THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 123 ISSUE 45
HAIL TO THE QUEEN
Crown Victoria's reign to end soon
The Ford Crown Victoria, one of the most widely used police car models, will be discontinued. The KU Public Safety Office replaces its cars every three to four years, so the department will look for a new model to use.
BY GARTH SEARS
qsears@kansan.com
For decades, the Crown Victoria might as well been called the "Cop Car" — but not anymore.
Ford Motor Co. has decided to phase out its popular Crown Vic, as it's nicknamed, by next year, leaving police departments across the country to decide on a new model.
Crown Vics are extremely popular with police forces across the nation — the Detroit Free Press reported last year that the car had captured as much as 75 percent of the national police car market.
"Whenever I see a Crown Vic behind me, I slam on the brakes," said Katherine Lindbear, a senior from Fairway. "I'll squint to see if it has lights on top."
Capt. Schuyler Bailey from the Public Safety Office said the University police have eight Crown Vics, making up the majority of their fleet.
"It's what we've driven for a while," Bailey said.
But police here on campus and across the nation now have to decide on another model. Bailey said the University police weren't necessarily focused on a particular vehicle, though.
"We don't specify the car, we specifix the features we need." Bailor said.
He said the police replace about four cars every two or three years.
with money from their budget.
When they do, they send a request to the state with specifications and the number of cars they need. The state then sends a notice out to manufacturers and dealers, who can respond with an offer.
Bailey said the police had options as to which cars they buy. They decide based on features offered and price. He said the police have bought Chevrolet cars before, but not often.
"Usually, they're Crown Vics," Bailey said.
Ford will unveil a new model for police, the Taurus-based Police Interceptor, by the end of next year. It will have four-wheel drive, compared to the Crown Vic's rear-wheel drive.
But for the first time in decades, Ford will have to check its rearview mirror.
Police nationwide are already
using Dodge Charger vehicles, and Chevrolet is also unveiling a police car next year: the Chevy Caprice PPV.
The Detroit Free Press interviewed a Chrysler spokesperson last year, who said the company wanted to increase the Charger's police car market share from 17 to 40 percent this year.
Edited by Alex Tretbar
'Sole'support
ENDOWMENT
Donations increase despite economy
BY STEPHEN GRAY
sgray@kansan.com
When Evy Struttman received the e-mail that she was going to receive a $20,000 scholarship through the Kansas University Endowment Association last year, she knew immediately that the University of Kansas was the place for her.
Struttman, a sophomore from Topeka, was given the financial support by the privately-funded Chancellors Club, which awards renewable scholarships to 16 National Merit finalists each year. The club helps recruit top-performing students to the University.
Struttman was one of more than 6,500 students to receive scholarships last year from the association. In the 2010 fiscal year, which ended June 30, it gave $28.9 million in scholarships as part of the $110.2 million it donated to the University.
Dale Seuflering, the president of the Endowment Association, said
"Thanks to this scholarship, I don't have to have a job and I don't have to worry about a huge debt hanging over my head after graduation." Strutman said.
According to Giving USA, an annual report on philanthropy in the United States, contributions to higher education in 2009 declined by 3.6 percent. The Endowment Association was an exception to this trend and had record contributions for the third year in a row. Seuferling credited the desire of the University's alumni and the hard work of the fundraising staff for this accomplishment.
In addition to student scholarships, the association funds salaries for distinguished professors, teaching awards and academic programs. It also provides facilities and equipment for the University. In fact, the association has helped to fund more than two-thirds of campus buildings and 85 percent of its land.
students could benefit from scholarships, fellowships and awards through the association.
"With the funding cuts faced by KU due to the reduction in state support, private giving has become even more critical to the University's future," Seuflering said.
Fiscal year Contributions Number of donors
2010 $110.2 million 45,192
2009 $106.4 million 45,186
2008 $94 million 45,014
2007 $77.7 million 43,403
Cathy Daicoff, a managing director at Standard and Poor's in New York City, graduated from the University in 1977. She was one of
This year, more than 6,500 students received scholarships from KU Endowment funds. The total amounted to $28.9 million.
KU ENDOWMENT FUNDRAISING
the 45,192 donors last year for the University. Daicoff has been donating for more than 25 years and gives to two causes, the Chancellors Club and a scholarship fund in memory of her father, Darwin Daicoff, a former economics professor at the University.
"The University of Kansas provided me with a superior education," Daicoff said. "I believe we all have a responsibility to make that same education possible for other individuals in the next generation."
- Edited by Lisa Curran
5
1.
4
Student wins award for his recycling efforts
AWARD | 3A
Nick Benson will be given the Student Sustainability Leadership Award for his program that recycles old printer ink cartridges.
CAMPUS
Regents lower hours required to graduate
Task force expects change to increase graduation numbers
Reducing the number of required hours will make obtaining a degree more attainable for students, said Christopher Haulfer, chairman of the task force and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
BY STEPHEN GRAY
sgray@kansan.com
The Kansas Board of Regents approved a reduction on Thursday of the minimum number of semester credit hours required for a bachelor's degree.
The previous requirement for bachelor's degrees in liberal arts, sciences or professional fields was 124 hours. The Regents will decrease that to 120 hours to make Kansas' requirements consistent with the majority of other state institutions across the country. Thirty-nine other states have a 120-hour minimum and two others have considered adopting this requirement.
to achieving more timely graduation rates for our students," Haufler said.
"Taking steps such as this reduces the burden that our students face, and brings us closer
While this rule is effective immediately, universities are not required to
"It's very desirable to reduce the requirement and get it in line with the national average."
"That will mean less classes that wed have to take and more money saved," Flax said.
Graduation rates: Right now, 32 percent of KU students graduate in four years and 61 percent graduate in six years, ranking below both the Big 12 and national averages.
Jesse Flax, a freshman from Bison, said he was in favor of the change.
KU CREDIT HOURS
Little's retention and graduation task force earlier this year. Instituted last November, her task force focused on several ways to raise retention and graduation rates at the University. Its report included adding an early advising warning system, updated general
adopt this minimum. This means each campus and program will determine when, if and how to implement the rule.
This reduction was one of the many recommendations given by Chancellor Bernadette Gray.
Previous requirement for bachelor's degrees in liberal arts, sciences or professional fields was 124 credit hours. New requirement is 120 credit hours. Thirty-nine other states have a 120-hour minimum and two others have considered adopting this change.
BERNADETTE GRAY-LITTLE Chancellor
"It's very desirable to reduce the requirement and get it in
Gray-Little said one of the first things she noticed when she came to the University last year was its unusually high requirement for graduation. The requirement was set at 124 in 2003 and had not been altered until now.
education requirements, raising admission standards and increased student engagement
line with the national average," Gray-Little said. "Improving our graduation rate is an important goal."
Classifieds...9A
Crossword...4A
Cryptoquips...4A
Opinion...5A
Sports...10A
Sudoku...4A
- Edited by Lisa Curran
INDEX
Marcus Morris emerges from camp a vocal leader
WEATHER
INSIDE | The Wave
With the notable absence of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Marcus Morris has made many improvements this season, including taking on a leadership role with the Jayhawks. Morris' fellow players are looking to him for support.
TODAY
73 57
Shower
7854
SATURDAY
Isolated T-Storms
SUNDAY
78 54
Partly Cloudy weather.com
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