Monday, September 28, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
The Haitan choir Meli Melomane practices in Murphy Hall. Chancellor Robert Hemenwav and Professor Simon Carrington invited the eight-person choir to study
at the University. The man have been singing together for 13 years. Photo by Christina Neff/KANSAN
Haitian choir harmonizes at University
By Steph Brewer Kansan staff writer
One of the University of Kansas's newest choirs has excellent timing
— and not just in the musical sense.
The eight-man Haitian choir Meli Melomane was touring the United States last May when the members sang for Simon Carrington, professor of music and dance.
At the time, Chancellor Robert Hemenway was preparing to have the Board of Regents at his house for dinner and was looking for entertainment. Impressed by the choir, Carrington suggested they perform.
Carrington said he had thought it was impressive that the choir could sing with such style and grace.
This year, the men will be singing and studying at the University. Ricardo Lesperance, Port-auPrince, Haiti, freshman, has been awarded a full voice scholarship for the duration of his undergraduate degree. The other members were given partial scholarships this year to study at the Applied English Center.
The University accepted the choir's director, Cathy Parrill, as a graduate teaching assistant in the department of music and dance.
Fritz Gerald Esperance, Port-au- Prince, Haiti, freshman, said the men had been singing together in school for 13 years. In 1996, Parrill formed the group while she was doing volunteer work in Haiti.
Esperance said the chair had performed throughout Haiti and the
United States and was well-known in Haiti.
Parrill wanted to bring the choir to the University because Haitian universities did not offer degree programs in music. She also said the economic conditions of Port-au-Prince made it a less-than-ideal locale.
"It was wonderful because that's their country and they love to sing there," she said. "It was also difficult. It was a struggle to try to make good music there."
Musically, Parrill wanted to work with Carrington, who specializes in counter-tenor singing, the style practiced by Meli Melomane.
"I would say there is not another person in the world who is as well-qualified to be a mentor to the group." Parrill said.
Another attraction was the University's Institute of Haitian Studies, the only one of its kind in the United States, said director Bryant Freeman.
"We get very distinguished Haitian visitors because we're sort of on the Haitian map." Freeman said.
The choir now lives in Kansas City, Mo., at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. They previously had sung during Easter services there and were invited to stay when the church learned they would be moving to the United States.
Parrill said she and the choir would like to move to Lawrence soon.
"It is so difficult," she said. "I think these guys have more endurance and determination than anyone I ever met."
Computer system to replace PINE in two years
By Liz Wristen
By Liz Wrister
Kansan staff writer
For the second time in two years, the University of Kansas is purchasing new campus-wide computer software.
Beginning next semester, GroupWise will be phased in to replace the PINE e-mail system within two years.
The new software, GroupWise, will cost the University between $112,000 and $115,000 per year and will offer e-mail programming, a calendar feature and scheduling programs. It can also manage documents.
The cost of the new program, a Novell Corporation product, is based on the number of full-time faculty, staff and students, who cost the University about $4 a head each year, said Wes Hubert, associate
director of academic computing services.
Thelma Simons, network administrator for the School of Education, said that GroupWise would also include an online address book that would contain addresses of University faculty, staff and students, and a function that would enable students to store assignments in an online electronic folder.
Simons will take her position coordinating the implementation of the new system on Oct. 5. It's her duty to update the rest of the campus with the GroupWise software.
The source of financing for the GroupWise software has not been determined. Richard McKinney, assistant vice chancellor for information services, said the University had asked the provost's office to research financing options.
This is the second campus-wide
THE NEW SYSTEM:
The University will spend between $112,000 and $115,000 for the licensing of a new campus-wide software program called GroupWise.
GroupWise has e-mail programming, a calendar feature, scheduling programs and document management functionality. The software will not be available campus-wide for another two years.
Two years ago the University began to install another software program called PeopleSoft. PeopleSoft cost the University $2 million and included programs for human resources, student records and the University payroll system.
software program financed by the University in two years. The PeopleSoft system, which cost the University about $2 million, began being phased in two years ago and should be completely installed by the year 2000, said Travis Berkley, a local-area-network support supervisor who is working with KU Computing Services to help set up the GroupWise software.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway said that the new software would avoid problems that may occur when the dates on computers switch to 2000.
PeopleSoft included programs for human resources, student records and the University payroll system.
"One of the primary reasons we are taking on these new systems is so that we do not have to go back and patch up the old systems in 2000." Hemenway said. "GroupWise is a good universal e-mail platform and PeopleSoft will serve as a good personal system for the University."
Center works to strengthen advising process
Meetings scheduled to introduce freshmen to enrollment issues
By Melody Ard
Kansan staff writer
The Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center is sponsoring meetings in October to make enrollment easier for about 3,000 freshmen.
The center offers enrollment advising for freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 30 credit hours who are not advised within their schools or majors. For the first time, these freshmen will have the opportunity to meet the advisers the center has selected for them before the official advising period begins on Oct.16.
Beginning Thursday, the center will hold group meetings in which students will meet their advisers and will learn what to expect during enrollment, said Kathryn Tuttle, director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center.
"We want the students to come prepared to the advising appointment with an idea for a schedule, any questions and their major declaration." Tuttle said. "Their advising appointment will be much better if they
prepare for it."
SCHEDULE
Tuttle said students were notified by letter of the dates that t he i r assigned ad viser would be having meetings. A student only has to attend one meeting, and a reservation is not required.
Open Meeting Schedule for the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Tuesday, Oct. 13
5 p.m. in 4076 Wescoe
Wednesday, Oct. 1
12:30 p.m. in Mrs. E's
Banquet Room
6:30 p.m. in 507
Summervield
Thursday, Oct. 15
4 p.m. in 3140 Wescoe
However, the center sent some of those students postcards inviting them to the open meetings to get general information.
3:30 p.m. in 3140 Wescoe
These meetings are scheduled for Oct. 13, 14, 15 and 19 at various campus locations.
Some freshmen served by other programs—such as those in the honors program and freshman-entry programs in engineering, fine arts, and architecture—are advised within their schools and are not paired with an adviser from the center.
"We want the students to come prepared to the advising appointment with an idea for a schedule, any questions and their major declaration."
Kathryn Tuttle Director of the Freshman Sophomore Advising Center
Students, who cannot meet with their advisers during one of the scheduled group sessions can attend an open meeting.
"We have valuable information, so we hope that they all will come," Tuttle said. "We know that students have many conflicts, such as work and tests, so we will try to keep it brief — about an hour. We are not trying to add on to their burden."
Students can expect to be informed about general education requirements for their particular interests and about important dates, including add/drop and advising appointments. These meeting also will focus on
the implications of dropping fall classes.
Sarah Beaver, Shawnee freshman, said that she thought the meeting would answer her questions about advising and that she was glad that the information would be presented personally rather than through a brochure.
"It is easier to understand when someone tells you something rather than reading it," she said.
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