http://breeze.imu.edu "Knowledge is Liberty" VOL. 77, NO. 4 TODAY'S WEATHER Isolated Thundersioms. JAMES D I S O N M Vft Dow JONES high 87°F. tow 62°F BREEZE close: 11.036.34' Extended forecast on page 2 u N T Y DO NOT REMOVE ' THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1999 Grade inflation being studied Task force gives administration 'road map'for what it should pay attention to IT"H ' i "It has been observed that the trends and to sueeestsuggest areaareas EN BONDS s [average] GPA has been climb- needing further study. JMU MB " staff writer ing slightly, but steadily," Gon- According to the task force m JMIMFS MmiiMon University I zalez said. report, submitted to faculty in Members of the Task Force Grade inflation trends at JMU The task force was comprised late August, the group is work- Dr. Charles Blake Ms. Amanda Klein are being studied in depth this of faculty representatives from ing to recommend actions the Dr. Linda Blanton Ms. Joy McBride year in response to faculty and all five colleges, the registrar's university might take to increase .'."Kajenjivans Dr. Dorn Peterson student concerns that evaluation office, the general education pro- shared understanding of what . Maynard Filter Dr. Theresa Prodoehl of undergraduate students might gram and a student representa- grades do and should represent. TereSa Gonzalez Dr. Scott Stevens not be reasonable. tive from the Student Govern- "We have noticed that the Jt>r. Jon Kastendiek A task force headed by Teresa ment Association, junior Aman- average GPA is getting closer to I > Gonzalez, associate vice presi- da Klein. a B, than to the normal C," Terri grade dent for academic affairs, met Meeting weekly throughout Prodoehl, professor of health sci- last April to discuss the upward April, the committee was ences, said. Prodoehl represents trend in student grade-point charged with the responsibility the general education program MICHELE JOHNSTON/xropfcrs editor inflation averages. to review new data on academic see INFLATION page 9 Assessment Tests TKO'd first time this summer to test ly numbering under 60, and Database error incoming freshmen on their didn't reveal any problems. forces freshmen technology knowledge and However, during orientation, skills. hundreds of students took the to retake test "It's the only software pro- exam simultaneously. The pro- gram on the market that tests gram crashed due to the over- ARA HAFER the performance of certain skills load. "I watched one student per- staff writer rather than knowledge about T form very well on a word-pro- the skills," Halpem said. cessing test and have his score About half of the freshmen The assessment test has three reported as a zero," Halpern class must retake sections of components: the knowledge said. assessment tests completed dur- section of Tech Level One, and David Brunner, technology ing summer orientation due to two tests about Microsoft Word coordinator for general educa- problems with the computer and Microsoft Power Point. tion, said the database simply system database. Halpern said the software could not handle 160 or more Linda Halpern, dean of gen- program had been tested prior updates at the same time. Brun- eral education, said JMU used a to freshman orientation on new software program for the small groups of students, usual- see GUTCH page 9 McConnel named interim director ing the void of the important McConnel was appointed by STEVEN LANDRY position, David Barnes, director Mark Wamer, vice president of senior writer of the University Center, said. student affairs, to temporarily McConnel didn't apply for the replace Roxie Shabazz, who left Jim McConnel became the position, but Bames, who heads JMU on July 30 to become direc- interim director of the Office of the committee that is looking for tor of admissions at Spelman Admissions on Tuesday as the an admissions director, thought College in Atlanta. MEGHAN MONTGOMEXYIstaff photographer search for a new admissions McConnel would fill in well. McConnel said Warner asked director continues. "He's just filling in . pro- him if he would consider taking Students practice for their performances In the fourth annual McConnel, the director of viding leadership while we do on the position as interim direc- New Dance Festival, which will be held in Latimer-Shaeffer The- atre In Duke Hall tomorrow and Saturday. For more information, campus life, is temporarily fill- the search," Barnes said. see ADMISSIONS page 9 see the story on page IS in the Style section. GREEK SCENE Throw me the Pigskin Living the Night Life The Few, the Proud, the Brave The JMU Dukes and Coach Mickey Matthews, With this being college and all, the 'Express' Delivery ■ They're not the Marines, but right, play their home opener Saturday. And Focus section takes a look at the ■ The Shenandoah Shake- sororities are now recruiting, as as if you couldn't get enough football, POTW places students go out to play when speare Express is at it again and will perform "Much Ado opposed to rushing, in compliance makes its return today. Pages 25, 27 the sun goes down. Pages 24-25 with a national dictate. Pag« 5 About Nothing." Page 17 2 Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999 INFORMATION The Breeze B R E E Z E TABLE OF CONTENTS " " ' • ■ ■ ■ • r , "To the press alone, chequered as NEWS Parking solution comes at a high • pg. 17 — Weekend Diversions • pg. 27 — Field Hockey it is with abuses, the world is • pg. 3 — Sigma Nu, Tri-Delta price • pg. 19 — Rock-A-Pella season preview indebted for all the triumphs and the Make-a-Wish Founda- • pg. 10 — Spotlight: JMU/VT which have been gained by tion football game outcome? , FOCUS • pg. 29 — Volleyball sea- reason and humanity over error • Pg-3 — Campus construction • pg. 11 — The media and and oppression." • pg. 20-21 — The JMU tradition son preview update Alexandra Stevenson by Court- — James Madison in cross-country biking • pg. 5 — Ashby Hall renova- ney Crow ley tion FYI • pg. 11 — Darts and Pats SPORTS LIFESTYLE • pg. 25 — Men's Soccer season 77K Breeze is published Monday and OPINION • pg. 33 — 'Scopes Thursday mornings and distributed STYLE preview throughout James Madison University • Pg-10 — House Editorial: • Pg-15 — Highlawn Pavilion • pg. 25 — Golf: Faber Jamerson and the local Harrisonburg communi- • pg. 35 — Crossword Puzzle ty. Comments and complaints should be addressed to Courtney A. Crowley editor. 7' Mailing address: Minnetonka, Minn., was arrested Petty Larceny/Destruction of The Breeze and charged with underage Gl Anthony-Seeger Hall Personal Property MSC6805 POLICE LOG possession of alcohol on Aug. 29 • Unidentified individuals James Madison University at 2:15 a.m. allegedly stole a CD player from a Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 HELISSA FORREST Property The Harrisonburg Police vehicle parked in Z-lot on Aug. 27 Phone: (540) 568-6127 jKipolice re\ Fax: (540) 568-6736 •porter • Unidentified individuals Department requested campus between 1 and 7 a.m. allegedly damaged a Roop Hall police to make the arrest off- E-Mail address: The CD player was valued at the_ [email protected] Unidentified individuals sign on Aug. 28 at 10:01 p.m. at campus at Visage Lane. Breeze Net allegedly robbed a JMU student Roop Hall. $100 and damage to the vehicle is estimated at $50. http://breeze.jmu.edu between White and Dingledine The damage to the sign is Underage Possession of Hate on Aug. 28 between 1 a.m. estimated at $100. Section phone numbers Alcohol/Possession of Petty Larceny Opinion/Style: x3846 and 1:15 a.m. • Unidentified individuals Marijuana News: x6699 The individuals pushed the allegedly activated a fire alarm • Philip C. Shannon, 18, of • Unidentified individuals Focus: x6729 student down and pulled his after using the fire extinguisher in Chesapeake, was arrested and altegecSy stole a ladies model hot Sports: x6709 necklace from around his neck. the Delta Chi fraternity house on charged with underage pink and purple bike from the Photo/Graphics: x6749 north bike rack at Eagle Hall General Manager His glasses were broken and bis Aug. 31 at 2:28 a.m. possession of alcohol and Cheryl Hoyd, x8084 watch band was damaged. possession of marijuana on Aug. between Aug. 26 at 6 p.m and Bookkeeper The necklace was a 22-inch Underage Possession of 28 at 11:44 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. Aug. 27 at 11 am. Susan Shifflett, x8089 white goW chain with Mariner cut Alcohol • Unidentified individuals cross studded with diamonds and • Non-student Andrew J. Destruction of Personal allegedly stole a Florida license valued at $599. His glasses were Harrington, 19, of Lake Ridge, Property plate (Reg HD155E) in X-lot LOCATION valued at $250. was arrested and charged with • Unidentified individuals between Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. and The Breeze is located in the lower The victim was taken to underage possession of alcohol allegedly damaged the rear Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at 4:05 a.m. outside of level of Anthony-Seeger Hall RocWngham Memorial Hospital to window of a vehicle parked in the be treated lor a cut on his the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house. Convocation Center A-iot near the Unauthorized Solicitation Cleveland forehead. • Michael J. Crosnicker, 18, of entrance on Aug. 27 between 6 • Two solicitors were instructed Duke Fredricksburg, was arrested and and 7 a.m. to leave campus by campus charged with underage • Unidentified individuals police after being seen soliciting In other matters, campus police possession of alcohol on Aug. 29 report the following: allegedly damaged the passenger social security numbers during a at 1:40 a.m. at the Godwin bus side mirror of a vehicle parked in VISA card sign up on Aug.