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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 1999)
NU researcher to work with NASA ■ The fuel combustion expert worked with others to examine a proposal. By Michelle Starr Staff writer A University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher was recognized for his expertise in fuel combustion by being invited by NASA to help review a research proposal. George Gogos, UNL associate pro fessor of mechanical engineering and fuel droplet combustion expert, assist ed in reviewing a University of California researcher’s proposal planned to take place on the International Space Station. The proposal could help solve basic problems surrounding fuel systems, such as those in boilers and rockets. Gogos said it was an honor for him to be selected out of many fuel combus tion experts and to be invited to the review at the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland last spring. It was a great opportunity to be among die best scientists in his field, he said. “The room was full of NASA engi neers, and it was just a coincidence that one of the top combustion engineers was sitting behind me,” Gogos said. Gogos, along with Thomas Avedisian of Cornell University and Cary Presser from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, were asked to determine if the research proposal was worth doing and to offer suggestions for the proposal. The proposal, which examines bicomponents of ftiel and problems in combustion fueling, was presented by Benjamin Shaw, associate professor of mechanical engineering and aeronau tics at the University of California at Davis. The proposal was a culmination of the work he has been doing over many years, Shaw said. % « I’ve never given a talk that long before. They really make you think about what you want to do.” m a.. | Benjamin Shaw professor of mechanical engineering at University of California -- -- --■■■ The review last spring lasted an entire day. “It was a long process. I’ve never given a talk that long before. They real ly make you think about what you want to do,” Shaw said. The panel made suggestions, and Shaw will present an updated and revised proposal this spring. The panel was pleased with the pro posal. The project was one of the few that would be conducted in the combustion module, Gogos said. “If everything goes as planned it’s going to be the first experiment con dieted in the combustion module off of the space station,” Gogos said The project is waiting on Shaw’s revisions and confirmation that NASA can provide the hardware for the pro ject Shaw said. The project was originally planned for 2005, but it could be executed as soon as 2002, Shaw said. Gogos, along with the other panel members, will be reviewing Shaw’s proposal again this spring, Shaw said. Shaw has until then to pull the loose ends together for a second review. “He will do a lot more work until it flies,” Gogos said. RHA decides not to ■ The situation makes vote abstentions count against a bill. ByJohnHejk&l Staff writer * The UNL Residence Hall Association failed to ^ass an amendment to its bylaws that would have defined “majority” After nearly an hour of debate Sunday night, RHA gained only J 8 out of the 22 votes required for the two-thirds majority that would have allowed the amendment to take effect. “I’m a little perplexed,” said Jadd Stevens, RHA president, after the meeting. “I’m really interested as to why it failed.” The bill would have defined a majority as a majority of all votes cast for bills other than semester budget bills, constitutional amend ments and bylaw amendments. Under current rules, a majority must be derived from the total number of senators, making abstentions count against a bill. Andrew Wigton, Cather-Pound senator, and others opposed to the amendment, said that abstentions should not count as a “no” vote for any bills, including the three exceptions outlined in the amend ment. — Those in favor of the amend ment emphasized the importance I’m really interested as to why (the amendment) failed.” . 1-' * ' Jadd Stevens RHA president of having a two-thirds majority of all members when such large issues are being taken up. “We are all about the money,” said Matt Knobbe, Abel senator. “It is damn important that the bud get is passed by 22 people.” RHA also discussed the upcoming Angel Tree project and the semi-formal dinner and dance. Angel Tree is an event that asks students to buy toys for underpriv ileged children. It will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10. Chuck Rensink, RHA faculty advisor, encouraged students to go to semi-formal. “The reality is, people will go to this if people start talking it up in a more positive manner,” he said. . . . ' - Questions? Comments? Editor: Josh Funk Aik for llfr Mfl)jMfli»f|gtlon editor «t Managing Editor: SarahBakerV Associate News Editor Lindsay Young > > Ofd«milldh#unl.edu. Associate News Editor: Jessica Fargen Opinion Editor: MarkBaldndge General Manager: Daniel Shnttii Sports Editor Sam McKewon Publications Board Jessica Hofmann, i ojissav ^d.fflr5S5a,,^r;527 Photo Chief: LaneHickenbodom (402)473-7248 Design Chief: Melanie Falk Advertising Manager: Nick Paitsch, Art Director: Matt Haney (402)472-2589 Web Editor: Gragg Steams Asst. Ad Manager: Jamie Yeager Asst. Web Editor: Jennifer Walker Cbwsifleid Ad Manager: Mary Johnson Fax number (402) 472-1761 World Wide Web: www.dailyneb.com The Daily Nebraskan (USPS 144-080) is published by tne UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 20,1400 R SfcrLmcoto, NE48588^)448, Monday through Friday during the academic year; ' weekly during the summer sessions.The public has access to the Pubfcations Board. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by caffing (402) 472-2588. Subscrofone are $60 for one year. Postmaster Rend address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 20,1400 R St, Lincoln NE 685884448. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYMGHT1999 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN Suspected rapist appears in court By Kimberly Sweet Senior staff writer A professional comedian accused of several college campus rapes appeared in court Friday to hear argu ments about whether certain evidence would be admissible in his upcoming trial. Pre-trial motions continued on Friday in Lancaster County District Court for Vinson Champ, accused of raping a Union College woman in 1997. Champ was brought to Lincoln in March 1998 from Pasadena, Calif., where he was arrested for attempted rape. He was later linked to assaults at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. During the time of the attacks, Champ was touring small Midwestern colleges performing his standup rou tine. ' The evidence in question includes DNA tests done on a blood sample obtained from Champ, information from a day planner obtained by a police officer in Pasadena and testimony given by the victim and witness in the Pasadena case. Prosecutors also wish to use evi dence linking Champ to the rape of a woman in Omaha in March 1997. The short distance between Lincoln and Omaha and similarity in the assaults make the evidence compelling enough to use in Champ’s trial, said Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly. The incident at Union College occurred while the victim was in a base ment musical practice room. The Omaha incident occurred in a u The dissimilarities are more than the similarities Shawn Eluott Vinson Champ’s attorney computer room on a college campus. No weapons were used in either case, and both were, asked to surrender money before die assaults took place. The suspect in both cases is accused of forcing anal and vaginal sex, using his own saliva for lubrication. Champ’s attorney, Shawn Elliott, said there is no evidence to pinpoint Champ’s location in Omaha on March 5,1997, when die rape took place. He also said the similarity of loca tions, both at college campuses, is not enough to link the rapes, since college rapes aren’t unusual. Variations in the way the assaults were carried out makes each one unique and not necessarily related, Elliott said. “The dissimilarities are more than the similarities,” Elliott said. I Elliott also argued against using the testimony of the victim in the Pasadena case, saying she was unable to properly identify the suspect’s face. He also wanted to throw out testimony from a witness for the case. The victim elaims only to have seen the suspect’s reflection in die window. Lancaster County District Judge arguments under advisement Champ tvill appear in coprt again * Dec. 22. i MQJCLLER from nase 1 -Pp-1■-:■■< all people because of die high cost of college. If she could change one thing about the world, she said she would eradicate poverty so it would be pos sible for everyone to receive a higher education. Moeller has been teaching at UNL since 1990. In this short amount of time, she has made an impact on many students’ lives, students said. Laura Sullivan, a senior political science and international affairs major, is one of those students. Sullivan enrolled in the Service Learning class that Moeller taught last spring. She said she sees Moeller - as more of a mentor than a teacher. “Whenever you are around her, your troubles melt away. She makes you feel like you can conquer the world. She is so upbeat, and her out look on life turns your whole day around,” Sullivan said. Moeller also helped Sullivan focus her goals, and the class helped her realize that she must make a dif ference in other people’s lives. Making a difference is a common theme Moeller lives every day. She said she hoped to be remembered because she did make a difference through her work. Auction to help charity ■ The ninth annual Santa Cop event raised money for underprivilaged kids. By Marissa Jo Carstens Staff writer Mark Stahlhut, the president of the Lincoln Police Union, wan dered around the auction floor Saturday with a police dog, Auto, accepting 50 cents for each kiss from the large dog. Meanwhile, Santa Claus took present requests from area chil dren, and Lincolnites bid on items including new tires and auto graphed Comhusker memorabil ia. These efforts were part of the ninth annual Lincoln Police Union’s Santa Cop charity auction held Saturday at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds Grandstand. The auction raised $24,716. Through the auction, the Police Union members hoped tq give about 3,000 Lincoln area children a happier holiday season. “All of the funds will go towards purchasing toys, food and, in some cases, clothing for underprivileged children in Lincoln,” said Lincoln Police Ofc. Tom Duden, president of Police Union Charities, Inc. The Santa Cop program is supported by volunteers and local businesses and individuals who donate to the project. Some of the items purchased with the proceeds will be deliv ered to homes starting around q Dec. 17 or 18. The majority of the items pur chased will be placed in a make shift toy store created by the Lincoln Action Society, Duden said. -i: Parents who applied for assis tance will then use vouchers to buy toys and other items for their 7 children for Christmas. . Each year officers and mem bers of the Lincoln Action Society identify needy families for the auction. But the auction also had some changes this year. une addition was the auction eer’s helpers - four members of * the University of Nebrasla Lincoln’s Alpha Chi Omega Sorority - who found out about , the auction from their house mother. Sorority members Alicia