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features
Speed bumps along the info highway
The University Information Center provides a useful service to the community, but would new technology help speed the process?
By Matt Hydeman and Cathleen Siechta
Kansas staff writers
schedules,building hours and campus events. With Quick Mail, offices can send updates to KU Info, including up-to-the-minute enrollment information.
Can't remember where you Western Civilization final is? Want to know if you canstill drop that linear algebra and multivariable calculus class you're failing? Can't, for the life of you.
Illustration by Dave Campbell / KANSAN
remember the name of
the lead singer for
Twisted Sister?
Dial 864-3506
For many students, the University Information Center is a tried-and-true source for helpful, and sometimes frivolous, information. Although students may think a computer is a helping hand, this is not the case for KU Info in 1994.
Aaron Russell, Leavenworth junior, said, "I guess that I always assumed that KU Info was on-line with the University." He said he thought KU Info had an encyclopedic CD-ROM system where, by typing in a key word, searchers would be supplied with all available information.
"Really, we've found using paper and people to be more expedient," said Susan Elkins, coordinator for KU Info.
Even though most of the University depends on computer programs for help, KU Info does not.
"I think the University could interconnect a lot of resources to make things a lot easier," said Leslie Jones, Miami graduate student and former KU Info employee. "KU Info works on a Rolodex system with references to all books and page numbers. They also have their own facts, like things that people often call about. It would be easier if they were on-line with other University information centers like KUFacts, or if they had a CD-ROM, but it seems like people who work there get very used to and very comfortable with the system they have."
KU Info's information highway is simply passing the phone to a more knowledgeable employee.
"It seems to always work out that everyone has a special area of knowledge," Elkins said. "Certain employees field certain kinds of questions better than others. I've never had any complaints from the staff about the system being inefficient."
During their three-hour shifts, KU Info employees' responsibilities range from explaining the add-drop procedure to referring a suicidal student to counseling.
"The hardest part of the job is adjusting to the calls," said Dominique Solcher, Germany, senior and KU Info employee. "Like when you are working the 11 p.m.to-2 a.m. shift, you expect something either really urgent or really trivial. You just have to be prepared to switch fast."
Although the service is hooked-up with Quick Mail, an on-campus alternative to the telephone, and KUFacts, the University's on-line campus information system, Elkins said employees are not dependent on computers.
"We have a computer that we catalog information on, but no one really uses it," she said. "Technology is great, but some person still has to put that information into the computer. Technology is only as good as the people who provide the input and support the system."
Chris Spurgin, St. Louis graduate student and graduate assistant to KU Info said the information service was connected to the Internet via a Kuhub account through the campus mainframe.
Kuhub is a series of computer accounts available to students, faculty and staff members for electronic mail.
Sputrig said that although the center was in the process of transferring many of its records to computers, it still was easier to look up the information from a non-computer source.
"I think that the charm of KU Info is that it is so personal," she said. "We like our jobs because we like research. Making it more high-tech seems to be more an ideal of everyone knowing everything collectively."
Jeanette Bonjour, former KU Info employee, said that trying to make KU Info high-tech would endanger its appeal.
Bonjour said that KU Info was a tradition at KU and that she never minded answering little questions that an on-line system could not.
"We're taking our Roldegx — which has over 3,000 file cards — and we've gotten about half on the computer," Spurgin said, explaining that once the system was complete, an employee could type in a word and be guided to a source or sources.
"Some of the endearing things were like being able to tell someone what the 12 days of Christmas were," she said. "Or one time a woman called, and she was about to have a baby, so we helped her think of a good name."
However, some former employees see logic in updating the information system.
KUFacts, another University information source, is a database that can be reached through a modem. Students can get information on class
Even without hightech information, some said that KU Info was a very effective source.
"KU Info actually has a lot more resources than KFacts," said Charles Rezac, computer sysm support. "They could be bene-
Hit from an on-line system, but they could probably answer routine questions quicker than they could try to get the information from a computer."
And some students say KU Info saves them the time and hassle of using on-line sources.
Still, others think KU info should move on to a network system.
"It's amazing to me how far behind the system is," Jones said. "They could be doing exactly what they were doing 10 years ago. We are behind, when compared to some of the other state-of-the-art information systems."
Money could be the problem. KU Info's budget through Student Activities and Organizations is spent mostly for the hourly wages of student employees, as well as for supplies and expenses, leaving little left for technological advance. But that does not worry David Hardy, director of Student Activities and Organizations.
"I haven't seen another campus service that employed so many students and provided such a great service to both KU students and Lawrence residents," he said.
And that, in the director's mind, is the whole point.
"Technology is not the big issue here," Elkins said. "We'll use new things. But our main goal is helping students through difficult times and providing information. We like to preserve the personal aspect, and as long as we get good feedback. How we do it is really immaterial."
Pet policies put renters in the doghouse
By Casey Barnes Special to the Kansan
When Joe Dineen comes home from a long day of classes, his best friend, Jake, stands alone at the front door pacing with anticipation.
Jake, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, tackles Dineen, Omaha senior, as he walks in the door.
Jay Thomton / KANSAN
"Down, Jake, down," Dineen said. "Can't you wait until I get through the door?"
Jim Eberhardt, Iselin, N.J., graduate student, walks his dogs, Ivanna and Chelsea, In the designated dog-walk area at Colony Woods apartment complex. Eberhardt said the pet policy at the complex is one of the reasons he chose to live there.
Lonely pets are one reason why there are few handlers in Lawrence that allow pets to live in their houses or apartments. Apartment managers said pets left home alone lead to non-repairable damages and neighborhood complaints.
But Jake can't wait. Like many pets that live with student owners, he has spent the day home alone.
"Students can be good pet masters, but they just aren't around enough to keep their pets busy," Kauzlarich said. "Students have to go to class, work and, most importantly, they have to go out at night. When their dogs get lonely they howl, whimper and scratch things up."
Vicky Kauzlarich, apartment manager at Village Square Apartments, 9th Street and Avalon Road, said her complex used to allow both dogs and cats. The policy changed about two years ago to allow only cats when dogs became too big of a problem, she said.
Although Kauzlarich and most Lawrence landlords have said no to dogs or any pets at all, there are still places in Lawrence where dogs are accepted and even welcome. But for an added fee.
Marsha Krone, apartment manager at Colony Woods, 1301 W. 24th St., said that she still allowed pets because she wanted students to be happy but that she charged a $15 deposit.
Krone said there was such a high demand for places that allowed pets that she always filled up the two complexes reserved for pets, regardless of the fee.
"Many kids have pets at home that they've had for a long time," Krone said. "It's hard enough to go far away from home for college without leaving your best friend there, too."
and enjoys it more than she expected. She also said that she and her roommate don't mind the other animals in their complex.
Karen Bibb, Lenexa sophomore and Colony Woolson resident, lives with a dog
"I thought it would be loud late at night with dogs everywhere," Bibb said.
Most apartments that do allow pets have strict leash or cage requirements in addition to high animal deposits. Animal deposits range from $15 to $200, and some renters must add an animal fee to each monthly rent.
"People are good about keeping their pets quiet and clean."
Berkley Flats Apartments, Eleventh and Indiana streets, charges a $200 animal deposit, which is one of the highest in Lawrence. They also add $10 to the rent, said Susan Smith, general manager.
Smith says they charge a high fee because of all the damages a pet can cause, but they welcome pet owners because they know how special pets are to some people.
Another common requirement for renters with pets is the size limitation. Colony Woods allows animals 40 pounds or less, which seems large compared to the 15 pound limit at Trarlidge Apartments, 2500 W 6th St.
"Students have pets when they come to school here," Smith said. "Once you have a pet it is part of your family, and we don't want them to get rid of a part of their family."
Dan Dearasaugh, assistant manager at Traliridge, said they strictly enforced the 15-pound rule for both cats and dogs.
"People are looking for places to live with their pets so we offer it to them," Dearasugh said. "But we can't allow big pets even though some people try. We've even called the dog catcher before."
Dearasaugh said Trailridge also waited one week after students moved out to give back the $200 animal deposit just in case tenants tried to cover up animal damages.
"We always give every apartment a resniffing just to make sure they didn't hide any smells with deodorant," Dearasaugh said.
Students that have pets are used to the
See DOGS, Page 10.
People and places at the University of Kansas.
calendar
NIGHTLIFE
Mulligan's 1016 Massachusetts St. Acoustic Open Mike, tonight Jolly Ranchers, tomorrow Walking on Einstein, Friday Wakeland, Saturday Call 865-4055 for times and
Jolly Ranchers, tomorrow Walking on Einstein, Friday Wakeland, Saturday Call 865-4055 for times and prices
Jazzhaus
926 1/2 Massachusetts St.
'70s Disco Party, tomorrow, $1
Floyd's Funk Revival, Friday, $3
Monroe Jack, Saturday, $3
Call 749-3320 for times.
806 W.24th St.
Branding Iron Saloon
Kaw Cajun Band, Friday, Saturday Call 843-2000 for times and prices.
The Bottleneck
737 New Hampshire St.
842-5483
Better Than Ezra with Bubble Boys, tonight
Punkinhead, Friday
Rancid, Bouncing Souls and Shiv, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, followed by Let's Go Bowling and Secret Cajun Band, 10:30 p.m. Early shows open to all ages. Those attending the 10:30 p.m. show must be 18 and over.
Liberty Hall
642 Massachusetts St.
The Kelley Hunt Band, Friday. Doors open at 8:30 p.m
Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Showline: 749-1912
CAMPUS EVENTS
SUA EVENT
Summer on the Hill '94 — Comedian Sam Griesbaum, 9-10:30 p.m. tomorrow Campanile Hill, near stadium parking lot, free.