2A
Wednesday, September 13, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KU's pesticide use concerns some
No signs are posted to indicate areas that are sprayed
By Joann Birk
Kansan staff writer
In the wee hours of the morning, while most students are safely in bed, masked men and women are trying to make the University of Kansas a more beautiful place.
These employees from facilities operations are spraying a variety of pesticides that some argue could be a health hazard, even if they are sprayed when students are not in classes.
"It should be mandatory to post something when they spray chemicals, even if they spray it four in the morning," said Amy Trainer, Derby senior and former president of KU Environs. "Five or six hours later students will be sitting on the grass with no idea."
Trainer said she did not think the quality of campus had improved despite increased expenditure on chemicals.
"Considering the University's commitment to environmental awareness and environmental health and safety concerns, it is surprising that they would not at least post something when they spray chemicals," she said.
Bence Williams, assistant director of facilities operations, said that spending had increased on many pesticides but that total spending figures were not available. At least 18 types of pesticides were purchased in 1995.
Spending on herbicides alone has increased dramatically in the last
two years. For example, the amount of the herbicide Round-Up purchased by facilities operations increased 60 gallons in 1995, from 40 to 100. There is no regular schedule for spraying, so the amount of pesticides used varies.
If infestation of campus grounds by weeds and pests is not great, then facilities operations may try to do some hand picking, Williams said. But because of the University's hiring freeze, the department does not have enough workers to do such hand work.
Williams said workers were careful to spray early in the morning so that chemicals could dry before most people were on campus. The University is not required to post signs when they spray most chemicals.
Terry Shistar, adjunct lecturer in environmental studies and member of the Board of Directors of the National Coalition on the Miseuse of Pesticides, said students should always be notified when toxic chemicals were sprayed. Some of the chemicals that the University uses can be applied in a way that is not harmful, but she said that other chemicals virtually guaranteed contact with humans.
"The chancellor says he is out to save money, and I see at least a few thousand dollars that can be saved on pesticides and the labor needed to apply them," Shistar said. "I don't think we need to spend thousands of dollars to keep dandelions out of the grass."
Shistar said she did not understand why the University would need such large amounts of chemicals.
"There is a lot of debate," she said. "But some of these chemicals are known to have negative health effects."
The University Daily Kanean (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stuaffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Second-class postage is paid in Lawrence, Kan. 66044; annual subscriptions by mail must be paid through the student facility line.
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ON CAMPUS
OAKS — Non-Traditional Student Organization will sponsor a brown bag lunch at 11:30 a.m. today at Alcove A in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Mike Austin at 864-7317.
Ecumenical Christian Ministries will sponsor a University Forum, "Classical Sculpture of James Brothers," at noon today at 1204 Oread Ave. For more information, call Thad Holcombe at 843-4933.
St. Lawrence Catholic Center will celebrate Mass at 12:30 p.m. today at Danforth Chapel. For more information, call 843-0357.
Office of Study Abroad will sponsor a discussion by returnees from Costa Rica at 3 p.m. today at the English Room in the Kansas Union.
Architectural Barriers Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. today at 2001 Dole Center. For more information, call Bob Turvev at 864-4426.
The Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about eligibility for grants at 3:30 p.m. today at 3 Lippincott Hall. For more information, call 843-3742.
The Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about studying in a Spanish-speaking country at 3:30 p.m. today at 4012 Wescoe Hall.
Kansan Correspondents will meet at 4:30 p.m. today at 100 Stauffer Flint Hall. For more information, call Virginia Margheim at 864-184.
KU Ad Club will sponsor a picnic at 5 p.m. today at Holcom Sports Complex. For more information, call Krista at 864-4358.
KU Gamers and Roleplayers will meet at 5 p.m. today at the atrium in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Isaac Bell at 843-9176.
KU Lacrosse Club will meet at 6 p.m. today at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Mark Heinze at 841-4692.
KU Karate Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at 215 Robinson Center. For information, call Jon Sides at 832-1771.
Public Relations Student Society of America will sponsor a presentation by Mike Swenson at 6 p.m. today at the reading room in Stauffer-Flint Hall. For more information, call Ted Miller at 842-0766.
- Promote Alcohol Responsibility Through You will meet at 6 p.m. today at Alcove D in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Becky Glotzbach at 864-1795.
KU Sail Club will meet at 7 tonight at the parlors in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Eric Stehm at 864-8299.
Student Assistance Center will sponsor a workshop,
"Taking Control of Calculus," at 7 tonight at 120 Snow Hall. For more information, call 864-4064.
Democrats will meet at 7 tonight at 1204 Oread Ave. For more information, call Ted Miller at 842-0766.
Xingu, KU Literary Club, will meet at 7 tonight at the Oread Room in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Alisha Arora at 749-5739.
KU Cycling Club will meet at 8:30 tonight at Robinson Center. For more information, call Michelle Blair at 841-9699.
Golden Key National Honor Society will meet at 8 tonight at the Frontier Room in the Burge Union. For more information, call Gwen Allen at 865-5184.
Ecumenical Christian Ministries will sponsor Interactions at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at 1204 Oread Ave. For more information, call Thad Holcombe at 843-4933.
KU Fencing Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at 215 Robinson Center. For more information, call John Hendrix at 864-1529.
Weather
Source: Brian Buckley, KU Weather Service
ON THE RECORD
A KUID, Kansas driver's license, credit cards and $100 were stolen Aug. 29 from the 400 block of West 11th Street, KU police reported.
Thirty-seven compact discs, valued at $600, were stolen sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning from the 1800 block of Engel Road, KU police reported.
A camera flash valued at $470 was stolen sometime between the morning of Sept. 2 and noon
Sept. 3 from the Memorial Stadium pressbox, KU police reported.
Mechanical drafting pencils valued at $66 and a portable CD player valued at $90 were stolen sometime between Friday afternoon and Monday morning from a room in Marvin Hall. KU police reported.
A mountain bike valued at $460 was stolen Monday from a bike rack in front of Wescoe Hall, KU police reported.
CORRECTION
A story on page 3A of yesterday's Kansan contained incorrect information. Forrest Swall, assistant professor of social welfare, does not provide free counseling at the homeless drop-in center at the Second Christian Church, 1245 Connecticut. The counseling is provided by Leonard Magruder, a retired professor of psychology.