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latlu Star Jkri © JL Volume 101, Issue 140 A century of editorial freedom Serving the students and the University community since 1193 IN THE NEWS Top stories from the state, nation and world Harding Claims She Didn't Know of Plot Until Later PORTLAND, Ore. Tonya Harding admitted Thursday she failed to tell au thorities what she knew about the Nancy Kerrigan attack, but denied planning to injure her skating rival. She asked to re main on the U.S. Olympic team. Harding’s statement came as her ex husband, was reportedly working out a deal with authorities to testify against her. Harding said she was “embarrassed and ashamed to think that anyone close to me could be involved” but said she had "no prior knowledge” of the attack. Harding has not been charged in the Kerrigan attack. If she is charged, she could be removed from the U.S. Olympic team competing at the Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, next month. Two Members of Reno's Staff Resign Unexpectedly WASHINGTON Deputy Attorney General Philip Heymann, a veteran of four administrations who served as right-hand man to Janet Reno, resigned Thursday— a move they both attributed to differences in management style and chemistry. And a special assistant to Reno, Lula Rodriguez, who is under Justice Depart ment investigation over alleged vote fraud in a Miami-area election, also resigned, spreading turmoil to the top of a second key Cabinet department. The sudden moves at the Justice De partment followed recent high-level changes at the Defense Department, where the secretary resigned and his proposed replacement withdrew recently. Black Leaders Request Investigation of Seagroves DURHAM—The U.S. Justice Depart ment will decide in die next several weeks whether it will investigate the case of a homeowner who shot youths who broke into his home. Black leaders have asked the depart ment to review Michael Seagroves’ fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jamal Elliott and the wounding of another youth. The request was contained Wednesday in a letter to James Turner, acting director of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The letter asked federal officials to ex amine whether Seagrovesviolated the civil rights of Elliot. It was signed by leaders of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, the local chapter of the NAACP and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. Packwood Set to Appeal Court Ruling on Diaries WASHINGTON - Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore., will appeal a court ruling ordering him to provide his diaries to the Senate Ethics Committee, his law yer said. A judge said he would delay transfer of the materials for the appeal. Defense attorney Jacob Stein said he would go to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia while the diaries are given to a court-appointed hearing examiner, who in turn will prepare them for the ethics committee. U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said at a court hearing he would order a delay of “days rather than weeks” in transferring the diaries and tapes, to allow time for an appeal. Survey: Many Disabled Without Health Insurance WASHINGTON Nearly half the nation’s 24 million people with severe dis abilities lack private health insurance, the Census Bureau said Thursday in its first comprehensive survey of Americans fac ing special challenges. Altogether, 49 million Americans have a disability that keeps them from doing one or more of the common activities of life, such as moving around the home, getting in or out of bed or a chair, bathing, dress ing, eating or going to the toilet. Forty-three percent of the severely dis abled lack private health coverage. So do 34 percent of all Americans with disabili ties, severe or otherwise. That’s far above the 25 percent of all Americans uncovered by private insurers. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Weather TODAY: 80-percent chance of rain; high 55-60. SATURDAY: 30-percent chance of rain; high mid-50s. SUNDAY: Chance of rain; high 50. Gunshot Kills ASU Student at Fraternity Party Chi Psi Fraternity President Says Charter Not in Danger BYKELLYRYAN CITY EDITOR A Chi Psi fraternity party turned tragic early Thursday morning when an Appala chian State University student was shot and killed after playing with a handgun police believe the victim didn’t know was loaded. ASU sophomore Christopher Todd Stewart of Charlotte was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. Thursday at UNC Hospitals from a gunshot wound to the chest, accord ing to hospital spokeswoman Kathy Neal. He was 20. Stewart’s friend, ASU student Scott Barnes, notified police at 12:43 a.m. that Stewart had shot himself in the chest, Chapel Hill police reports state. Stewart and Barnes had driven to Chapel Hill for Candidates Announce Platforms at Dorm Forum BY HOLLY STEPP UNIVERSITY EDITOR Improving campus security and envi ronmental awareness were two of the top issues for the 1994 student body candi dates at the first fomm of the election season. Candidates for SBP, Carolina Athletic Association and Residence Hall Associa tion presidents, and senior class president and vice president gathered in Ehringhaus Resi dence Hall on Thursday to discuss their platforms and goals for the next year. All the SBP can didates gave their views on improving campus safety and SlttuSiH Government ELECTIONS '94 EhringhmG A Candidates □ p Fonint [yf increasing campus recycling. The responses ranged from expanding the Point-2-Point shuttle service to increasing the number of University Police officers, and from re quiring all campus departments to use re cycled products to expanding Green Games. All the candidates said they would make the effort to make the campus safer for students. Junior George Battle said he would like to im prove transporta tion and security to sororityhouses. “It Students Violate Regulations See Page 3 is a shame that we as students can’t walk anywhere we want on campus without being afraid,” he said. SBP candidate Tommy Koonce sug gested implementing an automated door access program in all the dorms. “I think students should be able to access doors with their UNC ONE Cards and avoid having to wait outside in the dark, ” he said. Koonce also suggested that a door buzzer system might be feasible and would allow students to call down from their room and buzz guests in. Peter Wallsten, a campaign worker for candidate Rebecah Moore, spoke on her behalf. Moore, who has been ill, recently was released from hospital care and thus was unable to attend. Wallsten read from Moore’s platform and said she wanted to implement a safe ride program in which students would pro vide other students with safe transporta tionfromallareasofthecommunity. “Safe Hardin Named ACC’s Representative to NCAA Commission BYKARA SIMMONS STAFF WRITER Tar Heel basketball might not be sitting atop the Atlantic Coast Conference now, but Chancellor Paul Hardin is. Hardin recently was chosenbytheheads of universities in the Atlantic Coast Con ference to represent the ACC on the NCAA President’s Commission. Thomas Mickle, director of informa tion at ACC headquarters in Greensboro, said that Hardin was an obvious candidate for the position. “Paul is eminently qualified to serve on the Commission because he has a diverse background as both a university adminis trator and a collegiate athlete,” he said. “He represents a school with men’s and women’s athletic programs that are consis tently ranked in the top 10 and are consid ered leaders in the country,” he said. Hardin could not be reached for com ment Thursday. The commission, which made its debut 10 years ago, is instrumental in proposing legislation, conducting studies and identi fying problems concerning the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The 44-member commission, which includes representatives from Divisions I, 11 and HI, sets the direction for the NCAA. In the future everyone will he famous for 15 minutes. Andy Warhol Cha pal Hill, North Carotin FRIDAY, JANUARY 28,1994 the night to visit some Chi Psi friends, who live in the lodge at 321 W. Cameron Ave. While in a third-floor bedroom with their Chi Psi friend who was sick, Stewart and Barnes passed a handgun back and forth. Then, police say, Stewart put the gun to his chest and pulled the trigger. Barnes had purchased the Glock 40-caliber, semi automatic gun in Boone on Wednesday. “There was a small group on the third floor,” said Chapel Hill police spokes woman Jane Cousins. “The magazine that holds the bullets wasn’t in (the gun.) They probably assumed there was not a bullet, but there was one bullet in the chamber.” The manager of the Colonial Gun Shop in Hillsborough said that a Glock 40 semi automatic handgun, which costs $479, is good for target shooting. “But it’s a good self-defense weapon because it’s lightweight and easy to use,” said Don, who asked that his last name not be used. “A lot oflaw-enforcement officers use it because it’s very easy to teach some 111 v ;. IfitilljjljilL-*' ; yjj 'juS ' _■ ;;S MUUUURHH| '■ ** . v-., * ft s ,i, ; _ ' \ jHU r WMgJgHpr”’ - - ftp - lii -- DTH/WARREN PRICKETT Student body president candidates Tommy Koonce, Wayne Rash and George Battle, and campaign worker Peter Wallsten who spoke on candidate Rebecca Moore's behalf answer questions during a forum in Eringhaus dorm. ride programs have been implemented at other universities, and Rebecah is confi dent that they can work at UNC, ” he said. SBP candidate Wayne Rash, a Student Congress member, said he would imple ment a victims-assistance fund possibly paid for by students to better educate people about sexual assault. “About 84 percent of sexual assault happens in a date or rela tionship situation, and we need money for better education on the issues,” he said. On the subject of recycling, Koonce said he would push the administration to require all University departments to use completely recycled products in copier machines. “It is really important that the University do all it can to encourage recy cling efforts,” said Koonce, who served as chief of staff last semester in current SBP Jim Copland's administration. Although it is not a voting body, it deter mines the emphasis and designates the issues that will receive precedence at N CAA conventions held two to three times a year. Thomas Hearn, the current ACC repre sentative on the commission, said he hoped Hardin would continue efforts to improve collegiate athletics. “The fundamental matters of the last seven years focus on saving intervarsity athletics from excesses and abuses,” said Hearn, president of Wake Forest Univer sity. Recent measures by the commission include the approval of a review of aca demic standards for freshman eligibility and subsequent increase of the minimum grade-point average and SAT scores re spectively from2.o and 700 to 2.5 and 900. The review will study the effect that the increases will have on minorities. These standards will go into effect Aug. 1,1995. The commission also opposed a mea sure to raise the number of Division I men’s basketball scholarships from 13 to 14 per school. The proposal was defeated by the NCAA Convention despite protests and boycott threats from NCAA coaches. “Perhaps most important among these (measures) is to ensure that every athlete has the opportunity to get an education,” Hearn said. “I’m certain Paul will protect one to use.” Cousins said that several fraternity mem bers, who were emergency medical techni cians, performed CPR on Stewart until an ambulance arrived. But Thomas Clark, associate chief medical examiner, said CPR could not have saved Stewart’s life. The medical examiner’s office will test Stewart’s body for the presence of alcohol in the next two to three days, Clark said. As of Thursday afternoon, police planned to finish interviews with witnesses and collect lab results before determining if any arrests should be made. Because wit nesses admitted to handling the gun, inves tigators are trying to determine if Stewart actually pulled the trigger, Cousins said. “We’re calling it a suspicious death,” she said. “We have no reason to believe there was any intent to shoot anybody. The initial report is that he shot himself. It’sjust not clear.” Please See SHOOTING, Page 5 Student government should push Marriott Corp. to boost its recycling ef forts, Rash said. “I think Marriott should further increase recycling for the cardboard pizza boxes in Lenior and Chase Hall,” he said. Rash also said he would expand the Green Games and better publicize the in ter-dorm competition. Battle did not mention any specific plans on recycling but said student government should take the lead in the efforts. The candidates also discussed the dorm visitation policy, the UNC housekeepers movement, and faculty salaries, retention and recruitment. Candidates for CAA president gave their vision for the next year. Jen Rassmussen and Nil Dalai said they were running as co presidents because they thought they both the gains the commission has made and further those matters at hand.” Hearn said he was pleased that Hardin would replace him. “The only thing I have to say about Paul’s election is ‘Thank God’,” Hearn said. “Buttellhimtogethimselfathicksuit of armor. It’s a time-consuming and diffi cult responsibility.” Athletic reformation is not a foreign subject to Hardin. He exposed the illegal payments given to student athletes by boosters when he was president of Southern Methodist Uni versity in the early 19705. Hardin has supported the Knight Foundation’s Commission on Intercolle giate Athletics report, which suggested tighter institutional control of athletic, aca demic and financial programs. He also has supported faculty reform proposals and has submitted his own ini tiatives in response to discussions with colleagues nationwide. Hardin and UNC Athletic Director John Swofford collaborated on a plan to invest $ 1 million in post-season athletics revenues to needy academic programs over the next five years. Swofford said he felt that Hardin could successfully fulfill the position. “Paul will be excellent in terms of en- Friends Grieve Over the Death of Fellow Appalachian State Student BY ROCHELLE KIASKIN ASSISTANT CITY EDITOR The knock on her door came at 4:30 a.m. Colleen Neace, a sophomore at Appa lachian State University, awoke from her sleep and found out her boyfriend was dead. Christopher Todd Stewart, 20, of Char lotte .died early Thursday morning when Chapel Hill police believe he acciden tally shot himself with a gun he did not know was loaded during a party at the Chi Psi lodge. Neace said only a few people knew the “real” Stewart. “He wasn’t the most had had valuable experience with CAA. “I have worked with various aspects of CAA for three years, and Nil has camped out for tickets three years, so we each bring good perspective to the job, ” Rasmmussen said. They said they planned to focus on improving ticket distribution for both bas ketball and football games and planning bigger events for Homecoming. The other CAA candidate, Louis Patalano, said his ideas and goals for CAA haven’t changed much since when he ran for the office last year as a sophomore. “When I ran last year, people told me that they liked my ideas but I need more expe rience, so I am back with more experi ence,” he said. Patalano said he would work to add Please See FORUM, Page 5 Chancellor PAUL HARDIN will help set the direction for the NCAA. hancing communication bet' - —i the NCAA and conference players as the com mission continues to work on reform ef forts in collegiate athletics,” he said. “He will be a superb representative for our institution as well as the entirety of the ACC.” News/Features/Arts/Sports 962-0245 Business/Advertising 962-1163 C 1994 DTH Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. friendly or outgoing person, but when you really got to know him, you saw something special,” she explained. “But you had to be worthy of it.” Stewart, who was in the middle of his third year at ASU, was a man of convic tion, Neace said. “He wasn’t scared to take a stand,” she said. “He did what he wanted to. He was Todd.” One of Stewart’s best friends, ASU junior Thom Dunn, agreed with Neace. “He had very strong beliefs,” he said. “He rarely faltered from them. He was pretty vocal about it.” Please See STEWART, Page 5 Buyback Program Needs Funds Only SSOO Has Been Donated; Supporters Plan Fund-Raiser BYKRISTENMIN STAFF WRITER Although a gun buyback program has the go-ahead from town officials, “Buy Back the Hill” is still desperately in need of money. The task force for “Buy Back the Hill” met Wednesday in front of FGI Inc. on West Franklin Street to discuss a fund raising plan. The meeting was less than 12 hours after an Appalachian State University stu dent died at the Chi Psi fraternity house of a gunshot wound to the chest from a semi automatic handgun. Chapel Hill police said they believed Christopher Todd Stewart, 20, shot himself with a handgun he did not know was loaded. Concern about an increase in gun-re lated violence led Chapel Hill Town Coun cil member Jim Protzman, chief executive officer of the Chapel Hill marketing and advertising firm, FGI Inc., to initiate the project. The buyback program will allow Chapel Hill residents to bring their un wanted guns to Chapel Hill Police Depart ment, where they will receive SSO to SIOO or other forms of exchange in return. Fred Meier, task force chairman, said the buyback was tentatively planned to begin in May. “We are planning to have a fund-raising program in March and April to begin buying back guns,” he said. “We are still at the planning stage.” The task force is working to collect enough money to prepare for any number of buybacks, Meier said. “A town 0f400,000 collected over 7,000 guns, and Chapel Hill is one-tenth of that size, so you’re looking at a figure of 700 and at least $35,000,” he said. “We’re looking for more than 500, but we don’t know how many guns are out there or how successful the collection will be.” The fund raising for the project was also initiated by FGI Inc. “The only dona tion we have now is a generous contribu tion of SSOO from FGI,” Meier said. Protzman said he began the program because ofthe successful buybackprograms in other cities. “We’re really committed to getting guns off the streets,” he said. Protzman urged businesses and concerned individuals to contribute to the program and to help make Chapel Hill safer. Reasons other than money may moti vate residents to turn in their guns, Protzman said. “In recent gun buyback programs, individuals have made contri butions in memory ofloved ones who have been killed by handguns,” he said. “Some also made contributions to prevent their loved ones from being hurt or killed by gun violence.” Meier said the task force was emphasiz ing the impact that guns had on youths. “I think that everybody is concerned about the number of guns available to younger people,” Meier said. “All of us have examples of guns that don’t have to be on the streets. We want some of those guns put away.” Meier said the task force planned the buyback to be only a temporary program. “We’ll just see how the buybacks are going on that one day and take it from there,” he said. “If there’s success, we’ll see what we can do about buying back more.” Meier also said he expected to see more guns coming from homes rather than from the streets. “There are guns out there that weeanpickup,” he said. "They’llprobably Please See BUYBACK, Page 5
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