Wednesday June 8.1988
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Published since 1889 by the students of the University of Kansas
Vol. 98, No. 146 (USPS 650-640)
Frat may be charged for violating fire code
By Karen Boring
Kansan staff writer
City Prosecutor Jerry Little said yesterday he would file charges against the Triangle fraternity next week for failure to comply with city fire codes.
Jim McSain, Lawrence fire chief,
said in a videotaped press conference
on May 5 that after the April 26, 1987,
fire at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity
house, the Lawrence Fire
Department developed a program to
bring all KU greek houses into compliance with the fire code.
The department inspected the 37 active Greek houses in June and July 1987, said Fire Marshal Rich Barr. The corporation board of each house was given a list of violations and was required to turn in plans of compliance, including a schedule for completion, by January 1988. A corporation board is a group of alumni that acts as landlord of the house.
The Triangle board turned in a statement to Barr, asserting that all required changes had been made, Little said. However, when the fire triangle house on May 2, be found that none of the changes had been made.
The only course of action that the
fire department is interested in with the Triangle house is prosecution," Little said. "The next step is filing charges against that fraternity."
Ron Gast, Triangle corporation board president, said a new board, including himself, was elected in February and that the original plan of compliance had been submitted by the former board. Gast said he and other board members learned of the fire-code problems from the house's student officers after the May inspection...
The board is taking bids so it can make a new plan of compliance. Gast said. He anticipated no problems with meeting the December deadline.
"We want to get costs in mind first," he said. "I think we will have a firm plan by this summer and have some of the work completed by her."
Five other Greek houses also are under investigation by the city prosecutor's office. Barr said.
The Alpha Kappa Lambda and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternities and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority have not come to agreement with the fire department on plans of compliance with the fire code, Little said. The
Tau Kappa Epsilon and Phi Kappa Tau fraternites also have been submitted for investigation.
"They either have not submitted plans of compliance or the compliance time frame is not acceptable." Little said. "What I'm trying to do is to open the lines of communication."
The project involves obliterating grandfather clauses, under which older structures do not to have to comply with fire codes enacted after they were built, he said.
Normally, the fire department inspects greek houses twice a year to ensure that existing fire equipment is working properly, Barr said. The present fire-code project, however, involves seeing that the existing equipment adequately complies with today's fire code.
"If they do not involve sprinkler systems, because sprinkler systems are a very large project from a structural standpoint, we are requiring those plans of compliance to be completed by December 1988," Barr said at the press conference. "If they involved sprinkler systems, then we extended that deadline by one year."
Give it a twirl
Dave Nieberyall/KANSAN
Terri Maness, Lawrence resident, twirls batons with glow sticks attached to the ends. Maness entertained golfers during the Moonshine Night Golf Tournament on Saturday night at the Orchards Executive Golf Course. The tournament was a benefit for the Achievement Place Boys' Home.
Water safe, tests indicate
Cancer-causing chemical no longer present at Lindley
By Monica Hayde
Kansan staff writer
For two weeks, signs were posted inside and outside Lindley Hall warning people not to drink the water in the building. On Friday, they were removed.
Warnings notices were posted in the building on May 20 after state and University inspectors found high levels of a cancer-causing chemical in the water in Room 107. But the latest tests have shown that no health hazard exists, a University statement released Saturday said.
Inspectors from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment found high levels of 1,2- dichloroethane (also called ethylene dichloride) in the water after a complaint was made about the odor and color of the
Bearse said it was unlikely the water in any other campus buildings was contaminated.
"Tests have not been run campus-wide, but they are in the process of being run," he said. "However, the water coming into Lindley Hall is of acceptable quality, so the assumption is it's probably of acceptable quality going into all the other buildings."
Steve Cater, University environment, health and safety officer, said no one knew why such an elevated level of ethylene dichloride was in the water.
"It's quite possible we'll never know where it came from," he said.
Judith Ramaley, executive vice chancellor, said the University and the VUME will look for the
By Paula Messbarger
Official reverses Hoch ruling
Kansan staff writer
Paul Markley, who is chief of the fire prevention division for the state fire marshal's office, said after his April inspection of Hoch that the 61-year-old building was too dangerous to use because of fire-code violations.
A state fire official who said in April that Hoch Auditorium might have to be closed because of [fire hazards now says it is a safe building.
But Markley said Monday Hoch is safe and can be used by the University of Kansas for classes and concerts.
The original report cited the lack of emergency lighting and of a sprink-
Three New LP's
Few album titles describe their contents as well as We Go a Party! The Best of Ron Records, Volume One (Rounder). This rhythm-and-blues collection from a shortlist (1958-62) New Orleans record company rolls along in typical Crescent City fashion. The singers belt, woope and cajole to jackhammer piano, torrid sax and spring rhythm sections. Not everybody on this record is well known; as a small independent label, Ron had the services of such legendary singers as Professor Longhair and Chris Kenner only on occasion. But even the lesser lights shine brightly here. And the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," Irma Thomas, sets the blistering pace on "Don't Mess With My Man" when she sings, "You can have my husband / But please don't mess with my man."
With the exception of an occasional anomaly, such as Suzanne Vega's "Laka," you don't hear much folk rock with political overtones that days. But Tracy Chapman isn't afraid to take on larger issues, such as poverty and injustice, or smaller subjects, such as the emptiness of small-town life. Her self-titled album, Tracy Chapman ("Elektra"), brings these problems to life with clarity, simplicity and directness. "Fast Car" describes a woman trapped in a dying community, whose only escape is her lover's automobile. Chapman brings out the despair with very plain lyrics: "I'd always hoped for better / Maybe together, you and me, fine / Got no plans, ain't going nowhere / Take your fast car and keep on driving." There are some moments when Chapman seems naive, but the utter conviction of her husky ally brings it off.
Lester Bowie is a reconstructed deconstructionist. A jazz trumpeter who has delved without compromise into free-form improvisation with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Bowie has found a way to work within conventional song structures on Twilight Dreams (Venture / Virgin). His band, Bowie's Brass Fantasy, consists of four trumpeters, two trombonaists, a French hornist, a tubist and a drummer. The clean, sumptuous brass arrangements range from straight to subversive on tunes as diverse as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and band member Steve Turre's Ellington-inspired "Duke's Fantasy." The interaction between solos and brass choir on the hoary standard "Personality" makes the tune come alive. And the overlapping of sustained notes on the title track gives the piece a somber, impressionistic feel. This metal is truly heavy. Also truly light. Also exhilarating.
Show your stuff: Students who stay up to catch Dave and others will finally be rated
TELEVISION
R. G
NEWSWEEK ON CAMPUS
No More Stupid Net Tricks
Nielsen promises to count late night's hidden fans
Richard Nixon had his "silent majority." Pat Robertson has his "invisible army." Now David Letterman has his "corps of the uncounted." NBC has long argued that the all-important Nielsen TV ratings underreport college viewers of its hip programs, primarily "Late Night With David Letterman," "Saturday Night Live" and "Friday Night Videos." So the network decided to pay for its own survey. The results demonstrated what many already assumed: a large number of college students weren't getting measured. Add them to Nielsen estimates for the Letterman show and viewership jumps from 3.7 million to nearly 4.5 million.
The survey has stirred a ratings industry already shaken by controversy. The replacement of diaries, filled out by Nielsen families in their homes, with "people meters"—which automatically record vieworship—has muddled the ratings picture. NBC's survey has prodded Nielsen into admitting that its procedures miss "out of home" viewers in places like hospitals, hotels and dorms. Nielsen has pledged to include college students in its official count soon, saying NRC a sense of
Emboldened by the bigger numbers, two of the three major networks are looking to expand their late-night line-ups. Next January CBS will broadcast a show with Pat ("Wheel of For-
vindication. "We knew there were college students watching the Letterman show in dorms," says George Hooper, NBC's vice president of audience research.
tune") Sajak, David Poltrach, vice president of marketing for CBS, insists Sajak has more than just a deft touch with the wheel. "He has the kind of appeal that Letterman has. He's irreverent, humorous, self-deprecating" NBC, meanwhile, will make light night even later. Starting Aug 22, they'll trot out sportscaster Bob Costas on week nights to host "Later with Bob Costas" from 1:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. ABC, though, will be to bed comparatively early; the network plans nothing more for late night beyond the more sober "Nightline."
**Hi viewers:** Advertisers have taken the NBC data in stride. David Marans, vice president of media research for Young & Rubicam, says NBC's survey "is not news because we always assumed this type of viewing was going on." Indeed, advertisers recognized Letterman's student following by their willingness to pay more for commercial time than the Nielsen would justify.
No one had to tell students, of course, that they tune in to the hip show. "Everybody watches Letterman," says Columbia senior Sharon Barden. Georgetown see'r
Proof: NBC poll logo
e iba, Mark
be closed corrected the
matter
officials
formed there
for at Hoch,
in, that
emergency
larkley said.
ure in opera-
iry Holly Hagen says parties ground to a halt during Letterman's February prime-time special in humble obeisance to Dave. But tuped response to other offerings, like Joan Rivers' late "Late Show" on Fox, proves that late night remains a tricky market to tap. As for Sajkj's chances, Hagen offers this rating: "Good luck."
ce has three
TODD BARRETT
MAY 1988
'Hoch is safe as is. The
Paul Marklev
emergency lights are in operation.
ation.'
state fire marshal's office
main concerns when inspecting a building; fire alarms, clear exits and emergency lighting that comes on when the power goes off. Hoch has all three. Marklev said.
48
He said not having a sprinkler system above the stage would not be possible.
lelete this r. because alternative
ved during
"The sprinklers are there to protect the buildings," he said. "We care about the buildings, but our main concern is getting the people out."
o potential music in the
Tom Anderson, director of facilities operations, said the problem with the original inspection probably was a result of a KU Facilities and Operations employee who was sent with Markley on the inspection. Anderson said it was common practice for KU employees to assist the fire marshals during inspections. He said the employee probably was not familiar with Hoch and its lighting system.
erson, I've open," he concerned, I have no
"There is an emergency lighting system, and its been there for at least 15 years," he said. "The problem was, no one asked the right person."
r and disc
e was not
sion would
Hoch Auditorium once was used as the home court for the Jayhawks basketball team until Allen Field House was dedicated in 1955. Hoch has had a long history of safety and structural problems, which led to the establishment to build a new performing arts center within the next few years.
James Modig, campus director of facilities planning, said his office and a committee appointed by Judith Ramaley, executive vice chancellor, are reviewing possibilities for using Hoch once the new performing arts building is completed. Modig said some suggestions were offices, classrooms or an addition to the new science library.
"We're looking for the general needs of the campus," Modig said.
As for the near future, not much will be done to Hoch, he said. Some of the stonework will be repaired this year under the fiscal year 1988 budget. But there will be no projects for the fiscal year of 1989 because the Board of Regents did not approve the requests.
The Associated Press
The three-term Massachusetts governor began the night needing about 150 delegates to achieve a mathematical lock on the nomination. He was winning more than 131 in New Jersey, Montana and New Mexico combined, and early returns from California showed him ahead for more than 200 delegates.
Dukakis finishes with nomination
Michael Dukakis clinched the Democratic presidential nomination with a four-state flourish Tuesday night and forecast a "golden opportunity" to win the White House in 1988. Republican George Bush labeled himself the underdog heading into the fall campaign but said, "I'm fighting back."
Dukakis dominated Jesse Jackson coast to coast on the final night of a grueling Democratic primary marathon. He was winning primaries in New Jersey, Montana, New Mexico and California by margins of 2-10 or more.
Dukakis emerged as the winner of the Democratic primary marathon and owner of a lead over Bush in the nationwide public opinion polls. But Bush, who wrapped up the GOP nomination six weeks ago, holds formidable Electoral College advantages in the South and West, and Republicans have won four of the last five presidential elections.
Thus, the prospect is for a close general election, and Bush and Dukakis seemed to share an eagerness to begin.
"My friends, what a golden op
portunity this is for us," Dukakis said as he savored his nominating triumph in a speech in California. He pledged to use his campaign to stand up for factory workers thrown out of their jobs with no warning, to ease the burden of families hit by medical bills and to "share the rage" of those living in neighborhoods threatened by drugs.
Bush posted uncontested primary victories in all four states and said, "I think I can overcome this deficit (in the polls)," he said.
"Every day between now and November, the American people will want to hear how we intend to build a strong and vibrant future for our country," he said. "They aren't interested in slashing attacks: They want to judge our positive ideas for change."
In a television interview, he likened Dukakis to Walter Mondale, the landslide Democratic loser in 1984, for refusing to rule out a tax increase. "I'll rule it out," Bush said in an interview with CBS, and rely on a spending freeze to reduce the deficit.
He decried the "gloom and doom" that he said was emanating from the Democrats and said the polls would change as he began to establish his own political identity. "When we get through in the fall talking about opportunity and peace and numbers of jobs and how much better things are and what I'll do to keep it that way, I think I can overcome that deficit," he said.