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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Monday, January 11, 1981
Vol.108, No. 1
Lincoln, Nebraska
Copyright 1982 Daily Nebraskan
Railroad, safety officials
enforce trespassing laws
By Ward W. Triplett III
Unnecessary safety risks by students
crossing railroad tracks running west across
14th Street has prompted railroad officials
and Nebraska safety officials to begin
enforcing trespassing violations.
According to Charles Fauklcr of the Ne
braska Public Safely Commission, people
who cross the railroad tracks at points
other than designated crossings may be
subject to arrest in the future.
"We arc concerned with the safety of
the students," Fauldcr said. "We want to
start taking preventive measures now to en
sure that the type of risks students have
been taking with the trains stop before
someone is seriously injured or killed down
there," Fauldcr said.
Complaints directed to campus security
by conductors and engineers of the
Missouri Pacific Railroad were the reason
for the emphasis of the trespassing law.
"Engineers often make up trains in that
stretch of track, which is perfectly legal for
them to do," Fauldcr said. "But there has
been a problem with students crawling
under ur between the trains to get to the
other side. When that happens, the
engineer can look back and not sec anyone
underneath the train and start moving,"
Fauldcr said.
Point emphasized
To help emphasize its point, the railroad
invited Faulder and Nebraska Public Safety
Commissioner Harold Simpson to ride with
them on an engine pulling a train on the
14th Street to 17th Street stretch. In two
hours, Simpson said, they saw more than
50 people going under the end cars on the
train.
"What really got to me was one guy was
hoisting his bicycle over the cuplings of
two cars," Simpson said.
"That is absolutely ridiculous when you
don't know when the train is going to start
up again," Simpson said.
The trains' habit of moving back and
forth on the tracks is admittingly a hinder
ance to students, Faulder said, but the rail
road cannot legally block the crossing for
more than ten minutes, so students should
still go to the crossing.
Paper signs will be placed on several
poles along the train tracks to warn
students of the trespassing violation this
week, and they will be replaced with per
manent signs later in the year.
Terry Kubicck, executive secretary of
the safety commission, said anyone placed
under arrest by campus security or rail
road agents could be subject to criminal
trespassing charges or civil charges.
"The penalty would be up to the fre
quency of the action, the vigor of prosecut
ion and the judge," Kubicck said.
Civil damages
"If the railroad wants to set examples,
they could ask for $100, $200 to $500 in
civil damages. A first offense wouldn't be
anywhere near that, but they could still
seek nominal damages," Kubicek said.
The rule, which would stand even if
there were no train engines anywhere on
the tracks, would cut off a short cut route
students going to and from the Harper-Schramm-Smith
residential complex have
come to use frequently.
"We know it will be hard to break peo
ples' habits," said Faulder. "But we some
how have to impress on them that they're
trespassing, and it is dangerous to their
health."
Although Faulder was not aware of any
injuries that had occurred on the university
campus, he said the situation was right for
one to happen.
"Unfortunately, sometimes that's what
it takes, but we want to stop this before
anything like that happens," Faulder said.
"Our views arc totally from a safety
standpoint," Simpson said. "We're not
worried about the lawsuits in his office,
but about the health of people trying to
cut through there to save a minute or so,"
Simpson said.
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Photo by Jodie Fields
The space between these Missouri Pacific railroad cars near 14th Street will be off
limits to students when railroad officials begin enforcing trespassing laws.
several state legislators optimistic tor mi scnooi runas
By Alice Hrnicek
Although the requested $14 million in federal funds
for the proposed regional veterinary school at UNL is
in doubt this year, several state senators said the Nebraska
Legislature should continue its plan to allot $1.3 million
for the project.
Agriculture Secretary John Block last week said he
would not seek the federal aid because of the economy in
spite of a federal study showing the need for the school.
But Sen. Maurice Kremer of Aurora said state money
should be available as a "show of good faith." That would
make the federal government more likely to grant funds
within the next several years to help with the $29 million
project.
"If we don't have it available, that might be a deterrent
(to federal funding,)" Kremer said.
Sen. Jerome Warner of Waverly, appropriations com
mittee chairman, however, warned that a commitment of
state furrds would bind up money that could be used for
more immediate purposes because the state would have to
wait for Congress to act before it could use its money.
In 1981 the Legislature passed a bill that would start
construction of the school if at least two other states, the
federal government and private industry commit funds to
the project by Dec. 31, 1983.
The Legislature also allotted $ 1 .3 million as part of the
state's share during the 1981-1982 fiscal year.
However, during November's special legislative session,
Gov. Charles Thone requested that the funds be cut be
cause they would not be needed before June 30.
Thone is expected to include the $1.3 million in this
year's budget request, despite the threat to federal aid.
The Agriculture and Environment Committee will
attempt to extend the deadline for federal aid by one year
to Dec. 31, 1984 through LB648.
UNL is going ahead with the project by advertising for
a vet school coordinator, said Howard Ottoson, acting vice
chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural
Resources.
The coordinator, whose salary will come out of
$120,000 already committed by the Legislature, would
plan the development and operation of the interstate vet
school program, he said. Applications are due Feb. 1.
Kremer and other senators are placing their hope for
federal support in U.S. Rep. Virginia Smith and U.S. Sen.
Edward Zorinsky, who, are seeking money from Congress.
Continued on Page 8
Zorinsky, Smith fight slim odds
Inside Monday
And the Walls Came Tumbling Down: Or they will, when
the old Cornhusker Hotel is demolished in Febru
ary Page 1
Fond o' Fonda: Jane Fonda speaks to the press at the pre
miere of On Golden Pond Page 10
Hog Heaven: The Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Nebraska
51-50 in Saturday night basketball action at the Bob
Devaney Spots Center Page 12
By Mary Louise Knapp
Chances are slim that the proposed regional veterinary
college to be constructed at UNL will receive federal fi
nancing this year, but supporters of the college said Fri
day they are still hoping to get the funds.
Agriculture Secretary John Block announced Wednes
day that he would not recommend federal help for the
school because of federal budget constraints. Supporters
of the project had asked for $14 million in federal aid.
U.S. Sen. Edward Zorinsky said he has begun exploring
possibilities for the immediate funding of the $29 million
vet school. Zorinsky said when the UJS. Senate reconvenes
this month he may offer an amendment to one of the
1982 appropriations bills to make construction funds
available.
If federal funds are not forthcoming by the end of the
year, Zorinsky said he will offer an amendment to the
1983 agriculture appropriations bill to provide SI 3 J mil
lion in matching funds for initial construction of the college.
"The USDA most recently concluded study indicated a
need for a vet school," he said.
Zorinsky said he is investigating the possibility of using
funds which were previously budgeted into the amended
1981 farm bill to help Finance the school.
"I am impressed by the private sector and state com
mitment (to the veterinary college) but I feel I have to
make this effort," Zorinsky said.
Nebraska has pledged $1 3 million in state funds for
the project, and private supporters have given almost S2
million, he said.
Zorinsky said that Block's announcement revealed the
"low esteem" that the federal government holds for agri
culture. "I'm not real optimistic . . . it's very difficult now with
additional budget cuts and belt-tigjtfening," he said.
Rep. Virginia Smith of Chappell, who supports the col
lege, will consider congressional appropriation of funds
for it, said a staff assistant in Smith's Washington office.
Smith, who has been traveling in the region, could not
be reached for comment.
Continued on Page 8
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