School of Business

Student volunteers help others meet tax deadlines

Business School student Ryan Roush (right) helps Karla Knutson (left) and Lukas Andrid (center) with their taxes as part of the VITA volunteer program.

The community loves it. The volunteers love it. It seems the IRS struck a gold mine when it developed Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and that gold mine has continued to yield helping hands and a satisfied clientele.

VITA is a free service sponsored by the IRS. Volunteers from colleges and universities across the United States donate their time and tax know-how to help disadvantaged individuals. The program accommodates U.S. residents earning less than $35,000.

Business school student Shally Garach, Beta Alpha Psi member, devotes three hours a week to the program, and she wants to get the word out. "Initially we weren't getting a lot of people, but they e-mailed us the other day saying the next two weeks would be hectic. It's a good service."

Alee Phillips, business school lecturer and Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) faculty adviser, sent members information about VITA. Phillips said the law school runs the KU program, and BAP supplies volunteers each spring. The program serves all of Douglas County.
According to Phillips, about 10 BAP members are participating in the program this semester.

Garach said the program complemented the introductory tax class she is taking this semester with Allen Ford, accounting professor: "It puts things into perspective. In class, you can be really good at doing book problems when you have plenty of time to think about it. But when you're actually doing it, you don't want to keep someone waiting five hours."

Paul Mason, VITA adviser, said the KU program is a 100 percent student-driven initiative. Mason also serves as the director of student Services and a lecturer at the School of Business. The service is attractive, he said, because clients whose refunds are only $50 or $60 don't want to spend it all on consultant fees.

Student leader receives Strickland Award

Andy Knopp

Student Body President Andrew Knopp, an accounting and business administration major from Manhattan, received an Agnes Wright Strickland Award, established in 1953 in memory of Strickland, a member of the KU 1887 graduating class.

The awards, which include a life membership in the Kansas Alumni Association, are given to a graduating man and woman in recognition of academic record, demonstrated campus leadership, respect among fellow students and indications of future dedication to the University. Knopp, a Manhattan High School graduate, is the son of Joe and Nancy Knopp.

As chief student leader on the Lawrence campus this year, Knopp implemented Jayhawk Express, a free on-campus bus route for students; a nighttime on-campus safe-walk program; and a successful online course/instructor evaluation program. In addition, he lobbied the Kansas Legislature on behalf of higher education. A member of Theta Chi fraternity, he served as president of the Interfraternity Council, where he established a new member retreat for hazing prevention and education.

In summer 2002, he studied in Italy through the KU Business Consortium, followed by an internship with U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). His student government and business education opportunities have influenced his plans to attend law school and pursue a career with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the new Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Another life goal is to continue his volunteer activities with children. While at KU he initiated and led the Foster Parents' Night Out project, coordinated a Hearts for the Holidays program that made and delivered cards to pediatric wards nationwide, and served as a site coordinator in a Lawrence public elementary school for Students Tutoring for Literacy.

Congratulations to Andy.

For more information visit the School of Business website.