Wednesday, January 31, 2001 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page 5 International students learn with conversation By Michelle Ward writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer Luis Parreira knows the value of conversation. Parreira, an international student, improved his English skills in a peer conversation group in Kansas City before coming to the University of Kansas and now leads similar conversation groups through the Applied English Center for other international students. "I know it helps a lot from personal experience," said Farreira, Sao Paulo, Brazil, sophomore. "I try to encourage all international students to get involved with this. This is the best place to learn English." Parreira is among the two dozen KU students helping others learn the language through a part-time job at the center. The student leaders host voluntary sessions for approximately 100 international students on the fourth floor of the Kansan Union. The classes, which will begin next month, will run throughout the day for students. Attendance fluctuates between one to eight students at a time. Parreira said Judy Bonifield, coordinator of the conversation groups for the center, said leaders enjoyed working with the international students. "Conversation leaders love this job." Bonifield said. "They enjoy interacting with people from a different culture. Students are learning to express themselves in a different language. It is a nice experience to share in, Many friendships develop here." Holly Worthen, McPherson junior and conversation leader, said the job was an opportunity she would volunteer to do. Worthen, majoring in English and international studies, said she liked the chance to meet people from different cultures and form relationships with them. She said as a conversation leader she was there to educate others, but was a student as well. "I learn what their culture is like, and they give me new insight on American culture," she said. The exchange of ideas can lead to interesting situations for the group leaders. Worsten was meeting with three international students when they started asking about curse words. They wanted to know the definitions of some colorful expressions. "The Union was really quiet with a bunch of people studying," Worthen said. "When they heard us, everybody looked up to see what we were doing." Being a conversation leader gives Marianne Hovgaard a chance to give back to other international students. The Vejle, Denmark, senior can relate to students' frustrations at not being able to accurately express themselves in the beginning. She said she saw the students in the program grow in ability and confidence throughout the semester, as their language skills improved. "The best part is to see the progress they make," she said. "They come here with the goal of learning English, and they do it." — Edited by Joy Pilgreen LIBERTY HALL 644 744 749 1912 CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (po-13) 4:30 7:00 9:30 SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE (n) 4:45 7:15 9:40 DON'S AUTO CENTER "For all your repair needs" * Import and Domestic Repair & Maintenance * Machine Shop Service * Computer Diagnostics 841-4833 Keep on rolling Evan Brandt, Merriam junior, bowls during his Health, Sport and Exercise Science 108 class at the Jaybowl in the Kansas Union. "Bowling has always interested me since I was a kid. I always wanted to be a professional bowler," Brandt said. Photo by Kathryn Moore/KANSAN 841-4833 920 E. 11th Street University upgrades backup fuel By Erin Adamson Kansan staff writer The University of Kansas' power plant is switching to a more environmentallyfriendly backup fuel. The new backup fuel burns cleaner, which cuts back on emissions and makes mainte nance easier. The plant will continue to run on natural gas, but is upgrading the backu fuel oil. James Modig, design and construction management director, said the switch from No. 6 oil to No. 2 oil was practical. "We voluntarily decided to go to No. 2 fuel for maintenance reasons." Modi said. Riat said even though the higher quality No.2 fuel was more expensive in the short run, it would eventually save the University money because it would spend less on maintenance costs because the new fuel will not leave as much residue in the boilers. As part of the improvements the University will undertake with $2,257,600 Although installation of the new fuel lines has begun, and new tanks are in place, no No.2 fuel is being pumped currently. allocated by the Board of Regents for fiscal year 2002, a new fuel line and fuel tanks are being installed at the power plant to hold the new backup fuel. Doug Raint, director of facilities operations, said the power plant ran on natural gas but maintained a store of fuel in case a natural gas line ever broke. Riat said money from the improvement plan had gone to install new fuel storage tanks because the two types of fuel could not be mixed. "We would only burn No.2, fuel as backup if there was a problem," Rial said. roof tar and required heating before it could be used as fuel. The new No. 2 fuel, Modig said, had the consistency of diesel fuel and didn't have to be heated. "On campus there are a large number of buildings that rely on steam to heat buildings," Modig said. "The heavy demand creates a problem for the natural gas company." Modig said the University's policy had always been to maintain fuel reserves. Modig said the No. 6 fuel the plant had previously used was about the consistency of Peer mentoring helps students find their niches By Andrew Davies writer@kansan.com Kanson staff writer Edited by Brandy Straw Some pre-professional clubs are offering students a chance to be part of a peer mentoring program. Holly Nemecheck, Lawrence sophomore and president of the pre-pharmacy club, said the club paired members with students in the School of Pharmacy. Nemecheck said the mentors answered questions and helped the pre-pharmacy students prepare for the Pharmacy College Admission Test. She said the program, which started last January, was open to any pre-pharmacy student and had been successful. "I've talked to a lot of people who talk to their mentors." she said. The pre-journalism club is planning to start a mentor program, said Jonathan Ng, Leawood sophomore and club president. Ng said the program was tentatively scheduled to begin in about a month. He said one reason to start the program was to give freshmen ideas where to get involved in campus media outlets. Ng said students could ask questions of their peer advisers they would not ask of faculty advisers. Tiffany Ross, Wright sophomore and presnursing club president, said no mentoring program was offered because nursing students were only on campus for two years. "I think they can be a lot more candid and open with these people because they're peers," he said. Ng said the club planned to recruit mentors next month and to establish guidelines for mentor membership. For more information on pre-professional clubs, students can contact the Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center in the Kansas Union at 864-4861. Some clubs, however, do not see a need to have mentoring programs. Chris Leiszler, Derby senior and pre-dental club president, said the club did not offer a mentoring program because it was a smaller group of younger people. He said the club tried to hold monthly meetings and officers of the club were available to answer any questions. Edited by Melinda Weaver Hollywood Theaters SOUTHWIND 12 3451 DOWA 3450 WURA BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING * ALL DIGITAL 1 Cast Away $^{103}$ 13 Days $^{103}$ What Woman Want $^{103}$ Sugar And Spice $^{103}$ The Wedding Planner $^{103}$ Finding Forrester $^{103}$ Snatch $^{103}$ Traffic $^{103}$ Save The Last Dance $^{103}$ | | 1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:10 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 Cast Away | 1:05 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:10 | | 13 Days | 1:05 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:10 | | What Woman Want | 1:10 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 | | Sugar And Spice | 2:00 | 5:00 | 7:45 | 9.55 | | The Wedding Planner | 1:55 | 4:50 | 7:05 | 9.55 | | Finding Forrester | 1:15 | 4:15 | 7:10 | 10:05 | | Snatch | 1:35 | 4:35 | 7:25 | 9:50 | | Traffic | 1:00 | 4:00 | 7:05 | 10:10 | | Save The Last Dance | 1:00 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 9.45 |
Sat & SunDaily
1 Antitrust*^{123}$(1:50)4:35) 7:05, 9:35
2 The Family Man*^{124}$(1:45)4:30) 7:00, 9:30
3 The Gift* $^{125}$(1:50)4:35) 7:05, 9:35
4 Double Take*^{126}$(1:55)4:40) 7:10, 9:40
5 The Pledge*^{127}$(1:45)4:30) 7:00, 9:30
6 Chocolat*^{128}$(1:55)4:40) 7:10, 9:40
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