Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Dec. 7, 1993, edition 1 / Page 9
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'•r f* » r • ^ ^ m ^ r f r % r s t»l 'i The Compass Tuesday, December 7,1993 9 Form tackles issue of attacks of females By Lynn Jordan TheOct. 17 attack of an female studait in the New Dorm (Talking lot shocked and distuibed ECSU students, espedaUy females. The masked attacker, who held a knife to the female's neck, tore off her shirt and panty hose. He fled after a car pulled into the tot. Since that time. Campus Security has beefed-up patrol in the New E>orm area. Dr. Leon White, Vice Qiancellor of Stu dent Affoirs, has issued a list of precau tionary measures. White ui]ged students to waik in groups at night, not alone, to walk in lighted areas, aiKl to report any strange on campus, or ask for their identification. Attacks on females are rare on this can^Tus, but officials say that students do need to be cautious. "Our campus isusually safe," said SGA President Mchael Myrick. "I hope that this was just a post-Homecoming inci dent that won't happen again." Arecent study conducted by the Medi cal University of South Carolina in Charleston reported that one out of every eight adult women in the U.S. will be the victim of rape. Rape is one the fastest growing violent crimes in North Caro lina, yet it is the most under-reported, according to the study. Only 16 percent of rape victims report their assaults to police. In the wake of the October attack, con cerned ECSU students have formed a supportive organization, the Female Ac- tionSupportGroup. TheFASGaddressed females' safety concerns at an open fo rum on Thur^y, Nov. 18 in the New Complex. Forum coordinator, Trina Rawles, re viewed the safety rules released by White and presented a panel of students. Speak ers included campuspolicewomanTanya Long and Qeveland J. Storey, Indepen dent distributor for Quorum Security Devices. Officer Long, who often gives rides to students walking alone at night, rein forced safety rules, adding that seven out of 10 college females have been victims of rape. "Most rajjes are by someone the vie- Students to conduct research on fruit flies By Tim Smith ECSU's Biology Department has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Na tional Institute of General Medical Sci ence and the National Institute on Aging. The grant will fund a research project on the agii^ of fruit flies. Three biology majors, Cynthia Rountree, Shiroshell Dingle, and Presley Setties, will assist Dr. Ror^d Blackman in conducting the research. "We're looking for the biological and chemical mechanisms involved in the aging process," said Blackman. The gnat-like fruit flies grow from egg to adult in about ten days, he said. The normal life q?an is about 40 days. "Our objective is to get a strain that will live from 70 to 80 days. We've gpt three years to study the differences in regular and long life flies. We're going to try to find what enzymes allow longer life, and try to manipulate ti\e genetics involved." The grant will pay for students to at tend meetings and seminars "all over the covintry," said Blackmon. "This type of research is good for the students ar^ the school. Employers are looking for quali fied applicants, and the future students are looking for a school that offers re search projects such as this one." The students will crossbreed short and long life fruit flies "in order to isolate the tim knows well, friends or classmates," she said. "Females should adso realize the natural weapons. Pens, pencils, combs, and even keys can be a deadly defense." "A shoe's higji heel can gp througJ\ someone's neck," Valerie Bouldin, stu dent panelist pointed out. Storey discussed defensive techniques as well as the importance of attitude in warding off potential attackers. "You need to be aware of your sur- roimdings," he said. "If you walk with your head down, with littie self esteem or confidence, then you will appear to be a prime taiget." Noting a current tactic in the D.C. area in which a stalker lays imder a car and waits to slash the ankles of its owner. Storey also suggested that students ap proach vehicles from an angle and paik in well-lighted areas. Storey asked if any students carried defense weapons. When some females said they did, he discussed the liabilities associated with weapons carried for defense."Over 40percentage of the police officers that were killed in the past year, were killed with their own weapons," he said. "Sowhatdoyouthinkyourchances of survival with a knife or gtm are?" Mace is inefficient because conditions must be favorable—^no rain, littie or no wind, and around 73 degrees, said Storey. The woman may also become the victim of her own Mace, he added. "A shocker (stun gun) is not a very useful measure becausedistanoearKi tim ing must be precise, or both the attacker and victim might be shocked," Storey added. At the close of the forum. Storey of fered "warrantied" security devices from his company at wholesale prices to stu dents. "More students should have been here because weleamed so much," said Rawls, coorditutor for the forum. Following the Dec. 17 attack. New Dorm director Charlotte Gregory spoke to about 45 female female students in the study room of the new dorm. Gregory discussed her concern about the brokra\ lights in front of the dorm, and the need for more secvirity patrols. Since then, the lights have been re paired, students said. genetic codes that control aging," said Settles. "We want to be able to leam the genetic aspects of aging and short life spans." The results of their research will be published in prestigious scientific jour nals, nationwide. Students said they are exdted about participating in the project. "This is r^ly interesting because it's unique," said Dingles. " I didn't know anytiiing about these fruit flies, now I'm learning all about them." Settles said working on the project will helpthestudentsbecomebiologists. 'This research will provide knowledge and hands on skills that are necessary after graduation for getting a job." Blockmon and the student assistants enc»urage ECSU science students to get involved in other research programs. "There are research projects available during the summer," said Dingle. "Th^re all over the country." Rountree added, "There are a lot of opportunities available during the sum mer bre«ik, and you get paid too." Student research projects are becom ing increasingly common on campus as more and moreinstructors receive grants. Blockmon said many industries are lookir^ for individuals with "hands on experience" in addition to formal educa tion. "Theseprojectsareagreatway toget this type of experience." Merry Christmas to The ECSU family from The Compass Have a safe and joyous holiday!
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 7, 1993, edition 1
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