WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SA
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Noise
The group was most interested in the decibel noise limit based upon their own research about other cities. Ashley Stubblefield, Liberty, Mo., senior and Delta Force member, said the group would continue to petition to evoke change.
Each city commissioner thanked the students for attending the meeting and showing interest. Commissioner David Schauner said he wished there were as many students present at every commission meeting.
Members from various neighborhood organizations also attended the meeting. James Dunn from the Oread Neighborhood Association said that his organization was comfortable with the ordinance as it stood.
Tom Harper from the Centennial House Association agreed and commended Lawrence Police Chief Ron Olin for dealing with the complaints.
Staff attorney Scott Miller, who wrote the memorandum that was brought to the commission, encouraged members of the commission to oppose the decibel limit because the cost would be high and enforcement would be difficult.
The commission also discussed changing one of the exceptions to the noise ordinance - construction. The matter was left alone because of the lack of a problem in Lawrence.
The commissioners asked for more information from city staff to bring up the issue again if problems arise.
Edited by Kathryn Anderson
Gas
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Even though the price of oil rose and gas prices are likely to rise soon, it was business as usual at Presto 31 convenience store, 1802 W. 23rd St.
Presto 31 employee and Lawrence resident Molly Henricks said customers were not rushing to the pumps, expecting an increase.
"We haven't risen our prices yet, but even if we do I don't think much will change." Henricks said.
Still, even with the potential of gas at such high prices, Lawson has no intention of trading in his car for one of a more fuel efficient variety. The high-powered Mustang may not have the best fuel economy, but the car has other qualities, he said.
Some experts have predict
ed prices could rise as high as $3.50 per gallon in some parts of the country.
"It picks up chicks," Lawson said.
— The Associated Press contributed to this story.
GTA
"When policies like these are enacted, research should go into them to show that they're wise policies," Azcona said.
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GTAC also wants to make a presentation about the organization at the orientation session for GTAs.
Waugh said that there was not a longer limit for those seeking both a doctorate and a master's degree, but GTAs could typically only take six credit hours a semester while teaching.
Bretz said that the University defines it as a pedagogical orientation and that it is entirely about teaching. She said the University did not consider it appropriate for orientation to be used to expose incoming GTAs to outside organizations.
Waugh said it was difficult to reach all the GTAs because they could not use University property to communicate with GTAs about GTAC. He said using departmental mailboxes and sending messages to KU e-mail addresses were also not allowed.
"The common avenues are just cut," he said.
Resting while you work
The salary negotiations are also a problem. The University's offer for salaries starts at $11,000 for 2007, increasing to $12,000 by 2009.
According to the Office of Student Financial Aid Web site, the cost of attending the University for the 2005-06 academic year is $13,674. This does not include tuition, which is waived for GTAs.
Edited by Kathryn Anderson
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
Sophomores Meredith Tack of Oklahoma City and Adam Roush of Wichita try out a design project from their materials workshop while sophomore Maggie Pine of Fort Worth, Texas, takes a photo. The three spent about 10 hours in the past two weeks working on their three-person seating assignment.
Judge intervenes on Kansas sex law
STATE
BY ROXANNA HEGEMON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WICHITA — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that doctors, teachers and others are not always required to report underage sex between consenting youths as possible abuse.
U. S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten granted a permanent injunction in the case filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York advocacy group, on behalf of Kansas health care providers and others in a constitutional challenge to Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline's
interpretation of the state's mandatereporting law.
Marten ruled that a plain reading of the Kansas statute gives mandatory reporters discretion to determine whether to suspect a child has been injured as a result of sexual abuse.
"Contrary to defendants' claims, a prosecutor is not in a better position to make an initial determination of 'injury,' as required by statute, than is a health care professional," Marten wrote.
requires health care providers and others to tell authorities about consensual sex involving underage youths.
The lawsuit stems from Kline's 2003 opinion that the state's 1982 mandatory reporting law
The Center for Reproductive Rights contends that forced reporting discourages adolescents from seeking counseling and medical treatment and violates their right to informational privacy.
The attorney general's office contended the statute requires mandatory reporting because sex is inherently harmful to underage children. In Kansas, the age of consent is 16.
The opinion does not change
the law or policy as it has been applied in Kansas since 1982, and upholds both, according to the opinion. Every case in which there is a reasonable suspicion of injury caused by abuse must continue to be reported to SRS. The case is not about whether adult sexual predators will escape detection, the judge said.
"This case certainly is not about promoting sexual promiscuity among underage persons," Marten wrote. "It recognizes that sexual activity among underage persons occurs, and that any such activity that injures the minor will be reported."