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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 9-1-2006 Montana Kaimin, September 1, 2006 Students of The niU versity of Montana, Missoula Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Students of The nivU ersity of Montana, Missoula, "Montana Kaimin, September 1, 2006" (2006). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 4914. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/4914 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ¤ Sports Kaimin Back Football frenzy MONTANA to school tip No. 2 Page 14 Page 11 Friday, September 1, 2006 AIMIN Volume CIX, Issue 4 ComeKdic Concert Wage increase initiative sparks strongTY HAMPTON debate MONTANA KAIMIN Montana’s stagnant minimum wage rate of $5.15 per hour, the feder- al minimum, might increase by $1 after nine years without change if voters pass Initiative-151 in November’s general election. The proposal put forth on the ballot by the Raise Montana campaign includes built-in annual adjustments to match cost-of-living increases. And it appears popular, if three public polls that showed between 74 percent to 80 percent of Montanans favor of the proposal are any indi- cation. “This shows Montanans believe it to be a reasonable rate — maybe not enough — but reasonable,” Raise Montana Campaign Manager Doug Mitchell said. A minimum wage increase proposal hasn’t appeared on the Montana ballot since 1996, when a proposal to raise it from $4.25 to $6.25 by 2000 was defeated 56 percent to 44 percent. Federal law required the raise to $5.15 in 1997. Three hundred volunteers and a dozen paid signature gatherers col- lected more than 30,000 signatures of those in favor of the initiative in 67 of Montana’s 100 legislative districts and 54 of the state’s 56 coun- ties. Interestingly, the number of signatures equals the state Labor Department’s estimate of how many Montana workers receive mini- mum wage – 30,000. Shane McMillan / Montana Kaimin According to Mitchell, the average minimum wage worker is 26 The Oval was converted into a comedy corner Thursday night as comedian-musicians Mike Hardwick and Chris Phirman entertained the crowd years old. Many dismiss the issue as unnecessary because “it’s just high for about an hour. The goal was to “get people out of the halls and meeting each other,” said associate director of the UC Lee Clark. school or college students who are going to run out to buy the newest CD,” Mitchell said, but he disagrees with that view. “It’s really a movement to decide what is fair and, student or other- wise, working full time to only make 69 percent of the federal poverty level isn’t fair,” Mitchell said. Aaron Brock, outreach coordinator at the Missoula Food Bank, Student escapes gunpoint asault agrees with Mitchell, calling the current wage conditions a social and economic injustice with an unfortunate consequence – Montanans ZACHARY FRANZ See MINIMUM WAGE, Page 6 MONTANA KAIMIN wallet, but he threw it down and then attempted to sexually assault her. The woman was able to escape and call police, the A student reported to police that she was robbed at report says. The man fled before officers arrived on $$ttuuddeenntt gunpoint just off campus Tuesday night, said Sgt. the scene. The woman was taken to First Step, the Scott Hoffman with the Missoula Police Department. division of St. Patrick Hospital that specializes in The woman, a 21-year-old student, was walking cases of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, from the University Center to her home in the Hoffman said. University Village Apartments on South Avenue The woman said the man who attacked her was ¢¢aasshh around 11:30 p.m., according to the police report. black, between 5’10” and 6’0” tall, with a medium Just off campus, a man approached her, held a gun build. He was wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt to her head and demanded money, the report says. and had the hood pulled up, she said. The woman told police that she gave the man her Student pay goes from Segway to parking-ticket future monthly to biweekly ZACHARY FRANZ & SHANE MCMILLAN TY HAMPTON MONTANA KAIMIN MONTANA KAIMIN Starting this semester, all students with on-campus student jobs pay- The University of Montana’s new Segway Human ing hourly wages will be paid biweekly instead of monthly, as in the Transporter looks pretty cool, but students may not be quick past. to embrace it. After all, its major contribution so far has Student workers who use direct deposit will be paid on the 1st and been to allow Campus Safety Parking Officer Audrey 15th of every month beginning Sept. 15. Those who don’t use direct Kramer-Jorgenson to find more illegally parked cars. deposit can pick up their checks the following business day. “I can write more tickets faster because I can move According to Terri Phillips, associate director of Human Resource faster,” she said. Services, students have been requesting a more frequent pay schedule Kramer-Jorgenson is the primary user of the University’s for years now. But the old computer network couldn’t handle managing Segway – a gyroscope-balanced, scooter-like vehicle. UM payroll every two weeks along with other duties. purchased the Segway over the summer. It’s an older Now, due to a more powerful computer network drive installed this model, said Office of Public Safety Director Ken Willett, summer, biweekly pay is possible. and cost about $4,300. Mark LoParco, director of Dining Services, said his department and The school plans to purchase another Segway for police many others around campus have been supporters of the change for at use in the next few weeks, Willett said. The new unit will be least the past decade. a more advanced model and will have some off-road capa- “It’s very important to us because we rely on a student work force bility, he said. He expects it to cost UM about $6,500. with approximately 450 student workers,” LoParco said. Several factors justify that cost, Willett said. A Segway At times, hiring and retaining employees at places like the Food Zoo can go longer than an officer on foot, is easier to use in a was made difficult in the old system, LoParco said. One reason is that crowd than a block and can get places that a car can’t, Willet employees who started in mid-August would not be paid until Oct. 1. said. In the new system, the same employees will see a check two weeks The Segway also plays a public relations role, as people earlier, by Sept. 15. It will make it easier to hire new employees midse- are always curious and want to ask about it, he said. mester and fill the turnover gap when November hits and some student Furthermore, the Segway runs on electricity, saving expen- workers decide to focus more on their studies, LoParco said. sive gas. “If you subscribe to the ‘students first’ motto, you have to see this as The vehicles have the same weather limitations as a bike, positive action in that respect,” LoParco said. Willett said. They aren’t practical in rain or extreme cold. Shane McMillan / Montana Kaimin Food Zoo employee Kendrie Willhite, a junior, has been waiting a “I really think they are going to catch on,” Kramer- Campus Safety Parking Officer Audrey Kramer-Jorgenson explains year and a half for the change to take place. Jorgensen said. the operation of the Segway she often uses while ticketing illegally “It just makes it easier to manage your finances, and I think it’s a parked vehicles on campus. See STUDENT PAY, Page 6 www.montanakaimin.com M o n t a n a K a i m i n 2 Opinion Friday, September 1, 2006 d the Guest Column n O u ... al v Students have biggest stake in elections o O v e h r t a d n u A o l r A . When I was a novice political candidate a few For me, this isn’t a partisan issue. It is an issue . A l r years ago, trying to put together a political campaign about whether the form of government I love is a o v u strategy that would overcome the experience and going to have any relevancy or whether it is going to O n e d h t notoriety of my opponent, I was advised over and be given over to the well-heeled, the connected and over again, “Don’t waste time campaigning with uni- the powerful. When given the right to vote and par- versity students — they don’t vote and they don’t ticipate in government, will students embrace care.” democracy as a personal duty or return it with a Question 1: What was your greatest moment of the I couldn’t believe it. Students not care? Students blank stare of indifference? Will they plead they are summer? have the biggest stake in the outcome of any election. unaware of how to register to vote? Too ignorant of Question 2: Was it a summer of romance? Their future is on the line.

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