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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY GANSAN
news
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS MANAGEMENT
Editor-in-chief Hannah Wise
Managing editors Sarah McCabe Nikki Wentling
Business manager
Elise Farrington
ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT
Associate news editor Joanna Hlavacek
Sports editor Pat Strathman
NEWS SECTION EDITORS
News editor
Allison Kohn
PAGE 2
Associate sports editor Trevor Graff
Entertainment editor Laken Rapier
Copy chiefs
Megan Hinnan
Taylor Lewis
Brian Sisk
Designers
Trey Conrad
Sarah Jacobs
Opinion editor Dylan Lysen
Design chiefs
Ryan Benedick
Katie Kutsko
Photo editor
Ashleigh Lee
Special sections edito Kayla Banzet
ADVISERS
Web editor
Natalie Parker
General manager and news adviser Malcolm Gibson
Sales and marketing adviser Jon Schlitt
Contact Us
editor@kansan.com
www.kansan.com
Newsroom: (785)-766-1491
Advertising: (785) 864-4358
Twitter: UDK_News
Facebook: facebook.com/thekansan
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 50 fee. Subscripions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Summside Avenue, Lawrence, KS., 60045.
KANSAN MEDIA PARTNERS
The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published daily during the school year except Saturday, Sunday, fall break, spring break and exams and weekly during the summer session including holidays. Annual subscriptions by mail are $250 plus tax. Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 2015A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnypark Avenue.
HI: 37
LO: 14
Check out KUJH-TV on Knology of Kansas Channel 31 in Lawrence for more on what you've read in today's Kansan and other news also see KUJH's website at kujh.com
KJHK is the student voice in events. It’s rock’n’their rock or regale, sports or special events. KJHK 7:30 ’s for I'm a KJHK fan!
2000 Dole Human Development Center
1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kan.
66045
Wednesday
What's the weather, Jay?
Wundergournd.com
Clear, south southeast winds at 5 to 15 mph
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29. 2013
Partly cloudy, northwest winds at 15 to 20 mph
Friday
HI: 37
LO: 14
Thursday
HI: 41
LO: 16
Mostly cloudy, northern winds at 5 to 10 mph
Wasn't it just 70 degrees?
Better bundle up.
If only it were warmer.
Tuesday, Jan. 29
CALENDAR
WHAT: Back to the Burge Open House
WHERE: Burge Union
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ABOUT: KU Memorial Unions invites
students and staff to enjoy giveaways
and prizes at this free event. SUA will
provide cookie decorating, hot choco-
late and other activities, beginning at
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 30
WHAT: Tuesday Nite Swing
WHERE: Kansas Union
WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m.
ABOUT: The KU Swing Society offers free dance lessons to the public.
Improve your East Coast, Lindy Hop,
Hizzop Lindy and Balboa dance skills.
Dance partner not required.
**WHAT:** Dollar Bowling
**WHERE:** Royal Crest Lanes
**WHEN:** 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
**ABOUT:** Take a break from the library and enjoy a game of bowling for only $1. Prepare your game by watching the Disney Channel original movie, "Alley Cats Strike."
STATE
student Senate committee meetings
WHERE: Kansas Union
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m.
ABOUT: The University Affairs, Students Rights, Finance and Multicultural Affairs committees convene for the first time this semester. Students are welcome to sit in on meetings and voice their opinions.
Thursday, Jan. 31
**WHAT:** Tea at Three
**WHERE:** Kansas Union, 4th floor
**WHEN:** 3 to 4 p.m.
**ABOUT:** Enjoy free tea and cookies,
compliments of SUA. It's bloody good.
**WHAT:** The Junkyard Jazz Band
**WHERE:** American Legion
**WHEN:** 7 p.m.
**ABOUT:** Listen to traditional jazz from the '30s and '40s. Musicians welcome.
Friday, Feb. 1
**WHAT:** Kansas Conference on Slavery and Human Trafficking
**WHERE:** Kansas Union
**WHEN:** 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
**ABOUT:** Gov. Sam Brownback and the University co-sponsor the conference, which focuses on modern day human trafficking. The event is free and open to the public.
**WHAT:** KU School of Music Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble I Concert
**WHERE:** Lied Center
**WHEN:** 7:30 to 9 p.m.
**ABOUT:** Come hear student musicians jam out. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 general admission.
Dan Akerson, Chairman and CEO of General Motors, speaks with reporters following a ceremony at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan., yesterday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
GM plans $600M upgrade to Kansas plant
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — General Motors Co. announced plans Monday to pour $600 million into upgrades at its assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan., an investment that likely ensures the facility's long-term viability.
Construction on a new 450,000-square-foot paint shop, a stamping press and efficiency enhancements at the Fairfax Assembly Plant will begin this year and should take about two years to complete, GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said.
"This major investment is a vote of confidence in the employees and leadership of this plant and will allow them to continue producing beautiful, world class vehicles ... with the same quality workmanship that has defined the Fairfax complex for nearly 70 years." Akerson said during a visit to the plant.
Akerson told a crowd that included Gov. Sam Brownback, Mayor Joe Reardon and a few hundred Fairfax employees that the company was experiencing a
"renaissance" and that the Fairfax plant would be among the automaker's "crown jewels." He said the $600 million was among the largest single-plant investments in GM's history.
GM, one of the Kansas' largest employers, announced earlier this month that it would invest about $1.5 billion in its North American facilities in 2013. The company has invested about $2.5 billion in the Fairfax plant in the last decade, showing the company's commitment to Kansas City, Akerson said.
GM nearly ran out of cash in 2008 and needed a $49.5 billion bailout from the U.S. government to stay in business. The company went through bankruptcy protection in 2009 to shed debt and burdensome contracts. Since then, a smaller, leaner GM has made money for 11 straight quarters and piled up $16 billion in profits.
"You all have been through some times," Akerson said. "In fact, the last four years have been really tough. They've been lean. But the tail has turned. » By way
of your commitment, your tenacity, your persistence, your support, we have done more than just survive. GM is thriving with the best in the industry"
The U.S. government got stock in GM in exchange for the bailout, and last month GM bought back 200 million of its shares for $5.5 billion.
The government still holds 300 million
build the cars and reduce water consumption and chemical waste at the 572-acre site.
Akerson said Fairfax will be among the company's most ef-
"...The last four years have been really tough. They've been lean. But the tide has turned."
shares, but has pledged to sell them by early next year.
Production at the Fairfax plant, where the company makes the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu, is not expected to be affected by the construction, the company said. GM said the upgrade is designed to cut the amount of energy required to
GM sold 9.29 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, making it second only behind Japan's Toyota in global sales.
DAN AKERSON GM Chairman and CEO
GM employs nearly 3,900 workers at the plant, which has produced more than 12 million vehicles since 1945 and currently builds one vehicle every 58 seconds.
ficient, state-of the art facilities.
The Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse are made at the plant.
"It is amazing to have this kind of money put in this plant," said Joan Kelly, a quality engineer manager who has worked at Fairfax for nearly 29 years. "It means we're going to be around for a long time.
"It's a testament to the Midwest work ethic. I'm glad to see this money spent in the middle of America."
An investment this large means
that Fairfax could get additional models. At a minimum, it is likely to get future generations of the Malibu and LaCrosse.
"If they're going to be putting a lot of money into a plant like that, you'd better keep it around a vhile," said Jim Harbour, author of a book on auto manufacturing and the man who developed a widely followed annual measure of factory productivity.
Brownback said the investment would help boost the state's economy. "GM is back, and Fairfax is here to stay," the Republican governor said.
Both the LaCrosse and Malibu have been decent sellers for GM in the past, but sales have slowed of late. U.S. sales of the LaCrosse, a big midsize luxury sedan, fell 2.4 percent last year to just over 57,000, according to Autodata Corp. Malibus sales rose 3 percent to almost 211,000, but that's a little more than half the sales of the Toyota Camry, the midsize leader and the top-selling car in the U.S.
GM launched a new version or the Mailbu in 2012. The car will get a makeover this year.
Local 'Red Bull Girl' travels to X Games
At the bottom of Buttermilk Mountain in Colorado lies the Red Bull Energy Hub.
Vasu Gupta, a senior from Overland Park, was one of twenty Bull Girl's, a promotional team for Red Bull, working this year's X Games in Aspen, Colo. People could come by the Energy Hub and grab a Red Bull, watch the games on multiple televisions and take pictures with a real X Games gold medals in the photo booth.
Gupta has been a Red Bull girl for about seven months. She said she was happy she was able to work the
X Games because it has been a great time. Gupta said they were constantly busy working the Energy Hub and driving around Aspen "giving people wings."
"It's been an amazing experience, and we've worked long days, but at the end of the day, it's worth it," Gupta said.
X Games Aspen 2013 kicked off Jan. 24 and concluded last night. About 140 athletes competed in several events in snowboarding, skiing and snowmobile categories.
Hannah Barling
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Vasu Gupta, a senior from Overland Park, stands in front of the main stage of the X Games Aspen 2013. Gupta is attending the games as part of the Red Bull promotional team known as the Red Bull Girls.