NIVERSITY NEWSUMKC’s independent stUDENT NEWSPAPER Vol. 79, Issue 10 Oct. 24, 2011 Cover article FEATURE Kansas City’s favorite haunted attractions for 10Halloween. SPORTS Lady Roos stay in thick of Summit League race. 9 Photo courtesy of UMKC Athletics A&E Poisoned candy? A look 16 at this and several other myths and factsPhoto about courtesy Oct. of Google 31. Images Photo by Jeremy Van Ryn 2|News Vol. 79, Issue 10 Oct. 24, 2011 News|3 other news Kansas City claims Board of Curators meets at UMKC recent increase in Meeting recap college grads UM system presidential search Louis Trigg Asst. News Editor Chairman Warren Erdman said the Board of Curators is close to making a decision on the new President of the UM System, but a timetable hasn’t been set. Despite the Kansas City School District’s recent They plan to send a list of finalists to the presidential history of underperformance, Kansas City has a residential search advisory committee within the next two weeks. population that has become one of the most educated constituencies in the country. Erdman didn’t provide a number for the list during a It’s good news about educational attainment for a city press conference at last week’s meeting. that recently lost accreditation of its primary and secondary education system weeks ago. Low-quality primary and secondary system traditionally discourage educated populations from transferring to their areas. Kansas City managed to overcome the shortfall. According to a study by the Brookings Institute, more than 32 percent of residents above the age of 25 have at Miller Nichols Library expansion least a bachelor’s degree, marking a 4.5 percent increase throughout the past decade. The average proportion of The Psychology Club will host The new expansion is expected to include a 340 a pumpkin carving contest this college graduates for the top 100 cities in the study is 31.8 seat auditorium on the first floor level, two adjacent weekend at the University Playhouse. 200 seat lecture halls on the second floor level and percent. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Gary Forsee, the former president of the Board of Curators, resigned in January. Last week’s meeting at UMKC The proportional distribution is good enough to rank the Place. discussed Forsee’s permanent replacement in a closed-door session. two 105 set classrooms on the third floor. area 27th in the study’s top 100 list. Photo by Johanna Poppel Photo courtesy of Google Images Restrooms and mechanical spaces will also be UMKC and nearby schools such as the University of constructed on each level. Kansas, University of Missouri- Columbia and Missouri Louis Trigg Asst. News Editor improving oversight over the system’s financial structure. State University supply the city with a bulk of its college As UM’s primary financial consultant, the position will graduate population. Last week, the UM System’s Board of Curators held be responsible for overseeing the new retirement plan, With regard to the impact of attainment, though, the Psi Chi partners its quarterly meeting on campus to address various issues and the general investment pool as well as its disability Charity benefits regarding the UM System and the individual campuses. and death plan. implications of the study are considered dubious. A growth in education is typically commensurate with a growth in with Children’s With most of the nation awaiting decision about Attention was turned to the classroom reconstruction job opportunity. possible conference re-alignment for Mizzou’s athletic project at the Miller Nichols Library. The Board However, the area ranked high as the second worst city program, the Board instead chose to deal with other approved the use of debt financing for the project last New employees benefit plan for job loss last year in a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor from Halloween Place items on the agenda for its three-day convention, November. The classroom addition will provide more Statistics (BLS). before delivering any word about a decision concerning than 900 new lecture spaces, which are expected to In June, the Board of Curators approved a proposal According to the BLS report, Kansas City lost 1.3 Michelle Heiman Copy Editor Pre-registration for pumpkin Theatre’s “History of Kisses” (worth Mizzou’s commitment to the Big 12 division. support the demand for classroom space as campus wide to limit the ability of new hires to join the current benefits percent of its employment force last year, totaling more carving ended Oct. 19. Registration $70), a gift card to Tea Drops and a The Board commenced with two closed sessions enrollment continues to increase. plan, only through Sept. 30, 2012. than 12,000 jobs. Atlanta was the only city with a worse Combine the entertainment of at the event will be $7. “Anyone who gift card to the UMKC bookstore. to discuss the ongoing search for a new UM System MU also received project approval for a renovation Former President Gary Forsee assembled an Ad Hoc drop at 1.4 percent. carving pumpkins with giving to wants to participate can use our tools “I see my main responsibility as president. Former President Gary Forsee resigned in to Gwynn Hall, while S&T gained approval for its Retirement Plan Advisory Committee last November to Researchers in the Brookings report mentioned that charity, and you have the first ever and pumpkins or bring a pre-carved providing feedback and guidance to January to spend time with his ailing wife, who was Chemical and Biological Engineering Building. The second day was adjourned with a closed session, create a report that would determine whether or not it the average Kansas City worker possesses more years of pumpkin carving contest from the one,” said Psi Chi Membership insure that both clubs achieve their diagnosed with cancer. Interim President Steve Owens was in the University’s interest to continue exposure to educational training than the available jobs in the area international psychology honor Officer and Community Outreach respective goals. I’m thrilled to say has been serving until the Board can find a permanent where commentators suspect the Board used the time to require. replacement. discuss Mizzou’s athletic conference realignment. the financial risks implicit in the current UM DB plan. society Psi Chi, the Psychology Club Coordinator Melissa Childress. “They that we have an incredible group of The Board ultimately decided to search for alternatives. [email protected] and the Psychology Department. can also enter as an organization.” students who are extremely motivated Closed sessions were scheduled to deliberate Thereafter, the Board made a decision concerning The event will take place at 4:30 While the clubs did not set a and active,” Bennett said. “Our club confidential information with legal counsel and auditors. speculation about whether or not Mizzou would leave p.m. on Oct. 27 at the University fundraising goal, they welcome all officers developed this as a creative Following those sessions, the meeting was opened to the Big 12 Conference. Saving the most discussed issue playhouse. The contest will benefit students, faculty and staff to participate way to raise funds for, awareness the public, where the Board voted to authorize a new for last, MU Chancellor Brady Deaton was granted The Children’s Place, located at 59th and help support The Children’s about, The Children’s Place.” benefits plan for new employees. full authority to decide the fate of the school’s future New MU athletic training program Street and Brookside Boulevard. Place. They will be providing apple After the prizes are awarded, the Starting Oct. 1, 2012, the plan will require new conference home. The Children’s Place is “committed cider and baked goods throughout carved pumpkins will be sold for $5 employees to contribute 1 percent to 2 percent of their “The reason that we are delegating this authority in MU sent a proposal to the Board for approval last to meeting the developmental and the day for open donation, so they each. All proceeds go to The Children’s income into their retirement packages. the manner that we are is that’s what we can do today,” Owens said contribution-based plans are gaining in Chairman Warren Erdman said in a news release. week that would establish a new AT degree program. mental health needs of the very encourage attendance, even without Place. “We already donated some As an entry-level program, the degree will prepare youngest survivors of abuse, neglect carving a pumpkin. paintings to be auctioned off from our popularity at universities across the country. Changes to the Faculty Bylaws at UMKC were The approval marked the end of a two-year debate approved on the final day, thereby standardizing voting students for prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and other trauma,” according to its The pumpkin carving will happen cultural event earlier this year and are intervention and treatment of acute and chronic health website. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Voting will planning a hat and glove drive for the concerning alternatives that would allow the university eligibility across all units on campus in elections. take place from 1 to 4 p.m. People to protect its employees against risk and volatility Although each unit will retain control over eligibility conditions. “Over the summer and early in rest of the year,” Childress said. The training is aimed at qualifying students for the the fall semester, the club officers can vote by dropping money into the For more information about the associated with the older plan. University officials believe for internal matters, eligibility for campus wide elections brainstormed ideas for selecting a carved pumpkins.