6A
Tuesday, October 29, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Students ease tax burdens as volunteers
By Stephanie Fite
Kansan staff writer
They give their time and their knowledge of numbers for free.
The Volunteers for Income Tax Assist is an organization in the School of Business that helps low-income families and students in Lawrence fill out their income tax forms.
"There is a popular image of what lawyers and business people are. We are out to change that," said Jason Wiske, Wellington, third year law student and chief organizer for the law school's involvement in VITA. "We are out to gain experience and help the community."
VITA is an organization run by the Internal Revenue Service. Members must take a course in either federal tax or federal income tax law and pass a test. Last year, VITA was composed of about 20 business students, eight law students and students from the accounting club. The program operates from Feb. 1 to April 15 and has maintained a presence on campus for more than a decade.
The number of students and community members using the service is 50-50, Wiske said. Most of those participating have a strong background in accounting or interest in business.
"We contribute about two to three hours per week. Most CPA firms charge about $50 per half hour. We give them our time for free," Wiske said.
Annabelle Dang, Overland Park senior, said working for VITA had helped her appreciate what she has.
"It is good to gain the experience in accounting and to help the Lawrence community," Dang said. "I never realized how badly they needed help, and this provides a great service for them because it is one less thing they have to worry about."
VITA members work with Penn House, 1035 Pennsylvania St., three days a week during the height of tax season. Penn House is a social service agency that assists low-income families.
Linda Laffen, director of Penn House, said VITA had contributed to families for three years.
"People have become dependent on them," said Laffen. "Their help is the equivalent to a utility bill and a rent check."
Wiske said contributing to the community is what he enjoyed most. "When students and families get money back, that is a good feeling," Wiske said.
GTAC, other groups participate in project to increase recycling
GTAs donate recycling bins
By Kimberly Crabtree
Kansan staff writer
Graduate teaching assistants at the University of Kansas are helping the environment in addition to helping students.
At the beginning of the school year, GTAC, the GTA Coalition, received an anonymous, $100 donation to use any way the members wanted, said Konnie Leffler, GTAC treasurer. So the group decided to purchase eight recycling bins for newsprint.
"This was something that needed to be done right away," she said. "We were so concerned that the student body was so environmentally conscious that they would use the bins."
Once they had bought the green bins, GTAC members stenciled the group's name on the bins and put them next to aluminum can recycling containers in Wescoe Hall, Leffler said. There is at least one bin on each floor in Wescoe, and three on the fourth floor where there are more students.
Jennifer Schrolo, environmental chairwoman for Alpha Xi Delta, said members of her sorority took turns emptying the bins. Every other Tuesday, six members of the sorority spend about a half an hour emptying
Although the project originated with GTAC, other groups help the group empty the bins into the larger recycling center in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall, Leffler said. Members of Environs, Student Senate and Alpha Xi Delta sorority take turns emptying the bins several times each week.
Eight green, plastic recycling bins are used for newspaper recycling in Wescoe Hall. One bin is on each floor and three are on the fourth floor for use by more students. The bins were purchased by the GTA Coalition with an anonymous donation.
the bins.
Schrolo said the project helped her sorority, too.
"We just initiated a new environmental program," Schrolo said. "We went to Environs to see how we could help and they mentioned a
couple things, and this was one of them. We were like "We can do this."
When she presented the idea to the chapter, she said, members signed up right away.
"Obviously it was a very important issue for some people," she said.k
Travel awards provide artistic growth, prestige
By Stephanie Fite Kansan staff writer
That sum, awarded by Joe Zeller, director of the design department, was made into $1,400 when the department donated $1,000.
For David J. Vertacnik, associate professor of design, a chance to both pursue his professional interests and visit Slovenia came when he received a $400 KU faculty travel grant.
"It's an E.F. Hutton thing," Zeller said. "When we award these grants to our instructors, it gives them more credibility, because they are able to network with other artists and receive visibility with people in the region and in the world."
"We want to establish a reputation of quality and creative excellence," Zeller said.
Departments generally add to grants after they are awarded, usually covering the cost of a plane ticket, Zeller said.
Vertacnik is among three instructors in art and design to receive the travel grant this year. University faculty travel grants are awarded by the department head and the Graduate School and International Programs office. The $400 grant is pooled from state funds and those of the Center for Research Inc.
Vertacnik said his work was highly symbolic of the life cycle and that his trip to Slovenia enabled him to express his desire to incorporate symbolism in his works.
"I was able to look at art in a bigger context," Vertaknik said. "I really felt the history and longevity of the world before me. It made me aware of where I was and placed me in society."
The design department sends three to four faculty members each year to places like Mexico and China, Zeller said.
"When we attract attention, we get high quality faculty. When we have high quality faculty, we get high quality students. Scholars bring prestige, and that is the bottom line," Zeller said.
Vertacnik said his trip enabled him to combine his artistic passion with the Kansan and Slovenian agrarian cultures.
"Art is interpretive of passion because it comes from passion. It is important to see the works like poetry, in that it comes from the heart," Vertacnik said. "This experience has made me a better instructor, in a sense, because I am a better individual."
Enrollment process difficult
Students prevent problems;check times, alternates
By Erlin Rooney
Kansan staff writer
Enrollment time is here. The process involves advising, obtaining dean's stamps and standing in line at the enrollment center. Many KU students find the system has several time-consuming problems.
"I have three classes next semester and I needed five pieces of paper to get into them," said Julie Baker, Huntington, Ind., senior.
She tried to enroll yesterday but was told she could not get into two classes because she needed special permission to admit forms. She said she was surprised because she didn't know about the forms until she was at the enrollment center.
"I sat with my adviser for half an hour and he never mentioned I needed two of these forms," Baker said.
One knew her adviser was busy helping many students but said she still was annoyed that she had to walk around campus to get signatures. She also said she wasn't looking forward to waiting in line outside the center for a second time.
Brenda Selman, associate registrar, said many students had problems with enrollment but that preparation could alleviate most problems.
"Always list alternatives, not alternate times of the same course, but alternate courses. Just list as many courses as you can," she said. "Also, clear all holds and have the appropriate forms stamped. And check your enrollment time. Write it on your forehead or mirror or whatever it takes, just as long as you remember."
But as Carson Eilrod, Topeka senior, walked into the enrollment center, he said he was prepared.
"I followed the rules, I'm getting into everything I want," Elrod said. "In addition to that, I'm a graduating senior. I get what I want anyway. The world is my oyster."
Selman suggested students prevent problems by reviewing their schedules before they leave the center.
Enrollment tips
Check the closed and canceled course list, which is posted near the enrollment center, before enrollment appointment
Plan an alternative list of courses with at least five alternates
■ Have all special permission to admit forms signed; classes that need permission have an "I" or a "P" by the course number
Have dean's stamp and adviser's signature; students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and undergraduate students in the School of Business do not need dean's stamp
After students leave the center, no changes can be made to their schedules until add/drop, Selman said.
Ask professors of classes that may close before enrollment appointment to sign a closed-class-opener
- Make sure financial aid eligibility continues into next semester
Drop courses on scheduled date as outlined in the Timetable of Classes
Students can add/drop on Nov. 21 and 22 without a financial penalty, a $10 late fee is assessed starting Nov. 23
■ Credit/no credit can be obtained Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 1997
Students who miss their scheduled enrollment time can enroll between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at any later date.
Main enrollment began on Oct. 23 and will continue until Nov. 19. No penalty add/drop is Nov. 21 and 22. New student enrollment is Jan. 9, 1997.
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The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Lied Center Series
The essence of Tibetan culture maintained by its community in exhile...
presents
TIBETAN INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS
Saturday November 2,1996 8:00 PM
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