THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904. VOL. 115 ISSUE 124 MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2005 WWW.KANSAN.COM ▼ RELIGION Nick Weiser, Dighton freshman, bows his head Catholics mourn in prayer for Pope John Paul II during a spe- Lawrence residents hold vigil in memory of pope STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS cial service known about it, but he was he would continue doing that in than two weeks ago. held Friday happy with the turnout. death. “It feels like a connection hav- night at the St. Nick Weiser knelt down in “It was necessary to pray for The Rev. Vince Krische was ing been at one of his last cele- Lawrence the front pew of the chapel at the pope because it’s an oppor- impressed by the general con- brations he appeared,” he said. Catholic the St. Lawrence Catholic tunity for everyone to come cern of the Catholic leader. The pope’s final public appear- Campus Center Friday night. together in prayer,” he said. Krische said people had ance was Wednesday when, look- Center, 1631 The Dighton freshman hung More than 50 students joined stopped him in Lawrence Friday ing gaunt and unable to speak, he Crescent Road. his head low as he draped his Weiser Friday night for a prayer to ask him about the pope’s con- briefly appeared at his window. A group of stu- rosary over the side of the pew vigil for Pope John Paul II. dition. His health sharply deteriorat- dents from the in the front row. The vigil was a time for peo- “I just think it’s really inter- ed the next day after he suffered center, includ- His prayers were for Pope ple to mourn, but it was also a esting. It’s the big word on the a urinary tract infection. ing Weiser, John Paul II, who died Saturday time to celebrate the pope’s life, street and everyone — not just In John Paul’s 26-year reign traveled to in his Vatican apartment, ending the Rev. James Sanchez said. Catholics — is talking about it,” he helped topple communism in Rome during a long public struggle against “We’re here to recognize the he said. Europe and left a deeply conser- spring break debilitating illness. He was 84. great legacy our Holy Father is Weiser and others at the gath- vative stamp on the church. when they saw Kasonia Kisangani, December leaving us,” Sanchez said in a ering said they felt a personal He reaffirmed the church’s the Pope as he 2004 graduate from Manhattan, sermon. “His legacy is that he connection to the Holy Father. ban on artificial birth control waved to the said more students could have embodied, he witnessed and he Weiser heard the pope speak and denounced in vitrofertiliza crowd. shown up to the center’s vigil, inspired hope.” Sanchez said the when he attended a spring Rachel Seymour/KANSAN 1631 Crescent Road, had they pope did that when he lived and break pilgrimage to Rome less SEE MOURN ON PAGE 2A ▼ STATE POLITICS Rock the Kansas vote Marriage ban on Other issues: The following are items that will appear on tomorrow’s ballot: City Marriage ballot tomorrow Commission amendment BY JASON SHAAD used to take away rights from people is bad. It elections [email protected] seems almost evil.” KANSAN STAFF WRITER Daniel Rea, St. Louis freshman and activism chairman for Queers and Allies, said the amend- Kansas will be the first of four states in 2005 to ment was too specific. There are three open seats on the commis- What it says: decide whether to amend its state constitution to “It’s not just defining marriage,” Rea said. “It’s sion. Five candidates are running: Marriage (a) The marriage contract is to be prohibit same-sex marriage. The proposed denying rights to any partners or couples outside considered in law as a civil contract. amendment will be on ballots across the state of marriage.” ✦ Sue Hack Marriage shall be constituted by one man tomorrow. Student Senate voted last month to oppose the ✦ Tom Bracciano and one woman only. All other marriages South Dakota, Tennessee and Alabama will fol- amendment. The amendment conflicts with the ✦ Mike Amyx are declared to be contrary to the public low Kansas and vote on state constitutional University of Kansas Code of Student Rights and ✦ David Schauner policy of this state and are void. amendments later this year. Responsibilities, which protects students from ✦ Jim Carpenter (b) No relationship, other than a marriage, While 17 states already have constitutional harassment based on sexual orientation. shall be recognized by the state as enti- amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage, 23 While denying the recognition of other civil For more information about the candidates go to: tling the parties to the rights or incidents http://www.kansan.com others have pending amendments, according to unions is a bold step, it is necessary to ensure that of marriage. the Human Rights Campaign, a national organi- the amendment is more than just theory, Lee zation working for equal rights for lesbians, gays, Bickerstaff, Emporia senior, said. bisexuals and transgendered persons. “If there are no real world effects, then you’re Kansas, like many other states, already has a just arguing semantics,” Bickerstaff said. state statute that prohibits same-sex marriage and If the amendment does not pass, the legislature defines marriage as a contract between two peo- could still amend the state’s statute prohibiting School bond School board ple of the opposite sex. The proposed amendment same-sex marriage, which would function similar- issues elections would take this statute a step further. ly to the constitutional amendment. The first part of the amendment defines mar- But that is unlikely, Allan Cigler, professor of riage as a civil contract between one man and one political science, said. Governor Kathleen woman. By this definition, all other marriages Sebelius can veto any new statutes. would be declared void. “My guess would be that she doesn’t support Bond issue 1: Bond issue 2: There are three open seats on the board. The second part says the state will not recog- the amendment,” Cigler said. “I think it’s the This item involves a This item involves Three candidates are running: nize any relationship, other than marriage, as hav- amendment or nothing.” $54 million bond to an $8.9 million bond ing the rights or incidents of marriage. Cigler said he doubted the house and the sen- demolish and to buy new and ✦ Craig Grant This would deny some tax breaks and benefits ate could get the two-third vote required to over- rebuild South Junior upgraded computer ✦ John Mitchell to people in civil unions who are not married, ride a governor’s veto. High school, as well equipment for the ✦ Linda Robinson Aaron Paden, Lawrence senior, said. And that Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. as making other Douglas County takes things too far, Paden said. He has helped Registered voters can contact The Douglas County improvements to school district. organize a rally against the amendment at 12:20 Clerk’s office for voting locations at 832-5267. A the existing junior high and high today at Wescoe Beach. majority vote is needed for the amendment to pass. school. “Our constitution should be there to protect citizens,” Paden said. “For the constitution to be — Edited by Nikola Rowe Source: Douglas County Clerk’s office ▼ BUSINESS ▼ PHI KAPPA THETA Bar owners feel sting of loss National group Empty seats BY ADAM LAND line the bar at [email protected] Jefferson’s KANSAN STAFF WRITER revokes charter Restaurant, BY ERIC SORRENTINO board of the 743 The second game of the Final Four between [email protected] Interfraternity Massachusetts North Carolina and Michigan State rallied only KANSAN STAFF WRITER Council upheld St., yesterday enough people to fill two-thirds of JB Stout’s the decision to afternoon. Sports Bar and Grill, 721 Wakarusa Drive, Phi Kappa Theta’s national expel the chap- These seats, Saturday night. fraternity will not recognize the ter from the along with Nearly every section had empty tables. KU chapter as a fraternity after University of many others, Dustin Holiday, former KU student, said he it had an unregistered party on Kansas. As a likely would expected more people to come out to watch the Feb. 19, fraternity members said result, Phi Kappa Theta will no have been filled Final Four. yesterday. longer be recognized locally or during the “After about 15 minutes the place cleared out,” The national fraternity in nationally as a fraternity, he March Madness he said. “I was really surprised.” Carmel, Ind., revoked Phi said. games if the Bucknell thwarted tournament hopes for fans, Kappa Theta’s charter Saturday, Matt Moreno, president of Jayhawks gone as well as for bar owners and managers who said Michael Pilshaw, Lawrence the fraternity and Wichita soph- more than one anticipated tournament revenue, with its stunning junior and member of Phi omore, said the fraternity was game in the Kappa Theta. This happened tournament. Rachel Seymour/KANSAN SEE STING ON PAGE 3A two days after the executive SEE CHARTER ON PAGE 3A Today’s weather Tough loss Same-sex marriage ban Student Senate Even though the Kansas Tomorrow’s ballots will include a ban on same-sex KUnited was fined for softball team played marriages. The state already has a statute defining door to door campaign- 8055 hard, it continued its marriage as between a man and a woman. PAGE 3A ing in residence halls. Warm and windy downward spiral losing Campaign policy signs —Alex Perkins, KUJH-TV two games to Texas A&M were posted in Templin Tomorrow Wednesday Galindo may transfer on Saturday.