Friday

March 27, 1998

Crime bill heads to House floor

Nationwide concerns about campus safety have prompted Congress to amend language in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1997. If passed, the proposed changes would require more detailed campus crime statistics to be made public.

Though student safety advocacy groups are happy about the pending stronger disclosure laws, campus administration groups who questioned the amendments said the new requirements will create more paperwork without any benefit to students.

The proposed amendments are similar to the language in the Accuracy in Campus Crime Reporting Act, a separate bill that is still pending in the House. The new language in the reauthorization act passed the House of Representatives' Committee on Education and the Workplace on March 19.

"Higher levels of college administrators are concerned about their images. Enrollment and endowment departments don't want anything that makes the school look bad," said David Carter, vice president of Security On Campus, a student safety advocacy group.

According to Carter, if all schools accurately reported crime on campus, students and their parents would be better informed when deciding where to enroll in college.

Universities often hide behind the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act, which provides students with confidentiality rights regarding education, Carter said.

"Prior to 1992, even campus police departments were covered by FERPA," he said.

This loophole was closed when Security On Campus fought to pass the Campus Security Act, requiring colleges to compile and release crime statistics. According to Carter, this is still not adequate to provide students with complete information about crime because police only compile arrests in certain categories.

"Reporting only arrests understates the nature of the problems," Carter said. "Students should be aware of incidents, also."

The reporting of small incidents is what concerns Sheldon Steinbach, general counsel for the American Council on Education. ACE provided testimony to the House committee hearing on the matter on March 5.

"It is one of several dozens of federal regulations that are required of universities, all of which add up. Each one of them takes people to fill out and compile," Steinbach said.

"If you want a reliant, consistent set of data, you need to have a mechanism for compiling that is consistent," Steinbach said.

The amendments would call for more campus personnel to take crime reports, including dormitory counselors, he said.

His group is concerned that by giving responsibility to dorm counselors, small incidents will be blown out of proportion. Students must be able to talk to residence hall advisers "without fear it's going to be reported" without their consent, Steinbach said.

Along with the added categories of manslaughter, larceny and arson, the amendments will require that liquor laws, drug abuse and weapons possession offenses be included in crime statistics reports.

"We're not talking about cheating and plagiarism," Carter said. "It is only non-academic misconduct that we are looking for."

Steinbach said he had no argument with the expanded categories.

"No one's saying not to collect the data," Steinbach said. "We just want to see real campus security, not just feel-good measures."

The amendment now faces a vote on the House floor. If passed, it will require the approval of the Senate and President Clinton to become law.

Candidate list for ASI president swells to four

The list of candidates for the 1998 Associated Students Inc. presidential race continues to grow, adding another contender to the field of three.

Sean South, a graduate student majoring in sociology, was cleared by the student activities office Tuesday afternoon, joining Gary Davis, Dan Freschi and Victor Som in the most contested seat of the election.

"I am running to give the underrepresented groups in the community a voice," South said.

"I hope to move the debate a little more to the left ... to bring a little more respect to ASI."

South said he felt ASI developed a corrupt reputation following allegations of credit card misuse last semester by President Sandra Schlemmer and Vice President for University Affairs Brian Cooley.

South said he felt members of the student government were spending funds in a manner outside of students' best interests.

South said he supported the failed effort to recall President Sandra Schlemmer and Executive Vice President Shannon Hughes during the fall semester.

"I was involved in (the recall)," South said. "I collected a few signatures." The recall was initiated in protest to the election process that awarded incumbent Schlemmer the presidency after popular-vote winner Gary Davis was disqualified for campaign violations.

"It was interesting that the group from the Women's Resource Center was trying to recall a woman to get in a frat boy."

Freschi, the current director for undeclared students, authored a resolution that was passed by the ASI board, condemning the recall effort. The resolution called for the publication of a special issue of ASI's newsletter, Outlook, to explain the board's decision to oppose the recall.

Davis, also a supporter of the recall, said he opposed the board's decision to take a stand on the recall effort, as well as the way the group addressed the issue.

"In my opinion, it is not ASI's place to take a political stand on anything," Davis said.

Davis also said he strongly opposed the board's decision to use student funds for a newsletter that campaigned against the recall.

Freschi said the resolution was written in support of the election complaint process that eventually awarded Schlemmer the presidency.

Freschi said he did not believe his support of the resolution was a support for Schlemmer's policies.

"I don't see myself in any way as the successor of Sandy Schlemmer," Freschi said. "I am more energetic and I have more student-orientated issues."

Melissa Jones also contributed to this report.

Tempers flare at faculty meeting

CSUS' Faculty Senate violently protested the administration's decision to exclude faculty from the Lottery funds proposal process at the senate's meeting Thursday.

Members raised their voices and slammed their hands on tables while debating the breakdown in communication between the faculty and Jolene Koester, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"Do you realize the public relations damage done when the faculty feels disenfranchised like this?" said senate member Linda Palmer, an English professor.

According to Palmer, the Lottery Funds Allocation Committee voted unanimously -- on two occasions -- that Koester should notify faculty of her proposed changes to the process.

"That we were not consulted on this is very serious," Palmer said. "I think we need to dig in our heels on this."

Haroldene Wunder, the chair of the Lottery Funds Allocation Committee, confirmed the committee had twice requested Koester notify the campus community of the changes.

Instead, Koester wrote a letter to deans explaining the faculty proposal process was being eliminated -- and the university would spend the funds on technological developments.

Koester said she did not write a letter to individual faculty members because she believed the issue was "so complex" the result would probably be "a lot of paper in the trash."

"It is a huge tragedy for all of us here because we've lost the opportunity for independent creative opportunities, and that's what the lottery funds intended," said senate member George Parrott, a psychology professor.

In the last three years, faculty members have submitted proposals for the usage of some $400,000 in funds to the Lottery committee.

President Donald Gerth -- who attended the meeting -- said he regretted not having earlier explained to the senate how small the available lottery funds are.

"The lottery was, at its inception, something on the side to do special things, and we don't have a lot of money to do special things," Gerth said.

He added the senate should accept the university's financial situation as reality and "just deal with it."

Gerth also condemned the senate for not addressing what he believes to be the important issues.

"I would like to see a strong Faculty Senate that has to do with curriculum, programs and planning," he said. "A good university is a university with a strong Faculty Senate whose strength is measured by its willingness to deal with the fundamental issues."

"It is the responsibility of a strong president to engage the senate," argued senate member Juanita Barrena, a biological science professor.

According to Barrena, the administration isn't holding up its side of the bargain. In fact, the faculty is often left uninformed on important projects.

And while the senate may have failed in some respects, "that does not give license to abandon the senate," Barrena said.

Gerth told the senate he is open to further discussion on the topic, but hopes to move beyond the "political crap."

No warrant issued in alleged dorm rape

No arrest warrant will be issued for the man accused of rape by a CSUS student.

"Based on what the victim said, it's impossible to prove the case," said Jeff Rose, a Sacramento County district attorney.

The incident leading to the rape complaint occurred in the early morning hours of March 13, and was reported to University Police March 15. University Police had previously recommended that an arrest warrant be issued for the 18-year-old suspect.

"We've investigated, and I think the victim understands why the case is not going to trial," Rose said.

Campus police turned the case over to the district attorney's office after the woman involved was examined at UC Davis Medical Center, according to Det. John Hamrick of the University Police.

According to Hamrick, the man accused was not a CSUS student and does not live in Sacramento. On the night of the incident, he was visiting a friend who lives in the residence halls.

The accused and his friend met up with several other people -- including the victim -- in a dorm room.

Between 1:30 and 2 a.m., most of the people left the room, at which point -- according to the woman who filed the report -- the man forced her to have sex with him, Hamrick said.

Another person, sleeping in the room at the time of the incident, gave a statement to the police, Hamrick added. Hamrick confirmed that alcohol was involved in the incident.

Police Log

Monday, March 16
NON-INJURY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: An accident involving a Volkswagen and a Honda occurred in front of the water tower on College Town Drive. The accident was referred to the Sacramento Police Department.
BURGLARY: A video game, memory card and surge protector valued at $511 were taken from a first-floor room in Jenkins Hall. The door was locked but the window lock was faulty.
REPORT OF LOST/STOLEN PROPERTY: A woman reported that her wallet was taken from her backpack while she was sleeping in the Union.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: Officers assisted in an accident involving a motorcycle at the intersection of Esplanade and J Street.

Tuesday, March 17
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: Two men were dumpster-diving near the Library loading dock.
INCIDENT: An older man reported two campus workers attempting to look up women's skirts under the west ramp of the Library. The men could not be located.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man was loitering near the first-floor elevator in the Library. He was not located.
HIT/RUN: An unknown green vehicle hit a 1992 Jeep Wrangler parked in Lot 8. There was damage to the right front portion.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: Four skateboarders were causing a disturbance near the Science Building, but were not located.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: There was a report of a distraught woman near the Education Building. She left the area and could not be located.
RECKLESS DRIVING: A citation was issued to a 20-year-old man for doing doughnuts in his 1988 Ford Mustang in the Residence Hall parking lot.
PETTY THEFT: A purse was taken from the second-floor clinic at the Student Health Center and credit cards were used in the amount of $150.
INDECENT EXPOSURE: A male transient was lying on the grass with his shorts around his ankles, masturbating in front of Sacramento Hall. The man was arrested.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: Four skateboarders were advised after causing a disturbance in front of Desmond Hall.
AUTO BURGLARY: A couple of CDs and a student parking permit were taken from a 1992 white Mazda. The items were valued at $30.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A transient was asleep on pallets near the dumpster of the Science Building's loading dock.

Wednesday, March 18
FIRE ALARM: A fire alarm was set off by unknown means on the west side of the third floor of Desmond Hall.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man was walking near Sierra Hall. Officers checked the area; they found it to be OK.
CITIZEN'S ASSIST: A residential adviser said he knew the residents who had been setting off firecrackers and asked for an officer to be present during the discussion with the suspected resident.
OTHER AGENCY ASSIST: Officers assisted Sacramento police in an injury accident in front of campus on J Street.
HAZARD TO LIFE/PROPERTY: A green Ford Bronco rolled out of a space in the residence hall parking lot and was blocking traffic.
HARRASSMENT: A male dorm resident made a report of a female dorm resident who has been harrassing him by posting notes about him around campus.
ATTEMPT TO LOCATE PERSON: University Police attempted to locate an overdue student in the Union.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A homeless man was acting weird near the Music Building. He was advised, and will be leaving the area.
ILLEGAL PARKING: Four vehicles were illegally parked, blocking the fire lane near the Engineering Building.
NOISE COMPLAINT: There was a report of several fraternity members chanting and yelling near or on the levee.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: Several dorm residents were creating a disturbance in the residence hall parking lot, drinking and throwing bottles at the building. When officers arrived there was only one person there who was advised.

Thursday, March 19
PETTY THEFT: A red moutain bike valued at $200 was stolen from in front of the Library.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: There were several dorm residents threatening to fight a residential adviser.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: A man was arrested for possessing a knife and threatening the life of an officer after he was reported causing a disturbance in River Front Center.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE: A man was dumpster-diving in the dorm dumpsters and was asked to leave campus.
NON-INJURY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: There was an accident in front of the Nursing Building involving a UTAPS Ford Ranger, and a black Saturn.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: A construction worker failed to comply with a parking officer's orders. He was advised, as was his foreman.
INDECENT EXPOSURE: A woman crossed paths in Lot 8 with a man who had his zipper down and his penis out. He fled on foot and could not be located.

Correction

The article also contained an incorrect statement. Al-Quazzaz said diplomacy is different from dictation.

Also in that article, Professor Al-Wardi is a graduate of the University of Texas, and has taught at Bhagdad University.