Fee increase passes
Student Senate okayed Wednesday night a $7.50 per semester, per student increase in student fees to help cover construction costs for Wescoe Hall.
The increase passed 36 to 30 after five hours of debate in the Kansas Union.
The resolution was presented by Frank Zilm, vice-president of the Student Senate, and proposed that the Senate levy the $7.50 fee increase provided the following stipulations were approved by the University government and the Board of Regents:
- student representation and voting power involving continuing development of Wescoe Hall and future programs and
- student representation in meetings involving selection of architects for future buildings at KU,
- elimination of student fees as any future source of revenue for education facility construction at KU.
The proposal only came about after the discussion was initiated with
a statement by Rick von Ende, vicechairman of Senate Executive Committee (SenEx).
"We have a decision to make," von Ende said. There is something dreadfully wrong in the American political system when political decision makers waste untold millions of dollars on useless and tragic ventures and don't provide for needs of modern society.
"It was a failure of the University not to have the students involved in Wescoe Hall from the start. It was the failure of someone—the architects or the administrators—to make known at an early date the fact that this proposal would cost enough to require student monetary participation.
"It's a tragedy to have to require student fees to construct educational edifices." von Ende said.
The estimated $8 million Wescoe Hall will be a 170,000 square foot, four floor building constructed between Flint Hall and Hoch Auditorium on Jayhawk Boulevard. $5.5 million has been obtained with $3.6 million from state appropriation and
$1.9 million from federal funds. The difference is to be made up by the proposed $7.50 fee increase.
During discussion of the hall, the architectural Firm, Horst, Terrill and Karst of Topeka, were put under fire from the senators. One senator spoke out against interior design of the building complaining of lack of windows in several of the rooms.
In response, Gary Karst said, "I am amazed when I sit here and listen to the problems discussed about the money spent and the complaints about windows for each room. We've approached this in the most economical way we know how."
The sentiments ranged from disgust to realization of necessity but disapproval of the method with both sides admitting frustration and seeking a solution.
"It is a short range, short term goal," Phil Weiss, graduate school senator, said, "...a lot of buck passing is going on. It is a means to an end. When we vote for this, we don't know if this will remain as a precedent."
Zilm said that if we stop the building we will only stop it for one year.
"We are frustrated to what's happening," he said, "but if we turn down what's happening, we also will be passing the buck."
Fred Krebs, graduate school senator, warned, "Right now our priorities are education and care of the students and that's why I'm in favor of the amendment."
As the discussion seesaw between approval and disapproval of the building, student senators began voicing their frustrations from arguments being presented.
R. L. Bailey, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences senator, said, "I'm perturbed at what's happening tonight because all of the facts we needed to know were never presented to us before this evening. Why did this happen? We're caught now. We have to make some kind of decision now!"
The meeting moved from the "committee as a whole" upon Zilm's resolution and after more discussion, Dave Awbrey, Student Body president asked a vote to be taken by role call.
UDK News Roundup
By United Press International
Hanoi demands release
PARIS—North Vietnam today demanded the immediate release of five of the "Chicago Seven" and their two lawyers.
"We protest against the fact that the Nixon administration has imprisoned seven persons of the antiwar movement in the United States, including two lawyers," said Nguyen Minh Vy, Hanoi's No. 3-ranked delegate as the 55th session of the Paris peace talks opened.
"We demand the immediate release of these men." Vy said.
Kansas crime increases
TOPEKA—Gov. Robert B. Docking said Thursday his administration will place a stronger emphasis on preventing and controlling crime among young persons.
He said the move was based on recent reports that crime in Kansas is increasing rapidly.
The number of crimes in Kansas has increased 36 per cent in the past four years, according to the reports. The crime rate per 10,000 population increased 32 per cent in the past four years.
--the legislators weren't willing to keep the lines of communications open. He said legislators made a special trip for the forum and few students showed up.
(Continued to page 16)
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas Thursday, Feb.19. 1970
Frizzell said he was tired of hearing students complain that
Frizzell blasts students
"I am no longer going to be open eared to student complaints," said Kent Frizzell, Kansas Att. General, at the Frizzell Forum Wednesday evening in the Kansas Union Forum room.
Frizzell was aggravated over student attendance at the forum.
Speaking to a group of about 40 students, Frizzell said he had brought the state's top legislative leaders to Lawrence in an attempt to narrow the generation gap and facilitate communications between the legislature and the University.
"I am disappointed," Frizzell said, "that on a university campus, so few students demonstrate an interest in discussing issues of interest to the University."
"Students should do more than just give lip service to their complaints," Frizzell said. "They should confront the legislators with their views whenever they get the opportunity."
The idea for the forum originated last year when members of the New Left took over a College Republican meeting at which Frizzell was speaking. He was placed on mock trial and charged with various crimes against the people of Kansas. He and legislators were indicted for being unresponsive and unconcerned with activities on campus.
This year, Frizzell said, it was
the students who were being unresponsive and showing no concern to communicate with legislators.
Frizzell then introduced Sen. Glee Smith, R-Larned and speaker pro-temp of the Senate, who discussed Senate bills 417, 418 and 421. These bills deal with student behavior, student records and requirements for disciplinary action.
Smith stressed that these bills were unnecessary and would undermine the authority of the Board of Regents and the Chancellor.
"Most schools don't need legislative compulsion," Smith said. "They are doing the job at their own discretion."
Technically, Smith said, these bills are dead because it is too
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Not guilty of conspiracy charge
'Seven' hear trial verdict
CHICAGO (UPI)—A federal court jury Wednesday found all the defendants in the tumultuous trial of the "Chicago Seven" innocent of conspiring to incite riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention but convicted five of crossing state lines with intent to incite riots.
The jury of 10 women and two men returned its verdict after more than 41 hours of deliberations over five days. It came 21 weeks to the day after the militant antiwar protest leaders went on trial Sept. 24 before U.S. District Judge Julius Hoffman.
Guilty verdicts on the intent-toincribe riot charges were returned against David T. Dellinger, 53; Rennard C. "Rennie" Davis, 29; Abbott H. "Abbie" Hoffman, 32; Jerry C. Rubin, 31; and Thomas E. Hayden, 29.
University professors John R. Froines, 30, and Lee Weiner, 30, were acquitted on both counts against them. They were charged with plotting to fire-bomb an underground garage near convention headquarters.
Hoffman did not immediately sentence the five convicted men. They face sentences of up to five years in prison and $10,000 fines.
All of the defendants already are in jail serving contempt sentences. The sentences, which range up to almost $2_{1 / 2}$ years, were imposed Saturday and Sunday by the judge for courtroom disruptions during the turbulent. $4_{1 / 2}$ month trial.
Hoffman refused to grant bail after Wednesday's convictions. I have determined they are dangerous men to have at large," he said.
The climactic day of the trial was marked by new violence and courtroom outbursts. The wives of Hoffman, Rubin and Weiner were evicted screaming from the courtroom on the motion of Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Schultz.
The judge will not enter a judgment of conviction until after he hears defense motions, made before the trial started, that some government evidence should be excluded on the grounds it was obtained by wiretap.
The verdict appeared to skirt the most controversial element of the indictment under which the "Chicago Seven" were tried. It is the provision of the antiriot amendment to the 1968 Civil Rights Act which makes it a crime to conspire to cross state lines with intent to incite riots.
If the judge determines the case was obtained by wiretap material, he presumably would have to set aside part or all of the verdict.
The law had never been tested in court. Some legal experts had questioned the constitutionality of the concept of "conspiracy with intent" and had predicted it could well be overturned on appeal if the defendants were convicted.
Defense attorney Kunstler deplored the jury's decision as "a compromise verdict."
"This is the last thing we wanted," Kunsttler told a news conference following the court appearance. "We wanted an acquittal or conviction of all, or a hung jury. We did not want this terrible compromise."