8A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY MAY 2, 2008
CULTURE
Jon Goering/KANSAN
An exhibit shows how nature and architecture overlap as branches grow out of columns. The exhibit is part of the Commons, a new initiative on campus to promote science and art on the KU campus.
Collection shows Kansas culture
BY MARY SORRICK
BY MART SCHNICK
mscrick@kansan.com
msorrick@kansan.com The Commons, a new initiative that blends the arts, sciences and humanities, recently completed construction in its new home on campus.
Housed in Spooner Hall, it is a collection of art exhibits, scientific workshops, lectures and performances that explore how human and natural systems overlap.
It developed out of a partnership joining the Biodiversity Institute, the Hall Center for the Humanities and the Spencer Museum of Art.
Thomas Hardy, Salina senior and president of the Natural History Museum's Student Advisory Board, said the Commons was like an ambassador to the cultural push for green living.
"It's especially good for Kansas because a lot of people say New York and L.A. create all the culture," Hardy said, "but in reality, Kansas has culture that they don't and the Commons would be a
good example."
Jordan Yochim, acting director of The Commons, said it was a unique initiative at the University and he didn't know of anything like it existing elsewhere in the country.
A primary focus of the Commons will be the exploration of different ways in which people and nature clash.
One ongoing feature for students has been free daily showings of the Discovery Channel's "Planet Earth" series from 2 to 3 p.m.
Niche, a subversive art exhibit created by local artists, is another unique aspect of the Commons.
Michael Stolzle, Wichita graduate student and student worker for The Commons, said the art in Niche offered a new perspective on common environmental issues related to recycling, plastic bags and bottled water consumption.
One of the exhibit's pieces depicts a water buffalo struggling to survive in a sea of blue and
white plastic water bottles. Another features root systems made from plastic bags and junk mail hanging from the exhibit's walls.
Yochim said he hoped students would take advantage of the space as it developed further.
"Eventually wed like to be able to offer it as a drop-in place where people could come between classes, plug in a laptop and do a little work." Yochim said.
Though The Commons is still in the early stages, Hardy said upcoming additions, such as a soundtrack of natural and city sounds, would continue to improve the space over time.
"A lot is in the works right now"
Hardy said. "The really good stuff is to come."
The Commons is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Tuesday and Saturday every week.
Edited by Samuel Lamb
- Private bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Free continental breakfast
Debate team ends season on top University first in rankings for second time in three years
COMPETITION
BY LUKE MORRIS
Imorris@ku.edu
The Kansas debate team didn't need a miracle to get to No.1. Hard work year round was enough to propel them to the top of season-ending rankings.
The team finished its season on top of the rankings for the second time in three years by earning more points at debate tournaments than other universities.
"It's neat to be part of a program that's that good," said Kyle Shernuk, Overland Park senior and member of the debate team. "It's a nice reward for having worked hard, and it looks good for the school, too."
Shernuk said the team had to work hard from September to March to get to the top.
"We're very proud of achievements and work that we put in," said debate coach Scott Harris. "We're very pleased."
Brent Bricker, Wichita senior and debate team member, said that he and his debate partner put in 40 to 50 hours a week practicing. Their practice included researching topics and participating in speech and debate drills.
"It's good to have something to show for all the hard work we put into debate," Bricker said.
Bricker and Shernuk both said that this year's national No. 1 meant more to them because it was their senior years.
"It means a lot more to me this year because I had a more influential role," Bricker said. "This year my partner and I did a lot of the work, so it was a little more fulfilling."
During the season, the team won first place at four tournaments and took second at six others. The tournaments featured anywhere from more than 170 to fewer than 30 teams.
Wake Forest won the National Debate Tournament, but Kansas still had more overall points at the end of the season. Wake Forest took fifth in the final rankings. Harris explained that the ranking were based on a point system that calculated total victories, size of tournaments and the quality of competition at those tournaments.
Shernuk said the team paid
results
National Debate Tournament Varsity Top 10
1. Kansas
2. Emory
3. Harvard
4. Binghamton
5. Wake Forest
6. Dartmouth
7. Northwestern
8. Michigan State
9. California
10. Missouri State
"We sent out lots of teams each weekend to make sure we stayed on the top," Shernuk said.
Though Shernuk, Bricker and other seniors will be leaving the team, Shernuk hinted that the team could have a strong showing again next year.
attention to the rankings during the season.
"The freshman class was strong this year, and they contributed a lot." Shermuk said.
— Edited by Jared Duncan
》 ENVIRONMENT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houses in various stages of construction dot the landscape in Greensburg April 23. The town is slowly rebuilding nearly a year after an F-5 tornado destroyed most of the community of 1,400 May 4, 2007.
Greensburg reconstruction green Town rebuilds in wake of devastating tornado
Associated Press
BY ROXANA HEGEMAN
GREENSBURG — A year after it was practically wiped off the map by a tornado, Greensburg is rising again — and going green, too, with solar panels, wind turbines, tinted windows, water-saving toilets and other energy-efficient technology.
Now the water tower is back, the town's one traffic light has been replaced, and neighborhoods are showing signs of life.
Environmentalists and civic leaders have seized on the disaster as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-engineer the town.
On May 4,2007,an F-5 twister blasted Greensburg,killing 11 people in the town of 1,400 and flattening its turn-of-the-century brick buildings,Victorian and prairie-style houses.Townspeople found themselves disoriented after most
of Greensburg's manmade and natural landmarks were erased.
"I would never say the tornado happening was a good thing. I would never wish that on anybody," said Kim Alderfer, assistant city manager, "but given the opportunity, we have to do it right — to make it better."
She said she and her husband did not intentionally build their house
for energy-efficient design.
"It will be ter, greener community," said Erica Goodman, a newly elected city councilwoman. "I think the green initiative is really what will set Greensburg apart from every other
KATHY DOHERTY Greensburg resident
"I think they are going too far with it. But if they have the money,it is fine."
About 40 homes have been built to environmentally-friendly specifications, with added insulation, double-pane windows and high-efficiency compact-fluorescent lights. Some buildings have extra-large, south-facing windows that take advantage of sunlight to heat and illuminate the home. Many returning homeowners are also using recycled materials, including lum-
nity in the United States."
"It will be a stronger, better, greener community."
ERICA GOODMAN
Greensburg City Councilwoman
Returning homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to think about such things as energy-saving lights and rainwater collection systems as they rebuild. The town government has resolved to erect public buildings that meet the stringent LEED Platinum standards
ber and bricks salvaged from the twister.
The John Deere farm equipment dealership has put up a wind turbine, as has the town's brand-new arts center. Others are planned.
Builders are installing water-efficient faucets, shower heads, toilets and appliances, and a few homes will also have solar panels to provide power.
Kathy Doherty, 53, moved into her newly built house less than two weeks ago, relying on a combination of insurance and a government loan.
green, but put in things such as an efficient hot water heater and insulation to cut their energy costs.
"In a way, I am for it some," she said of the town's green effort. "I think they are going too far with it.
But if they have the money, it is fine"
LEED Platinum buildings cost about 5 percent more to construct but generally save 30 to 50 percent on energy bills, according to Jack Rozdilsky, a University of North Texas professor who has studied Greensburg's rebuilding effort.
A commemoration of the disaster, dubbed "Tragedy to Triumph — Greensburg Rising," begins Friday and culminates on Sunday with President Bush delivering the high school commencement address. But questions persist about Greensburg's future — green or not.
Since the storm, 131 new home permits have been issued. But about half the town's residents have yet to come back. Some cannot afford to rebuild, while others have moved on to other opportunities and settled elsewhere.
Many of the 700 people who remain in Greensburg are still living in "Femaville," the mobile home park set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the outskirts of town.
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