daily nebraskan
thursday, September 7, 1978 lincoln, nebraska vol. 102 no. 7
Bennett plans computer accounting system for union
By Kathy McAuliffe
Next year's bond request for the
Nebraska Union may include $30,000 to
550,000 or more to cover the costs of
computer hardware and software, accord
ing to Nebraska Union director Allen
Bennett.
The computer would replace the union's
present "completely hand-run" accounting
system, Bennett M at Wednesday's
Nebraska Union Board meeting.
Main lounge carpeting installed in 1969
also could be replaced, at a cost of about
$20,000, he said.
Carpeting also is needed for the Harvest
Room, Bennett added.
Another project for which funds may be
requested is the renovation of the small
auditorium, at a cost of about $50,000,
according to Bennett.
"If properly designed, it (the small
auditorium) would have a good income
producing capacity," Bennett said.
The present design, function and
appearance of the small auditorium is
"dismal," he said.
The bond reauest must be submitted to
UNL Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Richard Armstrong by October 2, so the
request can be considered at the October
Board of Regents meeting.
In other business Union Director Allen
Bennett presented to the board gross union
sales for the summer. Sales for June, July
and August for the city union totaled
$135,703 compared with $105,454 in
1977.
East union summer sales totaled
$47,252 in 1978, compared with a total
1977 summer figure of $36,216.
Board members also reviewed proposed
by-law changes, which will be necessary
because of the formation of the Campus
Activities and Programs office.
Frank Kuhn, Operations Manager for
the Nebraska Union and board member,
reported on recent physical changes in the
union. Changes include renovation of the
Harvest Room entrance, replacement of
carpet with tile in the Harvest Room
serving area, and new paint in the rest
aurant, restrooms and employee areas.
In addition, ASUN has moved into
space occupied by the first floor study
lounge, while the study lounge has been
moved to the old ASUN office on the
third floor, Kuhn said.
Charles Oellermann, Food Service Com
mittee Chairman, reported the progress
being made on the union delicatessen,
which will be located on the south wall of
the union adjacent to the Harvest room.
The delicatessen is tentatively slated for
completion between October 15 and Nov
ember 1 , depending on the arrival of equip
ment, he said.
Teachers, peers snuff out rule-breaking smokers9 puffs
By Brenda Moskovits
". . . when a lovely thing dies,
smoke gets in your eyes. "
That may be true some places, but smoking in UNL
classrooms is against state law and NU Board of Regents'
policy.
No smoking signs are posted in all classrooms, audi
toriums and elevators, according to Edward Simpson,
director of environmental health and safety.
"To the best of our knowledge, they are enforced,"
said Simpson, whose department prints the signs. "It
is impossible to police this kind of thing," he added.
Simpson said, "I get complaints from students periodi
cally," and he estimated he receives about five complaints
a year from students. Student complaints are taken to
the chairman of the department or higher, he said. They
discuss the violations with their staff.
Janitors notice
Otherwise, Simpson said, his department keeps tabs
on problems through the custodial staff, who sweep
'., !
Photo by Mark Billingsly
The royal family of strange people included a human pretzel, a man with two faces, and an eye-popper at
this year's state fair. Disbelievers and the curious were attracted to the show which runs until Saturday. See
story on page 8.
Union Bank spreads loans, not comments
By Randy Essex
Union Bank and Trust Co. of Lincoln officials refuse to
talk about it, but the number of Federally Insured Loans
they make available have enhanced UNL students' chances
of obtaining those loans, according to Ron Fritz, acting
director of the UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial
Aids.
Union Bank is one of the largest lenders under the pro
gram in a four state area, according to Rosie Stewart of
the Kansas City regional office of the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare. The four states included
are Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
Most of the students who seek federally insured loans
are not eligible for National Direct Student Loans or
other forms of aid based on need, Fritz said.
Federally insured loans carry an interest rate of 7
percent, compared to 3 percent interest on NDSL's.
Like NDSL's, payment on the insured loans begins nine
months after a student graduates. Stewart said payment
on insured loans may begin as late as one year after grad
uation, at the discretion of the lending institution.
In a copyright story August 20, the Omaha World
Herald reported that Union Bank had loaned $2 million
under e program this summer, and has $5 million in
loans outstanding in Nebraska.
The Wo rid -He raid also reported that most banks got
out of the program due to federal red tape, and that over
100 banks refer students to Union.
Stewart explained that if a student defaults on his loan
the government will pay the lending institution the
amount of the loan. The government then tries to collect
from the student, Stewart said.
"We pay the bank if all the forms are correct," she
said.
According to the World-Herald, Union Bank officials
are able to "stay on top of loans" through a "very expen
sive" computer system located in Denver.
Students inquiring about the loans are referred to
Union Bank by several Lincoln banks, including Gateway
Bank and Trust, Citibank, Cornhusker Bank, Lincoln
Bank South, Havelock Bank and National Bank of Com
merce. Of the Lincoln banks contacted, only First
National Lincoln and Union handle Federally Insured
Loans.
Administrative assistant for the Union Bank, Susan
Martens, said bank personnel had been instructed by bank
president Jay Dunlap not to give any personal interviews
or answer any questions on the subject.
Martens also said Dunlap said that any article written
on the subject "must be read (by Union Bank officials)
before it is printed," but it is common practice for re
porters not to let sources read stories prior to publication.
Dunlap was not available for comment Wednesday.
cigarettes off the floors and replace missing signs.
"I think students really are abiding by it. I think it's
because of this cancer drive," said John Dzerk, operation
manager of the Physical Plant.
He said his department has noticed a reduction in the
number of cigarettes swept from floors in the past few
years.
"When Oldfather Hall first opened after the first day
of classes we had over 100 tiles that were burned from
cigarettes thrown on the floor."
Mop fires
Dzerk said there have been no serious cigarette-related
fires, although sweeping up still-lit cigarettes occasionally
causes a custodial room fire in a mop or wastebasket.
Simpson said the regulations prevent burnt floors
and custodial problems as well as protecting non-smokers'
rights.
Sue Hulett, a one-year appointed political science
teacher, tells her students on the first day that she does
not allow smoking.
Allergic to smoke
"The main reason is that I'm allergic to smoke myself.
I was at USC and the rule was no smoking, but if your
teacher smoked, you could smoke," she said.
"Most people don't smoke," Hulett said. Prohibiting
smoking in her classroom is "for others' consideration,"
she added.
"I have never given it (smoking in class) any thought,"
said Michael Stricklin, assistant professor of journalism,
who admitted to smoking in his classes.
"If anyone objects, I don't smoke and I request no
body else smoke," he said. "Otherwise, I don't see any
thing wrong with it." Stricklin added.
"I wouldn't smoke in a large lecture class," he said,
because those offended probably would not object in
a large group.
Cooperation
Some students seen smoking in the Nebraska Union
also smoke during class, and others do not. But all said
they would put out their cigarette if asked by an instruct
or or fellow student.
"Cigarette smoking is very sickening if you don't
smoke," said Richard Smith, a student taking post
graduate classes. Smith said he does not smoke in classes.
"I'd rather see them restrict it (smoking in class). A
lot of time you don't miss it," said Diane Conway, a
junior computer science major from Princeton, Neb.
"In class I don't think you should smoke," according
to Craig Smith, a graduate business student. Smith said
he opposes prohibiting smoking in places such as rest
aurants, but finds no smoking sections acceptable com
promises in public places.
"Ridiculous
"I think it's ridiculous. I feel you can smoke in class."
said Laurey Steinke, a senior life science major from Nor
folk. "You don't have to make a mess of it if you have an
ashtray," Steinke said. She said when occasionally asked
to put out a cigarette in class, she does.
Jerry Fairbanks, a junior engineering student from Wy
more, said "I can understand in some situations (putting
out a cigarette) when a particular person is bothered. It's
blanket rules that are generally obnoxious to me."
inside thursday
That's good Stuf: Daily Nebraskan introduces
cartoonist Steve Ehlers page 4
Put a lid on it: Leader of lid petition drive out
lines strategy page 7
Paddle your own canoe: UNL crew prepares to
defend its Big Eight championship for the
fourth year page 10