North Carolina Newspapers

judicial POLrnaaG Senators delay judicial confirmation hearings in : anticipation of a Clinton victory NAMED: Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig as chairman of baseball's executive council. The council willoversee the operations of Major League Baseball until a new commissioner is chosen to replace Fay Vincent, who resigned Monday. SIGNED: Cleveland Cavaliers center Brad Dougherty to a multi year contract. rKIUAY: 30 chance of showers; high mid-80s Off lalg Star Serving the students and the University community since 1893 Tar Heel Recycling Program will meet at 5 p.m. at Columbia Street Bakery and Coffeehouse yto discuss programs. 100th Year of Editorial Freedom Est. 1893 1992 OTH Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Volume 100, Issue 58 Thursday, September 10, 1992 Chapel Hill, North Carolina NWSporWArfc 9624249 BminoAdvatMnf 96M163 TODAY: 30 chance of p.m. thunderstorms; high upper 80s $:uGi:r the clues omiiiMJ Omni previews two blues festivals coming to the n u niMlnid 1 Triangle this month 1; Safety Mill Creek security increased; some residents By Suzanne Wuelfing Staff Writer Some residents of Mill Creek Con dominiums said Wednesday that they were not satisfied with increased secu rity efforts after four break-ins and at tempted assaults that occurred there during the summer. Dawn Owen, a resident of the com plex, said the steps Magnolia Proper ties, which manages some Mill Creek Condominiums, had taken to increase security had eased her previous con cerns. "It seems like they're trying," she said. "I feel like they're doing all they can do, but some people aren't satis fied." ' "It was terrifying to me to find out that kind of crime was at Mill Creek," said Catherine Stelpflug, the manager of Magnolia Properties. "It's always been so safe, people were feeling a little relaxed." Magnolia Properties, which manages more than half of the local privately owned condominiums, took several steps to improve security after this summer's crimes, including: requesting increased police drive through at Mill Creek, fixing faulty outdoor lighting, distributing a list of safety tips urging residents to use their deadbolt, and installing locks on some attic doors. The management also held three safety meetings, attended by about 40 tenants, during which police urged resi dents to use their deadbolts, lock then windows, call police if they see some one suspicious and walk with others at night. UNC libraries hurt by budget concerns, mounting inflation By Chris Lindsey Staff Writer A stagnant budget along with in creasing inflation and a decreasing dol lar value ha ve begun to cripple the UNC library system's ability to purchase materials at its previous volume. "The most significant problem is the lack of an increasing budget coupled with serious inflation and devaluing of the dollar," said Larry Alford, associate university librarian for administrative services. According to Alford, the main prob lem with library funding isn't state bud get cuts but rather the lack of increased state funding to meet the increased prices of materials. Rising inflation and devaluation of the dollar in foreign markets have pushed up the prices of books and academic periodicals. Colleges and universities are finding it difficult to raise the extra funds needed tocover these rising costs. Provost Richard McCormick said some of the rising costs could be attrib uted to profit-minded publishers. "Part of the rising cost could be blamed on sheer opportunism by publishers," he said. In the 1984-85 school year, UNC academic affairs libraries bought 8 1 ,489 books. Last year, library officials pur chased 45,695 books, almost a 50 per State levies $43,000 fine By Dana Pope City Editor and Jackie Hershkowltz Assistant City Editor A group of residents living near the University's power plant will discuss tonight the implications of emissions standards violations levied this week by the N.C. Division of Environmental Management. The violations apparently occurred at the plant during the last three months of 1991. State officials assessed the Univer sity nearly $43,000 in civil penalties for remains top coocem still unsatisfied ' This fall, Magnolia Properties plans to start a community watch and a buddy system at the condominiums, Stelpflug said. She said the buddy system would provide a way for residents of each building to look out for one another. "We want people to feel like an old time community where they take care of each other," she said. "We want residents to feel that it's not a sappy thing to look out for your neighbor. Stelpflug said she proposed extra outdoor lighting, barriers and other safety measures suggested by tenants to the Mill Creek owners' board. The owners' board is made up of private owners of individual condomini ums. Magnolia Properties cannot take action on such projects without the board's approval, Stelpflug said. Several residents said they wished Magnolia Properties would do more. Every resident interviewed said more outdoor lighting was necessary to make Mill Creek safe. Owen said the parking lots needed more lighting. "The trip from the car to the apartment building is scary," she said. "There are lots of bushes around the parking lot and buildings where people can hide." Audrie Adams, another Mill Creek resident, said people often had to walk a long way from their cars to their buildings because of the lack of parking spaces. "They need more lighting because the parking is ridiculous," she said. "I don't feel safe at night at all." Laura Clark, who lives in Building B at the complex, said she would like to see more outdoor lighting and possibly See SECURITY, page 7 cent decline. The 1990-91 purchases were aided by a $500,000 grant from Walter Davis, for whom the Davis Library is named, Alford said. Davis' grant allowed li brary officials to purchase about 1 0,000 extra books. During the past year, University li brarians have been forced to cut 1 8,000 serial subscriptions, Alford said. "Cuts are done on costs and relative value for classroom teaching and research value," he said, adding that library officials work with faculty members in deter mining what research materials to cut. In addition to affecting the number of books that can be bought each year, the lack of money affects the operating hours of the libraries. The reference desk at Davis Library is open 1 3 hours less per week than last year, while the reference desk at the Undergraduate Library operates 4-5 hours less per week. In 1985-86, the Association of Re search Libraries ranked UNC's library system 15th in the nation out of 107 in terms of size. In 1990-91, the University's ranking slid to 22nd. In terms of the number of books purchased, the UNC system's ranking fell from 10th down to 48th last year. "Chapel Hill is lucky to have a re- See LIBRARIES, page 7 the violations at the University-owned power plant, but a University official said Wednesday that he would not be surprised if more penalties were as sessed against the University for viola tions in the first two quarters of 1992. "There are circumstances that could result in violations and civil penalty assessments," said James Mergner, as sociate director of utilities for the Physi cal Plant, which operates the Cameron Avenue power plant. Power Plant Neighbors, made up of residents living near the plant, will dis cuss the violations at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. today, said Pierre Morell, a spokes All the really good ideas Police continue investigations into 2 recent campus assaults . .. PYriniictfH nil rw-ccih1 1ar1c " ByTeeshaHolladay Staff Writer After a week of investigation, Uni versity Police still have not identified suspects in last week' s two assault cases, which caused a severe tightening of campus security. Lt. Angela Cannon, UNC police in vestigator, Tuesday said that no new leads had been discovered in either case. The two assaults, which occurred Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, both took place on pathways by Kenan Stadium. "We're basically still trying to go over the two areas thoroughly," Carmon said. "We've been questioning people who may have been in the area, specifi cally the workers on the construction sites." Carmon said no new incidents had been reported. The first assault occurred Aug. 3 1 on the wooded path between Kenan Sta dium and Ramshead parking lot. The suspect attacked a female UNC student who was walking from Dey Hall to Hinton James Residence Hall. Police have no specific information on the assailant. The second attack took place Sept. 1 on the pathway behind Morrison Resi dence Hall. Police have described the suspect in the incident as a black man, approximately 20 years old and six feet tall. He was wearing dark shorts and a white T-shirt at the time of the crime, police reports stated. A police composite sketch of the suspect has been posted in all campus residence halls. Cannon said the investigation would continue. "This will keep going on until an arrest has been made or until we've Y V 7"x V J j A v - 2mmmmemmdL. 1 DTHDebbie Stengel Hopeful handspring Keith Gaines (left), the JV cheerleading coach, spots Marc Taylor, a junior from Greensboro, as he does a back handspring at try-outs Wednesday in Fetzer Gym. against UNC man for the group. Morell said PPN had asked for strict monitoring of the plant earlier this year. "We were promised several months ago that (monitoring) would be implemented immediately, but it wasn't," he said. Morell added that very little had been done about noise and pollution at the plant. "(The University's) concerned," he said. "Nobody wishes us to be unhappy, but the thing is such a mess." Morell said it was impossible that University officials did not know about the violations. "Of course they knew," he said. "How could they not know?" I ever had came exhausted all possible leads." The two assaults marked the second and third incidents of violent crime on campus in the last two weeks. The rape of a Granville Towers resi dent in her dorm room was the first in the string of assaults. Hildred Manuel Lyles, 22, of 8 1 1 Sunset St., Reidsville, was arrested Aug. 30, two days after he broke out of a High Point jail. He was charged with rape, breaking and enter ing, larceny and sexual offense. Melvyn Rinfret, Granville Towers general manager, said the incident had led to increased security measures at the housing complex. "We have uniformed patrolmen more readily available for student need and have instigated a lock-up policy," he said. "Right now, we're locking the doors at four in the afternoon and open ing them at 8 a.m." Rinfret said tougher lockup at Granville would be in place during holi days and in accordance with major cam pus events such as football weekends and basketball games. "We've notified residents of this se curity measure and have told them that the building will be locked for these types of events," he said. "All residents have been told to carry their keys at all times." John Moody, student body president, said his plan to heighten student safety by adding additional lighting around campus should be enacted in the next few months. ' "I've been in contact with the Physi cal Plant over the summer about the lighting proposal," he said. "It is one of my highest priorities for this fall. "It's going well and should be com pleted by mid-fall." power plant While University officials would like to help solve the problems at the plant, enough money would not be available, Morell said. "Good will isn't enough," he said. "Lots of money is needed." The University was fined $42,992.54, which included $3,192 in investigating costs for the violations. Neighbors of the plant have com plained in the past about noise and air pollution caused by the plant. A notice of violation was issued to the University in early April that cited SeeV10LTI0NS,page7 to me while I was Committee OK return of money to Phoenix fund By Marty Mlnchjfl Assistant University Editor Afterthe resignation of committee chairman Charlton Allen Wednes day night, members of the Student Congress Finance Committee voted to recommend several bills to the full congress at its next meeting. Allen, who retains his seat on Stu dent Congress, told committee mem bers he was resigning from the post because he did not have enough time to give to the job. Rep. Kevin Hunter, Dist. 14, pre sided over the meeting in Allen's place. The Phoenix Finance committee members voted favorably on a bill that would restore $2,130.29 to the Phoenix to replace money taken from the magazine's budget this summer, : In July, student government offi cials transferred money from the Phoenix budget to make a payment on the Scapegoat computer system, which the Phoenix, the Black Ink and other student groups use. The system is owned by Student Congress, and the congress is responsible for fi nancing it, said Jennifer Lloyd, Stu: dent Congress speaker. "It simply was our mistake," she said. "If we don't (refund the money to the Phoenix) it would be a terrible embarrassment and lack of responsi putty rrom trus pooy. r : oee ruwME, page EPA program to test ( 1 S II bility from this body. ciean air gasoime, raise prices for drivers .,,. carburetors. BvKellvRvan v .m u ,i,..i By Kelly Ryan Assistant City Editor If you have gas money budgeted into your spending money, you should ask your parents for a few extra dollars per month starting in November. Beginning Nov. 1, Orange County will become one of 11 N.C. counties participating in a clean air program mandated by the Environmental Pro tection Agency. For four months, ser vice stations only will sell oxygenated gasoline, or gasohol, which emits less carbon monoxide than regular gas. The program is designed to combat air pollution in the state's largest coun ties during the winter months, when carbon monoxide lingers longer in the colder air. Motorists will be forced to pay 3 to 5 cents more per gallon for the environ mentally safer fluid. McFarling's Exxon Manager Eddie Durham said that if gasohol improved air quality, the program would be worth the added cost, but he was concerned about vehicular damage. "Gasohol in the past has done dam age to fuel-injectors, and that worries us," Durham said. "But 3 to 5 cents is worth saving our air." Ken Christian, vice president of Don Christian Co. Inc., a local gasoline dis tributor to trucking companies and farm ers, said he hoped the program would not hurt the consumer more than it would help the environment. "If it's only for four months, and it makes an appreciable difference, that's one thing," he said. "But if it's just an arbitrary experiment, I think it defi nitely will hurt consumers." The program probably will be re peated for the next several years unless gasoline can be perfected to emit less carbon monoxide, said David Smith, director of the standards division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture. "I think we will see some changes in gasoline," Smith said. 'This is part of a continual process of making gas envi ronmentally benign." Gasohol complies with gasoline stan dards automobile makers set for their engines, which should be outlined in the vehicle'sowner manual. Smith said. But Carrboro Mini Mart cashier Steven Young said the alcohol in gaso hol could corrode the rubber seals on milking a cow. Finance committee members also voted to add an amendment to the bill, creating a board of directors to over see the management, maintenance and finance of the Scapegoat system. "(The board) would be like a stu-. dent government organization like a branch of government," Hunter said. : "It would be legal because we'd be making it an institute of government." Rape Action Project Rep. Wendy Sarrat, Dist, 13, brought a bill before the committee requestingthat the budget forthe UNC : Rape Action Project be reinstated - The RAP budget was rejected last ' year because members of the group were not present at the congress bud get hearings. During the debate over the bill, Rep. Andrew Cohen, Dist 6, argued against giving the RAP money for an office telephone because he thought a phone was unnecessary. "I'm not en tirely convinced the group is in need of a telephone," he said. ; But Lloyd said she had received at least six calls in her office from stu-. dents trying to contact members of the RAP. "1 think it's highly inappropriate' for us to expect a woman who has been raped or assaulted to call someone's dorm room," she said. "In something as sensitive as rape, a tele-" phone may be the most important Young said he thought service sta tions in neighboring counties not re quired to sell gasohol would hurt his business. "I imagine it'll hurt our business be cause Chatham County doesn't have to sell it, so(consumers)can jumpoverthe line and go over there to buy gas," Young said. Orange County was required to take part in the program because neighbor ing Raleigh-Durham has an unsafe car bon monoxide level, he said. Raleigh-Durham and Greensboro are the only two areas in the state with carbon monoxide levels above what is considered to be safe for human life, Smith said. Nine or fewer parts of carbon mon oxide per million in air is considered safe, he said. Raleigh-Durham's level is 1 1 parts of carbon monoxide per mil lion of air, Smith said. But Robert Wooten, an environmen tal engineer of the N.C. Department of Environmental Health and Natural Re sources, said the level should not be cause for concern. ; "The problem may have cleared up without (gasohol), but it'll help, Wooten said. "This will be a quicker improvement." ; The number of automobiles and the population density of an area affect its carbon monoxide level, Smith said. ; He said it would be difficult to pre dict whether gas prices would increase 3 to 5 cents because all of the factors that normally affect gasoline prices af fect gasohol as well. Such factors included the situation in the Middle East, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and pipeline accidents, he said. Smith, who also is coordinator of the program, said gasohol contains 10 per cent ethyl alcohol and 90 percent gaso line. A similar product without an offi cial name combines 15 percent methyl tertiary butyl ether and 85 percent gaso line, he said. Both ethanol and MTBE are called oxygenates, which are additives used to lower carbon monoxide emissions. Smith said. ; Gasohol has been piloted in other parts of the country, such as Phoenix, Denver and Albuquerque, N.M., and has been received favorably. Smith saitj. Grant Wood