University Daily Kansan / Thursday, February 22, 1990
Campus/Area
3
Committee votes to increase fees
By Matt Taylor
Kansan staff writer
Students could see an $8 increase in fees next fall if Student Senate agrees with its Finance committee's recommendation given last night.
The committee approved two bills to raise student fees to renovate parts of the Kansas Union. One bill would allow a $2 increase in fees to cover operating costs; the other would allow a $5 increase in Phase II of the union renovation.
"I found the ideas, plans and background of the Union proposals to be reasonable and deserving," said Jeff Morris, student body vice president.
The money, requested by the University of Kansas Memorial Corporation Board, would pay for the corporation's two-phase master plan. The Phase I project, completed in January 1989, used an estimated $6.5 million to renovate the bookstore, food services areas and organizations and activities center.
Most of the discussion last night centered on the Phase II bill, which would use an estimated $3.6 million to complete level four, rebuild the front entryway and build a terrace by the food service area on level three.
"The building will be here for
another 65 years," said James Long, Union director. "We's straight out the problems. We need to maximize the space we have available and make it more efficient."
Opposing members said the plans were too vague and did not have enough student support.
"An increase in fees is unjustified," said Brad Sanders, one of the bill's opponents. "The students I've talked to feel that they're being ripped off."
Sanders said students actually could lose seating in the main lobby
of the fourth floor if the bill passed. He said that he counted about 150 possible seating spaces in the lobby this week and that renovation would keep only 80-100 snacks.
John Fawcett, another opponent of the bill, said the changes needed to be for the students.
"The Kansas Union is the living room of the University," he said. "I wish I had more concrete plans to base my decision on."
Craig Fulton, supporter of the increase, said the fee was a big increase and that renovation was needed.
"The lobby looks like something out of the '60s," he said. "It's in terrible, terrible shape."
The bill to increase the fee by $2 passed unanimously.
The increase would generate about $100,000. Long said. The funds could help offset higher operation costs at the Union because of new federal minimum wage and state sales tax.
If Senate approves the bill, Phase II renovation would not begin until 1992. Long said.
Senate is scheduled to hear the committee's bill at its meeting Wednesday night.
Lawyer calls ID bill unfair
By Rod Griffin
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA — A Lawrence lawyer yesterday called a bill that would let police randomly check the identification of people attempting to buy or drink alcohol unconstitutional.
The bill, introduced by State Sen. Wint Winter Jr., R-Lawrence, would allow people who refused to present them to be charged with a misdemeanor.
"My only concern is that I think this bill treads on the Constitution," said Donald Strole, Lawrence lawyer, at a hearing of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.
'They could go in on fishing expeditions for all kinds of reasons, hoping to find other incriminating evidence.'
— Donald Strole
Lawrence lawyer
Strole said the bill would give police an excuse to harass club patrons.
He said the bill would violate the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The Fourth Amendment protects against illegal search and seizure; the Fifth prohibits forcing people to produce incriminating evidence against themselves.
"They could go in on fishing expeditions for all kinds of reasons, hoping to find other incriminating evidence," he said. "It is not a case of whether or not they're doing something illegal. It is whether they have a right."
Strole said police should not be allowed to stop individuals at random simply because they looked young.
State Sen. Ben Vidricken, R-Salina, asked what could justify an officer's checking identification than that a person looked too young.
Strole said officers legally could check the ID of everyone entering a bar but could not randomly check individuals.
A Douglas County District Court decision in September forced police to stop random checks of IDs in bars.
Jim Flory, district attorney, said underage drinking and the use of false identification had increased since the decision.
Those charged under the provisions of the bill could have the charges dropped by presenting proper identification at a court hearing. Flory said he hoped one would try to use false identification in court.
Flory said the bill was constitutional.
"Obviously the U.S. Constitution has deferred to the states in this area of alcohol beverage regulation." Flory said. "There is no doubt that the Legislature can constitutionally exercise not only the age at which drinking is allowed but also the regulatory tools to execute the laws."
Keith Thorpe/KANSAN
Heavy hitting
Mike Brown, Leavenworth senior, delivers a spike in a friendly game of sand volleyball behind Robinson Center. Yesterday's warm weather is expected to give way to cooler temperatures today.
Grissom trial poses questions
Evidence law may violate Constitution
The Associated Press
OLATHE — Proving that Richard Grissom Jr. killed three women whose bodies never have been found will require more than circumstantial evidence, Grissom's defense attorneys said in legal papers they filed Tuesday.
Kansas law allowing circumstantial evidence violates standards set by the U.S. Constitution for proving someone guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Deputy Public Defender Andrew Warren said in the memorandum. Prosecutors are relying on such evidence in the Grissom case.
Warren, who is representing Grissom in Johnson County District
Grissom, 23, is charged with murdering three Johnson County women who disappeared in June. He also is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, burglary and theft.
Court, filed his memorandum in response to one filed last week by District Attorney Paul Morrison.
Morrison's memorandum outlined the legal term corpus delicii, which refers to the body of the crime, or in other words, the material upon which
The bodies of Joan Butler, Christine Rusch and Theresa Brown have never been found. A preliminary trial of the third priest Court is scheduled for Monday.
a crime has been committed.
In a murder case, the corpus delicii is the body of the victim.
To establish corpus delicti in mundercases, prosecutors must prove two elements: the person was killed, and another person did the killing, according to Morrison's memorandum.
He cited numerous cases, including several in Kansas, that had shown that corpus delicti in homicide cases could be established by circumstantial evidence.
"The accused does not dispute the state's assertion that corpus delicii can be proved by circumstantial evidence," Warren said in his memorandum. "There is disagreement about the wisdom and accuracy of the state's application of the rule."
Priority date nears for financial aid applications
By a Kansan reporter
Students should apply for financial aid by March 1, the suggested date for earliest consideration, said Jerry Rogers, director of financial aid.
Rogers said yesterday that March 1 was not a deadline but that adolescents could be told early should provide priorly consideration for all types of aid.
To create the financial aid awards packages, the office uses an automated computer program, he said. A file for processing is made from completed student applications.
Rogers said that a file of about 5,000 applications was run for the first time last May.
"If we get up and running earlier, we might have weekly runs, and there might be fewer applications in each run," he said.
All of the scholarship and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant money was distributed last year on the first run, Rogers said. The neediest are awarded first.
"Those people who have applied early, who get themselves in the first run, have a better chance," he said.
Postal Service protests tax rates
By Kathryn Lancaster
Kansan staff writer
The U.S. Postal Service is protecting increased property taxes in Lawrence and in counties statewide, a Douglas County appraiser said regarding.
On Feb. 14, postal officials requested a $899,072 reduction in taxes for its two Lawrence branches, said August Dettbarr Jr., deputy county appraiser. The main post office was moved to the Jawahra appraised at $1,256,800, and the Jayhawk Station, 1519 W. 23rd St., was appraised at $414,100.
Dettabb said that he would make a recommendation about the taxes in march and April, but Tappan would need at least 45 days before announcing its decision.
'The situation in Kansas is not as unique as you might think. A number of states have gone through reappraisal for the first time.'
— Peter Sorrentino
post office senior real estate tax
specific
Peter Sorrentino, post office senior real estate tax specialist for the 13-state central region, said the department was protesting taxes in about 15 Kansas counties and was examining reappraisals on properties in most metropolitan areas in the state. The postal service is questioning assessed values on properties in Wichita and in Johnson and Shawnee counties.
"The situation in Kansas is not as unique as you might think," said Sorrentino, who is based in Chicago. "A number of states have gone through reappraisal for the first time."
Sorrentino said that in the past five years a handful of states, including Colorado, Indiana and Missouri, had redistributed property taxes.
The post office pays state property taxes only on properties not federally owned, Sorrentino said. Nationwide, the post office leases many of the buildings it uses. Many of the lease agreements stipulate that the post office pay all taxes assessed on the properties.
Blaine Hastings, real estate tax specialist for the Kansas City, Kan., postal area, said he could not give a specific dollar amount for disputed appraisals because appeals were in process. His department is reviewing several properties to determine whether appeals are warranted.
Postal rates are not likely to increase because of greater Kansas property taxes, he said.
Sorrentino said he was impressed by the Kansas approach to property reappraisal. In addition to establishing property costs, the state examines market value and income generated from properties.
"what they've done in Kansas is by and large a pretty good job," Sorrentino said. "everybody has been help even if the don't agree with us."
Both post offices in Lawrence are leased from Real Properties MLP LP, group investors in Los Angeles, said Patty Jaimes, county clerk.
Latin American Solidarity's Pre-Nicaraguan Election Week Activities
Today:
Election Preview at Rice and Beans
(2/22/90)
Dinner, 6 p.m. at ECM, 1204 Oread.
Friday: "Referendum on Nicaragua." Cast your [2/23/90] vote on future U.S. policy at LAS information table in Kansas Union, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: Election Eve "Candlelight Vigil,"7 p.m.at (2/24/90) bandstand in South Park.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thursday: Post-election coverage presented by (3/8/90) David MacMichael, former CIA Senior officer, 7 p.m., Kansas Union Ballroom
For more information contact Liz at 749-4046.
MISS.STREET DELI INC
1921 MASSACHUSETTS
the fantastic deli Chicken Swiss
lean, breaded chicken breast grilled to perfection and served on a toasted French Bun with Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, & Tartar Sauce
only $2.95
Nominations need to be in by Feb.23,at 410 Kansas Union.
C. L.A.S.S. AWARDS
For more information contact Organizations & Activities at 864-4861