The Towerlight, April 2, 1987

tl19870402-000 "I Inside Gymnastics first Gymnastics team takes first tournament title page 3. The dal ht Published weekly by the students of Towson State Universityeammi. Towson, MD 21204 Index news 1 �' sports visuals 3, .1 CI(l88ifkdM features & entertainment 6,9, 11 7 8 editorial & letters 10 perspectives 10 weekwatcher 12 Vol. 80 No. 21 April 2, 1987 Speakers explain Nicaraguan, South African life by Vince Russomanno Weekwa teller editor Two student leaders, one from South Africa, the other from Nic-aragua, spoke to the students and faculty of Towson State Univ-ersity as part of a joint speaking tour of seven mid-Atlantic states. Robert Fernandez, a medical stu-dent and president of the student body at the Medical School of Leon, Nicaragua, began by saying that ""the purpose of this tour is to explain the reality of what the Nicaraguan pe6ple have experi-enced"" and recalled the revolution which brought the Sandinistas to power. ""The revolution ended 45 years of military dictatorship and cost Nicaragua 50,000 of its finest sons and daughters. This war of lib-eration took place as a necessity in order to change the social and pol-itical structures that had op-pressed our people,"" Fernantlez said, through a translator. ""In 1979 we overthrew the Somozas and revolution brought social changes for the well-being of the Nicaraguan people,"" con-tinued Fernandez. At that time, the Nigaraguans began educating the 55% of the population which had been denied ""the right to read and write,"" nearly all productive land was distrubuted to the pea-sants and in 1979 the Nicaraguan Government begin to provide free health and education, according to Fernandpz. ""All of these advancements plan-ned by the government are to the anger of President Reagan, who from 1980 on has been financing a war that has brought death and destruction to our country and in order to justify this war, he has used a series of lies, saving that Nicaragua once depended on buying and selling goods with the United States and with the rn it is, represents a threat to the Uni-ed States,"" accused Fer-nandez. More religious school, churches and priests came into existence after the Sandinistan revolution, according to Fernanl dez, which ""punches a hole in the idea that religion is denied in Nicaragua."" Fernandez denied Nicaraguan intervention in El Salvador. ""We can not solve our own political, economic and,military problems so how could we intervene in the internal problems of El Salvador,"" said Fernandez. Fernandez also expressed the Nicarauguans desires for peace. ""We believe in war everyone is a loser and the only war you can win is one you avoid... if Reagan seized money going to the Contras, they would disappear. They exist on this money not their ideals,"" said Fernandez. ""The revolution taught our peo-ple to read, the Contras can not offer that. The Contras can not offer land because the revolution has already given it to the pea-sants, they can not offer free health care and social security, the revolution has already provided it. They can offer them death and destruction and that is what they are done,"" added F�rnandez. ""We are glad to see that North American people organize marches and rallies against the policies of President Reagan to-wards South Africa and Nicara-gua. The people of the United States understand that it is il-logical to wage war against a country working in the interest of its people and illogical to support a country dividing its people as South Africa does,"" said Fernandez. Kevin Moeketsi Qhoboshiane, a representative of the youth section of the African National Congress and was an activist within the stu-dent movement at NGOYE Uni-versity in South Africa until he was expelled from the University in 1983, made brief comments but was unable to continue speaking due to illness and turned the floor over to queRtions. ""We are at a most critical point period in our history it will decide if progressive forces will make it in our country,"" said Qhoboshielne, ""Nobody can say whether it will shift left or right."" Adressing a question con-cerning Cuban and Soviet ad-visors in Nicaragua, Fernandez responded, ""Nicaragua has many social and economic problems and See Speakers, Page 2 New SGA is inaugurated by Doug Wood Neil,5 reporter The Inauguration Ceremony of the 1987-88 Towson State Univer-sity Student Government Asso-ciation took place Tuesday in the University Union. The ceremony Was MC'd by Senator Dale Graham. Graham presented the opening remarks, during which she thanked TSU president Hoke Smith for his, and the admini-stration's, cooperation, and out-going- SGA president Melanie Goldsmith for her dedication and leadership of the SGA. President Goldsmith, presenting the farewell address, reviewed briefly the work of the SGA during the past year and thanked every-one who had devoted his time and energy to the SGA. Goldsmith also touched upon some of the suc-cesses of this administration. Senator Ginger Mylander pre-sented the year in review, thanking again all who had made the past year a success. She re-called such changes as the new SGA logo and new procedures, as well as the year's successes, such as the creation of the Office of Organizational Advancement, and the successful opening and operation of the Rathskeller, which has become a popular stu-dent meeting place. Mylander also The new Student Government Association Senators were sworn in at a ceremony in the Potomac Lounge Tuesday evening. For more inauguration pictures, see page 5. noted the increased student in-volvement in the SGA and in-creased SGA coverage in The Towerlight. Gifts and certificates were pre-sented by Semitors Vicki Fancese and Julie Luchsinger. Certificates were presented to Chris Melange, director of communications; Ted Smith, director of public relations; Brad Gorski, director of organi-zations; Joe Vachon, assistant to the president; Felice Minihan, assistant to the vice president, who contributed much time and effort to the Rathskellar; and Jim Bower, assistant to the treasurer. The outgoing Senators were also presented with gifts and certifi-cates. Remarks concerning the 1986-87 administration were pre-sented by Arlene Campeggi, SGA business manager. President Smith delivered the oath of office to incoming SGA President Chris Krivos, incoming , Vice President Jeff Rinaca, and incoming Treasurer Vicki Francese. TSU Vice Presidents Dorothy Siegel and Donald McCulloh administrered the oath of office to the Senators. Finally, SGA President Chris Krivos delivered the State of the SGA Address, in which he urged students to become involved in the SGA, faculty and staff members to respect the SGA and to solicit student input, and his wish for The Towerlight to do its' best in representing the students of Towson State. Krivos expressed his wishes for a successful and progressive SGA in the coming year. Robert Fernandez, a Nicaraguan student leader (left), with his translator, and Kevin Moeketsi Quhoboshiane, a South African student leader (right), told Towson State stu-dents Tuesday afternoon how life was in their countries. Police officers awarded by Robert M. Graham News editor Two Towson State University Police officers recently received their department's highest com-mendation, the Police Chiefs Com-mendation, for extraordinary police work. Lt. Robert Wheatley a 16-year veteran of the force, was awarded the Police 'Chiefs commendation for rescuing a child from the path, of oncoming traffic on Osler Drive Jan. 4. PFC Darlene Bowyer received a fsimilar award for her undercover police work that led to six arrests of Univrsity students on charges of felony distribution of controlled dangerous substances in the Fall 1986. Chief Stephen Murphy said the awards commend officers who have done ""something that is either an extraordinary accomp-lishment or something that was complex or time-consuming and required a certain amount of per-sonal risk."" Wheatley directing traffic at Auburn Drive and Osler Drive after the conclusion of Winter Commencement when a small child fell out of the rear door of a moving vehicle, falling into the path of oncoming traffic. Whealtey entered the traffic and took the child out of the traffics path, a memorandum from Murphy de-tailing Wheatley's., achievement said. The child was uninjured in the incident. Wheatley suffered an injury to his neck which required hospital treatment. Bowyer just after joining the force began an assignment as an undercover officer investigating the alleged distribution of con-trolled dangerous substances at the University in September 1986. A memorandum detailing Bowyer's achievement said she ""became an accepted member of the student community and Krivos plans new guidelines for SGA by Robert Pattison News reporter Chris Krivos, the newly elected oresident of the Student Govern-ment Administration, will insti-tute a system of guidelines for the senators and executive staff that Will provide a foundation on which "") introduce new legislation and hange exsisting laws. Krivos and the entire US ticket �v,_on in the SGA elections held March 9 and 10. They assumed ,their offices yesterday after a tuesday evening Inaugurations. These guidelines are part of a series of internal changes within the SGA that will act as models for 4enatOr8 to base new legislation on tInd introduce changes to ex isting- Dolicy, Krivos said. ""The guidelines will tell the senators what to do and how to do it,"" Krivos said. ""Organizaional advancement will play a big role."" headded. The L Siticket Unlimited Service, is a vehicle for the executive staff to develop ideas and set a platform with input from senators, Krivos said. ""If an idea comes up the SGA will be able to react on an unlimit-ed basis,"" Krivos said, adding, ""You must be able to adjust."" In an interview with The Tower-light Krivos outlined his platform that he will begin introducing. It consists of the following points: 1. To hold SGA meetings outside, winither permitting, in front of Linthicum Hall, to allow more stu-dents to participate. 2. To employ a student from the fine Arfs department to dress as a town crier and announce SGA bills, passing the news to students publicly. 3. To improve student awareness by telling them who makes which laws and how they can be changed. 4. To develop programs in each department telling students which majors are getting which jobs. 5. To create a brochure of organi-zations telling students what each one does, how much it costs to join, and what the benefits are. 6. To organize a network of voluntary aid within the various organizations that can provide help to any groups needing it. Krivos said he wants to stress inter-action arming organizations. The SGA will list in The Tower-light the State 'of Affairs of the SGA, as well as print word for word new bills introduced to the SGA Senate, Krivos said. ; Krivos will also begin talks on WCVT with reporters about his policy and SGA strengths and weaknesses, he said. ""lt it it brought to the SGA's attention they will know who to contact to take care of it. ""The SGA people will be known and students can talk directly to the person who can take care of the problems,"" Krivos said. To encourage more SGA-student interaction, Krivos will have an ""Open Door"" policy. His office hours will be printed in The Tower-light so he will be more accessable to the students he governs. ""Students are frustrated with [administrative] red tape and so forming close ties will get quick action,"" Krivos said. Informal meetings with administrators will further strengthen relationships closing the communication gau. Workshops will be conducted by Matt McManus, associated direc- See Krivos, Page 2 ligence information."" The Memo-randum added that she succeeded in making several ""hand Or hand buys"" of marijuana, PCP and cocaine. Her work led to the arrest of six - University students on charges of felony distribution of controlled dangerous substances bec. 8. Murphy said the Police Chiefs Commendation is the highest of three -awards -officer can receive. He has awarded one other in his two-year tenure as Police Chief, he said. The commendations were awarded at a ceremony in the Lecture Hall March 18. ""When they do something be-yond the normal call of duty, something that is life threatening or where there is a risk of personal injry, we just feel that that kind of work should be recognized and rewarded,"" said William Schermer-horn, associate vice president for Plant and Police Operations. Committee addresses food, dining hall concerns by Karl Strohminger reporter ""To insure a high standard of quality, services and efficiency..."" That's how the Food Committee sees its job at Towson State University. The Food Committee is a group of students, University staff, and Service America employees who monitor the food quality and dining environment at all the eating facilities here on campus, according to Committee chairman Nate Ross. The committee is set up to regu-late or give ideas, and to suggest vays to help better the overall food program here at TSU."" said Ross, a senior Political Science And Mass Communication major. Ross said the committee deals with both resident dining halls, the cash dining halls in the Univer-sity Union, as well as the Ice Cream Parlor in Hawkins Hall and all the vending areas through-out campus. The committee provides repre-sentation of student needs and desires to Service America Cor-poration, the company with the University's dining contract, according to Gary McPherson, Service America's Food Service Director for the University. Ross cites 57 specific complaints the committee has handled since 1979, including the recent addition of fruit juice to students during all meals, instead of just breakfast. Ross also said theFood Committee ,was responsible for the stancheons at the Glen Complex dining-- facility. ""The line used to wind out past tower C and D, now if its raining, everyone gets to stand inside."" Ross said. McPherson noted the occas-sional cost-prohibitive desires of some students, but maintained that Service America is willing to listen to all students, and the Food Committee serves that purpose well. McPherson added that all dining all managers have an open door policy, a requirement of Service America. ""A [student] is always free to bring up a problem to a floor manager whenever it occurs. We like to deal with things as soon as they occur."" McPherson said. The Food Committee is made up of nine standing student members, McPherson; the district manager for Service America; the unit man-agers from both Glenn' and Newell Dining Halls; a University Repre-sentative; and several rotating at-large Student Members; according to Ross. The committee meets twice a month. Nate Ross and l'he ood Committee he chairs are responsible for getting fruit juices to be offerred at the din-ing hall for all meals. "