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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 12, 1993)
I 4 SPORTS Aggies break contract Utah State has canceled its future football games with Nebraska in showing it would rather win games than make a fast buck. Page 7 Tuesday 65/35 Partly sunny today. Cooler but dry Wednesday with highs near 60. Vol. 93 No. 36 October 12, 1993 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Columbus Day controversy sails at UNL By Matthew Waite Staff Reporter In 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, little did he know that in 1993 the holiday to mark his voyage would be the centerofa debate about the rights of indigenous peoples. Columbus Day, historically observed Oct. 12, is the day Americans celebrate the discov ery of the New World. The term “discovery” lies at the root of the controversy. Native American and other minority groups are speaking out against the hoi iday, saying the event was an invasion more than a discovery. Tuesday at noon, a moment of silence will take place at the University of Nebraska-Lin coln to draw attention to the issue. A gathering will be held at Broyhill Plaza, north of Nebras ka Union. “Most think (Columbus Day) is an example of a racist attitude that society, in general, has toward Native Americans," said Helen Long Soldier.cducationspccialist for Multi-Cultural Affairs. “I think most Native Americans do not think it’s a holiday." Edward Homze, a history professor, said Christopher Columbus was no longer a hero in America. “Obviously, he’s given great acclaim for his discovery,” Homze said. “Lately, he’s taken a lot of flack as a perpetrator of Western imperi alism.” Homze said he thought the discovery con cept was more accurate than the imperialism idea. “Yes, they were out for money, glory and God,” Homze said, “but they were no imperial ists. Itdocsn’t square with the way they thought of it.” Long Soldier said many Native Americans thought Columbus began the oppression of their cultures. “It’s not just a day; it’s the accumulation of history over and over,” Long Soldier said. She also said history books were beginning to be come less ethnocentric and more accurate in the recording of history. John Hibbing, a UNL political science pro fessor, said that to most Americans, Columbus Day was just a day off work. He said the climate was right for opposition to the holiday. “I think, especially in the political climate of the ’90s, there is a real climate to listen to groups like Native Americans,” Hibbing said. Homze agreed that many Americans proba bly failed to give much thought to the meaning of the holiday. “I think it’s one of those things where my thology develops and you have a national hol iday, Homze said. “Why is Thanksgiving a holiday?” Homze said history was interpreted differ ent ways. “We read back into history any damn way we want to,” Homze said. “Each generation interprets history to its own benefit.” Long Soldier said America could celebrate many events other than Columbus’ discovery — events that would bring people together. “Instead, we celebrate something that had such a negative impact,” Long Soldier said. Julia Mikolajcik/DN One and half-year-old Brandy Coll stretches out her arms after trying to lift a pumpkin that weighs more than she does. Her parents, Jaelene and Steve Coll of Lincoln, said they came to Roca Berry Farm to pick out a pumpkin for their daughter. Rain slims pumpkin patch pickin s By Mark Baldridge Senior Reporter_ The Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch as usual on All Hal low’s Eve. He just won’t be doing it in Nebraska. Pumpkin harvests are at an all-time low this summer, according to owners of local “pick-your-own” patches. Beverly Schaefer, owner of the Roca Berry Farm in Roca, said 23 acres of pump kins were planted at the farm, and only 13 were actually harvested. “We had a five-acre field planted that we got 30 pumpkins out of,” she said. “We should have had 30,000.” “We had to bring in most of the pumpkins that we have from New Mexico.” The farm imported three semi-truck loads, she said, or about 120,000 pounds of pump kins. She said the shortage and subsequent importation would affect pumpkin prices this year. “When you’re paving freight for 900 miles on three loads, that adds up,” she said. “We’re selling them at 20 cents a pound this year. For a 30-pound pumpkin that’s six bucks right there,” she said. Roca Berry Farm isn’t the only patch that’s had to send out for more pumpkins. Steph Spangler, co-owner of the Sunwest farm, said this year’s poor crop could be blamed on the weather. “July was a rainy and cloudy month and that’s the month the vines are usually flow ering,” she said. She estimated one third of Sunwest’s pumpkins this year were imports, also from New Mexico. Fortunately for local pumpkin farmers, there are other draws to the “pick-your own” patch. Hayrack rides, story hours and haunted trails all make the local pumpkin patch a place for family outings. Not all local patches were blighted by the soggy weather. John Zakovec, owner of Grandpa John’s pumpkin farm on West Highway 34, has been in the pumpkin business since last season. Of the harvest, he said: “It’s smaller than last year but I still have enough for my own self. I don’t have to worry about buying pumpkins from somebody else.” Zakovec said he owed his pumpkin plen ty to luck, foresight and diligent spraying. “I kept spraying them to prevent diseases. I was kind of looking for a wet year, so I planted them early — and it paid off.” Frank talk fills diversity retreat Students overcome cultural obstacles By Steve Smith Senior Reporter Though their backgrounds, skin color and lifestyles may have differed greatly, about 90 UNL students came together this weekend in a step toward understanding. University of Ncbraska-Lincoln students took part in the sixth annual Cultural Diversity Retreat, which brought together students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds for a two-day session of frank talk and plans for action. The retreat serves to knock down communi cation barriers between ethnic and cultural groups, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs James Griesen said. “It was a great retreat,” Griesen said. “There was a good sharing of ideas and feelings. There was also good, open, honest debate with partic ipation from just about everyone.” The retreat was sponsored by Griesen’s of fice and was coordinated by the vice chancel lor’s special assistant, John Harris. Bringing together leaders from student groups like the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, Residence Hall Asso ciation and campus minority groups, the retreat was a straightforward session on diversity is sues. Griesen said he thought this year’s retreat had been extraordinarily successful in bringing together students who would not normally in teract. “I made the observation on the way home that these students had bonded more than usu al,” he said. The retreat, “Building a Campus Communi See RETREAT on 3 UNL opposes NCAA plan to limit training-table meals By Becky Becher Staff Raoortar_ Starting in 1995, Comhusker ath letes could be eating fewer meals at the athletic training table. George Sullivan, UNL’s head ath letic trainer, said the NCAA was con sidering requiring schools to reduce the number of meals provided to stu dent-athletes at athletic training ta bles. The University of Nebraska-Lin coln athletic training table, located in the Hewitt Center, provides all stu dent-athletes with two high-calorie, low-fat meals daily. Sullivan said the training table served a lot of pastas and high-starch foods. He said athletes were served beef and turkey, but high-fat foods such as bacon were restricted. If the legislation is enacted, the training table will serve athletes only one meal 'a day. Sullivan said he opposed the regu lation because it would hinder all university sports. Athletes require more calories than other students, he said, and they could not get proper nutrition by eating only one meal a day at the training table. Sullivan said he feared athletes who ate only one meal at the training table might get the extra calories by eating foods high in fat. The training tabic keeps athletes healthy and helps them avoid drugs, he said. Some athletes use steroids to in crease strength and size, he said. But athletes who gain size and strength by healthy eating and exercise do not have a need to use drugs, he said. Sullivan said the NCAA thought the regulation would save money for small schools. Smaller schools were thought to be at a disadvantage be cause such schools might not be able to afford to provide training tables, he said. Sullivan disagreed. Some training tables at smaller schools provide more things for their -44 - We’ve got a great facility, and I’d hate to see It go down. - -- Sullivan Nil head athletic trainer athletes than UNL docs, he said. If the rule is enacted, athletes will eat that extra meal elsewhere. Sullivan said the cost of meals at the training table was the same as ordinary residence hall meals. Lunch at the table costs $3.25, and dinner is w w $3.75. The NCAA will address the regu lation in the spring of 1995. UNL has written a letter to the rules committee voicing its opposition. 1 “We’ve got a great facility,” he said, “and I'd hate to see it go down."
