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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 2000)
—• | wing Pains M ^ I -w* y a Clay Center farm on the J >1 I | % / y of planting season. ^ V ^ STORY, PAGE 8 ! Q|TC) yingthe LFXlLVi “Rent” Monday, April 24,2000 dailyneb.com Vol 99, Issue 1 . e famedr°ck opera plays through the week in ___ Omaha. A&E, PAGE 10 Court to hear abortion case Tuesday ■ Supreme Court begins hearing the Nebraska partial-birth abortion case this week. By Brian Carlson Staff writer WASHINGTON, D.C. - When the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments Tuesday on the constitutionality of Nebraska’s ban on what many have called partial-birth abortions, a drama will unfold on many levels. For the first time in eight years, the Supreme Court will hear a case about abortion, one of the v country’s most divisive social and political l issues. Supporters of Nebraska’s law, which courts i have blocked from being enforced, say the ban on partial-birth abortions outlaws a particularly gruesome and unnecessary abortion procedure. Opponents of the ban say it is so vaguely worded it could also outlaw more common abor tion procedures, placing an undue burden on a woman’s right to choose abortion and jeopardiz ing her health. Nebraska’s case, Stenberg vs. Carhart, has drawn extensive national attention. The court’s ruling, expected by June, could affect the laws of 29 other states that have outlawed partial-birth abortions - and set an important precedent for the future of the abortion debate. The drama’s main characters also add texture to the plot. Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg, who will argue in favor of the ban, is not only a passionate abortion opponent but a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Tuesday’s oral arguments will come exactly two weeks before the May 9 primary. Dr. LeRoy Carhart, who successfully chal lenged Nebraska’s law in court just days after it was passed in 1997, provides abortions at his clinic in Bellevue. One of the methods he uses is known med ically as “intact dilation and extraction,” or “D&X.” It is dubbed partial-birth abortion by opponents of the procedure. Late last year, Carhart became embroiled in another controversy when news accounts revealed that the University of Nebraska Medical Center had conducted research using aborted fetal tissue since 1993. UNMC obtained the tissue from Carhart and granted him faculty status. UNMC officials have insisted no fetal tissue used in the research comes from partial-birth abortions. Carhart has said he would leave Nebraska if the state’s ban on partial-birth abortions was upheld. On June 3, 1997, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB23 on a 45-1 vote. Only Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha voted against the bill, which then-Gov. Ben Nelson signed into law on June 9,1997. Nelson is now a Democratic candi date for U.S. Senate. The law reads, in part, “No partial-birth abor tion shall be performed in this state, unless such procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.” Please see COURT on 3 ! Keeping the faith l ___._ FRESHMEN JACI GUSTAFSON and Danielle Serlet carry a wooden cross across campus Friday morning to re-enact Christ carrying the cross to be cru cified. The event was sponsored by the Navigators, and students carried the cross on the hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Groups come together for Earth Day UI wanted to teach my kids more about recycling and taking care of the earth. : Plus, it’s a great day to be outside.” Amy Ryan Lincoln resident By CaraPesek Staff writer People hiked, bussed and booted to Antelope Park by the dozens Saturday to help Lincoln celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day, celebrated each year around the globe, aims to heighten awareness of the importance of taking care of the earth. Different Lincoln organi zations mark Earth Day in a variety of ways each year. But this year, the various clubs and organizations pooled their efforts to bring music, food, family activities and plenty of information about earth friendly products and activities to Lincoln. Harry Heafer, coordinator of the celebration, said the citywide events occur every five years. More than 30 organizations participated in this year’s celebration, he said. Booths offered informa tion about sustainable agricul ture, earth-friendly office sup plies, global warming and recycled art, among other things Bands with names like Buffalo Grass Band and Toasted Ponies Band enter tained visitors at Antelope Park. “There’s something here for everyone,” Heafer said. Please see EARTH on 3 Heather Glenboski/DN SYLVIA GRIFFITH PLAYS HER guitar Saturday afternoon in Antelope Park at the Earth Day celebration. She said oho has been playing guitar “since before the first Earth Day,” and she believes nwsic to be an Integral part of the celebration. Dead Week violations decrease By Michelle Starr Staff writer No surprises is the idea behind the Dead Week policy. If students find tests, projects or speeches unfairly scheduled, they can fill out a complaint form in the ASUN office and hopefully remedy the sus pected violation. “It’s in the students’ best interest to let us know as soon as possible,” said Marlyne Beyke, ASUN director of development. Kourtney Mueller, ASUN academ ic committee member, said only three or four complaints were filed in the ASUN office as of Friday afternoon, and one of them was solved after a quick call to the instructor. The ASUN Academic Committee handles complaints on violations of Dead Week policy. Beyke said the number of com plaints this semester had dramatically dropped since last semester and last year. one credited last year s academic committee’s focus on educating the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s departments about the policy. “I think they made a lot of good strides last year,” Beyke said. Beth Lee, last year’s ASUN Academic Committee chairwoman, said because the committee wanted to reduce the number of complaints, com mittee members went to each college department last summer and fall to explain the Dead Week policy. Every department was receptive, and it appeared problems came from not understanding die policy, Lee said. “If we went to just one department meeting, we were doing more than we were doing before, and we went to quite a few meetings,” Lee said. The committee has seen less than half the number of complaints as last semester, and Lee credits educating the faculty. After a confidential complaint is Please see DEAD WEEK on 3
