CAMPUS/AREA UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, June 12, 1996
3A
Gina Thornburg/KANSAN
Lloyd Sponholtz, associate professor of history, teaches the History 129 Freshman Summer Institute class. The institute was established last summer to give incoming freshmen a head start on their college careers. In addition to the history class, the students are required to take Counseling Psychology 101 and complete their fall schedules.
Freshmen receive head start
By Gwen Olson
By Gwen Olson Kansan staff writer
Future Jayhawks are being offered a new program to make the transition to college smoother.
The Freshman Summer Institute provides freshman with academic help and a head start on their college careers.
"We get to find out if we're mature enough to handle things, and if we're prepared for college," said Kisses Miller, Kansas City, Mo., freshman.
The four-week program allows incoming freshman to become college students before fall.
The students stay in Ellsworth Hall and can earn up to five hours of college credit.
Students also will perform public service in the third week of the program.
Students are required to take Counseling Psychology 101 and can chose from introductory courses in history, anthropology, math, political science or psychology.
Stacey Satchell, graduate assistant in charge of programming who lives with the students, said, "The students are in class about four-and-a-half hours each day. They have been given academic advisers that will stay with them through their freshman year, who will help with enrollment and career planning."
The first session, ending June 28, has 34 participants, and the second session, beginning June 30, will have 54.
The cost of the program is $1,120.50 for residents and $2,070.50 for non-residents. A grant, provided by an alumni donation, is available for students needing financial assistance.
Away from the classroom,
"We get to find out if we're mature enough to handle things,and if we're prepared for college."
Kisses Miller
Kansas City, Mo., freshman
students will participate in the Challenge Course, held the first weekend after classes begin.
The course consists of 18 stations where students work on solving problems as a team. For example, one team had to scale a 14-foot wall.
"It was really fun, and it was a great way to get to know one another," said Rachel Buchanan, Overland Park freshman. "We had to work together in order to get things done."
The program differs from previous years because of the addition of the public service element, said Jeff Weinberg, assistant vice chancellor.
"This summer's program offers the five hours of credit and career counseling, but we've added a new portion of public service," Weinburg said.
Students will be able to choose from four public service agencies.
Deborah Boulware, director of the Freshman/ Sophomore Academic Experience, said, "We have several agencies involved in the program including Boys & Girls Club of
"There will be some maintenance work like painting and cleaning, but we hope to have a lot of interaction with the people involved."
Lawrence.
The program was introduced at the University three years ago after Weinberg spoke to a family who had participated in a similar program in Indiana.
The students who comprise this group of freshmen differentiate the KU program from other schools with similar sessions.
"We specifically wanted it for all students who felt they were not prepared for college."
"At other schools the students consist of mostly academically at-risk or honors students," Weinberg said. "We did not want that model.
As a result, a three-week pilot program began in the summer of 1995 with 18 students, who were required to take Counseling Psychology 101 and Communications 130.
The pilot program was successful, and organizers were given the go-ahead to begin planning for the summer of 1996.
Boulware said, "We had a small group, but our retention rate last year was much higher than in other orientation programs."
Workshops also will be conducted by the Student Assistance Center and there will be informational sessions at Watson Library and the Computer Center.
"I feel we will be very successful this summer," Satchell said. "We have a great group of kids ready to dedicate themselves to working hard."
The freshman have access to the computer lab in Ellsworth and have already been issued e-mail and Internet accounts.
Speechwriter remembered for devotion to individuals
Audience of 200 honors the memory of James Scally
By Andrea Albright
Kansan staff writer
A memorial for James Scaly, who died May 8 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, moved an audience of 200 from laughter to tears on June 7 in Swarthout Hall.
"James Scally put words into my mouth. I often threatened that I would have the last word," wrote former chancellor Gene Budig.
Mr. Scally had been an administrative assistant to the chancellor since 1976, and was appointed assistant dean of the School of Fine Arts in December 1995.
In a letter read by former chancellor Del Shanker, Budig praised Mr. Scaly's speechwriting abilities, calling his words crisp, fair and thought-provoking.
Several associates, including two former chancellors, remembered Mr. Scally for his years of service to the University, and for his personal contributions to
James Scally
the community and to their lives.
a community and to their lives.
Shankel remembered an analogy that Mr. Scally had produced for one of his speeches. It described the chancellor of a university as a conductor, and the faculty and staff as his orchestra.
Shankel said the analogy was so strong to him that it became a guiding principle during his tenure.
Shankel attributed many of his speeches to Mr. Scaly, and called him a consumate wordsmith.
"Jim, wherever you are, I want you to know I wrote this one
myself," Shankel concluded.
Harlan Roedel, University Relations, read memorials written by Scally's children and former wife, which mentioned Scally's love for music, art and literature.
Jeannette Johnson, assistant to the executive vice chancellor, read a tribute written by George Worth, professor emeritus of English. Worth knew Mr. Scally for more than 25 years and called him a man with built-in poise.
"He displayed tact, humor, efficiency, and elegance. We should not have lost him so soon. The place won't be the same without him." Worth said.
Each speaker noted Mr. Sally's idealism and commitment in fighting discrimination.
"He was a constant advocate for the less favored in this country," Shankel said.
Budig also called Mr. Scully a champion of individual rights, particularly for minorities.
"He will be missed by all, but forgotten by no one," Budig said.
KU rejects credit card tuition
Stephanie Fite
Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas administration isn't happy.
Starting June 28, the University will no longer accept credit card payments from students to pay tuition. A new payment program, Academic Management Services, went into effect this spring, before the credit card issue arose.
"The decision to drop credit cards and go with the AMS program was adopted when Governor Graves proposed the budget," said Lindy Eakin, associate executive vice chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Graves favored this decision and allowed state institutions two years to come up with payment alternatives. However, the Legislature decided not to allow the universities the two-year buffer. The Legislature adopted the Graves budget policy immediately, choosing to implement budget cuts that ranked higher on the priority list.
those expenses."
the governor envisioned allowing universities time to come up with alternative ways to the allow for the budget cuts, however, the House and the Senate voted to take that away," said Mike Mattson, Graves' press secretary.
Instead of allowing Regents universities two years to adopt alternative payment plans, the Legislature cut subsidies paid to the universities that carry credit cards to force them to become more creative with credit card companies and payment policies.
"It all evens out in the end," said Dave Kerr, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and 34th District Representative. "We are no longer reimbursing universities for credit card fees because the state should no longer have to make up for
Under Kansas law, a credit card user cannot be charged a separate fee for using a credit card. In the past, the University was able to absorb the cost of credit cards and paid the customer service fee because it received funding from the state. That amount was $450,000 a year. However, Graves' proposed budget plan, accelerated by the Legislature, cut funding to Regents universities and the schools were left to scramble.
"All Regents schools are encountering the same problem," Eakin said. "We don't think this is good business for the University or the state. It is a step backwards and we need to rectify that."
The University of Kansas, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, Kansas State University and Emporia State University all are affected by the accelerated budget cut.
"We have accepted credit cards for years," said Bruce Schubert, university comptroller at Fort Hays State. "We try to base our decisions to benefit the student but since we are not going to carry credit cards any more, it won't be easy to paint over."
Wichita State is in a similar predicament. "We offer credit cards, short term loans and AMS as options for students to pay tuition. However, credit cards are still up in the air," said Carlyn Barbar, office specialist at Wichita State. "If we decide to keep them, then the university will have to find a way to pay for them."
AMS, an acronym for Academic Management System, has been adopted by some Regents schools and is being investigated as an option by others. At the University, the AMS program will start June 28 and the deadline to use the service is Aug. 7. There is a $25 installation fee and tuition is divided into four installment payments with no interest. Students will receive a monthly statement and, depending upon financial aid awards and loan money received, subtract the incoming money to get the sum and divide by four to estimate the amount due.
"The University is working with the Board of Regents to come up with alternatives to the AMS program," Eakin said. "AMS planning worked for the budget cuts. We hope it serves some students needs."
The bottom line is that Graves is looking for ways to streamline the budget and save Kansas taxpayers money. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous burden on schools to come up with alternate payment programs and students to come up with the money.
"Through no fault of their own, universities and students are put in the awkward position to manage their way out of this problem without much time," Mattson said.
Since time is a consideration, the Regents met yesterday to discuss payment options.
"I think students should be able to pay with credit cards because most people manage their money that way," said Trevor Bell, Dodge City senior.
Many KU students share Bell's opinion.
"I think the four part payment is a good," said Scott Price, Lawrence junior. "However, if I ever need to and couldn't get a loan to pay for tuition, I suppose that wouldn't be nice because then I wouldn't be able to pay for school."
Ultimately, KU administrators have recognized that college students are consumers payng the university's goods and services and since the university is the supplier of these goods and services, payment should be made easy.
Guess what?
Macintosh prices dropped again!
The Performa 62
Performa 6214/75 8/1000/CD
Apple Multi-Scan 15" Display
Apple Design Keyboard
14 CD Bundle
Color Stylewriter 2500
10pk 3M HD Disks
Jayhaw Mousepad