THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL. 116 ISSUE 1
▼ IOBS
MONDAY, AUGUST 15.2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Wages increase
University raises minimum student pay 50 cents per hour
BY GABY SOUZA
gouza@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Student employees at the University of Kansas may soon have
extra cash on their hands.
Starting with the pay period beginning August 28, the minimum wage will be $6.50 per hour, up from $6 per hour. Any student already earning more than the minimum may be given a raise at the discretion of the department.
"We feel the best way to help students is to raise wages," said Lindy Eakin, vice provost of administration and finance. "We're not competitive with what other jobs are out there."
The increase is part of the tuition enhancement plan, which raised money for university improvements
lustin O'Neal/KANSAN
over a period of five years.
Watson Library employee Miriam Maples, a Lawrence Sophmore, sorts through returned books Friday behind the circulation desk. Student employees like Maples stand to recieve a $.50 salary increase, starting Aug. 28.
The University is currently in the fourth year of the plan. Eakin said a portion of the extra funds are for an increase in the student hourly wage. This year, the plan included $250,000 for an increase in the minimum student hourly wage.
"We should be the employer of choice for students." Eakin said.
Kyle Beyer, Emporia senior, said the wage increase encouraged him to continue working at Watson Library, where he is a student hourly employee.
Beyer started working at Watson Library in January. He initially wanted the job at the library because of the flexible hours, but he said the wage increase does not hurt.
"No one's going to complain about more money." Beaver said.
Since some departments' student hourly employee wages are not funded through the University, those departments must honor the increase and find new funding for the raise.
Justin O'Neal/KANSAN
The departments that are not funded by the University include the Memorial Unions, the Parking Department and the Department of Student Housing. Those that are funded by the University include the libraries and on-campus offices.
The Parking Department will increase the hourly wage if necessary, said Donna Hultine, director of parking services.
Before the last pay raise, the hourly wage for the parking department's student hourly employees was already higher than the minimum. Hultine said. All student parking employees received a raise at that time.
"This is a tough job. We want to make sure this is an attractive place to work," said Hultine.
"We can choose more hours, more choices, or a little bit of both," said Eakin.
Next year, even more money will be available for student hourly employees. The extra $500,000 for 2006-07 has not been allocated, Eakin said.
It is possible that more student jobs will be created or that the student minimum wage will be increased again.
— Edited by Katie Lohrenz.
CONSTRUCTION
Old Fieldhouse gets new look
Ryan Farnsworth nails down a section of plywood for the James Naismith Court inside Allen Fieldhouse on Friday. Workers expect to finish the interior renovations by Late Night in the Phog.
BY RVAN SCHNEIDER
rschneider@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Following its 50th season, Allen Fieldhouse received quite a birthday present — a makeover.
Interior renovations made this summer include improved lighting and sound systems, refurbished chair-back seats, fresh paint for the bleachers, renovated bathrooms and new championship banners. A new video board was installed this month as well.
A new court will also be installed in the next month, Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director, said.
Renovations to the aging fieldhouse were an effort to revive, but not change, the feel of the building, Marchiony said.
"The overriding premise was that we knew that the fieldhouse needed a facelift," Marchiony said. "We didn't want to change the interior or exterior. All of it was meant to enhance and preserve."
The renovation inside coincides with the previously completed cleaning of the limestone exterior and construction of the new Booth Family Hall of Athletics.
"It's going fine and it's on schedule," Marchiony said. "We think it's going to be exciting."
The Booth Family Hall of Athletics will include features and interactive exhibits highlighting the University's athletic achievements. It will also house the ticket office, merchandise store, a lounge for donors and a room for players and recruits. Marchiony said he thought the new hall would blend with the character of the building.
"We were looking for a design that fit right in with the field house itself," Marchiony said.
Respect of the tradition in the fieldhouse was an important factor in the construction and renovation, Bonnie Henrickson, women's head basketball coach, said.
"We also want to make sure as we bring fans and recruits in there that not only is it a special place to play in because of the aesthetics, but because of the history as well." Henrickson said.
New advertisements above the second level exits were also included. The new rotating advertisements will be coordinated with the advertisements on press row. Previously, there were permanent advertisements placed above the second level exits. Marchiony said he thought that the improved second level advertising would give the advertisers more for their money.
The Ward family of Kansas City, Mo. and the Russell Stover Foundation funded the renovation.
Edited by Erick R, Schmidt
STUDENT HEALTHCARE
BY JOIN JORDAN
jjordan@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Students at the University of Kansas have another option for covering health care, but it comes at a price.
The new plan offers a lower deductible and pays a higher percentage of medical costs than the existing Board of Regents' plan, but the new plan also adds confusion for international students, who can choose among several options for their mandated health care coverage.
Student Senate and University administration developed the plan jointly with the University of Kansas Medical Center. Input from student government, Student Health Services, the provost's office and faculty from
both the University and the Med Center guided the new plan.
Carol Seager, director of Student Health Services, said she felt as though the Board of Regents' plan wasn't offering enough coverage for students.
"We had growing concerns about needing another plan," Seager said. "We felt like the students needed a more robust choice."
Seager said although the new plan cost $200 more per year than the Regents' plan, she believed the level of coverage the new plan offered made it a good value for students.
"It doesn't take something catastrophic to happen to a student to make up that $200," Seager said.
SEE HEALTH PAGE 9A
Guard against burglary
BY STEPHEN LYNN
slynn@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
Crime doesn't happen only in bigger cities like Kansas City or Wichita: It is an unpleasant resident of Lawrence that lives among students.
He laughed as he imagined a frustrated thief trying to play a compact disc on his stolen car stereo.
Just ask Brian Gaul.
Gaul's Honda was burglarized between 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 10 at Beau's Import Auto Service, 545 Minnesota Street. The event serves as a reminder that Kansas' sixth largest city experiences a significant amount of crime, including
"Whoever took it didn't get a very good one," said Gaul, Troy senior.
Owner Beau Barrick said Gaul's Honda probably was locked,but the window was down several inches.
"Auto burglaries and residence burglaries are a common thing for students to be victims of," said Sgt. Dant Ward of the Lawrence Police Department.
"I'm not sure whether it was locked or unlocked, but it's pretty easy to open with a hanger." Gaul said.
Gaul may not have been at fault in this case. However, students often leave doors and windows unlocked, allowing burglarst to steal belongings in vehicles and homes. Student neighborhoods are especially vulnerable, Ward said.
Crime occurs across Lawrence
CRIME
SEE THEFT PAGE 12A
auto and residence burglaries.
All contents, unless stated otherwise,
© 2005 The University Dkans Kansu
Joshua Bickel/KANSAN
KU football media day The Kansas football team showed off its new uniforms and talked about the upcoming season during its annual day of interviews. Check out the sports section for a complete guide of everything KU football. SECTION B
On and Off the Hill
Need to know how to drop a class? Does your new place allow pets? Find everthing you need to know about surviving in Lawrence. SECTIONS C AND D
Beer in the Union
The KU Memorial Corporation denied Student Senate's request to reinstate sales of cereal malt beverages in the Kansas Union citing unintended sales to minors. SEE FULL COVERAGE THURSDAY
Online poll Should the Kansan change to a tabloid
kansan .com EXCLUSIVE to vote about
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changes to the design.
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