T Tl Daily X
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Wednesday, January 13, 1982
Vol. 108 No. 3
Lincoln, Nebraska
Copyright 1982 Daily Nebraskan
Bessey Hall part of renovation idea
The first step in slowing the rapid decay of exhibits at
the State Historical Museum in Morrill Hall was taken by
Sen. Don Wesclv with the introduction of a $20,000
capital construction bill to the Nebraska Legislature last
week.
Cosigncd by Wiley Renimcrs of Auburn and Myron
Rumery of North Platte, the bill would authorize the NU
Board of Regents to develop plans for the renovation of
Morrill Hall. It includes "upgrading the mechanical sys
tem to ensure adequate climate control for the protection
and preservation of the exhibits."
Museum Director James Gunnerson told the ASUN
Senate Sept. 16 that the deterioration of exhibits is "awe
some. " He said the museum has mounted skeletons that
have deteriorated more in the last 50 years than in the
i previous 100,000 years.
At that meeting, Wesely told the senate that several
types of heating and cooling units, which range in cost
from $500,000 to $2 million, would help slow the deter
ioration. Wesely said he would propose a $1.5 million leg
islative bill to purchase and install the unit.
The Lincoln senator trimmed his proposal to $20,000,
limiting funds to the planning stage because the state bud
get is "too tight" for a substantial capital construction
project.
However, Wesely did expand his renovation idea to
include Bessey Hall.
If Bessey Hall is renovated, Wesely said, then classes
meeting in Morrill Hall can be transferred to Bessey Hall,
leaving room for museum expansion.
The planning, which would be completed by Jan 1,
1983, would include which buildings would be renovated,
the type of heating and cooling units to be installed in
Morrill Hall and the approximate cost of the project.
Failure to fix turf brings lawsuit
By Betsy Miller
The NU Board of Regents has filed suit against the firm
that installed the artificial turf on UNL's Buck Bcltzer
Memorial Baseball Field.
John Wiltse, assistant general counsel for the univer
sity, said he filed suit against Durra Systems Corp. Jan. 7
asking for $94,140.
"The main reason we are suing the corporation is that
they have not lived up to their promises," Wiltse said.
The turf is splitting apart in some places, Wiltse said,
and although the company has been out several times to
correct the problem since the turf was installed in 1977,
the problem still exists. Recently the company has not re
sponded to the university's request for maintenance, lie
said .
"We've been writing them letters saying why don't you
conic out and fix this stuff," Wiltse said.
He said the university finally decided to sue the com
pany for the amount that was charged to install the turf in
1977.
Durra Systems is a Delaware corporation with offices
in Fort Washington, Penn.
Wiltse said the corporation was dissolved in June of
1980 "due to nonpayment of franchise taxes."
Wiltse said it is difficult to tell why the company dis
solved and that there could be several seasons for the non
payment. He said that the company is dissolved "complicates
things" but that the damage amount could still be collect
ed by the university.
However, even if the full amount of damages is receiv
ed, the cost of installing new turf would be an additional
$76,000, he said.
"What I've been told by experts is that the turf will
have to be removed Wiltse said.
Harley Schrader, UNL Physical Plant director, said the
university's suit states that the field has lost turf fibers be
: cause of loose seams and also that cuts made by the
company when they tried to repair the field have worsen
ed the condition of the turf. Schrader said the pad under
neath the artificial surface has been exposed and has
deteriorated.
Durra Systems originally guaranteed the turf with a
five-year warranty, Schrader said.
Wiltse said that the turf is not holding up and that the
company has not returned to repair it was the main reason
for the suit.
Schrader said Durra Systems submitted the lowest bid
in 1977 so it was selected to install the field.
He said the university had not had the company do any
work for them before, but other universities had contracts
with Durra Systems.
"They were considered to have done a reasonably good
job at other schools," Schrader said. "Durra Turf
appeared to be a quality product."
Wiltse said it is difficult to determine when the case
will be settled and that because the company is not locat
ed close to Nebraska, it will take longer for developments
in the case to progress.
Regents to select chairman
at first meeting of semester
The NU Board of Regents will select a new chairman at
its first meeting of the semester Saturday at Regents Hall,
3835 Holdrege St. at 11:30 a.m.
Jim Raglin, NU director of public affans, said new
board chairman are traditionally selected at the first meet
ing in January.
Raglin said the vice-chairman of the board is usually
nominated for chairman, although it is possible to re-elect
former chairmen or elect other members of the board.
Robert J. Prokop of Wilber is currently serving as
chairman, and James H. Moylan of Omaha is the present
vice-chairman.
All regents who are now serving have held the post of
chairman except John Payne of Kearney, who was elected
regent in 1980, Raglin said.
A new vice-chairman will also be chosen at the
meeting.
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This south Lincoln viaduct has fallen victim to one of
campus has not escaped unscathed either. Story on Page 2
Photo by Dave BenU
America's favorite pastimes - writing graffiti. The UNL
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Photo by D. Eric Kircher
Steve Beasley, a freshman from Waverly, is just one
of the thousands of students stuck with the task of
finding and buying stacks of all -too-expensive books
for the spring semester.
Parking group votes
to schedule hearing
on increase proposal
Amid heated debate, the Parking Advisory Committee
voted Tuesday afternoon to postpone action on a propos
ed increase in parking fines.
The committee decided to have a hearing on the issue
Feb.2.
Several students appeared before the committee to pro
test the proposed increase in parking fines.
John Crane, a sophomore from Abel Hall, said students
did not have enough time to study the proposed increases.
Crane presented a petition protesting the increases with
signatures of 1,400 students.
"Our primary objective with this petition is to put a
moratorium on this proposal so we can discuss it further,"
Crane said.
Bill Flack, president of Harper-Schramm-Smith, sug
gested that, with more time, students would be able to
give specific objections to the proposed increases.
Dr. Henry Baumgarten, representing the Faculty Sen
ate, objected to the petition.
"I'm surprised at the negative attitude expressed by
these students," Baumgarten said. "Your petition, very
frankly, stinks. You're objecting to being punished for
breaking the law."
Baumgarten said the increase in parking fines was
meant to deter offenders rather than raise extra revenue.
The committee decided to put a five-minute limit on
each speaker at the special hearing on increasing parking
fines. It also decided to take action on the issue at a
later meeting.
In other action the committee decided to keep this
year's hang tag permits for all parking lots except those
for residence halls.
Several residence hall students have complained of
having their cars broken into and their permits removed.
The residence hall permits will be of the sticker type
used in previous years.
Inside
Wednesday
Tom Between Two Lovers: Although English professors
may enjoy teaching and researching, they are often
forced to put one off to compensate for larger class-
rage b
es,
Dissimilar Discs: Armatrading and St. James compared;
Adam Ant ain't; and hyperfund from Pigbag. . . Page 8
Big Eight Battles: The Nebraska basketball team opens its
conference season tonight against Kansas at the Bob
Devaney Sports Center Page 10