KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
PAGE 1B
RENOVATION
Summer-long project improves Wecoe Beach
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
RACHEL SALYER
rsalyer@kansan.com
Before the renovations, there was a lack of lighting along Wescoe Beach. The changes, which cost $250,000, will feature LED lighting and electrical outlets. Because of the heat, the crews are a few weeks behind schedule.
After overflowing with yellow construction tape and crews most of the summer, the Wescoe Beach terrace is scheduled to re-open to foot-traffic tomorrow.
scoce Beach underwent renovations this summer to provide more sitting room for students on campus. Construction took all summer long to complete.
The Wescoe Beach Renovation project updates Wescoe's nearly 40-year-old exterior. Former Student Body President Libby Johnson led the way to pass the project in May, dubbing Wescoe Beach an "eye-sore."
Construction was slated to be finished Aug. 1, but some budgetary delays and the heat pushed the timetable back.
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
To stay within the $250,000 allocated budget, the number of seat-walls and trees were reduced. The revised plan features 12 seat-walls, LED lighting, 10 electrical outlets, new shrubs and 12 new trees.
Although the greenery will not be planted until there is cooler weather next month, the rest of the terrace will be complete.
"The majority of the plaza will be open Friday for students to walk around, use and enjoy," said Peg Livingood, the project manager.
Though the plan is a little different than what her predecess
sor had in mind, current Student Body President Hannah Bolton is happy to see it come to fruition.
"We've been lucky enough to see the entire progress of the project, and we're really excited with what it's coming out to be," Bolton said. "It's going to be a nice-looking space for more students to use."
lets.
"Just to be able to charge your phone, or computer," Woodard said. "Technology is huge, so it's important that we provide a venue for students to use it."
As students themselves, both Bolton and vice-president Brandon Woodard are most looking forward to the new electrical out-
Another highlight is the increased lighting. Student Senate's Campus Safety Advisory board allocated half of the necessary $50,000 for lighting. University administration paid the other half and matched all project funding dollar-for-dollar.
Livinggood said, "I think students are going to love this space."
The additional lighting brings the area up to the University's lighting standard. Bolton said she hopes the improvement will help students.
The revamped space also allows an additional fifth tabling spot in
front of Jayhawk Boulevard for student group use, but Livingood is asking students to wait another week to start reserving spaces.
"Despite those delays, it's going to be a space where small classes and lots of students can gather,"
Edited by Kelsey Cipolla
RESEARCH
Student researchers take advantage of summer vacation
For student researchers, summer isn't a time go home or relax. Its an opportunity to work harder.
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
Griffin Roberts, a graduate student from Argenta, Ill., finds the summer to be busier than the regular school year.
"You are expected to achieve a lot of progress with the same amount of time," Roberts said. "It tends to be longer hours with
more obstacles in the way. When there are no classes, you have no excuse to not produce.[59]
Roberts' focus this summer has been managing a group of undergraduates as part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. His duties include helping the students stay on task, use lab equipment and adjust goals as research progresses. Roberts said his challenge this semester will be to digest data accumulated during the summer while still collecting more data.
Fellow chemical engineering graduate student Travis Wentworth from Berwick, Maine finds the break from classes allows for more progress on his research.
"The faculty tends to be more available for research questions, therefore you can generally find your adviser or another faculty member to meet with if you and help with research issues." Wentworth said.
While the summer heat was nearly intolerable for Wentworth, especially compared to Maine, he
appreciated Lawrence and campus were less busy during the summer months.
Wentworth is developing chemical agents for use in lean burn diesel engines and will begin an National Science Foundation fellowship this fall. As the semester begins, Wentworth will again take classes, work as a teaching assistant, and move his research over to the new Measurement, Materials, and Sustainable Environment Center. Wentworth estimates the
added semester duties require at least an extra 20 hours a week.
Carey Johnson, Professor of Chemistry, oversaw three graduate and one undergraduate student this summer as part of his research in microscopy.
"With no classroom teaching responsibilities, there is more time for progress on research projects and informal one-on-one teaching with students regarding their projects," Johnson said.
One of his projects allowed
him to travel to Regensburg, Germany, where he visited a collaborating group.
Johnson said most professors use summer time to focus more on research.
"I will spend more of my time in classroom teaching, so I will have less time for research," Johnson said. "This is also true for those graduate students who will have appointments as teaching assistants."
Edited by Kelsey Cipolla
STUDENT SENATE
Student Senate seats available for freshmen
For freshmen looking to get involved on campus, Student Senate is a great place to start. This year, there are five openings for freshmen, with elections coming up fast.
An information meeting for interested students will be held on Aug. 23. Prospective candidates must fill out paper applications and get 50 signatures by Aug. 27 in order to run. Elections are held online on Sept. 4 and 5, giving students a week to campaign on Daisy Hill.
Senate Outreach Director Alek Joyce said that when it comes to the campaigning process, almost anything goes. In previous years, students have made posters, chalked all over campus, shook hands outside of Mrs. E.'s and even rode around on bikes with megaphones, one of the more unusual methods of campaigning.
"Be as creative as possible," said
Joyce, a junior from Lawrence.
The only areas that are off limits are classrooms. Students must also get permission from complex directors before they can campaign in the dorms.
The competition can be fierce. Last year, 22 students ran, with the winners bringing in between 80 and 120 votes.
"It's really encouraging to see so many freshmen run," Joyce said. "It shows that they want to be involved."
Once elected, the new freshmen join committees with the rest of the senators and are given an equal vote.
Students can also apply for the JayLEAD internship if they want to get involved with a different part of senate. Students who make the internship work along side the Senate executive staff and have voting privileges, although they are not senators.
SENATE MEETINGS
Students who aren't interested in running for senate seats but still want to have a voice in campus politics can attend Student Senate committee meetings.
Meeting Schedule Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Kansas Union
Finance Committee Alderson Auditorium
—Elise Reuter
Multicultural Affairs
Walnut Room
University Affairs Centennial Room
Rights Committee
English Room
Make plans to attend this special event during Homecoming Week 2012.
j-school GENERATIONS CONNECT. CREATE. UNITE.
J-School Generations is your chance to network with J-School alumni and learn from their professional experience.
October 25-27,2012
Lawrence, Kansas www.journalism.ku.edu facebook.com/KUJournalism • twitter.com/KUJournalism #jschoolgenerations • youtube.com/KUJournalism
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