Tomorrow's weather
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Kansan
Partly cloudy.
Tuesday
August 31, 1999
Section:
A
Kansan Users Guide
Everything you ever wanted to know about how the Kansan operates and more. Keep this section as a handy reference.
Vol. 110·No.10
Sports today
SEE B SECTION
Danny Manning was at Lawrence High School yesterday to promote a scholarship program for KC area high schools.
SEE PAGE 1B
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THE STUDENT NEWPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Endowment to start drive for funds
By Clay McCuistion
writer@kansan.com
Kanson staff writer
The Kansas University Endowment Association is gearing up for its third major fund-raising drive since 1966.
The independent Endowment Association hired Chicago-based Grenzebac, Glier and Associates Inc., a campaigning and fund-raising firm, to prepare for the capital campaign. The first step was a program audit, to help scrutinize the quality of programs in the University of Kansas and the Endowment. The audit is nearly finished, and a feasibility study — a survey of alumni determining the right time and goals for the campaign — should begin next month.
"We're right in the middle of the preparation process," said John Scarife, director of communications for the Endowment Association.
A 13-member campaign-organizing committee, which includes Chancellor Robert Hemenway and former Kansas Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, has
guided the process since its initial meeting in February. The group assembled again in May and will meet for the third time in September.
(USPS 650-640)
The 108-year-old Endowment Association's last capital campaign, "Campaign Kansas," was from 1988 to 1992. Donors contributed $265.3 million during those four years.
And, Scarffe said, more money is needed.
"There is always great need at the University," Scarffe said. "To keep our fund raising increasing to meet the needs of the University, it would appear a campaign would be very helpful."
The association still solicits money, even if a major fund-raising drive isn't underway just yet. Last year, it contributed $44.4 million dollars to the University.
"The needs are so vast it's a challenge trying to meet those knowing we can only do so much." Scarfe said.
PAST CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS AT THE UNIVERSITY
1966-1969
"Program for Progress"
Raised $21 million
1988-1992
"Campaign Kansas"
Raised $265.3 million
marketplace.
"The biggest challenge is marketing the University's needs in the philanthropic arenas." Seuferling said. "There are so many types of organizations and projects and needs."
Seufler said that the Endowment was unsure when the fund-raising push would start. Staff must first analyze data from the program audit and feasibility study, he said.
"We're closer to announcing a campaign today than we were yesterday or six months ago." he said.
Seuferling said that private funds were one way public universities could control their income in an age of uncertain or inadequate public funding.
"That's why I think you will see capital campaigns launched with greater frequency," Seuferling said.
"The Kansas University Endowment Association is the difference between KU being an average Midwestern university and being a major American university," Hemenway said. "Think of where KU would be if it had $40-46 million less to work with."
Hemenway said the Endowment was essential for the University's continued excellence.
The 1988-1992 "Campaign Kansas" shattered the Endowment's $177 million goal by $88.3 million. Hemenway said he hoped for similar success in the upcoming, as yet unnamed, fund-raising drive.
"Public universities today are much more involved in fund raising than they were 50 years ago," Hemenway said. "It does reflect the fact that higher education's percentage of the state budget has declined."
—Edited by Ronnie Wachter
Wescoe lecture halls upgraded with video
By Lori O'Toole
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Jim Mielke has taught 15 classes in one of Wescoe Hall's largest lecture rooms in the past 20 years.
But this year is the first time that the professor of anthropology will be able to clearly display pictures of fossils showing human evolution, videos demonstrating primate behavior and newspaper headlines.
During the summer, facilities operations employees transformed Wescoe 3139 and 3140 into media classrooms, joining about 15 to 20 others that they began to install across campus two years ago.
Sandra Gautt, assistant provost and associate professor of special education, said the media classrooms included a video system built into a cabinet-like podium placed at the front of each room.
From there, professors and lecturers can control the room's lights and sound system. They can access the Internet or play videos and slides with the push of a few buttons.
Professors can also use the system's video technology to show objects, even if they are three-dimensional.
Mielke said that before the changes were made, he had to rely on people in booths in the back of the classroom to control the lights and sound and had to wheel a television on a cart into the classroom to show a video.
He said he hoped the new system helps him to teach certain issues, such as human evolution, more clearly.
Workers installed new projectors and new screens in the Wescoe classrooms to provide a clearer image.
"Iit really is a way to enhance instruction for students," Gautt said. "And we've actually just begun to tap the potential."
thirds by the state.
Gautt said that through the media classrooms, professors from across campus would be able to teach more effectively.
She said each media classroom cost $20,000 to $25,000. She said one-third of the cost was paid for by student fees and two
Gautt said construction was required in several classrooms when they were upgraded to a media classroom. She said construction costs were lessened by coordinating them with the Crumbling Classrooms project, which funds renovations of campus buildings.
She said the idea for the technologically enhanced classrooms resulted from requests from faculty members and the media classroom committee. The committee continues to target classrooms and plan technology additions.
Gautt has used the media classrooms while teaching.
"It allows me to present some concepts in a way that was very difficult when you only have a one-dimensional piece of equipment, such as a chalkboard or an overhead," she said.
Gautt said that she sent forms to all members of the teaching faculty in the spring to collect information about how they would use the technology in a media classroom while teaching.
Based on their feedback, she works to assign professors to the available media classrooms.
Gautt said the committee began to plan media additions in two smaller classrooms. She said they could be chosen for Blake or Fraser and would be completed by next fall.
"There's certain design standards we go by to make sure everyone can see the screen without a glare." Coulter said. "I try to place myself inside the rooms and figure out what seats would not be comfortable to sit in."
"We've been able to accommodate all but about two to three people," she said.
Chris Coulter, Mulvane senior, has begun to design another media classroom in 427 Summerfield Hall.
Coulter is majoring in architectural engineering and works part-time for design and construction management. He said he was working on the layout of the room.
—Edited by Mike Loader
Jim Mielke, professor of anthropology, uses newly installed media equipment in 3139 Wescoe Hall to post class notes. During the summer, facilities operation employees installed more than $40,000 in media equipment in the two Wescoe lecture halls. Photo by Lucas W. Krump/KANSAN
Alcohol had role in wreck that killed 3 from Haskell
By Katie Hallar writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
The Lawrence Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to investigate Sunday morning's vehicular accident, Police Chief Ron Olin said yesterday.
At 7:47 a.m., a Chevy S-10 pickup flipped after running onto a set of railroad tracks parallel to Maple Street. Three of the truck's eight passengers were pronounced dead at the scene; three others were airlifted to area hospitals.
Investigators found alcohol at the scene of the accident, and Lawrence police think it was a factor in the accident.
Yesterday morning officials released the names of the truck's passengers. All had connections with Haskell Indian Nations University, as either current or former students. The eight men were driver Manuel Brown, brothers Kerry Jymm and Nielson Jymm, Clint Wahquahboshkuk, brothers Joshua Longhat and Yancy Longhat, Albert Whitebull and Ray "Mike" Redelk.
Redelk, Whitebull and Yancy Longhat, all current Haskell students, were dead at the scene. Yesterday afternoon, Joshua Longhat and Kerry Jymm remained in serious condition at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Wahquahboshkuk was in critical condition at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Brown was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital yesterday; Nielson Jymm was treated and released from Lawrence Memorial Sunday.
Brown and Nielson Jymm had the mildest injuries because they were seated inside the truck's cab and not ejected from the vehicle. Sgt. George Wheeler said. The other six passengers were seated in the bed of the truck.
"Id classify this as a tragic accident, one of the worst accidents I can recall in several years, especially when you have three young people lose their lives like that." Wheeler said.
Olin said there were 15 officers investigating the accident. Six are specially trained accident investigators; the other nine are detectives. Officers from the Kansas Highway Patrol also were helping with the investigation.
"We requested and received very good support from the Kansas Highway Patrol." Olin said.
A representative of the Douglas County District Attorney said no charges had been filed as of yet.
— Edited by Matt James
Allergies more than something to sneeze about, may take shot in arm
By Amber Stuever writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
The allergen of the moment — ragweed — is lurking in the air, making students who suffer from allergies wheeze, cough, itch, ache and search for relief.
"It never ends for me," Stacy Abernethy, Leawood senior and severe allergy sufferer said. "I think it's going to get better, but it doesn't."
Abernethy, like millions of sufferers nationwide, is enduring the common symptoms of allergies:
itchy, red and watering eyes; sneezing; runny nose; coughing and sore throat.
The cause of the torment can be traced to allergens from animal dander, grass, weed pollen and other sources. John Martinez, Lawrence allergist said.
Most people suffer from allergies around the time seasons are changing.
Allergies occur when a body's immune system does its job too well, trying to protect the body from harmless allergens, Martinez said.
The pollen creating much of the problem these days comes from ragweed. Ragweed allergies will peak around Labor Day, but they are strong for about two weeks before and after this weekend.
"Allergies are the watchdog of the body's immune system barking at things it ought to leave alone," he said.
However, Martinez said, there is relief. The first step is to avoid the cause of allergies. This may involve getting rid of a pet or keeping windows closed to avoid pollen. An over-the-counter or prescription anti-histamine and decongestant also may suffice for minor allergies.
Sufferers with severe and recurrent problems should see an allergist. A skin test may be administered to decide which allergens should be avoided. If necessary, an allergist may prescribe allergy shots, Martinez said. At first, shots are taken once a week and then less frequently for an average of four to five years.
Severity of allergies depends on factors such as climate and the daily pollen count.
Abernethy, who gets a weekly allergy shot, said the injections helped, but that some days were worse than others.
Randall Rock, Watkins chief ot staff, said allergies were more than a seasonal problem for some people. Rock, who suffers from allergies himself, said anything from cigarette smoke to Christmas trees could cause allergies.
"Things in the environment are a year-long problem for a lot of people." he said.
Allergies are a problem that may change during a lifetime, Rock said.
"Lately the shots have been helping," Abernethy said. "But allergies this year are terrible. Everyone's having problems."
For example, a student going to college in a different region may develop allergies due to changes in climate or altitude. A person may take 2 to 5 years to get used to allergens in a region before symptoms kick in.
"They really didn't get bad until I came to KU," Abernethy said. "Freshman year, I was always sick."
Drugs can be prescribed or bought over-the-counter at Watkins. The health center cannot prescribe allergy shots, but it can administer injections for $5 per visit or $40 for a semester of visits.
V
—Edited by Ronnie Wachter