AUGUST 15,2005
ON THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MULTICULTURAL
3C
Groups cater to diversity of University
BY ESTUARDO GARCIA
egarcia@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
The University has devoted itself to increasing the diversity of its student population. To do this, it has sponsored many multicultural clubs and organizations to match its students. Construction on a multi-million dollar project to build a new Multicultural Resource Center next to the Kansas Union has a scheduled ground-breaking for August.
The current MRC is referred to as "the Shack." It is a small building that used to be the Military Science Annex, behind the current Military Science Building.
Every year large umbrella organizations put on several fundraisers and educational programs that are designed to educate other students about minority issues.
Each year the Black Student Union prepares for Black History Month as well as for their annual Black Love Week, which celebrates unity and culture. The week ends with the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Black Love, which coincides with the Homecoming king and queen in the fall.
The Asian-American Student Union spends some of its time serving the community by working at the Jubilee Café or with the Lawrence Humane Society. The group also prepares for its annual Asian Festival, which includes educational programs, dancing and a big dinner called the "Taste of Asia."
Native-American students have an organization that shares their rich and colorful culture and history with KU students. The First Nations Student Association, which was founded in 1991, holds a powwow celebration that draws visitors and performers from all over the country. Last year there was a record crowd of more than 1,500 people inside Robison Gymnasium.
The growing number of Hispanic people coming to Kansas prompted a need for Hispanic students to form a University group. The Hispanic-American Leadership Organization was formed to support the campus Hispanic population while also educating students about their culture. Every fall, HALO sponsors events for the Hispanic Heritage Month along with various fundraising and educational programs throughout the year.
More than 100 different countries are represented at the University, and there is one organization that tries to represent them all. The International
Students Association is the main organization for the international organizations on campus. Every year ISA helps students from different countries interact and learn about each other. Last spring, the group hosted World Expo and Festival of Nations.
One organization has become a louder voice in the field of equal rights after legislation was passed to ban homosexual marriage in the state of Kansas earlier this year. Queers & Allies has been the University's leading voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students and their straight allies for more then 30 years. They offer support
to students who have sexuality questions, and speak out for equal rights and acceptance. Every year Pride Week offers the opportunity to talk to students about "queer" issues and gives the organization a time to march in downtown Lawrence with other LGBT organizations.
There is a new organization that is breaking ground for students with disabilities. Able Hawks was created last year to represent those on campus who might sometimes be overlooked. The organization is still getting off the ground, and it's looking for more members, whether they have disabilities or not.
MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Office of Multicultural Affairs
* http://www.oma.ku.edu/
* ome@ku.edu
* 785-864-4351
mrc@ku.edu
785-864-4360
Multicultural Resource Center
http://www.mrc.ku.edu/
Asian-American Student Union
http://wwwku.edu/~asu/
aasu@ku.edu
Student Groups
Able Hawks
♦ zsc33@ku.edu
Black Student Union
http://www.ku.edu/~bsu/
BSUactivity@hotmail.com
First Nations Student Association
* http://www.ku.edu/~nimma/
* FNSA_L@raven.ccku.edu
Hispanic-American Leadership Organization
◆ http://www.ku.edu/~halo/
◆ capitan@ku.edu
PARKING
International Students Association
http://www.ku.edu/~isa/
isa@ku.edu
Queens & Allies
♦ http://wwwku.edu/~qanda/
♦ qanda@ku.edu
Parking 101: Cracking the color code
By Liz NARTOWICZ
lnartowicz@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Two hundred and twenty dollars.
That is how much Crystal Wright, Wamego sophomore, has paid in parking fines since arriving at the University.
"I've gotten about 30," Wright said. "They're for everything but mainly parking in the wrong lot."
Wright, like others before her, did not fully understand the parking system at the University.
"I knew there was a color system, but didn't know about the times," Wright said. "I thought all lots opened after five."
But to Wright's surprise, some lots — like the gold one behind Budig Hall where she parks before going to her 5 p.m. shift at The Underground — don't open until 7 p.m. The Underground is a university food court on the south side of Wescool Hall
Confusion over parking is common among all students, said Jennifer Bauer, a parking department employee. Because of this, the parking department is lenient the first couple days of classes, Bauer said. But afterward, the students are held accountable for knowing the system.
Fortunately, cracking the code for parking doesn't take much brainpower. The system is color-coded and lots are clearly
labeled for the most part. The colors correspond to the admission level with gold topping the ladder, then blue, red, and yellow.
Gold has full access to all lots while blue can access all blue or lower colored lots. The same goes for red and yellow. Exclusions for all colors include Alumni Place lots, loading docks and spaces designated for the physically disabled. Out of the colored passes, students can only purchase yellow or University Housing. Students residing in residence halls will have to buy a University housing pass that corresponds to their residence hall if they wish to park in their building's parking lot. Locations for yellow
and resident lots can be viewed at www.parking.ku.edu.
Students should be aware of the other passes because fines are color dependent. Excluding certain gold lots and loading areas, all lots require a corresponding colored pass to park between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The fine for parking incorrectly between these hours is generally $20. The fee for over parking at a meter is $5.
It is important to keep track of and pay all fines. Students can't enroll or obtain records with an unpaid parking ticket. Students ticketed after the third unpaid violation will be subject to towing. Payments can be made in person at the Parking Department Office,
immediately north of Allen Fieldhouse, or dropped in one of the fine boxes on campus. Cash, check or credit cards are all accepted.
Appeals can also be sent to the department or filed online at the department's Web site. Wright said she made two appeals online, which were rejected, and thought appealing was futile.
One way to avoid fines altogether is KU on Wheels, said Jessica Mortinger, the program's transportation coordinator. Besides sidestepping potential fines, KU on Wheels offers the benefit of having to drive less.
"Parking can only get you so close anyway." Mortinger said.
PASSES
- Students can purchase a fall and spring bus pass in the Kansas Room at the Kansas Union from Aug. 15 to 19 for $130. Afterward passes can be bought at the SUA office, also in the Kansas Union.
♦ Students can purchase yellow permits or University housing permits for $140 per year at the parking department.
Sources: Parking and KU on Wheels Web sites
Each year, over 7,000 KU students give over 30,000 hours of volunteer service to the Lawrence community.
We could always use one more.
Join us on Saturday,August 20 10:00 AM-2:00 PM for the CCO Hawk Week Service Project Transportation and lunch provided.
Environmental Clean-up atthe Baker Wetlands Yard & House Maintenance for Community Living Opportunities Play with puppies at the Lawrence Humane Society Serve brunch at the Jubilee Cafe
For more information, contact the Center for Community Outreach: cco@ku.edu
- First meeting is on August 15th at 1 pm in the Relays Room of the Burge Unioni. It is a great chance to meet other students from similar backgrounds, ask questions, hear about our mentor program as well as having th eopportunity to get campus/classroom tours after we meet.
- Kansas Connections: Helping Small Town Students Succeed will aid in helping small town students succeed academically and socially by providing the necessary resources to get the most out of their college experiences.
- At our website, students can fill out a questionnaire to participate in our mentor program. It is our hope to match up incoming students with current KU studentsand to act as a guide or helper during some of their time at KU.
Have questions?
ksconnections@ku.edu
We will also be tabling
at both of the SILC in fairs.
Volunteers Needed
- Help grow food for local kitchens serving people in need
Contact Aaron Olsen at aolsen@ku.edu www.ku.edu/~cgarden
- Evenings Mon-Fri
http://www.ku.edu/~slab • slab@ku.edu • 864-3710
STUDENT SENATE
one community. many voices.
S. L.A.B.
Student Legislative Awareness Board
SLAB exists to lobby for students on the local, state,and national levels. It is a great opportunity for anyone interested in politics.
- Students pay $300 in student fees per semester
- Five committees, which see all legislation are open to ALL students
GET STARTED!
First committee meeting is August 24 at 6 PM in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
FRESHMEN SENATOR ELECTIONS!
Five seats are open to all freshmen for the freshmen senator elections. For more information drop by the Student Senate office (410 Kansas Union) or go to the elections website (www.ku.edu/~election/freshman/frindex.html)
YOUR AD HERE
Contact Nolan T. Jones, Communications Director, for more information about how to advertise in the student senate.Call him at 864-3710, email him at nolx13@ku.edu.or drop by the office.
www.ku.edu/~senate
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