THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.115 ISSUE 138
oportectedural
WWW.KANSAN.COM
ted, as a e & t.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2005
week
NS
5
SCIENCE
Panel discusses evolution
Experts say new standards could hurt the economy
BY TY BEAVER
teaver@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
As the hearings on the state's science standards for K-12 students approach, a panel of University of Kansas students and faculty, along with other experts and scientists said changes devaluing evolution in the standards could harm the state's economy.
Several members of the
Sitting at the front of the sanctuary of Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., the panelists discussed their unhappiness with the necessity of the meeting.
panel, which met yesterday, said this was a response to what they said was the Kansas Board of Education's agenda to make intelligent design part of the science curriculum. They said that the bioscience industry would not want to come to a state that did not value science and that people would not move to a state with a educational system that was perceived as backward.
"I can't express pleasure to be here because it feels like we're
"I can't express pleasure to be here because it feels like we're in a time machine going back to the 1700s."
Leonard Krishtalka Director, KU Natural History Museum
in a time machine going back to the 1700s," Leonard Krishtalka, director of the KU Natural History Museum, said.
Each of the seven members of the panel spoke briefly on an area that the board's final decision could affect. Effects on the state's economy and education were two subjects discussed the most.
Because the state legislature passed the Kansas Bioscience Initiative in 2004, Charles Decedue, executive director of the Higuchi Biosciences Center, said it was critical that the quality of science education stay high.
In his opening remarks, John Burch, Plymouth church member, said that the panel would attempt to answer the questions the board should be asking before they made their decision in May.
The initiative involves spending $500 million dollars to attract companies to the state and make it a leader in bioscience industry and research, Decedue said. Twenty-thousand jobs could result from the initiative.
"The question is whether K- 12 students will qualify for those 20,000 bioscience jobs," he said.
Students and faculty commented on how downplaying evolution in the classroom would affect education.
Andrew Stangl said his school didn't teach evolution as a result of the board's science standards changes in 2001.
He learned about evolution
because he took the time outside of school to learn it, said the Andover sophomore and president of the KU chapter of the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics.
Rachel Robson, Lawrence medical student, will graduate this August. She said she would like to stay in Kansas to work but was concerned that jobs in the bioscience industry could be scarce.
"There are native Kansans that want to stay but may have nowhere to [work]." she said.
Panelists also answered questions from the audience of about 50 people.
CAMPUS
— Edited by Kendall Dix
Illustration by jeff Wilson/KANSAN
Beer decision on hold
Final proposal to be drawn up May 7 for beer sales in Union
BY DANIEL BERK
dberk@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
Nearly three months after a proposal was made, there is still no decision on whether beer sales will be allowed in the Kansas Union.
The next step in the process will happen May 7, at the Memorial Corporation board meeting. The board is composed of 24 students, faculty and staff. In a February 2005 meeting, the board unanimously approved a plan to look into bringing responsible alcohol sales back to the Union. Responsible alcohol sales include giving customers bracelets once they enter the joybowl region, not letting customers purchase more than one drink at a time and scanning
people's identification cards.
At the next meeting, the board will finalize a formal proposal that will be given to the top two administrators at the University, Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Provost David Shulenburger. Hemenway and Shulenburger will make the final decision.
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success and a member of the board, said once a proposal is given to the Hemenway and Shulenburger, the most important thing that will have to be done is to talk to members of the community and gain feedback.
"There are some people who think this is a bad idea," Roney said. "Once we have the proposal it will be important to talk to the community as a whole and see what they think."
Roney said Hemenway and Shulenburger had not reached a decision on the idea because
SEE BEER ON PAGE 5A
KSU union beer sales profitable
BY KELLI ROBINETT
krobinett@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Officials at the University of Kansas need only look west on I-70 to see that union liquor sales won't bring negative effects to campus.
Kansas State has sold 3.2 percent beer in its student union since 1995, and no major problems have occurred during the past decade, said K-State recreation manager Teri Eddy.
The K-State union, which holds 16 bowling lanes, several pool tables and a Subway restaurant, sells beer behind the front desk. Three beers are
"I had my doubts, but its virtually been no problem whatsoever." she said.
always on tap — Budweiser, Bud Light and Coors Light — and several other alcoholic beverages, such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, are kept in a refrigerator in the back.
All beer is poured into plastic cups before given to customers for safety reasons, and pitchers are never used. On-tap beers can be purchased for $2 in 16 ounce cups, or $1.50 in 12 ounce cups. Beer sales stop at 1 in the morning.
Eddy said the union tried its hardest to cut down on underage drinking. On busy nights, wrist bands were given to of-age customers to control underage drinking. Patrons could purchase only one beer at a time, as
MUSIC
Bands to battle for $600 purse
Event organizers say they want to bring in record-setting crowd
BY ADAM LAND
aland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
SEE KSU ON PAGE 5A
last year's Battle the Bands McCollum Hall brought in about 150 people and organizers hope this year attendance will reach 500. The event, which takes place tomorrow from 2 to 7 p.m., is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Chipotle, and attendees will be offered free burritos and Coke, Chad Theisen, associate complex director for McCollum Hall, said.
ly are trying to go all out," Theisen said. "We hope this year is bigger than any in the past."
"We real-
Organizers of this year's event want to have a record number of students attend, said Theisen. Six bands, ranging from hard rock to pop, will be on the ticket. Bands perform for 30 minutes each, and there will be 15 minutes between the bands for setup.
"We are really excited to play this event," said Pat Downes, front man for the Pat Downes Band and Overland Park junior. "We came in second last year and we hope to do better this year." Pat Downes and the band will play a musical style influenced by Dave Matthews and other acoustic artists.
Every band chosen had to have a least one member in University housing, Theisen said. First timers, Farewell to Ashlyn, are ready for the experience.
SEE BANDS ON PAGE 5A
Today's weather
All contents, unless stated otherwise,
© 2005 The University Daily Kansan
NFL Draft
KU defensive end David McMillan, who impressed scouts earlier this year, hopes for a draft from a Southern team tomorrow. The first three rounds of selections take place tomorrow in New York City. PAGE 1B
Basketball recruitino
Home sweet home
Dwight Lewis' father said his son committed to Kansas Tuesday, but Lewis, a shooting guard/small forward, still plans to visit other schools. PAGE 1B
Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity plan to move into a house at 1111 W. 11th St. in August. The house is currently occupied by Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. PAGE 2A
Counterculture poll Does counterculture activism make a differ-
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