November 12, 1992
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James Madison Univeisty NOVEMBER 12,1992 VOL 70, NO. 20 Board wants 5 percent salary raise by Kate McFadden news editor A subcommittee of JMU's Board of Visitors recommended major funding increases for faculty and staff salaries and student financial aid at a meeting in the state capital Monday. But state officials told them that the chance of full funding from the General Assembly was slim. The Finance and Physical Development Committee made nine recommendations that will go before the full board Dec. 18. The committee recommended that faculty and staff get a pay increase of 5 percent effective July 1, 1993. There have been no facudy/staff pay increases in the last two years, said Fred Hilton, director of media relations at JMU. JMU would have to pay its faculty 15 percent CRAIC NEWMAN/THE BREEZE more and staff 17 percent more to be competitive with universities in its peer group, Hilton said. The Six off the eight Dimick children perch on the converted school bus that now serves as their home. SALARIES page 2 INSIDE Homeless family of 10 working A work off art Find out about nude to overcome economic hardship modeling in JMU's by Sara Hammel ready to handle it. drawing classes/12 fi**vi<" stqffwriter "They have eight children — how in the name of God are they ever going to get the things they need?" A big blue bus sits on a front lawn with simple he said. Randel, who managed a homeless shelter Focus your mind curtains adorning several of the small windows. A near Harrisonburg from 1987-89, has been helping Students seek inner-peace group of children run out, clad only in thin t-shirts the Dimicks since Leroy lost his farm job after a through meditation and pants, playing in the 40-degree weather. workshops/15 hernia operation last spring. A family of 10 lives in this bus. They've lived But Randel said that because Leroy Dimick still there for two months because they have no home. chooses to work, the family isn't eligible for Aid to The Dimicks are the faces of poverty in rural Dependent Children, a form of welfare. Other Soccer goes to America. They came to Harrisonburg to And work, resources, like the Harrisonburg Redevelopment NCAA but in today's economy, the $4.50 per hour Leroy Housing Authority, are also unable to help the Men's soccer prepares to meet Dimick makes farming just isn't enough to keep their Dimicks because so many people are already on a Duke at 1 p.m. Sunday for the first round of the NCAA heads above water. waiting list to get low-income housing. Tournament/19 Dick Randel, a local advocate for the homeless, The Dimicks have had trouble finding a home for has helped the Dimicks by allowing them to park several years, although Dimick has been consistently INOEX their bus on his lawn. He's also worked to get them a employed. Both Leroy Dimick and Randel said that piece of land and a mobile home to put on it. the size of the family is an obstacle to getting Campus 3 Opinion 16 But Randel said that solving the Dimicks' affordable housing. World 7 Sports 19 problems is only the beginning. Homelessness in "A few years ago I was up in Waynesboro, and we Arts 12 Humor 22 FOcus On 15 Classifieds 23 rural areas like Rockingham County is growing, he checked in on the housing," Dimick said. "We had said, and the government and local citizens aren't HOMELESS page 2 2 -THE BREEZE THURSD/W. NOVEMBER 12.1992 Faculty CONTINUED from page 1 Assembly provides funding, the university would although the university may need all that the five percent increase would cost the university about provide 75 percent of need-based financial aid committee is requesting, the economy won't allow $2.3 million. requirements. Currently, JMU provides eligible the General Assembly to give that much money. "It's more realistic to ask for increases in small students only 35 percent. To raise that level and "The number-one priority for higher education is increments," he said. "Sure, 15 and 17 percent provide more aid to more students, it would cost the money for salaries and if we can address that it will increases are warranted, but it has to be made up university about $12 million. be a major coup, given the current economic gradually. After no salary increases in the last two "Right now we meet about half of the needs of situation," he told the committee. years it will be well needed and deserved." those students who are eligible for financial aid," Hilton said he expected the Board of Visitors to The committee also agreed to ask the board to Hilton said. support the proposals and take them to the General increase student financial aid. If the board approves According to The Daily News Record, Virginia Assembly, "but whether we get the money or not the recommendation and Virginia's General Secretary of Education James Dyke said that depends on the availability of money." Homeless CONTINUED from page 1 one too many kids — they wouldn't take us. So we stayed in our van," he said. The Dimicks — Leroy, his wife June and their eight children — now live in close, cold quarters. An extension cord from Randel's house powers their electric heater, and they use the facilities in the house to cook and wash clothes. Through the help of various local donations, the Dimicks have gotten a piece of land and a trailer to live in. But until they get $9,000 to put in a well, a septic system and a road, they'll have to stay in the bus. The weather is getting colder, June Dimick admitted. But she doesn't complain. "The heater keeps it [the bus] pretty warm, and we've got blankets," she said. The Dimicks' problems are typical of many families, Randel said. And Anissa Lear, occupancy specialist for the Harrisonburg Redevelopment Housing Authority, said that although their top priority is to provide low-income housing for the homeless, they haven't been accepting applications since June. "The wailing list had over 500 people on it," Lear said. "People were waiting over a year to be called CRAM NEWMAN/THE BREEZE for housing." Dick Randel talks about the homeless situation in Rockingham County as June Dimick listens. Randel lives in the house and the Dimicks park their bus in his front yard. She said the Housing Authority won't be accepting applications again until December, and But the most pressing obstacle to people like the jobs can't find or can't afford housing. even then people will have to wait for housing. Dimicks is the lack of affordable housing, according He said that as long as people continue to ignore But Randel said there shouldn't be a need for Dr. Cecil Bradfield, a sociology professor. the homeless, the problem will never go away. anyone to wait, because the resources are there but He said that in Rockingham County, the homeless "They're out there," Randel said. "The question "aren't being utilized." are often "invisible." Because it's a rural area, they is, do you really want to see them, do you really "Just in this area here, there's at least 100 acres of live cars, buses and bams. want to know about them?" land I could go out and purchase tomorrow," Randel A lot of the homelessness stems from people like said. the Dimicks who come to this area looking for jobs To help the Dimicks, call Trissels Mennoniie Church "We can find more excuses to keep people out of where there are none, Bradfield said.- at (703) 896-7289, or contact Dick Randel at (703) housing than we can to put them in." And Randel said that many people who do have 856-3506. Corrections About $2,500 was spent on the lb the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity university calendar distributed by over error and oppression." Student Activities. Incorrect information was reported in the James Madson Nov. 5 issue of The Breeze. editor QMtety Maiaufd arts editor Domm Lamon.t A. Hawkins is a former managing editor Geyta Cohan ■I. entertainment editor VhtoaRhodaa JMU student. Monday's issue of business manager lawk Andataor sports editor Joa Konrik The Breeze was incorrect when it as* business manager Laa Ray neus editor Kate Mcfaddan assl. sports editor Stava pboto editor Mfca news editor Mem K-K» asst photo editor Ryan reported that he was a junior. gtaphic design editor Kmn[ opinion editor Grant asst. graphics editor 4 foouson editor HaaftarCNal ad design manager asst.fixuson editor Ml4 production manager Robin Furr directed "A Night in ccpyeditor B.L.1 computer specialist Dank Society" and Cami St.Germ a in played Harpo Marx. The Nov. 5 Hip DaLaca, Alan Nachowtto, OmrU Windilun advisers issue of The Breeze incorrectly ThtBrmtma published Monday and Thuaday mornings and djatnbuled throughout JMU. Mailing addreai a The identified these individuals. Associated Press *•«« Anthony S«g» Hall. JMU, Harrisonbunj Virginia 22807. For adveruaing, call 566-6596. For editorial 4P onVea, call 56&-6127. Cbnunenta and complalna ahpuld be directed to Chriay Mumford, edaor. THURSCW, NOVEMBER 12,1992* 3 Psychology professor Neighbors' 'hazing9 complaints found not related to fraternity James Hart dies at 57 An off-campus party that sparked "Last weekend was atrocious," Joe rumors of "fraternity hazing" was Glick, a neighbor who lives across the Dr.