Monday, August 17, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section D·Page 5
Ombudsman listens to all
Campus Dispute hears complaints about the University
By Graham K. Johnson
Kansan staff writer
Members of the KU community who need to make an official complaint about the University of Kansas might want to speak with the University ombudsman.
"What the ombudsman office has always done is respond to whatever kind of conflict or frustration or problems people have and, when it's called for, try to provide some kind of assistance to get it worked out."
The ambudsman is an official designated to hear complaints, investigate and mediate disputes within the University. For 13 years, Robert Shelton, professor of religious studies, has served as ambudsman from his small office in Smith Hall.
This summer Shelton expanded the ombudsman's ability to resolve campus conflicts by creating Campus Dispute Assistance Services. The new program is designed to provide more specialized resources for dealing with conflict, Shelton said.
Campus Dispute Services will provide assistance in disputes with administration and faculty, counseling on University policy and basic problem-solving advice. Shelton said the new
"What the ombudsman office has always done is respond to whatever kind of conflict or frustration or problems people have and, when it's called for, try to provide some kind of assistance to get it worked out," Shelton said.
Robert Shelton University ombudsman
program would involve eight to 10 faculty and other individuals with training in conflict resolution.
Use of Campus Dispute Services is free and confidential, he said.
Shelton said that even though he would help anybody with any problem, he did not want the new program to be viewed as a personal counseling center. The ombudsman's office focuses on disputes and complaints with the University or people associated with the University.
Shelton said that many of the people he had counseled were young undergraduates who were confused by the bureaucracy of the University or felt wronged by it.
"If we are going to get anything done, we have to have institutions, and institutions tend to get bureaucratized," Shelton said. "But individuals have to learn how to work with those things if they want get on with their lives."
Shelton said that such cases usually involved discussing the problem and providing options for people. But his office is empowered to obtain the
records of all parties involved and to help them workout a resolution satisfactory to both sides, Shelton said.
Though the ombudsman's office has no judicial or administrative power, Shelton said it commanded respect because of its status as an independent office appointed directly by the chancellor.
Jo Hardesty, director of Legal Services for Students, said that her office had referred students with complaints against the University to other offices, including the ombudsman, in the past.
Student Senate, which funds Legal Services, would not allow Legal Services to counsel students with such complaints, Hardesty said. Recent legislation by Student Senate repealed that restriction.
She said that Legal Services would start its own program this month to help students with complaints against the University.
To reach Campus Dispute Assistance Services or the ombudsman's office call 864-4665. To reach Legal Services for Students call 864-5665.
In-state tuition difficult for out-of-staters to obtain
For a Chicago student to pay the same tuition as a student from Leavenworth, he or she must establish Kansas residency.
By Molinda Weaver
Kansan staff writer
This is more difficult than it sounds.
There are three criteria to meet before getting instate tuition.
The applicant must have lived in Kansas for 365 days prior to the semester for which he is hoping to receive in-state tuition and be able to apply documented proof of residence, such as a note from a landlord or a lease agreement.
The second criteria is that the applicant must rely on in-state sources for financial support. A job that provides the student with enough money to pay all expenses counts, but if he or she relies on parents who live outside of Kansas, the student is ineligible. Financial aid does not count for or against the applicant.
The final regulation requires applicants to prove they plan to remain in Kansas indefinitely, not just during their education.
Ways to prove this include getting a Kansas driver's license, registering to vote in Kansas, registering a car in Kansas or paying Kansas taxes.
"The third prong makes or breaks people," said Zach Weiland, Leavenworth graduate student. "You can get a Kansas driver's license or register to vote in Kansas, but sometimes you still will be denied because it's arbitrary."
"It is a hard process, but for financial purposes,
it's worth it." Weiland said.
Weiland claims his home town as Leavenworth, but since he moved out of the state for six years, and his parents also moved, he lost Kansas residency. As a law student, he watched his tuition fall from $12,500 to $500 a semester by establishing residency.
Good ways for full-time students to prove they are not in Kansas only for an education are to become licensed in a practicing profession in Kansas, buy a home or accept a permanent full-time job.
"The biggest misconception is that KU makes the rules," said Marla Herron, assistant registrar. "Students come in here angry at the University,
Kansas residency requirements
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Students must live in Kansas for 365 days prior to the semester for which they are applying for residency.
All financial support must come from in-state resources
■ Must have a valid Kansas driver's license.
■ Must be registered to vote in Kansas.
Students must prove that they will remain in Kansas indefinitely, not just for educational purposes.
but it isn't us who make up the rules."
Because the University is a state-funded school, the state legislature decides who is or is not a resident. All of the Board of Regents schools follow the same rules.
Any student who is rejected can appeal. The appeals committee makes the final decision.
It is the Office of the University Registrar that reads through the applications and decides if they meet the requirements.
If they are rejected again, they must file a suit in district court.
Students can reapply every semester.
"The law is pretty straight forward," Herron said. "Any student who is rejected can figure out why and how they can fix it."
The advantage of going through all the trouble are the tremendous tuition savings. This fall, instate students will pay $69.05 for each credit hour. Out-of-state students will pay $283.00.
The law does have loopholes that allow students to receive in-state tuition without completing the residency process.
"I cheated," said Dane Bailey, St. Joseph, Mo., sophomore. "My brother already lived here, so I moved to Lawrence my senior year of high school. If you graduate from a Kansas high school, you are automatically qualified for in-state tuition."
For students who don't have that option, Weli land has a piece of advice.
"Be persistent, but don't be rude," Weiland said. "Inquire and follow up. Go in person because it's harder to turn down a person than a piece of paper."
The Kansan is the KU student's newspaper
If you're headed for college, Central National Bank wants a word with you: FREE.
That's right. FREE checking when you open a STUDENT ACCOUNT at Central National Bank. Just deposit $50 to open your account and then relax The only deductions to this account will be the ones you make.
603 West Ninth·785-749-5444·Fax 749-1414·35 ATM Locations Statewide 711 Wakarusa Drive·785-841-3600·Fax 838-1899
711 Wakarusa Drive • 785-841-3600 • Fax 838-1899
The Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Center 1116 Louisiana (Between 11th and 12th)
Sunday Worship- 5:00 p.m. followed by free dinner at 1116 Louisiana
He died to take away your sins. Not your mind.
You don't necessarily have to stop thinking when you walk into a church. Come and talk about your faith and raise questions at
Tuesday worship- 12:00 noon at Danforth Chapel/KU
*Member FDIC
weekly Bible study groups and weekly prayer groups.