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VOTE TODAY ®lip latlu ufcir Uerl © SMB 104 yean of editorial freedom Serving the students and the University community since 1893 Deposition: ticket topic of improper discussions BY SHARIF DURHAMS UNIVERSITY EDITOR Evidence collected last week seems to support University Police Lt. C.E. Swain’s claim that his superiors tried to fix a ticket that he issued. Deposition statements from two administrators indicate that several con versations about how to handle a ticket Swain wrote took place among University administrators, including the Board of Trustees member whose daughter received the ticket. Maj. Jeff McCracken, who runs the University Police on a day-to-day basis, Renovation project in students’ hands BY ERICA BESHEARS EDITOR A 24-hour copy center, computer labs, 35,278 extra square feet of space and 53 more offices for student organi- zation. All this and more could belong to UNC students for up to S3O a semester per student for 20 years. uecaousra Students have the opportunity today to vote for a student fee increase to fund the sl3 million renovation and expan sion of the Student Union. The Board of Trustees has given pre liminary approval to the building plans, and Student Congress placed the refer endum on the ballot. If the referendum passes, and the University and UNC system approve the project, construction will start in fall 1999. If students approve the referendum, they would endorse a fee increase that would affect 20 years of UNC students. Higher learning BY MELANIE FLOYD STAFF WRITER Three years ago Elson Floyd felt like he had arrived back home. The current executive vice chancellor first stepped on the UNC campus as a bright-eyed freshman in 1974. He eventually received his bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees from UNC. After working for the University for more than 13 years in various administrative positions such as assistant dean of student affairs and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the General College, Floyd proceeded to Washington to continue his career in higher edu cation. Three years ago Chancellor Michael Hooker recruited Floyd, who later became executive vice chancellor. Floyd, the chief administrative and operating offi cer at the University, oversees busi ness and finance, human resources, auxiliary enterprises, student affairs, information tech nology, University advancement and development and enrollment management. “This campus is in many respects a fundamental part of who I am and what I do,” Floyd said. “This is home. It’s great to work for my alma mater.” Even as an undergraduate Floyd was very involved in student government and served as Student Attorney General. Although he originally planned to go to law school, economic decisions and his love for education and people led him higher up the education career ladder. “I grew up in a very poor environment,” Floyd explained. "I understand the importance of connecting with people. It is an important part of who I am.” Floyd grew up in Henderson with three brothers and attended boarding school in Rome, Ga., before returning to North Carolina for college. “Neither of my parents graduated high school. They made it abundantly clear that education was going to be a part of our future,” he said. said in his deposition that Executive Vice Chancellor Elson Floyd planned to tell BOT chairman Billy Armfield that after debate, the University would process a ticket against his daughter. Armfield and University administra tors have said for months that no nego tiation had gone on between them while police officials decided whether to process the ticket. “I don’t have any knowledge of those comments, and I think I’ve said all I’m going to say about the Swain issue,” Armfield said. Floyd, who called from a business trip in San Francisco on Monday, said he did not even know Swain’s attorney Currently, students pay $2 a semester in fees for the Union. The referendum would increase by $8 per semester in 1999-2000, when construction begins. In 2000-01, fees will increase up to $21.09 per semester for 20 years. That means students could pay up to $31.09 per semester. Summer school students would not pay an increased fee. Student Body Treasurer Marc McCollum said the fee increase was staggered so the Union could repay the money as soon as possible. At the same time, the students who bear the brunt of the cost will enjoy the benefits of the renovated Union. The Union Board of Directors began exploring the need for an expanded Union in 1992, attending conferences and holding forums and focus groups to determine how students use the Union. Union Director Don Luse said the plans came directly from students’ needs. “When we look at needs, we can see that every year the number of stu dent organizations increases,” he said. “We can see how poorly we are doing helping student organizations with office space." lay Surviving Struggle A monthlong series spotlighting the achievements of contemporary black leaders. DTHMISTI MCDANIEL Elson Floyd, executive vice chancellor, grew up in Henderson and is an alumnus of UNC. Growing up in a time of extreme racism, Floyd faced many struggles in his pursuit of a better life. He recalls having to attend a segregated school until he was in the eighth grade. “Even in a facility as simple as a movie the ater, you couldn’t co-mingle,” Floyd said. Although society has come a long way in tackling racial issues, Floyd said he believes race still has an effect in the way people view each other. See FLOYD, page 6 Violence is, essentially, a confession of ultimate inarticulateness. Time Magazine Tuesday, February 10,1998 Volume 105, Issue 150 Alan McSurely was taking depositions in the case. “I don’t know anything about that,” Floyd said when he was asked about talking to Armfield. Swain gave the ticket for underage drinking to Armfield’s daughter Sept. 27, but University Police officials and University administrators held the ticket for almost a week. McCracken confirmed Monday that he made the statement, but he said University policy prevented him from explaining the statement or talking about any other discussions. McSurely would not talk about details of McCracken’s testimony. . i_> i—i Center of attention £7 |rjjj g] C — r Todays student election ballot includes a referendum for funding Student Union I jUjl I 5 S t ex P ans ' on - Union officials have proposed the following renovations: I 1f - U New additions to the main building include more meeting rooms for student organizations, an fl M r-il L h c increase in lounge and lobby space and enhanced handicap accessibility. Also, officials // C_ I *—j— plan to add a 24-hour computer lab and copy //o, / —I center. Students will also be able to buy , /// II bagels, sandwiches, soups and beverages. TaA, View from Raleigh St JjJgJ* walkwa * wi " eonnect the y\< The new building will consist jj ■ I IZ\V/ /\ / mostly of office space for j| \\ H J , )///£=//. I /A\/ V y student organizations and j MyJpijFjjj f j Xj Y/ '/j SOUKCE: CAROLINA UNION DTH/IAKEZAJtNBGAR,CHANTALPUNPSACK.ELySSAKDMANSKY Carolina Union President Amy Lawler said the plan’s highlights responded to the campus’ needs: The Union will never be entirely closed dur ing construction, and the project will sacrifice only one parking spot. In recent months, however, the Union But he said the depositions from McCracken and Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary Services Carolyn Elfland, who oversees University Police, would aid Swain’s case. “We have a much bet ter understanding of what trustee Billy Armfield’s role was in the complaint,” McSurely said from his office. McSurely plans to introduce the depositions into Swain’s lawsuit against the University later this week after another day of deposing Elfland. Swain sued the University in November, alleging that McCracken, Elfland and others tried to obstruct jus tice by getting rid of the ticket he wrote Board of Directors has turned attention to making sure the referendum passes. A $3,000 publicity campaign has spot lighted the project and detailed the his tory of the Union’s funding. The Union opened in 1969 after stu dents protested and raised the money Police say safety options plenty for staff, students BY KELLI BOUTIN STAFF WRITER In light of Friday morning’s assault on a female University employee, cam pus officials want to increase awareness of safety procedures. They also stress the fact that both stu dents and employees can take measures to protect themselves from violence and crime on campus. University Police Lt. Angela Cannon, crime prevention officer, per forms security surveys of various build ings on campus in addition to giving safety information and tips to University students and employees. She evaluates features such as light ing, shrubbery and locks, and makes suggestions as to what further safety measures should be implemented. Employee safety is a focal point for Cannon. She suggested that housekeep ers carry walkie-talkies so they can con tact each other, especially during late night and early morning hours. She also suggested that Davis Library install an intercom system that would ensure easy contact with the front desk in the event of an emergency in the library. “I think that most people get a false sense of security when they’re here on campus,” Cannon said. “We’re not immune to crime." Another way University students and employees can better prepare themselves for the possibility of an attack is by tak ing a self-defense class, she said. The Rape Aggression Defense pro gram, is offered by the Department of Public Safety to instruct females in basic self defense, University Police Maj. Jeff McCracken said. McCracken said he encouraged both to Armfield’s daughter, freshman Caroline Hancock. Swain’s suit also claims he was fired for talking to the press about his griev ance case against the University. Officially, Swain was fired for falsify ing his timesheet by spending two hours in the offices of The Chapel Hill News. Chancellor Michael Hooker put Swain back on the job in December. Written statements McSurely received last week explain more of the debate that occurred before the ticket was given to a magistrate. A time line submitted to McSurely by McCracken states that McCracken told themselves. A 1981 expansion project was also funded by fees. Lawler said she wanted to raise awareness of the Union’s role on cam pus, an effort that would not be wasted See UNION, Page 6 employees and students to familiarize themselves with locations of emergency call boxes and suggested using the light ed corridor running from Franklin Street to South Campus at night. The Chancellor’s Safety and Security Committee, in conjunction with Campus Police, the Physical Plant and student government, conducts regular lighting tours of the campus to deter mine what improvements need to be made, he said. Cannon said people should use ser vices such as Point-2-Point shuttles and SAFE Escort. She said some do not uti lize these services because they do not want to take the time to wait for them. “Point-2-Point and Safe Escort are a matter of safety, not convenience,” Cannon said, adding that people should use the buddy system when they know they are going to be out late. “Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’re going to return,” she said. After an incident like Friday’s attack, safety becomes a priority for University Police, McCracken said. Patrols have been increased in the Park Place parking lot, the scene of the attack, and in other parking lots on campus. The Emergency Notification Committee, a subcommittee of the Chancellor’s Safety and Security Committee, convened after the assault to inform the University community about the attack, said Susan Ehringhaus, University legal counsel. The committee informed the media, sent e-mail messages, talked to human resource facilitators and contacted resi dence hall staff and apartment man agers about the incident. Committee members also posted signs giving infor mation about the assault and listing safety tips. News/Features/Arts/Sports: Business/Advertising: Chape! Hill, North r-.mhm C 199* DTH Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Elfland and Floyd at the same meeting that Swain’s ticket would not hold up in court because Swain did not have prob able cause for issuing the ticket. The three decided there to let Swain choose to pursue charges against Hancock. McCracken told Swain he would have to make the sole decision whether to file the ticket, the time line states. Swain has said for months that they suspected Armfield tried to use his influ ence to get rid of the ticket. Any intervention from administrators would have compromised the trust between officers and their superiors, McSurely said in an earlier interview. SBP’s tenure full of tough, smooth times ■ Student Body President Mo Nathan has one more platform goal to reach. BY JESSICA GALAZKA STAFF WRITER For Student Body President Mo Nathan, his tenure has often been as frustrating as banging his head against a wall. But at other times, it’s been smooth sailing. Nathan’s term has included several accomplishments that have left his plat form one goal short of fulfilled. Throughout the year, Nathan has tackled issues from a tuition increase to advis ing reform to a conflict between student groups. Along the way there were cheers of celebration and grunts of frustra tion. And despite a long list of accomplishments, some students felt Nathan too often “straddled the Student Body President MO NATHAN was criticized for 'straddling the fence' on some issues. fence” on important issues. tint Only a month into office, Nathan’s administration faced its first major hur dle —and stumbled. The N.C. General Assembly pro posed a tuition increase for students at UNC and N.C. State University The increase was under discussion at a most inopportune time for students while See COALITIONS, Page 6 INSIDE Living in the past The North Carolina Collection in Wilson Library exhibits books, pictures and furniture representing the history and culture of North Carolina. Page 7 # Go go gadget... High-tech gadgets once found only in James Bond movies are now available to the average consumer. Page 4 tkjwoum ml IDMHI Today's weather Partly Cloudy; mid 50s * Wednesday. Late showers; mid 50s. 962-0245 962-1163
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 10, 1998, edition 1
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