Volume 125 Issue 87
kansan.com
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
KANSAN
MARCH MADNESS
Placing bets on your tournament brackets is a tradition... and illegal
Omar Prieto, a freshman from Wichita, said that if he can make
JENNA JAKOWATZ
jjakowatz@kansan.com
BRACK-TIVITY
"I know it's illegal, but I still plan on doing it anyway!" Schulte said.
If you knew placing money on your bracket for a betting pool at work could get you into trouble, would you still take the risk?
"Definitely," said Nick Schulte, a senator from Wichita.
On Selection Sunday, Schulte will be one of thousands of people spending hours meticulously perfecting their NCAA tournament brackets, and then betting money with a group of friends or coworkers in the hopes of winning the pool.
"The NCAA believes sports should be appreciated for the benefits of participating or watching, not the amount of money that can be won or lost depending on the outcome of the games," the NCAA's website states.
The FBI is not the only organization trying to combat illegal gambling on college sports. The NCAA says college sports should be about fun, not making a profit.
According to the American Gaming Association's website, "Nevada's legal sports wagering represents less than 1 percent of all sports betting nationwide." The website also says the FBI estimates that more than $2.5 billion is wagered illegally each year on March Madness alone. In comparison, more than $2.88 billion was wagered legally through sports books in Nevada in 2011. Keep in mind that was for all sports, not just one month of basketball.
There's just one catch: Betting on college sports is illegal everywhere in the United States, except for Nevada.
some money while also having fun, then the payoff is worth the risk.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Prieto said.
According to US Code Title 18, section 1955, which prohibits illegal gambling businesses, the worst that could happen is if the FBI catches wind of that office pool, the people involved face a fine and could be imprisoned.
"I've been watching all season," Schulte. "It's fun to apply the knowledge I have gained over the season and pair that with competitiveness to see if it will pay off."
Schulte has known for years that betting on college sports is illegal, but that has not fazed him. He plans on betting $10 to $20 in a pool, and if this pool has 10 people betting $10 to $20 as well, he stands to win $100 to $200: 10 times what he originally bet. For thousands of Americans, this big payoff from such a small bet is what the "madness" of March is all about.
ACADEMICS
CURRENT B.A. REQUIREMENTS KU CORE AS B.A. REQUIREMENTS
• Distribution 45 hours
• Principal courses 27 hours
1. Critical Thinking & Quantitative Literacy
2 units
2. Written & Oral Communication
2 units written + 1 unit oral
3. Background of Knowledge Across Fundamental Areas of Study
3 units
4. Cultural Understanding & Global Awareness
2 units
5. Social Responsibility & Ethical Behavior
1 unit
6. Integrate Knowledge & Think Creatively
1 unit
72 hours 36 hours*
KU aims to reduce required credit hours
*Students will need 36 hours if all units are satisfied by three-credit-hour classes. Some KU Core classes simultaneously satisfy major requirements. Students may elect approved learning experiences to satisfy some goals.
MARSHALLSCHMIDT
This year's freshman class may be able to take advantage of the KU Core, the University's new common curriculum courses, set to go into effect for this fall's incoming freshmen. With the hope of boosting student retention, the KU Core aims to reduce the overall number of required general credit hours, said Hannah Bolton, student body president.
"Students are having to take an unrealistic amount of general education requirements," Bolton said. "It's the largest number I've heard of in the Big 12."
mschmidt@kansan.com
Source: Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The new KU Core will require all students to take 36 hours of general credits, which accomplishes six
learning outcomes, according to the Office of the Dean of the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences, Current CLAS students are required to take 72 general education credits, which Danny Anderson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said disengages CLAS underclassmen
first place."
While degree-specific requirements are still yet to be approved, Anderson said the common curriculum change will give students greater flexibility as the six learning outcomes can be met by a variety of classes.
"Students are having to take an unrealistic amount of general education requirements."
HANNAH BOLTON Student Body President
because they spend their first two years in non degree-specific classes.
"Manv top
"Many students chose to leave KU because of this," Anderson said. "Others never came in the
Bolton said the KU Core, which affects the CLAS the most, will help with freshmen retention, as most first-year students are initially admitted to the CLAS before applying to a professional school at the University.
top students who decide to go to other universities do so in part on the basis on our current curriculum." Anderson said. "We have updated our curriculum and curricular structure to meet the needs of 21st
century students who face a different world."
As for current students, Bolton said only current freshmen may be eligible to opt into the KU Core.
"This year's freshmen need to meet with their adviser to see if they can make it work." Bolton said. "It will be a lot more feasible to graduate in four years, especially students who are double majoring or switching their major."
- Edited by Paige Lytle
Index CLASSIFIEDS 6 CRYPTOQUIPS 5 SPORTS 8 CROSSWORD 5 OPINION 4 SUDOKU 5
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget The Buried Life will be holding a lecture at the Union at 7 p.m.
Today's Weather
Partly cloudy. Breezy. Winds from the NW at 10 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
HI: 46
LO: 23
Weather Jay misses the sun.