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Volume XI, Number 10
The Student Newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte^ Nortli Carolina
October 21, 1975
'Marshmallow heckler’ acquitted of disruption charges
By Michael Evans
The Student Superior Court heard
the case of Jamie Stemple (plaintiff) vs.
Chris Fuller (defendant) on October 12.
The seven member court (of which six
were in attendance) acquitted Fuller of
charges of disruptive conduct stemming
from Fuller’s throwing marshmallows at
Ambassador T. N. Kaul from India.
David Ledbetter, Chief Clerk of the
Court, read the nature of the charges
against Fuller, stating he was “charged
with violating university rules for
disruptive conduct as stated in the
1975/76 UNCC Handbook”. D. J. HaU
and James Woody of the Student Legal
Counsel, representing Fuller, pleaded not
guilty for their client. Attorney General,
Bob Verdinek, said he was authorized by
the Chancellor to prosecute for Stemple
against Fuller.
Verdinek, in his opening statement,
said he would prove, through witnesses,
letters and newspaper articles that the
actions of Fuller were detrimental to the
university community.
The defense’s opening statement
centered on proving the act of throwing
marshmallows was not disruptive
conduct, and that two semesters
suspension was unreasonable.
The prosecution attempted to enter
one of the protest signs which had been
distributed on campus before the
ambassador’s speech, but Woody
objected as it had not been shown that
there was any link between Fuller and
the signs. Chief Justice Doug Lerner
sustained the objection.
Stemple, Student Body President,
Legislature approves revised
Black Student Union budget
By Les Bowen
The UNCC Student Legislature met
on Tuesday, October 14th in rooms
209-210 of the Cone University Center.
The meeting lacked the conflict and
controversy evidenced in several
legislature meetings recently, but
nevertheless, several things were
accomplished.
The Legislature approved the revised
Black Student Union budget of
$4,070.00. Representative Greg Davis
attempted to discuss certain aspects of
the way the budget was handled, but was
ruled out of order by Vice-President
Davis Trotter. Representative Davis was
specifically referring to the fact that the
Legislature meeting as the Finance
Committee ‘as a whole’ on September 16
had recommended the Black Student
Union be allocated “not more than
$4,700.00” for the current school year.
Representative Davis contended it was
implied at the September 16 meeting
that the Black Student Union would
actuall receive $4,700.00.
Representative Davis asked at the
September 16 meeting if the Finance
Committee would follow the
recommendations made by Legislature as
the ‘committee as a whole’.
Representative Davis asked specifically if
the figure decided on by Legislature
would be the figure the Black Student
Union would receive. Representative
Davis received assurances from several
legislators that the Finance Committee
would follow the recommendations of
the Legislature.
Also, a motion was passed at the
September 16 meeting specifying that
the Black Student Union budget would
be decided on the basis of a lump-sum
a 110 c a t i 0 n — n o t by line item
consideration. The Finance Committee,
m it’s reduction of the Black Student
Union budget from $4,700.00 to
54,070.00 apparantly based it’s
reduction on specifications of the
budget. Representative Davis was
prevented from pursuing this possible
incongruity at the October 14 meeting.
Sam Wilson spoke in favor of the
revised Black Student Union budget. He
called the Black Student Union the “best
organized, and when it wants to be, the
most effective organization on this
Wilson moved that $500.00 be
added to the revised Black Student
nion budget for steel drums, and this
motion was tabled.
action, the Legislature
ratiiied the Succession Act, accepted
from Circle K, the Fees
Commission and the Children of the Sun;
granted charters to the Bahai Club and to
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority; appointed
Representative David Holloway to chair
the Ways and Means Committee and
tabled a motion to allocate funds for the
Student Media' Board Darkroom.
was the first witness for the prosecution.
In answering questions from both the
prosecution and the defense, Stemple
said the ambassador’s freedom of
movement was restrained as he shielded
and ducked from the objects. He
identified Fuller as having thrown the
objects. Stemple added, “The
ambassador, in ducking, could have hit
his head on the podium or backed up and
tripped over a chair.”
Stemple also said he knew of no
damage to university property as a result
of the marshmallow incident, adding that
no one approached Fuller after the
marshmallows had been thrown, even
though Security Officers were present.
David Holloway and Jeff Hall were
the two witnesses for the prosecution.
The questioning of both was similar to
the Stemple questioning. Verdinek
entered as evidence, letters from Provost
Frank Dickey, Vice Chancellor Douglas
Orr and Norman Schul, at this point.
Both the prosecution and the defense
agreed-the reading of the letters could be
dispensed with as their nature was mainly
corrabitive and their full presentation
would be repetitive.
Alease Long served as the first
witness for the defense. She was
questioned on the extent of the
disruption and said the proceedings of
the speech were not disturbed by the
throwing of marshmallows.
The defense’s second witness was
Terry Fulbright. Fulbright was termed an
expert on student affairs as a result of
five years of student involvement in the
university. Questioning of Fulbright
centered around the explanation of
particular campus documents rather than
the marshmallow incident itself.
The defendant, Chris Fuller, was the
final witness for the defense. Fuller said
he tlirew tlie marshmallows as he “was
trying to give insight to the audience as
they were applauding a fascist who does
not represent our type of government.”
Fuller said he asked members of the
administration if a press conference was
going to be held before the speech, but
they said they would not know until the
ambassador arrived. The marslmiaiJows
were chosen since there was a lack of
time to prepare a statement for the press
conference according to Fuller.
Verdinek, in his summation, said the
movements of the ambassador were
hampered by the objects which were
tlirown at Irim. Verdinek said the
ambassador did not know what the
objects were, thus they were dangerous
to him.
Hall and Woody, giving the defense
summation, stated that the rules- in the
Handbook were broad. Their central
theme, however, was that no disruptive
conduct had actually occurred.
Fuller was acquitted by the Student
Superior Court by a vote of 5-0-1 (one
abstention). The Court’s opinion has not
yet been released but is expected before
the end of next week.
Improvement of UNCC athletic
facilities now a reality
The
UNCC’s
become
budgets
By Brad Rich
long awaited improvement of
athletic facilities has now
a reality, according to UNCC
Vice Chancellor Douglas Orr and Barry
Lesley.
The projected facilities, approved
and budgeted for by last year’s state
Legislature, includes 16 new tennis
courts, 12 to be located in the valley near
the present courts, and four in front of
the campus in the dorm area; four
combination football and softball fields
and one combination
football/soccer/softball field, all located
in the valley. Also featured is a six-lane
track with an all weather surface and
bleachers terraced into the hillside.
Combined with the already existing
facilities and the soccer field now being
seeded, this will give UNCC what Orr,
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs,
calls, “One of the finest athletic
complexes in the Southeast.”
The 16 new tennis courts will triple
the number UNCC presently has. In the
valley, one block of eight courts will
probably be termed the ‘variety courts’
and long range goals include the
construction of a tennis house and
bleachers. These eight courts, like the
smaller block of four in the valley and
the four in the dorm area will be lighted
if possible, and will probably use the
same surface and colour scheme as the
present courts, ” says Lesley, acting Vice
Chancellor for Business Affairs.
The basic plan for the complex was
drawn up by David Wagoner, a UNCC
Architecture student. Though a few
changes were made in his plan, Lesley
feels that, ‘Wagoner deserves a lot of
credit”. O’Dell and Associates, a local
firm, is now in charge of the project, and
is conducting studies in the valley to
make the best use of the land, some of
which is a flood-plain area.
The entire project is hoped to be
completed by next summer, though the
playing fields may take longer due to
seeding, and is budgeted at $750,000.00.
According to Lesley, any extra money
will be used for lights and a parking area
for the facilities in the valley.
Stressed by Orr were the
improvements the new complex will
make in the intramural program. ‘This
year, ”he said, “Intramurals have had to
be continued right up until darkness,
with many sceduling difficulties.” Next
year the program should run much more
surrounding streets hampers many tennis
courts. The courts at UNCC, however,
will provide an excellent atmosphere for
both intercollegiate and recreational
activity. The natural surroundings also
should encourage picnics and outings for
students, and hopefully their families.
The soccer field, near the dorms, is
now being seeded and prepared for use.
The Board of Trustees recently approved
soccer as UNCC’s next intercollegiate
sport, so the facility is vital. If the need
arises, bleachers may be put in.
Carolina Journal photo by Russell Long
fP UPCr
Artist's sketch of proposed athletic facilities.
smoothly and efficiently.
Orr also^put emphasis on the natural
surroundings in the valley. Tennis
especially is a game requiring quiet and
concentration and noise from
Overall, UNCC stands to gain a great
deal from the complex. Intramurals
could possibly be expanded to include
more students and the Physical
Education Department will benefit.