Wednesday, February 14, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Dean's work helps young democracy prepare for election
By Michelle Ward
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Diana Carlin recently took a trip across the ocean and back in time to Benin, a tiny, underdeveloped country in West Africa that is hanging onto big ideas — namely its freedom.
As it nears its third free democratic election in history, the nation faces problems with voter information and logistics. Carlin, dean of international programs, returned Saturday from a five-day trip to Benin, where she volunteered for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, helping resolve some of those problems.
"Despite being a small, poor and relatively obscure country in West Africa, Benin became a very important experiment in
Carlin: helped prepare West African country for election
democracy starting in 1890," said Leonardo Villalon, associate professor of political science and African politics.
Carlin helped plan voter education events and political debates leading to Benn's Sunday, March 4, presidential election. Carlin said it was important that all 18 candidates' voices be heard.
"It is such a poor country, and there is a shortage of equipment," Carlin said. "The television stations didn't have enough cameras to cover the campaign trail and the newspaper at the same time."
Working with non-governmental agencies, Carlin assisted in forming strategies to prepare the public, candidates and media for the debates. Carlin, who has been involved in U.S. presidential debates, said she was caught off-guard by differences in the media's role in the Benin political scene.
"In order to be on the nightly news, you have to pay the media to attend an event," Carlin said.
Candidates also have a short time to get their names to the approximately 6 million residents of Benin. Campaigning starts Friday — just 17 days before the election.
Anne Merydith-Wolf, program coordinator for the office of international programs, said Carlin's experience helped both the people of Benin and the University.
"Personally, I think it is a really amazing experience for Dr. Carlin to get this chance to share her expertise," Merydith-Wolf said.
Edited by Matt Daugherty
Chocolate may do a body good
By Livi Regenbaum
By Livi Regenbaum
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Chocolate may be sweet for your heart, according to a new study.
The study yet to be published by Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, shows that chocolates can have some protective effects on the heart.
Kris-Etherthon conducted the study with 25 subjects who were given 35 grams of dark chocolate and cocoa powder every day. The results of the study showed that chocolate indeed may help the heart.
"We have found that antioxidant in chocolate may increase HDL levels which are good for your heart," she said. "Chocolate also keeps 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels in the blood from getting oxidized."
A new study says chocolate may be beneficial to the heart. Doctors warn it should be consumed in moderation, however, because it is high in calories. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
protective against heart disease.
Myra Strother, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said she was not familiar with the study, which was
"Chocolates may have some good effects on the heart if it improves HDL levels," she said. "Research is still being done on whether they improve these levels."
the first of its kind.
Colleen Donaldson, Leawood sophmore, said chocolate helped her mood.
"I eat a lot of chocolate," she said. "It is a caffeine kick which puts me in a better mood."
But Kris-Etherthon said chocolate should be consumed in moderation.
"Don't eat too much chocolate because chocolate has calories," she said. "But now you don't have to feel guilty for enjoying chocolate on occasion."
Katherine Marchin, Manhattan junior, said she was convinced of the truth of Etherton's study.
"I think anything that tastes so good has to be good for you as long as it is in moderation," she said.
Edited by Jay Pilgreen
In case of wallet theft, call card companies
By Lauren Brandenburg
Kansan staff writer
Kelly Derks said she was lucky the first time her wallet was stolen, but not so lucky the second time.
Derks, Lenexa sophomore, said officers returned her wallet the morning after it was stolen the first time. The second time, she noticed her purse had four different credit cards, her driver's license and cash missing at 1 a.m. while she celebrated New Year's in the Westport area of Kansas City, Mo.
By 9 a.m. New Year's Day, one of the credit cards was maxed out at its $1,000 limit, Derks said, and she knew none of the purchases were hers.
Sgt. Mike Patrick of the Lawrence Police Department said police encouraged people to contact credit card holders immediately to let them know a card has been lost or stolen.
Visa and Mastercard Web sites encourage cardholders to contact their financial institutions immediately when a card is missing. Visa advises card holders to keep a copy of their financial institution's name, customer service number and their Visa account number separate from the card.
Patrick said it was helpful if people whose wallets had been stolen called the credit card company before coming to the police station to make a report.
"They can tell the person where the card was last used," Patrick said. "It helps if they can tell us that the card was used three times in Toopea or something like that."
Pattrick said it was common for people to leave a wallet or purse in a grocery cart or to lay it on a table or chair at a bar and discover it missing later.
"They can't say it was stolen, but it was picked up where it was left," Patrick said. Students often make these reports to the department, he said.
“It’s very common,” he said. “Most of the time we get that someone lost it somewhere or left their backpack unattended.”
Jill Kleihnanz, Emporia sophomore, said she left her wallet on top of her car and drove away before she realized what had happened. When she went back to find it, someone had picked it up.
but all credit cards missing. The difficulty with checks being inside the wallet is that people can forge them, and some stores still don't ask for an ID when someone writes a check, Patrick said.
Patrick said sometimes people turned in wallets they found to the police department intact, and other times with an ID inside
Derks said the first time her wallet was stolen, police knocked on her door at 6 a.m. because her car was one in a string of cars that had been vandalized. When they knocked on her door to talk with her about her car, they had already caught the suspect and recovered the items stolen from her car.
The second time, this New Year's Eve, she never got any of the items back, although she said homeowner's insurance would cover part of the cost.
"Now when I go out, I don't carry my coat or purse or anything with me," Derks said. "I carry cash and my ID. That's it. When I lock my car, I don't keep anything in there."
Pattrick said drivers needed to have a license with them at all times. If a person's license is stolen, he advised the person to file a police report and ask the officer who takes the report to write the report number on a business card in case the person is pulled over before being able to obtain a new license.
Edited by Jay Pilgreen
union Jaybo
Thursday 9-11
Saturday 10pm to Midnight
Sunday 8pm - 10pm
$7 w/KUID or $2.50 a game
We take reservations!
b
Call 842-5006 or visit our homepage www.youthfriends.org
Schools
YouthFriends Volunteer With Kids In Lawrence
Sweetheart of a Sale
Call for Our Specials
(785) 841-7726
3100 W. 22nd Suite A
SON'S AUTO CENTER
"For all your repair needs"
* Import and Domestic Repair & Maintenance
* Machine Shop Service
* Computer Diagnostics
841-4833
920 E. 11th Street
The Women's Fitness Facility 925 Iowa 749-2424
BODY BOUTIQUE
Spring Break
Tanning and Fitness Package 3 Month Unlimited Usage
only $150
www.jeffersoncommons.com
LOOK BETTER • FEEL BETTER • HAVE A BETTER SPRING BREAK!
FITNESS SPECIM
TANNINGSPECIAL
3 Month Unlimited Tanning only $65
3 Month
Trial Membership
only $120
Expires 2/28/01
Expires 2/28/01
summer sessions, hawa'i
- 6 weeks, 6 credits, as low as $2,900 (based on typical cost of tuition, room & board, books, and estimated airfare)
hang ten, earn six $ ^{*} $
Term 1: May 21-June 29 * Term 2: July 2-August 10 www.summer.hawaii.edu * toll-free 1 (800) 862-6628
University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Summer Sessions
KU HAWK NIGHTS
HEART
Friday, February 16th 9 pm-1 am
wants you to...
Radar Speed Pitch
Watch! champions
Table Tennis
Robinson Athletic Center
Karaoke
Sports Games
Health Information
Free Food!
Free Giveaways! All Sports Ticket Combo Signed Basketballs Athletic Apparel
Pop-A-Shot
Playstation 2, Playstation and Nintendo
BASKETBALL
Volleyball
Inflatable Games
Hawk Nights Brought to you by: Organizations & Leadership Coca-Cola, AURH, ASHC Alpha Chi Omega, PI Kappa Phi Student Alumni Association
Pregnant?
Birthright can help 1-800-550 4900
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL
PREGNANCY TESTS AND REFERRALS
Discover the Difference
$5 OFF
Any service with minimum $20.00 purchase
841-6886
Holiday Plaza Coupon #8
25th & Iowa Expires 2/22/01
---