Friday

February 27, 1998

University to ensure safety of garage

Responding to the theft of over half the parking garage security cameras over recent months, the university assures students that they and their property will be safe, CSUS spokeswoman Ann Reed said Wednesday.

Her statement follows the State Hornet's report Tuesday that 36 of the 50 installed security cameras have been stolen from the parking garage. The majority of the thefts occurred over winter break, according to University Transportation and Parking Services.

A solution will be found, Reed said.

"If we find that the cameras cannot be replaced, other steps to protect the garage will be taken. That includes enhancing the existing security measures in the garage," she said.

The cameras were one of many security measures designed into the garage when it was built in 1992. Others include high levels of lighting, light-colored surfaces, glass elevators, general openness and ramps -- as opposed to a circular driveway. There are also blue emergency phones on each floor.

According to Reed, replacement of the security cameras is being discussed by Business Affairs, Support Services, UTAPS and Public Safety.

Nancy Fox, director of Transportation and parking at CSUS, questioned the security of the garage in Tuesday's State Hornet. According to Fox, the cameras have never been monitored, as UTAPS' primary concern is providing campus access for vehicles.

Fox told the State Hornet the cameras are useless and provide a sense of security that is not there.

According to investigator John Hamrick of the University Police, the cameras are important for the security of the garage.

Hamrick told the State Hornet the cameras with recording equipment are important for identifying suspects or vehicles involved in crimes.

Associated Students Inc. and the Faculty Senate have not yet voiced a reaction to the State Hornet's report.

Faculty Senate chair Thomas Krabacher said the senate has not set discussion of the issue for its next meeting. Although, if concern grows, the senate might discuss the issue later this semester, he told the State Hornet.

New Project PLAY helps children, students

On Tuesday nights the gymnastics room behind Solano Hall is filled with the sounds of an elementary playground: Children laughing and chattering, running and playing in a chaotic swirl.

Off to the side is Scott Modell, a professor of health and physical education, and director of this chaos.

Modell acts in haste, attempting to aid new parents and children, as well as eager students and volunteers. Young children toss balls back and forth, practice on the balance beams, do somersaults and play follow the leader. Every so often, Modell glances over and smiles at the madness he has created ­ Project PLAY.

Project PLAY ­ Play-orientated Lifetime Activities for Youth ­ is in fact an organized program, designed to give children of various levels of disability an opportunity to work on motor and social skills.

From volunteer staff members of CSUS students and a few community members, the children receive individual attention in adaptive physical education while having fun. "The goals of this program are fitness and leisure, through one-on-one training," Modell said. "I do this for the children."

Modell ran a similar program for four years at Florida State University before coming to CSUS.

Modell says one of the benefits of bringing together children with disabilities is that parents are sure to follow, fostering the creation of a special community.

"The parents meet and get to socialize with other parents," he said.

Kathy Mikitka's daughter Megan has attended three sessions of PLAY.

"I heard about it through a friend," Mikitka said. "We have been coming mostly to work on motor skills."

As a student volunteer begins to lead Megan into a floor exercise, another girl cries out Megan's name from across the room and happily hurries in the direction of her friend.

The program has about 35 children, and just as many student volunteers.

"There is a need for programs like these," Modell said. "I get calls every week."

CSUS students also benefit from the program, said Modell.

"It helps my students and others get practical experience and apply what I am teaching in the classroom," he said.

Marilynn Stephens is a volunteer with PLAY.

"I love working with these children," said Stephens, an adaptive physical education major. "This is a very social event and they love it."

Modell feels the education available through PLAY is such that he is considering making volunteering a lab requirement for his classes next year.

Sessions will continue each Tuesday for the rest of the semester, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.. For more information about PLAY, call Modell at 278-5041.

CSUS panel discusses campus race tensions

A panel of CSUS representatives warned that students and California as a whole need to pay attention to race relations and organize themselves if they want to ease the tension surrounding issues of diversity on the CSUS campus.

The representatives met Wednesday in Solano Hall to discuss CSUS' general feelings toward race relations.

The panel consisted of Elizabeth Taylor, a professor at the JFK School of Management; Tony Platt, CSUS professor of social work; Isabel Hernandez-Serna, assistant vice president of academic affairs; Leonard Valdez, director of the Multi-Cultural Center; Otis Scott, chair of ethnic studies; Peter Lau, affirmative action officer; Melissa Jones, editor in chief of the State Hornet newspaper; and Thomas Krabacher, Faculty Senate chair.

The discussion was sponsored by the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolutions and was titled "Race Relations at CSUS: Beyond Affirmative Action."

"We need to take personal responsibility and organize with a clear goal," said Hernandez-Serna, addressing the lack of personal interest among students, staff and faculty regarding race issues.

Valdez said he is alarmed students don't have time to be attentive to issues of race. He warned a lack of attention could lead to radical problems, starting with the tension he senses in classrooms when race is brought up.

Korei Clift, a junior at CSUS, pointed out from the audience that this tension is created by fear and a lack of respect among the different races.

"There are two types of respect, one that comes from love and one that comes from fear," said Clift.

Some felt this fear quieted the majority of the audience as well as the panelists, who, for the most part, only skimmed the topics.

"I haven't seen, from the panelists, a willingness to say 'This is my personal experience with other races and this is what I have to deal with,'" said Andy Horita, a CSUS graduate student in social work.

For solutions to many of the perceived diversity problems facing CSUS, a majority of the panelists agreed everyone must look to history to see how different groups such as African Americans and women have struggled and progressed.

The campus is also looking at improving its diversity by hiring faculty who are experienced and interested in non-traditional areas of study, according to Lau. These fields include ethnic studies classes and women's studies classes.

Lau said there are 50 new openings at CSUS this year, and the university wants to fill them with faculty members who express interest in working with diverse students.

With these efforts and programs such as those organized by Multi-Cultural Center, the ethnic studies department and the women's studies program, CSUS hopes to continue its efforts at maintaining a culturally diverse campus, according to Platt, who led off the panel discussion with a speech.

"The least we can do is face the crisis, open up a dialogue among ourselves, and sharpen our vision," said Platt.

Student group rejects tech firms' money

California State Student Association leaders, needing extra funding for an annual student political conference in April, refused funds from the partners in a proposed California State University technology deal.

The vote for refusal comes after CSSA passed a resolution asking for more time to examine the California Education Technology Initiative, a $365 million proposal to upgrade the CSU's technological infrastructure.

CSSA's resolution followed the lead of faculty senates at six CSU campuses. In January, CSU administrators extended the signing date to at least May.

The CHESS conference, an annual political gathering sponsored by CSSA, brings together students and elected state officials at the Sacramento Convention Center to discuss higher education issues. The three-day conference costs CSSA about $27,000, according to Johnnie Carlson, CSSA staff member.

"CETI had asked what CSSA needed for CHESS, after they heard we needed help," Carlson said.

An offer from CETI to donate $10,000 was discussed, but ultimately rejected, Carlson said. The donation would have been used to underwrite the Saturday-evening banquet during the conference.

"The board voted to pursue alternative funding, including approaching other companies," said David Shorey, CSSA representative for CSUS.

CSSA members also decided to approach each campus Associated Students Inc. to solicit donations.

According to Shorey, ASI President Sandra Schlemmer has proposed that ASI donate $2,500 to CSSA to help organize CHESS. The matter will come before the ASI board at the next meeting on March 4.

"We want students to get to CHESS," Shorey said.

Though CSUS is not a dues-paying member of CSSA, Shorey said it is possible that could change in the next year. He will bring it up for discussion with the ASI Budget and Finance Committee this spring during budget talks.

In other matters, CSSA has hired a new legislative advocate to replace Jeanne Brode, who served for six days in early February. Susan Cusack will began work at the Sacramento office on Wednesday.

Seniors cut no slack on academic probation

Freshmen and sophomores facing academic probation have more time to raise their grades above a 2.0 GPA, while juniors and seniors face tougher consequences for poor grades, according to academic advising.

"For freshmen, we give them more slack because they are new," said Ed Perhay, a counselor for academic advising. "As student go on with their lives, they have more responsibility."

If a freshman allows his or her GPA to drop below a 2.0, it may take two or more semesters before he or she is put on academic probation.

However, seniors may be put on academic probation the first time their GPAs drop.

One student, who asked to remain unnamed, let his GPA drop over the course of six semesters. As a senior, it fell below a 2.0, and he was automatically put on academic probation in January.

"I have been kicked out of school, but after seeing a major adviser and talking to an academic adviser, I was let back into the school on the condition that I get at least a 2.0 this semester and retake certain classes," said the student.

According to Anita Hall, the university registrar, academic contracts have been written for the 828 students who were on academic probation last semester.

In the fall semester, 911 students were academically dismissed -- or expelled -- but 440 were accepted back after reapplying and agreeing to an academic contract.

Hall said 2,042 students, or 8.6 percent, were placed on academic probation for fall 1997, out of 23,414 total students enrolled in CSUS courses last semester.

Dismissal usually occurs after two to three semesters of academic probation. In order to help students who are on academic probation, counseling is available in academic advising or through individual departments. Students who live in the residence halls also have a counselor available each spring.

"We have a live-in faculty member, Lige Christian, who lives with us one semester a year," said Cynthia Cockrill, director of housing and residential life. "He offers academic advising in each of the buildings."

The live-in faculty program in the residence halls started three years ago during a conversation between Christian and Cockrill. After 33 years of teaching, Christian retired, but returned to work part-time on an early faculty retirement program, which allows him to teach one semester and advise the other semester.

"I do see a fair number of students on probation," said Christian. "Probation usually triggers a student to go see someone."

Students end up on probation for several reasons, according to Perhay:

• Too many classes
• Classes that are too hard
• Poor budgeting of time
• Social distractions
• Missing classes
• Working too much
• Lack of studying

"In the halls, we attempt to provide the study space," said Cockrill. "We need to focus on getting students back on track."

Through the contract with academic advising, students who are on academic probation must restrict the number of units taken, repeat classes, reduce work schedules or simply adjust their way of operating, said Perhay.

Each department is in charge of its own students. Some students receive holds on their records for not meeting with an academic adviser. Undeclared students may see academic advising for help needed in declaring a major and for academic advice.

Parking pass thefts 'commonplace'

More than a few students so far this school year know the frustration and inconvenience caused by the theft of a parking permit.

Just ask sophomore Andrea Greco, who has had not just one, but two parking permits stolen during his tenure at CSUS.

"The first one was my first year in the dorms. I just ran into my building for a second and I left the window rolled down. When I came out it was gone and they (UTAPS) were giving me a ticket," she recalled.

Greco's second loss happened this semester in parking lot 8 next to Hornet Stadium. The thief apparently forced her window down and took only her parking permit.

According to Investigator John Hamrick of the University Police, 30 permits have been reported stolen from cars on campus since the beginning of the year. Most of the thefts were accomplished through forced entry into the car.

"It's pretty commonplace," he said.

Nancy Fox, director of UTAPS, said 62 permit thefts have been reported to her office since the beginning of this academic year. More reports come to her than campus police, she said, because many of the thefts occur off-campus.

Of the 156 permits stolen last semester, 103 were student permits and 53 were faculty/staff permits. UTAPS replaced 85 of the students permits and all of the faculty permits.

"They must have all had police reports to substantiate their claims," Fox said of the perfect record of replacing faculty passes.

If a student or staff member has a permit stolen, the first thing to do is report it to UTAPS, Fox said.

"It's important to let us know that it's been stolen, since stolen permits are not valid," she said.

Parking Enforcement looks for stolen permits, she said, and its employees do report thefts.

This summer Fox wants the system upgraded to further help locate stolen passes. The new system will work with the hand-held computers used currently by Parking Enforcement to issue parking tickets.

"Officially, we don't replace parking permits. On the back of the permit it says that the holder is responsible for its security," Fox said.

However, if a police report is turned in to UTAPS, the parking office usually makes an exception. A courtesy three-day parking pass is issued while UTAPS evaluates the report to decide whether to replace the stolen pass. Because only one parking permit can be purchased per person each semester, UTAPS issues a memo to the cashier's office allowing a second purchase by those who can not get their stolen permits replaced.

Hamrick estimated that most thefts occur in the parking lots that are furthest from campus because of the concentration of cars there.

"The stolen passes are often sold to unsuspecting students," he said.

He added that if anyone is approached to buy a parking pass, he or she should report it to Public Safety.

When UTAPS finds a stolen pass, the office notifies Public Safety. Officers then stake out the car until the owner returns.

"They usually offer a weak excuse about how they got it. They say they found it or some guy gave it to them," Hamrick said.

POLICE LOG

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11
MISSING PERSON: A concerned son called looking for his dad who is a teacher on campus. His van was parked in Lot 4 but there was no sign of the teacher. He was later found dead in his office from apparent natural causes.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man on the fourth floor of the Library sat behind a woman in a cubicle and placed brick-sized packages wrapped in Saran Wrap and tape on the table. He was found not to be dangerous.
PERSON STOP: A man on a bike was stopped by bike patrol west of the Science Building. He was questioned and found to be a parolee in possession an illegal hunting blade on campus.
PETTY THEFT: A woman's wallet was taken out of her purse when she left it on the couch for approximately 15 minutes outside her office in the hallway of Amador Hall.
AUTO BURGLARY: A parking permit, textbook and an unknown amount of change was taken from a 1983 Toyota when the door lock was punched in Lot 4.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A transient was acting strange by asking people questions in the elevator in the Science Building.

THURSDAY, FEB. 12
CITIZEN'S ASSIST: A concerned father called looking for his daughter who was late coming home and could not be reached on her pager or cell phone. He called back a few minutes later to say that she was home safe.
INJURED PERSON: A woman in her 70s fell in the River Front Center. She was alert but requested the paramedics.
CITIZEN'S ASSIST: An officer was flagged down in Lot 10 for directions.
INJURED PERSON: A woman in front of the Biology Building sprained her ankle and was transported to the Health Center.
GRAND THEFT: A woman employee of Taco Bell reported that her diamond ring valued at $1,895 was taken from her work after she took it off to prepare food.
VANDALISM: A Mitsubishi was keyed in Lot 4 on the front and rear side panels.
PETTY THEFT: A woman's checkbook was taken from a dorm room in Desmond Hall over the winter break. The woman received overdraft notices from her credit union because checks were being forged at military bases across the country in excess of $8,000.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man was looking in vehicles near the basketball court in the residence hall parking lot.
NOISE COMPLAINT: The campus police were asked to respond to a fraternity party off-campus on Sierra Boulevard. after the sheriff's department responded. The fraternity was advised to quiet down.
OTHER INCIDENT: A woman was stuck in the elevator in the Library. Facilities Management was called to assist.
INJURED PERSON: A woman slipped and fell on the fourth floor of the parking garage.
AUTO BURGLARY: A 1987 Honda Accord's door was lock punched in Lot 10. A Pioneer stereo was taken.
AUTO BURGLARY: A 1994 Ford Tempo was broken into outside Desmond Hall and a Kenwood stereo was taken.
VEHICLE THEFT: A 1988 Toyota Camry was stolen from Lot 8. The undamaged car was recovered by the sheriff's department on Feb. 18th.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man on the first floor of the parking garage was looking in parked cars, but was only waiting for his wife.

SATURDAY, FEB. 14
AUTO BURGLARY: The left window of a 1995 Honda Accord was smashed in Lot 4B and stereo equipment valued at $1,400 was taken.

SUNDAY, FEB. 15
BURGLARY: The front panel of a vending machine was smashed on the first floor of the Psychology Building.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: Three boys were throwing rocks at a campus building from the bike trail.
RECEIVE FOUND PROPERTY: A bike with mismatched wheels was found near the Science Building on State University Drive.