Comcast, NBCU one step closer to media monopoly
xx PAGE 33
Circus Fitness Web-Exclusive Video
The official news source of Columbia College Chicago
January 31, 2011
www.ColumbiaChronicle.com
Volume 46, Issue 17
Drawing the line on campus crime Crime is prevalent at Columbia despite security office’s reassurances
Simple Battery 1
by Sam Charles Assistant Campus Editor COLUMBIA’S OFFICE of Campus Safety
Burglary (Forced Entry) 3
and Security only minimally adheres to the Jeanne Clery Act, a federal law that requires all higher education institutions participating in federal aid programs to disclose certain pieces of information regarding campus crime. Between Aug. 29 and Dec. 31, 2010, there were 41 thefts on campus property reported to security, an average of one theft every three days. But none of the seven Campus Safety Alerts, also known as “timely notices,” issued during that time frame pertained to theft. Columbia’s Office of Safety and Security says it will issue a Campus Safety Alert when it deems an offense to be “a serious or continuing threat.” On Jan. 26, the Office of Safety and Security’s Web page stated it “will provide
Burglary (Non-Forced) 3 Disorderly Conduct 3
3
Attempted Break-In
Drug Violation 11
Suspicious Person 14
41
Theft
Zach Stemerick THE CHRONICLE
current information for the latest posted another student in 1986—states an campus alerts involving incidents such institution must issue a timely warnas: thefts on campus, suspicious individu- ing to “immediately notify the campus als and other types of crime relevant to community upon the confirmation of our campus.” a significant emergency or dangerHowever, once The Chronicle brought ous situation involving an immediate the discrepancy to the attention of the threat to the health or safety of students Office of Safety and or staff occurring on Security, the lanthe campus … unless guage on the Web issuing a notifica We don’t want to page was rewritten. tion will comprosaturate people with informa“[The Chronicle mise efforts to contion [so much so] they begin has] brought up tain the emergency.” something which “If we were expeto take notices for granted.” we now notice we riencing a rash of -Robert Koverman need to change,” said thefts to where Director of Campus there were patterns Safety and Security Martha Meegan. to them and we could identify suspects’ “That language [on the Campus Safety descriptions … we’re going to put those and Security Web page] does not truly descriptions out to people,” said Associdefine the spirit of timely notice.” ate Vice President of Safety and Security Meegan later added there is no provi- Robert Koverman. sion in The Clery Act mandating thefts One problem with issuing more alerts, be given timely notices. Koverman added, is the possibility of The alerts currently posted on the the community becoming numb to site relate to robbery, battery and their seriousness. sexual offenses. “The dilemma everyone has is reporting The Clery Act—which was enacted in too much where people begin to think 1990 in memory of Jeanne Clery, a fresh- you’re crying wolf,” Koverman said. “We man at Lehigh University in Pennsyl- don’t want to saturate people with inforvania who was raped and murdered by mation [so much so] they begin to take notices for granted.” At first, the community would be more responsive if more safety alerts were given, but eventually that feeling would wear off, agreed David McKirnan, an associate
Number of incidents not reported in the Campus Safety Alerts between Aug. 29 and Dec. 31, 2010
xx SEE CRIME, PG. 8
FBI expansion of power hits home With Patriot Act up for renewal, residents protest ‘civil liberties’ violations
by Darryl Holliday Metro Editor FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS into U.S. residents’
private lives are on the rise, both nationally and in the city of Chicago because of suspected terrorist links that many say are unfounded, and in effect, constitute violations of privacy and First Amendment rights. Two forms of federal subpoenas, national security letters and grand jury subpoenas are increasingly used by the FBI to obtain personal records and private documents of U.S. residents. “This is a civil liberties issue,” said Jesse Sharkey, vice president of the Chicago
Health & Fitness How to spin on ice
» PG. 16
Teachers Union.“We’ve all been subpoenaed.” Since the federal raids on the homes of 14 local anti-war activists in Minnesota and Chicago last Sept. 24, nine more Midwest activists have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury under suspicion of giving “material support” to “foreign terrorist organizations,” expanding the total number of subpoenas to 23. As previously reported in The Chronicle last Oct. 4, the definition of “material support” stems from the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which was enhanced under the USA Patriot Act and is said by many to infringe on the civil liberties of U.S. citizens by vaguely defining what constitutes material support to an organization. They now potentially face prison time as xx SEE FBI, PG. 39
Photo Essay
» PG. 26
Brent Lewis THE CHRONICLE
Metro
» PG. 35
INDEX Campus 2
Teaser One
H&F 11
Luchamania
A&C 17
CTA plans upgrades
Commentary 32 Metro 35