6A
Friday, January 31, 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Audio Reader trying to expand
Program needs funds, volunteers
Marisa Crowther, Three Rivers, Texas, sophomore, recites the First Wives Club at the Baehr Audio-Reader Center. Marisa
Eric B. Howell / KANSAN
By Doug Weinstein Kansan staff writer
volunteers one hour a week broadcasting to people who have difficulty reading materials printed in standard-size type.
If you, or anyone you know, are having trouble reading this article in its standard size print, Audio Reader might be able to help.
Audio Reader has been radio-broadcasting the reading of newspapers and magazines to the visually impaired since 1971. Audio Reader uses a subcarrier of KANU to broadcast its programs to special radios that users can pick up from the Baehr Audio-Reader Center.
But with limited resources, Audio Reader now needs help and volunteers.
Janet Campbell, Audio Reader director, said that in 1989, Audio Reader received $38,286 from the University of Kansas. In 1996, that amount had dropped to $12,000.
Campbell said that Audio Reader, 1120 W. 11th St., supplements its income with its Help Expand Audio Reader campaign.
"The campaign was designed as a source of income for equipment expansion,"Campbell said. "It's also a funding source we rely on."
Campbell said she wanted to raise $15,000 for Audio Reader as soon as possible.
But readers don't always need to be paid.
With the limited funding, Audio Reader can't afford to pay its readers. But readers don't always need to be
Marisa Crowther, Three Rivers Texas, sophomore, has been a volunteer at Audio Reader since the beginning of the fall semester.
"It's a great program," Crowther said. "I go in once a week, and I feel good. I feel like I've done something worth- while."
Besides the satisfaction that she gets, Crowther said there was another purpose to Audio Reader.
"You're making printed material available for those who don't have access to it, and there's a variety of ways of doing it," she said. "Reading on the air can be great experience for people who want to go into broadcasting or something along those lines."
"It takes a special kind of person who takes time out of their lives to help read and interact," said Diana Frederick, volunteer coordinator for Audio Reader.
Audio Reader has more than 300 volunteers, including 26 student volunteers. At least 100 of the nonstudent volunteers are affiliated with the University.
But most people don't realize the different venues that Audio Reader has to offer, Frederick said.
"Most people think of Audio Reader as radio broadcasts," she said.
besides radio broadcasts, listeners also can file special requests for certain items to be read. But most listeners like to use the Lions Telephone Reader, a telephone computer system that allows listeners to search selectively through any section of the Kansas City Star or TV Guide.
"It gives the listeners independence," Frederick said.
"You're making printed material available for those who don't have access to it..."
Marisa Crowther ThreeRivers, Texas, sophomore
Pell increase frees money for school
By Sean Demory Kansan staff reporter
Pell grants, one of the major non-loan based federal financial aid programs, will increase by more than $300 per individual in the next fiscal year.
This expansion, which should take place in fiscal year 1998, will increase funding per student per year to $3,000.
The Clinton administration recently proposed an expansion of the Pell grant program, according to an Associated Press report.
The money to pay for the proposal would be raised by shifting funds from a tax credit plan the administration had proposed earlier.
"Most of the ways in which aid has been increased have been through loan programs. The Pell grant's free aid," said Diane Del Buono, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid.
This is the second financial boost the Pell grant has seen in two years. Del Buono said the Pell grant had been raised for fiscal year 1997 from $2,470 to $2,700.
Of the approximately 62.4 percent of students at the University of Kansas receiving financial aid, about 8.3 percent receive Pell grants.
In 1996, Pell grants at the University accounted for $4,013,264 in tuition money, according to Harlan Roedel of University Relations.
"The truly neediest students will see a substantial increase in their funding." Del Buono said. "The grant should cover tuition and most fees, depending on hours enrolled."
"This is an acknowledgement of concern that the neediest students as well as middle-class students will be able to go to school," Del Buono said. "A lot of positive things are happening in federal funding programs."
Eligibility for the Pell grant or other federal aid can be determined by the Free Application for Student Aid form, which is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid in 50 Strong Hall.
Often many students who may be eligible for the Pell grant or other forms of federal aid do not apply. Del Buono said.
The Office of Student Financial Aid will help students fill out applications.
For more information, call 864- 4700.
Students in social welfare form group to discuss issues
Meetings to tackle topics out of class
By Sarah McWilliams Special to the Kansan
Two students in the School of Social Welfare saw a need for students to talk about issues in social work that they didn't always have time to discuss during class. They decided to fill that need by forming the Social Work Student Collective.
The collective is the brain-child of Meghan Saleebey, Dallas graduate student, and Andrew Dunlap, Lawrence graduate student. The group, new this semester, provides students an open forum in which they can share ideas with other students, faculty and staff members.
The first meeting of the Collective was Jan. 23. Ann Weick, dean of the school, opened the discussion. Weick focused on the difference between social work and other helping professions such as psychology. The meeting included students of all levels, from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. Saleebey said the purpose was to define social work.
"As social workers, we need to know how to be able to talk about how social work has its own unique domain, to support each other in what we do, and to be really proud of saying that we're social workers," she said.
Saleebey and Dunlap both said they began discussing the need for a student group after one of their classes in the school last November. They contacted Richard Spano, associate dean for academic programs.
"He was very encouragers." Saleebey said. "We all sort of brainstormed and came up with a series of dialogues and discussions."
A number of undergraduates in the social work program attended, which encouraged Dunlap.
He and other graduate students were on hand to
"We all sort of brainstormed and came up with a series of dialogues and discussions."
Megan Saleobey Dallas graduate student
answer undergraduates' questions about the master's degree program.
The next meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Governor's Room in the Kansas Union. Jan Jess, assistant director of practicum placement at the school, will open a discussion about practicum issues.
Students may receive tax credits
By Ann Marchand
Kansan staff writer
944 Mass.
832-8228
Red Lyon Tavern
Many KU students understand that they will be graduating from college with a negative balance in their bank accounts, but several members of Congress have proposed legislation to alleviate that financial burden.
Students soon may have more options to pay for skrocmeeting costs if Congress passes reforms.
"When I graduate, I'm going to have a huge debt, but I guess that's worthwhile in order to have a job that I enjoy," said Tara Dennard, Abilene freshman. "Even working a part-time job, that's still barely enough to pay the bills."
Student loan amounts have increased as well. In the fiscal year 1980, the average loan was $518, but in the fiscal year 1995, it was $2,417 — a 367 percent increase, according to the GAO.
During the past 15 years, tuition at four-year institutions has increased 234 percent, according to the Government Accounting Office. Median household incomes, including those of students, rose only 82 percent during the same period.
Congressional bills that address higher education funding are plentiful this session, and at least six would make it easier for students to afford college.
Specifics of the proposals vary, but the basic premise is the same: The government should provide tax incentives to pay for higher education.
The most generous legislation was proposed by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y. Ackerman's resolution, H.R. 382, would allow tax deductions for up to $10,000 per student per year for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and 'reasonable' living expenses, not to exceed $20,000 per family in a single year.
Ackerman introduced a similar bill in the last session of Congress, but it did not pass. A former New York City schoolteacher, Ackerman has been a consistent force in the formation of educational policy.
Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., has offered a scaled-down version of Ackerman's plan. Solomon's act provides a tuition tax credit of no more than $1,000 per year and does not cover living expenses. It also is not available to graduate students.
"He felt that without a solution, the opportunity to go to college would no longer exist for many families," said Jordan Goldes, Ackerman's press secretary.
Solomon's office did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Dennard said that any attempts to help students pay for college were beneficial, but Congress should not consider these proposals as substitutes for loan financing.
Diane Del Buono, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, said that the proposals were thoughtful and would help students cope with rising tuition rates.
"It showed concern about keeping college affordable for the middle class, as well as the neediest students." Del Buono said.
"I think they are good ideas, but I don't think that they should discontinue the amount of financial aid they give to loans," Dennard said.
State debates death penalty
TOPEKA — Opponents plan to push for the abolition of the state's death penalty law, but the real legislative debate probably will be about whether to create new capital crimes.
Fourteen House members plan to introduce a bill that would abolish capital punishment. Meanwhile, other legislators expect their colleagues to introduce bills to expand the death penalty law.
The law took effect in 1994, but so far, no criminal has gone to trial on a capital-murder charge. Only seven crimes qualify as capital murder, including multiple murders, killing of law enforcement officers and some killings of children and kidnapping victims.
our world
Two anti-death penalty groups held a lunchtime meeting yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church, across the street from the statehouse. The meeting commemorated the 90th anniversary of Gov. Edward Hoch's signing of a bill to abolish capital punishment in Kansas.
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