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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 1985)
r-3sr" Weather: Cloudy with an 80 percent chance of rain this afternoon. Southeast winds 10-15 mph with a high of 57. Con tinued cloudy tonight with a good chance of more rain. Low of 50. Par tial clearing Saturday afternoon with a high near 60. Cowboys' defensive end hopes to end NU streak Sports, page 10 See laser technology that doesn't kill Arts and Entertainment, page 11 Vi October 11, 1985 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vol. 85 No. 34 Murder suspect brought to UNL for mental tests ByJoeDejka Staff Reporter Dennis Ryan, the 16-year-old who is charged with first degree murder in the death of a man on a Rulo farm, met Thursday in Burnett Hall with James Cole, a UNL psychology professor, for a court-ordered mental evaluation. At Ryan's arraignment Tuesday, Richardson County District Court Judge Robert Finn ordered the testing, which was requested by Ryan's attorney. Cole could not comment about the details of the Ryan tests, but he said such psychological testing is common at UNL The UNL Psychologi cal Consultation Center, is involved with many clinical psychology issues in southeastern Ne braska, he said. Cole said he was chosen for the testing because of his background in forensic psychol ogy. Testing varies with each case, he said. Some cases involve determining sanity or insanity. Others involve competency tests, he said. The tests are tailored to bring out the specific issues of each case, Cole said. Although the evaluations rendered are not always useful, Cole said, the psychologists some times are asked to testify in court as expert witnesses. They also are asked to provide post-sentencing evaluations or to act as consultants to various court agents he said. The validity of the tests varies from case to case depending on the opinion required, Cole said. People who evaluate such tests must be licensed or certified as a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, he said. ASUN Senate supports protest By Jen Deselms Staff Reporter The ASUN Senate passed a resolution Wed nesday supporting an anti-apartheid protest day to protest South Africa's policy of racial segrega tion. The anti-apartheid rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. today near Broyhill Fountain. Elizabeth Burden said the rally will make more students aware of the issue and promote further action on issues. In other business, Senate Bill 13, which would make grading policies easily accessible to stu dents, was discussed but not voted on because of problems in the wording. Sen. Jerry Roemer said he feels most senators favored the bill, but wanted the best language possible. ASUN also granted ad hoc status to the Univer sity Committee on Committees. The Group will work with the ASUN Constitution Committee to evaluate the effectiveness of campus student groups. Sen. Todd Duffack reported that city officials told the campus safety committee that a stop light on 10th Street in front of the 501 Building isn't needed. Duffack said the speed limit was reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph and the cross walk was painted. Duffack said the committee will continue to pursue the possibility of getting a stop light in front of the 501 Building. He said city officials found that the crosswalk on 17th Street in front of Pound Hall is rarely used. ASUN President Gerard Keating said a new commuter center in the Nebraska Union will have information on jobs, entertainment and places to live in Lincoln. The center also will have information on campus services. s V, ' x "V...... -i I" v--l., , ,. , - ' X X i ,.. ' ' ... sf " " ' - 1 1 Mark DavisDaily Nebraskan A Wick-ed mind Artist Bob Wick (left) and Caster Fred Glover take a look at Wick's bronze sculpture, Prairie Wind, during installation in the Wick Alumni Center's garden. Wick, the son of Milton I. Wick, the UNL alumnus for whom the building is dedicated, said the sculpture is like his father free and always moving. "Like a prairie wind," Wick said. 92 of UML law students pass tar By Adare O'Connor Staff Reporter The percentage of UNL Law College students who passed the state bar examination this summer was the highest since 1980, said Ruth Witherspoon, assistant dean of the UNL College of Law. Ninety-two percent of UNL law students passed the exam, she said. Although high, this percentage was topped in 1980, when 93 percent passed. The percentage of students taking the exam this year for the first time also was higher, with 97 percent passing, she said. These figures are consistent with passage rates across the state, according to recent statis tics from the Nebraska State Bar Association. The statistics show that 89 percent of all appli cants passed the exam. This figure is the highest since 1980, when 92 percent of the first-time Nebraska applicants passed. Although more people passed the exam this year than in any of the last five years, that doesn't mean exams are becoming easier or that classes are becoming more difficult, Withers poon said. The basic Law College curriculum, the exams and the way they're graded hasn't changed, a spokesman from the bar association said. A review course offered by Nebraska Continu ing Legal Education Inc. helps many students pass the test. The course is offered twice a year, before the bar exams in February and July. Each course consists of 14 night classes, each one three hours long, said Arven D. Reynolds, NCLE director. The course is an overall prepara tory review of the bar exam and includes sample test questions and written and videotaped mate rials, he said. The exam lasts two eight-hour days, Reynolds said. The first day consists of a multiple-choice test, and the second is an essay exam. Most people taking the exam take the $225 review course, Reynolds said. Both the UNL Law College and Creighton University in Omaha offer the course. Registration is at the NCLE office in the Roman Hruska Law Center, 635 S. 14th St. Return rate increased Ag Partners help freshmen adjust By Kimberly Vavrina Staff Reporter Ag Partners, a freshman retention program in the UNL College of Agriculture, increases the number of students who return for their sopho more year, says the college dean. Dean T. E. Hartung said 72 percent of the students who started in the initial program in 1982 are still in school. This number compares with 58 percent of the students in a control group, which was tracked over the same time. The university average of returning students for the 1982 school year was 60 percent. Ag Partners pairs freshmen with upperclass men to make the adjustment to college life eas ier for freshmen. The group helps freshmen meet advisers, learn about campus organizations and develop study skills. Chuck Topil, a senior agribusiness major from Rising City, became a freshman partner in 1982. Since then; he has been an upperclass partner and a student coordinator. Topil and Julie Palmer help Howard Wiegers, professor of fisheries, forestry and wildlife, organize the program. Also, six small-group leaders advise upperclass partners. Topil said Ag Partners helps him meet more Please see PARTNERS on 6 1
