The Towerlight, February 19, 1988

tl19880219-000 "Inside Photo Contest Take a guess; win a prize in The Towerlight's new, weekly photography con-test page 9 ,Yol. 81 No. 14 The TowerliPublished weekly by the students ofTowson State University gTowson, MD 21204ht Index news 1 9 classifieds 2 8 9 sports 3 4 visuals 5 features & entertainment 8,7 editorial & letters 10 perspectiveR 11 weekwatcher 12 file photo Conditions behind the counters of the Glen Dining Hall continue to be hazardous. The decibel level has been recorded above state health standards, saidSusan Grimm, Food Committee member. Budget increases by 10.7% by Bob Pattison Net's reporter The Finance Systems Manage- 'tent Office reports the annual budget for Towson State Univer- 81tY is $84.793 million for the 1988- 89 academic school year. ""This is an increase of 10.7 per-cent over last year's budget,"" said Ronald E. Garrison, associate vice- President for the department. Cur-rently, the University is operating on last year's budget which is for the 1987-88 school year. The governor's budget- book, Which contains the University's budget, estimates a student tuition increase of $74, making it $1683 for the 1988 fall semester. The estimated student tuition for the following spring semester will alga i n increase another $155, tflaking tuition $1798. Both these tuition charges are for in-state resi-leas and include student fees accor-ding the University budget. Out-of-state students will pay an estimated $3081 for the 1988 fall ernester and $3266 for the fol- ;diving spring semester. Room and coarding costs for a double occu- Pancy room will be the same for In-state residents as well as out-of- State residents. Wbile these figures include stu-dent fees, the exact dollor amount for the fees has not been deter-alined. Garrison said he estimates a $20-30 increase over the current $436 student fee charge. While these increases are esti-tnates based of the 1988-89 Univer-ditY budget, President Smith said tuition will rise ""about 5 percent."" C)nlY half of a percentage point above the yearly 4.5 inflation rate. State contributions have not (kepti up) with the rate of inflation 80 we (the University) have to pick Up the excess,"" said Smith. , Many of the tuition increases are � driven by a raise in the cost of goods and services. The price of scholarly journals, health insur-ance for employees, and various equipment such as computers have risen, which increases University costs, said Smith. Smith also said teachers' jour-nals can cost several hundreds of dollars. ""We get more complaints about the price of journals than we do about library books."" Exact fig-ures for the journals were not avail-able. Along with tuition increases, room and board costs will rise $78, making a double occupancy room cost $3714. This increase nearly doubles for the spring semester, making the estimated room and boarding charges $3864, a $150 increase over the 1988 fall charges. Garrison said several reasons for these increases are due to ""expansion of the academic and administration computers...that will enhance office automation."" Garrison said faculty members will receive approximately a 4.5 percent pay raise along with a fixed cost of living raise. However, he explained that not all faculty members will receive the same percen-tage of raise. Dr. Norman L. Sheets, assistant vice-president for academic af-fairs, said teachers receive a pay raise based on a merit system deter-mined by the Promotion and Ten-ure Committee for each depart-ment. Sheets said there are two merit systems. The general merit system is con-trolled by the Promotion and Ten-ure committee and awards points to each faculty member based on his work for the University. This determines the exact percentage of raise he gets and is incorporated into his paycheck. The University merit system is devoted more toward research con-ducted by faculty members and is awarded annually by the Univer-sity. Garrison said unclassified admini-strators will receive a four percent pay raise. These are persons vvny- Thomas speaks on campus Media release UPI White House Correspon-dent Helen Thomas will speak at Towson State University Febru-ary 21. After 12 years of covering other Federal government beats, includ- Idg the Justice Department and the FBI, Thomas went to the White liouse in January, 1961 as a mem-ber of the United Press Inter-botional news team covering John Correction s, In the February 5 issue of The Towerlight, (SGA performance f!rialyzed), it was reported that all profits from food and bever-age sales will be collected by the 8Ponsoring group."" In fact, the 8Ponsoring group will only re-ceive profits from beverage sales after 10:30 pm. In the February 12 issue of The Towerlight (Coke ban suggested), It was said that the Coca-Cola Company moved to Switzerland. The current location is Swazi- ., F. Kennedy's administration. Since that time, she has re-mained on the White House beat and made many important ""in- -r6ads."" She was the first woman officer of the National Press Club after it opened its doors to women fol-lowing 90 years of all-male member-ship. She became the first woman officer of the White House Correspon-dents Association and later its first woman president. Thomas was the only newspaper woman who traveled with Presi-dent Nixon to China in his break-through trip in February, 1972. Thomas has also gone to China in the entourages of Presidents Ford and Reagan and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. In November 1976, the World Almanac named Thomas as one of the 25 most influential women in America. This event will be held in the Chesapeake Rooms of the Univer-sity Union at 8 pm. Tickets are $8 for the general public, $5 for fac-ulty and staff and student admis-sion is free. Tickets are available through the University Union box office. king for the physical'plant, auxil-lary services, administration, grounds keepers, and other depart-ments on campus not academ-ically oriented. Fees due early by Sean Brohawn News reporter The cut-off date for payment of student tuition and residence bills was moved up this spring to compen-sate for an unexpectedly large stu-dent enrollment. The primary change in policy was the collection of bills ""two to three weeks earlier than normal,"" according to Ron Garrison from the Finance Office. The move to an earlier collection date was coordinated with a new computer processing system that allows for the payment of bills dur-ing registration. The Finance Office is encourag-ing early registration with this move, not only to relieve the pres-sure caused by 75 percent of the students ""paying close to the due date,"" but also to provide a ""gua-rantee for students"" who are now able to settle their tuition, resi-dence, and other payments during registration, according to Garri-son. The early request for payment is expected to be temporary, how-ever. Garrison said the bills should be due ""closer to the scheduled dates in the future."" For the upcoming fall registra-tion date, this means a cut-off time close to Christmas as it has been in the past. Decibel level too high February 19, 1988 Dining hall kitchen unsafe by Doug Wood Assistant news editor After four years of quiet discus-sion and little action, a problem relating to the noise in the Glen Dining Hall has finally been brought to the attention of the Stu-dent Government Association. Susan Grimm, chair of the stu-dent- run Food Committee, said that these problems have existed for four years and the committee has ben unsucessful in obtaining any information about a definite corrective plan. The noisy conditions in the kit-chen area create an unpleasant atmosphere for both students and employees. ""We get a lot of com-plaints about the attitude of the servers in the dining hall. Some-times they're pretty bad,"" said Grimm, noting that the noise level causes people to shout. ""The servers scream at you because they can't hear you. Then students get an attitude and we, the committe, get complaints. [The servers] are not in the best shape as far as working environment,"" said Grimm. Also, excessive heat is also a problem. ""I went ii to get my dinner, and it was so hot that the servers were literally perspiring into the food they served,"" said Grimm. Grimm compiled a list of memo-randa concerning the noise prob-lem dating back to-the opening of the Glen Complex and dining hall in the fall of 1983. At that time, heat and noise problems due to the design of the air handling and exhaust-hood system were noted on a ""punch list"" of items to be corrected by the general contractor, Mullen Enter-prises, Inc. Problems stemmed from three main deficiencies: (1) the orginal design of the kitchen created a wider area with additonal ceiling height, but the design was modi-fied and room dimensions de-creased because of the design of the basement of Tower B; (2) air-conditioning vents and exhaust fans are located ""close"" to each other in the kitchen area, reducing ventilation.-""As the cold air comes down, the exhaust fan pulls it right back up,"" said Grimm; (3) the design of the exhaust hood is not adequate for air flow, causing an increase in noise levels in the exhaust system. Grimm said that heat and noise problems were noted on the origi-nal punch list in 1983. Complaints arising from heat and noise were first noted on food committee minutes on May 2, 1984. In 1985, an analysis of noise levels was ordered by Service America, which oversees the University's food-service operations, after a dining hall manager's hearing problem was suspected of being work-related. Results of the sur-r------ Police Blotter by Judith B. Jelenko Assistant news editor Chief Murphy is in good health and will soon be back at work after being struck by a left-turning vehi-cle Tuesday, February 2, 1988. Murphy was walking back to the police station when he began to cross from Osler to Cross Campus Drive. Lieutenant Herbert said, ""As the Chief proceeded from Os-ier to Cross Campus Drive a ve-hicle turning left struck the chief."" An ambulance was called to the scene; Murphy was taken to Saint Joseph's Hospital where his bro-ken arm was diagnosed. No other injuries were found. The chief was asked to stay for one night as a precaution but no other injuries developed, accor-ding to Herbert. Within a matter of seven days approximately $3514.00 worth of valuables, personal and state pro-perty was stolen or damaged at Towson State University. Thirteen thefts occurred, in-cluding: February 2, a $26.00 textbook left unattended was stolen from the area outsid the University Store. February 9, a wallet valued at $62.00 was taken from a jacket that was left unattended in the Administration building. February 7, an unlocked vehicle was broken into and $175.00 worth speakers, fire extinguisher, and ski poles. February 7, a $400.00 stereo was removed from a locked car in the parking garage. There was no evi-dence of forced entry. February 1, a man, dressed in a woman's coat, wearing makeup and and a kerchief, entered the ladies room on the second floor of the University Union. The assail-ant took a bookbag and purse, both of which were left unattended. Police were called to the scene after the theft occured. A young woman pointed out the assailant. The young man is a Towson State student and was arrested at that time. The assailant, who's name is still yet to be released, was released on his own recognizance, and a trial date was set for March 3. All property has been returned to the victim. Destruction of property� A Toy-ota parked along the meters on Union Avenue received $1090.00 in damages by unknown assailant or assailants. Exterior mirrors were broken off, scratches, windshield wipers were broken, and several dents were created. it is still un-solved. Any student with information may call the Police station at 321- 2133. The Police also strongly sug-gest that student record serial num-bers of all valuables. ""We do have etchers available for loan,"" said Herbert. He also said ""not to leave any article unattended."" vey, dated October 8, 1985, said that employees im n the grill room, pot room, and dish room are ""ex-posed to noise levels that State and Federal regulations indicate hear-ing conservation measures be im-plemented."" A reccomendation was made that ventilation motors be relocated to outside the exhaust vents. The ""hearing conservation"" program mentioned by the _in-house* analysis has come under heavy debate. These measures include: (1) employees are to be not-ified that their hearing may be impaired while at work; (2) em-ployees in high-risk areas are re-quired to wear hearing protection; and (3) employees must be checked for hearing impairments. Those found to have become hearing-impaired may file for workman's compensation claims. On November 8, 1985, Terrence C. Smith, then associate vice pres-ident of Business and Finance sent a memo to William Schermerhorn, asSociate vice president of Police & Plant Operations regarding three work areas where noise level ex-ceeded standards set by the Occu-pational Health and Safety Admin-istration (OSHA), and inquired as to what action would be taken. No response was made, said Grimm. Follow-up correspondence was sent by Garafola to Smith (March 10, 1986) stating that no action had been taken by the Physical Plant, and by Smith to Schermerhorn (March 26, 1986), including a copy of the November memo and again asking for recommendations. ""The point of it is there was no response at all,"" said Grimm., Finally, on July 17, 1986, Saier-merhorn contacted Mullan Enter-prises, Inc. and said that there were ""excessive noise levels"" in the Glen Dining Hall. Grimm said that no documented response from Mul-lan could be found. In the meantime, a request dated March 31, 1987 was sent by Eric Seaborg, Director of Occupational Safety and Industrial Hygiene to a consultant for the Maryland Oc-cupational Safety and Health Administration (MOSHA) to test the noise level due to concern over the decibel level. The out-of-house MOSHA sur-vey was conducted, and.noise lev-els were found to be excessive May 12, 1987. A May 20. 1987 deadline was set to correct the problem. The deadline was not met, and al-though no action had been taken, an extension was granted; August 31, 1987. Mullen agreed to ""investigate and take appropriate action"" to resolve the problem of excessive noise levels in the Glen Dining Hall May 21, 1987. The conditions were classified a ""serious"" by MOSHA June 4, 1987. The only action taken to date in correcting this problem was the August 28, 1987 adjustment of the speed ratio of exhaust fan motors. Although the slowing of the motors did reduce the noise level, it created a new problem, as noted in a memo from Garafola to Scher-merhorn dated October 20, 1987, in which Garafola stated that the reduced fan speed caused inade-quate ventilation, as noted by the Baltimore County Health Depart-ment. The noise level, although reduced, still did not fall below the 85 decibel level, considered safe by the State Health Department, and the August 31 deadline was missed. Grimm said that she sent a memo to Schermerhorn October 26, 1987, saying ""It is [the food commitee's] understanding that failure on the part of the Univer-sity to resolve this problem may result in the implementation of a ""hearing conservation program"" for food service em ployees. We view this action as being far from a solution for the students that also deal with these problems on a daily basis. We can be confident that the students of this University would prefer to see their fees used to cor-rect the technical deficiencies of the building rather than treat the conditon that results from it..."" In additon, another MOSHA dead-line set for November 1, 1987 was not met. A meeting was held with the developer, contractor, architect, design engineers, and mechanical contractor November 11, 1987, to disucss and formualte a solution to the problem, but no solution was reached. Grimm's letter was not an-swered. It was followed December 3, 1987 by a letter to Donald Mc- Culloh, vice president for Business and Finance, noting ""five Weeks and three food committee meeting have passed without any commun-ication from Mr. Schermerhorn."" Finally, Schermerhorn contact-ed Grimm December 11, 1987 and said there was no ""definite correc-tion plans"". Discussion concerning the noise problem has continued into 1988. During the winter break, a meeting was held between Mullan Enter-prises, Inc. and several University administrators. At this meeting, Schermerhorn informed Mullan that the hearing conservation pro-gram was not an acceptable plan action and that further architectu-ral and engineering efforts need to be made. The fourth MOSHA deadline was missed February 1, 1988. The sole responsiblity for facil-ity maintenance lies with the Physical Plant department, said Grimm. In addition, the builder has not been responsive or efficient in in-vestigation and taking corrective action, as indicated by the lack of response to the May 21 memo, she added. Because of a lack of action, said Grimm, the University could re-ceive an enforcement action from MOSHA which could include a fine and/or the closing of the Glen Dining Hall for not correcting the problem, and an .expensive hear-ing conservation program may have to be implemented. Students must not only contend with an unappealing dining atmo-phere, said Grimm, but must also bear the final expense of costly enforcement action that MOSHA may impose due to the untimely action taken to correct the prob-lems. Josh speaks to students by Laurita Huff News reporter Josh McDowell, s speaker spon-sored by the Campus Crusade for Christ, spoke to Towson State stu-dents Thursday, February 11, at Burdick gym. McDowell spoke on safe sex, vener-ial disease, sex before marriage, and sex after marriage in a presenta-tion called ""Maximum Sex."" McDowell has spoken to more than seven million individuals at 650 universities in 74 countries. He has 26 best-selling books, 19 films and two TV specials to his credit. McDowell's main point to stu-dents is that sex is nothing to be played with. He asked for fear tactics, Bibli-cal quotes, name dropping and statis-tics in order to pursuade his audi-ence that sex is an act that will affect your mind and body forever. Students' reactions varied. ""What he said was very enlighten-ing and �ducational but I don't know how long the impact will last,"" said sophomore Susan Hoff-man. ""I never heard anyone just lay it on the line like he did,"" said To-wanda Johnson, a visitor. McDowell ended his lecture with a prayer. WCVT, WTSR updated by Andy Stauffer News reporter WCVT FM and WTSR newscas-ters began broadcasting from new facilities located next to the new WTSR studio February 15. Renova-tion to the WCVT and WTSR studios has been going on for the past year. The new wrsR studio has new or reconditioned equipment which includes a new console, recondi-tioned cartridge tape recorders, head-phones, a speaker and a'new revol-ving cartridge tape rack. The stu-dio has been moved into a renova-ted room with new lighting. Karen Coker, WTSR's AM direc-tor, said,""The studio increases profes-sionalism because the equipment and the lighting are new. Because fo the new equipment, disc jockeys see RADIO, page 9 "