ON THE HILL
Monday, August 16, 2004
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
www.kansan.com
Tunnels pique interest
Danger lies in structurally unsound underground system
B y Erik Johnson
ejohnson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Ryan Daume was taking his regular jog near the construction site of the Student Recreation Center late last summer when he noticed a door on the side of a small hill that didn't seem to be part of any building.
Curious, the Dallas senior quietly approached the door and, to his surprise, found it unlocked. He opened it revealing a long, dimly lit concrete hallway dripping with water.
"I knew it was one of the tunnels,"
What Daume found was an entrance to the University of Kansas' tunnel system. Nearly five miles of tunnels wind under campus, accessing almost every major building on campus, excluding those on Daisy Hill and West Campus.
he said. "I had heard a little about them, but was curious enough to want to find out for myself, so I started walking."
one Daume stumbled upon — are added when new buildings are erected.
"They're definitely not a safe place to be," said Vernon Haidl, "physical plant supervisor senior. "They get real hot, and it's a small, confined area that's easy to lost in."
The tunnels serve as housing for steam lines to heat water, condensate, electrical, telecommunications and water. Some sections of the tunnels are as old as campus itself, dating back to the late 1800s. New sections — like the
The original areas of the tunnel were mined into a layer of shale and constructed with a brick-arched roof. But by the mid-1960s, portions had been visibly deteriorated by water and age, and crews spend each summer fixing problem areas that are in danger of collapsing.
All sections of the tunnel are lined
"That's a different kind of dark too," said Bill Cox, physical plant supervisor. "You could hold your hand right up to your face and still not see a thing."
with lights about every 10 yards, but many of the switches have never been replaced and are in danger of going out.
Cox said steam lines that ran through the tunnels generated huge amounts of heat, and though unlikely anyone inside the tunnels if a line should break would be in serious trouble.
Daume said he wasn't worried while
SEE TUNNELS ON PAGE 11C
Problems delay new eatery
Terrace to open in September; convenience, food worth wait
By Erik Johnson ejohnson@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Wescoe Terrace will have a drastic new look this fall. And though eateries won't be ready to open and renovations won't be completed until nearly a month after classes begin, project managers are confident that more convenience and better options will make any delays well worth the wait.
Renovations were originally scheduled to be finished by Aug. 7 so new stores could move in and be ready to open for the first day of class. But a series of minor delays have pushed that date back to sometime between Aug. 24 and 27.
Director of building services at the KU Memorial Unions Pat Beard said after construction was completed and the "little stuff," such as new tables, chairs and TVs, were installed, stores would have a few weeks to get ready for a mid-September grand opening.
"We're going to try our best to beat that date," Beard said. "But we'll see. Nothing's ever for sure."
Some early phases of the project were made difficult at first because of poor floor conditions, Beard said. Accessing sewer lines was difficult for construction crews as well because they were much lower in the ground than first expected. Minor changes in food service equipment and plumbing lines also caused delays.
"Other than the few hiccups we've had here, everything's been really smooth." Beard said.
A classier dining area will replace wobbling tables and rusting stools. Stand-up counters for students looking to grab a quick bite will replace cold-concrete benches.
The new Wescoe Terrace is being designed for a more comfortable all-around eating experience. Eateries like Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut and Quiznos will replace the sandwich counter and hot-dog stand of the old Wescoe.
Perhaps the biggest advantage the new terrace will have is a Hawk Shop and C-Store that will remain open after the food court closes. Students studying late at Anschutz Library or Budig Computer Lab will no longer have to trek across campus to the Kansas or Burge unions for a late-night snack or caffeine fix.
Steve Scannell, assistant director for the Design and Construction Management team, said students would find the short delay worth the wait because the much-needed improvements would serve students much better.
"When this is finished it will look a lot more like the Kansas Union than the old Wescoe food court," Scannell said. "People are going to be able to move in and out much easier than before so, best of all, no lines."
— Edited by Amanda O'Toole
Courtnev Kuhlen/KANSAN
A construction worker walks past supplies for the remodeled Wescoe Terrace, scheduled to be completed between Aug. 24 and 27. Eateries such as Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut and Quiznos will replace the sandwich counter.
University encourages meningitis vaccination
By Julie Jones
jjones@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Between five and fifteen college students die each year in the United States from meningitis, according to the American College Health Association. Since 1991, the number of college students and young adults with meningitis has more than doubled.
College students living in group housing are particularly at risk for severe cases of meningitis, said Myra Strother, Chief of Staff at Watkins Health Center. Though the disease is rare and usually occurs in isolated cases, it can be fatal or cause serious, lifelong complications.
Smoking, attending bars and consuming alcohol increase the risk of meningitis. Those with immunity deficiencies are also at an increased risk.
After Andy Marso, St. Cloud, Minn., graduate, was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis in April, the University of Kansas made a bigger push to get information about the disease to all students living in group housing this year. Marso
Students living in groups are at risk for severe cases of meningitis. Though the disease is rare and usually occurs in isolated cases, it can be fatal.
was living in Pearson Scholarship Hall when he fell ill with the disease.
Informational brochures recommending the meningitis vaccine were sent to students with their housing contracts. The brochures were also given to Panhellenic associations, KU residence halls, scholarship halls and Naismith Hall.
The University recommends all students in group housing get vaccinated, Strother said. Students not in group housing should read about the disease, know the warning signs and seriously consider the vaccination.
The vaccine is 85 to 100 percent effective in preventing two-thirds of the most common bacterial meningitis types. Strother said the vaccine was relatively safe and lasted three to five years. Vaccinations cost $75, sometimes covered by insurance companies, and are available at Watkins Health Center.
"I don't want students to get a false sense of security about the vaccine," Strother said, pointing out that the type of bacterial meningitis Marso had was not covered by the vaccine.
Pharmaceutical companies are working on a new vaccine with longer lasting effects, but it probably won't cover more types of the disease. Strother said. The new vaccine should
SEE MENINGITIS ON PAGE 11C
Traditions reflect 'legacy of excellence' at University
Joe Burke
jburke@kansan.com
jikansa staff writer
Patrick House can remember growing up listening to his father talk about the many traditions at the University of Kansas. His father ran track as a student and loved his time at the University.
He couldn't believe his eyes as 16,000 fans joined arms to sing the alma mater and then in unison began the chant that seemed to echo all throughout Lawrence:
But the Leawood senior will never forget the first time he experienced the Rock Chalk Chant in person at Allen Fieldhouse.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk K-U
Rock Chalk, jayhawk, K-U
Rock Chalk, jayhawk K-U
"It was one of the coolest things!"
"It was one of the coolest things I
"It was one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of. You really feel a part of something larger during the chant."
Before every home men's basketball game, fans join in one of the oldest traditions at the University — its famous Rock Chalk Chant.
have ever been a part of," House said. "You really feel a part of something larger during the chant."
Patrick House Leawood senior
It is one of the many traditions that every KU student has the opportunity to be a part of during their time in Lawrence.
Shanda Hurla, Hawk Week coordi
nator for the Office of New Student Orientation, said traditions had to be passed down to new generations for them to survive.
"Students are the ones that keep the wonderful traditions at KU going, not the administrators," Hurla said. "Without students passing them on to the next generation the various traditions might not last."
The legendary Rock Chalk Chant dates back to 1866. And with an old tradition comes varying stories of origin.
Most accounts agree that the Science Club decided it needed to adopt a cheer. After many suggestions were shot down, E.H.S. Bailey, a chemistry professor and the namesake of Bailey Hall, presented a chant that quickly became adopted by the entire
SEE LEGACY ON PAGE 11C
Kansan File Photo
Football fans wave the wheat after a touchdown. Like the Rock Chalk Chant, waving the wheat is a common KU tradition.
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