University 'of Central Oklahoma
TUESDAY April 14, 1992
The Student Voice Since 1903
Incident endangers electronic inmates NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Tony Palmer wasn't supposed to be dangerous. He was under home surveillance for drug violations when he removed an electronic monitoring anklet, left his home and allegedly killed a man. His escape has been blamed on a computer error, but the incident has placed home surveillance programs under scrutiny. New Jersey's program enables authorities to keep tabs on first-time, non-violent offenders at home rather than keep them in jail. They must be within six months of release. Participants must wear an electronic bracelet or anklet that is monitored by a transmitter in their home. Palmer, 21, had been on detention in his home since Oct. 30 after serving 18-months of a drug-dealing sentence. He told police that several times over four months he gained his freedom by using pliers to rid himself of the anklet. He said he reattached it using rivets from a hardware store.
Race-related fight upsets college OLIVET, Mich. (AP) — Joann Burch missed work to help her daughter move out of an Olivet College dormitory a week after black and white students got into a brawl. School officials have increased security and insist the campus is safe for black students. Still, rumors of Ku Klux Klan activity are frightening many of Olivet's 50 black students. Racial tensions flared April 2 after an argument between a white couple, police said. When the boyfriend returned with two black friends and knocked on his girlfriend's door, the woman telephoned a mostly white fraternity for help. Several fraternity members confronted the two black men. Others joined the melee until about 70 students wound up brawling. Two students suffered minor injuries. No arrests were made. Students said racial tensions had been building for weeks. See World Wrap, back page
"Youth gangs are the Wal-Mart of the drug trade. They buy in bulk and direct from the manufacturer," said Scott Rowland of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics. Rowland spoke at The Forum at last week's student symposium. (Photo by Mark Zimmerman)
Libertarians: On the outside, but closing in on campus By Sam Powell Staff Writer This election year it may be politically "in" to be an outsider, and members of the Libertarian Party in Oklahoma say their philosophy certainly falls into the later category. Dave Walker, state chairman for the party, said that although there is no Libertarian Party student representative at the University of Central Oklahoma, there will be
responsibility." in the near future. Walker said that under the Libertarian Walker said Dr. John George, professor form of government most taxes would be of political science, has agreed to be the faculty sponsor. There is also a student con- eliminated, all military forces would come tact on campus, but Walker would not iden- home and drug laws would be repealed. Personal income tax only counts for a tify the individual. "The Libertarian Party stands for de- third of total revenue, he said. In the mid creasing government control," he said. '80s the government only spent two thirds "The way the government was founded it what it does now, and Walker said that was to be a service to the people. The way it shows how wasteful it has become. has evolved the people are a service to the See Libertarian, page 3 government. We believe in the freedom of each individual, and in individual
Students and drugs an unlawful mixture Law prohibits aid for drug users By Penny Owen Staff Writer Convicted drug offenders can be cut off from federal benefits, including student loans and grants, but federal courts rarely use the law and state and municipal courts lack the authority to use it. Operating under the Anti-Drug Act of 1988, the program allows federal judges to deny an offender entitlement to any of the 450 federal aid programs available. Besides student aid, this includes professional licensing, small business loans and federal contracts. The denial becomes part of the offender's
sentence, and the offender's name is added to a nationwide "Disbarment List," published twice a month and distributed to those providing federal funds. However, the law is not applicable at the state or city level, where most "small-time" drug offenders are prosecuted. This means that most possession and even some trafficking offenses are immune to being denied federal benefits, said Oklahoma Chief Deputy District Attorney Patrick Morgan. "But we are looking for alternative punishments because of our prison overcrowding," said Morgan. "That may be a viable way to go about it. I would certanly like to look at it more closely." See Drugs, page 3
Rites of passage: Nigh introduced at senate meeting By Sam Powell Staff Writer A rite of passage took place at the faculty senate meeting Thursday, when University of Central Oklahoma President Bill Lillard introduced the man who will take his place, former Gov. George Nigh. Lillard said the best preamble is a short one and welcomed Nigh as both an honorable statesman in residence and presidential appointee. Nigh thanked Lillard for his brevity and said a good introduction can "make you or break you." See Senate, page 3