Community Briefs

Affirmative action backers denounce UC Berkeley chancellor

Denouncing his handling of recent anti-affirmative action
legislation, approximately half a dozen protesters from the
Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary
picketed a reception in honor of UC Berkeley Chancellor Chang-Lin
Tien on Sunday.

While faculty members chatted with the chancellor inside Barrows
Hall, where the reception was held, demonstrators marched just
outside of the building, holding signs with messages such as,
"Chancellor Tien, Go to Hell" and "Blacks in College, Not in Jail."
Protesters said that Tien has done nothing to defend affirmative
action against the threat of Proposition 209 and the UC Regents’
1995 decision to eliminate affirmative action in admissions and
hiring.

"All he has to say is, ‘I am not going to implement this
decision,’ and all the other colleges in this state will listen,"
said Vincent Kukua. "His one statement of non-implementation would
have so much resonance across this nation."

At the reception, Tien responded in a diplomatic manner.

"I think this is a democratic society, and we should respect
everyone’s freedom of expression," he said. "It’s also a part of
the Berkeley tradition, so I’m happy to see it."

According to Elaine Kim, chair of the ethnic studies department,
the reception was organized to show the department’s appreciation
for Tien’s dedication to "the goals of the department, which are
excellence and diversity."

Rape triggers safety concerns at UC Davis

The Jan. 25 rape of a UC Davis student living in a ground-floor
apartment in west Davis served as a wake-up call for many stunned
community members.

Because they live in a small college town, many students feel
that they are immune to crime and may take fewer safety
precautions, according to Davis community service officer Madelon
Pytel.

"(Students) think Davis is a safe place," she said. "They don’t
even take ordinary precautions."

Locking doors and windows and not opening doors to strangers are
simple safety precautions that residents often do not take.

In addition to these simple guidelines, Pytel said students need
to communicate safety concerns with their apartment managers.

"We encourage people to have apartment managers call us and do a
neighborhood safety watch," she said.

Neighborhood safety watches are presentations on safety by the
Davis Police Department for residents.

Trimmed shrubbery and good exterior lighting will also deter
potential criminals as they will allow residents to have a better
view of the outside of their homes, she added.

Pytel said that these precautions, including having solid or
metal clad doors, are important steps that apartment managers
should take to guarantee the safety of their residents.

Police believe that last week’s rape and home invasion began
when the assailant entered the student’s residence through an
unlocked window.

Alicia Soliz, a first-year psychology student who lives off
campus, said that the incident has made her more fearful of being
home alone.

"I don’t feel comfortable being alone," she said. "I make more
sure that the doors are locked."

Soliz said that she now spends more time at her boyfriend’s
apartment rather than her own.

Amanda Lowenstein, a third-year economics student, agreed that
taking safety precautions is vital.

"We always make sure the windows or doors are locked," she said,
adding that she is now more careful at night around her apartment
complex.

Judy Bailey, manager of Parkside Apartments, said that locking
windows is an important task. "Every year, we have always provided
window locks," she said.