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<Eb? iailu ®ar Mnl INSIDE FRIDAY JANUARY 24,1997 Student Congress rejects USSA resolution BYNAHALTOOSI STAFF WRITER Although one Student Congress member called referenda the “purest form” of democracy, the group after two separate votes —voted down a con troversial fee increase referendum at its Wednesday meeting. The failed resolution, introduced by Student Body President Aaron Nelson, called for a referendum for a 25-cent fee increase to send about $10,500 to the United States Student Association, a student lobbying organization based in Washington. Students offer interpretations of King’s words at competition ■ Junior Darrell Hunt won the 1997 Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest on Thursday. BY KAITLIN GURNEY STAFF WRITER In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “The time for freedom has come.” This quotation was the theme of the 1997 MLK Jr. Oratorical Contest held Thursday night in the Great Hall. King’s words meant something different to eight different contestants. After a short introduction and prayer, each of the contestants gave their interpre tation of the meaning of this excerpt from King’s speech and its effect on society today. A panel of judges decided on the winners of the SIOO first prize and the SSO second prize during a short inter mission. Darrell Hunt, a junior from Miami, was award ed first prize. Andrew Pearson, a senior from Shaker Heights, Ohio, was the second prize winner. “I think whenever we have the opportunity to engage with other people in critical participation as revolutionaries have, we should take part,” Hunt said, explaining why he participated in the contest. “It is the necessary time in our collective history to be aware of what goes on in our society and world.” Hunt, the last speaker of the evening, was given a standing ovation after he concluded. Hunt based his speech about the “preparation for freedom” on hartind V > anew ™ course BY BRENNA PEARSON STAFF WRITER When students register for the class “New Queer Cinema,” they may not know the full story behind this out-of-the-ordinary course. The course, the only gay and lesbian studies class at UNC, which started last fall, is a product of Professor Cecil Wooten’s work as chairman of the Williamson Committee. The committee, which was put into action by Wooten two years ago, was established to progress gay and lesbian studies at UNC. Wooten, who teaches in the Department of Classics, has been teaching at the University for 16 years. He said he was happy to take on the extra responsibility as chairman of the committee. “I am openly gay and also the faculty advisor to B-GLAD, so I was the obvious person for the job, but I was glad to take on the task," he said. The Williamson Committee has given birth to the development of six new courses from a range of Spoiled sports ABC will appeal a ruling saying its Food Lion investigation was done illegally. Page 2 “Through an unbelievable act of paternalism, Student Congress denied students their right to vote,” Nelson said Thursday. Student Congress members expressed frustration at the lengthy process, which lasted until 1:15 a.m. “We’re being one of the most ineffi cient bodies. How are we ever going to get the respect of the student body if we run a circus?” said Rep. Liz Erhardt, Dist. 1. Nelson’s resolution, which has met with criticism because of the USSA’s stands and Nelson’s role on its board of directors, failed twice to meet the neces the analogy of his grandmother calling him in for dinner. Before he could eat, he said, he first had to wash up and ask what was for dinner “If we are to prepare for freedom, it is time to clean up our minds,” Hunt said. He also said we must ask what freedom is so we know it when we have it. Pearson began his speech with a teacher imper sonation in which he played the role of a professor and the audience were his students. “Schools pet rify society,” he said. “Instead of learning to build community, we learn to build bombers.” Pearson said the student movement had begun in Burma, Serbia, France and even in Chapel Hill, where students boycott products manufactured in Burma. “The time for freedom has come I hear voices,” he said. Other contestants included senior Timothy Rolle; juniors Sylvia Conley, Eric Farmer and David Moricca; sophomore Tymissha King and freshman Mona Malik. Moricca, who also spoke in last year’s contest, described the differences he saw growing up between his middle-class suburb of Cherry Hill, N.J., and nearby inner-city Camden. “We need more than visual solutions,” he said. “We need more than two white students in the MLK oratorical contest. Some call it affirmative action. I call it justice.’’ Malik began her speech with a discussion of Rosa Parks. “I’m happy you, and I have the free dom to sit in the front of the bus, the back of the bus, wherever we want,” she said. “But some of us have become complacent. It is important we realize the fight for freedom is a never ending battle.” disciplines, including “New Queer Cinema.” The committee also has funded many lectures and confer ences. The eight-member committee, consisting of faculty, undergradu ate and graduate students and an administrator, was created using a $200,000 gift given to the University by the late Dr. Charles Williamson, an alumnus of the School of Medicine. Williamson's will stipulated that the donated money have an ongoing impact at UNC in the encouragement of gay and lesbian courses. Larry Gilbert, associate vice chancellor in the Office of the Provost, consulted Wooten about how the University could use the money in accordance with Williamson’s desires. Wooten then drew up the proposal for the com mittee, and it was approved. Wooten’s goals as chairman include implementing innovative new courses, as well as helping students become more comfortOable when discussing See WOOTEN, Page 4 By the time I’d grown up, I naturally supposed that I’d be grown up. Eve Babitz A celebration of the South A 1998 literary festival will bring Southern writers to UNC. Page 4 sary two-thirds vote to get on the ballot. After limiting debate time, represen tatives listened to Nelson’s reasons for a referendum. “The USSA is the voice of the students on a national level,” he said. “The main issue that USSA works on and is most dedicated to is federal finan cial aid.” Representatives said the USSA took stands on non-student-related issues, such as paying reparations to descen dants of slaves, and that funding them would not reflect the student body’s diversity. “What you have to consider is that a student organization funded by student funds is lobbying for non-stu Hi DTH'MCTIMOMMR Andrew Pearson placed second in the Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest. The event is sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta sorority. DTHrtONGAKDINnt Professor Cecil Wooten, chairman of the Williamson Committee, is working to implement gay and lesbian studies courses in UNC’s curriculum. Tar Heels send State packing UNC topped the 'Pack 77-66 in women's basketball. Page 5 *4 dent issues," said Rep. Trey Lindley, Dist. 17, in an attempted filibuster. “This is not necessarily about students. It is about leftist-leaning students who sup port a liberal platform.” Nelson said that by joining the USSA, UNC could help decide what stands to take. “It needs to be dear that we are not joining a group that has a pol icy platform that is set in stone,” Nelson said, adding the decision was about hav ing a referendum, and not about the USSA. At the time of the deadline set for a vote, the resolution failed to pass. However, Student Congress representa Today's Weather Chance of showers, cloudy; high 40s. Weekend: Cloudy: high 50s. fives moved to reconsider. During the reconsideration, represen tatives voted to change the referendum’s preamble to eliminate possible bias toward the USSA. But some representa tives were still concerned. “(The refer endum) is still not informative,” Lindley said. “It portrays (the USSA) as neu tral.” Rep. Brad Morrison, Dist. 15, said the referendum should let students know the USSA’s stands on all issues. Nelson said students would get ade quate information through candidate debates and newspaper coverage. “They See CONGRESS, Page 4 Weekend memorial service will honor shooting victims BY RACHEL SWAIN STAFF WRITER The lives of two men who died in a Henderson Street shooting spree two years ago will be remembered Sunday at a 2 p.m. memorial service. Family and friends of 20 year-old UNC lacrosse player Kevin Reichardt and Ralph Walker Jr., 42, will gather on Henderson Street to honor their loved ones. “Primarily, it is a memorial service to Kevin and Ralph,” said Karl Reichardt, Kevin’s father. “We’re trying to make sure the University community and Chapel Hill doesn’t forget what hap pened.” R.B. Nicholson, a Reichardt family friend helping to organize the service, $250 award available Don't forget that today Is the last day to submit applications for the Joanna Howell Fund Award. The $250 award, named for a staff mem ber who died in the May 12,1996, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house fire, seeks to enable young journalists to pursue projects that they otherwise could not afford. Any undergraduate student can apply for the award. More than one student can submit a joint-proposal together. Applicants do not have to be journalism majors or associated with The Daily Tar Heel in any way. Applications can still be picked up in Suite 104 of the Student Union, but are due at 5 p.m. today - so hurry. 103 yean of editorial freedom comnmmry since 1893 News/Featam/Aiis/Spogii: 9624)245 Business/Advertising. 962-1163 Vohjfce 104, Issue 137 Chapel HflL North Carolina C 1 997 OIH Publishing Carp. Xu rights reserved. Students getting no tax break ■ The Legislature lowered the food tax to 5 percent, but exempted school food. BY GRAHAM BRINK MANAGING EDITOR UNC students shouldn’t rely on a new sales-tax reduction to lower cam pus food prices, but purchasing a meal plan will guarantee savings. The N.C. General Assembly amend ed the Sales and Use Tax Laws last year, effectively reducing the sales tax on food intended for home consumption from 6 percent to 5 percent. But the General Assembly deemed food sold at schools and stadiums, among other locations, to be for “on premise consumption,” so the tax was n’t lowered at campus food outlets. “Most of the food we serve is con sidered eat-in food and wouldn’t be eli gible for the tax reduction anyway,” said Rutledge Tufts, director of auxiliary ser vices. “But the law says schools must charge the tax.” The state already exempts students with meal plans from the entire 6 per cent sales tax at campus dining halls. “Students can use any meal plan including expense plans at campus dining halls and save the 6 percent tax,” said Tufts, who added that the law con siders Union Station a dining hall. “Die tax is applied, but is taken off when the card is swiped, so it is not taken out of the student’s account.” Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chan cellor for auxiliary services, encouraged students to apply for any of several meal-card options to take advantage of the savings. “It’s a great way for students to save money,” she said. “Why pay an extra 6 percent if you don’t need to?” The state exempted students from the sales tax to help defray the costs of edu cation, Tufts said. “We spend a lot of time trying to inform students of the advantages of See TAX, Page 4 said no formal ser vice has been planned, He said he encouraged people to speak, bring flowers or light candles. “We just didn’t think it was neces- Memorial service 2pjn. Sunday Henderson Street sary to plan a formal program because it’s a commemorative occasion,” he said. Reichardt said he “may issue a state ment.” Walker and Reichardt were killed Jan. 26, 1995, when former UNC law student Wendell Williamson opened fire with a semiautomatic M-l rifle on See MEMORIAL, Page 4 Diploma-cy Today is the last day for undergraduates to apply for graduation through their deans' offices. If you don't want to stay a ninth semester, make sure you fill out the appro priate forms. Best of wishes for your last semester and the long lines you’re sure to encounter today. The Editor*
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 24, 1997, edition 1
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