a bird in the clouds
The University Daily Kansan
Weather
**Today:** Partly cloudy with a high of 46 and a low of 26
**Tomorrow:** Sunny with a high of 46 and a low of 22
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Sports: The Jayhawks beat Colorado for the 23rd consecutive time last night.
See page 10A
(USPS 650-640) • VOL. 111 NO. 75
For comments, contact Lori O'Toole or Mindie Miller at 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
Inside: Brown Bag Classics make students' lunchtime entertaining.
KANSAS
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SEE PAGE 3A
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Lines, frustration fill Robinson
Resolutions attract students to gym
By Sarah Warren
Kansan staff writer
Recently there has been a lot more waiting than weight lifting going on in Robinson Center's weight room.
Overcrowded with Robinson regulars and newcomers resolving to get fit in the new year, the gym has become the source of headaches for anybody trvying to work out.
Matthew Bowles, Chicago sophomore, works out three times a week at the weight room. He said that he had been frustrated with the increased amount of traffic in the weight room.
"The weight room is horrible," he said. "My weight work out took 45 minutes extra last time I did it because I had to wait so long."
However, Bowles said he knew exactly what was coming.
"It was the same thing last year," he said. "The amount of people doubled and then it really declined in February."
Angela Gashaw, Osborne sophomore who works at Robinson, cited the upcoming spring break as another reason that more students were heading to the weight room.
"A lot of people come right after winter break because of resolutions and spring break," she said. "I'd say that attendance drops 5 to 10 percent in February and also when it gets warm out, then people go outside to exercise."
While Gashaw attributed some of the decline in February to better weather, Paul Sandburg, Paola senior and personal trainer at Sixth Street Fitness, 2500 W. 6th St., said that many resolution-makers just didn't stick with their new resolutions.
ROBINSON HOURS
Weight room:
Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to midnight
Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to midnight
Friday from 6 to 8 a.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday from 1 to 10:30 p.m.
Maths homework
Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8 a.m. and 5:30 to 1 p.m.
day, 6 to 8 a.m. and 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m.
"This time of year you have your normal people who work out all the time and then those who start in January," he said. "I'd say that only 20 percent of those who start in January stay with it and work out regularly."
In any case, Bowles said that he couldn't wait for February.
"Things will get back to normal in February," he said. "I mean, it's nice that people are trying to get fit, but it can be a hassle with so many people in such a small space."
To alleviate overcrowding in the weight room, Gashaw recommended that students either sign up for a class or club or just find a different time to work out.
"At night it is really bad, but from 6 a.m. to 7:30 am, the weight room isn't very crowded," Gashaw said. "And people can always go to 208 Robinson and sign up for KU Fit or join a recreational club. Taking a weight class works, too."
Meanwhile, Bowles is taking another approach -- get there early, get done and get out.
"I try and get there right when it opens," he said.
"That way I can get on the popular things first. I mean there's only one decline bench for the entire school."
— Edited by Melinda Weaver
Scott Fieser, Norwich junior, stretches while waiting to use the exercise equipment at Robinson Center. Crowds filled the weight rooms yesterday. Photo by Gabe Guilliams/KANSAN
Light renovations
Jerry Uhl, Lawrence resident, cleans up after work in Bailey Hall. Workers spent yesterday making renovations that will provide new office space on the building's third floor. Photo by Thad Allender/KANSAN
KU Info wants students to create catchy slogan
By Michelle Ward
writer@kanson.com
Kansas staff writer
KU Info is looking for a new slogan, and it wants the campus community — its primary users — to create a catchy, new phrase.
"It will be used as our calling card — an instant way to identify KU Info all over campus," said Cori Gilbert, Overland Park graduate assistant for KU Info.
KU Info is also used as a general reference tool. Callers have asked the hotline's representatives everything from how many dimples are on a golf ball to how long it would take to fv to Australia, Gilbert said.
Students use the information hotline to find out the hours of the libraries, computer labs, Watkins Memorial Health Center and Robinson Center. The information line also allows users to obtain the latest information on academics and Add/Drop.
"We have received questions about everything," Gilbert said. "We take every question seriously. If we can't find the answer, we try to give people a road map to help them find the answer."
Crisus Clemence, Valley Center senior, said he had used KU Info throughout his four
years at the University. He said most of his calls involved school-related questions, and he thought that an appropriate slogan would be "You got questions, we got answers."
The reason for the service's popularity is convenience, Clemence said. Students find it easier to call the hotline than look things up for themselves.
But the service's popularity makes it difficult for some students to get through to a representative.
Cindy Lam, Arlington Heights, Ill., sophomore, said the most difficult part of using KU Info was getting an open line.
"Lately, we have been calling and it's been busy," she said. "I think they need to get more lines."
Although she couldn't think of a slogan, Lam thought the service was used often by students. She said she and her friends used it for more than just KU information — the service's ability to provide accurate answers keeps them calling back.
Students can call contest entries in to the KU Info office at 864-3506 through the end of February. The winner will receive a tour of the center and will learn where all the information comes from, Gilbert said.
Edited by Leita Schultes
Athletic classes usually a choice at Big 12 schools
By Cassio Furtado and Danny Phillips
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writers
Students might complain about the University of Kansas' harsh terrain, but without it, they might be faced with an undesired class requirement — physical education.
"The myth for not having a physical education program is that we have the hill," said Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, associate provost.
McCluskey-
Fawcett said she
didn't know the
real reason why.
Claudia Meng. Garden City senior, said physical education was vital for students, but those who like it have already incorporated it into their schedules. She said she agreed with the University's policy of allowing students to choose whether
"The myth
for not having a physical education program is that we have the hill."
Kathleen McCluskey- Fawcett,
associate provost
to take physical education classes.
"We are old enough to decide," she said.
Wayne Osness, professor of physical education, said physical education had never been a requirement at the University, but 3,000 to 4,000 students take it as an elective.
"It's better that way," he said. "Only students who really want to be there attend."
Big 12 Conference counterpart Baylor University, however, doesn't adhere to that philosophy. The campus, which doesn't have nearly the vertical climb as does the University of Kansas, requires physical education for all students.
"We prepare a well-rounded individual," said Joyce Miller, coordinator for academic advisement at Bavior.
Miller said that Baylor students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were required to take a minimum of one and a maximum of four physical education classes.
John Faribault, director of the non-major human performance program at Baylor, said the college offered everything from aerobics to yoga to self-defense.
"Students enjoy the classes because they are opportunities for them to meet new people and to socialize," he said.
The University of Missouri doesn't require students to take physical education courses because it doesn't offer them anymore. The activity
See POLICIES on page 2A
Local group continues fight for Peltier's release
Bv Erin Adamson
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Lawrence-based Leonard Peltier Defense Committee considers Peltier a political prisoner and lobbies for his immediate release. The defense committee was hopeful that Clinton would offer long-awaited amnesty at the end of his administration.
A local organization fighting for the release of Leonard Peltier, a prisoner at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, will have to continue its battle because Peltier was denied a presidential pardon Saturday.
Peltier, a Native-American activist, was convicted in 1977 on two counts of first degree murder and is serving two consecutive life sentences.
Gina Chiala, defense committee employee, said the group was trying to absorb the decision.
But she said the committee was still pursuing other avenues and pushing for Peltier's release.
"The FBI is still withholding 6,000 documents which would probably lead to his release," Chiaila said. "We also have a lawsuit against the federal parole commission
for not releasing him."
Peltier was last denied parole in June 2000 and will not be eligible again until 2008.
reservation as a part of the American Indian Movement. Members of the movement were stationed at the ranch to protect reservation residents from the intolerable violence that was occurring, Chiala said.
In 1975, Peltier was a young activist staying on the Jumping B Bull Ranch on Pine Ridge
Peltier; was denied a presidential par- on Sunday
On June 28, two FBI agents in an unmarked car followed another vehicle onto the ranch and a shootout began between the officers and the attacker. The
Brett Ramey, Lawrence junior, volunteers a the committee's Lawrence office.
shootout turned into a gun battle involving 30 Native Americans and 150 FBI agents, according to the defense committee's Web site.
Two officers and one Native-American man were killed. The death of the Native American, who was an activist, was not investigated.
Ramey traveled to a freedom walk in New York on Dec. 10 aimed at promoting awareness of Peltier's case. The walk marked the anniversary of the University of the United Nations' signing the declaration of human rights. Ramey said that about 3,500 people attended the walk, hopeful that Peltier would be released soon.
"What people should remember is that 73 native people were killed in the Reign of Terror that led up to the incident," he said.
"This would have been the best chance to apologize," Ramey said. "This just keeps the injustice going and going and going."
The Reign of Terror, Ramey said, was violence that occurred between the tribal police force and reservation residents.
Chiala said that she did not know why Peltier would not have been granted a pardon.
do
The FBI maintained its stance that Peltier was rightfully imprisoned.
Chiala said that she did not know why Peltier would not have been granted a pardon. Amnesty International also considered Peltier a political prisoner and had called for his immediate release.
北
"Maybe they're afraid that if he got out he would educate, but he is doing so much from jail," Ramey said.
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— Edited by Melinda Weaver
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