THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2006
NEWS
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PARKING DEPARTMENT
Students abuse reserved parking
Department continues to tame students' misuse of permits
Photo illustration by Ryan McGoeenyKANSAN
BY MARK VIERTHALER
Sitting in her traffic control booth at the corner of Sunflower Road and Memorial Drive, Joyce Bledsoe has seen her share of students trying to sneak vehicles onto campus.
In the six years she has staffed her post, one of the most common tricks has been students illegally trying to use disabled placards to gain access to close parking spots.
Jake Preston, assistant director of financial aid and a wheelchair user, and his wife Stephanie, administrative assistant for disability resources, said they often ended up scrounging to find disabled parking spots during the school day.
"It's frustrating, because we can't just park anywhere," Stephanie said. "When the parking spots are full, we can't go to work or class."
The inconvenience occurs regularly. Jake said.
Each traffic control booth attendant is required to check the dates of disabled placards as they come onto campus, Bledsoe said.
The Parking Department also conducts random identification checks, often catching students misusing disabled parking placards.
"Just a few weeks ago I stopped one lady," Bledsoe said. "She was using her mother's sticker. However, her mother wasn't with her."
Bledsoe said she had no choice but to deny the woman access to the core of campus.
According to the Parking Department, all cars licensed with disabled placards are required to register with the department and provide documentation proving ownership of the vehicle.
Donna Hultine, director of Parking Services, said until recently, the University had not taken steps to curb the illegal use of placards.
New procedures require booth attendants to check the validity of
every disabled parking placard. The department has also increased vigilance for repeat offenders.
If a student is caught with an altered or stolen placard, the Lawrence Police Department is notified. Students misrepresenting ownership can lose all on-campu
leges for a year.
Placard registration has helped protect the few spaces that are available on campus, Hultine said. Disabled people are also able to use University parking permits in conjunction with the placard to park in any available spot on campus.
"It is frustrating because we can't just park anywhere. When the parking spots are full, we can't go to work or class."
STEPHANIE PRESTON Administrative assistant for disability resources
According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, disabled placards and plates are only granted to people who have a licensed medical pro-
one or more of seven disabilities.
fessional verify that the person has
These disabilities include severe visual impairment; an inability to walk 100 feet without stopping to rest; an inability to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane or any other assisting device; restriction by lung disease to such an extent the person suffers forced breathing; use of portable oxygen; a cardiac condition that seriously limits a person's functions, or an inability to walk at least 100 feet because of an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.
Kansan staff writer Mark Vierthaler can be contacted at mvierthaler@kansan.com.
— Edited by Derek Korte
FEES
Fund offers dollars for multiculturalism
A referendum passed by students last semester will allow qualifying groups to receive extra event money
BY NATE MCGINNIS
Hannah Love, Dodge City junior and student senator, said the referendum added a 75-cent increase
Student groups that host multicultural events can now apply for additional funding from the Multicultural Education and Opportunity Fund, a referendum that students passed during last spring's elections.
to student fees during the summer and a $1.50 increase every fall and spring semester. The fund has accumulated about $72,000. Love said.
registration, travel expenses or student organizations that explore issues of sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation or disability.
Love coauthored the original bill with two other
Studie Red Corn, Shawnee junior and chair of the multicultural committee, said he was optimistic about the new fund.
Because the multicultural education and opportunity fund was not included in the 2007 fiscal
In the past, Student Senate would pay for the first $1000 of an event's cost and then 50 percent of the total cost.
With the new fund, the Senate will pay the first $1000 then 75 percent of the total cost for events that meet the required criteria.
senators. The bill was intended to increase financial support for groups that promote multicultural events, she said.
"Multicultural groups were not living up to their potential due to a lack of finances." Love said.
In the past, Student Senate would pay for the first $1,000 of an event's cost and then 50 percent of the total cost. With the new fund, the Senate will pay the first $1,000 then 75 percent of the total cost for events that meet the required criteria.
According to the Student Senate bill, funds given to groups must be intended to support campus events, guest lecturers, conference
year budget, student groups will have the opportunity to apply for funding at a special meeting in October. Typically, student groups must request funding at the beginning of the fiscal year in February.
After funds are appropriated for the upcoming fiscal year, any remaining money will be available for groups to use for multicultural events. Groups can petition Student Senate to request funds for events not included in their original budgets.
Kansan staff writer Nate McGinnis can be contacted at nmcginnis@kansan.com.
Edited By Travis Robinett
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
August 24,2006
Attention KU Freshman: Freshman Elections are Fast Approaching!
Every fall, freshman elect 5 of their peers to represent them in Student Senate,and this year's election is just around the corner!
If you think you might be interested,you need to stop by the Senate office on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center or go to http://studentsenate. ku.edu to pick up an application. Applications to get on the ballot are due TOMORROW and the election will be the 5th and 6th of September. Student Senate is eager to get new people with new ideas who want to leave a lasting impression on KU, so don't hesitate to run for a freshman seat!
KU Hillel Open
Tomorrow, 1:00 - 2:30 PM Alvamar Orchards (3000 Bob Billings)
Tiger Woods has never won the KU Hillel Open, so now is your chance to win it before he does.
Join us for an afternoon on the links at Alvamar Orchards (3000 Bob Billings). Hillel will buy your first round.
Attention Student Groups:
If your student organization is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, you may get FREE ADVERTISING here in the Kansan through Student Senate!
Email chrisblackstone@ku.edu for more information.
BALLROOM DANCE CLUB
KU CULTURAL INDIA CLUB
Fundraising Charity Dinner
Enjoy exotic Indian delicacies and melodious music while helping towards a good cause.
6:30pm (Dinner served at 7:00pm) TICKETS
Friday, August 12 Ecumenical Christian Ministries (Across from the Kansas Union)
TICKETS
$7.00
Donations above ticket price are welcomed and appreciated
To purchase tickets in advance or to make a donation, contact Priyanka Raut (priyanka@ku.edu).
Robin Thaw (robithaw@ku.edu) or Sweeta Wahra (913-705-8214)
Shabbat Crimson and Blue:
Cool people!
Warm atmosphere!
Hot food!
Come celebrate the new school year in true KU spirit!
free dinner including all the Shabba
favorites, from Challah to Chicken
sauce and so much more!
Chabab Student group
1203 VV 19th SL
Friday at 7:00 PM
www.tewahlsu.com
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