Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 23, 1992, edition 1 / Page 3
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The Daily Tar HeelWednesday, September 23, 19923 r mnmrn Campus and City Reports Campus Sunday, Sept 20 Students on the second floor of Mclver Residence Hall heard loud noises, talking and laughing at about 4 a.m., according to police reports. One resident reported hearing note boards being pulled off of the doors, and told police she saw two white men in the hall when she opened her door, reports stated. Profanity was written on some of the residents' doors, according to police reports. Upon further investigation, police discovered that the two men were ac quaintances of a resident of second floor Mclver, reports stated. A Mazda was vandalized outside Cobb Dorm off Country Club Road, police reports stated. A large dent was kicked in the driver's-side door, and a side window was smashed in, reports stated. Police have not determined tfie cost of the damage and have not identified a suspect in the case, reports stated. A cashier working in Lenoir Din ing Hall was approached by a man who put his fist on her back and demanded all the money from her register, accord ing to police reports. The cashier refused, and the suspect fled before she had a chance to identify him, reports stated. Saturday, Sept. 19 Four UNC students were arrested for underage possession of malt bever ages, police reports stated. Upon searching the students' bags, police found 23 beers in one and 1 1 beers in the other, reports stated. Evan Andrew Hatch, James Bryan Rapp, Jason D. Umphenour and Brian C. Beatty, all age 18, were cited for underage possession, reports stated. City Tuesday, Sept. 22 A green 1979 Oldsmobile was nearly set on fire at 1:54 a.m. near Village Connection on Graham Street, according to police reports. A flammable liquid was splashed under the car and igni ted, reports stated. The fire went out before damaging the car, and police are interviewing a possible suspect, Chapel Hill Police Chief Ralph Pendergraph said. The suspect had been asked to leave Village Connection earlier, Pendergraph said. .... Larry Harris of 613 Sykes St., Chapel Hill... was arrested in the 100 block of Graham Street in front of Vil-4age-Gonneetion at 2:05 a.m. for assault on a government official, according to police reports. Pendergraph said the incident was unrelated to a car being set on fire earlier in the morning. Harris was placed under a $200 se cured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chapel Hill District Court Oct. 15, reports stated. Monday, Sept. 21 Rodney Merritt of 504 S. Merritt Mill Road was arrested at 3:01 a.m. for larceny and assault of an officer, ac cording to police reports. Merritt was placed under $300 se cured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chapel Hill District Court Oct. 8, police reports stated. Sunday, Sept. 20 Martin James, 18, of 619 Carmichael Residence Hall was arrested and issued a citation for underage pos session of a malt beverage at 1:53 a.m. at University Square, according to po lice reports. He is scheduled to appear in Chapel Hill District Court Oct. 22, reports stated. Fritzi Goins and Malcolm Barber of Bynum, N.C., were arrested at 4:03 , a.m. for communicating threats, accord ing to Chapel Hill police reports. Each was placed under $500 secured bond, reports stated. They are scheduled to appear in Chapel Hill District Court Oct. 22. At 1 1 a.m., Thunderbird and Mercedes hood ornaments were taken from cars at Timberlyne Apartments, according to police reports. Cash was reported stolen from four unattended purses in a United Method ist Church basement storage room at 1 50 East Franklin at 1 1 :45 a.m., accord ing to police reports. At 1 1 : 1 8 p.m., a biker almost was robbed on South Greensboro Street af ter two men stopped him and asked for directions, according to Carrboro po lice reports. While the victim was giving direc tions, the two men exited the vehicle and asked for change for a dollar, re ports stated. One of the men grabbed the victim while the other threw the bicycle in the middle of the road, according to police reports. The victim began yelling, and the two men drove off, reports stated. The victim was unharmed, police reports stated. Saturday, Sept 19 Ronnie Gray of 1 1 1 Glosson Circle, Canboro, was arrested for breaking and entering and larceny at 7:54 a.m. and placed under a $5,000.,secured bond, according to police repirts. ; Cheryl Mitchell of 112 Eugene Street, Carrboro, was arrested at 10:56 a.m. for resisting a public officer and disorderly conduct. Coming soon: $50,000 in bike racks By Melissa Dewey Staff Writer A University plan that will provide as much as $50,000 in funding for new bicycle racks on campus is set for state approval Oct. 14, UNC officials said this week. If the plan is approved by the N.C. Department of Transportation, UNC will undergo a yearlong intensive study to study the best locations for new bike racks. The sites under consideration were UNC responds to Convictions do occur, advocates say By Chad Merritt Staff Writer The chairwoman of the University's Rape Awareness Committee said Tues day that she thought the second-degree rape conviction last week of a former University student would prove that guilty verdicts were possible in rape trials. "It's a reality," said Kathleen Benzaquin, associate dean of students and chairwoman of the Rape Aware ness Committee. "Student vs. student (rape) can be prosecuted, and (assail ants) can be found guilty. "It is important for students to see," she said. Thomas Brandon Stephens, 20, was convicted Wednesday of second-degree rape and sentenced to ten years. The rape occurred at a New Year's Eve Party last year. Nancy Vecchia, an Orange-Chatham assistant district attorney who tried the case, said the verdict would not change prosecution guidelines issued by dis trict attorney Carl Fox this summer be cause the guidelines were simply a re definition of statutes on rape. Fox had been criticized by women's groups for issuing the guidelines to lo cal police departments concerning when a rape case should be turned over to his office. Vecchia distinguished acquaintance rape from forceful rape. "(Date rape) is vaginal intercourse with a female who was physically help less, and (the assailant) knew or should have known that," Vecchia said. Benzaquin also addressed the guide lines issued by Fox: "Speaking for the Rape Awareness Committee, there is Chapel Hill s own Walden Pond: Lake a refuge for nature lovers By Fred Henderson StaffWrlter There's a place in Chapel Hill where someone can take a date and not be tempted to spend $5 on a box of Jujy Fruits. The spot actually has been around since 1 932, but its virtues are not widely known. It's University Lake, Chapel Hill's own Walden Pond. The lake, located off Smith Level Road, serves a dual role as a place for quality family time and for romance. Todd Ferguson of Burlington heard about University Lake a little more than a month ago from a business asso ciate. Since then, he has visited the lake three times. Ferguson looks forward to spend ing time with his 2-year-old son, Alex, on their fishing trips but is also re freshed by the college students that remind him of "when love was young," he said. "There aren't a lot of places you can go anymore to just relax and get away from it all." Ferguson said spending time at the lake taught his son patience. "To keep a 2-year-old busy for five hours, that says a lot. Walking out on the lake s lawn, one can see how Alex is so easily occu pied. Ducks swim along in formation, squirrels scurry across the lawn, and herons wade at the water's edge. Birds circle overhead, turtles float quietly along with their heads extended just out of the water, and fish swirl to the surface, causing circular ripples that spread gently across the water. The lake was constructed in the 30s after a series of severe droughts caused the University and the town of Chapel Hill to realize the need for a reliable water source. The endeavor helped to boost the area's economy, which was flounder ing under the lean times of the Depres sion era. Today the lake continues to provide respite from trying economic condi tions. One can seek shelter from the groping fingers of industry and capi talism on the lake s glassy waters, pro tected by tree-lined shores. A day on the lake is also well-suited to today's economic conditions in re gard to the wallet. More than 20 row boats and canoes are available for rental use for the nominal fee of $3.50. Boat ers can launch their own boat for $2.50. Two dollars is charged for every adult passenger on a boat, and $1 for each suggested by UNC Transportation Plan ner Raymond Magyar in his written proposal for the state funding, said Curtis Yates, N.C. director of bicycles and pedestrian transportation. Magyar said he studied the bike rack situation on campus last year because he saw a need to alleviate overcrowding of parked bikes. "There is tremendous overcrowding everywhere (on cam pus)," he said. After conducting surveys and ques tioning students, Magyar said he deter mined the top three locations for addi general concern that (the guidelines) may discourage rape victims to pros ecute cases," Benzaquin said. "(Fox) wants to push for changes in statutes that need some clarification." The Rape Awareness Committee is made up of representatives from differ ent organizations, agencies and depart ments of the University that work with rape victims and assailants, Benzaquin said. The victim, a student at UNC-Char-lotte, went to a party and to a Chapel Hill bar with Stephens, her sister and other acquaintances. The victim testified at the trial that she became ill after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana and fell asleep in her sister's bed at an apartment in Carrboro. She also testified that she awoke to find Stephens having sexual intercourse with her. But Stephens testified that he thought she was willing to have sex because she responded when he made advances to wards her. Stephens also was intoxi cated. The court found that Stephens en tered the room of his own will, without asking or receiving permission from anyone. Superior Court Judge Lynn Johnson sentenced Stephens to 10 years in prison, but classified him as acommitted youth ful offender. Committed youthful offender status allows for adults between the ages of 1 6 and 21 to be segregated from other adults in prison. Committed youthful offenders are taught more skills and given more pro grams in the rehabilitation process. It also allows offenders to receive parole much earlier than normal prisoners. Aaron Witte goes all out searching for a child. Oars, lifejackets and seat cush ions all are provided. For the enthusiastic fisher, an elec tric' trolling motor and battery can be rented for $10. But no gas motors are allowed on the lake. The lake, managed by Orange Water and Sewer Authority, provides the com munity with five million to 10 million gallons of water per day. It is open to the public year-round, as it has been ever since it first opened. The hours vary according to day light. In the spring, summer and fall months, the lake is open Tuesday through Sunday. In the winter, the days shift to Monday through Friday. This winter, however, the lake will close for renovations to upgrade the reservoir to comply with new federal ) J. '' 'tr.. 1 .- - - tional racks were the Student Union and Davis Library area, the North Campus classroom area around Polk Place and at individual dormitories. Charlie Higgins, student body vice president, said the added racks would better serve the students. "(The racks) will be a great benefit for the Univer sity," he said. Higgins said he thought more racks also would prevent bikes from being stolen. Students who currently lock their front wheels to the bike's frame be cause of lack of space on racks some date-rape debate Fox says he will issue new guidelines By Ivan Arrington StaffWrlter Speaking at a Rape Awareness Week panel discussion Tuesday, Orange Chatham District Attorney Carl Fox disclosed that his office would release a new rape memorandum within a week. The paper, which will deal with rape issues, comes out after Fox had come under fire for a previously released docu ment detailing guidelines for triable date-rape cases. "That was for police officers," Fox told the audience. "This memorandum will address the special situations that arise in rape cases." Although Fox said that the memo would not be made directly available to the public, copies will be circulated within the county to libraries, where they will be accessible to anyone. Joining Fox on the panel were Kathleen Benzaquin, an assistant dean of the General College and chairwoman of the Rape Awareness Committee; Jen nifer Backes, chairwoman of the UNC Honor Court; and Catherine Lutz, an assistant professorof anthropology who specializes in gender issues. Speaking to a crowd that barely out numbered the panel, the four discussed action the University has been taking to combat sexual assault, procedures for prosecuting sexual offenses using the Honor Court and challenging cultural attitudes concerning rape. The current University policy toward rape and sexual assault is concerned with prevention and education, accord ing to Benzaquin. Since being estab lished in 1986, the Rape Action Project has instituted escort programs, ranging from the Rape Escort Program, now DTHflayson Singe skink under the docks at University Lake standards. Along with the dock and boats, a grill, picnic tables and benches are spread out on a shoreside lawn, a popular summertime tanning spot. There are restrooms and a small store housing bait, tackle and a drink machine. Visitors may walk out on the dam to feed the ducks and fish, but fishing is allowed only from the boats. Visitors also are not allowed to enter the forest, and swimming is pro hibited for reasons of water quality. The grounds are cared for by five wardens. They also test the lake and feeder creeks, perform boat and pump house maintenance, and serve as the See LAKE, page 7 times find the whole bike has been carried off anyway, he said. Although Student Body President John Moody said he made increased bike racks part of his platform for of fice, Magyar said he had not received any help or information from Student Congress or the executive branch about the campus biking problem. Magyar said he had been working on the project independently of student government for the past year and sent the final plans to the N.C. transportation department on Friday. SAFE Escort, to the newly formed Point-2-Point shuttles. Incoming freshmen are introduced to these on-campus services and edu cated about date and acquaintance rape at C-TOPS, a required pre-registration program. Also, training programs have been established for faculty, orientation leaders and resident assistants, and gen eral information is available through out the campus. Benzaquin said more services were to be expected following a consolida tion of on- and off-campus efforts to combat the problem. She added that a streamlining of the organization had aided in helping victims. Reporting pro cedures have been adopted and differ ent agencies have been assigned certain duties, eliminating service duplication, she said. "We anticipate students needs, and we have resources available to you," Benzaquin said. Backes spoke about using the Under graduate Honor Court as an option to the N.C. legal system. Able to pros ecute rape cases through the student attorney general's office since its in ception, the court recently has taken steps to make case filing easier in 1989 by making sexual assault a specific Honor Code offense. Backes stressed that concerns that have arisen over the handling of cases, especially the policy of not disclosing hearing records to the victim, cannot be helped. She cited the Family Informa tion Privacy Act, a federal law that precludes the court from revealing hear ing records. "We have no room to negotiate on See PANEL, page 7 Morningrafter. pill offered at Student Health Service! By Joyce Clark Staff Writer Unbeknownst to many University students, the morning-after pill, a con troversial form of birth control given to women who wish to decrease their chances of becoming pregnant after unprotected sex, has been offered at UNC Student Health Service for the past 15 years. Beverly Yuhasz, a gynecologic nurse practitioner for Student Health, said the morning-after pill, also known as the MAP, was given to women who identi fied themselves as being at risk of an unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sex. The MAP is offered at Student Health Service and is available to all enrolled students. Although it is offered to rape victims free of charge, it is also avail able to all other students who identify themselves as "being at risk" for a small fee, Yuhasz said. "To my knowledge, no one has ever been turned away," she said. Yuhasz said the availability of the treatment was a good "health benefit" in that it helped to identify those candi dates for birth control who might not otherwise seek counseling. Yuhasz said the pill's availability had not been highly publicized because of its controversial nature. "We (at Student Health) feel very strongly that this should be a choice offered to our women when it is needed," she said. "We like to have good gyneco logical services and are often in the forefront, but do it quietly so we can still offer it." The morning-after treatment has been offered by the University since 1977, rnaking UNC one of the first universi ties to do so. The pill was originally offered at no cost, but a charge of $10 has been incurred to cover the price of the medication and pharmacy involve ment. A student state fund covers the fee for rape victims and those students who might have difficulty paying, but students are "strongly encouraged to pay," Yuhasz said. Registered pharmacist Cuong Hicks said the moming-after pill had been proved highly effective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Some studies have shown the MAP to have a 97-percent to 99-percent success rate. Yuhasz said the treatment was most effective if the patient was seen within 24 hours to 48 hours of unprotected intercourse, but could be administered as late as 72 hours after unprotected sexual activity. Women are considered to be at the most risk of pregnancy during ovula tion. The three days before and three Yates said Magyar's studies and cost estimates would be examined follow ing the final approval. ! The state then will pay the total cost up to $50,000, he said. The campus will not get the new racks until next sum! mer, Yates said. Currently, a bike ordinance exists forbidding chaining bikes to trees and railings on campus. But Magyar said the ordinance would not be enforced until the new racks are in place, except in cases where bikes are blocking handicapped ramps. Officials reviewing hall flood By Gautam Khandelwal Staff Writer University officials still have not determined whether anyone will be held accountable for the water dam age caused by a broken sprinkler head on the fourth floor of Carmichael Residence Hall last week. On Thursday night, a student broke a fourth-floor sprinkler head. with a lacrosse stick. Water from the . broken pipe poured 25 gallons of water per minute and was not turned off until about an hour later, causing, a great deal of water damage, par ticularly on the fourth floor. ; While some residents and hous ing officials have suggested that; firefighters took longer than they should have to shut off the flow of water, Frederick Merricks, the Chapel Hill Fire Department assis tant chief who was present at the scene, said it took a long time to shut off the water because the entire sprin- kler head was broken. Officers and crew arrived at Carmichael within minutes after a- fire-panel box located in the build- ing alerted the fire department that- the sprinkler system had been acti-j vateo, ne saia. Because the attachment had been- completely removed, Merricks said-j firefighters had to fix a fire hose to J See CARMICHAEL, page 7 days after ovulation are the most fertile times for a woman and are of the "most concern," Yuhasz said. Yuhasz said the best way to describe the MAP was as "hormonal therapy to prevent sperm viability." The MAP'S most likely mechanism of action is to make the female's cervical mucus thicken and become hostile to sperm The MAP might also prevent implant tion of a fertilized egg into the uterine wall, she said. ! "Our hope is that the egg never gets fertilized, and the medication changes the lining and discourages the egg from implanting," Yuhasz said. ' Hicks said the MAP treatment con sisted of taking two hormone pills irri. tially, within 72 hours of intercourse, and also taking two more pills 12 hours later. The hormone pills contain estro gen and progestin, the same hormones found in some birth control pills, and consequently share the same side ef fects and risks. The most common side effects are bleeding and mild nausea lasting about a day. An anti-nausea pill called phenergan also is provided with the treatment. Other side effects that serve as dan ger signals include severe abdominal pain, chest pains or shortness of breath, severe headaches, eye problems and severe leg pain. Any of these side ef fects might warrant medical attention. Those women who have a medical history of migraine headaches, benign liver tumors, heart attacks, high blood pressure, blood clots or strokes might not be candidates for the treatment be cause of the increased health risks that are involved. Yuhasz said the MAP was a safe treatment as long as the patient met the same guidelines as those for other birth control pills. The pills can be obtained at Revco by prescription for $5.89, and Planned Par enthood offers the MAP at a cost of about $40. Sharon Hamilton, a clinic coordina tor and registered nurse for Planned Parenthood, said the cost of the treat ment at the clinic accounted for the cost of the visit, which includes a full medj cal examination and a detailed exami nation of a patient's medical history. : Recipients of the treatment at the clinic must be patients of Planned Par enthood, must sign a four-page consent form detailing the risks and background of the pill and must return for a check up within two weeks of the treatment; Students receiving the MAP at Stu dent Health sign a similar page-long consent form and also are expected t have a follow-up visit two weeks after treatment. ;
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 23, 1992, edition 1
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