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NEWS MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN KANSAN.COM
Carillonneur of the bells
Spencer Walsh/KANSAN
Elizabeth Egbert Berghout, the University carillonneur for the past 10 years, plays recitals in the Campanile every Sunday at 5 p.m. until May 14. "On cold days like this," she mentioned on Sunday, "it feels like I'm playing for the squirrels." The 53-bell Carillon in the Campanile is the largest instrument in the state of Kansas.
INTERNATIONAL
Iran criticizes IAEA for U.S. influence
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader charged Sunday that the U.S. and its allies are behind the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency's claim that Iran may be making nuclear bombs, despite its repeated denials.
The comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broadcast on state television Sunday, came 10 days after the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was concerned Iran may be
working on nuclear weapons,
echoing conclusions reached by
the U.S. and several of its allies.
"Some IAEA reports and actions show that this international agency lacks independence," the television quoted Khamenei as saying. "The IAEA should not be influenced by the U.S. and some (other) countries because unilateral acts erode trust in the agency and the United Nations. It is also very bad for the prestige and reputation of these international bodies."
Associated Press
New regulations protect against overdraft charges
BANKING RULES
BY EMILY MCCOY emccoy@kansan.com
Jessica Janasz didn't think twice before swiping her Commerce Bank debit card to pay for a $10 haircut.
The next day and one debit card purchase later, she checked her online account and realized she had been charged $55 in overdraft fees.
"I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that I was charged so much," said Janasz, a junior from Overland Park.
lanasz isn't alone in her frus
janesz islations with overdraft fees. According to a 2008 report by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., nearly half of people ages 18-25 incur fees
DOWN AND OUT
Braden Katz says fees plunging consumers into debt. OPINION | 9A
each year for attempting to withdraw more money from an account than is available.
However, new Federal Reserve regulations set to take effect this summer will soon cause banks to face stricter rules for charging overdraft fees.
The Federal Reserve regulations will require banks to explain overdraft policies and get written consent from customers who enroll in overdraft protection programs. The alternative would be for customers to have bankcard withdrawals denied when the checking account has no money.
BIG BUCKS
Even with the changes, consumer advocates are demanding more protection. Director of financial services for the Consumer Federation of America Jean Ann Fox said the new Federal Reserve regulations don't go far enough.
Fox said the regulations don't protect consumers from disproportionate charges, additional
Banks in the United States stood to collect $38.5 billion in overdraft fees in 2009, according to data from Moebs Services, an economic research firm.
fees assessed when charges aren't paid and charges from using paper checks.
"Competition hasn't disciplined banks and the Federal Reserve hasn't taken the necessary steps, so Congress needs to take action," Fox said.
The Consumer Federation of America is supporting the passage of House Bill 3904 and Senate Bill 1799, which would "amend the
Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices related to the marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs at depository institutions, and for other purposes," the legislation states. Both bills have been held up in committees since the fall
to keep track of what you spend," DeYoung said. "You shouldn't write checks or use debit cards without writing it down in a bank book."
Daniel Rezaiekhaligh, a senior from Kansas City, Mo., said he learned to be more diligent about checking his account records after he was charged $80 in fees from Bank of America for a $1.80 purchase.
Rezaekihalghal said it helps to keep track of finances, but banks also need to be more responsible for telling their customers about overdraft charges.
U. S. Rep. Dennis Moore is a chairman on the Financial Services committee that is currently considering House Bill 3904. He said the Federal Reserve regulations were a step in the right direction, but more should be done to protect consumers.
"Congress needs to ensure a $2 cup of coffee doesn't end up costing the consumer $40 in fees."
"Once you have it happen, you'll see it's such a scam," Rezaiekhaligh said.
"Congress needs to ensure a $2 cup of coffee doesn't end up costing the consumer $40 in fees," Moore said through e-mail.
DENNIS MOORE
U.S. Representative
(D-Kan.)
Robert DeYong, director of KU Center for Banking Excellence, said students don't need to wait for the law to offer protection from overdraft charges.
"Banks will notify you about anything else, but not about overdrafts." Rezaiekhaliq "You
"The best way to avoid fees is
tion and services to help customers effectively manage their finances to avoid overdrafts"
never hear, 'Hey,
not only are you
out of money,
but we're charging
you $25
more dollars."
A Bank of America representative did not respond to an interview request.
With the new regulations set to begin this summer and more legislation pending Congress, banks will soon have to readjust their policies.
In the meantime, Fox, from the Consumer Federation of America, has one suggestion: "Leave your debit card at home."
Edited by Sarah Bluvas
ARCHAEOLOGY
Head of pharaoh statue found
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAIRO — Archaeologists have unearthed a massive red granite head of one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities announced yesterday.
The head of Amenhotep III, which alone is about the height of a person, was dug out of the ruins of the pharaoh's mortuary temple in Luxor.
Dr. Hourig Sourouzian, the leader of the expedition that discovered the head, described it as the best preserved sculpture of Amenhootep III's face found to date.
"Other statues have always had something broken: the tip of the nose, the face is eroded," said Sourouzian. "But here, from the tip of the crown to the chin, it is so beautifully carved and polished; nothing is broken."
The head is part of a larger statue found several years ago, along with the parts of the body, the back slab, and the ceremonial beard which Souruzian says will soon be connected with the head.
Amenhotep III, who was the grandfather of the famed pharaoh Tutankhamun, ruled from 1387 to 1348 B.C. at the height of Egypt's New Kingdom.
Amenhotep III's massive mortuary temple was largely destroyed, possibly by floods, and little remains of its walls.
The expedition, however, has unearthed a wealth of artifacts and statuary in the buried ruins, including two statues of Amenhotep made of black granite found in March.
HPV Fact #8:
Guys can't get screened for HPV. So there's no way to know if a guy has the virus or is passing it on.
HPV Fact #12:
Condoms may not fully protect against HPV-the virus that can cause cervical cancer.
Visit your campus health center.
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