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http://breezejmu.edu Knowledge is Liberty" VOL. 76, NO.6 M M A D N INSIDE TOOAY'S WEATHER pg. 3: Figuring out the Isolated (storms, high Y2K problem 83°F,low63°F. p. 20-21: All banged up Extended forecast on page 2 in the 'Burg BREEZE p.31:POTW U N I V E R S r mmumtHmmmMHi mmmm JAMES MArJlSON UNIVERSITY l&Wf THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 17 i9')H HARRBONBURG. VA 22207 Alcohol violations on decline that on-campus enrollment was ing each program to make it Five Most Common Judicial Judicial Affairs down slightly, which may more effective." account for the decrease. The programs are modified Violations, 1997-1998 credits education JMU is a leader among uni- each year, Way said. versities across the nation in Impact One is a roundtable for recent drop educating students on safety, discussion designed for stu- Substance Abuse- by Brian Westley including the risks of alcohol dents with judicial charges for alcohol: 581 abuse, Way said. minor alcohol violations or stu- staff writer "We're at the forefront of [edu- dents who are found in the pres- Noncompliance This is the first of two articles cating students] compared with ence of alcohol. about the judicial process. Part one other universities across the Impact Two is a two-hour with an official includes information about alcohol nation," Way said. "Other risk reduction program that is request: 117 Disorderly violations, while part two examines schools are doing some of what designed to give students prac- conduct: 70 the judicial process. we're doing, but not all of it." tical tips to avoid the negative More than half of all student "We're very deliberate about consequences of alcohol. This judicial violations last year our eduction programs," Way program is for students with were alcohol related, but the said. "The number of programs minor judicial violations percentage was down from the we have ranging from fire safety involving alcohol. Failure to year before. programs to student values' pro- Junior David Cousins said he comply with Sixty-three percent of judicial grams; the breadth of our pro- thought programs wouldn't be disciplinary violations were alcohol related grams sets us apart." helpful to students. last year, compared with 68 per- In an effort to change students' "I think it's ignorant to have decision: 60 cent the year before, according to perceptions about alcohol, JMU is to go to programs because I statistical data from the 1997-'98 offering a three-level alcohol edu- doubt it would stop anyone judicial records. cation program titled Impact. from underage drinking," Mike Way, director of judi- Each level's intensity increases as Cousins said. cial affairs, said he hopes vigor- the severity of alcohol violations Impact Three is a four-week ous education programs increase. account for the decrease in the "I believe this is our third see PROCESS page 7 percentage of alcohol viola- year with this program," Way RELATED STORY: Alcohol abuse tions, but he also pointed out said. "We are constantly assess- trends on college campuses, page 7 REBECCA DOUGHERTY/jrap/iics editor Plus/minus syste m legal; students question fairness the council didn't make it clear ty to change its rules. They're by Brad Jenkins enough that the change would not-going back and changing news editor be applied to students under calculations of grades." past catalogs. Senior Brannen Edge said he With a new grading policy in Teresa Gonzales, associate agreed that there is no problem effect, sophomores, juniors and vice president for academic with the university changing the seniors will find the new system affairs, said in the Sept. 14 issue policy. contradicts what is listed in their of The Breeze that the catalog is "A lot of changes have been Undergraduate Catalogs. "not a legal contract." made here at JMU," Edge said. "Plus or minus symbols may Senior Seth Lieberman said "I think it's a good change. Peo- be added to A, B and C grades," the change is frustrating. "[Gon- ple are upset because it's not the catalogs before this year state. zales] says our catalog is not way it's been done before." "These will appear on the stu- legally binding, however, we're The Catalog further states that dent's transcript but have no told to always follow our cata- any changes to the Catalog "may effect on grade-point average." log," he said. "This is just a affect all currently enrolled stu- But beginning this year, all loophole in the system." dents. Every effort is made to students' pluses and minuses Gonzalez said yesterday she alert students to these changes will count toward GPA. The sys- couldn't comment on the policy. through the academic advising tem is not retroactive, but Robert Roberts, professor of process, individual reports of instead will only be applied to political science, said the grade academic progress and various grades beginning this year. change is akin to the recent campus publications." The University Council Honor Code changes. "The University Registrar Sherry Hood said the new policy wasn't approved the change at its Dec. Honor Code is quite different printed on reports of academic 4,1997 meeting. now than the one [upperclass- progress because the policy was Upperclassmen this week men] came under," he said. discussed "thoroughly" last spring. have expressed concern about Even so, the new code applies to DYLAN BOUCHERLE/pfotfo editor Arch Harris, faculty senate the new system, saying it goes all students, he said. SMOKIN': A mulch fire outside Zane Showker Hall damaged $150 of speaker, said the new grading against their catalog. Several, shubbery Monday. Flames reached 10 feet in the air, and was extin- "There's no problem chang- system "wasn't something that guished by Officer Sid Hartman with two fire extinguishers. This is including the Student Govern- ing regulations," Roberts said. the seventh mulch fire since classes started. See story, page 9. ment Association president, said "The university has the authori- see GRADES page 7 The Breeze Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998 3 Presidential assistant named JMU President Linwood Rose named Geoff Polglase to be his assistant Tuesday. Keeping the faith Potejiase, a JMU graduate C85), joined alumni relations in 1990 and has served as director of alumni relations since 1994. Students gather, pray for campus, country Sherry King, assistant alumni director, will be the acting director of the office until hearts of rrujiy students. a new director is named. by Lisa Rosato Students focused much of their praying Polglase's appointment is effective staff writer on the country and President Clinton's immediately. current troubles. Going around the circle The sun rose steadily behind Wilson Strickler execution post- many students prayed for Clinton, poned Hall yesterday at 7 a.m. as a group of Congress and Clinton's daughter, Chelsea. about 20 students gathered in front of the They asked God to remind the country of The United States Supreme Court flag pole near Wilson's steps to pray. morals in this time of controversy. granted a stay of execution for the man "I was praying that people would get Other students at the vigil prayed for convicted of murdering a JMU student in up," said Heidi Perrin, a junior in the their professors, fellow students and lead- 1990. Baptist Student Union and the event's ers of campus organizations. Tommy David Strickler was sched- coordinator. "We are praying for our classmates at uled to be executed yesterday for the Jan. According to Perrin, "See You at the JMU and also for our nation and the trou- 5, 1990 murder of 19-year-old Leann Whrtjock. Pole" is an event that occurs in many other bles that are going on with the White The Court schools across the United States as well as House right now," freshman Mike made no com- in other countries. Salvatierra said. merits about the ■ _ ■ Z The event is always at 7a.m. local time, Sophomore Jessica Nicholas said, "We postponement. I"| KriPf and is a big focus in many junior high and believe that if we lift our prayers and peti- Whitlock was ■■■ -*■ ■**■ high schools, Perrin said. tions to God, he will hear us. Nothing is abducted from "Does anyone feel like singing or is it too small [to pray forj." Valley Mali. She way too early?" Perrin asked the group. After going around the circle, giving was then robbed and killed by blows to With no hesitation, the group gathered each participant a chance to pray, the the head that came from a 69-pound in a circle and began with the song, "Oh group sang again. With joined hands and rock. God, You are My God." voices raised in unison, the group sang Whitlock was missing for several days After breaking the early morning three songs, including the hymn before her nude body was found in silence of the Quad, which was empty, "Amazing Grace." Waynesboro. Perrin started praying. "We all believe God is sovereign in this According to the Sept. 15 issue of the With her head bowed and her eyes world," senior Dawn Schraftenberger said. Daily News-Record, Strickler filed a peti- closed, Perrin thanked God for the oppor- tion for writ of certiorari and a motion for "If we turn from sin, he will heal the land stay of execution on Sept 1. tunity to meet and pray in public. [and] heal our campus." However, because the Court granted "I'm happy that we have such freedom Jessica Ruggieri, a sophomore, said, LISA ROSATO/contributing photographer the stay, it doesnt mean it will automati- to do this," Perrin said.