THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 NEWS LAWRENCE 3A Student Senate proposes to pay for city crosswalk construction BY HALEY JONES editor@kansan.com Student Senate has offered to pay for public construction using the money from the campus safety reserve. The Student Senate's Campus Safety Advisory Board recently proposed construction of a crosswalk in front of Naismith Hall to the Lawrence City Commission. The commission has not yet placed the proposal in its agenda. Once it reaches the agenda, approval of the crosswalk could come as early as next month. "I would expect that the city would approve it particularly because KU is willing to pay for it. That's a big point in KU's favor," Public Works Traffic Engineer David Woolsey said. The crosswalk would bisect the median on Naismith Drive between 18th and 19th streets, providing a safer route for pedestrians through the traffic of Naismith Drive. The traffic is a particular concern for residents of Naismith and Oliver halls. Many residents of these halls cross Naismith Drive by jaywalking across the median to the bus stop because it is the shortest and most convenient route. Very few students walk south to the 19th Street stoptail or north to the crosswalk at 18th Street where there are designated crosswalks. Former Nais mith Hall resident Meghan Proehl, San Diego sophomore, knows this problem all too well. Last year, Proehl was hit by a car and "I had to deal with lawyers, insurance companies, physical therapy, and animosity from the girl who hit me because she was charged with a hit-and-run," Proehl said. Proehl isn't the only one who worried about traffic every day. Allison Ho, Topeka sophomore, who lived in Naismith last year, said she agreed that a crosswalk was necessary. "Sometimes the bus would protect you from oncoming traffic, but you have no idea who is barreling down on the other side," Ho said. Funding for of the crosswalk has been an issue from the start. Jim Modig, University of Kansas director of design and construction management, said he thought that the initial approval of the request by the Traffic Safety Commission was largely due to the fact that the Senate offered to pay for it. He said that under city rules and regulations, the commission would not normally approve a crosswalk at a mid-portion of the block, which "[The city] would charge approximately $3,000 for a project of this magnitude, but a private contractor could charge upwards of $6,000." "It's like mowing your own lawn and the park. It sucks that we have to do it but if the city isn't willing to then we need to step in and take care of it." TIM CAST Street division field supervisor Although the Senate is willing to fund the project, Ho doesn't think that students ought to pay for improvements to city streets. knocked to the ground, hitting her head. A member of KU's diving team, Proehl suffered aggravations to an existing back injury. "It's like mowing your own lawn and the park," Ho said. "It sucks that we have to do it but if the city isn't willing to then we need to step in and take care of it." If the commission approves the proposal, Modig said he had hoped to utilize the University's facilities operations to keep costs low, but they were already overcommitted to construction on academic facilities. The city's street division is ALLISON HO Topeka sophomore explained the difficulty in securing funding. " I it is approved it will go onto a long, back-logged list of needed improvements. Once it goes onto that list, we could end up waiting several years before we would ever get considered for funding." Modig said. equally as busy. Tim Cast, field supervisor for the city's street division, said he had an endless amount of work to do and that the city would have to move the crosswalk forward on the agenda to get it built in a reasonable amount of time. If the University has to hire a private contractor, construction costs would dip deep into the pockets of Senate's fee reserve. "[The city] would charge approximately $3,000 for a project of this magnitude, but a private contractor could charge upwards of $6,000," Cast said. Ho said she thought pedestrian safety on a college campus should be placed as top priority because students were walking to class. Proehl agrees. "When I was hit, the police officer let me know it was not uncommon for students to get hit on campus. If Lawrence wants to keep its citizen base, which includes students at KU, it needs to consider our safety," Proehl said. - Edited by Patrick De Oliveira Lawrence City Commissioners approved the Oread Redevelopment Project last night. OREAD INN Lawrence adopts Oread Redevelopment Project Cynthia Boecker, assistant city manager, said Yello Sub and the Crossing would be eligible for demolition as soon as the Oread Inn Project obtains a demolition permit sometime today. Paul Werner, an architect working on the project, said last week that the demolition phase should begin sometime today. He also said that the construction phase should begin sometime in the middle of May. Houses at 1140, 1142 and 1144 Indiana Street and 618, 619 and 620 W. 12th Street will also be demolished. He said he hoped the Oread Inn would be finished by January 2010, but that it would most likely take a little longer. Boecker said 12th Street would be closed to westbound traffic and Indiana Street would be closed to southbound traffic during the demolition phase, but she said she wasn't sure when exactly they would be closed. "They should be closed sometime in the next few weeks, she said. No one involved with the project was available Tuesday night for comment. NATION —Andy Greenhaw Polygamist practitioners feel religious persecution Young members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are seen through a wooden fence as they sit in an open field after kicking a ball around at their temporary housing, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, in San Angelo, Texas. Tuesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS ELDORADO. Texas — A polygamist compound with hundreds of children was rife with sexual abuse, child welfare officials allege in court documents. The documents released Tuesday also gave details about the hushed phone calls that triggered the raid, by a 16-year-old girl at the West Texas ranch who said her 50-year-old husband beat and raped her. Days after raiding the compound, officials still aren't sure where the girl is. Officials have completed removing all 416 children from the ranch and have won custody of all of them, Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner told reporters in San Angelo, about 40 miles from the compound in Eldorado. investigative supervisor. "Investigators determined that there is a widespread pattern and practice of the (Yearn for Zion) Ranch in which young, minor female residents are conditioned to expect and accept sexual activity with adult men at the ranch upon being spiritually married to them," read the affidavit signed by Lynn McFadden, a Department of Family and Protective Services Children in the sect were deprived of food and forced to sit in closed closets as a form of discipline, the affidavit said. The boys were groomed to be ready to marry underage girls upon adulthood and engage in sexual activity, "resulting in them becoming sexual perpetrators," the affidavit said. Ben Bistline, a Mormom, said the raid is appropriate if children are being forced into marriages. "This situation in Texas is a justifiable raid," he said. "It's religious persecution," said Fischer, who moved to a ranch near Lockney with his two wives and 12 of his children from Hildale, Utah, last year. April 9,2008 Start and End at Maceli's, 1031 New Hampshire. One mile Walk and 5K Walk/Run. Registration 7-8am. Stretch and run with Red Dog, at 7:50am. Walk steps off at 8am. THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS A full breakfast, sponsored by NetworQ, will be served for returning participants from 8:30-10am. Awards Ceremony 10am. Registration is online at www.douglascountyaidsproject.org Saturday, April 12th starting a Movement, Building a Community" at the Second Annual Fair Trade in the Heartland Conference! Starting a Movement, Building a Community" at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries Building and the Kansas Union. Workshops on Fair Trade History, International Trade Organizations, US Farm Policy, Local Cooperative Farming, Do you have an interest in fair trade? globalization? human rights? trade policy? local business and community? conscious consumerism? Join Students for Fair Trade, Lawrence Fair Food, and students and community members from Kansas and the surrounding region Friday April 11th and Saturday April 12th for The Second Annual Fair Food Department, Jim French, Oxfam America Organizer Gerardo Reyes-Chavez, Coalition of Immokalee Workers Marc Rodriguez, Student Farta Worker of Alliance Gerardo Reyes-Chavez, Coauthor of Immokalee Workers Marc Rodriguez, Student Faria Worker of Alliance Alternative Economies, etc. Featured speakers: Kate Weaver, KU Political Science Department Registration: $10 It's not about being a real man. It's about her. Register at lawrencefairtreed.org, or at the door! Questions? contact Hadley Galbraith at hadleyegmail.com I PLEDGE TO NEVER COMMIT, CONDONE, OR REMAIN SILENT ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Sign the pledge. April 7 - 11. Wessex Reach Wescoe Beach brought to you by One in Four with The Commission on the Status of Women and Delta Force It's not about looking cool in front of your friends. Interested in becoming certified in service learning? Check out our: www.learningenglish.ie GRADUATING CLASS OF 2009-YOUR SENIOR DUES HELP TO PAY FOR THE SENIOR CLASS GIFT, SENIOR MOTTO, AND SENIOR BANNER, SO MAKE SURE TO CHECK THESE DUES OFF UNDER OPTIONAL CAMPUS FEES. INFO: This event is open to ANYONE! NSCS members bring your friends! This is for a good cause. Music, food & swing dance lessons will be provided. It will give students a chance to go to a formal event. EVENT: "RAGS TO RICHES" CHARITY BALL THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS BOARD OF CLASS OFFICERS BOCO CHARITY BALL DATE: Saturday, April 19 TIME: 7pm-9:45pm LOCATION: Griditon Room at the Burge Union HOSTED BY: National Society of Collegiate Scholars & KU Honor Society dress up, have fun & dance the night away. THE H.O.P.E., C.L.A.S.S., AND CAMPANILE AWARDS AT KU AND HELPS TO FINANCE MAJOR CAMPUS EVENTS. PURPOSE: Fundraiser event for the Lawrence Humane Society. All you have to bring are a donation of old towels & rags! Monetary donations are accepted. TEAM SERVICE LEARNING AMBASSADORS! CLASS DUES CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE LIST OF OPTIONAL CAMPUS FEES. THESE CLASS DUES HELP TO FUND THE BOARD OF CLASS OFFICERS, WHICH DISTRIBUTES THE HOUSE OF ARTS. ATTENTION STUDENTS!!! DON'T FORGET TO PAY YOUR CLASS DUES DURING ENROLLMENT. Be A Part of Center for Community Outreach! www.ku.edu/-cco or outside 405 Kansas Union. CCO is seeking motivated, service-orientated people for the following paid positions: Co-Director • Communications Director • Financial Director • Technology Director 27 Volunteer Coordinating Positions are also open for our 14 volunteer programs. Applications are available Applications are available at Co-director Applications are due April 7th (Recommendations due April 11) All other applications due April 21st Student Senate Elections April 9th and 10th Please remember to vote. http://groups.ku.edu/~election/ DEVIN'S RUN "THIS IS WHAT RUNNING WAS MADE FOR" University of Kansas, April 13th When: Sunday, April 13, 10:00 am Where: Check-in at the north end of Allen Fieldhouse. Race route through campus- begins and ends at Burge Union Why: To benefit Devin McAnderson, Leukemia patient & brother of KU running back Brandon McAnderson Entry Fee: $10 for students & $15 non-students T-shirts: T-shirts for those registered by April 8. Late registers not guaranteed t-shirts. Website: devinsrun.com (registration available online) ---