JAYPLAY
How many times can you stand the same song repeated? Only a band recording an album knows. PLUS: Gael Garcia Bernal speaks up.
Walk-on Christian Moody's strong work ethic has earned him a starting position tomorrow against Vermont. PAGE 1B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18,2004
VOL.115 ISSUE 64
Fixed tuition debated
BY LAURA FRANCOVIGIA
francovigia@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Affordability, Predictability. Stability. These were what Jeff Dunlap, student body vice president, said incoming freshmen and their families would have if the University of Kansas had a guaranteed tuition rate.
The Student Rights and University Affairs committees passed the resolution to support the concept of guaranteed tuition rates bill at last night's Student Senate committee meeting. If full Student Senate approves the resolution in two weeks, the Student Senate might be one step closer to a guaranteed tuition rate.
STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SENATE
www.kansan.com
A guaranteed tuition rate would force administrators to plan four years in advance to set a tuition rate. The proposal would set a tuition rate for incoming freshmen that would be consistent for their four years at the University. The plan would not be implemented until 2007, after the five year tuition enhancement plan was
complete. The incoming freshmen class of 2011 would be the first class of students to be affected by the proposal.
A set tuition rate was part of KUited's platform when Steve Munch, student body president, and Dunlap ran last spring.
Munch and Dunlap began discussing a proposal with Provost David Shulenburger during the summer. Since then, administrators have worked on the logistical issues of a proposal. Questions such as how the University would decide a fixed price and how the University would collect enough money each year still needed to be discussed, said Lindy Eakin, vice provost of administration and finance.
Eakin said the University was explor
in feasibility and agreed the benefits would be to students and their families.
"We can clearly communicate to people," Eakin said. "Here's what the cost of your education is going to be."
Eakin said administrators also needed to decide how the University would handle special cases, such as graduate and transfer students.
Dunlap, Leawood senior, said differential tuition in each school should also be incorporated into the plan.
Munch and Dunlap looked at other universities with fixed tuition rates to research the plausibility of the proposal. Fixed tuition rates at other universities, such as Illinois and Minnesota
SEE TUITION ON PAGE 5A
Concert features old, new works
Wind ensemble performs tonight at Lied Center
BY AUSTIN CASTER
acaster@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Stage fright will not concern Dane Randel as he raises his trumpet with the KU Wind Ensemble tonight.
He said that as a result of all his practice hours, performing would be second nature to him.
"I don't really get stage fright," Randel, Topeka sophomore, said. "It doesn't really help to get anxious."
The wind ensemble will take stage at 7:30 tonight at the Lied Center. Hours of preparation will ensure a memorable performance of diverse works.
The unifying theme of the concert will be "celestial lights," said Sharon Leopold, trumpet player and graduate conducting associate from Lawrence.
"The way I look at it, I'm a tour guide," Leopold said about her conducting experience. "The kids are playing the notes. I get to let loose and be free."
SEE ENSEMBLE ON PAGE 5A
Percussionist Casey Miller, Hutchinson freshman, concentrates on playing a piece with the KU Wind Ensemble last night. The ensemble practiced for the last time before its final performance of the semester at 7:30 tonight at the Lied Center.
John Tran/KANSAN
Heard on the Hill
What do you think about the Rock Chalk bracelets?
"I think it's a great idea. People have to do it voluntarily. It's a great way to show school spirit besides buying
a T-shirt, which is way overdone."
Stephanie Craig Edmond, Okla., junior
"I think that it's great that money is going to athletes, but I hope it goes to a wide variety of activities. The dance
team needs money too."
Christina Gekas Eden Prairie,
Minn., sophomore
"I think it sounds like a good thing. It goes to a good cause."
Jerad Hurst Lawrence senior
Atheist spreads anti-'word'
BY ANDY HYLAND
ahyland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Dan Barker made his views clear last night.
"Christianity is not true. Christianity is a huge lie," said Barker, a preacher-turned-atheist. "The evidence for the existence of God is faulty."
The member of Freedom from Religion Foundation was at ease as he told the story of what he called his "deconversion" to the assembled crowd of about 500 people at an event sponsored by the Society for Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.
"When I was 15 years old, I felt this conviction within me that I should preach this gospel," he said. "And so I preached. I felt like I was a soldier on the front lines for Jesus."
He often sang songs of praise such as "He Touched Me" to illustrate his points as he told of his conversion to Christianity.
Barker said his faith was affirmed often, like when he prayed that a member
of his traveling church singing quartet would be able to speak again after the member had lost his voice. His voice soon came back.
"When you believe in God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, when you see things like this happening, it's terribly affirming," he said.
That began a slow process by which he started to question the basic tenets of his faith, he said, and eventually he reached the point where he felt that even God was a figure of speech.
But then, when he reached his early 30s, he said, "Something started to happen."
"I had dumped out all the bath water, and I found out there's no baby there," he said.
He said he began to read philosophers and "basic science."
He was careful to make sure his message was not misinterpreted.
He said that the ones who were the problem were "right-wing Christians" who didn't support the separation of
"We don't need to insult people we're all human beings," he said. "I think most Christians are good people."
"Some of it was hard to hear," she said. "I have experienced some of those awesome 'God' experiences. It's hard to hear that somebody thinks that's a lie."
Jennifer Wilson, Omaha, Neb., junior and a Christian, said she was glad Barker came.
She said she was happy she went, and would think about what Barker said.
Justin Gramarye, Fairfax, Va., graduate student, said that the easy way to describe his religion was to call him an atheist.
"I have utter contempt for these Christians." he said.
church and state.
"I respect him for having an open mind even as a fundamentalist." he said.
He said the best part of having him speak was just to get the word out.
Andrew Stangl, Wichita sophomore and president of SOMA, said Barker was there to speak in spite of obstacles such as people ripping down the group's flyers, Student Senate not wanting to fund Barker's speech and The University Daily Kansan not printing the correct date in yesterday's paper.
John Tran/KANSAN
A sunny surprise
- Edited by Steve Schmidt
The University Daily Kansan
111 Stauffer-Flint Hall
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© 2004 The University Daily Kansan
Temperatures reached about 70 degrees yesterday, which is almost 20 degrees above normal, according to Greg Tatro, KUJH meteorologist. The warm weather isn't here to stay, though. Tatro said students could expect rain for the next week, then temperatures will return to normal, and could expect below normal temperatures next week. The high for Tuesday is expected to be in the upper 30s.
Turkey time
© 2004 The University Daily Kansan
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The Black Law Student Association is still accepting donations for its Thanksgiving food drive. The organization plans on buying 150 turkeys for Lawrence families. PAGE 3A
Friday night lights
Vermont basketball coach Tom Brennan scheduled tomorrow night's game at Allen Fieldhouse so he could experience the 'Rock Chalk' atmosphere before he retires. PAGE 3A
Index
News Briefs ... 2A
Weather ... 2A
Opinion ... 4A
Sports ... 1B
Conics ... 4B
Crossword ... 4B
Classifieds ... 5B