Interested freshmen should apply for candidacy as Student Senate's election for new sears approaches.
Kansas City metro area fans gather to rally support for this year's Jayhawk football team
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MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOL.117 ISSUE 4
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THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
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ADMINISTRATION
KU's ranking surges upwards, ties with MU
BY DANNY LUPPINO
The University of Kansas and University of Missouri are neck-and-neck in the latest college rankings released Friday by U.S. News and World Report.
The two schools are now tied with five other public schools - Auburn University, SUNY-Binghamton, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama, University of California-Riverside — at 39th among public universities and 88th overall. Kansas improved its ranking six spots, while Missouri fell one spot.
In 2003, Missouri was ranked 13 spots higher than Kansas among public universities. Since then, the gap has narrowed but never to a point where Kansas was tied with Missouri.
Last year, the University shipped to 97th overall and 45th among public universities. Chancellor Robert Hemenway is pleased with the school's climb.
"Any time that your rankings improve, you welcome that information," Hemenway said. "I think it's recognition that the University is well thought of by its students."
Hemenway, who said he wanted
the University to be ranked among the top 25 public universities, said he was happy to see improvements led to a better ranking. Among the improvements Hemenway noted were having more classes taught by full-time faculty and reducing the number of large classes.
"We're pleased to see the rankings go up, but we're even more pleased to see the things we've done be reflected in the rankings." Hemenway said.
Despite his enthusiasm, Hemenway said the University was not driven by rankings and that if the University was doing its job, the rankings would take care of themselves.
KU spokeswoman Lynn Bretz agreed. Bretz said the rankings are prone to fluctuation outside the University's control and could not be trusted as an absolute authority in determining the strength of an institution.
KU students said the rankings were not important to their view of the University.
"I personally don't think the rankings take into account college atmosphere." Gary Tilkens, Oklahoma City senior, said. "Id be surprised if the top 10 public universities had better atmosphere than KU. The
rankings wouldn't affect my decision to come here"
And though the rankings themselves might not matter to most students, Hemenway noted that the University's position in relation to Missouri would probably garner some notice.
"It probably doesn't hurt to have a little healthy competition with Missouri." Hemenway said.
Kansan staff writer Danny Luppino can be contacted at dluppino@ kansan.com.
Edited by Catherine Odson
it's a tie KU and MU are tied as the 39th-best public universities in the latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report.
Source: OMN Research and Planning
ADMINISTRATION
Jonathan Kealing/KANSAN
Faculty wins prestigious teaching fellowships
BY KIM LYNCH
Puzzled faces greeted the swarm of people that entered William Westerbeke's class Thursday morning to present him a W.T. Kemper Fellowship.
"We wanted you to know what an absolutely great teacher you had," Chancellor Robert Hemenway said to Westerbeke's law class. "We think you probably knew that anyway."
The Kemper award identifies the top 20 teachers and advisers at the University of Kansas each year. Each recipient receives a check for $5,000.
The program is supported by the KU Endowment Association, Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation.
Seven fellowships were handed out both Thursday and Friday. Six more fellowships will be awarded today.
Lisa Friis, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, wiped away a tear after she received her award. It was a "very, very nice surprise" she said.
Friis said she should have known something was up when she thought about how people in her department had been acting.
Westerbeke said he had 32 years of wonderful students and that it was "almost criminal" to be paid.
"I greatly appreciate it," he said. "It's humbling when sometimes you read the evaluations."
Kansan staff writer Kim Lynch can be contacted at klynch@kansan.com.
Edited by Catherine Odson
Women receive bids, new home from chapters
GREEK LIFE
Bid Day marks last day of sorority recruitment
(top) Women gather in the ballroom at the Kansas Union to open their bid envelopes. The women finished their week-long recruitment process to join a sorority Saturday night. (bottom) Marcy Brammer of Witchita, left, celebrates with Betsy Heffinger of Chicago when both girls found out they were joining Delta Gamma, 1015 Emery Rd. Women completed the recruitment process on Saturday night when they received their bid cards.
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
The week-long recruiting process for the University of Kansas sororities came to a shrieking close Saturday, when prospective members packed the Kansas Union Ballroom and received bids from the chapters they will now call home.
"It's about to get loud," warned Blair Wendlandt, Prairie Village senior and an active member of Alpha Delta Pi. 1600 Oxford Road.
The University's thirteen Panhellenic Association sorority chapters awarded bids to prospective members. The excitement surrounding the week left both active and new chapter members ecstatic for the years ahead.
"The most exciting part is definitely adding to our chapter," Wendlandt said. "Increasing our sisterhood, and not only growing in number but in the personalities we add."
When asked about what goes on during the week, active members said it was about getting to know the women going through recruitment and vice versa. No other information was provided.
On the final day, the prospective members sat anxiously awaiting their bid cards in the ballroom. For many of the women, including Lauren Swagery, Topeka freshman, the week-long recruitment process left her enthusiastic and spirited about her potential outcomes.
BY MATT ELDER
"I'm happy with any of my top three choices," she said. "Once you get down to these, you could fit potentially well into all of them. Completely compatible."
SEE BID DAY ON PAGE 6A
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CBS plans to make North Lawrence the site for a screening of its new show 'Jericho'
BY JACK WEINSTEIN
Len Zeller, owner of Lawrence Battery, wasn't thrilled about changing the name of his business, at 903 N. Second St., to Jericho Battery, even if it was just for a day. That was until his wife Kathy interjected.
on the map;" Kathy Zeller said.
"It might help put north Lawrence
Her husband quickly changed his tune.
CBS will come to North Lawrence for a public screening of its new show "Jericho" on Saturday, Sept. 9. The show will depict the fictional Kansas town of Jericho following the aftermath of a nuclear explosion and will debut Sept. 20. Stanka Luna, the publicist for the show, would not say where in Lawrence the show would be premiered.
Luna said members of the show's cast may attend, including the show's star Skeet Ulrich. CBS has also been working with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office to ensure the governor's attendance at the event, said Nicole Corcoran, a spokeswoman for
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SEE JERICHD ON PAGE 6A
the governor.
4.
"The governor is excited they're coming and would like to welcome them personally," Corcoran said, noting it will be tough because the governor's debates begin that day. "We're still working out the logistics."
check it out
CBSS new show Jericho premieres Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. on KCTV Channel 5