University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, March 28, 1990
9
Habitat buys land from city
By a Kansan reporter
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, an organization that provides low-cost housing to people who cannot afford it, acquired a third parcel of land from the city of Lawrence last night.
Lawrence city commissioners unanimously approved selling the parcel just south of 27th Street at the eastern edge of the city for $2,500. The parcel is one of 18 lots included in a 20-acre subdivision that the city purchased in 1985.
The commission approved selling
five neighboring parcels of land of equal size for $10,750 apiece to Salb Construction and Plumbing Co.
Craig Jacob, secretary for Habitat for Humanity, said the group had purchased two land parcels from the city a year ago adjacent to the one approved for sale yesterday. The group built one home in two months and will begin construction on the second April 7.
The group had asked commissioners to sell two adjacent land parcels, but commissioners decided to retain ownership of the second parcel.
Commissioner Mike Rundle said he would like to see the Habitat projects spread throughout the community and not clumped together in one part of the city.
Lawrence Mayor Bob Schumm said Habitat for Humanity could benefit by the city retaining ownership of the remaining lot because the city would be buying additional private properties in other locations. The group could have the option to bid on other city properties acquired when the commission decides to sell.
Ordinance quiets neighborhoods
By Curtis Knapp
Kansan staff writer
The Lawrence noise ordinance has left many residents believing that silence is golden.
The ordinance was passed Feb. 6, and since its inception, many residents have been pleased with the results.
Mary Thomas, president of the Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods, said people had told her that their neighborhoods had gotten quiet.
Thomas said, however, that the effectiveness of the ordinance probably would best be determined when it is fully implemented and the number of parties increased.
James Patti, association member,
said there had been no noise problems in his neighborhood since the ordinance was adopted. He lives at 2030 Ousdahl Road.
B. Jake White, student body president, said one student had complained to him about the ordinance. A member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity had talked to him about a Feb. 16 noise complaint against the fraternity. The member complained about not having been warned before the citation was given.
According to the ordinance, police are not required to give warnings.
Derek Bridges, president of the fraternity, was ordered to appear April 27 in Lawrence Municipal Court.
Bridges said he thought the ordinance should require officers to give warnings before issuing citations.
"If there's a problem, we'd like to know about it before it gets to such measures as issuing a ticket," he said.
Linda Dick, former president of the association, said she thought the way she was handled the cases was very good.
Dick, who lives at 1745 W. 20th St., said her neighborhood had been noisy in the past but had been quiet since the ordinance was implemented.
Chris Mulvenon, Lawrence police spokesman, said police had received about six reports of ordinance violations since it was passed. Violations are punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Qualified admissions bill argued in forum
By Pam Solliner
Kansan staff writer
The qualified admissions bill died in the Legislature on Feb. 28 for the fourth consecutive year. Some were relieved by the 59-64 House vote. Others looked toward the opportunity to introduce it next year.
About 15 people heard arguments from opponents and advocates last night at the Student Union Activities sponsored forum, "Closing the Door to Education," in the Kansas Room at the Kansas Union.
The Board of Regents withdrew support for the open admission statute in December 1987. Under the statute, which has been in place since 1915, any student who graduates from an accredited state high school is granted admission to any state-affirmed university.
Kansas remains the only state in the country that allows open admissions.
John Welsh, Regents associate director of academic affairs, outlined the board's reason for the bill. He said if students knew post-secondary expectations, 'they would be less likely to be shocked in college. Data shows that students who take the college preparatory courses are more successful and more serious about college.
"What we're trying to answer is the question, 'What should the college freshman know about math?' The bottom line with qualified admissions."
John Koepek, executive director of Kansas Association of School Boards, said students should have the opportunity to try at any tax-supported state school.
Phillip Paludan, KU professor of history, said open admissions stood in the way of his teaching. He said many faculty members felt obligated to teach their lower-level courses like remedial high school classes.
"An open admissions policy doesn't challenge or demand, other than make my job very difficult to do," he said.
He said the policy had a purpose 75 years ago when only 10 percent of Kansas students graduated from high school.
"The reason for that law was to improve or maintain the quality of college graduates," he said.
Eladio Valdez III, former president of the KU Hispanic Leadership Organization, said, "You can't standardize in this country because of the inequality in every state in the United States."
BATTLE OF THE BANDS Sponsored by:
your paper. your news. KANSAN Campus-Nation/World-Sports-Weather-Arts/Entertainment
Hoch Auditorium Friday, March 30, 8:00 p.m.
All proceeds benefit the National Prevention of Child Abuse
FEATURING
- Van Gogh Soul
- The Soul Masters
- Perpetual Change
- The Modern Saints
- Proposition 19
- Proposition 19
Tickets on sale March
30 in front of Wescoe
and in the SUA office.
$4 in advance
$6 at the door.
Presented by: BTS Lightning • Pro Tek Audio • ΣΔT • ZBT
Applications for OFFICE & WORKSTATION SPACE in the Kansas Union for 1990-1991 are now available.
Registered Student Organizations may pick up an application in the Kansas Union at the SUA Office or the Organizations & Activities Center.
Note: Current tenants must reapply!!!
DEADLINES
NEW Applications - 5:00 pm on APRIL 13, 1990
RENEWAL Applications - 5:00 pm on April 6,1990