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Volume 102, Issue 83
101 years of editorialfreedom
Serving the students and the University community since 1893
IN THE NEWS
Top stories from the state, nation and world
16 Serb Soldiers, 4 Nurses
Killed in Bosnian Attack
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina
In an attack that could jeopardize an agree
ment to reopen Sarajevo’s vital airport link
Thursday, government troops killed 16
Bosnian Serb soldiers and four nurses. All
20 were shot in the head.
U.N. officials said some had been muti
lated, others had been burned, several had
been stabbed and some had had their throats
slit.
Yasushi Akashi; the top U.N. official in
Yugoslavia, lodged a protest with Bosnian
President Alija Izetbegovic. Akashi said
he feared the “tragic incident” could jeop
ardize an agreement with Serbs that re
opened the Sarajevo airport Thursday.
Peacekeepers found the bodies just out
side a demilitarized zone on the mountain
southwest of Sarajevo, U.N. officials said.
Haitian Military General
Refusing to Leave Country
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Haitian
strongman Raoul Cedras is resisting in
tense pressure from the United States not
only to step down next week but to leave
the country, close associates said.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Stanley
Schrager repeats at nearly every press brief
ing that the army chief is not obliged to
leave Haiti under an agreement signed last
month. But he stresses that Cedras’ depar
ture would ease the process of bringing
back exiled President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide.
Cedras associates say the 45-year-old
general is influenced by his forceful wife,
Yannick, who is adamant they remain in
Haiti, and by Brig. Gen. Philippe Biamby,
a fellow coup leader.
Mandela Addresses Joint
Session of U.S. Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. Warning
against the lure of isolationism, South Af
rican President Nelson Mandela said
Thursday that the post-Cold War focus of
the United States had to be on eliminating
“tyranny, instability and poverty” across
the globe.
Issuing his appeal in a speech before a
joint meeting of Congress, Mandela said
the end of debilitating ideological warfare
made realistic the possibility “for all people
to enjoy the right to full human dignity.”
He added that he deeply believes that
the “new world order that is in the making
must focus on the creation of a world of
democracy, peace and prosperity for all.”
Mandela got a hero’s welcome as he
entered the packed House chamber.
Strong Aftershocks Still
Rocking Kuril Islands
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia —The Kuril
islands were shaken by dozens of strong
aftershocks Thursday, and relief workers
recovered the bodies of two people buried
when a military hospital collapsed in this
week’s earthquake.
Seismologists predicted the aftershocks
from Tuesday’s quake would go on for
days.
Rescue teams set up tent villages for
residents whose homes were destroyed and
prepared to evacuate about 150 children to
the Russian mainland.
Five people were still believed trapped
in the debris of a military hospital that
collapsed in the quake, Russia’s Ministry
for Emergency Situations said. They were
presumed dead.
Syrian Leader Meets With
U.S. Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, D.C. Peace talks
between Israel and Syria could drag on
into 1995 and it would be a mistake to try
to set a deadline to force a settlement, the
State Department said Thursday.
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa
met with Secretary of State Warren Chris
topher.
Sharaa and Christopher appeared briefly
before reporters, but intense shouting by
some Israeli correspondents cut the ses
sion short. Two or three of the Israelis
insisted the Syrian foreign minister was
avoiding communicating through Israeli
television.
Sharaa rejected the assertion. He said
President Hafez Assad had made it plain
he was prepared to make peace with Israel.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Weather
TODAY: Sunny; high near 70.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny; high 70-
75.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny; high 70-75.
SBP Vows to Get Dervin Reconfirmed
Battle’s Senior Adviser Had
Served as Member of Honor
Court Since Summer 1993
BYPETER ROYBAL
STAFF WRITER
Student Body President George Battle
vowed Thursday to get his senior adviser,
John Dervin, reconfirmed as a member of
the Honor Court within a month. Student
Congress rejected Dervin late Wednesday.
“It’s petty, it’s ludicrous, (and) if this is
the best they’ve got, they’re going to be
sorely disappointed, ” Battle said. “The only
way in which (the rejection) hurts me is
that John is a close personal friend and I
hate to see that done to him," Battle said.
Congress rejected Dervin in a 9-8-2 vote.
Dervin has been a member of the court
since the summer of 1993. He was the only
one of about 35 nominees rejected.
Battle said he would “work through
legislative channels” to get Dervin ap
proved. Another option is to appeal to
Chancellor Paul Hardin, who has ultimate
authority over the student discipline sys
tem.
Dervin and Hardin declined comment.
Those who voted against Dervin’s con-
Parking Records
Missing, According
To Audit’s Finding
Just Days After an Internal Audit Revealed
An Inequality in Receipts, Daily Records
For Certain Lots Are Unaccounted For
BYALEXPODLOGAR
STAFF WRITER
During the current investigation into Chapel Hill’s Parking
Services Department over possible discrepancies in the receipts,
the internal audit also has uncovered that certain records are
missing from the department’s files.
Some of the records that are reported to be missing include
those dealing with the daily operations at the parking deck on
Rosemary Street and at Municipal Lot No. 5 at the comer of
Rosemary and Columbia streets, according to Chapel Hill’s Fi
nance Director Jim Baker.
The missing records concern daily operations and specify how
much money was collected each day by each parking lot.
The records detailed the finances of the parking areas for the
past six months.
On Sept. 26, Chapel Hill’s Parking Services Superintendent
Erik Luther was suspended without pay after a departmental audit
revealed funds might be missing from the department.
The audit has been ordered by Chapel Hill Town Manager Cal
Horton.
Shortly after the audit began, the parking department reported
having missing or incomplete records to the Chapel Hill Police
Department.
The audit was the first one done in a concentrated manner,
Assistant Town Manager Sonna Loewenthal said Monday.
She said parking services was the first department audited
because it was a major source of the town’s cash transactions.
“Over the last couple of months, the annual audit to complete
the financial report has been under way,” Baker said.
“This year, the parking department was chosen for an in-depth
examination.’’
Baker could not specify exactly how many records are believed
to be missing.
Most of the money Chapel Hill receives from parking sevices
comes from various parking lots rather than from its on-street
parking meters, he said.
“There is a possibility that monies could be missing,” Baker
added.
Baker estimated earlier this week that the parking services
revenue this year was about $950,000.
Luther was suspended the day the discrepancy was reported to
police, according to Chapel Hill Personnel Director Pat Thomas.
As of now, Luther is not linked personally to the missing
records.
“Chapel Hill police is investigating the possibility of missing
funds from the Parking Services Department,” said Chapel Hill
police spokeswoman Jane Cousins.
“We are not investigating Erik Luther.”
Luther, an employee of the parking services department for 13
years, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Chapel Hill police would not comment about whether there
were any suspects in the case.
NC STAR Teaches Middle School Students About Multiculturalism
BYTEEOMOLODUN
STAFF WRITER
In an effort to end racism and discrimi
nation at an early age, several UNC stu
dents are participating in a program that
encourages candid discussions about ra
cial reconciliation and respect for diversity
among middle school students in the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro area.
Die program, North Carolina Students
Teach And Reach, was designed by People
for the American Way with the purpose of
promoting cross-cultural respect and un
derstanding among youth.
The program, which has student volun
Modem art is like trying to follow the plot in alphabet soup.
Anonymous
Chapel Hill, North Caroliaa
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7,1994
SBP GEORGE BATTLE
argued that having
Dervin serve on the
judicial branch would
not be a conflict of
interest.
firmation said they
were concerned that
it would be a con
flict of interest for
Dervin to have roles
in both the execu
tive and judicial
branches.
Rep. Mike
Edwards, Dist. 20,
who voted against
Dervin, said, “I
didn’t agree with the
idea of a high ex
ecutive branch
member on such a
high position in an
other branch of stu-
dent government.”
Battle argued there was no conflict of
interest, noting Dervin had been a top
adviser to last year’s Student Body Presi
dent Jim Copland while also serving on the
Honor Court. Battle also said congress had
not rejected Stacey Brandenburg for the
Honor Court although she is co-secretary
of Battle’s Academic Affairs Committee.
Battle said members of his administra
tion had been told by opponents of Dervin
that the vote had been a response to the
recall petitions for Reps. Tara Servatius,
Dist. 12, and Jonathan Jordan, Dist. l,and
Heroes on the hill
W*"
a m
nil, I, ion m B j
DTH/KATIE CANNON
Jennie Smith leads a group of symbols and consciousness students in a discussion concerning Haiti.
BYSHIRLIEYFUNG
STAFF WRITER
By most traditional definitions, UNC an
thropology graduate student Jennie Smith
would be called an expert on Haitian affairs.
She spent 1988 to 1991 living and working
with Haitian peasants.
In a 1993 mission to the island, the United
Nations called upon her expertise and de
ployed her as a civilian human rights ob
server.
For the last three years, Smith has dedi
cated her life to studying the Haitian tradi
tions of social critique, collective action and
cooperative social formations.
Despite her rich credentials, however,
Smith insists that she’s not an expert.
“I hope I never think of myself that way, ”
she said. “Haiti is a land of paradox, not easily
understood.”
Like the country she loves, Smith is a
bundle of complexities. In conversation or in
the classroom, she seems soft-spoken, yet
commanding; energetic, yet pensive; at a loss
for words, yet eloquent.
At the same time, this complexity is itself
integrated within something much larger and
less paradoxical: a genuine concern and re
spect for people.
“Jennie has a powerful ethical commit
ment,” said James Peacock, chairman of the
teers from 22 N.C. colleges and universi
ties, puts the participants through inten
sive training sessions to help them develop
facilitation skills needed to promote dia
logue among secondary school students.
The volunteers also receive educational
materials that provide a context for discus
sions of race relations, historical back
ground and examples of active citizenship.
The classroom discussion provides a
forum for the children to share their per
sonal experiences and thoughts about com
plex issues like prejudice, citizen responsi
bility and tolerance in today’s society.
Alton Cheeks, principal of Guy B.
Phillips Middle School, said he believed
to Battle's success with the narrowly passed
Minority Recruitment Bill. Servatius and
Jordan face a recall election Tuesday.
Dist. 11 Rep. Meredith Armstrong, who
voted to confirm Dervin, said she didn’t
think Congress had enough information
about him to vote him down. “I know that
John is well-seasoned with the Honor
Court,” she said. “I’m not convinced that
Student Congress really has enough infor
mation about the qualifications of people
who come before us for approval.”
Rep. Julie Gasperini, Dist. 14, abstained
from the vote. “Die reason I abstained is I
had the question of a conflict of interest
and, more than that, I questioned whether
he could give 100 percent to both jobs.”
Rep. Trong Nguyen, Dist. 8, said, “I
think he should have been confirmed be
cause I assume George is not going to
select someone who is incompetent.”
Dervin could be brought before con
gress for confirmation with anew bill.
Battle said he would not ask congress to
reconsider the original bill, which would
mean voting again on all the nominees.
According to Assistant Dean of Stu
dents Margaret Barrett, who oversees the
Honor Court, Dervin has been confirmed
three times. “John has been a very, very
Please See CONGRESS, Page 2
UNC Graduate Student Jennie Smith Has
Been Advising the U.N. on Haitian Policy.
A hand
Reaching
“Haiti is a land of
paradox , not easily
understood, ”
anthropology department.
This ethical commitment plays itself out in
all that Smith does in the classroom, in the
Raleigh AIDS clinic where she volunteers or
in Haiti, where she was a member of the
Mennonite Central Overseas Committee.
“She’s tactful and also determined,” Pea
cock said. “I’ll tell you something she did.
Jennie gently made me totally reform my
‘Consciousness and Symbols' class. Before, it
didn't cover any women. She made me see the
light. Now, instead ofreading only dead white
males, we’ve got readings from women such
as Toni Morrison.”
In a discussion group session held on her
own time, Smith provides an informal and
relaxed forum for her pupils to voice their
concerns about the class and other topics such
as religion and U.S. ethnocentrism. She gives
advice on papers. She plays devil's advocate
and answers questions. But most importantly,
she listens, embraces and responds to their
ideas.
In return, her students voice the highest
praise for Smith.
the program strove for more than just toler
ance of other cultures and races. “People
can leam to deal with others in a more
respectful way based on what they know
about their culture,” he said.
“We don’t try to change anybody’s view,
just give them more information.”
Cheek said that although Phillips’ stu
dent body of 584 students was ethnically
diverse, “NC STAR is more than just a
multicultural program. We all need to do a
better job of understanding each other.”
The program, which is supported at
UNC by the N.C. Teaching Fellows Pro
gram and Students for the Advancement of
Race Relations, began to involve college
Congress Votes to Back
LaVonda Burnette Recall
BYPETER ROYBAL
STAFF WRITER
Student Congress passed a resolution
Wednesday night supporting the recall
election of LaVonda Burnette, a mem
ber of the Chapel Hill-Canboro Board of
Education.
Burnette falsely claimed during her
campaign that she was a part-time UNC
student. She faces a recall election Nov.
8.
Rep. Amy Cummins, Dist. 22, the
principal sponsor of the resolution, said
Thursday that Burnette “totally misrep
resented herself and abused UNC.”
“ I thought that Student Congress, as a
representative of the UNC student body,
should make a statement on a commu
nity issue which involved UNC,”
Cummins said. “This is a proactive piece
of legislation that transcends class, gen
der, race and party affiliation.”
students in public school classrooms in
1990 during the 30th anniversary of the
Greensboro sit-ins.
Anna Willingham, co-chairwoman of
S ARR, said the program had a lot of dedi
cated volunteers. “I think it connects two
different worlds; it connects college stu
dents and middle-school students by work
ing toward a common goal. It gives them
an opportunity to leam from each other.”
Nakia Elliott, a sophomore from Brook
lyn, visited Grey Culbreth Middle School
Tuesday and participated in the program.
Elliott said it was important to start open
communication at a young age because
people often grew up with stubborn and
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The resolution passed without dis
sent.
Cummins said she voted for Burnette
last year but reversed her support after
she learned Burnette had lied about be
ing a UNC student.
She said she worked this summer to
help recall Burnette.
“Her misrepresentation sets a bad
example for children in the school sys
tem,” Cummins said. “We should ex
pect integrity from our public officials.”
The resolution stated that Burnette
had misrepresented herself and her cre
dentials by falsely claiming that she at
tended UNC. It was co-sponsored by
Reps. Mike Edwards, Jonathan Jordan,
Ginny Moore, Stephen Oljeski, Marty
White and Dion Williams.
Local resident Madeline Mitchell led
the effort to collect recall petition signa
tures. The Orange County Board ofElec
tions verified the signatures in August.
Name: Jennie Smith
Bom: October 30, 1966,
Rutledge, Tennessee
Occupation: Ph.D. student
in the anthropology
department
Education: B.A. in
philosophy and pre-med
from Furman University in
1988
Hobbies: running, hiking
Life's philosophy: 'lf we
are in a situation of
injustice, we ought to
recognize that injustice and
respond to it'
“She’s vibrant. She gives off such genuine
positivity,” said Clark McCabe, a junior reli
gious studies and anthropology major from
High Point. “Jennie’s completely on the same
level as everyone else. She’s not pretentious
like other TAs tend to be.
“She’s interested in people and how every
thing works in life. She doesn’t just have an
academic interest, her interest is much more
heartfelt,” he continued. “She doesn’t study
Haiti to be a famous professor, she has a
genuine interest in those people.”
Lee Marler, a senior anthropology major
from Asheville, concurred. “She’s down to
earth, easy going and energetic.”
It is obvious that Smith’s students thrive on
her enthusiasm. To hear Smith tell it, how
ever, it is her students who motivate her. “I
love working with students. I feel like work
ing with them is something I need,” she said.
Likewise, Smith describes her volunteer
work at the AIDS clinic as a symbiotic, rather
than dependent relationship. “Don’t make
me sound like I’m doing some wonderful
service to the world,” she insisted. “I feel like
I gain strength from working at the clinic. I’ve
met so many wonderful people there.”
Smith contends that the same sort of mutu
ally beneficial relationship holds true with her
experiences in Haiti. “We tried to avoid the
Please See HERO, Page 7
ignorant ideas.
Second-year participant Richard Kwok,
a sophomore and Alpha Phi Omega mem
ber, said volunteers had to be dedicated to
the program because it was difficult for the
children to discuss controversial issues in
the beginning.
“Once the kids start opening up, we
have really good discussions,” said Kwok,
a chemistry and history major from At
lanta.
Kwok said he found it particularly re
warding to see a middle school student’s
view on diversity change.
Please See NC STAR, Page 2
962-0245
962-1163