THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
DAY JANUARY 23
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23
NEWS
3A
LAWRENCE POLITICS
City to consider registry
BY MATT ERICKSON
Domestic same-sex couples and unmarried, domestic heterosexual couples in Lawrence may soon be able to document their relationships with the city.
The city commission received a report on the creation of a domestic-partner registry at its Jan. 9 meeting and directed the city staff to work out the details.
The registry would allow same-sex or opposite-sex couples who live together in long-term relationships and are economically connected to register their relationships with the city, according to a memo from the city's legal services department.
Dennis "Boog" Highberger, city commissioner, said the registry could help employees in these relationships claim benefits, like health insurance, for their partners.
"It would be a place for people who are not married and have an ongoing relationship to register it," Highberger said. "There are a lot of companies who provide partner benefits as long as there's evidence that a partner exists."
However, the proposed ordinance would not require the city or any business to provide any benefits
to domestic partners, Mike Rundt, commissioner who introduced the bill, said, it would only provide documentation for employees of companies that do offer those benefits.
Jonathan Pryor, Columbus senior and director of KU Queers & Allies, said the registry would give local same-sex couples an opportunity they'd never had before.
"I think the most intangible benefit will be the symbol the registry would represent to individuals." Pryor said. "It would provide a way for people to show their commitment to their partners that they have never been able to do legally."
Rundle said the adoption of a domestic-partner registry would serve as a statement for Lawrence.
"I think the people in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community view this as an affirmation that Lawrence truly does take a stand against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and for equal rights," Rundle said.
Rundle and Highberger said they had received e-mails from citizens opposing a domestic-partner registry, saying that citizens in Kansas had voiced their disapproval of legal same-sex unions when they passed
the 2005 constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Kathy Egbert, Lawrence resident,
e mailed Rundle to ask him not to
support the registry.
"Because Kansans who voted upheld the idea that a marriage is only between a man and woman, I believe to enact laws or ordinances that belittle or eat away at that legislation are inappropriate." Egbert said.
However, Highberger said he thought most Lawrence residents would support the measure, saying that the marriage amendment was unpopular in Lawrence.
Highberger and Rundle both said they thought a majority of the commission would support the idea of a domestic-partner registry once an ordinance is drawn up.
Mike Amys, mayor, said that the city staff would bring the ordinance before the state attorney general once it is drafted to make sure it won't violate the 2005 marriage amendment passed in Kansas.
Kansan staff writer Matt Erickson can be contacted at merickson@ kansan.com.
— Edited by Joe Caponio
POLITICS
Senator criticizes Iraq, New Orleans funding
BY BECKY BOHRER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., set to deliver the Democratic rebuffal to Tuesday's State of the Union address, suggested Monday that the United States is spending too much on reconstruction in Iraq while ignoring the rebuilding of New Orleans.
Webb said his "gut instinct" tells him not to support more funding for Iraq without a full accounting of
the money already spent there.
"I were putting all this money into Iraq and ignoring New Orleans, then were doing something wrong," he told reporters during a teleconference.
But. Webb, a freshman senator, stopped short of calling for money earmarked for Iraq to be diverted to New Orleans, which, he said, has languished in the nearly 17 months since Hurricane Katrina.
Adam Sharp, a spokesman for Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said that the federal government has
a role to play in meeting future funding needs but that he didn't know how great that role would be. Congress already has allocated more than $100 billion to rebuild the Gulf Coast, Sharp said, and those funds must be distributed efficiently and accounted for.
Webb said he believes the Bush administration mishandled the city's recovery and said the city's struggles have "kind of fallen off the national radar screen over the last year."
Girlen耿东林 St. Louis junior, center, participates in Bust n Gutz, a workout routine led by Chelsea Hudson, Emporia Junior, afternoon at the Student Recreation and Fitness center. The recreation center hopes to offer a variety of workout routines at times throughout the day to appeal to students with bw schedule this semester.
STUDENT HEALTH
Fitness center expands classes
"Amber's goal is running classes that will better fit student's workouts and teaching exactly what to do to strengthen their muscles and tone." Melcher said.
Another change to this year's KU Fit program is more options with the additional fee. Last fall, an additional fee was required to take any KU Fit aerobics classes because of the gradual increase in student wages and maintenance, said Jill Urkoski, associate director of recreation services. Long said the fee turned out fewer students than expected in the fall.
BY DANAE DESHAZER
"The loss of participants is to be expected, but you know in all reality, if you give up a latte a week, you can pay for your Fit pass. That's not how students think though, so we are trying to open up the marketability." Long said.
New this spring, students may purchase half semester Fit passes for $25. The first half semester session runs until spring break. The whole semester pass is $50. Students can
Students concerned with maintaining New Year's resolutions or getting into shape before spring break will find new and expanded class options at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center this semester.
Amber Long, fitness coordinator, was recently hired and has plans to increase the frequency and availability of KU Fit classes offered at the recreation center.
also purchase single-class passes to
also try out a class to see if they like
it before purchasing a pass for the
semester, Melcher said.
The new KU Fit schedule is more concise in order to get people in and out of the classes more convenient, and is more regular from day to day. Katie Mekler, Shawnee senior and KU Fit instructor, said students were complaining that the schedule was confusing since it was completely different every day of the week, with different classes and times. In addition to new classes, more classes will be offered more than once a week to give students a regular routine.
"What I'm hoping for this spring is to add more diversity to the schedule at times more applicable to faculty staff, as well as a variety of classes to find a niche for interests that people might have." Long said.
To introduce the new classes and learn of other opportunities, students can attend Rec Fest tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center. Students can participate in continuous 20 minute teaser sessions of the new fit classes that include cardiovascular and strength training. There will also be drawings for prizes, free fit passes and personal trainers. Long said Rec Fest is a way that students can try out the new classes and decide what
"Everyone is welcome, whether you're a regular at the recreation center or new to campus," Urkoski said.
All this week, KU Fit classes will be offered free to students and faculty, and they can purchase a whole semester pass at a $5 discount until February 3.
is right for them before paying any fees.
Kansan staff writer Danae
DeShazer can be contacted at
ddeshazer@kansan.com.
Edited by Joe Caponio