09-28-1994

Page 1

N E W S • 'Streakers' spotted on campus 3 A & E • Delve into the tomfoolery of 'Selected Hilarity' 6 S P O R T S • Should college atheletes be paid? 9

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Volume 108, Number 5

Hope College, Holland, Michigan

Serving the Hope Community for 108 Years

September 28, 1994

$680,000 granted for troubled neighborhood Federal funding to be used for crime control and prevention "Holland is a nice city with a few problemed pockets," said Bill Anderson, Vice President of BusiHope College is anchored di- ness and Finance and a member of rectly in the center of one of two the grant's steering committee. "A troubled Holland neighborhoods grant of this magnitude can turn it receiving a $680,000 grant to fur- around, while the same amount of money would achieve relatively ther crime prevention. The first targeted neighbor- little in a larger city." The grant contained certain crihood extends from 8th street to 18th street between Pine and Lin- teria which a neighborhood had to coln avenues, incorporating the exhibit in order to be eligible for Hope College campus. The second the federal money: One third of the zone runs from Quincy to Riley area's population over the age of streets, between 136th-144th av- 18 is without a high school diploma; half of the residents fall enues. The money comes via the fed- ' below the poverty line; forty pereral "Weed and S e e d " grant cent of the households are headed awarded to city officials last Tues- by women; and one third of the day for the upkeep of at-risk com- families don't speak English. The criteria did not include munities. Holland was one of twelve cities in the nation to re- criminal activity as a reason for ceive the grant, the only one in grant approval. "Crime in the area is a given, Western Michigan. The grant is part of a plan to target neighbor- since areas with these conditions hoods where gang activity is not have a high incidence of problems," Anderson said. yet entrenched, but visible.

by Jim Riekse news editor

The program is separated into two distinct phases, the "weeding out" of crime in the focus areas and then "seeding" the neighborhood with human-service, anti-drug, anti-gang, and crime prevention programs. The weeding strategy will include an increase of the police presence to prevent gangs from taking root. Additional officers on foot and bike patrols will be added. A computerized gang related database will aid the police in their attempts to keep track of gang members and their activities. Also, a youthful offender's probation program will allow authorities to stay abreast of developments in the lives of troubled youths. Federal authorities will also lend a hand to curb drug trafficking in the community. The seeding portion of the project will facilitate programs covering such concerns as drug prevention, weekend recreation.

Weed and Seed zones

James

Courtesy of Holland Sentinel

child care, spouse abuse, parenting and education. Hope College has agreed to be

an agent of this seeding endeavor, offering computer labs and athletic buildings to those participating in the programs. Hope students don t mind sharing facilities if it means alleviating the risk of more violence. Knowledge of crimes on the perimeter of c a m p u s have been widely circulated. Local newspapers cited the July m u r d e r of D o m i n g o Camarillo, a 24-year-old Holland native. Camarillo was killed as he approached a car at the intersection of Columbia and 16th street after attempting to intercede in a dispute between his brother and gang members. In addition, a 16 year-old-girl narrowly avoided serious injury in late August, when an errant bullet from a gang related shooting was deflected off her bra clasp. The accident, which occurred near Col

see WEED/SEED page 11

Pull alumni back in pits

WIO discusses gender issues with Pull reps

by Mary Lane staff reporter

by Melissa Anderson staff reporter

The '97 and '98 Pull teams and Pull Alumni hit the practice pits during the annual "Alumni Pull," Wednesday and Thursday, events geared to give team members a test run against seasoned competitors and alumni a chance to again "rip rope." For the Even year, the event drew a heavy crowd of alumni as they streamed down 12th street to practice on Wednesday. Then the Alumni and Pullers did calisthenics side by side prepare for the two hour long Alumni Pull. Next it was time for the celebrated event, as each puller jumped into their pit and onto the rope. The alumni pulled their way to victory while coaching the pullers and morale girls motivating them to "get psycho." After the alumni team won, the rest of practice was spent with the pullers and alumni working together on the rope. At the end of practice, the '98 Pullers pulled against each other working on their strength, form, and team work. Thursday, the spirited Odd Year Alumni united to run to the

Members of the Women's Issues Organization met with Pull representatives for the first time Wednesday to discuss their opinions on the Pull and the gender roles it promotes. "It was good for us to begin to talk about what concerns us, and for Pull reps to talk about why the Pull is so important to them," said Co-President of WIO Kgothatso Semela ('95). Three members of WIO, Odd Year coach Mark Dittmar ('95), and an active staff/alumni representative attended Wednesday's meeting. The group discussed their differences in opinion regarding the Pull and possible modifications that could resolve the problem. "It was definitely decided that we need to sit down and talk about some things," Dittmar said. "Both organizations learned more about the other organization and things that we might not have known before." A c c o r d i n g to Pull advisor Anne Bakker-Gras, prior to 1992 there was not any written constitution for the Pull, and the present constitution is not gender specific. Still, Semela contends that

see PULL pagell

even though the wording of the constitution is neutral, the images that the event portrays are negative. "We would like to change it so that what is stated in the constitution will be reflected in the Pull," Semela said. "We're not expecting that anything happen this year, because the Pull is only a week away." However, many pullers say WlO's contention is already moot. Nina Bieliauskas ('97) hit the pit this year with the Odd year team members, the first woman to ever practice with the team. Though Bieliauskas decided not to compete, pullers argue she already set a precedent that needs no alteration. "I was accepted with open arms," Bieliauskas said. " I ' v e never had so much support in my life. 1 never viewed the Pull as ^exist, and this just helped to reinforce that." Both WIO members and Pull representatives are looking forward to meeting again to continue discussing the issue. "I think we can work together," said Co-President of WIO Amy Myers ('97). "If we get rid of the rest of the people around us making threats and stealing the rope."

Nykerk rally October 3-4 Task force extends HAND to community By Julie Blair campus editor Each year the bleachers at the Holland Civic Center literally shake with anticipation as the women of Nykerk flash audiences with white gloves, zing comical one-liners and mesmerize with mystical metaphors. This year will surely be no different. Held each November during Parent's Weekend, the Nykerk Cup Competition showcases the talents of freshman and sophomore women through the presentations of musical numbers,

stage p l a y s and o r a t o r i c a l speeches. Both classes compile a package consisting of three categories: Song, Play and Oration. "Nykerk has some spirit you just can't explain," said ' 9 8 Song Coach Lisa Schrock. "It is great way to meet people and establish class pride, especially for freshman." Like the Pull, Nykerk too has Moralers, those who cheer on the participants throughout the month of intense rehearsals with creative skits and signs. In addition, Moralers for

see NYKERK page 11

by Zach Hegg staff reporter Student Congress propelled the Hope And Neighborhood Development task force, HAND, into action Thursday night, agreeing to step up relations between the community and Hope College. Ratified into the Constitution last spring, former chairman Kelly Caufield ('97) said the main goal of the force was to simply gain permanance in the constitution. She felt that it was important to get the Hope community interested in the improvement of its surrounding conditions.

Although the Cabinet has not yet developed concrete plans for HAND, it hopes the commitee will be able to define itself in their inagural year. One possible event suggested is an ice cream social this spring to improve campus/ community relations. In addition, members were assigned to other task forces at the last Thursday's meeting. Four other task forces were created for this year. Designed by last year's Cabinet the task forces are supposed to take issues that concern their specific area and form a proposal based on their findings to the as-

sembled congress. "It does us no good to spend thirty minutes addressing issues in Congress if we have nothing in writing. The (task forces) will take on issues one at a time and create sound proposals," said President Joel Plantiga ('96). In this manner the Congress will have a document before them, a definate time saver, instead of having to draw one up at each The Task Forces formed include: • Spiritual Life will serve as an on going survey to see what stud e n t s are o b t a i n i n g t h r o u g h Chapel and what they would like

see HAND page 12


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