1999 - 06 (Jun)

              [IMAGE (PHOTOGRAPH) Construction digging a hole, basketball hoop, cut out of a softball player] Western courier Serving the Students of Western Illinois University Since 1905 FROM THE VAULT A review of a familiar band in addition to one of the top films of the summer. FEATURES PACE 3 �Winds Drops Heartbreaker DePaul University slipped past the 'Winds 1-0 in the finals of the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament. SPORTS PAGE 8 WEATHER OUTLOOK Today: Chance of thunderstorms with highs in the upper 80s. THREE-DAY FORECAST PAGE 2  http://courier.wiu.edu Thursday, June 10, 1999 Volume 100, Issue 88 Budget Increase allows for improvements State funding paves the way for revamping of campus wide utility tunnel system By Leslie Gray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT The Illinois General Assembly has approved a $4,507,700 increase in the WIU operating budget for FY2000. An operating budget of $82,283,700 was adopted for WIU, an increase of 5.8 percent over the FY99 budget of $77,776,000. ""We are generally pleased with the level of funding and want to thank Sen. Laura Kent Donahue and Rep. Rich Myers for their efforts on our behalf,"" WIU President Donald Spencer said. The General Assembly also allocated $3,707,900 in capital funds for the utility tunnel improvements. The money for allocated for the utility tunnel will be used for phase three of the multiphase project. The tunnel, now in its second phase, includes installation of a high pressure steam supply and condensate return, high voltage electrical and fiber optic distribution systems within the entire length of the main campus buildings beginning at the Heating Plant and connecting the main tunnel by shallow tunnels to the major campus buildings. The concrete conduit will be 7 feet tall and 7 feet wide. The new system will run southwest from Western Hall and connect 2,100 linear feet to 75 feet of Murray Street. The tunnel then will reach the south side of Sal lee Hall and go east along the south side of Seal Hall, finally reaching the Heating Plant distribution systems. Currently, there are tunnels between Sherman and Simpkins halls and the Heating Plant and Garwood Hall. According to James Barnett, director of the Physical Plant, a new system is needed because the old system is unreliable and costly. ""We (WIU) lose in excess of a quarter of a million dollars a year because of leaks,"" Barnett said. The leaks occur when the steam is converted back to water after it has been used to heat or cool a building. He added that he cannot ensure the old system's reliability to get steam to all of the buildings on campus. ""I can say we'll do the best we can to provide steam to the buildings but I can't say steam will get to . the buildings,"" Barnett said. He added that the utility tunnel . will be a long-term investment since steam will get to buildings more efficiently. According to Barnett, repairs to the current system are difficult because it is nearly impossible to tell where the repairs are needed. Steam is the main source of energy used to heat and cool the major buildings on campus because it is cheaper than electricity, natural gas or coal. Barnett said another reason the new system is needed is because some buildings in the past have been built over existing utility pipes. Stipes Hall, for example is built over a pipeline that was put into place when Horrabin Hall was built. To avoid that problem, Barnett and his team are looking at the final draft of the master plan for the utility tunnel. Barnett added that the master plan of the tunnel system must follow the master plan of WIU to avoid a building being built over a pipeline, and so that his future peers will say that the new system was a good idea should WIU continue to expand. ""If WIU needs a performing arts center or a new building, how will utilities be added?"" Barnett said. ""We are generally pleased with the level of funding and want to thank Sen. Laura Kent Donahue and Rep. Rich Myers for their efforts on our behalf."" Donald Spencer WIU President JOSH MONNINGER/COURIER STAFF A construction crew begins assembly of the new underground utility pipe system at the intersection of Murray Street and Stadium Drive. Construction is expected to last through the summer of 2002. Navy introduces CASH program By Leslie Gray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Students now have another way to access money for college thanks to the United States Navy's Navy CASH program. Qualified students accepted into the program will attend college for one year while receiving cash assistance for tuition, fees and living expenses. Students will also be paid a regular Navy salary and reap all of the benefits of an active duty sailor, including medical and dental benefits and 30 days paid vacation every year. Students are also eligible for any of the Navy's enlistment incentives, such as the Loan Repayment Programs or up to $50,000 in the Navy College Fund. Students completing the program will enter the U.S. Navy at an advanced pay grade upon completion of required college credits or any time in Navy-CASH by providing qualified referrals who join the Navy. Students enlist in the U.S. Navy by enrolling into the Navy-CASH program. They attend recruit training and receive advanced technical training in subjects specific to their chosen rating, which counts as additional college credit. Students in the program are entitled to such benefits as the Tuition Assistance Program, which offers additional voluntary education after successful completion of recruit training. Students will be eligible to enter elite fields like nuclear power, and submarine electronics. Nuclear power technicians can receive up to $12,000 in enlistment incentives and are assigned to aircraft carriers or may volunteer for active submarine duty. Students entering the Navy through the Navy-CASH Program receive extensive training and may be eligible for enlistment bonuses, submarine duty pay, re-enlistment bonuses and rapid pay advancement. Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Navy- CASH Program: � Meet the specific requirements for one of the Navy-CASH jobs. � Enroll full-time or be accepted for enrollment in an accredited community college, junior college or university. � Successfully complete at least one college-level algebra course and one physics-based science course with a ""C"" average or better. � Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale while enrolled in Navy- CASH. � Agree to leave for recruit training within 30 days of completing the final college term. Interested students should contact their nearest Navy Recruiting Station or call 1-800-777-NAVY.JOSH MONN1NGER/COURIER STAFF Tom Denk, a senior finance major, decided to warm up by shooting some hoops yesterday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center rather than be outside in the 95 degree heat.