Tomorrow's weather THE UNIVERSITY DAILY Cool tomorrow with periods of clouds and sunshine. Kansan Monday October 19, 1998 Section: A Vol. 109·No.41 Online today Need a pick me up on a Monday? These rejected greeting cards are really pretty funny, and laughter is good for the soul. http://www.shoebox.com/funny/funny.asp Sports today The Kansas football team lost 41-0 against Nebraska Saturday. The team has yet to win a Big 12 Conference game this season. WWW.KANSAN.COM SEE PAGE 1B Contact the Kansan News: (785) 864-4810 Advertising: (785) 864-4358 Fax: (785) 864-0391 Opinion e-mail: opinion@kansan.com Sports e-mail: mattf@ukans.edu Editor e-mail: editor@kansan.com THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS (USPS 650-640) Freshman members of the women's soccer team walk across campus advertising for their games. The stunt last Tuesday was a type of "initiation" for the freshman. The University has had to deal with several issues relating to hazing recently. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN Hazing not limited to greeks Soccer team, scholarship halls engage in possible infractions Kansan staff writers By Augustus Anthony Piazza and Brad Hallier The women's soccer team proved last week that greek organizations aren't the only groups that must follow University of Kansas hazing regulations. Tuesday, the same day PhI Kappa Theta fraternity was placed on interim suspension for unreleased hazing allegations, freshmen soccer players were told by the upperclass- men to dress in funny costumes and walk around campus singing songs as part of initiation activities. Dani DeGuerre, freshman midfielder, said she had to wear an ugly dress, a swim cap and a one-piece bathing suit over the dress. "It's something we do as freshmen," she said. "It's all fun and games." Katie Garrity, sophomore goalkeeper, said it was a collective effort by the team to come up with ideas for the freshmen. "They have to go to Watkins every day to get five condoms, because that is the most you can get," she said. "We blindfolded them in the dorms and stole their pillows." Ann Eversole, associate dean of students, said that when she heard about the soccer incident from a student, she contacted Richard Konzem, associate director of intercollegiate athletics, who was unaware of the incident. Amy Perko, assistant athletic director, said that she handled the situation administratively. She said she went to the captains and coaches and handled it within the team. "The team didn't think they were hazing," she said. "It was an innocent mistake on their part, but now they know." The University code states that any activity or activity that negligently or recklessly endangers someone mentally or physically would be considered hazing. It also states that if an activity negligently exposes a person to extreme embarrassment or ridicule, then it could be considered hazing. David Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs, said that Perko's informal action was the correct discipline but that he would look further into the situation. He said that if the person who made the complaint to the dean of students office wasn't happy with the way the See ANTI-HAZING on page 2A Vigil commemorates victims of hate crimes Kansan staff writer By Steph Brewer A Friday-night rainstorm didn't extinguish nearly 200 candles lit by University of Kansas students and Lawrence residents at a vigil held in the memories of two hate-crime victims. The crowd gathered in front of City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., from 7 to 8 p.m., while residents and representatives of various campus and city organizations spoke against hate crimes. After the speeches, the group walked down Massachusetts Street. The vigil was sponsored by the Freedom Coalition, a Lawrence civil-rights group. James Byrd, an African American, was dragged to his death in Texas this summer. Matthew Shepard, a homosexual University of Wyoming student, died last week after being beaten. At the vigil, Lawrence resident Diane Silver was met with cheers when she said that gays would not go back in the closet. "I know in my heart that they will never defeat us," she said. "We have a right to walk in Wyoming and Texas and Lawrence and in Topeka in front of Fred Phelps' church." Phelps is an anti-homosexual Topeka minister who nicknamed Shepard's funeral. David Brown, a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, said at the vigil that he regretted the fact that the event had to be held. "I regret that there's been death. I regret that we live in a society that encourages and gives permission to hate," Brown said. "People aren't going to think they have to change their ideas and become more open unless it's accepted by political figures," she said. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday in front of Wescoe Hall, the deaths were commemorated by the KU Student Development Center. A table was set with a petition in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that would expand federal injudication to reach serious hate crimes. Lisa McMurtry, Wichita freshman, said that for society to become more tolerant, politicians needed to be more open about differences. He said that Kansas was one of eight states without specific laws against hate crimes. At 13:00 p.m. the Campanile chimed 21 times, once for each year of Shepard's life. The table also had information about hate crimes and books for people to write messages to the families of Shepard and Byrd. Kathy Rose-Mockry, director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, said that by 1:15 p.m. about 80 people had signed the petition. Erin Easley, Kansas City, Kan., junior, said that her heart was with the families. "I pray for their families, but, most of all, I pray for the people who did this," she said. "I pray that their ignorance will be healed and that they'll open their eyes." Colleen Lefler, Lansing junior, holds a lit candle, Lefter was one of about 200 people who attended a candlelight vigil in the memory of two men who were victims of hate crimes. The vigil took place in front of City Hall from 7 to 8 Friday night. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazza/KANSAN Players prance coaches dance as season begins Women's team plays bigger role in annual Late Night celebration By Sam Mellinger Kansan sportswriter Basketball coaches Marian Washington and Roy Williams got jigy with it, Eric Chenowith was thrown off the Titanic and Luke Axtell strapped on a guitar and sang in front of 15,800 people at Late Night with Roy Williams Friday at Allen Field House. "They had some fun," Williams said. "Hopefully the fans enjoyed watching everyone look silly." Various men's and women's basketball players, along with spirit squad members, in parodies of "Soul Train" and MTV's "The Grind." Williams: Showed off his dancing skills at Late Night. ■ Nick Bradford showing off some dance steps to the tune of M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This." The men's and women's and women teams were equally involved, and equally silly. In the night's first skit, Chenowith asked Shirdy Robbins if she woul "like to come back to my cabin for some one-on-one?" That's when Chenowith was thrown off the boat. Other highlights: ■ Terry Nooner wearing a wig and goatette as Mr. Miagi and teaching Lester Earl the finer points of the crane-kick. Shandy Robbins, Nikki White, Nakia Sanford, Suzi Raymant and Heather Fletcher performing a song by the Spice Girls. Terry Nooner, Marlon London, Ashante Johnson, Jeff Boschee, John Crider and Big Jay performing as the Village People. Kenny Gregory displaying a See BASKETBALL on page 6A THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Student Senate's quest to get Hollywood Theaters to offer a student discount has made the first step toward progress — the two groups are talking. Alan Stearns, graduate senator, has talked to Tracy M. Bundy, director of marketing and communications for Hollywood, about the possibilities of the theater company offering discounts to students in Lawrence. Kansan staff writer By Seth Jones Student Senate asks theater to consider student discounts "She has been nothing but nice to me," Stearns said. "She wants to talk about what options are available for us. She is supposed to call me back when she knows more about what can be done." The idea to ask Hollywood for a discount on tickets originated in Senate two months ago. A letter was sent to Hollywood headquarters, based in Dallas, signed by Stearns, Mark Horowitz, graduate senator, and Maria Abatjoglou, liberal arts and sciences senator, on Sept. 15. Bundy received the letter but said she was not prepared to comment on it. "We don't have enough information to comment on if we could offer a student discount Bundy suggested that the University take advantage of the company's "Super Saver" program. in Lawrence," she said. "We could easily approve the Super-Saver program, though, where companies bby tickets in advance for $4 each and sell them through their own office. The University is eligible for the program." Stearns said he didn't think the University should have to serve as the middle man. "I think this contradicts itself," Stearns said. "They won't offer a student discount at the theater, but they're happy to offer us discounted tickets in an unlimited amount through their program. The only thing I can think of is that they want money up front." Bundy said the reason they could offer the program now was because it had already been approved. "Right now it's a program we're actually using," she said. "The studios we use know about it and approve of it." Sue Buckley, program manager of Student Union Activities, said she would talk to the company about the program. "It's an interesting concept, I'd definitely like to investigate it." Buckley said. "We already sell things like discounted tickets to Worlds of Fun and Blades games and other things." Buckley said that SUA didn't consider Hollywood direct competition with its theater because it shows different movies. bc