THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN NEWS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2005 Editor's Note: As part of the new, daily 2A features, every Wednesday the Kansan will have a question and answer session with a famous fayhawk. Nick Sterner How does it feel to be student body president? NS: It's been a great time so far. I've had an excellent experience as student body president, and I think it's going to be a really fun year. What is the most difficult part of your job? NS: A lot of it has to do with time management The most difficult issue going on right now is definitely transit and parking. It's been a long summer of working with university administration and a number of interested persons and groups on this campus about transportation and parking. That will be the hardest issue, I think, for the entire year. NS: I usually have one to two early morning meetings, and then class dur ing the bulk of the What is a typical day like for you? day and then a couple of late afternoon meetings. I'm usually on campus from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Is it hard to balance Student Senate and school? Is being student body president what you expected it to be? NS: It's a pretty even balance for Student Senate and school. There's a lot of time management and just making sure that when you go home you have dinner and stuff, and then you study before anything else. But for the most part, it's a matter of working with my teachers on missing class here and there for meetings, for Board of Regents, things like that, talking to them and letting them know who I am and working with them on issues. NS: So far it's definitely what I expected it to be. It's been really busy, a whole lot of fun, and it's been a great opportunity to work with a lot of students, fac utty, staff and people on and off campus that really care about this university. And for that reason alone, it's been a wonderful experience. What are some of your goals for this year, and what is the one thing you want to accomplish this year as president? NS: By the end of the year, I hope that we've done a lot of our platform issues, and we've changed the campus in a beneficial way. For me, it's just to have fun, learn a lot, help everybody that we can on campus and hold an open office that serves as many students as possible. What advice would you give to new students? NS: Get involved. I think new students need to be out there, look at different student organizations, start on your own, meet lots of other students and make yourself a part of the university community. What is your favorite KU tradition? NS: Hmm... that's tough. I would say my favorite KU tradition is probably waving the wheat at the end of a basketball or football game. Drinking age challenged BY GABY SOUZA gsouza@kansan.com KANSAN STAFF WRITER Edited by Becca Evanb Candace Davis, vice president of the Oread Neighborhood Association, said that before the drinking age in Kansas was raised to 21 in 1985, noise and rowdiness were not as much of a problem as it is now. Students went to bars where they could drink 3.2 beer if they were over the age of 18. Students and members of the Oread Neighborhood Association have found something they agree on: lowering the drinking age. State Representative Mardi Francisco said partying was more regulated and order was easier to keep when the drinking age was 18. Francisco, who is also a founding member of the Oread Neighborhood Association, said this was because bars are places of business, where someone is in charge of what goes on inside the bar. Also, there was a dialogue kept between "The drinking laws are difficult." Francisco said. "A lot of people have come to school and want some additional opportunities; 3.2 beer gave people some opportunities." the bar owners and the neighborhood, she said. Hawver said he was able to drink 3.2 beer when he turned 18, and he does not want to deny any 18-year-old that right. If a person is able to fight for his country, then he should be able to drink, Hawver said. people some opinions. The idea of lowering the drinking age is also supported by Dennis Hawley, one of the Republican Party's candidates for the gubernatorial primary election. Hawter switched his party from the Libertarian Party to the Republican Party on Aug. 19, 2005. He will be running in the primary on Aug. 1, 2006. "It seems to me if people assume certain social responsibilities, they should get other responsibilities in return," he said. "A lot of people have come to school and want some additional opportunities." Marci Francisco State Representative Kirk Matthew, Overland Park freshman, said he agreed with Hawver that lowering the drinking age was common sense. "If we're able to vote and fight for our country, we should be able to drink," Matthew said. Francisco said lowering the drinking age would not create an immediate, positive change in the neighborhood. There are statistics that show the number of car accidents involving drunk drivers increases as the age of the drivers decreases, she said. Getting people to drink responsibly is still an issue. "You don't solve an abuse problem by changing the way it is abused," said Carol von Tersch, a member of the Oread Neighborhood Association. "nighteen-year-olds have just gotten their licenses, and they don't have the maturity to handle the responsibility," she said. Sarah Fiske, Denver junior thinks the drinking age should not be lowered because of problems with drunk driving. Francisco said the residents of the Oread neighborhood are in no way opposed to students hanging out in the neighborhood. She said the residents love where they live and would move if they had too much of a problem. "We love the location, we like activity; we just have to be careful," she said. Ashes to ashes, dance to dance Jessica Turner, Omaha senior, rehearses for the University Dance Company Concerts yesterday in Robinson Gymnasium. To her right are Meggi Sweeney, Carrolton Mo., junior, Marja Edwardson, Eden Prairie, Minn., senior, and instructor Joan Stone. The group was rehearsing for the program "Sparks to Ashes," which takes place Nov. 17 and 18. NATION Hurricane causes jump in gas prices The potential damage to oil platforms, refineries and pipelines that remain closed along the Gulf Coast drove energy prices to new highs yesterday, with crude futures briefly topping $70 a barrel and wholesale gasoline costs surging to levels that could lead to $3 a gallon at the pump in some markets. Companies scrambled planes and helicopters to get an aerial view of their assets, and they began escorting some previously evacuated workers back to offshore facilities to conduct detailed inspections of rigs and underwater pipes. Some producers found that a rig or platform had disappeared, drifted or listed, while others reported that damage appeared minimal. Onshore, flooding from Hurricane Katrina is likely to have caused enough damage to some refineries that it could take weeks, and possibly a month or more, before operations return to normal. analysts said. Indeed, the production and distribution of oil and gas remained severely disrupted by the shutdown of a key oil import terminal off the coast of Louisiana and by the Gulf region's widespread loss of electricity, which is needed to power pipelines and refineries. The Associated Press Tell us your news Contact Austin Caster Lakewood, Anja Winkenke, Jobeick, Tey Beaver or Near Katrin at 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com. Kansas newcomer 111 Stuart-Finn Hall 1453 Jay Street, Kokomo, IL Linda, KS 60455 (785) 864-4810 (785) 864-4810 MEDIA PARTNERS NEWS KUJH For more news, use JUJH-IV on Supper Cablevision Channel 31 in Lawrence. The student-produced news airs at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. every day through Friday. Also, check out KUJH online at tvku.hu. KJHK is the student voice in radio, music. It is news, music, sports, talk shows made for students, made for students, by students. Whether it's rock n' roll or reggae, sports or special events, JKJH 9.7 is for you. 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