computer software and nothing else," said Mark Gonzales, community bank president at Commerce Bank. "Students that need to exchange a new bill for an old one can do so."
Gonzalez said that the Commerce Bank in the Union had prepared for an influx of students asking for old bills.
Janice Arneson, supervisor of cash handling at the Union, also said that the check-cashing window would be able to make exchanges for students.
Graham said that as soon as the card center was aware of the problem, signs were placed by all of the cash-to-card machines.
"I haven't found any new $20 bills in the machines, so I know that the machines aren't eaten them," Graham said. "I don't know what would happen if a student tried it, but I haven't had any complaints."
As the new bill starts to circulate more frequently, students hope that the problem can be fixed at all locations.
"I don't use the smart card for money, but that's kind of inconvenient for those who do," said Alana Johnston, Manhattan freshman. "You'd think they would have thought of that sooner, especially with all the hope for the new bill."
Although the new $10 and $$ bills have not be released, they will be included in the new software. This will prevent similar problems in the future.
Cash-to-card machines will not accept the new $20 bills until December. Photo illustration by Corie Waters/KANSAN
Six new cash-to-card machines also will be added around campus. Those that are installed after December will have the updated software.
Lawrence programs net HUD funds
Rv Chad Bettes
Kansan staff writer
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Lawrence Housing Authority more than $110,000 to combat illegal drug use and drug-related crime in public housing.
This is the fifth year the housing authority has received money from HUD's Drug Elimination Grant program. The authority contracts with DCCCA Inc., a Lawrence treatment center, to administer its anti-drug program out of the Edgewood public housing complex.
Kris Hermanson, the drug elimination program coordinator for DCCCA, said the grant would sustain important programs that have made a difference in Lawrence.
"There has been a 40 percent decrease in crime over four years in Lawrence's public
housing." Hermanson said.
Hermanson said a few programs include parenting classes, life skills courses, computer training, neighborhood watch programs and private security patrols for public housing areas.
There are 130 public housing units at Edgewood and 238 others scattered throughout Lawrence. Edgewood is primarily a family-housing area, Hermanson said, while many of the other units accommodate senior citizens or people with handicaps.
Job referrals and an educational resource library available at Edgewood help people get the tools they need to work, Hermanson said. This, in turn, helps them to stay out of trouble.
"I'm not saying crime is totally eliminated, but Edgewood Homes is pretty safe," she said.
Lawrence Police Sgt. George
HUD GRANT
Who: HUD awarded the money to the Lawrence Housing Authority
Why: The grant is to be used to continue anti-drug programs with the hope of reducing drug-related crime in public housing.
Wheeler said the anti-drug programs had been helpful. The police department coordinates efforts with the private security company at Edgewood.
"That complex has changed drastically in the last 10 years for the better." Wheeler said.
He acknowledged that despite the improvement, illegal drugs and crimes related to drugs remain a priority for the Lawrence Police Department.
DCCCA's anti-drug programs are prevention-based, rather
than reactionary. Hermanson wants to stop problems before they start.
Literacy, training is another component of prevention. Through the Students Tutoring for Literacy program, public housing residents receive assistance in learning to read or improving their reading skills.
The University of Kansas Center for Community Outreach participates in the literacy effort. Chris Hess, Wichita junior and center co-director, said the literacy outreach was one of his favorite community service efforts.
Hess said KU students go out weekly to 10 sites in the community, including one on campus. One focus of the literacy effort is to prepare adults to take the GED test.
"It was a very humbling experience tutoring someone twice you age who has a fourthgrade reading level," Hess said.
Frost Mason accepts Alternative Spring Break faculty sponsor position
By Carolyn Mollett
Kansan staff writer
Sally Frost Mason will stray from her normal teaching responsibilities when she serves as the faculty sponsor next semester for the Alternative Spring Break program.
Frost Mason, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who normally teaches in the Division of Biology, will teach a Human Development and Family Life course. HDFL 606. The course is designed to prepare the students for their work during spring break.
"It's not really a classroom experience in the traditional sense." Frost Mason said.
"I have a sense of what these kids are feeling," she said.
The program's student directors and Linda Luckey, assistant to the dean of the college, will assist Frost Mason in teaching the course.
Alternative Spring Break is designed to provide a classroom learning environment with hands-on community service, said E.J. Reedy, Torpea sohmore and co-director.
This year during spring break, the program will send students to locations across the United States to work for environmental improvement, cultural diversity and education and to end hunger and help the homeless.
Frost Mason also will draw on her own service experience as a college student, when she worked for many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity.
Frost Mason said the class would feature guest speakers from the University of Kansas faculty and the community who have experience in service work. Reedy said a diversity peer team would come to inform students about the regions they would be working in.
Reedy said the class also allowed students to get to know each other before they spent spring
break together.
The program is in its fifth year, and Frost Mason has been interested since its beginning. She said three students came to her with the idea for an alternative spring break and partial funding. Frost Mason said she liked their vision and agreed to help provide the remaining funds for the students with money from the college's unrestricted endowment fund.
Since the first year, the
Since the first year, the group has grown from seven students at one site to 110 students at 11 sites. Frost Mason said it was gratifying to have seen the program grow so quickly. She said the program was an indication of the growing idealism in the students' generation, and she was happy to see that.
Students who participate must attend the class and complete a research assignment.
Frost Mason: Has been interested in program for years.
They can earn 0 to 2 hours of credit
The cost is $155 for volunteers and $80 for site leaders, who usually have previous experience with the program.
The program's cost is supplemented by fundraising, the college's endowment money, the Student Affairs Office, proceeds from the University's Coca-Cola contract and the School of Education.
A limited number of scholarships are provided.
Applications for the program can be found on the Web site at www.ukans.edu/u~/asb. The applications are due Monday at the Center for Community Outreach in the Kansas Union.
Holiday party at Eldridge Hotel to kickoff season for business
Kansan staff writer
By Chris Fickett
Holiday shopping enthusiasts can begin to prepare for lights, parades and store clearances in downtown Lawrence.
Businesses will share ideas and announce their plans for this year's holiday season at the first party to kickoff the holidays downtown. The party, "A Festive Beginning," will take place from 5:30 to 8 tonight in the Eldridge Hotel's Crystal Room.
Although the day after Thanksgiving is considered the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, tonight marks the official start for downtown Lawrence businesses.
The event offers businesses a chance to network and share ideas about their holiday plans. Not-for-profit organizations will also be at the event to announce their holiday fund raising plans.
Marcia McFarlane, administrator for Downtown Lawrence Inc., said that this was the first social event of its kind in downtown.
Plans also will be announced for downtown
THE DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY KICKOFF PARTY
Where: The Eldridge Hotel's Crystal Room
When: 5:30 to 8 tonight
holiday decorations and the annual lighting ceremony.
McFarlane said that this year's ceremony would feature new lights and decorations.
"The thing I have heard the most is that the merchants wanted something spectacular and different to attract people downtown," McFarlane said.
Rob Phillips, Eldridge Hotel manager, said that he would reveal plans for the sixth annual Eldridge Hotel Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.
Phillips said that the holiday season and the parade attracted out-of-town business to the hotel.
Phillips expects more than 100 horse-drawn carriages from across the Midwest to enter in the parade.
Fine arts classes not scrimping on schoolwork
By Mariana Paiva
Kansan staff writer
Ricardo Moreira, an architecture major, decided to take introduction to world dance for fall the semester.
Some students who take fine arts classes for fun or as an easy way to fulfill a requirement may find there is more work than they expected.
"I thought it would be easy, but it turned out that we had to do several things I didn't expect, like dance, attend several performances and write papers about them," said Moreira. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, junior.
Moreira never returned after the first day of class. He said that because he had other choices to fulfill the same requirement, he would not enroll in a course that consumed his time.
"I thought the class would be interesting, but when I took it, I thought it would be a lecture type of class," he said "It was very demanding, and
Professors who teach fine arts do not consider their classes easier than others taught in the University.
it required a good background in arts."
"The University is not a private studio where students take classes and leave," said Janet Hamburg, professor of dance. "They come here to learn more about the art forms they are studying."
Hamburg said students who enrolled in her introduction to modern dance class were expected to attend performances and write papers. The requirements, also include watching videos and reading books.
Ron Willis, professor of theater, said he does not require a textbook in class, but he expects students to attend all University Theatre productions and two shows performed off campus.
"If what they are studying is live theater, they have to get in touch
Angie Cross, Wichita junior, said she was required to watch seven performances for her dance class, spending an average of $12 per show.
with live theater events," he said.
"Otherwise, it is like learning how to swim and not going near the pool."
"It can be quite expensive in the end," she said. "I don't mind paying for those performances because I would go to most of them anyway. What I don't really like is to go to these shows and know that I'll have to write a paper about it."
Hamburg and Willis said most students seemed to like attending shows and that they never have received a complaint about it.
Jane Stoever, Overland Park Junior, said she knew she would have to attend performances and write papers when she took a dance class.
"I thought it was neat to learn the basics of modern dance and then get a chance to see performances by professional dancers," she said.
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