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Show THE CAMPUS Vincent promotes activism By JOSH JONES JOURNAL STAFF WRJTER "Where are we in rural America?" asked Bruce A. Vincent, this week's Convocation speaker. His answer: "We are facing a crisis." Vincent is fighting the federal government in his quest to empower rural America. After finding out that his house was soon going to be part of a large project to integrate grizzly bears back in their historic population, Vincent took action. "We stood up, we decided to raise a ruckus, and we got all the towns around us to stand up; we were going to scare Washington to death," said Vincent. He stood up and organized 500 "grassroots" groups into what is now called the Alliance for America. Washington list ened; they stopped several programs that were going to be implemented by his home and started the first community action committee with the state fish and game department. Getting people interested in the new environmental movement, getting people's attention and convincing them of the need to be involved in their democracy is a goal for Vincent, he said. First, Vincent said he wants to inform people about the new environmental agenda. "Meryl Streep goes before Congress and tells half-truths and the media accepts them as truths," Vincent said. In turn, he added, "America accepts it as truth. " Vincent also said Americans needed the environmental movemen t and that they empowered it in the 1960s. "But something has happened to that movement," said Vincent. Stressing that there are more than two choices to every issue, Vincent said "We have to talk about true conservatism, we must demand a common cry for common sense." He said he thinks America is ready for a more mature vision of environmentalism, which includes all people who affect the environment to come together to form a balanced ecosystem. Vincent has three truths which he promotes to get people involved. "First, democracy works but it isn't a spectator sport. Secondly, when people lead, leaders follow and, finally, the world is run by the people who show up." Vincent said he wants everyone to get interested in the new environmental movement, because everyone wins when they get involved in the democratic process. Thursday's Convocation speaker, Broce Vincent, feels that citizens need to take action against wrongful government actions. SU students apprehended in bust Celebrations • By J. ARTHUR FIELDS SENIOR STAFF WRITER The Iron County District Attorney's Office in conjunction with the Cedar City Police and Narcotics Task Force made 28 arrests after a series of surprise raids Tuesday, including two arrests on the SUU campus. According to Deputy Iron County Attorney General Justin Wayment, arrests were coordinated with the Cedar City Police and Narcotics Task Force after undercover narcotics officers made numerous purchases of methamphetarnine and marijuana from individuals in the area. The "sting" operation was very successful, said Wayment, culminating in the arrests of 24 adults and four minors. Among the SU students arrested was starting comerback Sean Holifield of the university football team. The 24 adults arrested were arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Wayment said that the methamphetamine possession was a second degree felony, while marijuana possession is a third degree felony. Bail was set accordingly. Professor of Physical Science M. Lee Morrell was conducting a chemistry 121 class in room 214 of the Science Center during the nine o'clock hour when police arrived. "Shortly after class began, " Morrell said, "officers appeared at each of the entrances and announced that they were looking for a particular individual. This student stood up and the officers, accompanied by a campus security officer, approached him with their hands on their guns. The first one to reach him grabbed him by the arm and shoved him to the floor. He did not appear to be resisting." Morrell said that shortly after police depar~ed with the suspect an officer came back to tell his class that the individual they arrested was a "known drug dealer." The arrests on campus sparked a variety of responses as well as controversy regarding the legal limits of student privacy. Several members of the university community are outraged that local police were given access to student schedules. Professor of English Michael Cohen decried the fact that police were allowed to use confidential school records in order to arrest students. "I believe that this is an issue that the students ought to be extremely concerned about, because their academic security is at stake," Cohen said. Wayment, however, defended his agency's actions. "When we conduct a 'round-up'," Wayment said, "there is always a problem that these people are going to run if they find out we're looking for them. We had to act as fast as possible and we just didn't have time to wait." In a section entitled "Students Responsibilities and Rights" the 1996-97 Student Handbooks states, "Students should be aware, however, that the campus is not a sanctuary and that local law enforcement officials have authority to intervene when circumstances warrant." "Legally, it appears that the police were within their right to apprehend students on campus, 11 said Associate Vice President of Student Services Georgia Beth Thompson. "However, I believe that there has to be another way. An incident such as this causes a terrible disruption in the classroom. I would not want to impede justice and I do not know anything about the students apprehended, but I cannot believe that this could not have been handled another way." The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment after its creator former United States Senator James Buckley, covers the privacy of educational records such as transcripts, student health records and entrance examination scores but not class schedules. Chief of Security Jim Turner agrees with Thompson and was also upset at the way local law enforcement officials conducted their operation, but was unable to intervene. "I can totally empathize with !Professor Morrell]," said Turner. "I just don't understand the reasoning that these officers used. There was little that I could do." Turner said he felt that Cedar City Police endangered students by arresting their suspect in the midst of a classroom. "In a situation like that you never know what someone is going to do, " Turner said. "He could have pulled a gun or knife, you never can tell. I think they probably could have waited until after class, they could have handled it another way." Holifield has been suspended from the football team, which has a bye this week before traveling to UC Davis next week for the season finale. The university has a strict policy when dealing with individuals convicted of serious criminal charges, such as possession and distribution of a controlled substance. University policy states, "Serious offenses such as stealing, illegal use of drugs, or assault, whether occurring on or off campus, may be referred to courts of law." "Unless the student's behavior threatens those around them," said Vice President for Student Services Sterling Church, "we will usually let the civil judicial system run its course. Further disciplinary action here is uncertain." to recognize four veterans Four veterans of military service will be recognized Monday during a Veterans Day Observance Program being presented at SUU. "A brief biography of each of the veterans being honored will be read during the program, and each of the veterans will be presented a plaque, 11 Kathy Nelson, SUU veterans coordinator, said. "While not all previous military actions nor all branches of the military are represented by the honorees, this program is intended to help us remember all veterans who served this country. It is important for people to recognize the contributions that veterans have made to the United States." To be spotlighted are RaVenna L.F. Baker, a member of the Women in the Air Force (WAF); James E. Bowns, who spent four years in the Navy; Wayne G . Jackson, a member of the Army Air Corps (which later became the Air Force); and H. Wendell Jones, an Army radio operator. Patriotic music will be performed by members of the Cedar City High School Band under the direction of Steve Shirts; and Sheila Johnson, a member of the SUU staff, will provide vocal numbers accompanied by Tiffany Sorensen. Nelson is being assisted in presenting the ninth annual observation by D. Mark Barton, SUU assistant vice president of student services and Clay Williams a veterans affairs student assistant. The public is invited to attend the 11 a .. m. program, held in the university's Student Center Living Room.- |