KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2011 / NEWS
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found a niche within Student Senate last year as a freshman.
"It keeps me really up to date on things going on at the University," Bliss said. "And I just want to be a part of something that is bigger than me. Either way I'm going to be involved."
The pair hopes to continue the 15-year tradition KUnited has established within Student Senate. It is a tradition they both said consists of accomplishment and getting things done — things like fall break, Saferide and Safebus, wireless Internet and the Ambler Student Recreation Center among others.
Growing up in Lawrence as the daughter of University professor of chemistry, Carey Johnson, allowed Libby to witness the University's evolution and forge a bond that would never be broken, she said. "I've never known anything else but KU," Johnson said. After four years of Student Senate involvement and leadership positions in more than 10 organizations and committees, Senate elections are the next plateau.
"I think a lot of people think this is crazy to put this much time and work into something," said Johnson. "But it's been a goal of mine for many years now. Being involved for the past three years will definitely help me out because I've learned about how the University works and I've made relationships with students and administrators."
"But I met it with open arms and am now extremely excited for it." Bliss said. "I like working with people and I'm a helper."
Although Bliss always wanted to be on the executive staff, he said the nomination for vice president originally came as a shock.
Bliss said he loved the University and the foundations established. But, he said, there are many areas he would like to improve on.
"Senate has this negative overall perception," Bliss said. "And there's been a trend in the past of low voter turnout."
Low turnout is something he and Johnson want to change. He said he wanted the students to be heard and, as a member of a small professional school, he thought he could bring a voice to the
LAWRENCE
City takes on lighting project
The city expects the project to lead to a 40 to 50 percent reduction in energy usage
BY AMANDA KISTNER akistner@kansan.com
Walking down Massachusetts Street will soon be seen in a different light. The City of Lawrence will begin replacing 115 lights with LEDs on eighth, ninth and 10th streets. More than $172,000 is available for the lighting replacement project. The lights have been ordered, and installation will begin in early June, after they are delivered in the next six to eight weeks.
Assistant director of public works Mark Thiel said the city made the decision to replace the lights as part of its overall goal to improve the quality of life for the community. Each new light costs about $1,500. The money saved by lower energy consumption will potentially offset the high costs.
"Though we won't have the official numbers until later, we are expecting a 40 to 50 percent reduction in energy usage as a result of this project," Thiel said. "We will be installing 'monitoring meters' to track actual usage against known cost-to-date."
A product comparison was done in 2010 to find the best lights to use in the replacement. In the comparison, a variety of fixtures were evaluated and actual trial installations were used to determine the specific LED light that will be used.
Edited by Emily Soetaert
BY THE NUMBERS
WHO: City of Lawrence
WHAT: Replacing regular lights with LED lights
WHEN: Early June
WHERE: eighth, ninth, and 10th streets
HOW MANY: 115 lights COST PER LIGHT $4.00
COST PER LIGHT: $1,500
EXPECTED ENGERY USAGE REDUCTION: 40 to 50 percent
Source: Google Maps
minority groups on campus
Bliss, a civil engineering student, grew up as the son of a small business owner and stay-at-home mom.
When he graduates in 2013 with a degree, Bliss said he wanted to work with water treatment for developing countries.
But until then, the book and computer savvy Bliss said, regardless of the upcoming election's results, he was going to be a part of Student Senate.
As for Johnson, she plans to continue her education in the sciences. Then, after two years in the Peace Corps, intends to
Johnson said the experience was one she would never forget, which is what she said college was all about.
attend graduate school, according to KUNited's website.
"It's supposed to be the best four to six years of your life," Johnson said. "And so far this has been the most memorable experience of mine."
Edited by Helen Mubarak
Briner and Dean both grew up in driven families. Briner's parents and sister are flying in from Texas for the Thursday night campaign watch party. Dean's family will drive in from Overland Park.
The two believe that they're able to make a difference for their fellow students through their platforms, ideas and commitment. They say they've put the time in, because they believe in themselves.
If elected as vice president, Dean would oversee Senate's day-to-day work in legislation. Briner, as student body president, would work more with administrators as a liaison for the student body.
Edited by Becca Harsch
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Dean, a sophomore from Overland Park, is a triple-major in economics, political science and math. He's torn between working in research or in public policy after his plan to go to graduate school. He says his adviser in economics doesn't think he should worry about classes in political science or even involvement in Student Senate, "but I found I was scanning CNN politics coverage and doing political science homework for fun," he said.
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Briner, a junior from Flower Mound, Texas, is justice-minded and says that after college, she'd like work on helping to prevent human trafficking.
population, and the fact that some of their platforms — such as beer in the Kansas Union — are largely under the control of administrators, not students. But they're also careful to present themselves as being in the running, as they say, "for the right reasons."
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