f riday, feb. 2, 1990
cabrini college, radnor, pa 19087
vol. xxxvi, no. 13
Radiation could possibly harm future generation by Chris Pesotski You ate oat bran for breakfast. Your only hobby is exercising at the health club. Alcohol and cigarettes are taboo. You live as stressfree a life as is possible for a college student. Fields emanating from that electric blanket you 're lying under may be rendering you unable to have children. What children you do have may be condemned to congenital birth defects by waves from those hundreds of thousands of radio towers and satellite dishes surrounding your home. Your computer monitor may be blinding you. Each of these terrifying possibilities has been supported by the findings of researchers. Yet the public remains virtually unaware of the hazards lurking in American households. Vernon, N .J. residents are surrounded by the largest collection of communications technology on earth. Dishes communicating with military, industrial, and foreign satellites litter the valley where thousands live. A wave of
concern swelled when an unusual numberofDown's syndrome cases was reported over the last several years. Although no American researcher has linked Down's syndrome in humans to wave energy, several studies have shown a correlation between birth defects in developing animals and the waves. Nevertheless, localized worry has caused the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a list of 231 areas where people could become exposed to levels of wave energy recognized as unsafe. But what level is unsafe is an issue still under debate. The EPA, American National Standards Institute, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health all differ on what level of exposure should be considered "safe." The most recent concern has centered on the effects of 60-Hz fields. These fields are among the most common encountered by the public. Use of household electrical appliances generates these fields, as do high voltage electrical transmission lines. Most of the expo-
sures are short term, lasting as long as the appliance is in use. Field energies lower as one moves away from power lines. Electric blankets offer neither such safeguard, as they operate for long periods of time in close proximity to the body. Scientists and researchers have developed theories on the effects of 60-Hz fields ranging from their purported mood-altering properties to effects on cell structure and possible cancer-causing side effects. Other scientists look at the same evidence and assert that variables other than the waves could be to blame for the apparent correlations. Carnegie-Mellon University's Department of Engineering and Public Policy published a finding somewhere between the two extremes. "The emerging evidence (on 60-Hz fields) no longer allows one to categorically assertthat there are no risks. But it does not provide a basis for asserting that there is a significant risk." Studies conducted on the effects of microwave energy over the last 40 years have resulted in varying degrees of concern. Vir-
Proposals made to, , help campus life by Deborah Ryder The Campus Life Commission, formed last semester to examine problems effecting the quality of life at the college, have begun to organize their findings into recommendations. The -commission members, selected by Sister Eileen Currie, MSC, president, equally represent the student body, the faculty, and the staff. Initially, they determined that the problems that most needed addressing were, "apathy, destructive behavior both personal and communal, denial and lack of awareness of racism, ethno-violence and poor interpersonal relations." Dr.Jerome Zurek, English department head, described , in a letter to the commission, his concerns for the college. "I believe that part of Cabrini's problem is that Mother Cabrini's special vision is not spoken of or sufficiently alive in its members. He continues by saying that "most students are untouched by her message and can easily pass four years at the college without engaging in any activity that would link them with this unique vision." Zurek submitted several suggestions to the commission, including the following: that "the college commission a pamphlet to explain to students the tradition of Mother Cabrini" and to "emphasize how students could get involved in social services.'', that Co-op positions be funded by the college for junior and seniors so that they could accept positions that wouldn't ordinarily be high paying and that a College Convocation be held annually to "celebrate the Cabrini vision and its implications to us." Zurek also suggested ''that the college as an institution commit itself to working for social justice.'' As an example , he suggested that the college, as a whole, could assist a social service agency with a particular project.
more Proposalson 6
tually all scientists agree that exposure to moderately high levels of microwave energy results in a wide range of physical effects, including tissue damage, heat stress, and an increased risk of cancer in the exposed areas of the body. Effects of exposure to lower levels of microwave radiation is less well understood. Some studies have indicated that this kind of wave energy may harm some portions of the human immune system. A study of laboratory rats exposed to constant low-level microwave energy showed few health differences between healthy rats and the exposed group. With one startling exception. Rats in the exposed group developed threeand-a-half times as many cancer tumors as did rats in the control group. Concern over the effects of video display terminals (VDTs}, began when they were introduced to the workplace in the 1970's. Newspaper workers and telephone operators were among the occupations which reported wide-spread problems associated withe the use of the
terminals for long periods of time. Eye strain and headaches commonly affect VDT users, and are associated with the intensity of the images on the screen. However other more serious side effects are reported. These include cataracts, miscarriages and birth defects. Some scientists relate the more serious side effects to the emission of powerful electro-magnetic fields from the monitors. Workers are exposed to these fields during the entire workday for years, putting them at high risk for many problems, studies report. While no study has unequivocally related disastrous health problems with the use of VDTs, there are clearly signs for worry. Doctors have gone so far as to recommend that pregnant women avoid prolonged exposure to the VDTs. Many problems exist because of the world of technology we live in. Studies are continuing to determine with more certainty the dangers which exist in our homes and neighborhoods.
Crime statistics for 1989 by SharleneSephton The number of criminal offenses occurring on campus during the spring and fall semesters of 1989 is 58. according to a total compiled by the department of security in compliance with theCollege and University SecurityInfonnation Act (Act 73) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A 6.5 percent crimerate was recorded as of Dec. 12, 1989. This figure was calculated by dividing the number of students in the student body by the number of crimes. A breakdown of the offenses recorded is as follows: four assaults, four burglaries, 15 larceny-thefts, one motor vehicle theft, one arson, 16incidentsof vandalism, one drug abuse violation, 14 incidents of disorderly conduct, and two miscellaneous offenses (except traffic). Only the auto theft and drug violation for the possession of marijuana have been cleared by
arrest or exceptional means. Daniel Neyer, director of security, suggested the statistics are directly related to the college's si-ze and location. Cabrini is a smaller college in a subwban area, therefore its rates are comparable to the surrounding communities' low crime rates. Neyer cites that more thefts occur on campus than in relation to the area. No rapes have been reported on campus. The crime rate for 1988 was 6.7 percent. 'There were more assaults, larceny-thefts, and miscellaneous offenses during 1988. The remainder of offenses were either equal in number or zero when compared to 1989. The month of April contnl>uted twice as many offenses as the nearest months during 1989. According to Neyer there is an ongoing debate on how to compute the crime rate to show a more realistic percentage of crime. "We can only put down what is reported to us,'' Neyer said. • 'The rate is a fluid number."
Another area college, Ursinus College, doesn't compute a crime rate for its 1,200 students. According to their
HeadofSecurity,BrianMcCol~ tough, for the last three years Ursinus has been in accordance with the police•s national aver-
age. Mostnoticeable differences to Cabrini's incidences include
39 thefts, 54 vandalism, 54 liquor and 52 disorderly conduct. Although most offenses have increased in number at Ursinus, the number of incidences that have been cleared have also increased. Also known as the Clery Bill, Act 73 requires crime statistics and security measures of colleges and universities be made available to all prospective students and their parents. A yearly report totals the num• ber and type of offenses and is sent to the Pennsylvania State Police. Pennsylvania is the first state to enact such a bill. It has been in effect since November of 1988.
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