Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Nov. 10, 1994, edition 1 / Page 1
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INSIDE: SPORU: Socc&rphym recede pj OPINION: ilecfion results p. 2 "Senate, n. The fortunate bidder in an auction of votes. " —Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary The Blue fiAJURES: Blues musician wiS COMICS: Falstaffin biology dass perfom at Highsmilh. p, 4 p> 6 BANNER WEA THER: Mostly sunny this weekend. Highs near 60. Lows in the 30s. VOLUME 23 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE NUMBER 10 CAMPUS POUCE WANT STUDENTS TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS Teri Smith News Editor Two similar incidents, which occurred this week, have increased concern among UNCA’s campus pohce for the personal safety of members of the campus community. “In today’s society, we all are vulnerable to being a victim of a crime,” said Jeff VanSlyke, UNCA director of public safety. “Particularly nowadays, with all the car-jackings, it seems to be on the increase. “We want to get the word out to college students, to be aware of their surroundings and to make them understand that even though this is a college campus setting, they still live in a metropolitan area, and they are just as vulnerable as a citizen of Asheville as they are as a UNCA student,” he said. One incident occurred near the UNCA main entrance, according to a UNCA campus police report. A second inciaent occurred on the UNCA exit ramp off of Hwy. 19-23 and involved a UNCA student. On Nov. 7, a citizen reported an incident,which occurred on W.T. Weaver Blvd at the UNCA main entrance, to the Asheville Police Department [APD]. The witness stated that a white male stopped his grey, Dodge truck on W.T. Weaver Blvd and spoke to a young black female, accord ing to a UNCA pub lic safety report. The citizen told Officer Iris Durrel, APD, that the man in the truck asked the fe male if she wanted a ride. When the fe male said no, the man then attempted to block her path with his vehicle and continued trying to talk the female into getting into the truck, according to the report. After an unsuccessful attempt, the man in the truck drove away. “We know who the person was who accosted this female subject, but we don’t know if the female "It's far better to hurt someone's feelmgs than to be victimized. Keep a level head. Keep your options open."... JeffVanSlyke, director of public safety. Photo by Justin Carlson subject was a student or not,” said VanSlyke. “If this female was a UNCA student or if a UNCA student is aware of someone who was involved in this incident, we would like for them to bring it to our attention or to the [attention of] Asheville Police Department.” VanSlyke said that without a formal complaint nothing can be done, even though there was a witness. The second incident occurred on Nov. 8 and involved UNCA freshman, Jennifer Weatherman. Weatherman reported to campus police that a white male had attempted to get into her vehicle while she was stopped at a yield sign. Weatherman was driving North on Hwy. 19-23 and turned onto the UNCA exit ramp, according to the UNCA campus police report. “I wasn’t completely stopped, and I looked over Please see "Incidents," p. 8 Chestnut Ridge Controversy Continues Janice Sitton Staff Writer Chancellor Patsy B.Reed recently pro vided members of the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy the opportunity to state specific concerns in regard to an envi ronmental assessment of Chestnut Ridge which began in September. “We know that not everyone agrees with the decision to put the conference center in this location,” said Tom Byers, special assistant to the chancellor. “The focus right now, is the environmental impact, and what should be examined in terms of the effects of this project on that site.” “The environmental assessment is a process to determine whether or not the project would have a significant impact on the environment,” said Betty T. Lawrence, the attorney for the conser vancy. “We think it clearly would.” The Chestnut Ridge Conservancy was formed in early July this year afi:er road construction was noticed on Chestnut Ridge. The group consists of approxi mately 30 active members, according to Lawrence. “Our goal is to preserve that piece of land as a natural area, and given that it is unique in being the only large natural tract [of land] left in the city, it has value as such, and should not be built on,” said Rusty Sivils, chair of the conser vancy. Although the concerns presented by the conservancy addressed the impact of the construction on the land, they were not the specific and scientific con cerns which would be relevant to the environmental assessment, according to Byers. “Frankly, it didn’t really achieve the level of specificity that I had anticipated because the business of this environ mental document we are trying to pro duce is intended to be, more or less, as specific as possible,” said Byers. The assessment will cover the 62-acre tract of land which makes up the ridge, including the ten acres of land which will be used as space for the conference center, and will be conducted by Luke Contos, a consultant for Triangle Envi ronmental Inc. (TEI), according to Byers. The assessment is currently un derway. It should be completed by Janu ary or February of next year at a total cost of $21,100. “What they’ve [TEI] done so far in this environmental assessment is to walk through at various times of the day and night, here in October, and make up a list of what they see,” said Lawrence. “What we have suggested is that you are not going to have a good feel for what’s there with that.” The conservancy feels that to have an adequate assessment, the area should be mapped to show areas of concentration of plant life and animal life over a whole year’s time, according to Lawrence. “One of the major things that we’re saying is, ‘You’re not going to know what’s up there until you’ve been there in the spring when the little wildflowers come up and the spring birds migrate,’” said Lawrence. “We do know that it is tremendously diverse.” When the assessment is completed, an environmental impact statement, a more extensive document, may be prepared if the construction of the conference cen ter will have a significant impact on the area. If the construction will not cause a significant impact on the land, then the assessment will be used in the final decision, according to Byers. “The document itself is not intended to make a decision,” said Byers. “The document is intended to be a tool that lets the final decision maker be in- Please see "Assessment," p. 8 Will Maggie Try Again? Maggie Lauterer lost her bid for Congress to the incumbent Charles Taylor during this week's elections. During the last week of her campaign, she addressed members of the UNCA community in Highsmith Center. Ptwlo by Lot Roy Non-traditional Student Group Becomes More Vocal About Issues Greg Deal Staff Writer Members of the organization ENCORE met with Larry Wilson, UNCA vice chancellor for student affairs, on Nov. 1 to discuss issues of concern for non-traditionally-aged students and commuters. Parking, telephone accessibility, and commuter lounge space were just a few of the issues discussed during the meeting. “I think it was very informative to have [Larry Wilson] here,” said Aletha Roper, UNCA senior *nd president of ENCORE. “I do believe that he is honestly concerned about non-traditional stu dents on campus.” ENCORE, a networking and fellowship group for non-traditional students (aged 23 and up), started three years ago, according to Roper. One of the topics that members of the organiza- tion discussed during the meeting involves the issue of commuter lounge space. I would like to have a large, spacious commuter lounge at the Highsmith Center,” said Roper. She said the fact that commuters make up two-thirds of UNCA’s campus population warrants the need for a quiet study and social area. The organization currently meets in the com muter lounge located in the Highsmith Center. Roper said that she feels that the space is not adequate for the functioning of the organization. "When people are working or have children that they have to rush off to daycare, and then have to zip to school and can't find a parking place, it's a definite problem. "-Aletha Roper the most convenient spot on campus. She also said that the location would allow non-traditional stu dents to have a chance to interact with tradition ally-aged students. “I think it would be a benefit to both traditionally and non-traditionally-aged students if we had more of a crossover,” said Roper. Wilson told the group that they should try to ask for office space in the old cafeteria building. Another issue that was discussed during the meeting was that of phone accessibil ity. Lisa Zanzig, UNCA senior, said that dealing with phone accessibility prob lems was what she felt was the unani mous choice of all commuter students. “ENCORE feels that it would be to our benefit if we could have our own area,” said Roper. She said that the Highsmith Center would be the ideal location for the organization’s office because it is According to Brenda Webster, UNCA senior, commuter students are somewhat penalized by the current phone system on campus. “I find it difficult to find a phone on campus,” said Webster. She said that if a com muter student needs to call a campus phone num ber, they must find an available pay phone. “Other students can go to their [dorm] rooms and call on the campus phone,” said Webster. “There should be some way for us to use the campus phones.” Renee Barger, UNCA senior, agreed, and said that many times the pay phones on campus are either in use by another person, or are inconve niently located. She said that when her children try to reach her, by way of a pager, sometimes she is unable to find an available phone to return their call. Kenneth Corn, UNCA sophomore, suggested that the university install some type of commuter phone system where commuters could make cam pus calls by using a commuter phone card. Wilson told the students at the meeting that he feels that the problem of phone accessibility is an issue that is soluble. Parking was another issue that was discussed during the meeting. ENCORE members voiced Please see "Student," p. 8
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