Volume 125 Issue 2
kansan.com
Monday, August 20, 2012
OLYMPIC DREAMS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
HAWK WEEK
PAGE 13
Bike rental program still coming soon
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Bike rentals on campus have been discussed, but delayed. In a 2010 survey, students, faculty and staff said that they would like to ride more bikes around campus and around town.
The University bike rental program, which was projected to begin at the start of fall semester, has been delayed. However, advocates for the program are still promising a roll out of the program.
VICTORIA PITCHER
editor@kansan.com
The bike rental program idea started last year as a KUlnited platform. However, the program was put aside after new Senate members were elected and larger projects took precedence.
Tapan Maji, an international graduate student from Kolkata, India, rides his bike that a friend gave him 10 miles every day from his apartment to the lab where he studies. Maji said riding a bike reduces air pollution; however, he wants to buy a car for when he needs to go places he can't get to by bike.
"We are still pushing forward with the project and hope to have bike rentals later in the semester," said Thomas Plummer, a junior from Towanda and Student Senate chief of staff.
Former student body president Libby Johnson and former vice president Gabe Bliss headed the initiative along with Plummer. Bliss said they saw a need for a bike rental system especially with international students.
The University Center for Sustainability is looking for ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the University emits. A 2010 survey of students, faculty and staff found that more students would ride a bike if there were more bike lanes on campus and on city streets.
Vanessa Sillman, a senior from San
Francisco, rides her bike to and from campus and places like the grocery store, but has found it isn't easy.
"It's hard because of the hills" Sillman said.
Sillman said she has popped a couple tires on her bike because of the uneven, brick roads. Sillman said where she comes from, biking is very popular.
Mary Chappell, director of Student Recreational Services and member of the bike rental program committee, agrees that biking is becoming the new thing for exercise and sustainability and that the bike rental program is only part of a larger movement.
"it's much bigger than a bike program," said Chappell.
Chappell said although they are looking at possible programs for campus, she thinks it could integrate into a city-wide program. The committee is looking at Outdoor Pursuits in the student recreation fitness center as the primary campus location.
Chappell said the University was looking at other schools, such as Washington State's Green Bike Program, to see what could work.
A possible bike share program would be paid for through student fees, virtually costless for students, and they would just have to swipe their KU card to get a bike for a day. For longer rental periods such as a week or a semester, Chappell said there could be a charge.
Chappell said there is no target date set for the program, but she thinks it could be as early as spring semester.
DIGITAL DOLLARS
Edited by Allison Kohn
Students clock in with new payroll system in fall
DYLAN DERRYBERRY
editor@kansan.com
Student employees will punch a clock with the click of a mouse under new payroll system.
They will no longer use paper time sheets to log the hours worked and instead will use one of two electronic methods: a time collection device or online web clock.
Student Assistant and Peer Advisor Chad Renner said that the change could help with "inaccurate" time keeping.
"As a student, it can be difficult to both be at school and keep track of your hours, but now we'll have a machine that can do it for you," said Renner, a senior from Louisburg. "It'll definitely be a lot more accurate statistically. There's times I may work ten minutes over. I may write down that I work 4.5 hours, but really work four hours and 40 minutes."
Recent graduate Abby Graszl, who is working in the Office of Study Abroad through the summer, agreed that the paper time sheets are often skewed because they are
only filled out every two weeks.
"It would be more accurate, that's for sure," Graszl said. "Sometimes it's hard to remember if you don't write it down every day."
"The University is state run, and the Union is its own entity, so we won't be affected by the change," Hinkle said. "Currently, we use a clock-in device that scans our whole hand print."
The University employs around 5,000 students each year through state and grant funding, student tuition, and other private sources depending on the position. Not all student workers will be affected by the change though.
dents will also be able to access web clocks from any device with Internet, including personal computer and mobile devices.
One hundred and forty time collection devices will be placed throughout campus over the next few months for student workers to easily access the devices, which are either a proximity card reader or a
Wichita senior Kimberlee Hinkle works for the Student Union Activities office and said that the Kansas Union is not technically a part of
"Time- and leave-reporting will be more accurate, and the complicated and time-consuming paper process, not to mention paper consuming, will be eliminated," Provost Communications Coordinator Gavin Young said. "This streamlines the process and puts the University in line with the best practices."
the university. Students who work there have already moved away from paper time sheets.
biometric fingerprint reader. Stu — Edited by Megan Hinman
once with neighbors can be a challenge, especially between University of Kansas students and permanent Lawrence residents.
The Good Neighbor program, created in unison by the University and the city, aims to strengthen relations between students and residents by providing students with information about good citizenship.
The initiative kicked off Thursday with about a hundred volunteers from six fraternities canvassing the Oread neighborhood with welcome bags. Volunteers, paired with city representatives, placed 2,000 bags on doorsteps with city ordinance information ranging from bike parking and house party protocol.
"A big part of going to school is learning how to live on your own," said Joe Monaco, a spokesperson for the event. "We are providing just some basic information about how
policies as their hometowns, Monaco said.
"People really care more here," Hess said. "It makes me feel good. It just makes me feel safer and it feels nice to be joining that community."
"This is the first in a set of many steps," said Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University and a Good Neighbor co-creator. "We are extending an olive branch today, but it does not end here.
Brad Hess, a freshman from Wichita and Delta Upsilon Fraternity program volunteer, said he was impressed by the University's initiative.
The Good Neighbor program is the first to fortify the University's connection with the city.
While no immediate events are planned for the future, Monaco said the University will continue the initiative throughout the year
—Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
CLASSIFIEDS 10
CROSSWORD 5
Trying to be more neighborly? Follow the advice of the Good Neighbor program.
-Parties: Notify neighbors before throwing a party. They'll appreciate you cluing them in.
-Parking: Do not park in the yard or in front of fire hydrants or driveways. Doing so can result in a fine.
-Pets: Animals need, to be kept on a leash within the city.
-Sidewalks: Sidewalks must be clear of ice or snow within 24 hours.
-Bicycles: Bikes cannot be locked to trees or other non-designed structures.
-Safety: Lock all windows and doors, including your car, and keep electronics and valuables out of view. Call Lawrence police if you see something suspicious.
CRYPTOQVIPS 5
OPINION 6
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 5
Index
Source: Good Neighbor program
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Sarah Glass, a KU journalism school graduate, performs under the name Miss Conception on Friday night for students at the Hawk Week Block Party. Miss Conception is the leader of Vibe Tribe KC, a performance company from Kansas City.
ks Nest
ANSAN
contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
If you're looking for some extra cash this semester, attend the Part-Time Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kansas Union.
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