A man plays a violin tribute to a deceased veteran in the Soldiers Circle at Wyuka Cemetery Wednesday. Professors dispute plan for addition of minuses By Shelley Biggs Senior Reporter Professors debated on Wednesday the pluses and minuses of a proposal to add minuses to the grading system at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. James Ford, an associate professor of En glish, and Herman Knoche, a professor of bio chemistry, agreed that the plus system should be removed, but they disagreed on adding minuses to the present plus system of grading. The professors dcbatod the proposed grad ing policy changes during an open forum in the Nebraska Union, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Board. Ford said he thought having only pluses inflated grades on report cards. He said he became concerned about the present plus system after he had a difficult time trying to convert minus grades into the plus system. Because there is no minus system at UNL, Ford said, he often has to “bump up” grades of students who may not have deserved See GRADES on 3 Ban on prayer at graduation to be reviewed By Angie Brunkow Staff Reporter Spanier proposes corporation Chancellor says aim is to help Nebraska compete worldwide By Susie Arth Senior Reporter UNL Chancellor Graham Spanier has formed a committee that will study the feasibility of a new corporation that would help Nebraska’s businesses in interna tional markets. Spanier said he believed the corporation, which would be operated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, could help businesses in the state compete in the global economy. “There is a growing number of businesses that have the ability to compete in the interna tional marketplace," he said. “(UNL) can help these businesses do this by marshaling the university’s vast expertise.’’ Spanicr said local businesses would receive the most benefits i f the corporation proved to be workable, but the university would benefit as well by improving its bond with the business sector. “It’s not really designed to help the univer sity as much as it is to help the rest of the state," he said, “I see it as a part of the public service mission of the university. “Ultimately we sec it as an opportunity to form tighter lies between the university and the rest of the state.'* But the corporation could benefit UNL by opening additional doors for faculty and stu dents in the field of international business, Spanicr said. , Spanicr said he believed UNL’s resources in modem languages, international affairs, agri culture, trade, cultural exchanges and study abroad opportunities would be especially in strumental in the corporation’s operation. Spanier said he expected the committee to report its findings back to him in abouf-six months. The committee, which already is preparing for its first meeting, is comprised of represen tatives from the university and business sector. The committee will explore the resources at UNL that could be pulled together to help businesses, Spanicr said. In addition, Spanicr said he hoped the com mittee would determine if the corporation could be self-supporting. Spanicr said he was uncertain when the corporation would form, but he hoped it would be within one year. The idea for the corporation, he said, came about when he repeatedly heard local business executives express a desire for international markets. And Spanicr said he believed UNL’s re sources could fulfill their desire and provide benefits for all sectors. “We want to launch this initiative to better the university, the government and the state,” he said. Tho^UN^ Commencement Committee will reconsider its decision to strike prayers from the commencement cer emony, an AS UN official said Wednesday. Andrew Loudon, speaker of the senate for the Asso ciation of Students of the University of Nebraska, said that student mobilization led Herb Howe, associate to the chancellor and mem ber of the Commencement Committee, to call a meeting to reconsider the decision. Howe first raised questions about the gradu ation invocation and benediction at the committee's meeting last week. He said the committee decided to ban the prayers because of graduates’ diverse backgrounds. Chancellor Graham Spanier said the issue came up because of a Supreme Court decision to ban prayer in graduation ceremonies in kin dergarten through 12th grade. The committee wanted to look at how the case relates to UNL, he said. See ASUN on 3 Awareness week to educate students about sex crimes By Kristine Long Staff Reporter Rape, sexual assault and sexual harass ment arc not crimes that victims feel comfortable reporting, but they must be reported if they arc to be prevented, a UNL police officer said. Officer Lisa Yardley said she hoped Rape/ Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which begins today, would educate students about these crimes and make it easier for victims to report -them,--— ASUN Sen. Leslie Strong and President Andrew Sigcrson, along with 14 members of the Rape Awareness Committee, have orga nized the week’s events, which will end Nov. 19 with a nationally known speaker. Rape survivor Nancy Zicgcnmeycr, one of the nation’s leading rape-prevention advocates, will be the highlight and finale of Rapc/Sexual Assault! Awareness Week, Strong said. Zicgcnmeycr, from Grinnell, Iowa, shared her story with the Dcs Moines Register in February 1990 with the hope of helping other rape survivors. The Register won a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 for coverage of her story. Zicgcnmeycr will speak Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. The theme of Rapc/Sexual Assault Week is See RAPE on 2 Rape/Sexual Assault Awareness Week I “Confronting Sexual Harassment on Campus,” IWWi 12:80 to 2:30 pjn., Nebraska Union; Panel 2&0 to 3 p.m. UA^V, —REACT: Rape Education and Campus Training, WIHWii 7:30 p.m., Nebraska Union BaHroom 1HH|k —“He said....She said,” panel and video on acquaintance ivPPtli rape, 11:45 ajn. to 1 p.m., Nebraska Union —Self-defense training, Campus Recreation Center, Martial Arts Room, 3 to 5 p.m. ^Comedian T. Mami Vos, 8 pjn., Nebraska Union BaRroom MMMM^gPieying tbe Game,” presentation, 8:30 p.m., IfuHWWIi Nebraska Union Regency Suite TUMBCAAV, —Bwnmeyer will speak at 7 p.m. at Hie tied Center