CAMPUS/AREA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, February 5,1997
3A
GR Gordon-Ross / KANSAN
Tracy Fioreani, Lawrence GTA, fights for the GTAC movement for more money and benefits at the rally yesterday in front of Wescoe Hall.
Rally disputes contract terms
By Mark McMaster
Kansan staff writer
The cold, wind weather didn't keep a crowd of about 70 graduate teaching assistants and their supporters from rallying for increased benefits in front of Wescoe Hall yesterday afternoon.
Speakers at the rally emphasized the importance of GTAs to undergraduate education and the extent of undergraduate and faculty support for their cause.
"If Chancellor Hemenway values my education as much as he says he does, I want him to value the GTAs," said Rochelle Votaw, Lawrence senior. "The University could not survive on a daily basis without our GTAs."
After the rally, participants delivered a petition to the chancellor which was signed by more than 1,000 supporters of the coalition.
Coalition leaders said they hoped this support would convince the administration that teaching assistants deserve more benefits, including health insurance, guaranteed tuition remission and more pay.
core of undergraduate education at the University, and if these instructors are treated well, the quality of education will improve.
The argument is GTAs form the
Another goal was to increase awareness of the fight for benefits.
"We want to bring attention to the situation of the GTAs on campus, especially for undergraduates and faculty, as well as the administration across the street at Strong Hall," said Scott Hendrix, GTA in English and coalition member.
The coalition is in the process of negotiating a new contract with the University, and will meet with administration representatives at contract talks today.
Richard Buck, chairman of the GTA negotiating committee, said that yesterday's talks likely will proceed much like previous efforts, with each side stating their position about the issues.
Although some feel that GTAs have not been offered much in the past, Buck said he still was optimistic about the negotiations.
"I think our proposal is so reasonable that there's no way a reasonable and intelligent person could reject it," Buck said.
Assistants take petition to Hemenway
By Mark McMaster Kansan staff writer
Shouting "We want fair contracts!" and "Come on, Bobi," a small group of spirited graduate teaching assistants made its way across Jayhawk boulevard at 1 p.m. yesterday, toward Chancellor Robert Hemenwalt's office.
The GTAs were delivering a petition showing campus support for their goals, which contained more
than 1,000 signatures, after attending a rally at Wescoe beach.
Upon arriving at the chancellor's office, the group gathered outside of the door and considered how to make their entrance.
Finally, they stormed in, holding the large petition that had been taped to sheets of posterboard, and asked the secretaries to see the chancellor.
Although, the plan had a flaw.
"He's not here right now," secretary Marian Orzulak said to the group. "He spends every Tuesday at the Medical Center."
The group was disappointed, but remained enthusiastic.
Leaders told the various office workers, who had gathered, to deliver the petition to Hemenway when he returned.
One member of the group commented that it was ironic he was at the Medical Center, since one of primary goals of the coalition was
for the University to provide health care for GTAs.
Jeff Wyneberg, assistant to the chancellor, looked at the petition yesterday, and said that he would make sure that Hemenway received it. He said that the petition reinforced his perception of campus support for GTAs.
"I have always valued GTAs, as I know the chancellor does. I know there is support for the wonderful work the GTAs do," Wyneberg said.
Clinton's speech stirs students' reactions
By Ann Marchand
Kansan staff writer
President Clinton unveiled his vision for American education last night in the annual State of the Union address.
In his speech to Congress, the Supreme Court and a prime-time audience, Clinton showed both a lighthearted nature and a commitment to change the government in his second term.
"I think I should start by saying thanks for inviting me back," he said.
Clinton outlined a plan for an activist government and encouraged Congress to put aside partisanship to accomplish three main goals: balancing the budget, enacting campaign finance reform and continuing welfare reform. Clinton also reaffirmed a commitment to education.
"My number-one priority over the next four years is to ensure that all Americans have the best education in the world," he said.
He pledged that every 8-year-old would be able to read, every 12-year-old would be able to access the Internet, and every 18-year-old would be able to go to college under his plan.
Clinton said his balanced budget plan, which he will release tomorrow, will include a $51-million increase for education.
"He was kind of like a knitter, knitting everything together," said Burdett Loomis, professor of political science. "I think what he trying to do is figure out a role for government as we go into the next century."
Samantha Bowman, Wichita junior and former chair of College Republicans, said she was impressed with the unifying rhetoric Clinton used.
However, she was skeptical that Clinton could accomplish all of his goals, especially tax credits and deductions for higher education, and balancing the budget without
State of the Union
"That is my plan: A call to action for American education." Clinton's proposal:
1. Creating national education standards
2. Improving the quality of teachers
3. Increasing literacy
4. Expanding Head Start
6. Teaching character education
7. Repairing school buildings
5. Promoting public school choice
6. Teaching character education
9. Enabling adults to go back to school
8. Offering tax credits and deductions for higher education
10. Augmenting internet access in schools
raising taxes.
"People that pay for that with a tax credit or deduction might pay someplace else with a tax increase," Bowman said.
Tom Carignan, Hutchinson senior and College Republicans member, echoed Bowman's skepticism.
"It's hard for me to believe that we can accomplish these and balance the budget," Carigman said.
But Chris Partain, Minneapolis, Kan., sophomore and KU Democrats Executive Board member, said she was happy that Clinton showed support for education initiatives.
"President Clinton is showing that he has a concern for the younger generation, and that he really cares how we feel," Partain said.
Ken Collier, assistant professor of political science, said he thought Clinton wanted to accomplish these goals to preserve his place in history.
"I think you are going to see him trying in the next four years to get something passed rather than posturing because he doesn't have another election to win," Collier said.
City commission approves use of funds to build west leg of trafficway
By Paul Eakins Kansan staff writer
Losing another battle, but not yet the war, opponents of the South Lawrence Trafficway left city hall disappointed last night.
In a 3-2 vote, the Lawrence City Commission authorized Mayor John Nalbandian to sign the Supplemental Agreement for the usage of $11,615,691 of state funds remaining from the construction of the
west leg of the trafficway to be used for the east leg.
Nalbandian, Commissioners Bonnie Augustine and Bob Moody all voted to sign the agreement. Commissioners Allen Levine and Jo Andersen voted against it.
The agreement was signed by the Douglas County Commission last week, but also required city approval because the road is to run along 31st Street within city limits.
It also passes through part of the Haskell Indian Nations University wetlands.
The city commission listened to more than 20 opponents of the trafficway, who gave many reasons not to support it.
Among these reasons were: the environmental damage that may be caused to the wetlands and its wildlife; legal problems with forms obtained by the county from the
Kansas Corps of Engineers to begin filling the wetlands with dirt along the trafficway's route; possible violations of federal environmental and minority laws; intrusion into Native American prayer held in the wetlands, already exacerbated by the noise of 31st Street; and blatant disregard for the views of Haskell students and faculty.
Pamina Yellowbird, Native-American Lawrence resident, said that the local government seemed not to
care about the opinions of Native Americans in Lawrence.
"In the two and one-half years I have lived here, I have not felt safe, not felt like I was'regarded as an equal." Yellowbird said.
For many opponents, the process has yet to be finished.
"This is a long way from being over with," said Jason Daniels, KU Environs and Wetlands Preservation Organization member.
Daniels said that protests, public sessions, and a march through the KU campus have been planned for the weekend of Feb. 14.
Legal action may be taken by Haskell, which may be supported by the Sierra Club, against the county, said Charles Benjamin, legislative coordinator.
"We've putting together a request to the national Sierra Club for litigation approval," he said.
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