Wednesday December 2,1987 Vol.98,No.70
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
(USPS 650-640)
Published since 1863 by the students of the University of Kansas
Smoke detectors ordered for halls
By BEN JOHNSTON
staff writer
The University of Kansas housing office has ordered the instillation of about 250 smoke detectors that could be installed by the background of new classrooms.
Since 1901, state law has required residence halls to have smoke detectors on each door where residents live. However, only two KU residence halls now have smoke detectors.
Ken Stoner, director of student housing, said he decided to order the detectors after he consulted the state firemarshal's office and they agreed that temporary warden would be appointed permanent detectors could be installed.
Paul Markley, chief of the fire prevention division at the state fire marshal's office in Topokia, said that the University wasn't required to install the temporary detectors because it had a plan to install
Stoner said the temporary detectors would be installed in Hassinger, Elsworth and McColm halls. Two of them are located in a floor where residents live, he said.
permanent detectors during the next two years
Stoner said these detectors would be temporary because the housing office planned to install permanent detectors in Lewis and Tempira halls this summer, in Haskinsburg and Elsipi. The detectors are Maclum Hall the year after.
The detectors, which were ordered a few weeks ago, will be installed during winter break if the housing often receives them before the break begins. Stoner said. Stoner said that if the detectors were not installed
The temporary smoke detectors will not be installed in Lewis and
during winter break he was not sure when they would be installed.
See FIRE, p. 6, col. 1
Report, profs fail to agree
Insurance plan best. audit says
By MICHAEL HORAK
Wall writer
Staff writer
Some University of Kansas professors have taken issue with a report released to lawmakers yesterday that said the state Health Care Commission negotiated the best possible contract for the $14 million cover.
The report, compiled by the Legislature's Division of Post Adjourn, says the contract negotiated this tail call for less premium increases than the original contract and the Blue Shield had present.
The initial blue Cross proposal would have increased traditional care premiums by about 40 percent over the 1987 contract," the report said. "Beneath Health Care Commission members thought the proposed rates would be affordable for the state and its employees, they spent several weeks negotiating a more favorable plan with Blue Cross."
See related story. p.5
But Mel Dumick, pressing officers of University Senate, said he did not think the Health Care Commission locked long enough for options or alternatives to the insurance plan. He also signed a contract with Blue Cross.
"They avoided to Blue Cross and
Blue Shield and gave them exactly
what they wanted. Dutton said
he would still work for the company,
the best deal they could have struck."
NEIL faculty leaders have been vocal during the last two months about their dislike for the new health care contract Both Faculty and Classified Senates have complained to Gov. Mike Huckley that the new health insurance increases and changes until it was too late to make changes.
The new plan, which will begin Jan. 1, will increase premiums at least a $1 percent for traditional family health care insurance. It also requires employees who smoke to pay an additional $10 a month, with the money going to start wellness programs.
Blue Cross officials defend the increases, saying that they were necessary because the company paid $8 million more in benefits than it took in premiums last year. Losses from 17 months totaled 4.1 million.
"We had a fairly difficult assignment to complete when we negotiated the contract, and I think we did it well." he said.
The plan includes a monthly fee that gives employees the option to receive insurance coverage. If also required, designate a private care physician.
- nonlegislative Post Audit report was reissued two days before the internist Wayne Ways and Meiremont衬里 was scheduled to meet in Topkis to discuss the state health insurance contract
"I think we tell short on that, but we'll improve on that." he said. He said the commission would work to develop plans that would allow as many state employees as possible to voice their view about future health care contracts while they be negotiated.
Edward Flentz, chairman of the Health Care Commission, said yesterday that he was pleased with the report.
he sent the commission made a mistake by not soliciting more comments from state employees before approving the contract in September.
Stephen Wade/Special to the KANSAN
Record roar
Eddie Scheer, St. Louis junior, cheers the Kansas men's basketball team on to victory. The Jayhawks defeated Pomona-Pitzer, 94-38, last night at Allen Field House and claimed their 49th consecutive home victory. The victory set a Big Eight Conference record and is the longest home winning streak in Division I basketball still alive.
SenEx accepts plan to shorten add-drop
By NOEL GERDES
Staff writer
The add-drop period could be limited to two weeks under a proposal endorsed yesterday by the University Senate Executive Committee
SenEx approved 1.2 a proposal that would shorten the drop period to the first two weeks of classes. The proposal also would add two days to the add period, making it just two weeks and two days.
This tail, the add period was two weeks and the drop period was five weeks.
Two weeks ago, SenEx voted 4.4 on the same proposal when all three student members of SenEx were elected. SenEx was present yesterday of SenEx was present yesterday
SenEx did not vote on a Student Senate proposal that would have changed the drop period to three weeks and the drop period to three weeks and two days.
"I can't say it wasn't what I expected," Laura Ambler of campus senator said. "I'm not too dissatisfied, but I'm confident we observe at the meeting."
Amber sponsored the Student Senate proposal. She said she thought the three-week add-drop proposal would have had more support in
University Council than it did in SenEx
University Council and Chancellor Gene A Budiq must approve any add-drop proposal before it goes into effect.
This fall, KU administrators changed the add period from four weeks to two weeks in an attempt to class rosters earlier in the semester.
"In the long run, the two-week add-drop period will be to the students' advantage," said Evelyn Swartz, chairman of SenEx. Students will have a better chance to get their schedules in order, and faculty will be able to organize their classes sooner."
Both faculty and student SemEx members agreed that with the add period two days longer than the drop period, students would be able to pick up classroom space vaccinated by students who droned on the last day.
But Amy Arley, Ogluter junior and a member of Senkx, said a two-week period would be long enough for students with Tuesday Thursday classes to decide whether to drop. A more appropriate measure might be more appropriate, she said.
Candidates debate
GOP criticized for not backing treaty
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential contenders clashed over the so-too-be-signed arms control treaty yesterday in a prime time debate. Democrats taunted most of their GOP rivals for failing to support President Reagan's accords to eliminate shorter nuclear missile ranges.
The six Democratic contenders aimed their criticism at the Republicans in a two-hour series of separate but equal debates televised nationally. Republicans saved some of their best shots for each other — and as a vigorous treaty supporter, Vice President George Bush drew on the fire.
"It is nothing short of appalling that five of the six Republican candidates refuse to support the new arms control agreement, said Sen. Albert Gore Jr., D-Tenn., in the opening moments of the forum televised on
Sad Rep. Richard Gephardt, H.
"Mo. "Every Democrat here as for
the president, I hope you will ask
me to reconsider that they is supporting
 their president."
NBC moderator Tom Brokaw did exactly that when the Republicans got their half-hour on stage to debate foreign policy.
Alone among the Republicans. Bush embraced the treaty, which
would eliminate intermediate range nuclear weapons
Senate Minority Leader Role Dole of Kansas said he wanted to read the treaty before taking a position. "I never let the president down yet," he said. "But I have a right to read and study."
The other Republican contenders former Secretary of State Alexander Hang, Rep. Jack Kemp of New York, former Delaware Gov. Peter Pence and former television candidate Pat Robertson, all expressed their support.
"We should not rush into signing an agreement with the Soviet Union until we force them to comply with previous agreements, said Kemp
Democrats turned on each other when the debate moved to domestic policy.
"Simonowicz is really Reaganan
wits with a bow tie." Gephardt said in
a barb at Paul Simon. D'Ill
Simon defended his economic policy, which calls for a balanced budget as well as (federal) spending on new programs.
That prompted former Arizona Gov Bruce Babbitt to say, "I've just heard a lot of film-films."
Differences over the treaty took center stage quickly as the debate unfolded in the shadow of next week's superpower summit between President Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
KU student finds help in coping with dyslexia
By JULIE McMAHON
Cesar Miller feels deprived.
Cause similar behavior.
A learning disability called dyslexia is is stealing time and a chance to be an "A" student from him, he says.
"It takes me an hour and a half to read something that it takes someone else an hour to read. By then, I've already lost half an hour Over a lifetime, that accumulates," said Miller, Pratt sophomore.
■ See related story. p. 8.
Students with learning disabilities have average or above average intelligence but have problems with one or more of the psychological processes involved in understanding and using spoken or written language. The problem may result in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak read, write, spell or do math calculations.
"You'd think you worked hard enough, you would figure it out. I didn't understand why I couldn't read. For some reason, I still haven't compared it — it still pops up, Miller said.
But with determination and a little help, he and other college students with learning disabilities are coping and succeeding at the University of KwaZulu.
A learning disability is different from a learning problem that has resulted from visual bearing or motor handicaps, mental retardation or environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage.
at KU students are tested for learning disabilities at the Counseling Center if they haven't been tested in high school.
Deslaeira is a language disability characterized by difficulty in learning how to read, write and spell. It is usually exhibited by reversals in letters of the word or for example in combined with 's', 'sw' or 'saw' is confused with 'was'.
Dyslexia can be accompanied by confusion in directions in space such as left from right, and difficulties in math, but neither math nor science are problems for Miller. In fact, he enjoys them and has taken many upper-level science classes and hopes to enter the School of Pharmacy this fall. But reading, writing and spelling are difficult for him.
It's one of several learning disabilities. Others are perceptual handicaps, brain injuries, minimal brain dysfunction and developmental delays.
Miller is optimistic about his studies at KU. This is his third year, and he will be a junior next semester. He has a grade point average slightly above 5.0 despite some difficulties with his English classes.
"I never related to a dictionary, spelling is a problem and so is grammar on in-class essays," he said.
He has been coping with his disability since he was diagnosed as having dyslexia in third grade. He was at the same level as his poets when he was a child, and by the time he started shipping in second grade and was a year behind in third grade.
Like many children with learning disabilities, he was considered a problem child before the learning disability was diagnosed. That often occurs because some teachers don’t understand learning disabilities, and children are trusted to do it. Hiller’s teachers couldn’t understand how he could be normal in math, but below average in English and reading.
When he told his teachers he couldn't see letters, they thought his eyesight was bad, and he got glasses. He was excited, only to find they
rually, someone realized he was mixing up his "b's and 'd's"—those letters that all look alike." He then began attending special classes and working on techniques to enabling ability, learning on load.
He continued meeting with counsellors throughout junior high and high school. Some of his high school teachers told him after he had graduated that they hadn't thought he could do it.
11. "If they had told me I couldn't graduate, then I would've proved them wrong," he said.
Some people learn to cope with dyslexia, but Miller is still struggling with it.
"At times I think I have conquered it, and then I turn around and it turns up in a grocery list," he said.
He said the problem was worse when he was tread. He has trouble deciphering handwriting, but typing papers and working with computers are easier because letters always look the same.
"When I take notes," he said, "I print everything
"I wouldn't be making it up here without a word processor. I can't relate to a pen and pencil. I always relate better to a screen. My easiest "A" in college was in Computer Science 200."
Although college is sometimes frustrating. Miller is not about to give up
Even in science classes, which are his favorites, he has to struggle with textbooks to read assignments.
"In general classes, they expect you to know the book. But what's in the book?" Reading it seems like such a bask task."
"I was brought up where if you don't let it bother you, it won't. Sums use it as a way. They're not expected to do well, so they don't
[17] He said he always would remember talking with another student with a learning disability in a special education (fourth grade who didn't want to try).
Part of the reason that Miller came to KU was encouragement of Lor
Miller said, "He said, 'I don't know why I should do anything because they don't expect me to. That irraged in me to try to overcome
Miller's determination is typical of students with learning disabilities, said Keith Lenz, a research associate at KU's Institute for Research of Learning Disabilities. Lenz said college students with learning disabilities be bright and motivated or they would have given up on school long ago.
raine Michel, assistant director of the Student Assistance Center. Miller's high school had sent his records to KU. Michel contacted him and told him he could receive assistance at KU.
The Student Assistance Center sent out letters to his teachers informing them of Miller's disability. The center does this for all students with learning disabilities who request that their teachers be informed. The letter may ask for extra time on tests and other accommodations.
Muster uses and depends on the center. But he doesn't abuse it, he said.
It's good counseling. In general somebody to talk to. She looks over my classes and is a tie between me and mat teachers." he said.
The center supplies taped text books and readers who read text books to students whose disabilities prevent them from processing information. Many Mary Murter have an easier time processing what they've heard
"I have no problem recalling lectures," he said. "Tests-based on lectures I get an 'A' on
Miller said he had used the recordings, readers and counseling services from the center. But he uses documents from the center as an extra time on tools reluctantly.
"A lot of times I don't like to use it. It probably hurt my grades." But he said, he likes to complete tests in the same time period that other students take.
Also, he said he didn't like to
See STUDENT, p. 8, col. 1