12
/The Daily Tar Heel/Monday, April 5, 1993
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BUB Century of editorial freedom %
PETER WaLLSTEN, Editor Office hours: Fridays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Amber Nimocks, Managing Editor
Thanassis Cambanis, University Editor
Jackie Hershkowitz, City Editor
Amy SEELEY, Features Editor
Erin Randall, Photography Editor
Samantha Falke, Copy Desk Editor
John Caserta, Graphics Editor
Free press must prevail
The Daily Tar Heel celebrated its 100th birthday
this year with a glimpse back at a century of editorial
freedom. Looking through those dusty DTH annals,
we found a history riddled with threats to that cov
eted freedom but also with stunning triumphs over
would-be censors.
And as we’ve paused to take pride in our past,
we’ve also looked forward with hope to a future free
from threats by those tugging at the DTH’s purse
strings. Through a mandate of the student body, the
DTH will become financially autonomous this year.
The true editorial freedom that fiscal indepen
dence has brought this newspaper is the greatest
birthday present we could possibly have given our
selves, and the large chunk of student fees that this
change will free up could be thought of as our
birthday present to the student body.
But now it seems several members of Student
Congress have delivered their own belated birthday
present to the DTH, in the form of a bill to kick the
newspaper out of its Student Union offices and force
the newspaper to stop publishing altogether inside
Union properties.
The action is an affront to the DTH’s 100 years of
service to the student body and to press freedom in
general, but the most notable characteristic of the bill
is its utter ludicrousness.
Finance committee member Eric Pratt introduced
the bill ostensibly because of this newspaper’s fail
ure to allow a congressionally ordered audit of the
DTH’s budget. His bill is a slap in the face to the
hundreds of students who voted in spring 1990 to
allow the DTH complete financial independence
through a gradual return of student fees. Pratt should
know that the DTH is no longer required to submit its
annual budget to congress for approval.
In 1977, student government representatives used
their control of DTH finances to halt publication for
one day. Now that student government politicians
Game-playing sullies Honor Court
The old adage “enough is enough” obviously is not
in the vocabulary of a few tenacious Student Con
gress members and campus activists who feel Honor
Court is the place to solve adolescent bickering.
Doug Ferguson, outgoing co-chairman of Bi
sexuals, Gay men, Lesbians and Allies for Diversity
and Matt Stiegler, coordinator of Student Organized
Movement Against Discrimination, have been swap
ping numerous Honor Court charges with Rep. Darren
Allen, Dist. 21, and Rep. Chris Tuck, Dist. 20. These
four men have designated Honor Court as their
personal boxing ring, consequently filling court dock
ets with their vindictive drivel.
The barrage of charges began when Tuck filed suit
against Ferguson for malicious libel and the misrep
resentation of B-GLAD’s membership. The attorney
generals’ office decided that there was insufficient
evidence to pursue these charges and dropped the
complaint.
Allen then brought Honor Court charges against
Stiegler, claiming that the activist accosted him with
verbal threats. Allen alleges that Stiegler shouted
“I’m going to kick your ass” after Allen passed a
confidential B-GLAD attendance list around the
room during a congress meeting.
Ferguson, who filed charges against Allen and
Tuck after the congress incident, said that he be
lieved Allen’s allegations against Stiegler could be a
“bargaining chip” to get the congressmen’s charges
dropped.
Tuck has expressed interest in dropping the charges
Editorial Policy
The Daily Tar Heel’s editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor,
editorial page editor and five editorial writers.
The Daily Tar Heel
Businexs and advertising: Kevin Schwartz, tf/rsc/or/genera/ manager, Bob Bates, arfxert/s/ngrf/recfor,-Leslie Flumphrey, c/ass/fied ad manager,Michelle Gray business
manager, Ashleigh Heath, advertising manager.
Business staff: Gina Berardino, assistant manager; Holly Aldridge, Amber Nimocks, Jenny Schwartz and Rhonda Walker, receptionists.
Classified advertising: Lisa Dowdy. Leah Richards, Amy Seeley, Christi Thomas and Rhonda Walker, representatives; Chad Campbell and Lisa Reichle production
assistants. r
Display advertising: Milton Artis, marketing director; Milton Artis, Will Davis, Shannon Edge, Pam Horkan, Ivan Johnson, Jay Jones, Jeff Kilman Lisa McMinn and
Maria Miller, account executives; Stacey Belnavis, Sanjay Dakoriya, Rebecca Griffin, Lynelle Hovaniec, John Lee, Elizabeth Martin, Allison Sherrill and Candace Wright
assistant account executives.
Advertising production: Bill Leslie, manager/system administrator; Stephanie Brodsky, assistant.
Assistant editors: Thanassis Cambanis, cartoon; Kelly Ryan, city; Dana Pope, editorial page; Erin Lyon, layout; Jayson Singe, photo; Zachary Albert, John C Manuel
and Carter Toole, sports; Andrea Jones and Stephanie Greer, state and national; Marty Minchin and Jennifer Talheim university
Newsderk: Kevin Brennan.
Editorial writers: Gerri Baer, Anna Griffin, Rebecah Moore, Scott Ortwein and Jen Pitta.
University: Daniel Aldrich. Everett Arnold, Ivan Arrington, Scott Ballew. Eliot Cannon, Joyce Clark, Gina Evans, Casella Foster, Chris Goodson, Gautam Khandelwal James
Lewis, Tim Perkins, Steve Robblee, Chris Robertson, Shakti Routray, Gary Rosenzweig, Peter Sigal, Holly Stepp, Susan Tebbens and Candace Watson
City: Tiffany Ashhurst, Bill Blocker, Leah Campbell, Maile Carpenter. Karen Clark, Richard Dalton, Jay Davis, Jimmy Dula, Daniel Feldman, Matthew Henry Rama Kawali
Stephanie Siebold, Robert Strader, Ivana Washington, Scott Wester and Kathleen Wurth. 1 " '
State and National: Adam Bianchi, Anna Burdeshaw, Michael Cowan, John Davies, Tara Duncan, Lesley Gilbert, Nathan Kline, Jerry McElreath, Julie Nations Ben Parker
Bruce Robinson, Alia Smith, Allison Taylor, Lloyd Whittington and Brad Williams.
Ms: Kathleen Flynn, Waynette Gladden, Mondy Lamb, Alex McMillan, Elizabeth Oliver, Jonathan Rich, Martin Scott, Jenni Spitz, Sally Stryker Cara Thomisser Emma
Williams and Duncan Young.
Features: Stephanie Beck, Paul Bredderman, Andrea Cashion, Kim Costello, Kristi Daughtridge, Erika Helm, Phuong Ly, Deepa Perumallu Nancy Riley Aulica Rutland
Jenni Spitz. LeAnn Spradling, Amy Swan. Ross Taylor, Scott Tillett, Emma Williams, Candace Wright and Andi Young
Sports: Eric David Warren Hynes, David J. Kupstas, Amy McCaffrey and Bryan Strickland, senior writers; J. Michael Bradley, Rodney Cline, Adam Davis, Brian Edmonds
Marc Franklin, Jon Goldberg, Brian Gould, Stephen Higdon, Diana Koval. Mary Lafferty, Alison Lawrence, Jacson Lowe, Brian McJunkin, Jeff McKinley, Justin Scheef
Brad Short, Pete Simpkmson, Ethan Treistman, Jill West, James Whitfield and Pete Zifchak.
Photography: Missy Bello, Jim Farrugia, Laurie Gallon, Abigail Gurall, Stephani Holzworth, Jon Hunt, Cynthia Nesnow, Benjamin Ousley, Blake Prelipp Kristin Prelipp
Jennie Shipen, Debbie Stengel and Justin Williams.
Copy Editors: Anqelique Bartlett. Laurie Bazemore, Michael Beadle, Robin Cagle, Monica Cleary, Jay Davis, Mazi Gaillard, Mastin Greene, Jennifer Heinzen TJ Hemlinger
Amy Kincaid, Rebecca Mankowski, Lesley Meredith, Kelly Nordlinger, Veronica Powell, Kristin Reynolds, Nimesh Shah, Curt Simpson, Cassaundra Sledge and Suzanne
Wuelfmg.
Graphics: Kim Horstmann, Jay Roseborough and Justin Scheef.
Cartoonists: Mandy Brame, Maiy Brutzman, Bridget Bush, Sterling Chen, Kasumba Rayne De Carvalho, Katie Kasben, Michelle Kelley, Tanya Kennedy Sergio Rustia
Miranda and Jason Smith. ' “
Layout: Lisa Swayne.
Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager; Lisa Reichle, assistant.
Distribution and Printing: Village Printing Company
The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar
Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1163 between 8:30 a m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252 Editorial
questions should be directed to 962-0245/0246.
Office: Suite 104 Carolina Union
Campus mail address: CB* 5210 Bos 49, Carolina Union U.S. Mali address: P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257
Alan Martin, Editorial Page Editor
Jason Richardson, State and National Editor
STEVE Politi, Sports Editor
David Counts, Layout Editor
David Lindsay, Copy Desk Editor
Jennifer Brett, Omnibus Editor
Alex De Grand, Cartoon Editor
have lost their ability to muzzle free expression by
threatening our finances, perhaps they believe they
can stifle press freedom by threatening to evict us
from our Student Union offices.
They are mistaken.
Congress is not responsible for deciding which
student groups can reside within the Student Union
building, and every student organization should be
thankful for that. Those decisions are left to the more
mature minds of those in the Office of Student
Affairs.
This newspaper has resided on campus since it
moved into the newly constructed Campus Y build
ing in 1906. The DTH is thankful for its rent-free
union office space, but we believe that we perform an
invaluable service to this community by providing
students and faculty with a free daily newspaper.
And we believe that all democratically minded indi
viduals will realize that freedom of expression for
free rent is not an equitable trade. Remaining in a
centralized, convenient location is important if this
newspaper is expected to continue to be an effective
news source.
This incident will be a mere blip on the screen of
DTH history. If it is remembered at all, it will be held
up as just another example of second-rate campus
politicos trying desperately to use their last few
moments in “power” to punish this newspaper for the
criticism they’ve received on the editorial page (see
cartoon and following editorial) and the scrutiny
they’ve endured in our news stories (see page three).
Pratt and his cohorts are not the first congress
members to lose sight of the value of a press free from
threats to editorial freedom. We are confident that
they will not be the last, but we are equally as
confident that the DTH will continue to survive such
threats as it ventures into its second century, continu
ing to scrutinize when necessary and criticize when
deserved.
against B-GLAD and its members if B-GLAD re
turns the favor. But regardless of his motives, neither
side should use the FJonor Court as a bargaining
table.
The courtroom is not a playroom. Campus con
gressmen and activists should realize that Honor
Court has a distinct purpose to settle serious
violations of the Student Code.
Although some portion of their charges are valid,
these members of B-GLAD and Student Congress
should settle their differences out of court. While
Tuck has the right idea in opening up the judicial
branch for valid complaints, he can’t cover up the
fact that those cases would not be in court if these
political factions simply would get along instead of
filing charges.
Campus activism is rising, and each organization
has its own agenda and mission to fulfill. Although
occasional clashes are inevitable, every conflict can
not be vindicated in Honor Court.
If the constant quest for one-upmanship between
B-GLAD members and Student Congress represen
tatives was a violation of the Student Code, both
groups would find themselves facing charges in a
flash. Unfortunately, no one has figured out how to
codify rules of behavior with the detail that the
Student Code regulaates procedure.
Graduation has solved part of the problem for now
by sending some of the biggest players .to other
playgrounds. In the future, students may learn to
solve the problem in the ballot box.
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Carolina Fever is a truly universal disease
There’s nothing like the Tar Heel
spirit.
Whether it’s Derrick Phelps
overcoming yet another injury, Eric
Montross dominating a toothless (and
taller) giant or George Lynch giving a
good-natured scolding to a fellow player
and then making up with a hug
there’s nothing like it in the world.
There’s nothing like Franklin Street
after a big win. Thousands of fans pour
into the cool night air, slightly tipsy
partiers swing from limbs overshadow
ing the street, and bonfires gobble up
everything in sight.
In one night, the residents of Chapel
Hill boost cheap beer sales by 10 per
cent. And Tar Heel fever sweeps the
land as the craziness on Franklin Street
is broadcast for thousands to see.
Wherever Tar Heel fans were Satur
day night, they were celebrating. Be
cause there’s no losing the Tar Heel
spirit once you’ve got it. Chapel Hill in
springtime will always call to you.
March (and April) madness will always
catch you by surprise.
From Bourbon Street to Franklin
Street, I think everyone became a Tar
Heel Saturday night. Because Dean
Smith is just too classy, his team is just
too good. And what happened between
Kansas and UNC was much more than
Celebrating doesn’t
require mob mentality
To the editor:
Carolina is going to win its games on
Saturday and Monday nights. We will
all glow with a special Carolina blue tint
when the Heels bring home the NCAA
championship.
Many of us, including my wife
Margie and myself, will make the tradi
tional trip to Franklin Street to be a part
of those wonderful moments. We hope
that everyone has a great time and cel
ebrates with the enthusiasm the occa
sion requires.
But, we also hope that everyone re
members .to celebrate safely and is
thoughtful of others’ personal safety. In
addition, we have a beautiful down
town area —one of which we are justi
fiably proud. Let’s make sure that we
respect private and town property. The
party should be a joyous one in memory
not one marred by injury and dam
age. Let’s celebrate with true Tar Heel
class.
KENNETH S. BROUN
Chapel Hill Mayor
Expulsion policy would
only be passing the buck
To the editor:
Recently there has been some dis
cussion on campus that anyone con
victed of sexual assault or rape should
be expelled from the university. This
policy is incorrect and will not lead to
the greater good.
First, the desire to add another pen
alty where a civil penalty already has
fiNCE I
just a game.
What hap
pened Saturday
night was a les
son in history,
an event that has
played itself out
again and again
throughout
time. It was the
passing on of
knowledge
teacher to stu
dent, mentor to
)OUg
’’erguson
To A
Different Beat
mentee. It was ageless wisdom prevail
ing over youthful energy. It was an
established empire defeating a renegade
prince.
At the same time, what happened
Saturday night was just a game. But it
was a game that was weighted heavily
with tradition. It sealed the developing
UNC-Kansas rivalry into stone. It
brought the promise of not-so-sweet
revenge.
On a weekend like this past one, you
would think that nothing existed in the
world outside of that wooden court and
crowded arena. The only sounds heard
were the excited voices of radio an
nouncers and the ball bouncing off the
metal rim.
The only conversations held focused
READERS' FORUM
been imposed is a legitimate argument.
But, criminals (however repulsive) do
have rights; that’s what separates the
American justice system from the jus
tice system in El Salvador. Any expul
sion policy must be looked at very care
fully before proceeding. Not only for
the criminals’ rights, but more impor
tantly for the rights of others. A policy
of expulsion for civil offenses can open
the door for abuses. Minorities could
suffer by being expelled for minor
charges. But I believe there is a more
compelling reason.
Assume students convicted of sexual
assault are expelled (why they’re not in
jail is a matter for another discussion).
Where are they to go? If all other uni
versities and colleges have this policy
too, they are unanimously rejected ad
mission. With a high-school diploma
they can get a minimum wage job in
Nowhere, N.C. Do you think there is
anything compelling these people not
to assault again? What kind of anti-rape
message are these people going to re
ceive here? In the rural regions of this
country, our offenders might have the
opportunity to rape with little fear of
reprisal from the victims. Sending these
people away from here does not guaran
tee you will now be unaffected by them.
These people might go on to rape your
aunt in Boone or your sister in Asheville.
On the other hand, in university settings
I believe there is a much better environ
ment for educating a person about the
horrible nature of their crime. I take as
an example the recent Rape-Free Zone.
I’m not saying that the University
should just let the student stay and ig
nore them. The University is in a unique
environment where people want to be
here, so much so that they pay to be
on Kansas and Carolina, Carolina and
Kansas. The only things selling in the
stores were Final Four T-shirts and
styrofoam coolers.
And that’s the way it ought to be.
The thrill of the game should make us
forget our troubles for awhile. Because
there can be no politics on Franklin
Street. There can be no hatred, there can
be no division, there can be no strife.
After all, we’re all Tar Heels no matter
what our disagreements might be.
For one glorious moment after a vic
tory like Saturday ’ s, we manage to revel
in the fact that we’re all Tar Heels at
heart. We can celebrate the fact that no
one is immune to Carolina fever.
That’s saying a lot for Chapel Hill.
Because there are very few times and
places that people can come together
for anything. And that’s what I think
makes our town unique. I doubt the
streets of Ann Arbor looked like Franklin
Street did Saturday night. I don’t think
the Michigonians have it in them.
But we certainly do, and something
tells me we still have plenty of good
natured energy tosparefortonight. We’d
better, because I know we’ll need it.
Go Tar Heels!
Doug Ferguson is a senior journal
ism major from Charlotte.
here.
The University could require that the
student undergo extensive rehabilita
tion to stay here. The students could be
put on a dusk-to-dawn curfew to keep
them off the streets late at night, and
their names could be printed in the
paper. Require them to pay to live alone.
I’m sure that someone somewhere has
come up with programs to help keep
convicted sexual offenders from be
coming repeat offenders.
Rape is a horrible crime, and we have
been taught by the past that hiding in
fear is no solution. Establishing an ex
pulsion policy is simply that, hiding in
fear. It is an act of cowardice to close
your eyes and push your problem on
someone else. Yes, the sexual offender
might strike again. Here. But, I would
not sleep well at night knowing some
one was raped by a person I might have
helped but instead decided to ignore.
Could you?
GREG DZINGELESKI
Graduate
Chemistry
Letters policy
The Daily Tar Heel welcomes
reader comments and criticisms. We
attempt to print as many letters to the
editor as space permits. When writ
ing letters, please follow these guide
lines:
■ All letters must be typed and
double-spaced.
■ Include your year in school, ma
jor, phone number and hometown.
■ The DTH reserves the right to
edit letters for space, clarity and vul
garity.