Wednesday inside
All in the family
They don't live at home, but two
University of Kansas students still eat lunch with their dad. It's easy when he also attends the University. PAGE 3A
Boys among women The school of Social Welfare has typically housed almost all female students, and the male population within the school is dwindling. Despite being vastly outnumbered, eight men try to make male opinions and known on issues discussed in a female-dominated academic arena. PAGE 3A
Good attitude
and
hard
work
have
paid
off for
Nick Bahe. The walk-on has impressed coaches with his work ethic, and, though he has seen limited playing time, Bahe continues to make strides.PAGE 1B
Winning streak
Junior pitcher Mike Zagurski helped the
Jayhawks dominate the Grizzlies for the second time yesterday. The 'Hawks face the Grizzlies again at 3 p.m.today.PAGE1B
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Sports 1B
Sports brief 2B
Comics 4B
KANSAN
February 25, 2004 IN ITS 100TH YEAR AS THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Vol.114 Issue No.100
Apartment deals abound
Landlords fight for students in a renter-friendly market
By Steve Vockrodt
svokrodt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Students looking for apartments can find good deals as apartment complexes fight for tenants in what many leasing agents are calling a highly competitive housing market.
housing markets.
"There are a lot more apartments than tenants," Justin Atherton, leasing agent for Bradford Square Apartments, said. "It runs in cycles, but now seems to be a downside."
Some apartment complexes are holding off giving out deals, waiting until the summer months when they are desperate to find tenants. Others are already advertising specials for early lease signees.
Park 25 Apartments is offering its "Early Bird Special" of free first month's rent for
"It's a different rental market. People will tell you if you drive down the streets, take a look at all the for-rent signs."
Valerie Foos
Park 25 leasing consultant
all units without a washer or dryer. Valerie Foos, leasing consultant at Park 25, said her complex wanted to get its units leased as soon as possible to prepare for the difficult housing market in Lawrence.
cut housing in the Foos pointed to three main reasons for the highly competitive market this year: low mortgage interest rates on houses, more
apartments available than tenants needing an apartment, and an increase in students who commute from surrounding areas.
"It's a different rental market," Foos said. "People will tell you if you drive down the streets, take a book at all the for-rent signs."
Bradford Square is among the apartment complexes that offers no special deals. Instead, the complex wants to attract tenants with low rent. Its units average between $250 and $300 per person.
Lower deposits are the other approach the complex uses, offering a $400 deposit for a $650 a month 2-bedroom apartment.
Other complexes offer an even lower security deposit along with a discounted or free first month's rent.
Aberdeen Apartments and Townhomes offers a $90 deposit, while Jefferson Commons goes even lower with
a $50 deposit.
Atherton said payments for three-bedroom apartments are about the same as three-bedroom houses. The comparative costs, along with lower interest rates, gives houses the upper hand over apartment complexes.
While the early special deal might draw some tenants, others remain unsure of such offers.
Erik Sloan, Glenview, Ill., sophomore, said his apartment complex offered him $200 off his first month's rent if he stayed, which he will not do.
"I seem a little skeptical when a complex has to use these schemes to lure tenants," Sloan said. "Word-of-mouth and pleased current residents should be enough."
Glittery Green
— Edited by Paul Kramer
Amanda Kim Stairrett/Kansar
Kevin Wiedenmann, Olathe sophomore, paraded down Jayhawk Boulevard yesterday to celebrate Mardi Gras. Wiedenmann and five friendsdressed up and handed out beads to people on the street amidst music and shouts of "Happy Mardi Gras!"
Bar controversy unique
Similar towns don't limit bars
By Laura Pate
lpate@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Joey Kramer does not understand why Lawrence city commissioners would want to limit the number of bars on and near Massachusetts Street. Kramer manages Kite's Bar & Grill in Aggieville, a bar district in Manhattan.
Photo illustration by Kit Leffler/Kansan
With the growing number of bars on Massachusetts Street, many citizens are afraid Lawrence will be contaminated with drinking venues rather than unique stores and restaurants. Some city officials are afraid Lawrence will turn into Manhattan's Aggieville.
"What the hell are they thinking?" said Kramer.
But Lawrence city commissioners want to see a mix of retail, residences, entertainment venues and restaurants, said city manager Mike Wildgen.
More bars on Massachusetts Street could drive out retail business, said Dennis "Boog" Highberger, Lawrence city commissioner.
Twenty-seven of today's drinking establishments existed between downtown's Sixth St. and Eleventh St. in 1994. Today, 44 downtown venues hold drinking licenses.
Cara Orban, clerk at the Dusty
And retail establishments have decreased by 50 percent since 1983, said David Schauner, Lawrence city commissioner.
"What they don't want to see is a string of bars down Mass," Wilden said.
Most retail shops close by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. and business does not pick up at the bars until 10 p.m. Bars bring more business to the Dusty Bookshelf, she said.
Bookshelf, 708 Massachusetts St., said bars do not negatively affect the bookstore.
In 1994, Lawrence city commissioners tried to curb the number of bars by enacting a 55 percent food sales requirement.
"They may see something in the window and come back the next day," Orban said.
Under the requirement, any bar or restaurant that opened after 1994 had to earn 55 percent of its profits through
food sales. If the bar or restaurant failed to do so, it could lose its liquor license.
This ordinance has not proven effective in reducing the number of bars or in keeping bars out of neighborhoods, Highberger said.
Highberger Commissioners are working to help Massachusetts Street remain a core retail district, Highberger said. Restaurants and bars need retail traffic to bring in business, he said.
Highberger does not place all the blame on bars for the decline in retail business. Internet sales have also hurt local business.
Ashes mark revelry's end start of Lent purification
By Patrick Cady
ocady@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
Today some people on campus will be connected by a sign.
"It's a sign of repentance," said Father Vince Krische, director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Center said. "Its a statement of repentance for our sins."
Two crossing lines, perhaps looking like little more than a light gray smudge, will be on their foreheads. The smudge is a cross, symbolizing a beginning. It's a beginning of ashes, attrition and growth.
"It feels like it always comes so fast, Jon Rogers, Overland Park freshman, said. "It makes you feel like you need to prepare for Easter."
statement of repudiation.
It's part of Ash Wednesday, a special Mass in the Catholic liturgical season.
Today begins a six-week time of preparation known for the Easter holiday as Lent.
prepare for hate The Lenten season directly follows the wild parties and celebrations that mark Fat Tuesday or Mardis Gras. If those celebrations represent life in its wildest form, then through the use of the ashes today's services focus on purification, Krische said.
That purification comes with a day of fasting for the Catholic church. The entire Lenten season is also marked by a weekly fast. Catholics don't eat red meat on Fridays during Lent, though it is acceptable to eat fish.
"It's a time when you can take a step back," Rogers said. "It's a time to see what you can change by reflection."
The ashes for the Mass come from burnt palm fronds that were saved from Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter.
In the New Testament, a packed mass of followers waved the palms as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the day of his resurrection. When the leaves are burned, they are saved for a year, then marked on foreheads in the sign of a cross.
"The cross is a symbol that we follow Christ," Krische said.
Christ, Krisen's son The Mass has led to deep feelings within some followers.
Shanna Meyer, a Kansas City, Mo. sophomore, had a powerful experience last year.
She had rediscovered her faith, she said. This year she thinks there will be a similar, powerful connection.
"This year will be even more because I'm stronger," Meyer said. "I feel I can enter into it even more."
Ash Wednesday is celebrated by more denominations than the Catholic faith
The Lutheran service, for instance, is very similar to the Catholic celebration, said Reverend Alan Estby of the Lutheran Student Fellowship Immanuel. With a time of preparation, Estby said.
It's a time of preparation, Estby said.
The true power of the day and Service might go beyond denomination.
"I think it's just the fact that everyone is coming to come together to celebrate," Meyer said. "His ashes symbolize his suffering, its important to humble yourself with him."
SEE BAR ON PAGE 6A! — Edited by Meghan Brune
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