TL20061009-01 "Nick Di Marco Staff Writer In support of David Brown, a Towson University police officer who is alleging religious discrim-ination against the University, members of Hillel led a protest at the Speaker�s Circle Thursday afternoon. Brown, a 10-year veteran with the TUPD and an Orthodox Jew, has been suspended with pay as of Sept. 22, pending termination, because he did not show up to work for a weekend shift. According to a letter written to state Sen. James Brochin by Brown�s wife Jennifer, the situa-tion started in 2002 when Brown requested Friday nights and Saturdays off in order to observe the Sabbath. His request was denied, so he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. His complaint was rejected. At the time, Brown worked only the midnight shift on Saturdays enabling him to share part of the Sabbath with his family. However, in February his Saturday shift changed from 4 p.m. to midnight, and he was unable to observe the Sabbath. Another complaint was filed with the EEOC, but they found flaws in his demand. �David even went above and beyond to offer schedul-ing options so the department would not be faced with a nega-tive impact or undue cost. Again, his request was denied,� Brown�s wife wrote in her letter. �David asked if he could take leave with-out pay on Fridays and that was denied by the commanders of the department.� Carol Vellucci, assistant to the president for communications, said the details of the situation are not publicly known. �I think that one thing that you should keep in mind is that most people know only a small percentage of the facts,� she said. Oct. 9, 2006 www.thetowerlight.com The Towerlight Published by and for the students of Towson and Baltimore -- twice-weekly Monday INSIDE Calendar........3 Perspectives........4 News.......7 Vote.....13 Arts......15 Puzzles.......19 Classifi eds......20 Sports.......24 on the Armed robbery in Lot 7 marks f irst of semester Krysten Appelbaum Associate News Editor Two unknown suspects held two res-ident students at gunpoint and robbed them Wednesday evening in Parking Lot 7, located between the Residence Tower and the Towsontown Garage. A third suspect appeared to be near-by, acting as a lookout during the robbery, the Towson University Police Department said. After taking the vic-tims� money and belongings, the sus-pects fled on foot. As of Sunday after-noon, no arrests had been made. Wednesday�s incident was the first on-campus armed robbery since November, when two suspects entered Tower A and held a resident at gun-point. A similar incident occurred on the edge of campus on Sept. 29 in the park-ing lot of the Valley View Apartments. The suspects are described as three black males wearing dark clothing. Two of the suspects were wearing gloves and nylon stockings over their faces, and displayed dark-colored handguns, according to the police report. Crime alerts were e-mailed to stu-dents at approximately 6:15 a.m. Thursday. TUPD Capt. Joe Herring said notices were posted on the walls of resi-dence halls to inform students who may not have checked their e-mail. Alicia Wolf, a junior who was parked in Lot 7 Thursday, said she has never seen anyone suspicious on campus but has also never seen police patrolling the lot. �I�ve never had a problem in any parking lot,� Wolf said. �I think there is strong enough police visibility on campus, but I�ve never seen police in this lot before.� Meghan Welsh, a senior English major, said she usually parks in Lot 7. �This is the only lot I park in and I feel safe now, but I think it�s dumb Andrew Mister/The Towerlight Students congregate at the Speaker�s Circle Thursday to display signs and shout as part of a protest on religious discrimination in reaction to the recent suspension of a TU police officer. See ROBBERY, page 10 Student protest questions TU�s religious tolerance Nearly 30 Towson students attract attention with a protest supporting a recently suspended University police officer The University did discriminate Mr. Brown on the basis of his religion. Michael Anselmi University Counsel �Univer not discri against Mr Patrick Smith/The Towerlight Behind the Residence Tower, Parking Lot 7, where two students were held at gunpoint Wednesday evening, sits nearly vacant on Sunday. See RALLY, page 10 Students, faculty receive crime alert after two TU residents held at gunpoint, robbed Goalkeeper Billy Chiles and the Tigers of men�s soccer, ranked second in the CAA, recorded their seventh shutout of the season Sunday against UD Sports, page 23 "
