4A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2006
Buses
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"The new buses are all handicapped accessible, they have air condition, heat and are just more environmentally friendly. The buses we have now were made in the 1980s." she said.
The University is also in discussions with the city of Lawrence to help better coordinate the transit system throughout the community.
Right now the University and the city are interviewing companies to complete a joint transit study. There is an opportunity of doing nothing and of completely coordinating the transit systems, Hultine said.
Kaiser took issue with an opinion column in The University Daily Kansan that said the University made the shuttle a free service because federal law required it to do so because the buses were paid for by federal funding.
"Actually it was our choice to make the buses free. We want to encourage people to use the
Park and Ride lot," he said. "We don't make money from people getting on the buses and putting fares in there. Passes make money."
Cliff Gelante, Lawrence's public transit administrator, however, has previously said that laws did require the buses be free, a fact which Hultine has previously confirmed.
Kaiser said the Park-and-Ride program was not trying to put KU on Wheels out of business "because this is not a competition."
"For example, we have faculty and staff who have meetings all over campus that drive their cars on campus to park somewhere else. Now they can leave their cars in the lot and it further reduces congestion on campus," he said.
The University will display one of the new buses at the community transit open house, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 9 in front of the Kansas Union.
— Edited by Meghan Miller
Replace
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"We're going to get someone who we are very,very confident with their abilities," Haar said. "We'll get someone who realizes what they're walking into."
One thing Haar said she and the department would consider is hiring two announcers. One to call games with Davis for football, and another to call basketball games with Davis. This would be another change for Jajhawk radio broadcasting. Falkenstien called both football and basketball. Haar said all this would be decided in the coming weeks. Haar said finding Falkenstien's replacement was a hot topic, and she hoped to have a resolution for fans and curious people alike very soon.
One possible candidate is David Lawrence. He is currently the sideline football reporter and the pregame and postgame basketball reporter for the Jawhawk Radio Network in Lawrence. He said he had applied for and spoken to Haar about the job, especially the football position.
"I love the football program and the University." Lawrence said.
He said he didn't know who would get the broadcasting job, but he said he would enjoy a chance to take over where Falkenstein left off.
"Max is very different, but he brings history," Lawrence said. "Over half a century. That's something I can't replace."
Lawrence, however, has football experience, which could be beneficial in game calling. Lawrence played football for Kansas and has coached for years.
Some other names circulating as possible replacements are Chris Piper and Greg Gurley. Piper currently is the basketball analyst for ESPN Regional's TV network. Gurley is the basketball analyst for Channel 6 in Lawrence. Piper and Gurley both played basketball for Kansas. Piper was on the 1988 championship team.
Neither could be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
- Edited by Timon Veach
Loan interest rates changing
STUDENT FINANCES
By C.J. MOORE
jmcowe@kansan.com
cjmwe CORRESPONDENT
Curry plans to pay off his loans over the next 10 years. After interest, he is looking at paying more than $35,000.
"I could go out and buy a very nice car with all that money," Curry said.
But Curry may have gotten out at just the right time. As of July 1 this year, the interest rate on Stafford loans, the most common student loan, is increasing to a fixed 6.8 percent. This increase is up from the current rate of 5.3 percent for loans in repayment and up from 3.57 percent during the 2004-05 school year.
The rate increased because of the Deficit Reduction Act that President George Bush signed last month. The act is meant to reduce
government spending. The U.S. government is the lender on Stafford loans, so increasing the interest rate increases revenue for the government. The rate is now fixed at 6.8 percent and will not increase in the future Students have options to avoid the increase, but the deadline to make a change is quickly approaching.
Consolidation is the first option. This allows students to combine all of their loans into one. The consolidation company pays off the lender for all your current loans and you make monthly payments to the consolidator. Under the new act, after July 1, current students will no longer be able to consolidate their Stafford loans. They will be stuck paying the 6.8 percent interest rate.
"We certainly encourage students to look into the consolidation option," said Stephanie Covington, the associate director of student financial aid. "At this point, since the interest rates have been lower and they're getting ready to
go up, it could be a savings to students to go ahead and consolidate those loans."
Curry did just that last August with half of his loans. The interest rate that the consolidation company Curry uses, AES, is 4.5 percent. Curry plans to consolidate the rest of his loans before the July 1 deadline.
Stafford loans are currently the most popular loan for KU students and students nationwide. At the University of Kansas, 14,860 students currently receive a Stafford loan.
Covington suggests another option for students — a Perkins loan, which used to be less appealing when the Stafford loan interest rates were lower. The Perkins loan — lent by schools, not the federal government — has a fixed five percent interest rate. Currently, only 1,582 students receive Perkins loans at the University.
Like the Stafford loan, the Perkins loan is awarded to students based on financial need, which is
determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
Shane Pelkey, an information specialist for the Department of Education, said he saw other advantages in choosing the Perkins loan over consolidation — especially as the deadline approaches.
"Students start receiving mailings from multiple consolidation companies and they really have no idea what's going on and companies don't really have the best interest in it for them so they kind of shant it." Pelkey said.
Despite the hole in his checkbook that Curry's student loans might create over the next 10 years, he said it was the right route for him.
"It's a big relief not having to worry about finding a job while you're in school." Curry, who graduated with a journalism degree, said. "Especially when you're in a major that requires all of your time and all of your study."
— Edited by Timon Veach
Light for life
Jared Gab/KANSAN
KU Students for Life gather for a vigil on Wescoe Beach Wednesday night. The event held in memory of children lost by abortion was countered by the Students for Reproductive Rights who hosted a vigil for women's lives across Jayhawk Blvd.