University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, March 2, 1988
Campus/Area
3
Renovations overdue at KU residence halls
Planning official says staff shortage is cause
By Kim Lightle
By Kim Lightle Kansan staff writer
Renovations of the eight KU residence halls are one year behind schedule because of staff shortages in the facilities planning office, a planning official said yesterday.
Marci Francisco, assistant director of facilities planning, said that staff in the office was reduced from 14 to 8, and which showed the planning process.
The delay in the project has prevented the merger of the student housing department and the office of residential programs. The delay also has halted improvements that would have added study space to McColum Hail and fixed plumbing problems at Ellsworth Hall.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said that the improvements were part of a 10-year plan. He said he had targeted one scholarship hall for renovation every summer beginning in 1986 and one residence hall beginning in 1987.
"It doesn't mean that what we have now is bad." Stoner said. "We just want to continually improve the balls."
The work is on schedule in the scholarship halls. Renovations in Miller and Watkins halls were completed in 1986, and work in Battenfeld Hall was completed in 1987. Pearson scheduled for renovation this summer.
Stoner had scheduled work on Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall to begin last year. McColum was scheduled for 1988 and Ellsworth for 1989.
The renovations at GSP-Corbin would have included converting an unused kitchen and dining area into office space for the combined offices of student housing and the office of residential programs. Now, the student housing department is in McColum and the office of residential programs is in Strong Hall.
The space vacated by the housing office in McColum would become study and meeting rooms under the plans.
Stoner said McCollum needed more space because it was the largest hall but had the smallest area for people to meet.
Mike White, McCollum Hall director, said the lack of study rooms was a problem.
But, he said, "Personally, I wasn't upset about the delay. I knew it would happen."
Alison Crowther, Hull, Great Britain, junior, said the hall needed more study room.
"It's really a problem if you live on a noisy floor," she said. "The cafeteria isn't very conducive to studying, lighting in there is not very good."
Residents at Ellsworth said that they were unhappy about the delay
because it would mean a longer wait for better-regulated water in their showers.
Erin Levine, Glennville, Ill., freshman, said, "It takes forever for the showers to heat up. When they do warm up, they turn cold in five minutes."
Kathy Dufield, Plains junior, said that people on her floor complained about the showers at several floor meetings.
"If I had the power, I would change things now," Dufield said. "I won't be living here next year."
Stoner said renovations would be financed by money from accounts set up when each hall was built. The department has estimated that it would cost $500,000 to renovate each hall. Any increases in costs during the delay would have to be worked around, he said.
"We'll have to live within our means," he said.
Francisco said she planned to get approval from the University director of facilities planning for the GSP-Corbin project this week. Then, an architect from the state's office would come to KU to re-evaluate the list and make cost estimates.
Stoner said that when the project got further along, residents would have a chance to comment on what renovations they thought should be made in the halls.
Lisa Leinacker/KANSAN
Share the life
Sandy Haberman, nurse technician for the American Red Cross, checks the progress of first-time donor David Dolezal, Kanopolis sophomore. The blood drive began yesterday and will run through tomorrow in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
KU design chairman leaves post
Missy Kosner, Highland Park, Ill., sophomore practices juggling her devil sticks in front of Watson Library. Kosner took advantage of the warm weather yesterday to demonstrate the balance and coordination skills needed for the game. The high temperature yesterday was 65, but the high today will only reach the lower 50s.
Sticking to it
By Michael Carolan
The School of Architecture and Urban Design is searching for a new chairman to replace a 14-year faculty member who has resigned to take a position in Louisiana.
Kansan staff writer
Chris Theis, associate professor of architecture and urban design, who has been acting chairman in the school since July 1988, will become director of the School of Architecture at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., on July 1, 1988, said Max Lucas, dean of architecture and urban design.
"We're all sorry to see him teave, Lucas said. "But it is an excellent opportunity for him, and it gets him to his home state. I think he'll do a wonderful job."
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Ken Carpenter, dean of the college of design at LSU, said that students, faculty, and administrators approved of the selection.
"Chris Theis has an excellent track record," Carpenter said. "He is highly regarded by students and faculty, has excellent teaching experience and he's bright, articulate and hardworking."
Lucas said the search for a new chairman was continuing. Their became acting chairman after Stephen Grabow, professor of architecture and urban design, resigned in 1986. All applications for the position are expected by the beginning of April, he said.
A search committee will choose the new chairman by July or August, Lucas said. The committee will most likely select an applicant from outside the University.
Theis came to the KU School of Architecture and Urban Design as an assistant professor in 1974. In 1980, he became an associate professor; and in 1982, he was named associate chairman.
He has taught most of the five years of design studios that make up the core of architecture education at KU. He has taught courses on passive solar design and building technologies.
Lois Clark, assistant dean of architecture and urban design, said that Theis directed the undergraduate program and the fifth-year internship program.
Theis said, "I've seen the school grow. I've contributed in some small way to the growth of this school since I've been here, and I hope that I can do that at Louisiana."
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By Jeff Suggs
Mike Mummert, Lawrence senior, spoke to 14 people in the Kansas Union's Gallery East last night to help organize a political and social organization for atheists at the University of Kansas.
Kansan staff writer
Activism goal of atheist club
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Atheism is disbelief in the existence of supernatural powers.
Mummert said the sole political purpose of the club was to lower the power of religion in society.
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The increasing power of religion in politics has led a KU student to organize an atlueist club on campus.
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there was no religion, there would be no atheist club," she said. "It is a political response to religious ideas."
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Religious leaders exert too much power in politics, he said, citing Pat Robertson as an example.
"He places his view of a god above a view of the people," he said.
Jim Klayder, Neodesha graduate student, volunteered at the organizational meeting to become an officer in the
"I feel religion in general is having an undue influence
Mummert, surprised by the turnout, said the club had enough people to become an officially recognized club on
Mummert also wants the club to be affiliated with the American Atheists, a national organization headed by longtime atheist activist Maladyn Murray O'Hair. Mummert is a member of the national group, which is based in Austin, Texas.
on our society," Klayder said. "It concerns me. It seems that religious people tend to base their notion on what society should be."
Agnostics are people who believe that the existence of supernatural powers cannot be proved but who do not deny the possibility of such powers.
To combat the power of religion, Mummert said, the club would write letters to congressmen, urging them to insist on greater separation of church and state.
Mummert said another purpose of the organization was for atheists andagnostics to get together and discuss beliefs.
"I was happy with the turnout," Mummert said. "I wasn't expecting more than six people to show."
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