xt7hqb9v491h https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7hqb9v491h/data/mets.xml The Kentucky Kernel Kentucky -- Lexington The Kentucky Kernel 2003-03-14 Earlier Titles: Idea of University of Kentucky, The State College Cadet newspapers  English   Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Kentucky Kernel  The Kentucky Kernel, March 14, 2003 text The Kentucky Kernel, March 14, 2003 2003 2003-03-14 2020 true xt7hqb9v491h section xt7hqb9v491h UK gymnast has a family history of athletic greatness | 6

 

 

 

Trustees to hold emergency meeting

Money: Tuition and student fee increase might come
during spring break, but trustees don't have agenda yet

By Rebecca Neal

STAFF WRITER

The Board of Trustees
may vote on tuition and stu-
dent fee increases at an emer-
gency meeting Tuesday dur-
ing spring break.

The meeting took some
by surprise. but there is a le-
gitimate reason for it. said the
newest member of the board.

"I can see in some sense
why it was called since the
legislature just ended and the
magnitude of the cuts has
just been known." said Davy
Jones. a faculty trustee.

Students might be upset
by the timing of the meeting.

"It seems a little under-
handed to be holding a meet-
ing about a topic that students
really have an opinion about

at a time when everyone‘s go-
ing to be gone." said Iiyle
Ricketts. a telecoinniunica-
tions sophomore.

But administrators have
already said that a significant
tuition increase is needed to
counter the recent budget
cuts. UK has lost about $20
million. or 2.6 percent of UK's
total budget. Provost Mike Ni-
etzel said at the University
Senate meeting Monday:

Housing and dining fees
might be raised at the meet-
ing. which will be held at 1

pm. Tuesday on the 18th floor
of Patterson Office Tower

Ben (‘rutcherz associate
vice president for auxiliary
services said the housing and
dining increase will probably
be five percent. The Finance
Committee must approve the
increase Tuesday before the
board can vote on it.

The money raised from
the increase will be put back
into the university. Crutcher
said. An increase would fund
increased dorm safety. Haggin
Hall renovations and air con-

ditioner repairs. The dining
increase may bring more food
choices to campus. he said.

"We'll use it to bring in
things like more Starbucks lo-
cations and branded concepts
like Chick-fil-A. possibly an-
other KFt‘ location. or a Taco
Bell." (‘rutcher said.

An official agenda has
not been released yet by the
President‘s Office. but
trustees say they should re-
ceive information about the
meeting Friday

“Even trustees are calling

saying they don’t know what
they‘ll be voting on and how
their constituents would feel
about it." said Jeff Dembo,
chairman of the University
Senate.

By the Mars
Housing this semester: $1.326
Proposed housing: $1,392.30

Diner account this semester.
$699

Diner account proposal: $733.9

 

She’s not afraid to get up and do a speech after
she’s run 15 miles. She’s totally down to earth.”

- JORDAN KATHMAN, SG PRESIDENT MARY KATHERINE THOMPSON'S SECOND COUSIN AND FRIEND

RUNNING
THE SHOW

 

' I

 

ON AND OFF THE CLOCK, NE

MB!!!

STAFF WRITER

She throws a mean fastball. She‘s a
competitive long-distance runner. She's
been on the UK Dean‘s List since 1999.
and she's active in community service
throughout lexington.

Now this year's homecoming queen
is Student Government president. and
she‘s ready to make something of her
brief term in the office.

She is Mary Katherine Thompson. a
corporate communication and political
science senior from Owensboro. She was
sworn in as 56 president Feb. 26. after
Tim Robinson resigned.

Her friends and family say she‘s ac»
tive almost too active.

“The one thing she needs to do more

is chill out." said older brother Blake
Thompson. an accounting senior at UK.

Thompson was elected vice presi-
dent alongside Robinson and succeeded
him by the rules of the SG constitution.
Robinson resigned after dropping his
classes and pleading guilty in court to iri-
terfering with voter registration.

“As far as student representation
goes. Mary Katherine is the ideal presi-
dent because she knows the most eclectic
group of people." said Joe Ruschell. who
replaced Thompson as vice president
and was previously SO Senate chairman.

”She doesn‘t always have to have her
hair done or make-up on. She‘s not afraid
to get up and do a speech after she‘s rain
l5 miles She‘s totally down to earth."
said biology senior Jordan Kathman.

Setting the pace

New Student Government Pres-
ident Mary Katherine Thompson
walks alongside UN President
Lee Todd to his office to discuss
the new $0 administration.

BRITTANY CLARK I KERNEL STAFF

 

WLY APPOINTED SGAPRESIDENT IS ON THE MOVE

who is Thompson's second cousin and
friend.

With five brothers and a large ex-
tended family, Thompson said she places
high value on her family. Two brothers
are also UK students. and three younger
brothers back home in Owensbom.

Andrew Thompson. a biology fresh
man and next-youngest in the family.
said his sister has consistently been
there to watch out for him.

"When I first came into high school.
it was her senior year and I wasn't very
outgoing and she introduced me to every-
body.“ he said. “By the second or third
week of school. I had all the seniors say-
ing ‘hi‘ to me."

See TNONPSON on 2

 

Student Center
restaurant
plans continue

Student Center director says plans are behind schedule
for getting a restaurant brought to campus by next fall
By Jake McDonald

STAFF WRITER

Five casual dining restaurants with local connections
are interested in leasing space in the Student Center, possi-
bly in time for the fall semester, said a Student Center offi-
cial.

Director John Herbst said UK sent out requests for in-
formation to prospective groups and received interest for
opportunities to bid on space in the building from Raffer-
ty‘s, Applebee's. Chili‘s. Max & Erma’s and Reno’s Road-
house. The next step is constructing and distributing a re—
quest for proposal. he said.

“Groups that did not show interest will still have an op
portunity to bid." he said. “This keeps it so any qualified
operator has equal opportunity to bid on the project. "

Herbst said work on the project thus far is behind
schedule. The possibility of the restaurant being in place by
the fall semester is dependent upon the request for proposal
and lease contract agreement. he said.

“I‘m not quite as far as I would like to be, so we need to
move quickly but still make sure we do this right," he said.

86 President Mary Katherine Thompson served on the
Dining Committee with Herbst and several others. She said
the committee. designed to debate the logistics of luring a
casual dining restaurant to campus, has met four or five
times since October.

“I‘m very hopeful it will happen." she said. “After foot-
ball games. I think people will walk there. Students with
breaks in between classes will go. It’ll be a place for conver-
sation. Starbucks is a perfect example. People prefer name
brand things as opposed to generic just because it's stuff
you know."

See DINING on 2

 

Weather predictions
give sunny outlook

By Casey Chasteen
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Students looking to leave town for spring break to
escape the cold and rain could be leaving behind a week
of nice weather instead.

“The weather in Lexington will be like going to
Florida but staying here." said Tom Priddy, the director
of Agriculture Weather Service. A warm spell will be
coming through the Ohio Valley next week. giving us
temperatures in the mid ‘60s Priddy said.

However. during UK‘s spring break, students re-
maining in Lexington have a possibility of thunder-
storms. It looks as if a bit of “unsettled weather" is
headed this way through the middle of the week, said
Priddy. but nothing people should worry about.

Wearing T—shirts one day and sweaters the next is
not unusual for springelike weather. Priddy said. Last
year during UK's break. the weather was extremely wet.
With seven out of seven days of precipitation. Lexington
had a total of 3.8 inches alone in rainfall during the
week. One day brought 2.85 inches. on March 19. 2002.
said the National Weather Service.

Junior Alex Pendland. a history major. said he is-
n't so sure he believes that next week will be nice and
sunny.

"It is hard to tell what will happen. but I remember
last year it being much nicer outside than it is now, and
it still rained all week."

With such unusual weather patterns as spring pro-
duces. students returning to UK after spring break
should expect a threat for more severe weather just to be
on the safe side. Priddy said.

“So the answer students are looking for is, don‘t
pack your sweatshirts and jackets up yet.“ Priddy said.
“Fifteen days out of spring break we are still seeing
colder temperatures headed this way."

.m- mt" mm... m...

 

 2 “I finally, MARCH 14, 2003 | KENTUCKY KERNEI.

THOMPSON

Continued from page I

New Student Government Presi‘
dent Mary Katherine Thompson
cleans and reorganizes her
office. Thompson took office
after former 56 President Tim
Robinson resigned following his
indictment on charges of willful-
ly not turning in voter registra-
tion cards.

BRITTANY CLARK I KERNEL sun

He said his sister was
much the same when he start-
ed at UK.

Blake Thompson said it's
always been difficult to live up
to the standards that his sister
has set A both on the baseball
field and off.

“She does so well at most
of the things she puts her
hands on. it‘s hard being her
brother, because parents ex-
pect the same out of every-
body." he said.

He said he remembers
once playing baseball with his
sister and some of his friends.
and his sister's pitching
turned out to be too much of
a challenge for the other play-
ers.

“A couple of them quit be
cause they said she threw too
hard.“ he said.

Mary Katherine Thomp-
son. whose first role iii SG was
as at-large senator before be-
coming vice president. has
worked in a variety of occupa-
tions.

She interned in the office
of US. Sen. Jim Bunning last
summer and was the College
of Communication Ambas~
sador in the 2001—02 school
year. Last year she volun-
teered at Lansdowne Elemen-
tary. setting up a peer-media-
tion program and was a sub-
stitute teacher for Fayette
County Schools.

As student leader at the
Catholic Newman Center from
1999 to 2002. she headed a mis-
sion trip to Jamaica and was
assistant Sunday School
teacher. She has run in numer-
ous marathons. including
twice in the Chicago
Marathon (26.2 miles). and

 

placed first in her division in
the Kentucky Derby Festival
{\liniMarathon (13.1 miles).

“She called the after run-
ning the Chicago marathon
and she was just crying be-
cause she was so excited and
proud of herself." said Sarah
Baltzley. a friend of Thomp-
son's and agricultural biotech-
nology senior.

Despite the short time
that Thompson will serve as
plesident. she said she has is-
sues before her that she wants
to address. She has arranged
for an online special election
this week that will determine
Robinson's replacement on the
Board of Trustees.

She is also talking with
the 1K Athletics Department
about installing an online stu»
dent ticket lottery for home
basketball games , although
she said she doesn't know if
she supports the proposal.

The lottery would replace
the current system where stu-
dents stand in line at Memori-
al Coliseum to get tickets.
Thompson said she's indeci-
sive about the proposal be-
cause an online lottery would
make getting tickets too easy
the diehard fans would lose
the advantage they get from
their dedication.

Thompson doesn‘t have
much time in SC v the next
president will be inaugurated
in late April or early May w
but she is already implement—
ing subtle signs of a new ad-
ministration. or what she calls
“a change in scenery"

“Basically there's no
need for the size staff we had
before under Robinson,"
Thompson said.

She said because of recent
budget-crunching and the pos-
sibility of a $10000 deficit this
year. SG isn't paying any of its
executive staff.

“We don‘t have any mon-
ey that's just the position
we‘ve been thrown into."
Thompson said.

The new chief of staff
and comptroller. James "J"
Riney. is already in place to
succeed Justin Rasner. who
said he resigned following a
disagreement with Thomp-
son the day after she took of-
fice.

Rasner declined to give
details on the disagreement.
but said he could not support
Thompson enough to be an ef-
fective chief of staff.

However. Rasner said that
as a student he supports the
new president.

“It's been a joy working
with Mary Katherine“ since
she and Robinson campaigned
last spring. he said.

Thompson said she is
making other changes. includ-
ing having Tim Robinson‘s
name scratched off the SG of-
fice door in the Student Cen-
ter. and all locks to the office
have been changed.

Ruschell said changing
the locks is “a simple fact of
the change in administra-
tion." Thompson said she also
wants to have the front
counter in SG‘s office lowered
to make it accessible to stu-
dents with disabilities.

She said the changes are
“nothing against the previous
administration." but she
wants to do things her own
way:

 

A few tips to save cash
when you're at the pump

 

 

nut ENIERICN | KERNEL Sim

By following some tips from the American Automobile Association,
consumers can save money on their gas hills.

Before you roadtrip: Lose the excess luggage, get
your car tuned up and try to carpool if possible

By Jenny Machiewicz
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It is a struggle a major-
ity of students share: the
endless and exhausting
wrestle with the wallet.
But there are some practi-
cal and painless ways to
save some of that money at
the pump.

First of all, make sure
you know your traveling
dos and don‘ts. If you are.
driving to your spring
break destination. carpool
as much as possible. If you
do choose to carpool try to
avoid driving large. gas-

guzzling vehicles like
trucks. vans or SUVs. Drive
the speed limit. no matter
what kind of vehicle you're
driving. This helps con
serve gas. Don‘t pack your
entire closet of belongings.
The heavier your vehicle.
the more gasoline you
use. Use unleaded gas. un~
less your car specifically re»
quires premium. Don‘t
waste money trying to buy
“better" gas when your car
runs on the cheaper variety.

Along with. traveling
tips. knowing your car and
its condition is important
when trying to save at the

station. When was the last
time you had your tires
checked? Be sure to fill
them with air before leav-
ing. Under-inflated tires.
according to the AAA. are
not only a safety hazard but
can also cut fuel economy
by as much as 2 percent per
pound of pressure below
the recommended level.
Also. having your oil
changed and checking your
air filter before a trip can
lower fuel consumption. If
you have four-wheel drive.
disengage it during high-
way travel and try to use
cruise control as often as
possible.

Lastly. practice fuel effi-
ciency:

DON‘T spend all morn-
ing warming up your car
normally a few minutes
will do the trick.

DO maintain a steady
speed while driving. avoid-
ing stopand-go traffic and
unpaved roads.

DON'T use your air
conditioning unless need-
ed. Not only does it dra-
matically reduce fuel econ~
omy. but how do you plan
on blowing off the stench of
midterms with the win-
dows rolled up?

DO not drive if you
don‘t have to. You want to
save fuel'.’ Don‘t use it.

DO have a great Spring
Break and drive safely!

 

 

DINING

Continued from pagel

Students echoed Thomp-
son‘s sentiment. Senior
Katy Mauldin said the
restaurant would benefit
UK’s campus.

“It‘ll be successful be-
cause everyone tires of cafe-
teria-style food.“ she said.
“Alcohol sales alone would
attract interest. It will be a
welcome respite from sand-
wiches and chips."

The potential for alcohol

sales on campus is one ob-
stacle the project faces.
Herbst said the prospect of
alcohol sales is “contingent
upon what we hear back
from operators" and state
and university regulations.

“If it is not a violation of
state law and university reg-
ulations. there may be an op-
portunity," he said.

A precedent for campus
alcohol consumption would
not necessarily have to be
set. It is permissible to
serve and consume alcohol
in UK‘s Faculty Club.

“Something of the ut-
most importance is the suc-

cess of the restaurant.“
Thompson said. “I don‘t
think it would be in their
best interest to come with-
out the alcohol because so
tnuch of their revenue
comes from it."

A meeting was sched-
uled for this week to discuss
the proposal but was can-
celed. Herbst said he hopes
to reschedule for today or
next week.

“We want to make sure
that what we enter into is
what students want," he
said. “We want to make sure
the atmosphere is right."

We want to make sure that what we enter into is what

students want.”

- JOHN HERBST, STUDENT CENTER DIRECTOR

 

 

‘ THE BEST DEAL IN TOWN’"

Behind Toys R Us
On Nicholamlle Rood

STOW SCHEDULE FIT 03mm "GUI Infill/El
W 1" .
CMDlE Y0 TN! GRAVE

d‘x . ll‘n
TEARS of TN! SUN -
TEARS or TNT SUN ' ' ‘
TN! HOURS ‘

272 70626 reeldealmnemacom

 

lll llll

%9 “£980”

fl flake Crossing
Luxury Apartments

859-543-0341

- Computer Cate
- 24 hr. Fitness Center
0 Roman Tubs

FREE DEPOSIT BEFORE
MARCH 14TH”

Vote Best of UK!!

 

 

 

H‘s»

A...
’

J

‘:
y $5

 

4. /‘>"‘

 

217 Mala Ave #101 or call:

226-9068

mumnmmmmumm

[Biting 0|]

naval lexinuton ls ottorlno a

a deal. as It the apartments are not

........steal

lost sion a lease within our doo
the cash disaloars on

0 cash will to

March 14th.
so hurry on -
don’t no late

 

 

 

Enter to win!

Go online and vote
@ www.kykernel.com

VOTE TODAY!

Sponsored by the
Student Development Council
and the Kentucky Kernel.

‘5
'M

0"/
.Jsx / / .
'N’“

Lower Level, L. l/Vl.c.»'§;"elv ‘

 

 

 

Avenlis Bio-Services

Aventis Bro-Serwces

You Could Win One of 3
2003 Ford Focus!

Donate Ian 20 M." 1",, 20m to enter our exciting. new..

'Get into Gear'

Plus Instant Prizes a. Cash!

Aventis Bio-Services
1840 Oxford Circle
Lexington, KY 40504
(2 miles from campus)
254-804 7 - aventl'sbioservices. com
New honors: Present this ad for an
Extra $10 on your ttrst donation.

‘Nr'u' [Mums un- llrsl llnlr' donors and thaw
ls hm Imu- mil (lunntrll In lhr‘ Inst 6 months

¥Aventi$

Sweepstakes

 

ll' lrrlll Ilurmll I’M rv‘.

 

 

  

Scene

Robbie Clark
Assistant Scene Editor

Phone: 251-1915 I i-mail: rocketmanOrobsmailtom

 

 

 

New sensations

Dave Chappelle on the set of his new Comedy Central series "The Chappelle Show,"
pelle's use of sketch comedy portrays all walks of life from street life to suburbia,

t my“...
3 l

PHOTO FURNISHED

which airs at IO. 30 p. m. on Wednesday nights. Chap-
with nothing in the middle left out or unscathed.

New Chappelle series
leaves nothing spared

By Robbie Clark
ASSISTANT 5cm EDITOR

Dave Chappelle has cre-
ated a bit of a stir with the
critics regarding his Comedy
Central show “The Chappelle
Show”.

At the beginning of each
show, he informs the live au-
dience that he has not been
canceled yet.

Chappelle uses sketch
comedy to broach many sub-
jects in American society,
from street life to suburbia,
with nothing held sacred.

In the show’s debut
episode, Chappelle played a
white supremacist, who did-
n’t know he was actually
black because he was blind.

“The thing about come-
dy," Chappelle said, “every
walk of life in American life
has got a comedian that pre-
sents them.”

Chappelle said he is not
the representative for the
black culture in American

If my show
was picked
up by a
major
network ——
they’d try
to have me
in
suspenders
doing the
Urkel
dance.

- Dave Chappelle,

on Comedy Central's
”the Chappelle Show"

mass media because his
show is not culturally geared
to any target audience.

“I guess ultimately. I’d
say that people my age are
who I'm talking to first," he
said. “I make references to
certain rap songs or rap
lyrics that people my age are
just going to know"

“The Chappelle Show"
first aired on Comedy Cen-
tral in late January. This
week the 29-year-old comedi-
an from Washington. DC,
signed a contract with the ca-
ble station for another sea-
son of 12 episodes.

Aside from his current
television series, Chappelle
has appeared in movies such
as Half Baked and Robin
Hood: Men In Tights.

Chappelle considers the
success of his show is main-
tained by the enjoyment that
goes into each episode.

“I think the trick is if
you have fun making it then
people will usually have fun
watching it.“ he said.

Compared to other chan-
nels. such as NBC or HBO.
Chappelle said Comedy Cen-
tral is the one that best
caters to his artistic integri-
ty.

“1 wish (Comedy Cen-
tral) didn't have to bleep this
stuff sometimes. because I
just find it to be a little intru-
sive when you have to do it."
he said.

“But if my show was
picked up by a major net—
work — they‘d try to have me
in suspenders doing the
Urkel dance."

As the head writer for
his show, Chappelle realizes
the importance of listening
to the team of “good people“
he has surrounded himself
with when trying to develop

comedic characters.

“It isn‘t hard for me to
have other people write the
stuff for me. But in order for
me to really sell a joke it al-
ways helps to get the joke."
he said.

The joke. for Chappelle.
must be true to the author
and not be written for the
sake of those who might
hear it.

“I don't pander to the au-
dience." he said. “I just think
it‘s not the strongest angle to
write for."

“I don’t think you should
necessarily try and tell peo-
ple what they want to hear as
much as you just tell them
what you've got to say."

Seetoryourself

The Chappelle Show airs at
10:30 pm. Wednesday nights on
Comedy Central.

EARN CASH TODAY AND HELP SAVE UVES!

 

KENTUCKY KERNEL ; FRIDAY, MARCHM, 2003 I3

n..."

Donate your lifesaving blood plasma 8. receive

$25 TODAY‘

(for app" 1 2 luni n l' -l YVlr rm.

Call or stoEeby:
ZLB Plasr rvrws
(Formerly Nabi Bio"! dkol C4 liter.

8l7 Winchester Rd, Lexington, KY 40505
859-233-9296 0 www.z|b.com

Fees and donation time may vary. 'Fw (xi-plur- Vb my. .lmmrs

CHAMBER Musu: Sour.“ OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY

presents

Central Kentucky Players
with guest artist Nathan Cole, violin
Sunday, March 16,2003 at 8. 00 p. m.

Recital Hall, Singletary Center, UK
Perfnmiing works by: J. S. Bach

Tickets: UK Students admitted FREE with valid ID

Call 257-4929
Made possible by a grant from the UK Colle -

STAYING III 70“ SPRING BREAK?

JOIN I18 FDR...

ICSINCIICLI at term same-5'

Week of March 70 Malt/i 76

Tm: Lamp ..irm:w «.
aerUK Dams l \,rv-
(“J'ilili 5" .li): "‘l' i’

'> FREE

I, y . /
http .l/www uky edu Campus Cain ‘HF‘UI 257' 8867

.14

SPECIAL EVENTS
”Preparing Aspiring Wildcats (PAWi Application Deadline,
4 00mm i nk muse ‘ww
Phat Cat Car Show April 12'", 2003
l 31:: l‘\ is! \r l
'1. Residence francaise ‘ Mi " rw . v ‘ ..
SPORTS
“The Kwon Do practice, ‘t H
ARTS/MOVIES
'Mariah Carrel, Piano Recrtal

i"."'l‘

‘ilrur‘ivr .’j Murmr

53.0815

'Tla Kwon Do practice, Hutu 1.» Jun ~ 5. r
[MIRAMUEALSIKECREATION

'50" Defense] Kempo class ‘W- . :13; , w
No experience merit-ii

AKTSIMQIDES

“German Film Studies ‘ “9i” i 3.1 v. . .

1 5
16

MEETINGS

”International Student Bible Study
inw

'Alpha Kappa Psi Executive Board Meeting.
(.enim Rm 303

ACADEMIC

'Math Tutoring A ‘w l .

”Math Tutoring rim Hm . V.
‘Physica Tutoring, 3.. in

307

'Chemistry Tutoring, l7
‘Biology, rah. Hm .

 

Enter to win!
Go online and vote
@ www.kykernel.com

VOTE TODAY!

Sponsored by the
Student Development Council
and the Kentucky Kernel.

 

 DIALOGUE

FRIDAY MARCH 14, 2003

‘ 53-52.. :1;

Will Messer. Dialogue editor

Josh Sullivan, asst. Dialogue editor
Tracy Kershaw, editor in chief
Steve Jones, senior staff writer

Daniel Thomas. cartoonist
John Wampler, photographer
Wes Blevins. columnist

 

 

 

III. .
. I: .

 

Milo: Match .._. :im momma...

‘QEQNK, ,TJISE EEl/lDENCE
CL lV
JACKSON MUST M‘EHAEL

 

 

 

Ghosts of March

return to

Life's been pretty interesting around Lexing-
ton lately. The University is scrambling to make
up for state budget cuts and students are in an
uproar over a potential class drop fee. Local citi-
zens are debating regulations on public smoking
and concerned about a potential war with Iraq.

You might say these are somewhat tumul-
tuous times at UK and throughout the Bluegrass.
but no matter how divided all Kentuckians may
be on particular political issues. there’s one con-
stant in this state that unites almost all of us —
the Kentucky Wildcats.

No matter how different our backgrounds or
lifestyles may be. the vast majority of Kentuck-
ians have at least their love of UK basketball in
common. and that fanaticism is never more evi-
dent than in the month of March.

Unlike last year. there‘s no need for the
Wildcat faithful to bank on team history and
the name across the players’ chests to pull the
Cats together for a successful postseason run ~
this year‘s Cats have been invincible since
Christmas.

A turn-around like the one we’ve been

Kentucky

blessed to witness over the past three months is
all but unheard of in college athletics. From 6-3,
to 26-3, from the fear of another 10 loss season to
the giddy, burning hope of an eighth national
championship.

This week Tubby Smith was honored as
Southeastern Conference coach of the year by
both the Associated Press and his fellow SEC
coaches. The coaches also voted Keith Bogans
SEC player of the year. Our team has begun
racking up the individual honors, hopefully team
honors will follow soon. The Cats enter SEC
tournament play tonight, and students will begin
their spring break dreaming of banners and
brackets: beaches and bikinis can wait.

Every year we hear the complaint that Ken-
tuckians are way too fanatic about basketball.
These naysayers need to understand that Ken-
tucky basketball instills a sense of community
from border to border in our state.

People with nothing else in common have the
tradition captured in the banners among the
rafters of Rupp Arena to bring them together,
and for that. we should all be grateful.

 

Rejuvenate the

federal budget
by reducing corporate welfare

The lack of fuel
efficient yehicles on
the market today has
had the effect of malt

mg us more depen
dent on foreign oil.
and as a result. more
concerned about
events that take place
in the Middle liast.

At a time when
we llil(l ourselves eiir
broiled in yet another
conflict in the Middle Iiast. it mould seem
appropriate to dis: us» the reasons for the
lack of fuel efficient 'lllifliiltllillr's and
possible solution Many set-ii. to flunk
that our uny'eriiiiieiit i an pi‘m itle the at
lutioii bi. funding llle t cstly reseai I'h and
(lei.'elopiiiI-iit i-fttii'tu issrti‘lziteti \\ :iii lllt‘
creation Ill .1 men gem-I itioi; of fizel effi
ctezf interpolate

I ntoituiiatel. it w.
wror: In spite o. ‘ne
'l.iI-e \iiieriI
I.l:1I1.t..i\sis'i.,ii HI],

Robert
Hammer

KTRNEL cams?

Itillltil.‘ he more
‘ We hit;
-l-er»iite eli
'tir l \ . t em
to de\eLI p tin-l t'lll' ieiit Iliitiftlft
i t i». p \t om. tour. 'i‘.‘ time triost

i‘ ..; eIfiI I t ii:toii:eb'iI-'~ Ivilrl it: the
l
"

«It i": it

‘n .1,” it
. ..
trite

new. iic'iL. prodmr-dln .lapar.

1"" ' lyis I' iii-.r‘lyt- tit. till

from the US. government. The American
auto industry has a long history of re-
ceiving assistance from the US. govern-
ment to produce fuel efficient
automobiles

Unfortunately; they never produce
the automobiles that the 17.5. govern
ment funds; instead they are content to
produce costly. exotic prototypes that are
shown at auto shows. then moth-halted
and never put into actual production.

In fact. the only American automo
the company that ever invested a sub-
stantial amount of research in fuel t‘ffi‘
ciency and actually utilized that research
in product ion was American Motors. and
they never received a dime of goyern
ment support for their efforts or an
ounce of sympathy frotn the American
public when they went under in 1987.

Since the American auto mdustn is
so unresponsive to the need for efficient
automobiles. you might wonder why we
continue funding their lackluster. half
hearted efforts. with President Bush re-
cently asking congress for $1.2 billion in
aid for the latest hydrogen fuel cell de-
velopitient effort

To tell you the truth. I can't figure it
out either As it stands currently the
companies that receive the most taypay

er funding produce no hybrid automo-
biles. and do not have even one of their
cars included in Carpoint‘s “top 10 fuel
misers“ list.

From all available evidence. it seems
pretty clear that these auto manufactur-
ers are taking the American tax payers
for suckers. with the government doling
out corporate welfare to support develop
ment efforts that will likely never materi-
alize into a product the public can actual-
ly purchase.

It’s time for us to tell these compa—
nies that they have cashed their last cor-
porate welfare check. The success of the
Japanese automakers in introducing fuel
efficient automobiles has made it clear
that if a company actually wants to pro-
duce fuel efficient autos. they can and
will. and do not need government aid in
order to do so.

It is obvious that these corporations
have no real interest in actually produc-
ing fuel efficient automobiles. and there
is no reason why they should continue
receiving American tax dollars for their
lackluster efforts.

Rmmblwmm.
Hlsvlewsdonotneeesurifyremsemthouof
”new.

 

READERSSPONSE

Dr. Todd should eliminate
drop fee considerations

To the edit—'or.

I write this letter to point out some of the grave and
impending problems with the proposed drop fee that is
soon to be before the Board of Trustees. We have all
seen the dozens of advertisements promoting our school
as “America's Next Great University" or “Top 20 by
2020": However. I find such treatment of students to be
the absolute antithesis our goals. At many Ivy League
schools at the beginning of the semester. students are in-
vited to attend classes that interest them and then. after
seeing the course load and professor, they decide if they
wish to sign up officially. I realize this system is im-
practical for a large university like UK. but maybe we
could try to be somewhat accommodating like our
benchmarks.

Secondly. I would like to take issue with Provost
Mike Nietzel. In the March 12 Kernel. Nietzel explains
that 8.300 students dropped classes in the fall 2002 se-
mester. I ask that he be more precise. How many of
these students dropped such high enrollment courses as
Psychology 100. Biology 102. Political Science 101 and
History 108'? Even if 100 students drop from all the sec-
tions of such courses, this is only a minuscule fraction
of the total students enrolled and does not warrant any
cancellation of these classes.

I think a more appropriate number for Nietzel to ex-
plain would be the total number of sections of classes
that had below one third or half enrollment, which
would then seem to make them useless. If you look at all
the drops for English 101 in the fall and consolidated the
remaining students into fewer sections. you may save
two or three sections. I am quite sure these were a se-
vere burden on the university. financial or otherwise.
Looking to save money? How about cutting some admin—
istrators who are doing the same thing that another ad-
ministrator is already doing? Either way. it‘s nice to see
that students are a convenient target.

Finally. I look to the man who. since his selection,
has dubbed himself “The Students' President". Dr. Lee
Todd. I sincerely believe Dr. Todd does care for the stu—
dents of this university; however, given that we are g0-
ing to face tuition increases. which are out of his con-
trol. I think this would be a time to show his commit-
ment. I am quite happy that he has given me the privi-
lege to walk through his yard. but I would rather see
him step to the plate on this issue. If not, it looks like
Top 30 by 3030 might be the new motto for UK.

JJ. KNADLER
msronv mo rconomcs JUNIOR

Suggestions for avoiding
proposed class drop fee

To the editor:

Regarding the story in the Kernel on March 12 on the
proposed “drop fee." I would like to make a few suggestions.
If the drop fee is not about the university‘s current finan-
cial state. then how about this — the university could adopt
a two-tiered system. wherein ( 1) students are allowed to take
no more than 21 credit hours in a semester. and (2) a 20 per-
cent surcharge is imposed on credit hours more than 15 per
semester.

This may go a long way to discourage “class shopping”
while not burdening the innocent student who has to drop a
class for whatever reason. The university might also look
into placing a surcharge of some kind on students who r