Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Nov. 16, 1989, edition 1 / Page 4
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4/NovBtntMr 16, 1989 Lesbian and Gay Alliance speaks out on harassment by Carrie Trutwin Staff Writer The Southern Appalachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance (SALGA) Documentation Project wants to know about incidents of legal, social or criminal harassment against lesbians and gay men, according to Anita Pratto, a SALGA representative. Pratto is a project storytaker who has volunteered to be on hand at specified times and locations around the community to document such incidents. She said the documentation project is an outreach that serves two purposes. "One purpose is to collect information on incidents of violence, discrimination, or harassment against lesbians and gay men that we can use in a variety of ways." Pratto said documentation is necessary to demonstrate to authorities that acts of violence and abridgements of civil rights against lesbians and gay men do happen and that laws against such violations are required. Assaults, refusal of housing or employment, and harassment by law enforcement personnel are examples of the kinds of discrimination the project is trying to combat, she said. SALGA’s documentation project began in October, said Pratto. "There are two other documentation projects in this state," she said. "One is in Wilmington and the other is in Charlotte." A second reason for documentation, according to Pratto, is simply to listen. "Fm still hearing, from a man whose story was the very first one I took, about how great it was to be able to tell somebody about it," she said. "It was part of his healing to tell someone." Pratto said part of the problem with incidents of violence or harassment against lesbians and gay men is the fear of reporting the incident to law- enforcement authorities. "There is real fear the authorities themselves will be unsympathetic or may even use the information against you in some way." Recent studies by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force show that violence against gay men and lesbians has increased on college campuses, according to SALGA. Data compiled by the NGLTF shows 86 percent of those surveyed reported incidents of verbal abuse, while 44 percent reported threats of violence. Others reported having objects thrown at them, being spat upon, being followed or chased, or being punched, hit, kicked or beaten. Pratto said flyers and posters which were put up around Asheville recently to announce the appearance of singer-songwriter Deidre McCalla, a lesbian entertainer, were ripped up and torn down. "There are people at the local, state and national level who don’t believe gays and lesbians are discriminated against," said Cynthia Janes, SALGA representative. "The main reason to do documentation on a local level is so we can UNCA-SAM plans spring activities by Kimberly Cooley Staff Writer The UNCA Society for Advancement in Management (UNCA-SAM) is in the process of planning activities for the spring semester to help boost enrollment, according to Anne-Marie Rock, president of UNCA-SAM. The UNCA-SAM club was established in the fall of 1987 by Mike McCullough, professor of management. He has continued as the faculty advisor for the UNCA-SAM program. Currently, there are approximately 20 members in UNCA-SAM, according to Rock. "'Fhe purpose of the club is to enable anyone interested in management to get to know people with the same interest, to implement what we have learned in class, to get to know the faculty on a different level, and to get to know contacts in the community," said Rock. According to to the UNCA-SAM newsletter, it takes more than a college degree to be a success in business. To be a success it takes "communication skills, willingness to accept responsibility, dependable performance on assigned tasks, ability to work will as part of a team, and skill in motivating others." "UNCA-SAM gives us good experience now on how to organize and motivate people and start networking. Later, we will be much more ahead because of this organization," said Rock. UNCA-SAM is planning Smoking Continued from page 1. order to enforce the ban. "This may well be something the chancellor needs to approve. It’s clearly legal to ban smoking from areas like offices and classrooms, but in public areas like the gallery we may need broader university policies to be able to enforce the ban. I suspect official university procedures need to be put Fund in place, but that shouldn’t be hard to get approved." Jos Vandermeer, an art professor, said "People were damaging the carpet. We discussed it in a faculty meeting, and none of the art faculty smoke, so we agreed to ban it." Vandermeer said the faculty is planning to get permanent "No Smoking" signs soon. "Our next step is to get all the smoking several activities for the upcoming spring semester. T^ey will be having a tour of Rockwell International the last week of January. They will also be sponsoring a resume writing workshop on Feb. 23 for all seniors, not just management majors, according to Rock. On Feb. 23 people will also be able to sign up to have interviews with businesses in the community. "This is also for all seniors. These are good contacts," said Rock. On March 22, UNCA- SAM will be sponsoring an interview workshop. "This will focus on helping students decide what to say, what to wear and how to act during interviews. Once again, this is open for all seniors," Rock said. In April the group will paraphernalia out of those areas," Cooke said. Student reaction to the ban has been mixed. Several smokers and non-smokers agreed that the ban is too broad, and a possible solution is to have designated smoking areas. "I think they ought to have designated smoking areas so non-smokers can avoid the smoke. 1 think it’s inconsiderate for a smoker get local legislation for protection against hate crimes." According to a 1989 report compiled by Otis Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers, said Janes. Also, gay and lesbian youth may comprise up to 30 percent of all youth suicides. "The key to fighting gay and lesbian youth suicides is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation," Janes said, quoting from a report by the NGLTF. Pratto said SALGA representatives will be at the following locations in Asheville to take stories from anyone who has experienced harassment or other abuse because of their sexual orientation: third Thursday of the month (In November, the 16th) at YMI Cultural Center, Market and Eagle Streets, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; third Saturday of the month (In November, the 18th) at Scandals Nightclub, 11 Grove Street, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.; fourth Thursday of the month (In November, the 23rd) at The Artist’s Gill, 55 Lexington, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you cannot come in person, call 252-4037. Confidentiality is assured. Counseling Center Director Maggie Weshner is offering a support group for gay and lesbian students at UNCA. The times and locations of the meetings are strictly confidential, said Weshner. Interested students should call her at the Counseling Center at 251-6515. Contvyfcd from pa^ 1. to improve the overall experience of students while at UNCA, according to a fact sheet from the university relations office. "Before, there was no mechanism in place to reimburse faculty members for money spent on refreshments when entertaining students in faculty homes," said Miller. "So what the alumni board did was to set aside $2,000, raised by the Phonathon to pay back faculty members for spending their money," he said. The popcorn fund went through a short process before it was put into action. "First the university relations office developed an unrestricted funds list, called "Where the needs are greatest," in conjunction with Chancellor Brown and ‘ Vice Chancellor of University Relations Beverly Cutter Modlin," said Miller. PREGNANT? We can fieCp plan the Best future for you and your child. sponsor a lecture from the vice president of Magnavox. He will speak on what steps to take to get to the top. "One of our main concerns this semester is to get the the attention of sophomores and juniors," said Rock. People can join UNCA-SAM for a half year if they want. "It’s not too late to join. The membership fee is lower for people wanting to join for the next half of the semester," said Rock. The next UNCA-SAM meeting will be held on Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. in Owen Hall 102. If interested in joining the UNCA-SAM management club you are invited to the meeting, or you can sign up in Owen Hall on the bulletin board by the management office on first floor. not to ask the non-smoker if he minds the smoke, because then the non- smoker is inconvienced since he has to move. They should have something like smoking lounges," Ron Watkins, a junior management student and non-smoker, said. Tanya Smith, a senior in Political Science/Management, said, "The lobby is a larger area. Patience, patience! Photo by Miranda Wyatt Renee Sutton works on a pottery masterpiece in the pottery studio in Owen Hall. If someone is smoking there and you don’t like it, you can move. They can restrict it to a certain area if they want to; otherwise it’s taking away your rights." "I’m ashamed to say I am a smoker. Nowadays that’s almost something to be embarrassed about. However, I would have to say in all fairness to the faculty that if their purpose for banning it in the lobby was truly because people abuse the privilege by putting their cigarettes out on the carpet, then I support them 100 percent; they should ban it," said Donna Thomas, a junior in psychology. "If in fact it was because the lobby is too confined, then I suppose I’d be interested to know how "Then the university relations office presented it to the Alumni Association Board," he said. Next, the board unanimously voted to use some of the money raised by the Phonathon to go towards the popcorn fund. Catholic Social Services 255-0146 15% discount to alt UNCA students CA¥§BT’§ 15% discount to alt UNCA students Asheville’s Oldest and Best Entertainment Headquarters With Best Gameroom and Dart Facilities Around We are now a Private Club Memberships available for $5 NFL Football Dart & Pool Tournments Live Music Sunday & Monday Tuesday Wednesday thru Saturday ♦ MUSIC SCHFnUT.F* Thu. Nov.16 Oragon uroove Fri. Nov.17 King Bees Sat. Nov.18 Jim Thackery & The Assassins Wed Nov.22 Marc Keller & Maniacs Fri. Nov.24 Thirty-Seven Targets Monday thru Friday 4 P.M.-1 A.M. J3 ^ Walnut St. Saturday and Sunday J-c^ngton Park Ip M -1 a M Downtown Asheyille R&B Blues Blues Rock Hard R&R 254-4248
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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Nov. 16, 1989, edition 1
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