the Samford Crimson
84th year, 5th issue
to inform the mind, to voice the unheard
October 13, 1999
Apology offered for violation
.2,
that there is evidence to believe
Briefs
World
Death toll rises after
Mexican mudslide
As many 600 people were
feared dead in unofficial
reports after last week’s mud¬
slides across southeastern
Mexico. Continued flooding
still plagues the area and
strong storms were predicted
in nine states on Monday.
Poverty and poor housing
conditions are blamed for the
high death toll.
Nation
Jury selection begins
again in Shepard slaying
Jury selection began
Monday for the trial of a sec¬
ond man in connection with
the death of gay college stu¬
dent Matthew Shepard
Aaron McKinney, 22, is
accused of instigating the
attack that led to Shepard's
death one year ago. The trial
sparked demonstrations by
anti-gay activists and people
dressed like angels who said
they were standing for love.
McKinney’s charges of
first-degree murder, kidnap¬
ping and aggravated robbery
could bring the death sentence
if he is convicted.
Clinton asks for test ban
delay
After urgings by
Republicans, President Clinton
sent a letter on Monday to the
Senate requesting a delay on
the nuclear test ban treaty vote.
Clinton did not promise to
keep the issue closed during
the coming election year, a
move that ignored a key
demand by some senators.
The request came after
three Cabinet members and the
White House’s national securi¬
ty adviser said the Senate’s
rejection of the treaty could
seriously harm nonprolifera¬
tion efforts.
The treaty consists of an
international ban on all nuclear
test explosions and cannot take
effect without the United
States’ ratification.
State
Ministers preach
against lottery
The head of one of
Alabama’s largest black
denominations joined forces
with ministers across the states
on Sunday to denounce gam¬
bling and urge prayer and fast¬
ing for Tuesday’s vote on Gov.
Don Siegelman’s proposed lot¬
tery amendment. Through
polling, three-quarters of black
voters said they were in favor
of the lottery.A lottery cam¬
paign spokesman said that
Siegclman does not argue
against those who object to the
lottery on religious rather than
political grounds.
1
by Lori Merricks
Staff Writer
“I firmly stand behind the valid¬
ity of the elections and the fact
that, besides one violation in the
Code of Laws, none of the allega¬
tions are true,”
This is the response First Vice-
President Ben Harding had to
alleged improper actions revolv¬
ing around the recent Student
Government Association elec¬
tions.
In last week’s Crimson, accusa¬
tions were made implying that
certain by-laws in the SGA
Constitution and Code of Laws
were broken.
Harding was specifically target¬
ed in the article for improper han¬
dling of election procedure.
Harding said he had an “overly-
relaxed” attitude on the first day
of elections. He realized that after
by Adam Glass
Staff Writer
Samford students will have a
chance to relax and regroup over
Fall Break, Monday and Tuesday,
Oct. 18-19.
Fall Break has been on
Thursday and Friday in the past,
but due to the academic schedule,
it was moved to the beginning of
the week for this year.
“Since students are out
Wednesday through Friday for
Thanksgiving, the faculty and
by Courtney Douglas
Staff Writer
Samford University graduates
and students have the opportunity
to attend the last Homecoming
celebration of the millennium.
Most of the traditional events
will be held again. However, this
year’s Homecoming weekend
brings a few changes. Of course
the Samford Bulldogs will play
the Homecoming football game
on Saturday afternoon. However,
the usual semi-formal dance has
been changed to the Masquerade
Ball.
Students are encouraged to
dress in costumes in order to make
the evening a more casual event.
Homecoming Chairperson Will
Ringo said, “We really want
everyone to come to the dance this
year, and we think that by, making
it more casual and adding a new
twist, we will’ get more students
a day of polling, he needed to be
more stringent in procedure.
“The inconsistency between the
two days is what opened the
door," Harding said referring to
the criticism.
"I want to offer a formal apolo¬
gy for my over-relaxed nature on
Thursday," he added.
The one violation that Harding
admits is that he did not obtain a
complete list of all students regis¬
tered at Samford that “designates
the student’s current classifica¬
tion, major field of study, housing
assignment and Social Security
number. The list shall be the offi¬
cial Voters Roll.”
Students are now wondering
what actions will be taken to rem¬
edy the situation.
“This is something that students
need to deal with. This is not an
administrative matter for me and
someone else to step in and take
administration though it would be
the best to move Fall Break to the
beginning of the week so students
won’t miss the same classes
twice," said Richard Franklin,
vice-president and dean of stu¬
dents.
The idea of a Fall Break has
worked. At first, there was some
reservation, but it gives students
and faculty time to catch their
breath from the semester. After
all, we have a spring break, so it
only makes sense that there be one
in the fall also,” Franklin said.
involved.”
Ringo also stressed that the
event is not exclusively for cou¬
ples. For instance, ticket prices are
$10 for individuals, $15 for cou¬
ples, and $30 for groups of five,
“We want people to come in
groups of their friends, or their
entire hall, rather than just as cou¬
ples,” Ringo said.
Costumes at the ball will be
judged by a panel of judges, and
prizes will be awarded for the best
costumes.
Rachel Broome, a junior lan¬
guage arts major, said, “I think it’s
cool that they’re changing the
dance into a costume ball. There
are so many semi-formal events
on campus, but not many costume
parties. It’s fun to dress crazy for a
night.”
In addition to Saturday
evening's ball, a concert will be
held in the Wright Center for all
students and alumni. The Atomic
care of. There is a mechanism in
place to handle this situation,”
said Richard Franklin, vice-presi¬
dent and dean of students.
The mechanism for handling
problems within the SGA is the
Student Judiciary Council.
Franklin stated that the Student
Judiciary Committee has a set of
rules to follow within the Code of
Laws.
At this point, no action can be
taken by the SGA or the Student
Judiciary Council until a student
or faculty member files an official
complaint.
When students have complaints
that they wish to be investigated,
the SGA Constitution and Code of
Laws have a detailed procedure
that must be followed.
The Code of Laws states in
Chapter 404 that “any person
within the Samford community
may file a report if he/she feels
Many students have plans to
travel over the break. “A friend
and I are borrowing her dad’s mint
green, midsize company car and
driving to Texas to visit friends at
Baylor University,” said Scarlett
Stewart, a junior journalism and
mass communications major.
“I’m going with some friends
down to New Orleans and Biloxi.
We don’t really have a plan.
We’re just going to go cat a lot and
probably spend a lot of money on
our way, but it will be fun,” said
Brent Parnell, a senior biology
Fireballs will play, preceded by
Lee’s Fault. The bands will start
playing at 7:30 p.m., but free
swing dancing lessons will be
given before the concert in the
lobby of the Wright Center.
Tickets to the concert cost $5 for
students and $10 for alumni.
Freshman business major Toey
Hampton said, “I took a few swing
dance lessons in high school and
they were so much fun. It’s a good
idea for Samford to provide
lessons for everyone. I think peo¬
ple will have a really good time
learning how to swing dance.”
After the concert a pep rally
will be held, and a pancake break¬
fast will be served by Samford
faculty and staff.
Thursday night activities
include building floats for several
of Samford’s many organizations.
Ringo also stressed that he hopes
to make this year’s float building
less competitive than it has been
that the SGA Code of Laws or
SGA Constitution has been violat¬
ed.”
The code also states that "an
official report must be obtained
from the SGA Chief Justice and
must be completed and signed by
the person filing the report.”
After a report is filed, it is the
responsibility of the Student^
Judiciary Council to interpret the
Code of Laws to see if any of the
allegations are true.
“It is not my responsibility to
interpret the Constitution and
Code of Laws,” said Jamian
Coleman, SGA president. “I will
back the decision of the Student
Judiciary Council if they receive a
proper complaint and the proce¬
dure is carried out." ■
sides
major.
Other students are going home
to see their families. Junior
Adrian Howell is going home to
Marietta, GA. “Because I’m in
marching band, I haven't had the
opportunity to go home. I’m look¬
ing forward to seeing my friends
and family," Howell said.
For students who plan to spend
the break on campus, residence
halls and food service will both be
available. ■
in years past.
Directions to the ball and more
information about times and costs
of the events can be found in the
SGA office.*
In the October 6th
issue of the Crimson,
the SGA Constitution
and Code of Laws
were incorrectly
reported. We regret the
error. Please see the
accompanying article
for more details.
Fall break switching
Last Homecoming of millennium to
scare up fun with costume party
the
inside
