Technology Continued from Page 1 cussions. “We need your views on how infor mation technology can build a stron ger Nebraska,” he said. He said the input from the small group discussions would show how information could be put to work, would clarify the obstacles and would identify partnerships to avoid dupli cation and stretch resources. The in formation would be relayed to the newly established Nebraska Commis sion on Information Technology, he said. “By working together and by mak ing wise investments, people in Ne braska can find the fast lane in the information superhighway and drive towards success,” he said. Guest speaker Dennis Smith, pres ident of the University of Nebraska, said the NC1T was an important step in addressing the issues of technolo gy “Today we’re talking about infor mation technology and telecommuni cations in our state,” he said. “These are clearly technological changes of a magnitude that will define an era, and we all have a stake.” Smith said taking advantage of technology was hindered by misdirection. “Education, business and industry, health care and government agencies have all been working to develop elec tronic systems for delivery of informa tion,” he said,“but unfortunately, there has been little or no strategy.” The NCIT would address urban and rural access, compatibility, cost, training and balancing the needs of competition in developing a strategy. “If we do these things thoughtfully, if we involve all of us together, the technology we develop and fine-tune will turn out not only OK for our selves, but for our children and grand children,” he said. Smith said he wanted to do two things to advance technology within the universities. “One is to provide enough hard ware that all students-would have access to computers,” he said. Smith said those computers should be hooked to video equipment, so students could do some of their own tutorial and advanced course work. He said these advancements com bined with training would help the university system immensely in the future. Nelson said students should be con cerned with the information super highway as well. “The sooner you get on the on ramp, the better the chance of making things happen,” he said. “The faster you get up to date on what’s happen ing and get the base level of every one’s knowledge up there, then you’ll be positioned to follow along as devel opments occur.’’__ Book to help blacks pick colleges By Kara Korshoj Staff Reporter_ A few members of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community have written the first-ever guide for black students. “The Black Student’s Guide To College Success” reviews more than 900 colleges throughout the country. Ruby Higgins, assistant director for student support services in UNL’s Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs, is a co-author of the guide, which was published by Greenwood Press. Higgins said the book was aimed toward blacks to help them choose a college or university that would best suit their interests. Clidie B. Cook, R. McLaran Saw yer and Keith W. Prichard are also co authors of the book. Sawyer, Prichard and Cook are all instructors in the UNL Teachers Col lege. The book has sections dealing with issues such as whether to choose a black college or an integrated college, how to finance a college education, selecting a major and how to get along with nonblacks on campus. Higgins said the time was right for a publication dealing with the topic. “1 just felt there was a need for this,” she said. The guide also has essays from successful blacks such as Greg Gumbel of CBS News, Lyn Vaughn of CNN Headline News and Bill Cockcrman, a coach at the University ofCalifomia Berkeley. “The essays shared how they were able to get through the college process successfully,” Higgins said. Higgins said she and the other au thors took the history of black gradu ates and the prestige of each college into consideration when deciding which colleges to overview. The guide looks at predominately white as well as black schools and provides information black students can use when talking to college re cruiters, Higgins said. In the overview of each college, the guide supplies the student with the name and number of the black recruit er to contact and listings of black organizations on campus. Linda Kay Morgan, an employee at the UNL Multi-Cultural Affairs Of fice, said she wished she had had the -M / just felt there was a need for this. — Higgins author, "The Black Student's Guide To College Success” -ft - book when she was deciding on which college to attend. Morgan said the book was essen tial for black students. “Many of them do not know what to expect from a predominately white university,” Morgan said. Many black students find them selves in a situation in which they chose a college based on what they can afford, Morgan said. “This book gives you the support to cope when you feel isolated and alone in a white university,” Morgan said. “The Black Student’s Guide To College Success” is not yet available in bookstores, but it can be found in Love Library, Higgins said. Recognize These Styles? ) From A Famous ^Mall Store S SAVE *50% OFF RETAIL Ladies' Silk Tops/Blouses $9 99 FROM A FAMOUS MALL SPECIALTY STORE MEN'S & LADIES' JEANS SilverTabs 501-505-590 SQvexTabs $19" RETURNS LADIES STIRRUP PANTS & LEGGINGS $5" 50-75% OFF FAMOUS MALL STORE LINGERIE & SPORTSWEAR $12" MEN'S ft LADIES DENIM SHORTS ASSORTED BUTTON & ZIP FRONT MEN'S RUGBYS BY FAMO„ MAKERS From $9" | Tuesday 15*51 Nebraska Union Main Ballroom •'Sponsored by Phi Mu Sorority” Bjorklund Continued from Page 1 In the defense’s opening state ments, Chief Deputy Public Defender Scott Helvie said prosecutors couldn’t prove the aggravating circumstances required to impose the death penalty. A one-month time period wasn’t long enough to prove Bjorklund had a substantial assaultive or terrorizing history, he said. In addition, Helvie said, Bjorklund did not kill Harms to cover up the rape. The actual killing, he said, was done by Barney, who pleaded guilty to the murder Thursday. Finally, he said, the rape-murder combination didn’t automatically make Bjorklund’s crimes heinous enough to warrant the death penalty. “It is obviously a heinous crime; all homicides are heinous,’’ he said. But other cases of murder and sex ual assault in Nebraska have resulted in life imprisonment, not the death penalty, he said. The Legislature requires criminal penalties to be applied uniformly throughout the state, he said. Bjorklund deserves the same treatment as Barney, who has bargained with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. Testifying first for the prosecution was Ivars ICalnins, an employee at Rudy’s Drive-In, 1608 N. 56th St., which was robbed in September 1992. Bjorldund has made statements that he was involved in the armed robbery. Kalnins sustained minor injuries . in the robbery, but none were long term. Randall Repp, a former employee at Rex TV, 6900 O St., testified that he also was robbed in September 1992. The burglar threatened Repp and took the store’s deposit bag. “They said they knew who I was and knew where I lived. If I told anyone, they would kill me,” Repp said. Barney and Bjorklund also were accused of robbing the Travelodge, 2901 N.W. 12th St., in August 1992. Dean Dreyer was working the night of the burglary. Dreyer said one burglar entered the motel lobby after 2:15 a.m. After tak ing the money, the robber threatened Dreyer. “He told me if I moved, I was a dead man,” Dreyer said. “1 thought of my wife and kids and just prayed nothing would happen.” Scott Ogburn, an employee at Sinclair, 48th and Randolph streets, testified about a robbery of which he was a victim in September 1992. Ogburn recounted the burglary of the gas station. He later identified Barney as the burglar. Various newspaper articles were offered into evidence despite objec tions by Helvie. The articles recount the robberies which Bjorklund and Barney are accused of committing.