2A
Wednesday, July 19, 1995
CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Petitioners fight 'Simple' wording
By John Collar Special to the Kansan
Since Lawrence changed its human-relations ordinance to include the words "sexual orientation," no complaints have been filed charging discrimination on this basis.
And supporters of a petition being circulated in Lawrence are hoping to keep it that way.
A petition campaign to rescind discriminatory protections for homosexuals is being sponsored by John V. Watkins, Lawrence attorney and chair of the Republican Party's third district, which includes Douglas County.
If petition supporters receive 2,852 registered-voter signatures, which is 25 percent of last April's election voters, the commission will be forced to change the ordinance to its previous wording or to call a special election.
Watkins declined comment on the petition.
Ben Zimmerman, co-chair of the Simply Equal coalition that successfully changed the ordinance, said the group didn't have any plans yet to campaign against the petition. The group hasn't heard much about it.
"They're holding it close to their vest," he said.
Even though the petition is underway, the city office that processes discrimination complaints is ready to listen.
"Our mandate is to enforce the law," said Allegra M. White, human relations specialist for the city.
White is one of two specialists who investigate discrimination charges in housing, public accommodations and employment. Paul D. Winn and White serve under Rehilo "Ray" A. Samuel, executive director of the Lawrence Human Relations/Human Resources Department.
White gave several tips for anyone who files a discrimination complaint. First, she said to keep a journal of discriminatory acts. A journal may prevent memory lapses that occur with time.
"You don't have to have proof," White said. "You just have to believe that you may have been discriminated against."
Complaints involving employment or public accommodations must be filed within 90 days of the last incident. Housing complaints must be filed within 365 days.
"We urge people to come as soon as possible." White said.
David Brown, Lawrence attorney and member of the Lawrence Human Relations Commission, said even if the time limit had expired, a lawsuit still could be filed in district court.
The commission is a nine-member panel that advises the human-relations department and holds public hearings on discrimination charges.
Before a hearing, every opportunity is made to resolve the dispute through reconciliation. If the parties cannot come to an agreement, the city then investigates the charges.
"We do our level best as human beings to take an impartial and unbiased stance throughout the investigation," White said.
The University Daily Kansan (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stuart-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Second-class postage is paid in Lawrence, Kan. 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $90. Student subscriptions are paid through the student activity fee.
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Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045.
Paper chase starts early at law school
65 summer starters face intensive initiation during 10-week,10-hour program
By Sean Demory Special to the Kansan
When Connie Shidler graduated in May, she didn't have much time to celebrate. She had an assignment due the next day.
Shidler, Merriam law student, is one of 65 students admitted to the
Law School this
law. Like
many other
summer start-
ers, she said
that she was
more than a bit
driven.
"I'm in a hurry," Shidler said. "I've been in the work world for a long time, and I'm anxious to get my degree."
To obtain her degree as quickly as possible.
Some students didn't choose to be summer starters, though. Karl Keating, Lincoln, Neb., law student, didn't state a preference on her application.
"The law school may not have accepted me due to the number of openings in the fall," Keating said. It was important enough to sacrifice her summer vacation in order to go to the law school of her choice, she added.
"I've been in the work world for a long time,and I'm anxious to get my degree."
started,"McAllister said.
The Law School's summer session consists of 10 hours of class during a 10-week period, which began May 16. About 800 students applied for summer admission.
Shidler, 29, has elected to take the "fast track," a cycle including summer classes that will allow her to graduate in 26 months.
"I have a 10-year-old daughter, I commute and I have a job, so the fast track's my life anyway," Shidler said.
Steve McAllister, associate professor of law and one of the four instructors for the summer session, acknowledged the rigor of the tenweek program. But he said that the students were looking for that level of challenge.
Keating said that the law program
"These are people who want to get
Connie Shidler Merriam law student
was very different than what she had expected.
"I came from the high of graduation and a pretty easy spring semester directly into a very rigorous professional school," she said.
Even with the transition,
Keating said that the summer program had definite
advantages over starting in the fall.
"We've all been able to become very close with this smaller group," Keating said. "In the fall, two-thirds of the people coming in are strangers, but we'll all know each other."
McAllister said 10 intensive weeks together gave the students ample opportunity to get acquainted.
"They get the opportunity to become a very cohesive group," he said.
Despite the ease of getting to know other law students, Shidler said the fast track would be a solid test for her.
"All my life I've wanted to go to law school, and all my life I've been told I couldn't do it," Shidler said. "If I can complete this in 26 months, there's nothing I can't do."
Weather
Hours for Watson Library and Anschutz Science Library.
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri.; noon to 5
p.m. Sat; 1 to 5 p.m. Sun.
Enrollment center hours:
8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Mon.-Fri.
Hours for the Kansas and Burge union bookstores:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
Campus is closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mon-Fri.
The Kansas Union Bookstore will be open on July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Parking is restricted in blue, red and yellow lots. Residence hall parking lots are not restricted.
Important phone numbers:
University directory assistance
From campus phones, dial 0. Off campus, dial 864-2700.
KU Police Department (nonemergency): 864-5572
Safe Ride: 864-SAFE
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