THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2006
NEWS
3A
CRIME
Marijuana found in dorms; penalties strict on campus
BY DAVID LINHARDT
An Oliver Hall desk manager found a small amount of marijuana Sunday in the hall lobby during the weekend move-in.
If the person who brought in the drug had been caught and convicted, he or she could have been expelled from the University and denied access to future federal financial aid.
DeskmanagerKatelynDePenning
didn't see who dropped the baggie, which contained about a gram of marijuana, according to the KU Public Safety Office.
Officer Alissa Counley identified the drug and flushed it down a women's restroom toilet in Oliver with DePenning as witness, according to Counley's report.
If an officer can't determine who may have dropped an unattended drug packet, then the investigating officer destroys the drugs and
the case is considered closed, said Schuyler Bailey, University of Kansas Public Safety Office spokesman.
Forty-five drug-related offenses were reported by the KU Public Safety Office in 2005. Marijuana appears to be the most common drug at the University, Bailey said.
Merely possessing a hallucinogenic drug like marijuana could get a student kicked out of the University in addition to penalties under federal or Kansas state law.
The University can discipline students and athletes caught with drugs, including putting them on non-academic probation if the situation warrants it, said Jane Tuttle, assistant to the vice provost for student success. She added that offenders could be removed from student housing as well.
Violating probation can lead to being expelled.
Possessing drugs while employed by the University is clear grounds
for dismissal, said Ola Faucher, director of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity.
"Possession of illegal drugs is a crime and also misconduct, but we never dismiss people without hearing their side of the story," Faucher said.
The punishment might not end there, though. Being caught with even a small amount of marijuana on University property is a Class A misdeanor and could result in
a year in state prison and a $2,500 fine.
Manufacturing or selling drugs is far more serious; fines for manufacturing can reach $500,000 along with up to 17 years in prison.
Kansan staff writer David Linhardt can be contacted at dlinhardt@ kansan.com.
—Edited by Derek Korte
STUDENT SENATE
Wireless Internet to go campus-wide
BY NATE MCGINNIS
A new plan by Student Senate will allow students at the University of Kansas access to wireless Internet from more spots on campus than ever before.
Boots has been working with Information Services and Network and Telecommunications Services to expand the availability of wireless Internet to approximately half of campus buildings without it. The expansion of a campus-wide wireless network was one of Boots' campaign platforms during last spring's Student Senate elections.
Student body president Jason
wireless zones on campus
Wireless zones are already available at many campus spots. Users need a valid KU online ID, a computer with a wireless network card and a web browser that supports 128-bit encryption.
Allen Fieldhouse
Anschutz Library
Art & Architecture Library
Art and Design Building
Broadcasting Hall
Budig Hall- select areas
Burge Union
Computer Center
Dyche Hall
Eaton Hall
Edwards Campus
Fraser Hall lawn
Green Hall - Wheat Law Library
Hall Center for the Humanities
JRP Hall - select areas
Kansas Union
Marvin Hall
Murphy Hall Library
Nunemaker Hall
Snow Hall
Spahr Engineering Library
Spencer Research Library
Stauffer-Flint Hall
Summerfield Hall
Watson Library
Wescoe Hall - select areas
Academic classrooms will be the first to receive wireless networks. Second will be student lab areas such as physics or chemistry labs. Third will be common areas such as the hallways in Budig Hall or meeting rooms in the Burge Union.
The cost will be determined after a survey reveals how much equipment will be necessary.
Source: http://www.technology.
ku.edu/Internet/wireless/
"In the next three weeks we'll get a decent estimate," Boots said.
He added that by October there would be a plan to expand wireless zones to academic classrooms.
Aude Negrete, Lenexa junior, said that during the school year she uses wireless zones on campus an average of three times a week. Negrete finds the wireless zones helpful because they make finishing her assignments easier.
got tired of them and went elsewhere.
Negrete primarily uses the wireless zones at Watson and Anschutz Libraries, but sometimes visits other wireless zones such as coffee shops for a change of scenery.
Boots is still working to determine how to pay for the expansion. Ideas include using departmental funds and fees or student tuition to pay for the new wireless zones.
Negrete said that the libraries were her first choice, but that she
Negrate said she wasn't opposed to paying for the wireless expansion through tuition as long as the amount were acceptable.
"I would be willing to pay if it was a reasonable amount." Negrete said. "Probably $70 or less"
As technology becomes more wireless-capable, campus-wide access is a necessary improvement. Boots said.
"This will do a lot for students," Boots said. "In two years, students will be able to capitalize on the infrastructure we already have in place."
Kansan staff writer Nate McGinnis can be contacted at nmcginnis@kansan.com.
Edited by Natalie Johnson
TRADITIONS
BY MATT ELDER
Scholars walk up
The University of Kansas Mount Oread Scholars took their first steps toward graduation Monday by walking the opposite route graduating students take in May.
Nearly 70 freshman wearing matching white T-shirts that read "What goes up, must come down" hiked the Mount Oread hill to mirror their goal of graduation. Only 158 freshmen are in the program.
During the 10th annual walk, KU faculty members congratulated the success of students' previous work and prepared them for the work that lies ahead.
"You've all achieved academically," said Kathryn Nemeth Tuttle, associate vice provost for student success. "You are among the best students that come to KU."
As members of the scholar program, these freshman students have chosen to embrace the challenges of college before their college careers have begun. Many felt that the program would lead them in the proper direction.
"I have to maintain a high GPA in the program," said Heather
Dietz, Hays freshman. "I'll stay more focused, and it looks good on a résumé."
Led by the banner of the 2006 spring graduating class, students began their trip from Memorial Stadium by walking to the Rock Chalk Cairn, home of the torchlighting ceremony used during Traditions Night. Gathered around the fire pit, faculty members read the expectations and foundations of the program. Students proceeded to the entrance of the Campanile, where Tuttle discussed the myths and traditions surrounding the University's World War II monument.
Following a brief history of several of the University's achievements, monuments and distinguished historical guests, Tuttle urged students to positively influence the University in their years ahead.
"My challenge to you, is when you leave this university, you leave it a greater, stronger place," she said.
Kansan staff writer Matt Elder can be contacted at melder@kansan. com.
-Edited by Travis Robinett