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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013
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LOCAL
Senate creates task force against highway construction
HANNAH BARLING
hbarling@kansan.com
Student Senate finalized the task force that will work to suspend the construction of the South Lawrence Trafficway in order to preserve the Wakarusa Wetlands.
The task force consists of representatives of KU Environs, First Nations student organization, Haskell Wetlands Preservation, University faculty and administration, student senators and the student body president.
Kansas Department of Transportation plans to construct the South Lawrence Trafficway in the fall and the route it has chosen runs directly through the Wetlands. Student Senate chose the task force to further investigate the issue and create a final proposal to send to the University administration.
Student Body President Hannah Bolton said the task force will be the student voice. The task force will make a statement that people should care more about the Wetlands rather than let them disappear. She said that preserving the Wetlands is important for research and for students who have ties to the actual ground.
"It has an incredible educational value, and that is important to keep in mind," Bolton said. "Creating awareness can get more people interested in advocating for it," Bolton said.
Haskell Indian Nations University had sole rights to the Wetlands until the Indian Termination period in the 1950s and 1960s. Now, the University, along with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Baker University share the rights to the land. The Wetlands cover more than 640 acres. Baker owns 573 acres, Haskell owns 27 acres, the University owns 20 acres and KDWPT also owns 20 acres.
The South Lawrence Trafficway will run through the Wetlands
owned by the University, Baker and KDWPT, next to Haskell's portion.
Brian Sultana, a senior from Manhattan, has worked with other University and Haskell students and members of the community to stop the construction. He said if the University gives its share of the Wetlands back to Haskell, the construction would end.
"My hope is that it brings together KU administration, KU students, Haskell administration and students and maybe even Baker administration and students," Sultana said.
Sultana said everyone has a stake in this issue and the task force is a way to bring in student input.
Sarah Kraus, a junior from Allen, Texas, is a member of KU Environments and Ecojustice. She said they have worked with the Wetlands Preservation Organization to raise awareness by attending Lawrence City Council meetings and speaking out against the construction. They have also hosted fundraising projects such as Swampfest in February. Kraus said aside from the environmental issues with the construction, the critical ecosystems in the Wetlands service the community by providing biodiversity.
Haskell has a special connection with the Wetlands.
When Haskell was a boarding school, students were not allowed to contact their families. Kraus said students used the Wetlands as a safe haven to talk with their families and for spiritual purposes. Because some of the students died in the Wetlands, Kraus said that the destruction of the Wetlands would destroy sacred grounds.
The task force plans to meet for the first time April 5. It will meet three times before May 1 to finalize a proposal to send to administration.
Edited by Tara Bryant
The Haskell-Baker Wetlands are home to a diversity of wildlife and plant species in Lawrence. The state plans to build a large highway through the area connecting I-70 to Kansas Highway 10.
ERIN BREMER/KANSAN
The first class of students at KU was in the Fall of 1866, and consisted of 29 men and 26 women.
POLICE REPORTS
- A 20-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 1900 block of Maple Lane under suspicion of cultivation or distribution of controlled substance, no marijuana tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia. A $15,000 bond was paid.
- A 22-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 1800 block of Iowa Street under suspicion of possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. A $4,000 bond was paid.
- A 19-year-old female was arrested Monday on the 3600 block of 25th Street under suspicion of theft of property valued under $1,000. A $250 bond was paid.
- A 28-year-old male was arrested Monday on the 3400 block of Scioto Drive under suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage to property. No bond was posted.
NATION
- Emily Donovan
U.S. Supreme Court begins debate on same-sex marriage
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court dove into a historic debate on gay rights Tuesday that could soon lead to resumption of same-sex marriage in California, but the justices signaled they may not be ready for a major national ruling on whether America's gays and lesbians have a right to marry.
The court's first major examination of gay rights in 10 years continues Wednesday, when the justices will consider the federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of benefits afforded straight married people.
The issue before the court on Tuesday was more fundamental: Does the Constitution require that people be allowed to marry whom they choose, regardless of either partner's gender? The fact that the question was in front of the Supreme Court at all was startling, given that no state recognized same-sex unions before 2003 and 40 states still don't
allow them.
There is no questioning the emotions the issue stirs. Demonstrators on both sides crowded the grounds outside the court, waving signs, sometimes chanting their feelings.
Inside, a skeptical Justice Samuel Alito cautioned against a broad ruling in favor of gay marriage precisely because the issue is so new.
"You want us to step in and render a decision based on an assessment of the effects of this institution which is newer than cellphones or the Internet? I mean, we do not have the ability to see the future," Alito said.
Indeed, it was clear from the start of the 80-minute argument in a packed courtroom, that the justices, including some liberals who seemed open to gay marriage, had doubts about whether they should even be hearing the challenge to California's Proposition 8, the state's voter-approved gay marriage ban.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the potentially decisive vote on a closely divided court, suggested the justices
could dismiss the case with no ruling at all.
Such an outcome would almost certainly allow gay marriage to resume in California but would have no impact elsewhere.
There was no majority apparent for any particular outcome, and many doubts were expressed by justices about the arguments advanced by lawyers for the opponents of gay marriage in California, by the supporters and by the Obama administration, which is in favor of same-sex marriage rights. The administration's entry into the case followed President Barack Obama's declaration of support for gay marriage.
On the one hand, Kennedy acknowledged the recentness of same-sex unions, a point stressed repeatedly by Charles Cooper, the lawyer for the defenders of Proposition 8. Cooper said the court should uphold the ban as a valid expression of the people's will and let the vigorous political debate over gay marriage continue.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Demonstrators chant outside the Supreme Court in Washington yesterday as the court heard arguments on California's voter ban on same-sex marriage. Proposition 8.
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The Emily Taylor and Marilyn Stokstad Women's Leadership Lecture
SANDRA FLUKE "Making Our Voices Heard!" Wednesday, March 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Woodruff A
In this presentation, social justice advocate Sandra Fluke will discuss her notable experience in 2012 before a House panel, in which she passionately testified on the need to provide access to contraception. She discusses how even though she was raked over the coals by conservative political commentators, rather than respond in kind, she transformed the media focus into an opportunity to advocate for important social justice concerns for women. Her inspiring talk is nothing short of a call to audience members to make their own voices heard and create social change and legislative action on issues that are important to them.
This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required www.hallcenter.ku.edu | 785-864-4798