+ 1 HI"" r m The choice is ours? Abortion remains a hot topic at colleges all over TH E ORCH «::I11 the nation and at VU, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER page 10. jgBJABrA„2P04, VOLUME 96, ISSUE 17 Tonighh Bitter, 21° complete weather onpg.2 CODE SPARKS CONTROVERSY Students become vocal amidst concerns of all-encompassing social honor code INSIDE. Katie Fassl Jesse began researching other schools body." TORCH WRITER and their codes, and compiled a basic code he "It will never News believes would work for VU.Many universi­ happen," said When Brandt Hall Student Senator Sean Junior Tuesday ties Jesse contacted had a relatively lenient sophomore Ingrid Jesse considered the idea of ••a social honor code, or no code at all. Schwenk. "There A look at the Democratic code, he didn't think Valparaiso University Butler University's Dean of Student Life, are far too many presidential primary can­ students would react the way they have. Irene Stevens, said social honor codes are usu­ limitations." didates through the eyes The idea, brought forth in last week's ally successful at small colleges where the stu­ "The major­ of students Student Senate Comer, has sparked controver­ dents are very homogeneous. ity of these rules page 3 sy with many students and has filled Jesse's e- "A lot of people say it sounds communist are already in mail inbox and voicemail. and fascist. It may be idealistic, but it's attain­ VU's student Opinion The code was written as potentially able," said Jesse. guidebook. By Unequal treatment including a ban on the following for VU stu­ Some examples of code violation could creating a code of Student Senator Sean Jesse dents: alcohol, vulgar language, arson, assault, include propping doors or swearing in crass. conduct, every- has received numerous calls Szymczyk says commuter harassment of any kind, false fire alarms, gam­ Professors, resident assistants and possibly thing will be in and e-mails oyer his pro students are marginalized posed social honor code. bling, hazing, unauthorized use of keys, per­ students would report violations. one place, right in page 7 jury, property damage, stalking, theft, tres­ For the first violation, a student would be front of students," said Jesse. passing and weapons possession or use. It brought before a board, much like Judicial Freshman Amanda Schuster agrees with Features would also restrict tobacco use and give guide­ Board, and be sentenced to community serv­ the basic idea of the code. Bargain Bonanza lines for computer ethics. ice. For second and third offenses, the conse­ "I think it's an awesome idea, but I real­ "It's more of a code of conduct," said quences would be greater, and for major ly don't think it would work. We're already Jesse. "Students would sign it at registration offenses, students could face suspension or supposed to have a dry campus and people still and would be bound to follow the rules. It's expulsion. drink. They still will even if they have to sign more of a code of ethics to improve the cam­ Although Jesse thinks the code is a great an honor code. It would turn into a joke," said pus as a whole. If everything around VU was idea, many students strongly disagree. Schuster. enforced, it would greatly improve the safety "This guy is basically saying that we Said Jesse, "The code will be based on and environment of this campus." Thrift shops make a need to be perfect, but not only that, he's what students want right now. The only way it dollar go a long way Jesse arrived at the idea for the code after implying that we have the capacity," said will be brought to the Senate is if students page 9 he and other students became fed up with peo­ sophomore Andy Schneider. want it." ple smoking around campus. Jesse stated that he has no intentions to A forum discussing the proposal of the "I began talking about the problem with violate anyone's rights. social honor code will be held from 6-8 p.m. A&E some other senators, and Student Body "The way I see it, the main goal is that on March 24 in the Union Round table, and on Do you believe President Meredith Paull said that it could be we're trying to help students," said Jesse. March 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the Great Hall. in miracles? included in a social honor code," said Jesse. "This is definitely not for me. It's for every- Anyone is welcome to attend. Losing FRIENDS Steinbrecher Museum store closing announces retirement After 25 years, athletic Review of "Miracle" director to call it quits with Kurt Russell page 15 Brent Whitlock SPORTS EDITOR Sports Andy Viano TORCH WRITER Western wind comes blowin' in The reign is about to end for the man that built the ARC. Not Noah, but William Steinbrecher, who announced his retire­ ment, effective July 31, 2004, as Valparaiso University's director of athletics. Steinbrecher has headed the depart­ ment since 1979 and over the past 25 years has worked hard to bring success to VU athletics at the NCAA Division I level. In addition, he oversaw the construction of Manager Nancy Yohe opens the FRIENDS Museum Store in the Brauer Museum of Art. The store, currently the Athletics-Recreation Center, the found­ Women's basketball loses j holding a total liquidation sale, will close its doors forever on Feb. 11 after nearly nearly nine years. ing of the Crusader Club (VU's athletics to Western Illinois, who art, and in particular, pieces Brauer exhibits, so we have a donation organization) and development of wins 24th straight home Sarah Benczik TORCH WRITER that are representative of the unique selection of gifts. the Mid-Continent Conference and Pioneer game museum's current collection. People would come in and Football League. He also helped found the pages 18 The FRIENDS Museum "We sell items that can­ purchase something to take North Star Conference for women's sports, Store at the Brauer Museum not be found anywhere else on home with them to remember which was later changed to the Mid- INDEX of Art will close its doors per­ campus," said Nancy Yohe, the museum and its exhibits." Continent Conference in 1982. News l manently on Feb. 11. the store manager. "We The gift shop opened in "Every year around the beginning of Weather 2 Located just inside the worked with the museum 1995 when the Valparaiso January, I would struggle with myself doors of the Brauer, the small director to select items that VUPD Beat 2 gift shop sells items related to were specifically related to see •FRIENDS/?^ 4 Announcements 2 see • RETIRE p^e 19 Opinion 7 Features 9 A&E 13 Clips & Classifieds 16 Sports 17 A tour of the Christopher Center + page 2, The Torch NEWS February 6, 2004 January 23 VUPD received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the alley behind Phi Kappa Psi. Several non-campus subjects were arrested for minor consumption of alcohol and transported to Porter County Jail for booking. VUPD responded to a loud noise complaint on the 4th floor of ANGELA KNEIFEL Alumni Hall. While making contact with the student in the A new cyber cafe will provide students with a relaxing atmosphere in the new Christopher Center for Library and r-oom, one male student exited the room. He had trouble walk­ Information Resources. For more coverage of the CLIR, see page 5. ing. He told the other students in the room, "You don't know me." He used the wall to assist himself as he started walking away from the officers. The student was arrested for minor con­ sumption of alcohol. He was transported to Porter County Jail campus for booking. fiiiiii January 24 EMS and VUPD responded to the 3rd floor restrdom of March Madness fix. on sale Lankenau Hall in reference to an unconscious student. Officers 'Senior Expo next Saturday found the student in the stall slumped over the toilet with vomit Tickets for the 2004 Mid-Continent Conference Senior Expo will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14. Participants will hear "Job Market for 2004 on his clothing. It appeared, while the student was incoherent, Men's and Women's basketball tournaments are on Graduates," presented by Phil Gardner, an employ­ a subject drew a smiley face with a marker on the student's but­ sale at the athletics ticket office. The tourney is March 6-9 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City. All ses­ ment and recruiting trends researcher from Michigan tocks. Officers assisted the student with his clothing. EMS sion tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for students. State University. Additional sessions include: treated and transported the student to Porter Memorial Ticket orders can be made by calling the office at "Financial Management for Young Professionals," Hospital, Upon arrival at the hospital the student refused med­ (219) 464-5233. "How to.Assess a Benefits Package," "Interviewing ical treatment. He was arrested for minor consuming alcohol Skills" and two alumni panels talking about life after and transported to Porter County Jail for booking. VU. Tickets are $5 and need to be purchased by Hotary scholarship available Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Union Info VUPD stopped a vehicle at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity in Applications for 2005-2006 Rotary Foundation Desk. The event includes a Continental Breakfast, a reference to an equipment violation. Both students in the vehi­ Ambassadorial Scholarships are now available from Healthy Heart Break (sponsored by Thrivent), and cle had been drinking.