The University Daily Kansan
Today: Sunny with a high of 48 and a low of 22
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy with a high of 57 and a low of 30
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Thursday, March 8, 2001
Sports: Jayhawks hopeful for their chances in the Big 12 Conference tournament.
See page 8A
(USPS 650-640) • VOL.111 NO.104
Inside: K.K. Amini residents have had problems with an overactive heater.
For comments, contact Lori O'Toole or Mindie Miller at 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
See page 8A
Lawsuit spurs settlement talks
WWW.KANSAN.COM
By Cássio Furtado
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
The University of Kansas and Bank of America have started settlement negotiations with Watkins and Miller scholarship halls' residents after the residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging negligence and fraud against Bank of America. The petition included counts requesting more than $75,000 for negligence and fraud.
The residents' attorney, David Brown, said in the petition that Bank of America failed to administer the trust solely in the interest of benefiting the halls as set forth by the Elizabeth M. Watkins Scholarship Fund.
Brown said yesterday that any damages resulting from the lawsuit would be paid into the trust.
He said he had been contacted by the University and Bank of America after filing the petition Tuesday and that the parties were examining the possibilities of a settlement.
"We have started to explore whether settlement talks would be possible," Brown said. "The real goal is to have the trust managed properly."
He said that the trust money traditionally had been sent to the Kansas University Endowment Association — not to the hall's trust.
Jim Rankin, attorney representing Bank of America, couldn't be reached for comment.
Ola Ramm, a representative for the petitioners and Manhattan senior, said the residents were hopeful about the new lawsuit.
"We've done well so far," she said.
But Ramm said the residents acknowledged that results on the lawsuit wouldn't be seen soon.
"We are not thinking that it's going to happen tomorrow," she said.
Ramm said that she and other students living at the two scholarship halls thought it was a worthy cause because living in the hall had been one of the best experiences of their lives.
"We want to get it back to the way it should be and Ms. Watkins wanted it to be," she said.
Lynn Bretz, interim director of University Relations, refused to comment on the lawsuit.
The Kansas Supreme Court declined last month to review an appeal filed by Bank of America in a case brought by 13
Watkins Hall residents in February 2000 requesting to receive information on how the bank had managed the trust.
Douglas County District Court Judge Jack Murphy previously ruled that the residents should be the beneficiaries of the Miller-Watkins trust fund, which partially supports Watkins and Miller halls.
Bank of America has been responsible for managing the trust fund Watkins left in her will to establish the two women's scholarship halls.
The fund, which began with $250,000 in 1939, has grown to about $3 million.
Residents and alumnae of the two halls have questioned the management of the fund since 1984, requesting a more active voice on how to invest and manage the trust.
Capoeira dance offers taste of Brazil
— Edited by Jason McKee
Kansas City group performs at Union
By Michelle Ward
wriir@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Camila Querasian, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, senior, kicked and spun with her partner in front of the Kansas Union as the two reacted to each other's moves, creating a rhythmic fight scene set to music.
More than 80 people attended the capoeira dance performance, which intertwined martial arts, dance and music. Five members from the Kansas City-area group Axe Capoeira and two University of Kansas students danced for the crowd. The presentation was part of Brazilian week, allowing students an opportunity to learn the history and culture of the South American country.
"It's one of our cultural legacies," s a i d Qruserman, who has been an experienced participant of
BRAZILIAN WEEK
capoeira since she was 15. "Slaves on sugar plantations practiced defending themselves with capoeira. They set it to music so their masters wouldn't find out."
Jennifer Mellard, Meade senior, was walking by and spotted a friend watching the dance. She decided to stop for a minute to see what everybody was doing there. She ended up staying through the whole performance.
"I have never seen anything like it," she said. "I would love to try it."
Thais Brandao, Recife, Brazil,
"Slaves on sugar plantations practiced defending themselves with capoeira. They set it to music so their masters wouldn't find out."
Camila Querasian Rio de Janeiro, Brazil senior
sophomore, started learning the dance with her boyfriend in Brazil. She eventually lost the boyfriend but continued on with capoeira, which became an addiction for her.
"It's one of the things I miss most," she said. "I was really proud to show people. Once you do it, you want to show others and have them learn."
The event showcased flips, handstands, kicks and all of the various roots of break dancing. Capoeira spawned the 1980s craze and can easily be seen as dancers time their movements to avoid contact with others.
They perform the martial art movements to the music of ancient Brazilian instruments.
The berrimbau, which is a giant bow struck with a rattle, is the main instrument, controlling the music and dictating the game. Percussion instruments and tambourines are also used in the performance.
"It teaches you a lot of instruments," Querasian said. "Masters don't always want to play; everyone must learn how."
Brazilian week continues tonight with a dance clinic at 6 p.m. at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 204 Oread Ave.
— Edited by Melinda Weaver
Anthony LaPietra, Shawne Mission West High School senior, and Thais Brandoo, Recite, Brazil, sophomore, perform capoeira, a Brazilian dance that blends martial arts with dance and sets the movements to drum beat. The performance took place at noon yesterday in front the the Kansas Union as a part of Brazilian week. Photo by Selena Jabara/KANSAN
Religious, partisan bill suspended
By Brooke Hesler and Sarah Warren writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writers
A bill that would allow Student Senate to grant money to religious organizations was put on hold last night by the Senate Finance Committee.
Erin Simpson, Student Senate Executive Committee member and co-sponsor of the bill, expressed her concern that committee members didn't have enough time to look at the bill before the meeting.
The bill would allow Senate to allocate money to religious and partisan groups for things such as office supplies, photocopying expenses and postage. It also states that Senate cannot allocate money to be used for specific religious activities such as buying religious literature or compensating religious officials.
"I first saw a copy of this at 4 p.m." she said. "I feel very frustrated as a co-author of this bill and not to see it before it was put in Senate."
Branden Bell, off-campus senator and co-sponsor of the bill, said that the bill was important but agreed that a decision on it should wait.
"We need to have rules in place that are consistent with Supreme Court guidelines," he said. "We can go back and amend this."
The Finance Committee also delayed its decision on a bill allocating $150 to the Student Advisory Board of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. The Board was seeking money for posters and advertising for church-related activities including a Spring Dance.
Also last night, the Student Rights Committee failed a petition to change student seating in Allen Fieldhouse to the center sections of the building.
In other business:
■ The Finance and Multicultural Affairs committees approved a bill allocating $3,330 for the Haitian Cultural Event.
The Student Rights and University Affairs committees approved a bill requiring senators to complete outreach assignments in conjunction with the Senate Outreach Board.
- The Student Rights and University Affairs committees approved a bill requiring senators to serve one office hour during the week and suspending senators if they miss more than three office hours during the semester.
- The Student Rights and University Affairs committees approved a referendum on the April election ballots asking students if they favor expanding Legal Services for Students.
— Filled by Brenndy Srow
BILL DELAYED
What happened: The Student Senate Finance Committee delayed discussion of a bill that would allow Senate to grant money to religious and partisan groups.
**What it means:** A clause in the Senate rules and regulations handbook prohibiting Senate from granting money to religious groups remains suspended.
What's next? The bill will return to Senate committees for a vote in two weeks.
Rock Chalk Revue promotes community service, a good time
By Maggie Newcomer
Kansan correspondent
The glittering costumes, singing, dancing and elaborate set designs at the Rock Chalk Revue all have a purpose — to help the Lawrence community through donations
each year,starting with the first show in 1949,Rock Chalk has donated the profits from ticket sales to the Douglas County United Way.
about $36,500," said Callie Shultz, Rock Chalk business manager. "This year we're hoping to donate close to $40,000."
"Last year we donated
and community service.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
Rock Chalk begins tonight at 7 at the Lieo Center. Additional performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The money Rock Chalk contributes is one or the largest donations the United Way receives each year, according to Johannah Bryant, United Way executive director. The money will go to the 29 local human service agencies supported by the United Way.
"If we didn't have the money from Rock Chalk come in every year, it would be a very significant loss," he said.
But the community service side of Rock Chalk begins long before rehearsals start. Student living organizations begin volunteering on the United Way's Day of Caring in September.
"We encourage any living organization to participate, not just the ones in the show," said Mandy Pitler, community service coordinator for Rock Chalk. "We stop taking hours the week before the show. The organizations turn in hours and we designate points. One community service hour equals one point. There's also a point system for clothing donations, donations to charities and canned goods donations."
Awards will be given out after Saturday's performance to the most charitable organizations. The honors are separated into categories of gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention.
She said she knew community service wasn't a priority for everyone, but awarding students for their time and dedication helped the cause.
"Gold awards are given to the organizations with 13 or more hours per person," Pitler said. "The amount of hours for each award goes down after that."
"I don't want to say that the only reason people volunteer is the incentive of the awards,
**Who:** Chi Omega and Sigma Phi Epsilon, Gamma Phi Beta and Beta Theta Pi, Delta Delta Delta and Phi Gamma Delta, Kappa Delta and Sigma Nu, Pi Beta Phi and Phi Delta Theta
ROCK CHALK REVUE
■ Theme: "For the Record"
**When:** Tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: The Lied Center
Purpose: Profits from ticket sales are donated to the Douglas County United Way
but it does help motivate people," Pitter said. "Volunteering around Lawrence is a really great thing to do while you're here at KU, and once you get involved, you'll stay involved."
Bryant said Rock Chalk was a one-of-a-kind production.
"I have worked with the United Way for quite a while and I have never heard of another student production that brings in the money and the hours that Rock Chalk does," he said. "It is a very unique situation and also very impressive."
Tickets are available at the SUA office in the Kansas Union.
Diego (Doug Thompson, Overland Park senior) comes into conflict with the woman he secretly desires, Isabella (Carrie Ruggles, Wichita sophomile), Gamma Phil Beta and Beta Theta Pi rehearsed for their Rock Chalk Revue skit, A Quarrel in Cordova, last night in the Lied Center. Five pairs of sororites and fraternities will perform today, tomorrow and Saturday. Photo by Laurie Sisk/KANSAN
- Edited by Jacob Raddy
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