ONE STEP CLOSER?
The race for the Big 12 title heats up Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas takes on Texas A&M with the leader maintaining first place.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM VOL.117ISSUE88
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007
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KANSAS
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THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
PAGE 1A
ku med center
The KU Medical Center campus welcomes a new 205,000 square-foot research center.
3A
game day
Kansas takes on Texas A&M on Saturday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Let game day prepare you for the Big 12 battle.
work abroad
The Office of Study Abroad, with the help of Boston University, gives KU students international internship opportunities.
4A
women's basketball
Classifieds. 5A
Crossword. 6A
Horoscopes. 6A
Opinion. 7A
Sports. 1B
Sudoku. 6A
index
All contents, unless stated otherwise
© 2007 The University Daily Kansan
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
>> CONCEALED CARRY
'No Weapons' signs proliferate
BY ERICK R. SCHMIDT
No smoking. No pets. No handguns?
Since the Jan. 1 enactment of the Kansas Family Safety Act, more commonly known as Concealed Carry, state residents can apply for a permit to carry concealed weapons. Several locations around Lawrence and the University of Kansas now display the image of a handgun with a red slash through it, similar to the traditional "No Smoking" logo commonly seen on storefronts and public sites.
According to the act, private property owners or business owners can restrict licensed carriers from carrying weapons onto their premises by posting the logo in an area that customers were likely to see upon entrance.
Buses running on campus have the logo, as do entrances to the
University. In addition to the posted signs, metal signs have been installed with the University's weapons policy, which restricts all weapons, not just concealed weapons.
Captain Schuyler Bailey of the KU Public Safety Office said the logo signs were a visual reminder that universities were exempt from the act, and that the signs were meant to remind everyone of the campus' weapons policy.
All buses operated by the Lawrence Transit System have visible stickers with the "No Weapons" logo. Debra Kelley, manager of the Lawrence Bus Company, said the stickers were put on all Park and Ride, KU on Wheels and "T" buses beginning in December. That action was the attorney general's decision, and Kelley said the idea was to protect all members of the public.
Michiko Takei/KANSAN
"They're legal now," Kelley said.
"Since people can conceal weapons, this was our war to eliminate that."
Kelley said her office had not heard any complaints for the signs, and that she thought people generally knew what they meant.
Some buildings do not have to post the logo to keep weapons out. The Concealed Carry law does not apply to churches, government buildings or businesses whose profit is at least 50 percent from alcohol sales.
Those interested in applying for a permit must first complete a training program. Further guidelines of the act are available on the attorney general's Web site, www.ksag.org.
A "No Weapons" sign stands at the west entrance to campus. The Concealed Carry law for guns took effect Jan. 1. Now entrances to campus have posted signs.
Kansan staff writer Erick R. Schmidt can be contacted at eschmidt ekansan.com.
Truck impedes delivery
A mail carrier was taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center by helicopter Thursday morning after being hit by a truck. Emergency workers responded to a code red call at 10:15 a.m. at the corner of 7th and New Hampshire streets just outside of Borders, 700 New Hampshire St. The victim, 56-year-old Jerry L. Totten, was delivering his mail route at the time of the accident. No update was available on Totten's condition. Witnesses said the victim was placed in an ambulance, but that his condition was unknown.
» BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Panelists encourage open race discussion
BY KATY BLAIR
Two panel groups addressed questions and comments about race and gender from students in the Burge Union, DBR & THE MISSION, a string quartet from New York City, spoke as guest panelists, and Black Student Union executive board members sat on the last panel for the evening. Each panel focused on its experiences and thoughts about racial tension in America, and what needs to be done to improve the issue.
There was no wrong question at Thursday night's panel discussion, "You've got questions, we've got answers," which kicked off Black History Month at KU.
DRR & THE MISSION supports learning and personal responsibility to break up harmful stereotypes. It isn't just about black people, said Daniel Bernard Roumain, founder of the band. Roumain said the conversation about America's racial issues is not simple, and should be more easily talked about within society.
"Invitation," said Jon Weber of DBR & THE MISSION. "There needs to be a lot more inviting in to learn about cultures, and to encourage people to let go of their fear."
The Black Student Union panel members commented on problems at a more local level.
SEE PANEL ON PAGE 8A
KANSAS UNION
Milton's cafe moves out
BY NATHAN GILL
Improntupta Café, a creation of KU Dining Services, will provide students another choice for on-campus dining beginning Feb. 5.
The sit down restaurant, located on the third level of the Kansas Union, will serve meals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Impromptu replaces Milton's Restaurant, which opened at the beginning of last semester and closed around stop day.
David Lewis, Milton's owner, was unavailable for comment by press time. Lewis owns two other
Ianna Traver, executive chef for KU Dining Services, said turning over a restaurant in about a month was a challenge.
Milton's locations in Lawrence, one on Massachusetts Street and one on the Kansas Union's first level.
"Our first meeting, where we decided this a was go, the first week in January." Traver said. "It was an impromptu decision."
Impromptu will serve 23 items. not including desserts and daily specials.
SEE IMPROMPTU ON PAGE 8A
Wireless Web access to increase in 2 phases
With funding in place, Boots expects work on wireless to begin immediately.
Before the bill was approved, Networking and Telecommunications Services conducted a study on wireless availability on campus. Through the study they were able to determine what buildings are in the most need for wireless Internet. Those buildings will be first in line to receive wireless access, Boots said.
BY ASHLEE KIELER
Wireless access will be added to all academic and common areas on campus. This does not include administrative spaces.
"We hope to see results as soon as spring break," Boots said at the Senate meeting.
"In terms of technology, we're behind a lot of other schools." Boots said during the meeting. "Some schools claim to have 95 percent wireless. We can have 20 percent on a good day."
The student fee will increase $5 per year for the next five years for students enrolled at the Lawrence campus, according to the bill.
Student Senate passed the bill to fund the wireless campus initiative during its biweekly meeting Wednesday night. The bill includes an increase in student fees and money from the Student Senate reserve bank account to pay for expanded wireless Internet access.
Jason Boots, student body president, and Melissa Horen, student body vice president, worked on the initiative, which was a platform they ran during elections last spring.
Boots and Horen worked closely with KU Information Services to ensure the initiative would have the backing of the University.
The University has agreed to match student funding dollar for dollar, said Allison Lopez, public relations and marketing manager for KU Information Services
The estimated cost for installation of wireless internet will total $2.6 million.
SEE WIRELESS ON PAGE 8A