ASU police complete assault investigation

By Garin Groff
State Press
	ASU police have completed their investigation into the 
incident that led to the arrest of three Sun Devil basketball players 
and are preparing to turn the case over to the Maricopa County 
Attorney's Office.
	The players were arrested Thursday after two 18-year-old 
women claimed the three held the women against their will and 
raped one of them. The woman who was allegedly raped was an 
ASU student. 
	Chief of ASU Police Lanny Standridge said police are 
drafting a final report of the incident and expect to turn the case 
over to the county attorney's office late this week or early next 
week. The attorney's office will use the police report to decide 
whether to bring formal charges against the players.
	Police do not plan any more interviews with the women or 
suspects, Standridge said, adding he is confident police have a 
valid case to present to the county attorney's office. 
	"It still seems that the basis for making the original arrests 
is still there," he said.
	Police interviewed freshman guard Duane Davis Monday, 
but details of the interview are not available now, Standridge said.
	Davis allegedly drove the women to the Sonora Center, 725 
E. Adelphi Drive, where the incident occurred early Wednesday 
morning, the women told police. Davis was not present during the 
incident, the non-student told the State Press Monday.
	The accused men Ñ Thomas Prince, Rico Harris and 
George "Gee" Gervin Ñ were arrested and released on their own 
recognizance Thursday morning. They did not play on the team 
this season because they did not meet academic qualifications.
	Police also questioned freshman center Okeme Oziwo in 
connection with the incident but have not arrested him.
	According to police, Prince pointed a gun at one of the 
women and said he would shoot her if she didn't have sex with 
him.
	"(He) said he would shoot her but not in the house, that he 
would take her somewhere else to do it," a preliminary police 
report of the incident states.
	Standridge said Prince was accused of aggravated assault 
because the weapon Ñ a BB gun Ñ posed a deadly threat in the 
eyes of the women.
	Prince also was accused of threatening and intimidation, 
unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping and sexual assault.
	The women visited the players willingly, but wanted to 
leave after being there about 15 minutes, the woman who is not an 
ASU student told the State Press. The two were held against their 
will for about an hour, she said. 
	The women did not feel free to leave, according to police, 
and the players blocked their movement toward the door when they 
tried to leave. 
	The women were released after one of the players said he 
didn't want to "lose his career over this," according to the police 
report.

Pro-ASU legislators blast Republican budget deal

By Ray Stern
State Press
	On paper, the tentative budget agreement reached by 
Republican legislators Monday puts another $8 million in the 
coffer for universities.
	But in reality, "it's a gruesome picture when you really 
analyze the numbers," Sen. Gary Richardson, R-Tempe, said 
Tuesday. "It's worse than the original JLBC (Joint Legislative 
Budget Committee) proposal, which was bad already."
	The agreement made Monday by Republican senators 
slashes $3 million from out-of-state tuition waivers and reduces 
funding for building renewal programs by $5.7 million. This $8 
million in savings is then put back into the general fund to help out 
the universities' bottom lines. 
	ASU is slated to get $4.5 million of the $8 million, but 
loses at least that amount in the shuffle, legislators said.
	"This is an unmitigated hose job on the university system," 
said Rep. George Cunningham, D-Tucson. "It's sort of like taking 
out of one pocket and putting it into another. This is a net loss, and 
(it's represented) as some sort of proposal to help universities." 
	ASU President Lattie Coor said the Senate's tentative 
agreement is a bad solution. 
	"It obligates $8.7 million that is not new money," he said. 
"It reduces building renewal by $5.7 million. Then it identifies out-
of-state tuition waivers Ñ those are not cash." 
	Coor also said a state formula that determines how much 
money campuses get for building repairs was scaled back to 50 
percent of the original building renewal formula under the 
Republican plan. The JLBC has recommended to fund 75 percent 
of the formula. 
	"We have tried very carefully to ... make sure the facilities 
are reasonably up to date," Coor added. "When you start scrimping 
on that, you really start causing problems on campus."
	After leaving a Republican House representative caucus 
Tuesday, Rep. Laura Knaperek, R-Tempe, said key legislative 
university supporters do not like the new budget agreement and 
will stand firm on their demands for more funding.
	"Our leadership will go over (to the Senate) and tell them 
what's going on. My understanding is that there is an uprising in 
Senate caucus. It's going to be bloody.
	"We want to continue to look for new money from other 
parts of the budget and especially take a look at prison 
construction," she added.
	Richardson said five or six Republican state senators were 
banding together to form a pro-university stance on the budget. A 
dozen Republican House representatives have taken a similar 
stance, promising to vote against any budget that does not fund 
universities adequately.
	"We have our work cut out for us and are working behind 
the scenes," he said. "It's very frustrating right now because it 
seems like we are having to fight for things we shouldn't have to 
fight for."

Guest escorts try to bring visibility to Safety Escort Service

By Tim Baxter
State Press
	It's a busy semester for the Safety Escort Service.
	In addition to making a record 1,620 escorts since Jan. 16, 
the service has a full calendar of guest escorts, including Maricopa 
County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. And, a second dispatch base should be 
up and running by the end of the month.
	Arpaio, scheduled to escort from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight, is not 
exactly sure what he'll be doing with the service, but said he was 
happy to lend a hand.
	"The thing I want to do is send a message that this is a great 
service and I'm willing to help out for a few hours," he said.
	Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano was a guest escort Monday 
night.
	"What they're doing is a very important thing as far as 
confronting safety issues," he said, adding it was an opportunity for 
him to learn more about safety concerns in the area. 
	"It's part of what I'm doing to learn more about public 
safety issues," he said.
	SES Director Kevin Kolb said he hoped having the guest 
escorts would raise the profile of the service and provide an 
opportunity to point out areas that could be safer.
	"For Mayor Giuliano, (I want to) show lots of areas that we 
go to that I'd like to see if they can put in more street lights," he 
said. "It's something that works both ways. Maybe we can get more 
attention when they come out."
	Plans are in the works for Chief of ASU Police Lanny 
Standridge to volunteer March 20, Student Life Dean Art Carter on 
March 25 and President Lattie Coor on March 27.

Tattooist draws Tempe into zoning battle

By Kelly Wendel
State Press
	A Mesa tattooist will square off against Tempe City in 
County Superior Court after the city board of adjustments rejected 
a re-zoning appeal for a proposed tattoo shop at 1462 N. Scottsdale 
Road.
	Scott Moore, owner of the Tattoo Gallery in Mesa, had 
petitioned Tempe to change the zoning from C-1 to C-2 in the strip 
mall at Scottsdale and McKellips Roads, but was rejected. C-1 
zoning is oriented toward smaller, low-intensity commercial 
ventures, while C-2 zoning has fewer restrictions on use.
	The board of adjustments rejected the zoning request last 
Wednesday.
	"The question we are dealing with in this case is whether a 
tattoo shop is excluded in a C-1 zone," said David Jones, an 
attorney representing Moore. 
	Jones said the zoning law was fuzzy and based on intensity 
of use. Jones also downplayed neighbors' concerns that a tattoo 
shop would be detrimental to the neighborhood.
	"I think there is an erroneous perception that tattoo shops 
are frequented by biker gangs and drunken sailors, but the reason 
tattoo shops are coming into this area is because of the college 
crowd," he said. "It's common, everyday folks that are getting 
tattoos. It's no longer just biker gangs and drunken sailors."
	But Rob Kelly, a resident of the neighborhood near the strip 
mall, said neighbors don't want that kind of business nearby.
	"We don't like the people that (a tattoo parlor) attracts," he 
said. "We have an adult store now, and it seems if you have one, it 
attracts businesses of that kind. This is a neighborhood with 
children." 
	Community Development Director Terry Day said the issue 
was not about tattoo shops, but zoning. 
	"We just followed the zoning administrator's opinion from 
10 years ago," he said. 
	Under state law, zoning administrators can determine gray 
areas in zoning when they are in question.
	"Our position was that the tattoo shop wasn't permitted in 
that zone, based on that interpretation," Day said.
	Jim Peterson, a senior planner with Tempe, said tattoo 
shops are routinely approved when there is no detriment to the 
neighborhood. 

Voices of Discovery gets diverse cultures talking

By Brian Anderson
State Press
	Jesœs Trevi–o thinks interaction between different cultures 
is important, and he's doing something about it.
	Trevi–o, co-director of Voices of Discovery, said the 
program encourages small groups to discuss issues relating to each 
participant's own culture and heritage.
	"These small groups of students are representatives of 
groups that have traditionally been in conflict and tension or have 
had misunderstandings within the groups," he said. 
	Each of the nine groups that range from eight to 17 
members, promotes a different theme. For example, participants in 
the black and white group consist mainly of Caucasians and 
African Americans, another group concentrates on male-female 
relations and another looks at relations between Latinos and 
whites.
	Some of the 130 students participating in the program are 
receiving extra credit from their instructors as a kind of incentive, 
said Trevi–o, assistant dean of Student Life for cultural diversity. 
He added that many students were recruited from multicultural 
classes.
	However, not all participants are receiving extra credit, 
Trevi–o said.
	"Some of the students said, 'Please, sign me up. I'm not 
going to get credit, but sign me up anyway.' They just did it on 
their own," he said.
	Trained facilitators will oversee the groups and establish 
ground rules before the discussions begin, Trevi–o said.
	Christine Geranios, co-director of the program and a 
facilitator in the ethnic Greek and white Greek group, said her 
group has not met thus far, but she hopes the discussion will 
inspire cultural awareness and understanding between the 
participants.
	The ASU program, modeled after a successful University 
of Michigan program, came to fruition when the Campus 
Environment Team doled out the $5,200 operating cost. After five 
weeks, the program will be assessed to determine if the University 
will provide future funding.
	Erin Murphy, co-facilitator of the American Indian and 
white discussion group, said program participants have the 
opportunity to learn a great deal about different cultures.
	"I am hoping that they will be able to see the world from 
someone else's perspective," she said. "This whole program is 
about creating an opportunity for students to communicate in a 
way they normally don't get to do in a classroom environment."
	Murphy, Student Life community service program 
coordinator, added that the program came about because students 
were ready for it.
	"I think students in general are very hungry for this 
information," she said. "We don't have many ways of getting this 
information across to students. I'm real excited about this 
program."
	For more information about Voices of Discovery, call 
Trevi–o at 965-6547.

Fifth man questioned in assault case;Davis' testimony concludes investigation, police say

By Dustin Krugel 
State Press
	A fifth ASU basketball player was questioned and released 
by ASU police Monday about his knowledge of an incident that 
occurred in his dorm room involving two women allegedly held at 
gunpoint by three Sun Devil athletes last Wednesday.
	Freshman point guard Duane Davis was not present when 
the alleged crime occurred, Chief of ASU Police Lanny Standridge 
concluded.
	Although Standridge would not reveal the specifics of the 
questioning, he said Davis' testimony concluded the police 
investigation. The final police report will be forwarded to the 
Maricopa County Attorney's office by as early as Friday, he said.
	"It had to do with what (Davis) did or did not see that night 
he was with them," Standridge said of the "relatively short" 
interview. 
	He added that "it wasn't an exhausting thing for (Davis)."
	Davis could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
	The accused men Ñ Thomas Prince, Rico Harris and 
George "Gee" Gervin Ñ were arrested and released under their 
own recognizance Thursday morning. Some of the charges brought 
against the three were aggravated assault, threatening and 
intimidation, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping and sexual 
assault.
	ASU basketball coach Bill Frieder said he told Davis to 
immediately talk to ASU police when the Sun Devils returned 
from their road trip last weekend.
	"(Davis) knows those girls, and I think his room might have 
been involved," Frieder said Tuesday at his weekly press 
conference. "To my knowledge he was not there when any of this 
took place. When I found out Duane Davis's room was involved 
and when we came back I told him to get his butt in (the ASU 
Department of Public Safety office) Monday."
	In an interview with the State Press Monday, one of the 
women alleged Davis picked her and the other woman up early 
Wednesday morning at their apartment and drove them to the 
Sonora Center, 725 E. Adelphi Drive, where Harris and Davis 
room together.
	The fourth ASU basketball player, freshman center Okeme 
Oziwo, has not been charged. However, Frieder has suspended 
Oziwo indefinitely for his possible involvement in the incident. 
	"He is suspended simply because he put himself in a 
position to embarrass this fine University," Frieder said. "In 
something like this, as far as I'm concerned, it's not an issue of 
being charged. It's an issue of his behavior being consistent with 
my principles and my rules. If there are problems there will be 
consequences."
	Prince, Gervin, Harris and Oziwo were unavailable for 
comment Tuesday.

Coor: Athlete's acts under strict policy

By Timothy Tait
State Press
	Athletes accused of violating ASU's athlete conduct policy 
can expect swift and harsh sanctions, according to University 
President Lattie Coor.
	The "Student-Athlete Conduct Policy, " written in 1992 
after a series of incidents involving University athletes, stipulates 
that if a student athlete is determined to have committed a felony 
or violated the University Code of Conduct, the athletics director 
shall prohibit the student from participating in practice, 
competition and services provided by the athletics department. 
Scholarships and financial aid can also be revoked or modified.
	Interim Director of Athletics Christine Wilkinson is also 
directed to suspend any student athlete who has probably 
committed a felony, according to the policy.
	Coor said the policy is effective for persuading athletes to 
stay out of trouble and dealing with offenders.
	"We take very seriously any and all infractions," he said. 
"We spent a year ensuring that the policy was firm, quick and 
responsive while being fair to the individual. Now, it has shown to 
be effective.
	"It is intended to be clear, forceful and fair." 
	Although adopted in 1992, the recent arrests of three ASU 
basketball players is the first major incident to test the conduct 
guidelines.
	"This is the first time we have had a major offense, or a 
potential offense, under this policy," Wilkinson said. "I would say 
that (the policy) probably is working." 
	"Being a student athlete is a privilege with certain 
responsibilities," Wilkinson added."Individuals need to be careful 
not to place themselves in these positions. I would hope that they 
would understand that the policy is matched to a position that they 
have put themselves in."
	Wilkinson said other universities copy the ASU policy 
because many do not have policies to deal with athletes' conduct 
problems. She said 60 universities have inquired about the ASU 
athlete conduct policy since its inception, with 20 schools adopting 
similar conduct policies based on ASU's.

House clears tuition pre-pay plan;Program targets middleclass families ineligible for financial aid benefits

By Ray Stern
State Press
	The first and possibly most important step in the college 
experience  Ñ paying tuition Ñ will be taken soon by children 
who can't even walk yet.
	A proposal to start a tuition pre-payment program in 
Arizona received strong legislative support Thursday when it 
cleared the House by a 59-to-1 vote. The bill now goes to the 
Senate for review. 
	"This has some good momentum coming at it," said Rep. 
Mike Gardner, R-Tempe. "Senators on the fence will look at that 
vote and vote for it."
	"I was very excited," said Paul Allvin, director of Arizona 
Students' Association, the organization that proposed the program. 
"What parents get out of this is a virtual guarantee that their kids' 
tuition will be paid for."
	Supporters are hoping the bill will become law this year.
	Should that happen, parents will make monthly payments 
of $75 to $100 for at least five years to the state treasurer's office. 
That office will invest the money in a way that meets or exceeds 
projected tuition hikes. Since the money will be considered a state 
asset, it cannot be taxed by the federal government.
	Under the current wording, parents can choose which 
college their child will attend, including private schools. Parents or 
students can switch schools later. 
	Surpluses generated by the investments that go over and 
above the costs of tuition would both fund the program's 
administration and compensate participants in the event of steep, 
unforeseen tuition hikes.
	Taxpayers pay nothing under the plan. 
	"The population we're targeting here is middle-class 
families that make too much money for aid and not enough to pay 
for college," Allvin said.
	Kate Dillon, director of student financial assistance at ASU, 
said although some people will always need financial assistance for 
school, the prepayment plan can benefit families who now rely on 
unsubsidized student loans. 
	"(It) should put people in a place where they don't have to 
borrow as much," she said.
	However, prepaid tuition should not hurt financial aid 
programs, Dillon and Gardner said.
	"Arizona has some of the lowest percentages of students on 
financial aid as other states," Gardner said. "One of the reasons we 
can have low financial aid assistance is because we have a low 
tuition nationwide (and) low tuition makes the pre-paid thing 
attractive because you know the rates are low now."
	The program has been an unqualified success in other 
states. Allvin said Florida has sold 350,000 pre-payment contracts 
since its plan went into effect in 1988. A multi-million-dollar 
surplus gained from the investments was recently soaked up by a 
large hike in tuition, he added, blatantly demonstrating a need for 
such a surplus.
	The Arizona Board of Regents, which controls college 
tuition rates and is looking at different methods of setting tuition, 
has not yet taken an official position on the bill.

Editorial: Broken promises

	How quickly the promise of peace has faded.
	As terrorist bombs rock Tel Aviv, London and Jerusalem, 
we are once again reminded at how some people cannot stand the 
thought of peace.
	Where there was once war, peaceful negotiations had taken 
over. The Irish Republican Army and the British government had 
called a cease-fire and sat down at the peace table. Israel and the 
Palestinian Liberation Organization, once mortal enemies, signed a 
peace accord.
	All was seemingly right in the world.
	Then, very recently, the peacemakers returned to their old 
games.
	The IRA called off its cease-fire and began bombing 
civilian targets in the heart of London. This action was necessary, 
the IRA claimed, because the peace process was moving too 
slowly for their tastes.
	And while the PLO is no longer engaged in terrorist 
activities, a new group Ñ Hamas Ñ has waged an inhuman war of 
terror against Israeli civilians. The most recent bombing in Tel 
Aviv took the lives of 14 innocent bystanders Ñ many of them 
children.
	Clearly, some people will stoop to any level to achieve their 
goals Ñ even tactics as base and cowardly as terrorism.
	Hamas has claimed that its goal is the establishment of a 
Palestinian homeland.
	Yet Israel-PLO peace talks are moving precisely in that 
direction. An autonomous Palestinian state could be a reality very 
soon.
	If Hamas really wanted to achieve its goals, it would sit 
down at the peace table. Instead, it goes about murdering civilians 
Ñ and destroys Israeli willingness to negotiate.
	Likewise, the IRA's campaign against London civilians has 
no chance of achieving the stated goal of the return of Northern 
Ireland to the Irish Republic. Negotiations are the only realistic 
avenue.
	But British or Israeli retaliation will not have the desired 
effect of ending the strikes. Israel is currently barricading 
Palestinian villages Ñ and raising the ire of many Palestinians who 
support peace.
	In the end, there is only one way to end the violence.
	These acts of terrorism are supposedly being carried out on 
behalf of an "oppressed" group. Hamas wages war in the name of 
Palestinians, the IRA in the name of the Irish citizens of Northern 
Ireland.
	If anyone has any chance of stopping Hamas without 
risking the entire peace process, it is the PLO.
	The PLO, not the Israeli government, should be cracking 
down on Hamas. PLO troops should be conducting raids against 
Hamas meeting places. Palestinian police should be arresting the 
group's leaders.
	The PLO has the opportunity to do what Israel cannot risk.	
	The Palestinian people must let Hamas know, on no certain 
terms, that it will not tolerate such cowardly attacks being 
conducted in their name. PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat has already 
condemned the strikes Ñ but Hamas must be punished.
	Likewise, the Irish people should inform the IRA that it 
does not condone its behavior. The Irish Ñ not the British Ñ are 
the ones that should be running the IRA out on a rail.
	The world must know that those that love peace will 
tolerate no violence committed against them Ñor on their behalf.

Column: Can V-chip shelter children from violence?

Karin Wadsack
Guest Columnist

	The newly mandated V-chip, a device touted by President 
Clinton and the Republican congressional majority alike, will help 
parents reduce the influence of violence on their children's lives by 
allowing them to control the content of programs on their 
televisions.
	Yeah, right.
	The V-chip is only one of many horrors slapped on the 
American public by the recently approved Telecommunications 
Act, and it is not likely to be the most complex, contorted and 
misunderstood part of this legislation. But it is one of the most 
immediate, and threatens the freedom of every television owner in 
America while providing a false solution to a pervasive problem. 
	The device, which is basically a program-blocker, will read 
rating signals attached to each program on your television and, 
depending on the level you choose, cut out those you find 
offensive. 
	Sounds pretty simple.
	Unfortunately, the concept has many flaws. First, the 
technology has not been developed, yet television networks have 
been told that if they don't come up with a rating system for 
programs within a year the Federal Communications Commission 
will. Hey, it will give those guys something to do between reading 
complaints about indecent material on the Internet, but that's 
another column. Back to the rating system. Apparently, although 
the system has been mandated and every television built from this 
year hence will be the proud mother of a V-chip (at customer 
expense) compliance on the part of networks in actually rating 
each show will be optional. 
	Mandated ratings and installation of V-chips in every 
television are not, however, my real complaint. What bothers me is 
the fact that everyone is so completely taken in with this "quick 
fix" for the problems of violence on television and the implications 
of TV violence on our children's lives.
	Blocking TV violence will not keep violence out of our 
children's lives. This is merely symbolic of the Cult of Denial 
pervasive in America today. If you have a pink elephant in your 
living room you can paint him to match the drapes, but the fact 
remains that there is an elephant in your living room. 
	I am not arguing that TV violence is an accurate 
representation of violence out in the real world, but violence is a 
very real element of our society and of human nature, and children 
must be taught how to deal with it. This means some level of 
exposure to it.
	Blocking violent TV shows also will not teach children that 
violence is a bad thing. It lets parents off the hook on a major 
responsibility they have to their children Ñ explaining to them the 
realities of this world and teaching them how to distinguish 
between fantasy and reality and to deal with violence in the real 
world.
	There will of course be parents who choose not to use the 
V-chip, but rather to allow their children to watch TV and to 
explore these issues together as a family. These parents will take 
the time to work with their children through the discoveries, both 
good and bad, that they can make in front of the tube.  
	This does not mean that all of those parents who do use the 
V-chip are lazy. There will no doubt be caring parents who think 
this will help, but the majority will be parents who use it as a 
crutch or a time-saver in the extremely difficult job of raising a 
normal well-adjusted child in the world today. Unfortunately, the 
V-chip gives them false hope.
	Parents who most lack in communicating with their 
children, for whatever reason, are likely to be those who don't even 
bother to use the V-chip as an easy way out. There are lots of 
parents who simply don't care what their children watch on TV. 
These are the people that the V-chip is designed to help, those most 
affected by violence in our society. 
	It would seem that the solution is to completely eradicate 
violent programming from our televisions. If Congress and the 
President are going to take the time to create this system to combat 
the evils of violent television programming, perhaps they should 
simply criminalize the production and distribution of these shows. 
Or regulate them away to a "safe harbor" between 2 a.m. and 6 
a.m. Or maybe they should simply allow children to be exposed to 
violence, and to ask their parents questions, and to learn from their 
parents what is right and wrong.
	There are numerous reasons why the V-chip won't work. 
Last but by no means least, children whose televisions have been 
blocked will simply watch violent shows elsewhere. When my 
parents prohibited after-school television-watching in our house, I 
went around the block and spent every afternoon watching hours of 
Nickelodeon and eating Cheetos. Kids today are going to pull 
exactly the same stunt. And when they have lived in a house free 
of violent programming and free of dialogue about reality and right 
and wrong, they will have no idea how to deal with it. 
	The best way to protect our children from the effects of 
violence is not to try to shelter them from it. It is to explain 
violence to them, and to arm them with a strong sense of reality 
and a belief in right and wrong.

Karin Wadsack is a master's student in journalism. 

Column: Can V-chip shelter children from violence?

Mark Cohen
Guest Columnist

	Let's talk about sex ... and obscene language and violence. 
Let's talk about their presence on television and the effects on 
children.  
	Last month the U. S. Congress passed and the president 
signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act. This bill will enact the 
most thorough changes to the nation's communications system 
since it was first passed in 1934.
	Hidden beneath mountains of new regulation and 
deregulation for the computer, television, cable and phone 
industries, is a small provision which has the potential to affect 
how we watch TV.
	The measure would make the installation of V-chips 
mandatory in all new television sets sold across the country. The 
proposed chip would give parents the ability to regulate the 
television programs their children watch. This would be done in 
hopes of curbing the amount of violent material children watch. 
Two immediate questions arise: How will it work? Can it work?
	In the bill there is also a provision which legislates the 
development of a ratings system (like the one they have for 
movies). It would attempt to classify the content of TV shows. The 
big networks have taken a lead in developing this system under the 
threat that if they fail, the Federal Communications Commission 
will impose its own guidelines. 
     This ratings classification would presumably allow parents to 
program their TV to prevent the airing of certain shows. (Much 
like newer VCRs can be programmed to record by selecting the 
show's number in the TV Guide.) There is much concern over the 
broad-based ratings which would have to accompany the myriad of 
shows on TV. Could a general, yet effective ratings system be 
developed? Maybe. Could it work technically? Probably. 
Regardless, support for the V-chip runs deep because it is seen as 
empowering parents and supporting family values.
	But the proposed V-chip has generated other concerns. 
Some contend that TV buyers should not be compelled to purchase 
a (presumably more expensive) television with the chip. This self-
interest argument is old. Why should a person without children pay 
taxes that go toward education? Why should I pay taxes for a new 
road I won't use? The answer lies in what we determine to be for 
the common good of this country. And most agree that attempting 
to rid the culture of senseless violence is a concern for the entire 
community.  
     But this argument against imposition from without is benign 
anyway. With the development of High Definition Television 
(HDTV), we will all be getting newer, more expensive TVs in the 
near future. And the costs of the chip will eventually be scaled 
back as production increases.
     Another argument against the V-chip has been made by 
absolutist First Amendment watchers who claim that the chip 
somehow violates our free speech rights. They contend it has the 
potential to turn into something quite nasty, like censorship. But 
let's understand a few things. First, this chip is supposed to be for 
children. It is in no way meant to impair or influence the viewing 
habits of adults. Finally, although freedom of speech is guaranteed 
in most ways, programmers have never had unlimited authority to 
broadcast whatever they want to whomever they want.
     Despite all this back and forth, the presence or absence of the 
V-chip essentially has very little to do with controlling the media 
or taxing the helpless individual. It is about the dissolution of the 
family. It is sad to say, but these days, the only way parents can 
control what their latchkey kids see when they come home from 
school is to block out certain programs by way of the V-chip. It is 
not simply a solution for the absentee parent, or merely a new 
imposition by big government. It is a desperate way to begin 
returning some measure of control to today's parents.
     Ultimately, the V-chip probably won't be effective enough to 
warrant its continued use. It deals with the effect of family 
dysfunction instead of mediating constructively the poverty of the 
family unit which has allowed children to develop largely without 
concern. (A more positive situation would see parents watching 
TV with their children and explaining right and wrong.) Success of 
the chip would take a deliberate effort by most parents (all of 
whom must have new TVs with the chips) to actively pursue a 
change in their children's viewing habits.
	In truth, our obsession with halting violence on TV has 
become so intense because it is easier to control events on the tube 
than clashes on the streets.
	Unfortunately, the V-chip is all we have now. It would be 
ideal to grow wages so that mom and dad could work less and 
parent more. But it is easier and apparently more convenient for 
Congress and the president to legislate a tiny piece of metal and 
wires than to attempt to mend the social fabric of this country. And 
when this scheme passes, as I believe it eventually will, maybe we 
can look more closely at the true causes of our problems.

Mark Cohen is a master's student in journalism.

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Freedom of speech not 'free' without resposibility

	I find it sad that the focus of censorship repeatedly targets 
the result, not the cause of the problem. On all levels, from the 
national platforms of debate on the V-chip, to the local forums of 
what should or should not be taught in the classroom, censorship is 
a growing "hot" topic. A prime example is the recent racism 
controversy that has caused much pain to African Americans at 
ASU simply because "one man's lyric is another man's vulgarity." 
	What I'm referring to is yet another class discussion. In my 
mass media class, we were discussing censorship of sex and 
violence in the recording industry and no one seemed to have a 
problem with 2 Live Crew lyrics degrading women, or Ice-T 
rapping out his hatred for cops. Not that anyone praised these 
voices' views, but all thought that they were protected by the First 
Amendment, and who was gall enough to be the party pooper and 
step on anyone's freedom of speech? I couldn't help but compare 
these forms of "artistic expression" to the hate speech jokes that 
deeply scarred so many on our campus. What is the difference 
between one man's song about a hatred for a profession and 
another man's poem about a hatred for a race? If one is protected, 
then isn't the other? Are we as a society willing to accept this steep 
price for freedom of expression? If not, is censorship the answer? 
	Oftentimes, only selective bits of the greater picture are put 
in the public spotlight, only those things that are the trendy things 
to accept as intolerable get targeted as need-help-now problems. 
But where does this vagueness end, and with what effect? Sadly, 
what goes around comes around. It is the same vagueness that 
accepts and simultaneously ignores a song as "artistic expression" 
in the public's admirable "open-mindedness" that allows for such 
ignorance or confusion to let things like that of the English-class 
scandal occur. With such double standards all too common, it isn't 
too surprising that Beth Pearce was caught off guard by the 
response to her lesson. How was she to truly know what her class 
would see as a good discussion or what would be viewed as an 
absolute intolerable subject? The general consensus of the same 
ASU community that wants to dismiss Pearce for merely 
presenting hate speech, was in agreement that it was completely a 
matter of responsibility on the receiving end of a controversial 
song, not the singer, who should take up the effects of offense to it.
	I argue that the sender has just as great a responsibility, if 
not ultimately, to society as a whole. For it is really in the hands of 
society. A society's language, whether written or spoken, is a 
reflection of what is within the soul of the individuals within it. 
Taken as a reflection of the soul, the content of language should be 
an indication of what ideas, issues or problems we as a society 
need to address. 
	There will always be a question of: How much censorship 
is too much? Where do we draw the line? When will tensions 
cease? It is time to stop questioning whether a given singer should 
be allowed to sell a song, and begin asking why are they singing 
about such hatred. Then maybe some progress could occur. Both 
we as members of society, the receivers, and authors/song-writers, 
the senders, need to focus our attention not on glorifying or 
protecting one song, not on another poem, but on the hatred, lust, 
anger and the like itself. All of these are the actual cause. 
	It isn't a matter of censorship; you can't hide the truth 
forever. Does silencing something make it go away? In the end, 
these issues are going to come out, so we might as well deal with 
them now. Only when we focus on the actual issues behind the 
controversial songs and poems, and begin to work on dealing with 
and overcoming them, will senders and receivers of "artistic 
expression" be equipped to deal with their feelings and be able to 
act responsibly with them. 
	We all have the freedom to think and feel the way we do, 
but we have the responsibility to act upon those thoughts and 
feelings to give society something that will benefit Ñ not degrade, 
divide or defeat. Only when the true cause of controversial subjects 
is targeted will freedom truly be attainable. The effects of this are 
immeasurable, for all we know, if the issues behind such poems, 
music, etc. are faced, maybe then the content will change direction 
on its own, independent of censorship. And, once again, greater 
freedom will then be one step closer. 

Amber Knuth
Freshman
Journalism 

Frieder wants to remain coach regardless of outcome

By Damian Shaw
State Press
	Bill Frieder will remain the head coach at ASU despite 
allegations that three basketball players in his  program sexually 
assaulted and kidnapped two women last week. 
	Frieder usually only addresses a small group of reporters at 
his weekly press conferences. Tuesday, however, he found himself 
answering questions from over thirty members of the Valley media 
in what, at times, became an emotional session. 
	"If the right people would have gotten to me at the right 
time on Saturday (March 2), then I might have indicated that I 
wanted to leave. At that time I really thought that was a 
possibility," said Frieder, who appeared to be fighting back tears. 
"But I thought that would be running away from the situation."
	Frieder said he would remain the coach of the Sun Devils 
even if it meant "going 0-27 next year."
	"This is not about wins and losses," Frieder said. "It's about 
my principles and my standards." 
	The two freshman basketball players who were questioned 
in connection with the alleged sexual assault will face two different 
fates this season, according to Frieder. Okeme Oziwo probably will 
not play the last two games, but Duane Davis will continue to play 
for the squad, Frieder said. 
	"In regards to Okeme Oziwo, I have suspended him 
indefinitely from competition because he has put himself in a 
position to embarrass this university," Frieder said. "If we allowed 
Okeme to play I don't think that would be handling (the situation) 
with integrity."
	Frieder intimated at the end of the conference that Oziwo's 
return was within the realm of possibility, but said that he was 
skeptical of a possible return because of the underlying 
circumstances. 
	Oziwo and Davis were both questioned by ASU DPS 
concerning the arrests and subsequent releases of Thomas Prince, 
Rico Harris and George "Gee" Gervin, three-highly touted athletes 
who did not qualify academically to be on the team this year. 
 	The players were arrested on suspicion of several crimes 
including aggravated assault, threatening and intimidation, 
unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping and sexual assault of two 
women at Sonora Center.

Grand Canyon rocks ASU baseball, 11-9

By Dustin Krugel
State Press
	After spotting Grand Canyon University eight runs by the 
bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night, things looked bleak at 
best for the No. 10 ASU baseball team. But despite a late 
comeback, the Sun Devils lost, 11-9, in front of 1,269 fans at 
Packard Stadium.
	Four different Sun Devil pitchers were tagged for 15 hits. 
Making his first start in over a month because of tendonitis in his 
arm, junior right-hander Kaipo Spenser gave up five hits, four of 
which went for extra-bases. He gave up three runs through five 
innings in taking the loss.
	"He's obviously not himself yet," ASU Coach Pat Murphy 
said of Spenser (2-2).
	After scoring only two runs off three hits in the first six 
innings, the Sun Devils (13-6) scored seven runs off four hits in the 
seventh and eighth innings. 	
	With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 
eighth, ASU freshman Chip Gosewisch popped up to first baseman 
Freddie Jackson just inside fair territory, ending a four-run Sun 
Devil rally.
	But in the bottom of the ninth, ASU's side was retired in 
order.
	ASU was down 10-2 in the seventh and appeared 
disenchanted. 
	"We didn't play well. We pressed when we got behind," 
Murphy said. "We played too tight. This will be the low point of 
this season. We took them for granted. We beat them all three 
games last year."
	Antelope starter Rob Price (2-0) pitched 7 1/3, which was 
his longest outing of the year. He entered the game as the fourth 
starter in the Antelopes' rotation.
	 The Antelopes (11-10), who compete in the Western 
Athletic Conferences's Eastern Division, racked up eight extra base 
hits on the night.
	Junior right fielder Jeff Cermak highlighted ASU's offense 
with a 2-for-4, two-RBI performance.
	Meanwhile ASU sophomore Mikel Moreno extended his 
hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI double to the gap in right-
center field in the eighth. 

Tsosie's arm helps softball beat Tar Heels

By Damian  Shaw
State Press
	The Sun Devil softball squad swept North Carolina in a 
double header Tuesday night behind the arm of Roxanne Tsosie 
and late-inning offensive onslaughts.
	Tsosie started the first game and came in in relief in the 
second contest to pick up the wins, 7-1, and 11-4 at Sun Devil Club 
Stadium. The sophomore pitcher, who came into the fifth inning of 
the second game trailing 4-3 soon pitched out of trouble and picked 
up her fifth and sixth wins of the season against two losses. 
	Tsosie , who gave up only one run on the evening, said she 
has no problems handling two wins in one night. 
	"I'm all right with it," Tsosie said. "When they started 
swinging (and missing) it really gives me that extra confidence."
	North Carolina pitcher Jen Shelton became Tsosie's first 
casualty of the night. 
	On top of Tsosie's eight strikeouts on the evening Ñ  which 
gave her 43 on the season Ñ  the ASU offense had two potent six-
run innings. In the first contest, junior Erin Hull keyed a six-run 
sixth inning with an inside-the-park home run. Hull said that once 
the Sun Devil hitters adjusted to the Tar Heel pitchers, it was all 
over. 
	"Number one, it takes us a while to get warmed up to the 
game, and number two, it takes us a while to adjust to their 
pitching," Hull said. "Especially in the second game because they 
came at us with a lefty which is a big adjustment."
	After that, Hull said the Sun Devils' bats just took over. 
	In the second contest the Sun Devils had another six-run 
inning, this time in the fifth. The Sun Devils, who had previously 
failed to score with the bases loaded and no outs, didn't miss the 
opportunity twice. With the bases loaded again and one out, ASU 
took advantage of Tar Heel pitcher Brandy Arthur, who fell apart. 
	ASU junior designated player Lisa Dacquisto said that the 
games resembled last Friday's meeting with Western Michigan, but 
that the Sun Devils soon warmed up to the North Carolina 
pitching. 
	"I thought that we started off the night shaky, like we did 
last Friday," Dacquisto said. "But in the later innings we were the 
better team and we kicked butt."
	The Sun Devils record improved to 12-6 on the season. 
Next week the Sun Devils take their first road trip of the year, 
playing Loyola Marymount in California on March 11. 

ASU, Diamondbacks talk about possible exhibition

By Dustin Krugel
State Press
	With the Arizona Diamondbacks invading the Valley in 
1998, the ASU baseball team is considering teaming up with the 
expansion club in an exhibition game played at the soon-to-be 
erected Bank One Ballpark.
	Diamondbacks General Manager Joe Garagiola, Jr. 
confirmed that he has talked with ASU baseball coach Pat Murphy 
about the possible matchup.
	"We've talked, but not in detail," Garagiola said. "We are 
going to explore any or all our ways to get something going with 
ASU. There are a lot of reasons why we would be interested."
	One possible hang-up could be that the Diamondbacks will 
not be able to play both UofA and ASU. The Diamondbacks, who 
will most likely have their spring training in Tucson, are expected 
to make some kind of an agreement with the Wildcats. Each school 
is allowed to play one game each year against a major league club.
	"That's a real interesting topic," Garagiola said. "The 
(UofA) have done something in the past with the (Colorado 
Rockies). It might be a situation where we rotate."
	Jay Sferra, head of ASU baseball operations, said he 
expects something can be worked out with ASU, UofA and the 
Diamondbacks.
	"There is going to a natural co-relation with the 
Diamondbacks to play the UofA in some fashion," he said. "Which 
we think is fantastic for the community in Tucson. We also think 
with the new ballpark here and what we feel will be a renewed 
interest in baseball, ASU and the Diamondbacks are a natural to 
partner in some kind of fashion."
	Garagiola said it's safe to say ASU and the Diamondbacks 
will have good relations. Garagiola, manager Buck Showalter and 
senior executive vice president of baseball operations, Roland 
Hemond, have made multiple visits to Packard Stadium. 
	"There's a mutual desire to have a good relationship," 
Garagiola said. "Sometimes schools and major league clubs can be 
adversaries in the same area, but there is no reason in the world 
why major league baseball would hurt ASU baseball."
	Murphy said major league baseball will be a big benefit to 
ASU.
	"There is no question it will broaden the avenues in 
baseball and the day-to-day interest will increase the number of 
fans," he said. "It will also inspire a lot of kids to play baseball."
	ASU and the Diamondbacks are expected to increase their 
discussions in about 12 to 18 months Garagiola said.
	"Discussions will heat up one year from this summer," 
Garagiola said. "It would not surprise me, but it's not something 
that's in the plans as of yet."
	Murphy said he's not concerned whether ASU and the 
Diamondbacks play in the very first game at the new stadium.
	"I'm not going to worry about that now because 1998 is a 
long time away," he said.

Ex-ASU third baseman Williamson adjusts to majors

By Seth Landau
State Press
	Antone Williamson knows about hard work and dedication. 
It's what one needs in order to climb through the minor-league 
ranks of professional baseball and make it to "the show."
	Williamson left ASU in 1994 after the Sun Devils placed 
third at the College World Series. The former All-American is now 
at spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers.
	Selected by Milwaukee in the first round (fourth overall) of 
the '94 draft, Williamson has steadily progressed through the 
Brewers' farm system. He has gone from the Rookie League club 
in Helena, Mont. to Triple-A New Orleans where he will play this 
season.
	He said he's taking the daily grind of a professional 
baseball player in stride.
	"You play five days a week tops in college, and in the pro's 
you have some stretches when you play 28 games in a row," 
Williamson said before a morning practice at Chandler's Compadre 
Stadium. "People say baseball is not a very physical sport and I beg 
to differ because when you do anything 28 days in a row it's going 
to be hard." 
	Williamson added that certain aspects critical to a player's 
success he learned from late Sun Devil Coach Jim Brock, who led 
ASU to two national championships during his 23-year tenure. 
	"Coach Brock made sure that you were ready to play 
mentally every day," Williamson said. "And that's the same thing 
you have to take into pro ball because it's so easy to get into a 
slump."
	That mental toughness, coupled with tremendous skills at 
the plate, could give Williamson a better than average shot at the 
majors. 
	"I'm looking to give a strong showing this spring and 
maybe get a call-up by the end of the year," he said.
	Brewers Manager Phil Garner said better things await 
Williamson in the future.
	"I've been very critical of him in the last couple of years. 
His flaws were defensive and he wasn't in the best condition he 
could be," Garner said. "And he's come into this spring training in 
top shape. He's moving and throwing the ball extremely well and 
playing well defensively."
	Former ASU third baseman and current Milwaukee General 
Manager Sal Bando agreed.
	"He's a quality hitter; he plays the game with passion and 
intensity," Bando said. "He has all the tools to be an outstanding 
third baseman."
	With established veterans Kevin Seitzer and Jeff Cirillo 
already securing the Brewers' third base position, Williamson is 
content to wait his turn.
	"I already know I can hit with (major leaguers). I know I 
can play with all of them defensively too," Williamson said. "Once 
I learn to be consistent with the glove, I think the spot's going to be 
mine."
	Added Garner: "I think it's just a question of time before 
Antone is going to be in Milwaukee and help us."

Junior Tuter honored

By Ron Matejko
State Press
     ASU women's basketball player Molly Tuter was recently 
honored as the Pac-10 Player of the Week for her efforts from Feb. 
25 to March 2.
     The junior forward's two double-doubles last the weekend gave 
her three in row. She played a major role in ASU's weekend sweep 
over the Washington schools. It was the Sun Devils' first sweep 
since the 1992-93 season.
      Tuter said she had mixed feelings about her recognition.
     "I was excited," Tuter said. "I was surprised too. I'm not really 
sure if I deserved it. Some of the other players on the team had 
games just as good if not better."
     It was the first Player of the Week honor of Tuter's career and 
the 12th all-time for ASU. The last Sun Devil to receive the honor 
was Melanie Francis on Jan. 3, 1994.
     Tuter scored 18 points and had 11 rebounds against UW on Feb. 
29, and finished with 23 points and 11 boards against WSU on 
Mar. 2.

ASU Police reported the following incidents Tuesday:
- A male student reported his cellular phone was stolen from the 
Life Sciences Building.
- A male student reported that unknown persons entered his truck 
while parked in Structure 5 and removed two speakers. Loss is 
estimated at $250.
- Two female students reported that their cars were damaged 
during an attempted theft in Structure 5.
- Two female students reported receiving harassing phone calls.
- A male student reported someone stole his wallet, containing $25, 
from the Student Recreation Complex weight room.
- A male student reported his wallet, containing $14, was stolen 
from his place of residence.
- A female employee reported a computer monitor was removed 
from the Physical Sciences Building. Loss is estimated at $475, 
with an additional $250 of damage.
- Three bikes were reported stolen.
Tempe police reported the following incidents Tuesday:
- A man was arrested for disruptive behavior and possession of 
marijuana following a fight with his live-in girlfriend. The man 
was involved in a verbal argument with her and became violent, 
kicking in a door and punching out a window. The man kicked 
over an oxygen tank, releasing flammable gas and threatening the 
life of a baby in the room.
- A 43-year-old male was arrested after shoplifting $9.94 of 
merchandise from Wal-Mart, 1380 W. Elliot Road.
- A 16-year-old male was arrested for reckless driving and 
aggravated assault. The male, a runaway from Scottsdale, was 
observed driving at high speed, knocking over trash cans. The 
suspect struck three people walking along a sidewalk, although 
none were seriously injured.
- Two male subjects were arrested in Dillards, 1616 S. Priest 
Drive, for burglary following a five-hour search of the store. The 
subjects apparently entered the store through the north entrance, 
setting off a silent alarm. When officers arrived, the subjects were 
observed in the store and a perimeter was set-up. Officers and 
canines searched the store, flushing the suspects out. 
Compiled by State Press reporter Timothy Tait

	Campus clubs and organizations may submit written entries 
to the State Press in the basement of Matthews Center. Requests 
will not be taken over the phone or via fax. 
	Deadline for requests is noon the day before publication 
and entries will not be accepted more than three working days 
before publication. Only one entry per organization per day is 
permitted.
	Entries must contain the full name of the club or 
organization, a description of the event, date, time and the full 
address of the location. All requests are subject to editing for 
content, space and clarity. Incomplete or illegible entries will be 
discarded.
	The Today Section is a daily calendar of events printed as a 
service to the ASU community. Requests are accepted on a first-
come, first-served basis and are printed as space permits.

- Alcoholics Anonymous Ñ Daily campus meeting. Newman 
Center, Aquinas Hall in the basement; noon to 1:15 p.m. Campus 
Women's Group meeting. Newman Center, Aquinas Hall in the 
basement; 10 a.m.
- Anthropology Club Ñ General meeting to plan Spring Break 
activities, including a possible trip to Colorado. Everyone 
welcome. Anthropology Building, in front of main entrance; 1 p.m.
- ASHA Ñ General meeting to discuss upcoming presentation and 
issues. MU Coconino Room 224; 7:30 p.m.
- Communication Student Association Ñ General meeting. MU 
Coconino Room; 3:30 p.m.
- Cycling Devils Ñ Mountain/Road club and team meeting. 
Everyone welcome, from beginning to expert riders. A great way 
to always have a riding partner. Outside Life Sciences Bldg. 104; 
8:30 p.m.
- Eckankar Ñ Discussion: "Become Liberated from Being the 
Victim." MU Graham Room 216; noon.
- Gun Devils Ñ General meeting. MU Plata Room; 5 p.m.
- HEMP Ñ Meeting to discuss legalization of hemp in Vermont 
and recent legislation. MU Gold Room 203; 7:30 p.m.
- Hispanic Business Students Association Ñ General meeting. All 
majors welcome. Business Administration Bldg. 365; 3:30 p.m.
- KASR Ñ Guest DJ week. Tune in to AM1260/Channel 2 to hear 
Pelvic Meatloaf at 4 p.m. and Spinning Jenny at 6 p.m.
- Kundalini Yoga Club Ñ We combine breathing, movement and 
meditation to create health and happiness in your life. MU Graham 
Room 216; 7 p.m.
- MUAB Ñ Special Events Committee. MU Conference Room 
1A; 3:30 p.m. Recreation Committee. MU Conference Room 2A; 
3:30 p.m. Gallery Committee. MU Conference Room 1A; 4:40 
p.m.
- Rainbow Alliance Ñ Game Night. MU Room 206; 7:30 p.m.
- Religious Studies Club Ñ Reading Day! Bring a quotation or 
reading to share and discuss. Don't forget your friends. 
Refreshments and fun provided. Engineering Complex A332; 3 
p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Residence Life Ñ Free workshop to learn Marimba, South 
African traditional music, from Joe Hlupheka Bayana and Harare. 
Palo Verde West Resource Center; 7 p.m.
- Soil & Water Conservation Society Ñ Guest speaker: Dino 
DeSimone on natural resources on the Internet. Architecture & 
Design Bldg. 234; 6 p.m.
- Students Against Discrimination Ñ General meeting to discuss 
the club mission statement, goals and subsequent plans of action. 
Also, the upcoming rally. MU Gold Room 203; noon. 
- Target 4.0 Committee Ñ Luncheon with guest speaker Laura 
Rendon. MU Ventana Room; noon.
- Volunteer Income Tax Association Ñ Free tax advice for ASU 
students and faculty. Bring your tax information and we'll help you 
prepare your return. Armstrong Hall 114; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.