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The lessons of money management came one overdraft at a time for Celie Wall. As a college freshman, Wall repeatedly spent money she didnt have in her checking account. Unaware of the consequences, she racked up hundreds of dollars in overdraft charges. Wall, Greensboro, N.C., senior, overdrew her debit account on more than 10 separate occasions during her first semester, eventually paying more than $300 in fees. I pretty much thought it was like a gift card, Wall said. My parents had always watched over my finances. I was really dumb about it. But Walls freshman-year ignorance is common among young adults. Each year nearly half of adults ages 18 to 24 overdraw their checking accounts at least once. At an average cost of $26 per overdraft, young adults paid more than $1 billion in overdraft fees last year, according to studies by Moebs Services and the Center

for Responsible Lending. Checking account holders say overdraft practices and policies are predatory and unfair. The government has begun responding to these calls with new Federal Reserve regulations, and legislation in Congress might put strict restrictions on the fees that could all but eliminate them. Experts warn that although the regulations would alleviate the pain of overdraft charges, banks could impose new policies that would continue to cost consumers. Because 46 percent of young adults overdrew their checking accounts last year, its not hard to find students with experiences similar to Walls. Bryant Hadley, Wichita sophomore, overdrew on his Bank of America checking account after purchasing textbooks earlier this year. In less than two days, he overdrew five times, incurring nearly $180 in fees. Two McDonalds double cheeseburgers cost nearly $40 with a fee attached. Id have preferred a nice steak dinner with that kind of money, Hadley said. I just didnt know my account

wHaT is an overdraFT?

Howard Ting/KANSAN

SEE overdrafts ON PAgE 4A

Matthew Visser, Fort Hood, Texas, freshman, uses an ATM at the Kansas Union. In 2008, almost half of young adults overdrew on their accounts, paying more than $1 billion in fees.

Most-viewed stories chronicle 2009 Campus fees analyzed

BY DANIEL JOHNSON
djohnson@kansan.com On-campus brawls, internal investigations, five-star recruiting and a student tragedy may come to define this year in news at the University. The incidents, each filled with controversy and plenty of heated opinion, topped the charts of Kansan.com for 2009. Of more than 3 million page views, these five stories gained the most attention from the papers online followers. Together, they help paint a portrait of a whirlwind year at the University of Kansas. Nation and beyond. The fight broke out Sept. 23 as groups of football and basketball players were seen gathered between Wescoe and Budig halls. Eyewitness said the fight broke out after one of the Morris twins pushed a football player down a set of stairs. Players from both teams were seen throwing punches and shouting racial slurs before the fight was broken up. Assistant basketball coaches and police officers were on the scene within 10 minutes. Katie Summers, Tulsa, Okla. junior, was walking on campus and found herself surrounded by football and basketball players yelling at one another. She said she had no idea the incident she witnessed would immediately become the focus of national sporting news. I thought it was unusual but I had no idea it was going to be as big as it was, Summers said. I think its something that people are going to remember because

Year in news

sTudenT senaTe

for next years budget

avandyke@kansan.com

BY ALY VAN DYKE

Top Five MosT-viewed sTories on Kansan.coM 1. Basketball and football players scuffle outside wescoe Hall

Chance Dibben/KANSAN FILE PHOTO

Basketball players congregate outside of the Wescoe Underground Sept. 23. Brett Ballard, wearing a red shirt and black jacket, is the director of basketball operations and former backup point guard for the Jayhawks for two seasons. of how unique it was to have a Division I school with its athletes turning against each other. ESPN, Sports Illustrated and several national news providers covered the fights and used footage and information gathered by The Kansan.

Wednesday, Sept. 23 54,523 page views.

The brawl between KU basketball and football players Sept. 23 grabbed the attention of Jayhawk

SEE review ON PAgE 3A

Kurtis Klecan cringes every semester he sits down at his computer to pay tuition, knowing the debt hes racking up in student loans. Its insane, Klecan, Topeka sophomore, said. Adding to the insanity, he said, is the fact that he doesnt know what his money pays for, specifically the $423.35 he pays in campus fees each semester. I have no clue where that stuff even goes, Klecan said. Students enrolled in six credits or more are required to pay the campus fee each semester. Thats on top of tuition, course fees and books. Students taking fewer than six hours pay a per-credit fee of $70.56.

Projections for this school year put the revenue generated by mandatory campus fees at more than $20 million. Thats almost double what campus fees generated in 2001, when the fees cost $229 a semester. Some fees are remotely familiar: n The $65.90 Campus Transportation Fee that grants students free bus rides. n The $75.70 Student Recreation and Fitness Center Fee that gives students free access to the gym with a KUID. n The $5 Student Union Activities Fee that pays for concerts, carnivals and other events for students. But students seem to be less aware of some of the other fees, such as the $41 fee that pays for

SEE senate ON PAgE 3A

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Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B Sudoku. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A

Suspected terrorist pleads not guilty to 12 counts

Man thought to be connected to the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, could get death if found guilty. TERRORISM | 9A

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All contents, unless stated otherwise, 2009 The University Daily Kansan

2A NEWS
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics exam: I looked into the soul of another boy.
Woody Allen

Thursday, december 10, 2009

NEWS NEAR & FAR

CORRECTION
In Wednesdays story Over There, Back Here by Anna Archibald, the timeline of Felix Zacharias internship and lobbying was incorrect. During the summer of 2008, Zacharias lobbied on behalf of the 21st Century GI Bill and the following summer, he interned in Washington D.C. for Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.).

FACT OF THE DAY

Reindeer like to eat bananas.
randomfunfacts.com

MOST E-MAILED
Want to know what people are talking about? Heres a list of the five most e-mailed stories from Kansan.com: 1. Folmsbee: Dont believe in evolution 2. Veterans transition not always smooth 3. Thompson: Marijuanas legal substitute 4. Editorial: Gridiron Club reconsidered 5. Lighting projects details remain undecided

ON THE RECORD
About 3 p.m. Monday near 12th and Louisiana streets, a KU student reported an auto burglary, criminal damage and the theft of a CD player and other items, at a loss of $1,000.

1. Debate gets heated at U.N. climate conference

international

ET CETERA
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published daily during the school year except Saturday, Sunday, fall break, spring break and exams and weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Periodical postage is paid in Lawrence, KS 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $120 plus tax. Student subscriptions are paid through the student activity fee. Postmaster: Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045

COPENHAGEN Developing nations who face huge climate change burdens are demanding that wealthy nations shoulder more of the costs, as a leaked Danish document and fresh evidence of a hotter planet raised temperatures at the U.N. climate conference. Negotiators on Wednesday were trying to bridge the difficult gaps among 192 nations and stem a growing chasm between rich and poor on the third day of the U.N. climate conference. A key speaker will be U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa Jackson, whose agency just gave President Barack Obama a new way to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. Obama will join more than 100 national leaders converging on Copenhagen for the final days of bargaining late next week.

Philippine police on Wednesday named 161 suspects in the massacre of 57 people last month in the countrys worst election violence, including government militiamen led by members of a powerful clan facing murder and rebellion charges. Police said the militiamen, all but two at large, were identified by witnesses. Their names will be submitted to prosecutors to be included in the charge sheet and warrants of arrest.

4.Kasim Reed wins bid for Atlanta mayorship

national

3. US, Russia to agree on new nuclear arms deal

2. Suspects identified in Philippines massacre

MANILA, Philippines

MOSCOW Russias foreign minister says Moscow and Washington will sign a new nuclear arms deal shortly. Sergey Lavrov sounded upbeat Wednesday when asked about the prospects for a quick successor deal to the 1991 START I treaty that expired Friday. He told reporters the agreement will be signed soon, but gave no details. The agreement obliged each country to cut nuclear warheads by at least a quarter, to about 6,000 and included detailed verification procedures.

ATLANTA Former Georgia state Sen. Kasim Reed will be sworn in as Atlantas next mayor after a recount of his slim margin of victory over opponent Mary Norwood was confirmed Wednesday in a recount. His election to succeed current Mayor Shirley Franklin extends a decades-long line of AfricanAmerican mayors in the mostly black city. Norwood ran a strong grassroots campaign but fell short of becoming the citys first white mayor since 1973.

instructor at the Pan Am International Flight Academy who called the FBI to report his suspicions about Moussaoui, who was seeking training at the flight school outside Minneapolis in the days before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Hugh Sims of Fort Myers, Fla., another former instructor also credited with tipping the FBI, says he still has received nothing. Sims says hes flabbergasted.

Injured student returns home from hospital

accident

6. Man sentenced to death for slaying prison guard

CENTERVILLE, Texas A Texas prison inmate convicted of killing a corrections officer during a September 2007 escape is headed to death row. A jury decided Tuesday that 39-year-old Jerry Martin should die for the death of 59-year-old guard Susan Canfield. Martin already had been serving 50-year sentence for attempted murder. Falk is awaiting trial on similar charges related to the guards death. Hed been serving life for a 1986 murder.

5. Sept. 11 tipster finally receives $100,000 reward

MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota man whose tip helped the FBI catch Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui has finally received a $100,000 reward while another man credited as a tipster still has received nothing. Tim Nelson said Wednesday that he collected the reward a week ago. Nelson was an

MEDIA PARTNERS
For more news, turn to KUJH-TV on Sunflower Broadband Channel 31 in Lawrence. The student-produced news airs at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Also, check out KUJH online at tv.ku.edu. KJHK is the student voice in radio. Each day there is news, music, sports, talk shows and other content made for students, by students. Whether its rock n roll or reggae, sports or special events, KJHK 90.7 is for you.

Students still seeking med school

Many KU undergrads apply despite hefty tuition price tags
BY JeSSe BroWn
jbrown@kansan.com Despite increased tuition costs and a slumping economy, the number of students applying for medical school is holding more steady compared with other graduate programs. Only 20 percent of medical school admissions officers reported that more applicants declined admission in 2009 because of financial hardships than they did in 2008, according to a national Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions survey. This is compared to the 28 percent of applicants in MBA programs and 39 percent of law school applicants who declined admission. Blake Phipps, Lawrence senior and the president of the PreMedical Club at KU, has been accepted to KU Medical Center and will start classes in August. Phipps said he only had one concern with the financial aspect of going to medical school. I think something is going through legislature that ends subsidized loans for students, Phipp said. It would add a much more financial burden. Phipps said increasing costs did not concern him because, the way he saw it, he would already be spending nearly $200,000 to finish medical school. A slight increase would only be a small percentage of that large amount, Phipps said. According to Kaplan Inc., a company that serves students in learning, the University of Kansas has Lillig said. So its just more people a high number of undergraduates getting accepted now. who apply to medical school every Lillig said he believed the rise year. The University had 188 appli- in the number of applicants was cants last year according to the because of the growing need to Association of American Medical provide medical care to rural and Colleges Web site. underserved areas. Jeff Koetje, If you come from Its one of those jobs director of Prea rural area and plan that dont go out of Health Programs to practice primary style. I think therell for Kaplan, said care, theyre going to the information find someone who be plenty of job in the survey was will work there, opportunities still. helpful and interLillig said. esting for pre-med He also said the SHAWN LILLIG students. medical school was Medical student The survey protrying to increase its vides insight to minority population. students who are looking to apply The faltering economy and the to medical programs offered by loss of jobs dont concern him different universities around the much, Lillig said. country. Its one of those jobs that dont Shawn Lillig, Basehor medical go out of style, Lillig said. I think student and 2007 KU graduate, therell be plenty of job opportunisaid he has seen an increase in class ties still. sizes for the last two years. Theyve actually increased the Edited by Sarah Kelly number of people they accept,

ECONOMY

A student who injured her hand last Thursday evening while working in the Marvin Hall craft shop has been released from the hospital and returned to her hometown, according to friends. The student, who friends say is a female junior in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported by the ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and later to the University of Kansas Hospital, for treatment. A police dispatch indicated, on the evening of the accident, that the student said she had suffered the injuries to a hand, and may have severed three or more fingers. Our hopes and prayers are with the student and family, John Gaunt, dean of Architecture, Design and Planning, said in a statement released by the University. Friends said the student returned to her hometown for further treatment after being released from the hospital this week. They said the student planned to return to the University for the spring semester. Students who use the shop are advised of proper procedures in use of equipment in the shop area and are supervised at all times, said Jill Jess, University spokeswoman. The Web site for the school says the main architecture shop is in 109 Marvin Hall and houses large tools, table saws, welding and other large items. The University statement said administrators plan to review the incident and determine whether any additional safety measures are needed.
Brandon Sayers

DAILY KU INFO

CONTACT US
Tell us your news. Contact Brenna Hawley, Jessica Sain-Baird, Jennifer Torline, Brianne Pfannenstiel or Amanda Thompson at (785) 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com. Kansan newsroom 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall 1435 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS 66045 (785) 864-4810

From 1972 to 2007, campus was only closed 13 times due to inclement weather. Since then, it has been closed four times.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

news
HoW mucH reveNue do tHeSe feeS geNerate?
campus transportation fee $65.90 per student $3,109,684 generated Student recreation and fitness center fee $75.70 per student $3,430,529 generated *This total does not include the Sports Club Fee Student union activities fee $5 per student $259,933 generated first to protect jobs. At the end of the day, we dont want to send people home with a pink slip, he said. To prevent a campus fee increase, as demanded by the Board of Regents last year, Senate lowered nine campus fees. The campus safety fee, previously $1, was cut altogether. The fee paid for the blue emergency phones and the Jay Walk program on campus. The cuts allowed Senate to increase five fees to pay for necessary expenditures. One fee thats been on the chopping block for several semesters is the $40 womens and non-revenue sport fee. Student Senate discussed lowering the fee in the past, but thenChancellor Robert Hemenway indicated he would veto any change if it landed on his desk. Thus, the fee remained the same. Cantwell said Senate hasnt heard anything from Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little about whether she would veto a reduction in the fee. She said the potential for a veto would probably depend on the size and justifications for the cut. A cut to the fee for the next year has been discussed in the review committee, along with other fees, but nothing will be final until next semester. In the meantime, Klecan has a $9,000 tuition bill for next semester. He said he would like the opportunity to choose which campus fees he pays, rather than paying for things he doesnt use. Students can voice their opinions by becoming voting members of the senate finance committee. Attending the first meeting or two consecutive meetings later in the semester earn a student voting rights in the committee. The finance committee meets every other Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Kansas Union. Edited by Alicia Banister

senate (continued from 1A)

upkeep of the Kansas Memorial Union and the $10 fee that allows the University to offer free legal advice for students. Student Senate assesses the campus fees every year. Representatives from the various fee organizations present proposals to the campus fee review committee, which then submits recommendations to the senate finance committee. Once passed in the finance committee, the proposal goes to the full Senate for a vote. Then its signed by the student body president, then the chancellor and finally approved by the Kansas Board of Regents. This process is a lot different from many other universities, which leave the majority of campus fee decisions to the administration, said Devon Cantwell, Student Senate executive secretary. While $423.35 seems like a lot to be paying, I would rather have students making these decisions

3A

attorney General visits courtroom for 9/11 trial

national

as opposed to administration, Cantwell, Topeka sophomore, said. The campus fee review committee has already started working on next years fee analysis. Alex Porte, chair of the committee, said it was his goal to keep the campus fees from increasing, as was required of the Senate last year

by the Kansas Board of Regents. A zero-percent increase is the most financially responsible model to work from, he said. Porte, Great Falls, Va., senior, said he hoped to have the finance committee vote on the recommendations by mid-March. When considering fee cuts, Cantwell said, the Senate looks

NEW YORK Attorney General Eric Holder made an unannounced visit to a Manhattan courthouse Wednesday to inspect security for the pending trial of the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks. Holder inspected the federal jail and nearby courthouse where Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others are due to stand trial on charges they plotted the September 2001 attacks. The five suspects have been held for years at the military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Holder announced last month they would be tried as civilians, blocks from the World Trade Center site. A trial date has not yet been set.
Associated Press

review (continued from 1A)

2. Investigation not a surprise to many Jayhawks
Tuesday, Nov. 17 7,944 page views producing out on the field. Its been long overdue. The Jayhawks went on to end the season with a seven-game losing streak and Manginos resignation. Now a search for a new coach is underway. Athletics officials have so far released no information regarding the results of the investigation. Rexs Stadium Barber Shop, 1033 Massachusetts St., speaks with students, community members and KU administration on a regular basis in his shop. He said although the incidents received a high level of attention at the time, the football teams losing streak and the investigation of coach Mangino had taken the focus elsewhere. We lost 7 games after that episode and never heard anything else about it, Porter said Theres been too many other things to worry about this season. No further incidents have been reported since Sept. 23 and KU Athletics has kept any punishment of the players private. Wren was found dead at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 1301 West Campus Rd., the afternoon of March 8. A later report showed Wren had more than four times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood at the time of his death. Almost 1,000 people gathered to mourn the death at his Denver funeral March 16. George Ressler, St. Louis senior and president of the KU Lacrosse Club, knew Wren as both a teammate and a friend. He said the tragedy had changed the teams attitude toward recreation and instilled a new sense of purpose in the organization. But he said the effect of Wrens death had spread further than those who personally knew him. I think it was a rude awakening of the lifestyles that organizations promote for students to take part in, Ressler said. It brought to attention to things that every student knows but doesnt want to address. Losing Jason just pushed everything over the edge. Wrens death ignited a movement for increased alcohol awareness on the KU campus. In May, the University made changes to its alcohol policies, including notifying parents when underage students are caught using drugs or violating alcohol policies in residence halls. and C.J. to cancel their commitment. Jayhawk fans were certain the brothers, whose parents both played basketball at the University, would be coming to play for Kansas. But on April 20, the brothers announced they would be visiting the University of Kentucky. Brent Blazek, Lenexa senior, remembers following the news of the Henrys recruitment. He said it was one of the most exciting recruitment battles he could remember. This was a huge deal because of the caliber player that Xavier is, Blazek said. I think we would still be ranked first without him, but he definitely helps in our run for the National Championship. Fortunately for Jayhawk fans, the Henry brothers committed to Kansas the following day and never actually visited Kentucky. Xavier was the Jayhawks leading scorer for the first seven games of the season, averaging nearly 17 points per game. Edited by Sarah Kelly

Following an impromptu team meeting and a private discussion between Lew Perkins and Mark Mangino, KU Athletics announced Nov. 17 that it had begun an internal investigation regarding alleged abuses by coach Mark Mangino. On the day of the announcement, former players spoke out to voice personal experiences with Mangino. Marcus Herford, a former receiver for Mangino, and Dexton Fields, who played for the Jayhawks from 2004 until 2008, both commented on the verbal abuse they and their teammates received while playing under Mangino. Its been a long time that that stuff has been happening and it had to surface, Fields was quoted as saying in the story. Of all the talent that KU has there, it had to be some other reason that KU isnt

3. Students, teams react to fights

Thursday, Sept. 24 7,679 page views

5. Kansas might lose its prom date

Wednesday, April 22 3,903 page views

Students, athletes and community members spent the 24 hours following the on-campus brawl of Sept. 23 questioning the cause of the violent outbreaks between members of the programs. Students and community members voiced concerns about potential punishments for the students involved, how the incidents would affect recruitment, and who or what the fights were about. Rex Porter, owner and barber at

4. Nearly 1,000 attend Jason Wrens funeral

Monday, March 16 6,024 page views

The death of Jason Wren, a 19-year-old Denver freshman, rocked the KU community in March 2009.

Shockwaves rippled through Jayhawk Nation when freshman phenom Xavier Henry and his brother C.J. announced they would be visiting the University of Kentucky in late April. The announcement was the latest in a series of closely observed decisions by Xavier Henry. The brothers had committed to play at the University of Memphis until their head coach, John Calipari, resigned to become the head coach for the University of Kentucky, allowing Xavier

Dear Seniors, The Kansan Addies will miss you!

Jordan

Casey Vance
Advertising Staff

We love you!

4A

NEWS
Barry Himmelstein, a lawyer with the California-based law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, is working on a series of class action lawsuits that accuse the nations largest banks of predatory overdraft policies. The firm is targeting the practice of withdrawal reordering. Reordering occurs when banks take a set of withdrawals and reorder them from largest to smallest, regardless of the order they were taken out. Himmelstein explained that if a person has $10 in his account, and makes four $2 transactions followed by a fifth $10 transaction, a bank would charge the $10 transaction first, so that the following four $2 transactions would each incur a fine. Rather than processing them in the order they are made, they will process the highest dollar amount before the lower dollar transactions, socking the person with the most overdraft charges possible, Himmelstein said. These are predatory practices meant solely to screw the customer. Moebs added that mostly Wall Street banks, and not smaller institutions practice reordering. In response to complaints about transaction reordering, Moebs contended that most people are conflicted about whether or not they prefer the policy. He said that although people might not like their smaller transactions being ordered in a way that maximizes penalties, they also usually prefer to have their bigger, more important payments made first. The consumer doesnt always want the small items paid first, Moebs said. They want their rent payments, their vehicle payments, their rent paid, always. Thats the interesting thing going on here.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 , 2009

(continued from 1A)

had tanked. A checking overdraft occurs when people withdraw more money than they have in their checking accounts. Whether through a written check, a debit card transaction or an ATM withdrawal, most banks allow account holders to borrow money when funds run out. The bank fronts the money and charges a fee for the service. If youre in the line at the grocery store and you dont have enough money in your account, this protection allows you to make the transaction, said Don Vecchiarello, a spokesperson for Bank of America. But this protection is often neither free nor optional. Although the national average overdraft charge is $26, the average for the nations Wall Street banks, those with assets greater than $50 billion, is closer to $36, according to Moebs Services, an Illinois-based economic research firm. Founder Mike Moebs said national banking chains have pushed the fees up during the past two decades to nearly $10 higher than credit unions and community banks. The fees are an important revenue generator for banks. In 2008, overdraft services pulled in $36.7 billion for American banks, up from $16.5 billion just 10 years earlier. Checking account holders across the country are calling for new governmental regulations to protect them from what they see as unfair and predatory policies. Erin Williams, Wichita junior, first experienced the pains of overdraft fees while using ATMs during a winter break trip to Colorado last year. On her vacation, she unknowingly made five overdrafts, costing her nearly $200 in fees. Williams argued that her five-pack of overdrafts were the result of confusing ATM methods. She expected the ATM to warn her if she was taking out more than available. She was also confused by her ATM statement. Williams said the statement had a negative sign to the right of her dollar amount, which she ignored. Id get my balance and it would portray it as a positive number, Williams said. So I thought Id have money in my account and make a withdrawal, only to put myself way further in the negative. Her complaints are among thousands calling out for overdraft regulation. The complaints cover deceptive practices and both a lack of choices and information. Calls for overdraft regulations are being heard in federal courts, agencies, and both houses of Congress. But many complaints center on a general lack of knowledge by account holders. Scott Reid, Abilene, Texas, senior, was surprised when he discovered he owed $150 in overdraft fees to Commerce Bank. He was aware he could be charged for an overdraft, but he did not understand there would be no notification when his account hit zero. I just figured that my card would be rejected or I would be warned somehow, Reid said. It was never really explained to me. Despite angry customer allegations, both banks and financial experts contend that there are sound principles for the system that is in place. Don Vecchiarello emphasized the word protection in the Bank of Americas overdraft protection policies. He said the majority of customers who understand the

overdrAfTS

reorDering

Controversies

Banks Defense

value of protection appreciate having it. Protection allows for account holders to avoid the embarrassment of being denied in a checkout line. I think the majority of customers who understand the policies appreciate the service, Vecchiarello said. Robert DeYoung, professor of business, said when people complain about the current overdraft protection system, they fail to consider a world without it. For example, when students use their debit cards on vending machines, the computer does not check their actual account to make sure funds are available. Instead, it takes a guarantee from their bank that the transaction will be fulfilled. In a world without overdraft protection, this guarantee might not exist. Too many people probably take for granted what this service actually allows, DeYoung said. Vecchiarello said that Bank of America had heard the calls for change and was working to heighten its focus on meeting customer needs. In late October, Bank of America eliminated overdraft fees for withdrawals of less than $10 per day. The bank also no longer charges additional fees when a customer has more than four overdrafts in a day. We recognize that many of our customers are experiencing challenges with the

Howard Ting/KANSAN

Celie Wall, Greensboro, N.C., senior, had to pay more than $300 in fees after overdrawing her account 10 times her freshman year. During that winter break, her parents made her visit a local bank, where she had a three-hour conversation about financial responsibility with the manager. She hasnt overdrawn since. among account holders, especially those with small balances. If the proposed overdraft legislation is passed by Congress, checking account holdCurrent LegisLation ers will likely be subjected to new and If Erin Williams attempts to overdraw on increased monthly maintenance fees that her bank account six months from now, she will make up for revenue collected by overmight be faced with a new bothersome real- draft fees. Experts say strict regulations ity rejection. could be detrimental for both banks and Recent regulations set by the Federal consumers for years to come. Reserve require banks to provide more Because overdraft fees are expected to information and options concerning over- generate $38 billion in bank income this draft protection. year, substantial limits could mean billions On Nov. 12, the Federal Reserve ruled in lost revenue. that banks would no longer be able to autoSome figures suggest that banks are matically enroll their customers in overdraft already adapting to potential changes. protection programs. Instead, customers Checking account monthly maintenance will receive clear information about their fees increased by 15 percent in the first and options for overdraft protection and can third quarter of 2009, according to Moneychoose whether they want to opt in. Banks Rates.com, a Web site that compiles bankmust also send existing account holders ing statistics. These fees include monthly notifications asking them if they want to opt charges for direct deposits and minimum in to an overdraft program. If they do not balance fees. respond by July 1, they will be taken off the Professor DeYoung said account holdoverdraft plan. ers such as Reid are unprofitable for banks Also, bills in both houses of Congress unless they charge fees because the amount propose setting strict limits on the number of money kept with the banks is too small of overdraft fees, their prices and the struc- to lend out. He said people who have probture of their collection. lems with overdrafts should remember that The bills, both titled the Overdraft banks are a business like any other. Protection Act, would limit banks to chargWe dont complain when movie stores ing a customer for only one overdraft per charge us late fees because we recognize the month, and a maximum of six per year. The service they are providing, DeYoung said. bills would also ensure that But with banks, people foroverdraft fees are set proget about the service they are If you get rid of portionally to the amount providing. And this service overdrafts, banks are isnt free. of an individual overdraft. Lesley Parish of the Mike Moebs added that the going to charge the Center for Responsible restriction of overdraft fee colsame people in new Lending said the bills lection could be a frustrating ways. would provide permanent dilemma. If customers optnecessary changes for out, then hit their limit, or RoBeRT Deyoung checking account policies. have banks that simply decide Professor of business to stop allowing overdrafts, Once the spotlight fades on these issues banks transactions will be rejected will go back to their egregious practices, and banks will either suspend or shut down Parish said. Were hopeful that the current customer accounts. momentum will make sure these bills are DeYoung added that the ability to make supported. purchases with debit cards and checks might become far less universal than it is What CouLD this aLL mean? now. Most small transactions today occur Scott Reid keeps small amounts of money without the business actually transacting in his Commerce Bank checking account. with the account. For example, if a person He puts in his bi-weekly paycheck from swipes his or her debit card at McDonalds, his part-time landscaping job. He uses the the transaction is allowed because the bank small amount of money to pay for food, guarantees the transaction. After the point entertainment and other expenses. His sec- of sale, the bank makes the full charge from ond banking account is with his hometown the account later in the day. bank in Texas. He uses that account to pay If banks are no longer profiting from rent, utility bills, loans and other big pay- people who go into the red zone, they might ments. discontinue this service. The system has only failed once, when he Those card swipes on vending machines overdrew five times in less than three days might disappear, DeYoung said. Banks will from his Commerce account. stop wanting to allow a risk where people But in the future, Reid might face more can spend more money than they have. fees for simply having a checking account. What shouLD If you get rid of overdrafts, banks are stuDents Do? going to charge the same people in new ways, DeYoung said. Getting rid of overAfter her first semester freshman year, draft fees will spread out the costs more Celie Walls parents brought her to their current economy, and were committed to finding more ways for them to manage their finances, Vecchiarello said.

By the numBers:

$38.5 billion is the expected revenue from overdrafts for 2009. +$1 billion in fees was paid by 18- to 24-year-olds in 2008. 46 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds overdraw at least once per year. $26 was the average overdraft fee in 2008.
Sources: Center for Responsible Lending; Moebs Services

local bank in Greensboro, N.C., and sat her down with the manager. Her parents had closed down her accounts. They basically sent me to a bank and had me sit down with them, Wall said. What was supposed to be a 30-minute conversation ended up being a three-hour meeting about money management. She has not overdrawn from her account since. Now she has three accounts: one for spending on fun things, another for paying rent and bills, and a savings account. To keep track of her finances, she uses a check registry and a phone application that allows her to record payments and keep track of her balances at all times. Today, Walls skills are ahead of the curve. Moebs said that seven out of eight people who have checking accounts do not balance them. He said recent technology such as online statements were helping people, but most were unaware of how much money they had in their accounts. Most students live on tight budgets, often with small, paycheck-to-paycheck accounts like Reids. DeYoung said whatever happens with overdraft regulations, the best advice he could give for students is simple. Keep track of your money, DeYoung said. If you dont, you can expect to get screwed, no matter what the laws are. Edited by Liz Schubauer

Howard Ting/KANSAN

Bryant Hadley, Wichita sophomore, overdrew five times within two days earlier this year, at a cost of nearly $180 in fees. Two McDonalds double cheeseburgers ended up costing him about $40.

thursday, december 10, 2009

news

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ASSOCIATED PRESS University of Wisconsin-Madison students launch snowballs during a fight on Bascom Hill on Wednesday. Madison received 15-18 inches of snow, which canceled classes. The severe weather has also caused 16 deaths, most in car accidents.

Ice wreaks havoc across the Midwest

Big power outtages, flight cancelations and 16 deaths so far
The storm was blamed for at least 16 deaths, most in traffic accidents. Hundreds of schools canceled classes, power was knocked out to thousands of people from Missouri to New ASSOCIATED PRESS York and hundreds of flights were canceled. In the Twin Cities, where about DES MOINES, Iowa A 6 inches of snow fell and the wind gigantic storm dumped more than a foot of snow across much of the chill dipped to minus 9 degrees, Midwest and New England as Kent Barnard eased a massive it marched eastward Wednesday, orange snowplow into traffic in creating blizzard conditions, the suburb of Arden Hills on Wednesday morning. He dropped burying cars the right wing of the under huge drifts plow down onto the You gotta watch it and providing ammunition for because some people shoulder, making a grinding sound as a massive campus try to sneak up the wing sent out a snowball fight in around you. spray of snow. Wisconsin. You gotta watch it Even more KENT BArNArd because some people snow fell in some snowplow driver try to sneak up areas, with 16 around you, Barnard inches reported said. Theyll see that in Des Moines and nearly 19 inches just south big orange flashing truck coming of Madison, Wis. Gusts of up and go, I dont want to get caught to 50 mph created snow drifts behind that thing. The storm felt like a rude between 8 and 15 feet tall and even knocked down a two-story surprise after an unseasonably Christmas tree in downtown warm and dry November in parts of the region. The massive system Champaign, Ill. is the first major blast of wintry weather for many parts of the Midwest. Ive been dreading this day, said Kim Brust, shoveling the sidewalk in front of his Minneapolis home before sunrise Wednesday. I was starting to enjoy the global warming. While an inconvenience for many, others took an opportunity to play. At least 3,000 University of Wisconsin-Madison students took advantage of an unplanned day off and hurled snowballs at each other in a massive melee. Classes had been canceled for the first time in 19 years due to more than a foot of snow and blizzardlike conditions. Some came holding trays as shields. Others were bundled up to protect themselves from the below-freezing temperatures and winds that gusted to more than 20 mph. Several went shirtless, though, while at least one had on pajamas. I figured with the day off, there was no better way to spend it than with a snowball fight, said Matt Moerel, 19, of Vadnais heavy rain and flooding to parts Heights, Minn. Many New England residents of the South. In the West, pounded by the braced for bone-chilling winds after digging out from a foot or storms rain and snow earlier this more of snow. But Gavin Graham, week, wind chills as low as minus 8, of Concord, N.H., spent two 40 degrees swept across portions of southern Montana. The hours sledding. It was really good sledding. biting wind also moved across Wyoming and South The snow was Dakota, according to puffy, and that I figured with the the National Weather was really good day off, there was no Service. because we had better way to spend it Winds were little jumps already made, than with a snowball expected to diminish Wednesday evening he said. It was fight. across the Midwest awesome having and blizzard warnings the day off from MATT MOErEL school. Minnesota resident were nearly over. But dangerously cold Up to 7 inches conditions were to of snow fell in northeast Pennsylvania and 50 follow with temperatures falling mph winds were recorded near to near or below zero overnight. In northern New York, up to a Pittsburgh. High winds knocked down part of an abandoned foot fell on Wednesday and more four-story brick building in New than 3 feet was expected by the weeks end. Areas in Maine and Castle. By the time the storm moves off New Hampshire received up to a the Maine coast Thursday night, foot of snow, and warnings about it may have affected as much as winds of 40 mph to 50 mph were two-thirds of the country, said issued for coastal areas of Maine Jim Lee, a meteorologist with the for Wednesday night, said Dan St. National Weather Service in Des Jean, a National Weather Service Moines. The storm also brought Forecaster in Maine.

Tuesdays special election for new leadership in the stouffer Neighborhood Association, which is a community of residents in the stouffer Place Apartments, is being protested by former president seyool Oh as not being legitimate. More than 70 people voted in the election, which elected a new president and vice president. Oh, Jin Hae, south Korea, graduate student, said he filed an appeal after the executive committee of stouffer Place voted in October to dissolve its leadership group and hold special elections. In his appeal, Oh said the decision to dissolve the executive committee was against sNAs constitution. He said he thought that the housing department and the office of the vice provost for student success was interfering in what he called an autonomous organization. Marlesa roney, vice provost for student success, upheld the appeal, but she said it was for a procedural error. The leaders of sNA held another vote to dissolve the executive committee, which led to Tuesdays vote. It is a democracy, where the majority rules, roney said. And so there was a decision made that he disagreed with. during the time, Oh said sNA was removed from the student Involvement and Leadership Centers group list and its Web site shut down, leading him to believe sNA as a whole was in the process of being dissolved. roney said sNA has not been and will not be dissolved. We have an individual who, twice now, has and I say this as respectfully as I can twice he has refused to respect the decision of his peers, roney said. There are very talented new officers for sNA, and were excited about the future.
Jesse Rangel

Student files appeal after Stouffer Place election

POlITICS

COLUMBIA, s.C. south Carolina lawmakers have defeated a move to oust Gov. Mark sanford over his summertime tryst and his use of state aircraft. A panel considering whether to impeach the two-term republican voted 6-1 Wednesday that his actions were not serious misconduct. Lawmakers are still considering whether to recommend an official reprimand. Lawmakers said sanfords actions did not rise to a high enough level to warrant his removal from office before the end of his second and final term in January 2011. sanford has been under scrutiny since June, when he tearfully revealed an affair. Ensuing probes of his travel and campaign spending have led to more than three dozen state ethics charges and the potential for $74,000 in fines.
Associated Press

Panel votes no to removing Gov. Sanford from office

nATIOnAl

Vote delayed for Los Angeles pot ordinance

ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles City Council delayed a vote Wednesday on a medical marijuana ordinance that could close hundreds of pot dispensaries across the city. The council asked planning officials to return next week with zoning maps that show how many pot dispensaries could close if the city bans the shops within 500 feet of homes, schools and public gathering sites. The council is wrestling with setting that distance at 500 feet or 1,000 feet. Some members feel a 1,000-foot limit would banish pot clinics to industrial areas. Council members indicated a vote could come in January on the law providing guidelines for pot dispensaries in the nations second-largest city. The city has fumbled previous attempts to adopt a pot law in the past two years. Lets just make a real informed hardship exemption that allowed them to open while awaiting city decision, Councilman Ed Reyes approval. said. The proposed ordinance would City officials estimate as many allow cash reimbursement at the as 1,000 dispenclinics. saries operate Lets just make a real Los Angeles in Los Angeles. County District Only four were informed decision. Attorney Steve open in 2005, Ed rEyEs Cooley has said he when city offiLos Angeles will go after pot discials first began city councilman pensaries involved discussing a local in over-the-counter medical marisales. juana law. Cooley interprets the state Among the proposed provimedical marijuana law as allowsions is capping the number of ing only possession, use and cultidispensaries at 70 a move that vation of marijuana, but sales. would shutter many shops that A Superior Court judge took a dont comply with the new law. similar stance last week, signalAn estimated 137 dispensaries ing he would bar a dispensary that registered before a moratofrom selling the drug because he rium was enacted in 2007 also believes it violates state law. would be allowed to remain open Fourteen states, includif they meet other requirements ing California, permit medical in the new law. ASSOCIATED PRESS marijuana, but pot remains illegal Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley announced Nov. 17 that his office will prosecute dispensaries that sell medical marijuana The 2007 moratorium was under federal law. never enforced, with many pot even if the Los Angeles City Council adopts an ordinance that does not ban such sales. The city is considering an ordinance that would prohibit dispensaclinics taking advantage of a ries within 500 or 1,000 feet of homes, schools and public gathering sites. The vote was delayed until planning officials could provide more information.

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horosCopes
10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 Get started early on any project that you want done by days end. Expect interference in the form of demands from distant sources. TAurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8 You have a long list of tasks facing you. Take five minutes to discuss the plans. Then, focus on your part, and all goes well. GeMini (May 21-June 21) Today is an 8 You couldnt have asked for a better day to accomplish your favorite goal. Others get turned on to your ideas.

Thursday, december 10, 2009

LiTTLe sCoTTie

CAnCer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 7 Everyone has an opinion, and you hear about them all. Just because you listen doesnt mean you need to take action. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 New projects begun today hold promise for income in the future. Bring the ideas of others together into one master plan.
Todd Pickerell and Scott A. Winer

AnTiMATTer

VirGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Today is an 8 You love what you do, so focus on that today. Let others pursue their own ideas. You can catch up with them later. LibrA (sept. 23-oct. 22) Today is a 5 Everything works out well today if you begin on practical footing and state your needs clearly. Then, monitor feedback.

Sam El-hamoudeh

TeChniCoLor eyes

sCorpio (oct. 23--nov. 21) Today is a 6 An older person makes demands. Listen and learn. You dont have to do everything right now. But you should take steps to satisfy yourself and others. sAGiTTArius (nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is an 8 You get a lot more done today than you thought possible, if everyone works together. Prioritize, but also do the small stuff. CApriCorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 If you apply yourself to the task at hand, youll get a lot done in a short time. Plenty of time for play this afternoon. AquArius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 Challenge yourself to say only what must be said today. Others hear criticism where none is intended. Shift gears late in the day. pisCes (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 Theres no lack of energy now. Whats missing is careful communication. Balance the truth with compassion.

Charlie Hoogner

Alex Meyer

Presidential preparations for Christmas underway

BY NANCY BENAC
Associated Press WASHINGTON Christmas at the White House isnt for sissies. Take quantities that might work in a private home guests, cookies, parties, cards, whatever and add some extra zeros to get a feel for a White House-sized holiday season. As in 50,000 guests, 28 parties and open houses, a couple hundred thousand holiday cards and untold quantities of cookies, cakes, brownies, truffles and the like to feed the Obamas holiday throng. They eat like crazy, says former White House executive chef Walter Scheib, who cooked for the masses under presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Christmas at the White House is the single most mentally and physically challenging thing that you can do. Scheib said the staff used to joke during the holidays about White House flextime when you can work any 100 hours you want this week. As far back as October, pastry chef Bill Yosses team was plotting strategy and going over drawings for this years gingerbread house a 390-pound behemoth whose construction required the use of a band saw. Before Halloween, Yosses already was joking about doing mental push-ups to prepare for the coming holiday season. Yosses shop stockpiles mounds of cookie dough in the freezer to keep up with day-to-day demand for holiday sweets. His rule of thumb for receptions: four bite-size dessert items per guest.

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to contribute to free for All, visit kansan.com or call (785) 864-0500.
n n n Im going to spend the first five minutes of my day laughing at all of the people who actually expected the weather forecast to be accurate. n n n

United States First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Good luck with finals

PaGe 7a

Thursday, december 10, 2009

www.kansan.com
locAl

A Jayhawks Christmas List Lucky living in Lawrence T

Dear Santa, Here in Lawrence we all have a few simple requests were hoping you could make come true this holiday season. (Yes, n The Kansan still believes in Santa, and in Jayhawks!) We all promise weve been extra good this semester.

editoriAl boArd

kAnsAns opinion

Most people wake up and pee, shower, make coffee. I wake up and check FFA. n n n

There should be a myth that you wont graduate from KU if you read the FFA aloud. n n n

So Im thinking we should find a fire hose and make a giant skating rink. n n n

This might look like a repeat from last year, but we think it went so well its time to do it again. Its an annual Christmas wish for the Jayhawks, but this team has as good a chance as any in a long time including a certain bunch in 2008 that actually pulled the feat off. Returning their top nine leading scorers the Jayhawks were a

1. A nAtionAl bAsketbAll chAmpionship

near-unanimous No. 1 selection preseason. Throw in one of Coach Bill Self s top recruiting classes at Kansas and the Jayhawks have a strong n n chance to certify themselves as the unofficial team of the decade with another title this year. In fact, we might not even need Santas help.

This is something that will make everyone happy. As much as we love it here, four years of tuition, classes and tests is enough.

4. grAduAtion in four yeArs for everyone (even five-yeAr mAjors)

Dont complain. This is Kansas. Its completely doable.

2. A week of wArm weAther followed by A snow dAy

At this point Santas magic is the only thing that is going to make this happen on campus. Good luck dealing with our parking department.

3. more pArking spAces

The last thing on our list is the thing we need the most. If nothing else we could really use a new coach. I dont know if youve heard since youre so far north, but weve had some problems with athletics this semester. Dont let the brawls and controversial investigations sway you. The Jayhawks still deserve a coach who doesnt poke around. Sincerely, The Kansan

5. A new footbAll coAch

Interpol, you guys used to look hot, but then you got old and ugly. n n n

editoriAl cArtoon

My little brother is posting in FFA at the same time I am. Were a family of procrastinators. n n n

My boyfriend is cute when he makes his o face. n n n

The only time I get more than two hours of sleep is when I black out. Game on. n n n

he leafless trees lining Massachusetts Street are now strung with Christmas lights, and the cold of the season is finally turning into the snow so many people waited for. Despite this bitterly cold yet beautiful time of year, most of what I hear from my fellow final-taking students is that they cant wait to get out of Lawrence for a while. At what point do students living in Lawrence switch to the mindset that it would be nice to get out of Lawrence for a change? I entirely understand the sentiment that it is nice to escape the everyday occurrences and drama that we all get sucked into. Everybody needs change, as well as a mental break from school, roommates and work. When I hear students excited to get out of Lawrence for a while, I search in myself for that time when I never wanted to leave Lawrence, or couldnt wait to come back. I consider myself privileged to see Lawrence in a different light than a lifelong resident might see it. Our bar scene is incredibly diverse and there is a great variety of things to do for such a small town. Not to mention our parents arent watching us walk into the house every night. My freshman year I was in heaven, but now that I am a couple of years older, Ive moved to the other side of the spectrum. I cant wait to go home for a while. Why is this? I point to the relationships we all develop during our college years. The strongest relationships between friends, significant others and even enemies are developed during these four to five years of drinking,

THE L

NICOLAS ROESLER
studying at coffee houses and long walks home. Inevitably we connect these relationships with the places we go. Ex-boyfriends and girlfriends may avoid certain bars because of the memories they bring back or the emotions that might explode if they run into one another. There are also just personal preferences that define where different groups of people go to have a good time. Most students after their first two years avoid The Hawk, unless they are members of a fraternity or sorority or in need of some attention. Different musical preferences may limit the nightlife options for people who might not want to go see a ska-punk band at the Replay Lounge. No matter the personal preferences or the emotional connections we make at various locations around town, its extremely important to remember how lucky we are to be students in such a great town. And although most students cant wait to be done with finals and go home for the holidays, I bet that a week into their stay at home, theyll want nothing more than to get back to Lawrence as quickly as possible. Roesler is a Denver junior in journalism.

How did Iowa State University get a snow day? n n n

War on Christmas
Ben Cohen and Lauren Bornstein discuss how their Jewish faith plays into this Christian holiday. Ben Cohen: Every year, astute neoconservative talking heads warn the general public about a secular War on Christmas. Lauren Bornstein: A War on Christmas? Sounds like something those crazy, minority-loving liberals would ignite. BC: Well, Ive got news for you: The War on Christmas is real. LB: As real as the faux Ugg boots half the women on campus wear. BC: Weve been waging it for years. Know why you hear people say Happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas sometimes? LB: Crazy liberals, right? Political correctness? But really, why? BC: Nothing to do with the fact that Hanukkah, New Years Day and sometimes Ramadan are all around the same time. Its because were trying to stop you from celebrating Christmas. LB: Yeah, were sick of all the Hallmark Christmas commercials starting at the end of October. So, weve decided enough is enough. A war must be declared. No longer shall we bear with another month-long run of every Christmas movie. BC: All the awful music on the radio, and crappy specials on

humor

Does the idiot I just saw wearing shorts realize that getting frostbite is the exact opposite of cool? n n n

Does anybody else ever get the feeling like they are being watched when they are on the computer at Anschutz? n n n
MARIAM SAIFAM

My hat may look really stupid, but at least my head is warm. n n n

I dont know if I want to break down and cry or start throwing heavy things at the people talking in the computer lab. n n n Im going to make an executive decision on this right now: Marlboro Lights taste like soggy poop. Fact. n n n One time she punched me in the face. That was awesome. n n n I cannot even get a boyfriend. Life sucks. n n n I was going to go to Chipotle, and then I discovered my car was frozen like a news room. n n n Please tell me someone else saw the KU commercial in the low demon voice. n n n Did you get the clap again? n n n

Re: Arrest Santa Claus T

O: Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Dear Mr. Attorney General and Madam Secretary, I have decided to address my Christmas wishes to the long, law-enforcing arms of the executive branch this year, rather than that red-suited, whitebearded, jackbooted thug Santa. Ive wasted too many stamps, years and dreams on that phony. I hope you guys can get things done. Santa hardly ever gave me what I asked for. I know he had a lot of requests to keep track of, but how do you mix up an order for a modified person-size version of the game Mousetrap with a four-gallon tin of popcorn? Not even the same genre. Im starting to wonder if he even read my letters. Well, all that hardly matters at this point. Those days of heady Christmas toy lust are over. Im tired of the lies, the broken promises. What I want this year is to see a yuletide helping of smack down dropped on Santas whole operation. This is a difficult letter for me to write, understand. Ive been a Santa apologist my entire life. I defended and believed in him for so many years. At a time when my peers and

humor

400 WORDS TO FREEDOM

BEN UNGLESBEE
I were old enough to understand the words fantasist and delusional, I was mocked and made fun of. When I told a friend once that I thought it would be pretty cool to be an elf, he gave me an application to the North Pole. The application turned out to be a forgery, I later found out. College kids can be sadistic with their pranks. But today my eyes are open. I see Santa for what he is: the most defiant international criminal the globe has ever seen. To begin with, in an era of cooperative action against global warming, this fat cat has a toy factory placed right on top of a polar ice cap. Those peppermint smoke stacks are like two giant middle fingers mocking all efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect the ozone. Inside that factory, thousands of members of an ethnic minority toil all year round and are paid only toys, eggnog and cookies. Maybe you think thats a sweet deal I did at a more innocent time in my life.

But put this in your pipes and smoke it: Elves are more than 70 percent more likely than any other population to develop adult-onset diabetes. And do you think Santa has them set up with a comprehensive HMO? Doubtful. Furthermore, I find it a little unsettling that a foreign supranational entity is using illegal surveillance to blacklist millions of American children, and breaking into the homes of the good ones. This holiday season, why dont we give American children their Fourth Amendment rights back? The list of crimes goes on: illegal aerial border crossing, trademark infringement, animal cruelty, operation of a sweat shop. The pattern of presidential tolerance of Santas criminal antics has to end with this administration. All I want for Christmas this year is to see Santa behind bars. And if you could arrange it, I could also use a pardon or two for myself and some friends. Happy holidays, Ben Unglesbee Unglesbee is an Overland Park senior in economics and creative writing.

TV? Those are a ruse to keep you complacent. LB: So while youre sitting in your lazy chairs listening to Celine Dions rendition of The Christmas Song for the umpteenth time, well be raiding your radio stations and TV networks, armed with latkes and dreidels. Its time to whip out our menorahs. BC: Bill OReilly tried to warn you, but you didnt listen. Now we will further our plans, already started by saturating the mainstream with things that are associated with Christmas. In a few more years, we fully expect it to be officially renamed X-Mas, just like on Futurama. LB: People already think the Jews control the entertainment business. Now were on our final stage of taking over your Christmas, and theres nothing you can do to stop us. BC: So whenever you drink a can of Coca-Cola with an obese, red-clad home invader on it, or dare to acknowledge that Christmas is not the only holiday in December, just remember, its all our doing, its completely malevolent, and you cant stop it. BC and LB: Happy holidays! Cohen is a Topeka senior in political science. Bornstein is a Lawrence senior in womens studies and sociology.

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thursday, december 10, 2009

Campaign gets personal

Houston mayoral candidates sexuality takes center stage in race
BY MONICA RHOR
Associated Press HOUSTON Annise Parkers mayoral campaign Web site bio reads like a catalog of campaign catch phrases: She has been Houstons city controller and a member of city council. Shes for job creation, against irresponsible spending and is tough on crime. Until the last line: Annise Parker and her life partner, Kathy Hubbard, have been together since 1990. They have two children. Parker, 53, has never made a secret or an issue of being a lesbian. Not during her bid to be Houstons next mayor nor in previous campaigns. But others have. If Parker wins the Dec. 12 runoff election, Houston would become whats believed to be the largest U.S. city ever to have an openly gay mayor and that has catapulted Parkers sexual orientation into the center of the race. ASSOCIATED PRESS Anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups have Houston mayoral candidate Annise Parker will become the citys first openly gay endorsed her opponent, former mayor if she defeats her opponent, Gene Locke. Parker, currently Houstons city controller, city attorney Gene Locke, and has never hid her sexuality, but it has become an issue in the current race. Some of Lockes sent out mailers condemning supporters have condemned Parkers homosexual behavior, while national gay-rights groups have been pouring money into Parkers campaign. Parkers homosexual behavior. Meanwhile, gay and lesbian political organizations nation- of Lockes campaign, and James Richard Murray, a University of wide have endorsed Parker, Dannenbaum, a member of the Houston political scientist. You dont have many cases raised money for her and plan campaigns finance committee, where you have an older, straight each gave $20,000. to run phone banks rallying her Gene is disappointed and black male supported by consupporters. wishes that Ned Holmes had not servatives matched up against a The controversy has put Locke in a precarious political position. made that contribution. Gene has younger, white female who hapWith the election expected to be been very clear with his support- pens to be gay, and is backed tight, the 61-year-old has been ers to not participate in divi- by non-establishment sources, trying to distance himself from sive campaigning, Kim Devlin, Murray said. Normally, you anti-gay attacks while courting a senior Locke adviser said in see progressive whites allied conservative voters who could a statement Tuesday. Gene with African-Americans. This is Locke has fought exposing the same fault line we tip the race in his against bigotry saw nationally in Prop 8. favor. If Locke You dont have many Parker and Locke, both his entire life and wins, he would cases where you have knows that there Democrats in the nonpartisan be Houstons secis no place for it race, made it to the runoff after an older, straight black ond black mayor. in this campaign garnering more votes than two Two of Lockes male supported by and this city. other candidates on Nov. 3. key supportconservatives matched Parkers camThey are vying to replace Bill ers contributed paign said she White, who is term-limited after up against a younger, money to a condid not want serving six years and is seeking servative politiwhite female ... to be inter- the Democratic nomination for cal action comviewed by The governor. RichARd MuRRAy mittee that sent There are several other openPolitical scientist Associated Press out an anti-gay on the issue. ly gay mayors, including in mailer earlier this The dynam- Portland, Ore., Providence, R.I. month urging ics of the mayoral runoff echo and Cambridge, Mass. voters not to pick Parker because But Houston, which is largely she was endorsed by the gay Californias Proposition 8 vote in 2008, where black voters formed Democratic, is the nations fourth and lesbian political caucus. Campaign finance reports show an unusual alliance with conser- largest city. It has about 60,000 Ned Holmes, finance chairman vatives to approve a measure that residents who identify as gay or banned same-sex marriage, said lesbian.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alexis Massey, 3, of Panama City Beach, Fla., talks to Santa at the Panama City Mall on Wednesday. In a study of letters to Santa, psychologist Carole Slotterback found that kids, contrary to the stereotype, were asking for more than just toys.

Study of letters to Santa finds kids wishes go beyond toys

BY KATHY MATHESON
Associated Press SCRANTON, Pa. A microscope. A new puppy. A mother. And absolutely, positively NO CLOTHES. From the humorous to the heartwrenching, childrens wish lists to Santa reveal that children arent as toy-centric as parents think and that theyre not as polite as perhaps they should be. Carole Slotterback, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton, analyzed nearly 1,200 letters sent between 1998 and 2003 to the central post office in Scranton, a struggling former coal city in northeastern Pennsylvania. The missives were scrawled or painstakingly handwritten on every type of paper and in every shade of ink. Many were decorated with drawings, stickers or glitter; some children gave Santa not only their addresses but their phone numbers, parents cell phone numbers and their school pictures just to make sure the Big Guy knew how to find them on Christmas. Slotterback, who describes her findings in the book The Psychology of Santa, said the letters touched me in so many during tough economic times, said different ways. spokeswoman Sue Brennan. Some are just absolutely a stitch, None of them make it to the and others are some of the saddest North Pole. But some do get things Ive ever read, she said. responses through Operation One kid asked to be an elf. Santa; about 500,000 letters in New Another made a list that includ- York City alone were answered last ed Pokemon cards, a camera and year by individuals, companies and a microscope. But about every postal employees, Brennan said. third item, the child wrote: NO Some are funny one asked clothes. Santa to check the appropriate box: And then there was the one writ- Real or not real? but many more ten in careful cursive on bright are not, she said. pink paper, in Ive never gone 5 which Santa was or 10 minutes withSome are just asked for perhaps out getting teary, said the greatest gift of Brennan. Its very absolutely a stitch, all: a mom. emotional. and others are some Not just for Children who sent of the saddest things letters instead of lists me but my daddy, brother and granwere generally more Ive ever read. ny ... my daddy polite and chatty, works so hard and for instance asking cARole SlotteRbAck then he comes Scranton university about Mrs. Claus, psychology professor Slotterback said. home to cook and clean and it Except for the should be easier, death threat. One the letter read. child wrote: Dear Santa, I am The child drew a 5-cent stamp going to kill you and steal the toys on the envelope before dropping it from your workshop. Slotterback in the mailbox. reported it to the postmaster, who The U.S. Postal Service receives agreed to contact people at the hundreds of thousands of letters return address, which she believes to Santa each year, with increases was a juvenile facility.

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thursday, december 10, 2009

news

9A

KU Budget: What goes up must come down

BY JESSE RANGEL, LAUREN CUNNINGHAM AND MEGAN MORRISS
jrangel@kansan.com, lcunningham@kansan.com, mmorriss@kansan.com In the last 10 years, the Universitys budget has weathered state budget shortfalls, a period of steady growth and a recession. The $132.8 million dollars of support to the University from the state Legislature was cut in fiscal years 2003 and 2004, bottoming out at $129.4 million. A four-year period of increases followed, and the recession has cut the budget to 2006 levels. Kathy Damron, director of state relations for the University, said the state was making steady increases in higher education spending until the recession, which started last year. Its all about the economic downturn, Damron said. The world just changed as we know it last September. The governors $2 million budget cut to all Board of Regents institutions, announced Nov. 23, has yet to take effect. Regent Jill Docking said before the announcement that if spending on higher education dropped below 2006 levels, the state would lose funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, often referred to as the stimulus package. One area that hasnt seen decreases is tuition, outside of the Universitys tuition compact started in 2007 for incoming freshmen. Mallory Saunders, Olathe senior, has been a student at the University for six years and experienced the increase firsthand, seeing tuition increase about $1,300 for a 12-hour semesters worth of classes since 2004. Though she lives with her parents, Saunders said that last semester felt especially financially tight. She has had financial aid every semester at the University. I wasnt working because I knew Id have a heavy load, Saunders said. I used financial aid for living expenses I had car payments to make. If I was living on my own, Id be screwed. Edited by Tim Burgess

campus

enrollmenT, lawrence campus

supporT To Ku From sTaTe General Fund

TuiTion and required Fees, Fall semesTer

Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN FILE PHOTO

Fall 2000: 25,920 Fall 2009: 26,826

Fiscal Year 2001 (Fall 2000): $132.8 million Fiscal Year 2010 (Fall 2009): $136.8 million*
*before latest adjustments

Fall 2000: $1,362.50 Fall 2009: $3,706.85

Murder suspect allowing police to fence off his house

ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEVELAND A registered sex offender charged with killing 11 women and hiding their remains in and around his home agreed Wednesday to let police fence off the house with barbed wire to preserve evidence. Anthony Sowell, who pleaded not guilty last week by reason of insanity, appeared in handcuffs and dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit at the pretrial hearing. He responded with few words to the judges questions, waiving his right to a speedy trial to accommodate his new defense team. The waiver pushes back any trial until mid-2010. Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor Richard Bombik said the state hasnt ruled out asking the court to allow the trial jury to visit the Cleveland house. Health considerations would be a factor in any decision about a jury walkthrough, he said. He did not elaborate. During the hearing, both sides agreed to let the city halt the 24-hour police guard outside the home and fence it off. Bombik said the security arrangements would allow the defense to make its own check of the house. Police have said they have completed their search of the premises. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Timothy McGinty approved defense requests to provide money to hire a private investigator and mental-health consultant. But the judge stopped short of issuing a defense-requested gag order that would have barred attorneys and police in the case from publicly commenting. Authorities say Sowell, 50, lured women to his home and attacked them. The remains of 10 women and a skull were found in the residence or buried in the yard. Sowell faces 85 counts including murder, rape, assault and corpse abuse in the slayings and in the attacks on three women who survived. He could get the death penalty if convicted of any of the killings. Also Wednesday, Mayor Frank Jackson appointed a commission to review police policies for handling sexual assault and missing-person reports, but it will not look into the Sowell case. Some relatives of vicASSOcIATEd PRESS tims complained about police han- Anthony Sowell, right, appears in court with his attorney John Parker Wednesday, in Cleveland. Sowell, charged with killing 11 women and hiddling of missing-person reports. ing their remains in and around his home, agreed to let police fence off the house with barbed wire to preserve evidence. Last week Sowell pleaded Police say some victims were never not guilty by reason of insanity. reported missing.

crime

Chicago man pleads not guilty to 12 counts in Mumbai bombing case

ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO A Chicago man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he conspired in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai that left 166 people dead. At an arraignment that lasted about three minutes, 49-year-old David Coleman Headley pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts against him, including charges that he also planned a terrorist attack on a Danish newspaper. He could get the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charge. Headley told U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber that he understood the charges and was waiving any indictment in the case. He was charged Monday in a legal document called a criminal information, which typically signals a plea deal. After entering his plea, Headley was led away by a phalanx of marshals. Headley is accused of making five trips to Mumbai and conducting surveillance on the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, a landmark called Nariman House and a large train station, all of which were struck by terrorists. Prosecutors say he answered to the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, whose operations are mainly focused on the longrunning friction between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Authorities in Washington say Headley is cooperating with the government. But his attorneys, John Theis and Robert Seeder, told reporters after the hearing that they would not comment on a possible defense strategy. We will not be adding anything to what the government has said, Theis said. He said the defense would review the evidence but would not comment on the substance of the case. It is the second time in recent years that Theis is representing a witness who is cooperating with the government in a high-profile case. Seeder told reporters he was added to Headleys defense team because federal law calls for a second attorney in cases that could result in capital punishment. Leinenweber gave prosecutors until Jan. 8 to turn over key evidence to the defense attorneys. He set a status hearing for Jan. 12. Headley was arrested by FBI agents at OHare International Airport on Oct. 3 as he was about to board a plane for Philadelphia. The government says he was believed to be headed to Pakistan afterward to confer with collaborators. Two other men have been charged in the case. Chicago businessman Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, a Pakistani-born Canadian national, is charged with providing material support to terrorists in the planned attack on the Danish newspaper. The paper, Jyllands-Posten, published a dozen cartoons in 2005 that depicted the Prophet Muhammad and set off protests in the Muslim world. A retired major in the Pakistani military, Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, is charged separately with coordinating surveillance on the Danish newspaper. His whereabouts are uncertain.

Terrorism

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10A
LAwrence

NEWS
TrAdiTion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

City offers Love, basketball intertwine for lifelong fan safety tips to students for holiday
BY RAY SEGEBRECHT
rsegebrecht@kansan.com

BY BETH BEAVERS

bbeavers@kansan.com

Many students will be leaving Lawrence and heading home for the holidays. The City of Lawrence had some tips for staying safe and keeping apartments and homes secure during winter break. 1. Emily Tuel, Bayard, Iowa senior, said she planned not to turn her heat off, but just turn it down when leaving for an extended amount of time. Turning the heat off could lead to pipes freezing and bursting. 2. Leave a faucet dripping or barely running to help avoid pipes from freezing. 3. Leave cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the water pipes. 4. The Kansas Department of Transportation said to check road and weather conditions before leaving. In Kansas, call 511, or 1-866511-5368 from anywhere in the United States. Or, visit a Web site such as www.safetravelusa.com. 5. When driving in poor weather, leave early and take it slow. 6. The City of Lawrence ordinance 8324 says the owner or occupant of a property is responsible for the removal of snow or ice that accumulates on public sidewalks adjacent to their home. The owner has 48 hours to remove the ice once it is formed, or once the snowfall ends. If ice cannot be removed, the owner has 48 hours to place salt or sand over it. If a complaint is filed, the property owner will be fined $20 a day, plus court costs if found guilty. The ordinance is to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Edited by Jonathan Hermes

Margaret Shirk, 92, has been a lifelong fan of KU mens basketball. As a child, she knew James Naismith personally. She attended the University in the 30s, before Allen Fieldhouse was built, and went to games in Hoch Auditoria, now Budig Hall. But some of her favorite memories are the 43 seasons when Shirk and her husband, David Shirk, drove from their north Lawrence farmhouse to Allen Fieldhouse to attend games. Shirk said the couple had missed only one game since 1966 and that was for a trip to Hawaii. And going was just the beginning, Shirk said, smiling as she recalled the fondness the couple shared for finding friends, talking stats during warm-ups, and inviting coaches and team parents home for coffee and cake afterward. But this year, after Margaret Shirk had bought tickets and planned for a 44th season of games with her husband, David Shirk passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 2, the day before the first exhibition game. Shirk attended the game anyway and said going to that game and others this season had helped to keep her going. Every game, she takes a friend, a neighbor or her son-in-law and finds comfort in the familiar faces that she and David have come to know throughout the years. I miss him, Shirk said. But I have two tickets, so I take somebody every game. David would have wanted me to go, and I would have wanted him to go if something happened to me. You know pretty well what each other would do after 69 years. Eileen Larson, a neighbor, said she was one of the first to be granted the privilege of going to a game with Shirk this season. Larson said she especially enjoyed meeting Shirks friends at

Weston White/KANSAN

Longtime fan Margaret Shirk, 92, cheers for the Jayhawks at the game against Radford Wednesday. Shirk still attends, despite the recent death of her husband and fellow fan David. the game and hearing all of Shirks KU basketball knowledge. Margaret was very on top of the game and the players, Larson said. And she stays for the whole thing. No cutting out before its over to avoid the crowds. I hope I get to go with her again. She would sit behind him with pen and notepad in hand, she said, and take meticulous notes at every game. He liked it because if he had a student doing it, they could say the student made a mistake, Shirk said, But they couldnt argue with me, she added with a laugh. Shirk said she and her husband held season KU basketball tickets the whole time they lived in Topeka and even before, when they lived in Abilene together in the 40s. They would make the half-day drive starting early in the afternoon. They often wouldnt make it back until three or four in

the morning. That was our life, basketball and football, Shirk said. He was a good coach, too. He was good with kids, and they all liked him. Shirk said the games have changed significantly since she was a student in the class of 39. She first attended games in the 30s, even before she met her husband. Back then, Allen Fieldhouse wasnt yet built, so home games were played in Hoch Auditoria now Budig Hall. Shirk said she learned to appreciate KU sports even before college because her family, native to Lawrence, would always befriend the players and coaches. They were friends with the inventor of the game, James Naismith. Shirk, who moved with her husband back into her parents house in 1966, said she most remembers Naismith from her aunts wedding ceremony, which was held there when she was a child. Naismith performed the ceremony. Shirk, who was five, was the flower girl. After they married, Shirk said she and her husband continued to keep up the practice of getting to know the coaches. She has had every coach except Bill Self over to visit her home.

opportunity to take Shirk to the game against Bradford University Wednesday night. He said he looked forward to witnessing up close the warm reception she always receives from other fans. He said most of all, however, he looked forward to Shirks company. Margarets a very, very special person, Naramore said. Shes entirely ethical and shes nice and shes friendly and shes fun and getting to hang out with anyone like that is a treat. Edited by Brenna M. T. Daldorph

@Avila.edu

MBA

Shirk said she had enjoyed statistics since she took courses on the subject in the KU business school in the 30s. She came to be an expert at applying those skills to basketball statistics while watching her husband coach at Seaman High School in Topeka.

A Long TrAdiTion

The Shirks have also left lasting memories with other fans who attend games. Bo Gollier, of Lawrence, said he would never forget how the Shirks would always greet him warmly when he was a child in the 70s and 80s. Gollier, now 40, continues to buy tickets. One of his favorite people to say hi to at the games is still Margaret Shirk. I know exactly where she is, Gollier said. You can see all the people that go to at least say hi. She always greets everyone. John Naramore, husband of Eileen Lawson, said he had the

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Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

Smith brings versatility

Despite not being a starter, forward adds consistency. bASKETbALL | 6b

Players give final reactions

Past and current football team discuss Mangino's leave. FOOTbALL | 7b
PAGE 1B commentary

www.kAnSAn.CoM

raDForD 64, kansas 99

Young talent is surprise asset

abeecher@kansan.com

By AlEx BEEchEr

Weston White/KANSAN

Freshman guard Elijah Johnson takes off after picking up a lose ball at the top of the key Wednesday against Radford. Johnson had one steal and scored 11 points in his first start as a Jayhawk Wednesday night.

Freshmen take leading roles

cOrEy ThiBOdEAux
cthibodeaux@kansan.com Make that two starting freshmen. Elijah Johnson replaced Tyshawn Taylor in the starting lineup during the Kansas 9964 victory against Radford Wednesday. Coach just mentioned it to me yesterday, he said. I didnt think too much of it. I just saw it as an opportunity. Johnson finished with a career-high 11 points and made every sort of play you can make as a point guard. Johnson gave the Jayhawks a playmaking penetrator and a pesky defender. His first start was short-lived though, with Johnson having two fouls in the first four minutes. He came back in with just under six minutes to go in the first half and quickly made up for his absence with a three. Starting the game on the court is more comfortable, Johnson said, and it showed in his performance tonight. I feel more comfortable coming right onto the floor, he said. It felt more regular. I had a good feeling about it for the most part. Kansas Coach Bill Self said the change came because he hasnt been impressed with Taylors performance this season and both players worked well in their respective roles Wednesday. Self said he doesnt care who starts, but the change might not be permanent. I predict that Ty will get the job back, he said, but right now, theres no reason not to play Elijah. The demoted Taylor made some plays of his own with a couple dunks off of steals. He finished with six points and six assists with no turnovers. Cole Aldrich found his matchup against Art Parakhouski quite one sided. The 45s battled one-on-one inside all night with Aldrich winning most of the rebound battles and drawing a couple fouls. He finished one rebound shy of a double-double of the

is the season for the rampant celebration of overindulgent consumerism. That time of year when we gather together and play nice just long enough to share in the spirit that it is indeed awesome to get free stuff. But all free stuff is not created equal; some gifts are better than others. And its not always the ones you expect. In fact, its often the gifts you never even thought to ask for that stand out. Wednesday night, freshman guards Elijah Johnson and C.J. Henry were the surprise stocking or in this case, basket stuffers. Neither was expected to produce much, either qualitatively or quantitatively. But amidst typically solid performances from senior guard Sherron Collins and junior center Cole Aldrich, as well as doubledigit scoring efforts from freshman forward Thomas Robinson and freshman guard Xavier Henry, both C.J. and Johnson stood out. With Johnson, the surprise was unveiled quickly. Right off the bat, actually, as he was issued the first start of his career. Admittedly, Johnson was a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. Two quick fouls both solidified that sentiment and ushered Tyshawn Taylor back into the line-up. At that point, Johnsons start looked to be a squandered opportunity. It would have been easy for him to succumb to that fate, and force matters once he was put back in the game. Instead, Johnson

SEE reCap ON pAgE 4b

SEE Column ON pAgE 5b

Search for coach could set defining moment for program

By JAySON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com Kansas football program sits teetering on a balance between a downtrodden past and a promisingly-bright future. Athletics Director Lew Perkins is scouring the country for possible replacements for former coach Mark Mangino. Kansas interim coaches are pitching patience to recruits, attempting to buy whoever assumes the coaching duties more time. This is certainly an interesting crossroads for Kansas a program that has experienced bursts of success only to be followed by years filled with losing and disappointment. But since 2003 Manginos second year and Perkins first football has received a facelift, highlighted by upgraded facilities and a 3-1 record in bowl games in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Now many are wondering which path the program will follow: Another lapse in success or a continued climb upward? I think this hire is critical to bring in a really good coach and keep it going, former quarterback Kelly Donohoe said. And I wouldnt be surprised to see them hire someone that could take them to the next level where they are competing and winning Big 12 North titles because Mike Rivera said. I mean, he has obviously done a lot of great things for this program and for this school. This season was supposed to be the year Kansas football took another step forward. The preseason advertising campaign even proclaimed, History Awaits. Instead, a 5-7 finish ensued, theyve got the ground work to do recalling disappointing years that that. When Perkins arrived in 2003, fill Kansas past. And while Mangino resigned Kansas football facilities ranked near the bottom of the Big 12, with a mutually satisfactory lacking the flare that recruits often agreement after two weeks of turmoil, Rivera said that the coaching seek. But in the last few years, the change should prove beneficial in terms of on-field status. situation has drasI think in order to tically improved. I learned a couple bring the program to New practice the next level and fields and the things tonight. I in order to bring it to Anderson Family need to work on my the level of some of Football Complex defense. That's defithe other programs in featuring offices and a weight room nitely something that the Big 12 this was were built adjais a work in progress. a good move, Rivera said. cent to Memorial Of course, theres Stadium. Thomas robinson A new, larger Freshman forward always another viewpoint in any situation video board is involving a coaching scheduled to replace the current one before next change. Linebackers coach Bill Miller, season. Perhaps, then, with an increased who is also serving as an interim monetary investment comes coach, said that recent developments have left the program with increased expectations. I think its a huge hire and who plenty of holes that must be quickly better than Lew Perkins to make plugged. The Jayhawks lose many of their that decision? former linebacker

Football

Search

for the

coach

Weston White/KANSAN

Kansas Athletics Director Lew perkins watches as Kanas falls to Texas on November 20th, 2009. Perkins is searching for a new football coach. top players including quarterback Todd Reesing, wide receivers Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe and safety Darrell Stuckey from a team that already struggled last year. I think whoever they hire here is going to be critical for the success and to help start the repair work to the damage that has been done, Miller said. Theres a lot of work to be done now. Miller and Kansas assistants are still on the road recruiting until a new coach is announced, and returning players released a letter voicing their excitement for next season. At this point, though, all parties can certainly agree on a simple message: This is a program-defining moment in Kansas football. I think its a very, very sensitive time for the program right now, former offensive lineman Ryan Cantrell said. Any time you go from really, really low and you hit that peak and then you start working back down, you have to have some kind of standard of play. To really achieve that, its a really sensitive and delicate process. Edited by Alicia Banister

8B

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Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen shoots while covered by Xavier forward Jamel McLean Tuesday in Manhattan. Pullen scored 16 points to lead Kansas State to a 71-56 win over Xavier. The student crowd was the largest of the season, despite snowy conditions.

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two lackluster games. with lots of wrestling in the post, They just made our RPI better, jaw-rattling screens and players hitSamuels said. ting the floor nearly every trip. Xavier (5-3) was no match inside Every possession was a grind, MANHATTAN, Kan. With a monster winter storm swirling out- for Kansas State in a physical, start- nearly every shot contested. After eight minutes, Xavier led side, Kansas State was greeted by the and-stop game that featured 57 7-4. It didnt get a whole lot better largest student section of the season. fouls. The Musketeers had two scoring after that. Two hours later, after grinding out droughts of six minutes or more Struggling against Kansas States a win they desperately wanted, the Wildcats went on a victory lap, high- and shot 29 percent, including 5 pressure, Xavier managed just four of 17 from 3-point free throws over the final 7:15 of the fiving as many sturange. Brad Redford first half, shooting 6-for-21 to trail dents as they could I expected to see and Jordan Crawford by 10. Kansas States fans had better touch. had 16 points each aim at halftime, throwing about 200 10 people out there. The message: Thanks for makThere was a blizzard for Xavier, which was paper airplanes onto the court as outrebounded by 13 part of a promotion. ing a big win even outside I wouldnt and outscored by 10 The Musketeers were hurt by better. offensive rebounding, too, and were in the paint. have come to the Jacob Pullen It came down to outscored 11-0 on second-chance scored all but two game if I wasnt toughness and readi- points after Kansas State grabbed 11 of his 16 points in playing. ness, Xavier guard offensive boards. the second half and There are certain areas that we Dante Jackson said. Kansas State earned jAcob Pullen They were ready. have to bring every night, Xavier revenge two years Kansas State guard They punched us in coach Chris Mack said. I thought in the making, outthe mouth and just Kansas State really set the tone muscling Xavier for a 71-56 victory in front of a sur- kept punching us and punching us. against our team in the first half with their offensive rebounding effort. It prisingly rowdy crowd on a snowy We kind of took it. The last time these teams met, was the story line of the game. Tuesday night. Crawford broke Xaviers basI expected to see 10 people out New Years Eve 2007 in Cincinnati, there. There was a blizzard outside Xavier beat the Wildcats 103-77, still ket-less streak with consecutive I wouldnt have come to the game the worst loss in Kansas State coach hoops early in the second half. The Musketeers followed with another if I wasnt playing, Pullen said. For Frank Martins tenure. The circumstances surrounding it fruitless run, this one lasting nearly them to show that much support, its six minutes as Kansas a lot. They could have easily watched made the loss seem State pushed the lead it on TV like a lot of other people much worse. Star It came down to to 46-30. did, but instead they came out and freshman Michael The Wildcats still Beasley forgot his toughness and gave us that home-court advantage werent about to let shoes and had to that we needed tonight. readiness. They were up. Embarrassed the last time these borrow a pair. The ready. Senior Chris Musketeers told teams met, Kansas State (8-1) was Merriewether, one intent on getting retribution. The jokes at the freeDAnte jAcKSon of the players left Wildcats did with a defense that throw line while Xavier guard over from the loss in Kansas State tried hounded Xavier into a poor shootCincinnati, scrambled ing night and a dominating perfor- to mount a comefor a loose ball to keep back. The fans were mance inside. a possession alive, ruthless. Kansas State outrebounded the Kansas State has just four players then landed in a row of photograMusketeers 27-8 in the first half and scored 16 points off 14 offensive left from that game three who phers to save a ball from going out rebounds overall to overcome 17 played but they remember and of bounds. Pullen followed with a missed free throws and a 4-for-17 made sure the younger players knew; 3-pointer that made it 52-37. Once it was over, the entire team minutes after beating Washington night from 3-point range. State on Saturday, still in the locker went on a victory lap, snaking behind Jamar Samuels had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Curtis Kelly added room, the Wildcats were already the media table to celebrate with fans who braved the cold and blowing 15 points and nine rebounds for talking about Xavier. Not surprisingly, the game was snow to support their team. the Wildcats, who have put together consecutive impressive wins after tense and physical from the start, Associated Press

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Thursday, december 10, 2009

sports

9b

nba

Magic earn sixth straight victory

into the crowd. The Magic won nine straight road games spanning LOS ANGELES Dwight two seasons in 2007. Halfway Howard had 25 points and 11 through a four-game road trip, rebounds on his 24th birthday, Orlando will attempt to match Rashard Lewis added 17 points that record Thursday night in and the Orlando Magic held Utah. Chris Kaman scored 16 off the Los Angeles Clippers for their sixth straight victory, points and Al Thornton added 15 for the Clippers, who have 97-86 Tuesday night. Jason Williams scored beaten just two teams with win16 points while hitting four ning records this season. Orlando had its biggest 3-pointers for the Magic, who kept pace with Boston atop the offensive game of the season Eastern Conference with their last Saturday night at Golden State, while the Clippers had 11th win in 12 games. Thanks to a smooth fourth- their best defensive game of the quarter surge, the Magic also year against Indiana. The Magics success carried won their eighth straight road over more easgame, setting a ily, with Orlando new franchise The 97-86 victory opening this record for a single against the game with a season. Los Angeles Clippers remarkable twoEric Gordon scored 21 points is the Magics eighth man offensive and Baron Davis straight on the road. barrage from Howard and had 18 points and Lewis. 11 assists for the Howard made his first five Clippers, who had won five of seven before losing to the Magic shots, barreling past Kaman for more than one embarrassing for the sixth straight time. Vince Carter had just 13 dunk, while Lewis hit 3-pointpoints four in the final ers on three consecutive posminute for Orlando, which sessions midway through the broke open a tight game with a period, drawing appreciative 14-2 run that stretched into the oohs from Clippers fans. Neither star missed a shot fourth quarter. The defending Eastern until late in the first half, and Conference champions looked Williams also hit three 3-pointsolid in their return to the ers in the opening period to building where they lost the put Orlando up by 10. Yet the first two games of last summers Clippers kept it close with balanced scoring while forcing NBA finals to the Lakers. As usual, the Magic were turnovers. Los Angeles took its first led by Howard, who heard shouts of birthday well-wishes lead by scoring nine straight throughout the night at Staples points in the third quarter, but Anthony Johnson put the Center. He frequently played up to Magic in front to stay late in the crowd, exchanging small the period, and Mickael Pietrus talk and joking with officials made a desperate 3-pointer and several dozen fans waited with 1.2 seconds left as part of to scream his name after the the decisive run. game, when he threw his jersey Associated Press

BY GREG BEACHAM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard works around Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, left, for a basket during the first half Tuesday, in Los Angeles. The Magic earned their 6th straight victory.

Chiefs rank in Top 10 for kicking and returning

nfl

Head over heels

KANSAS CITY, Mo. The lowly Kansas City Chiefs are one of the best in football when it comes to the kicking game. Under the direction of firstyear special teams coach Steve Hoffman, the Chiefs (3-9) have made giant strides in both punt and kickoff coverage, ranking in the top 10 in both. Theyre pretty good in returning kickoffs, too, ranking ninth in the league with 25 returns of 20 yards or more. Punter Dustin Colquitt is having a terrific year and is fourth in net average. Placekicker Ryan Succop may turn out to be one of the greatest Mr. Irrelevant picks in history. The last man taken in last years draft has made 18 of 22 field goals and leads all rookies with 72 points. All that hasnt been enough to make up for an offense thats 30th overall and a defense thats 31st.

Donnie Jones outdoes himself in Bears game

nfl

ST. LOUIS Donnie Jones will have a tough time topping his last game, even if it was in another losing cause. The St. Louis Rams punter pinned the Chicago Bears down at the 7, 2, 2 and 3 in Sundays 17-9 setback. A case can be made that he was the teams most valuable player that day. His left-footed kicks helped the defense stuff the Bears after a slow start while leading to favorable field position for a feeble offense even it wasnt able to capitalize. Jones is sixth in the NFL with a 46.4-yard average, but his net average of 41.4 yards is third-best. Hes had a career-best 24 punts downed inside the 20 already, with four games to go.

against the Kangaroos. UMKC beat Wichita State in each of the last two seasons. Wichita State only trailed once in the game at 6-4 with 16:46 left in the first half. After Jay Cousinards basket gave the Kangaroos the lead, the Shockers went on an 18-3 run to lead 22-9 with 6:59 remaining in the first half. The largest lead for Wichita State came at 71-46 with 1:46 left in the contest.
Associated Press

Former Pitt State coach pleads not guilty in DUI

CollEGE footBAll

Kyles shines in Wichita State victory over UMKC

CollEGE BAskEtBAll

GALENA, Kan. Former Pittsburg State football coach Chuck Broyles has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving. Broyles resigned last week from his coaching job after 20 years leading the Gorillas. The resignation came several days after Broyles was arrested in Galena on suspicion of under the influence. The Joplin Globe reports that Broyles lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Tuesday in Galena City Court. Broyles remains on paid administrative leave from his job as Pittsburg State athletic director. University President Steve Scott said Broyles will remain on leave until the DUI charge is resolved.
Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry, right, is upended by Dallas Stars left wing Brenden Morrow during the third period of a hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., on Tuesday. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. David Kyles came off the bench to score a career-high 16 points and lead four players in double figures as Wichita State beat Missouri-Kansas City 73-52 Wednesday night. The Shockers (8-1) won their sixth consecutive game and broke a two-game losing streak

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009