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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1987)
New petition written to improve office By Lee Rood Staff Reporter A new petition drive was started Thursday that’s aimed at making improvements in the Office of Finan cial Aid and requests a timetable for the changes to be implemented. A previous petition, started at the beginning of the week by first-year law student Dave Regan, was rewrit ten because Regan said it lacked pre ciseness. Regan said the office charges “unnecessary late fees” and delays in its processing of financial aid packages. The new petition was unofficially endorsed Director of the Office of Financial Aid William McFarland, and Assistant Director of Financial A id Larry Apel. 11 asks the adm in istra tion for a “more timely and effective delivery of services to students.” ASUN Senator Pete Castellano said the petiton will be available to students next week in the ASUN of fice and residence halls. A booth will be set up in the Nebraska Union next Wednesday and Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., he said. Regan said he wants students to sign the old petition as well as the new one. He said the old petition called for students to write a brief description of their problems with the office. “What they write will be read,” he said. Vice Chancellor of Academic Af fairs James Griesen said he welcomes concern and support, but added that universliy officials were already aware of the problems. He said univer sity officials are doing the best they can to solve the problems without the additional resources they need. “You just don’t walk in overnight and fix it,” he said. Griesen said the office has in creased its full-time staff from 14 to 18 people in last 10 years. At the same time, the office has gone from giving $6.7 million to $41.9 million in awards to students. Despite federal regulation changes, altering several students’ status of eligibilty for financial aid, and the increased workload brought on by those changes, the university is doing everything in it can power to plug staff resources to get the work done, Griesen said. The university spent $175,000 in April 1986 on computer software package to help alleviate some of the problems, but difficuties with inter facing its current software with the new system, Griesen said. The new system isn’t expected to be in full swing until January. Griesen said the university has been searching for additional space for the office, and expects that it should be taken care of in a few weeks. Most of the office’s problems stem from lack of money, and the univer sity hasn’t appropriated extra funds because of a tight budget, Griesen said. But Larry Apel, assistant director for the office, said the funds are there. “I know there is all kinds of money being spent at the university, but not on us,” he said. “We’ve pushed for changes for years, and years and years,” he said, “ and we’ve watched other people get improvements, while we slay the way we are.” “I feel like we’re the plague,” he said. The space the university has been considering given the office has been empty for almost a year, Apel said. “I can’t believe we can’t get a commitment,” he said. Automation systems in other of fices have been given money for de velopment, but the financial aid office was left out until recently and is 10 years behind other universities, he See ASUN on 6 Spirit clubs cheer team By Libby York Staff Reporter When Nebraska plays Kansas in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Comhusker fans will wave “ter rible towels” and release hundreds of red balloons with the first score as they do at each home football game. Com Cobs and Tassels, two University of Nebraska- Lincoln spirit organizations, give Husker fans a chance to swing and let go during games. Although once designated “male only,” Com Cobs is now open to both male and female stu dents. It is sponsored by the na tional fraternity Phi Epsilon Phi. Members attend weekly meet ings and help at every home foot ball game. One of the benefits of joining Com Cobs is getting 50 yard-line seats. Com Cob President Rusty Harder said the group has pledged 85 new members, which has in creased membership to approxi mately 120. Com Cobs traditionally sold flowers to raise money. But Harder said the group is enjoying much success with its new sale of “ter rible towels” at football games. “Terrible towels” are the red clothes that fans wave at football games. Although the retirement of Harry Husker, who is owned by the Com Cobs, will reduce the organization’s sideline participa tion at football games, Com Cobs will continue to use Harry at pa rades and pep rallies, Harder said. “We’re disappointed (about Harry’s retirement)_It’s a loss, but we’ re try ing to find the positive and are hoping to work with the athletic department,” Harder said. Tassels is much smaller than Corn Cobs, but it is the oldest continuing spirit organization at UNL, with more than 50 years of campus participation. This year, Tassels pledged 25 new members, bringing membership to about 50. Bob Sheldon, assistant director of university information, is the Tassels adviser. Sheldon said the Tassels members sell red bal loons at football games to raise money. Proceeds from the balloon sales help pay for the group’s an nual trip to an out-of-state football game, Sheldon said. However, at one game each season, proceeds from the balloon sales are donated {o the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which the Tassels have worked with for nine years. This year, the Tassels do nated the profits from the Ne braska-South Carolina game. To date, the money raised has not been totaled. “The balloon sales have getter- ]. ally been pretty good,” Sheldon said. “We sell an average of800 to 1,000 per game.” Students interested in joining Com Cobs or Tassels are encour aged to attend weekly meetings in the Nebraska Union. Cam Cobs meets on Tuesdays at 5 p.m., and Tassels meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Bug research shown By Christine Anderson Staff Reporter Although “La Cucaracha” remains a popular, traditional Spanish folk song, its inspiration, the cockroach, is still merely a household pest. Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who are research ing ways tocoatrolcockroach popula tions presented theft tcsearch at the Institute of Natuq^)te90urce6 Open House Thursday. Two exampicjrof their research at the entomology department include researching a biological control method mv<4vmg*w a microscopic wasp, which imptaftte its eggs into the egg dr body of thejpach. The it>ach becomes sterile, 4nd Roger Gold. UNL entomology dtlension special ist. Scientists arc also developing syn thetic growth hormones that inhibit the roach’s physical development. Gold said the German cockroach, commonly found in Nebraska, is the most rccogni/.ed pest in the United States. The abundant pest produces up to eight generations per year. Visitors were able to get an up closc-and-personal look at several cockroach species at the open house. About 4,000 people of all ages, including several school groups vis ited the campus, said Dick Fleming, chairman of the IANR Open House. Many high-school students who are interested in attending UNL also vis ited, he said. Gold’s insect exhibit had no trouble attracting guests. “Many people are fascinated by insects, but they don’t Warn any part of _ them,’’ Gpld said. “MofSUnod in awe at a distance.” Along with foil roaches at the booth.! department also widow spider and i fly maggots. A li _ roach painted red whit a insignia is the deparuueM’t 1 mascot.-^ The display was one of 25 exhibits at the Bast Union And Other locations across campus. k * * Participants were also invited to lour various departments including agriculture engineering, the animal science complex, horticulture, agron-! omy, Maxwell Arboretum, veterinary' science, biochemistry and food sci ence. The open house will end this eve ning. “IT’S THRILLING, EXCITING, VERY FUNNY AND ABSOLUTE MAGIC. DON’T MISS IT!” -Joel Siegel, ABC-TV I “Rob Reiner and William Goldman have got it smashingly right. Enchanting...feel free to be thrilled." - Richard Corliss, TIME MAGAZINE I “An instant classic. The goodtime movie of the year. Just the right mix of hilarity and heartbreak. The entire cast is superb, but the funniest is Billy Crystal. Two hours of pure enchantment.” - Peter Travers, PEOPLE MAGAZINE “One of the funniest and most charming comedies I’ve seen in a long time. Two big thumbs up!" t - Roger Ebert, SISKEL 8. EBERTS, THE MOVIES “Studded with delicious performances...A picaresque epic with a gently satiric vision. It may well be the most pleasurable movie vou’ll see all vear." “★★★★. One of the best movies of the year. The performances of the ensemble cast are uniformly excellent. Mandy Patinkin is funny and poignant. Andre the Giant, the 7-foot tall wrestler, is wonderful, lovable and a natural comedian. Billy Crystal is a howl. 1 love THE PRINCESS BRIDE” - Joseph Celmis, NEWSDAY "★★★★. THE PRINCESS BRIDE has everything. An enchanting movie full of gleeful, high-spirited fun. A fabulous, funny cast. THE PRINCESS BRIDE is sheer entertainment." - Jami Bernard, N.Y. 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