Professor: Bus systems not likely to merge

A Kansas University professor of architecture and urban design says he doesnâÂÂt expect the KU, city and school bus systems to merge in the future.

Merging the KU on Wheels and the T would make the most sense financially, Alan Black said during a University Forum lecture at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.

âÂÂItâÂÂs definitely the thing to do because their efficiency depends on ridership,â he said. âÂÂThe best systems carry a lot of people.âÂÂ

But the three systems are run by separate companies, he said.

âÂÂThey compete with each other,â he said. âÂÂThey donâÂÂt want anything to do with (merging).âÂÂ

Also complicating the issue is that KU student fees pay for KU on Wheels, and KU buses arenâÂÂt required to comply with the American with Disabilities Act, as city buses are.

Black also gave a brief history and update on several road projects in Douglas County, including the South Lawrence Trafficway and U.S. 59 expansion.

Funds pledged to KUEA

The immediate past chairwoman of the Kansas University Alumni Association and her husband have pledged $120,000 to KUâÂÂs capital campaign, officials announced Wednesday.

Janet Martin McKinney, a 1974 graduate in anthropology, and her husband, Kent McKinney, made the donation. Of the $120,000, $50,000 will support the Williams Educational Fund, which provides scholarships to athletes, $12,000 will go to the Museum of AnthropologyâÂÂs field programs, and $8,000 will go to the Chancellors Club, KU Endowment AssociationâÂÂs major donor-recognition group.

They also pledged $50,000 to the Alumni Association in memory of JanetâÂÂs father, Bill Martin, president of the association from 1978 to 1979.

KU basketball players to visit LMH patients

Chancellor Robert Hemenway and members of the Kansas University womenâÂÂs basketball team will visit patients today at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The KU representatives will deliver hundreds of KU merchandise items to patients for the holidays beginning around 3:30 p.m.

KU asks its 425 licensees to donate one or more products for the holiday giveaway project. Some of the donations are given to Toys for Tots or are auctioned to raise money to purchase gifts for poor children. The rest are delivered to LMH patients.

Volunteers are sought to adopt needy families

Penn House needs volunteers to adopt one of 10 needy families from the Lawrence area.

Volunteers will provide families with one new outfit for each family member, a new toy or game for each child, a personal gift for adults and either food or grocery gift certificates for a holiday meal. Families made wish lists for gift ideas. Those who canâÂÂt adopt a whole family can donate money or gift certificates to Penn House or ECKAN for distribution.

To volunteer, or for more information, call Penn House at 842-0440 or ECKAN at 841-3357.

Natural resources issues focus of forum

The Kansas Natural Resources Legacy Alliance will hold a public forum at 7 p.m. today in the old Supreme Court chambers, Room 313-S of the Statehouse at 10th and Jackson streets in Topeka

The forum will begin with introductions and an overview of Kansas natural resources by Tracy Streeter of the State Conservation Commission. The floor will then be open for comment on natural resources.

The forum is part of the allianceâÂÂs meeting today and Friday in the State Conference Room on the first floor of Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th St., Topeka.