University of Missouri, St. Louis IRL @ UMSL Current (2000s) Student Newspapers 8-16-2004 Current, August 16, 2004 University of Missouri-St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://irl.umsl.edu/current2000s Recommended Citation University of Missouri-St. Louis, "Current, August 16, 2004" (2004). Current (2000s). 187. https://irl.umsl.edu/current2000s/187 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at IRL @ UMSL. It has been accepted for inclusion in Current (2000s) by an authorized administrator of IRL @ UMSL. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VOLUME 37 August 16, 2004 Your source for campus news and information See page 10 The Odyssey of Harold and Kumar ' ~ Students Kerry vows to strengthen America PPRC study . i I finds pattern drinkless t of inaccurate than some local tax expect assessments BY PATRICIA LEE BY MELISSA MCCRARY ..- -- -- ~ _.. - -- .. _- ....... -- --. "-_. .'- Staff Writer Features Editor College students often have a reputation for being excessive The Public Policy Research drinkers, but the average UM-St. Center (PPRC) at UM-St. Louis Louis student may not fit this recently conducted a study which stereotype. According to a survey of i showed some problems with UM-St. Louis students taken last property tax assessments for three spring, most students have less than of Missouri's fastest growing four drinks per week. In fact, counties. research has shown that college Steve Gardner, PPRC research .. students do not drink as much as specialist, shared what he believed people may think. was the main purpose of this study. "[College students] do have a "The study was done to reputation for lots of college parties determine the actual leve1 of and underage drin.king," said assessments in these counties, Shemelle Davis, senior, nursing. because there is no precise process' Michelle Schmidt, coordinator for in Missouri to determine these UM-St. Louis' Drug and Alcohol results," Gardner said. to, Prevention, said that there are several The analysis looked at various reasons why students have this property tax assessments compared reputation. to the value that hollies sell for in St. Casey Ulrich! The Current "I think it has to do with the Charles County, St. Louis County media," Schmidt said. "I think it has John Kerry and John Edwards, presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2004 election, arrive at Union Station by and in St. Louis City. They also to do with movies from the past about train for the democratic rally on August 5th. St. Louis was one of the many stops on their current cross-county campaign. studied appraisals and tax rates for the way college life was, movies like commercial and business properties fC. 'Animal House,' and I think that under these jurisdictions. sometimes it has to do with the Almost 47,000 buildings in these values parents pass down to their Union Station rally draws thousands of supporters three counties had their sale values kids." and taxes studied by the PPRC. After extensive research, the Another possibility is that many BY WILL MELTON college students happen to fall'into a ~iudy showed that assessments in young age group. News Editor St. Louis and St. Louis County ~ "If you're a college student, you're failed to fully capture market values probably not going to be drinking as Senator John Kerry vowed to the people of St. for many residential properties. much as people your age who aren't Louis that "We can do better," and that "America Also, the study found that going to school," said Andy Nichols, [will be] stronger at home and respected in the homeowners of lower cost jUIlior, marketUlg. world." Kerry, playing favorites to the crowd, also properties in St, Louis paid more in UM-St. Louis has not seen major boasted about the Cardinals having the best record taxes than did owners of higher problems related to excessive in baseball, enjoying a concrete at Ted Drewes, the valued residential properties drinking. Schmidt said she thinks this joy of celebrating the lOOth anniversary of the throughout the city. St. Charles may be due to the commuter status of World's Fair and more than a few allusions to County met Missouri standard for the University. Harry Truman. property assessment levels, whereas "If they don't live here, they're not The event, which took place on August 5, drew St. Louis and St. Louis County going to party here," Schmidt said. an estimated 15,000 people to Union Station as showed to have lower asse smenis Nichols said that he thinks Kerry's coast-t()-{;()ast "Believe In America" tour and problematic consistency. drinking on campus may be safer rolled into town. Droves of supporters ranging The problems with these than partaking elsewhere. from local firefighters and laborers to the Service inaccurate tax rates are primarily . "It's better if you're on campus if Employees International Union and the American due to appraisers estimating you're drinking alcohol because it's Federation of State, County and Municipal incorrect home values. easier to get back to wherever you're Employees, as well as the general public lined the The 197-page study showe.d that staying. If you're [living] on campus streets to rally for victOlY. the values of homes in St. Louis and you don't have to drive, then you The event began by giving local and state County were set at 20 percent too can walk back to your dorm," politicians the chance to offer their support to low. The law in Missouri says that Nichols said. Kerry and bolster their own exposure as elections correct appraisals for homes and Schmidt said that another reason draw near. businesses should be 100 percent of Former Sen. Jean Carnahan, as well as son Russ the m.arket value. The values of that drinking may be low on campus Casey Ulrich! The CW'Tf!nI is that, "college students these days and daughter Robin, both up for election in properties in St. Charles County met November, were among the ranks of democrats in Dave Grohl, of the Foo Fighters, performed at the John Kerry/John Edwards rally that professional standards because they are taking their college career took place at St. Louis's Union Station on August 5. The Foo Fighters and several seriously. They're having to pay a lot attendance to support their party's nominee. have been set at 95 percent. St. Louis mayor Francis Slay kicked things off other bands are working on a musical compilation called "Rock Against BUSh," due "One of the research methodli more money for it, and they're either out on April 20. having to work part-time or full-time, welcoming the excited crowd. Before introducing used was that we took the sale so it becomes pretty serious for Rep. Lacy Gay, I st Congressional District, Mayor to ensure optimal funding for the public school Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl, who said, ''I'm prices for homes and businesses them." Slay reiterated the common themes from the systems nationwide then our current president has. your average American," performed an over a one to two year period from For the most part, UM-St. Louis . Democratic National Convention. He spoke of Speaking personally after his speech Clay intimate, one-man acoustic set of his band's these counties and compared these prohibits alcohol on campus. Alcohol Kerry's plans to slrengthen the American military said, "that the Kerry-Edwards team are truly better-known tunes, including, "Learn To Fly," values based on standard values," is allowed in the Millennium Student and save jobs from being outsourced. committed to turning this country around." He "Times Like These" and a mellowed version of, Gardner said. Center for some events with approval Clay took the stage and confidently announced chronicled how Blish came into office inheriting "My Hero." After his performance Grohl Not onJy did Gardner put a great from the vice chancellor of that Senators Kerry and Edwards "are our next a surplus during a time of peace and prosperity declined to comment on why Kerry- Edwards is deal of work into this project, but managerial and technology services President and Vice-President" He touched on and over the course of his presidency turned it the best ticket for younger voters. also PPRC Director Mark Tranel and the director of the MSC. Students issues of healthcare that Kerry has centered much all around. Sean Astin, of "Lord Of The Rings," and helped this study reach its of legal drinking age living in of his campaign speeches on, namely affordable "We have record deficits annually, we'll "Rudy" fame spoke next, delivering a decidedly completion. Mansion Hills or the University prescription drugs. Clay also took the opportunity have a record deficit for years to come, and enthusiastic endorsement of Kerry. Meadows are allowed to keep to hit on the public education situation in St. Louis we've lost 2 million jobs," Clay said. see KERRY RALLY, p age 14 see TAX ASSESSMENTS, page 12 alcohol in their residence. In order to and asserted that Kerry will do more as a president The event turned to star power as Foo keep alcohol in an apartment at University Meadows, every roommate occupying that apartment must be 21 years old. However, in the Red and Gold Roundup kicks off Welcome Week residence halls, there are no exceptions. Gloria Schultz, director of the St. Louis from Texas to serve as the The resident assistants are BY KATE DROLET ._. ...... .~. .. .,- campus bookstore and auxiliary new graduate assistant in the halls.