Refugees seek sanctuary at U.S. colleges — see page 2
(sMky trojan
Volume XCVIII, Number 25
University of Southern California
Thursday, February 14, 1985
RTD increases fare to 85 cents; move designed to save Line 443
By John Orr
Staff Writer
The Southern California Rapid Transit District board of directors voted 8 to 3 Wednesday to raise bus fares from 50 cents to 85 cents, effective July 1.
Monthly pass holders will be hit the hardest, with an increased rate of $32 from $20. College students can expect to pay $15 for a monthly pass, instead of the current $4.
The board met at its headquarters on Main Street to discuss rate increase alternatives that will affect the service's 1.6 million riders.
On Feb. 2, RTD staff members presented proposals to the board that would affect the company's 1.6 million riders. At the time, it was proposed that regular fares increase from 50 cents to 75 cents; monthly passes from $20 to $34; college student passes from $4 to $24.
RTD officials feared that if these rates were not approved, there would not be sufficient revenue to maintain all bus lines. The 443 line, which carries South Bay commuters to downtown Los Angeles and stops near the university, was in danger of being cut.
But at Wednesday's hearing, the RTD directors decided that only a higher increase in regular fares was necessary to prevent the end of the 443 line.
To compensate, RTD will propose schedule and route adjustments to specific bus lines to meet the higher demand in more congested areas.
Proposed adjustments do not include bus lines running near the university, so USC commuters will only be affected by the increase in regular fares and monthly passes.
Gordana Swanson, vice president of the board, originally proposed the adopted rates. RTD directors also announced the fiscal budget will be $473 million, almost $40 million less than an earlier estimate.
The three dissenting directors and a few RTD employees present argued that the information discussed at the meeting was not sufficient enough, saying there were too many loops.
It would be hasty to decide now, they said, and encouraged the vote to be postponed.
Nate Holden was the most outspoken dissenting director at the hearing.
"There are too many variables, too many people and organizations concerned. We have time to consider.
"I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I don't see the right alternative today," Holden said, urging postponement while the board was eager to vote on the measure.
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Apartheid discussed
Panel of scholars discuss rights; say apartheid must be examined
By Lisa Lapin
Staff Writer
Governments cannot be relied upon to guarantee human rights, according to a panel of scholars sponsored by Amnesty International that spoke Wednesday on the issue of South African apartheid.
Individuals must collectively pressure governments to enforce human rights, the panel speakers said.
"We are responsible for what is happening in South Africa, we can't run away," said Tim Ngubemi, an exiled South African who is now at the UCLA de-
partment of African Studies.
The university's chapter of Amnesty International — an organization dedicated to freeing prisoners of conscience — brought together the panel, which included Ngubemi, Carl Christol, a USC political science professor, and David Hinkley, regional director of Amnesty International USA.
"When government is unlimited, human rights are inflicted,” Hinkley said. “South Africa has no checks and balances — no control on authority and power in government."
"Institutions have become
oppressive" in trying to secure human rights, said Christol, who cited the United Nations and the Reagan administration's military approach as examples.
U.S. official policy on South Africa is "constructive engagement," Christol said, implying that the United States will assist in labor talks and agreements.
However, Ngubemi believes "constructive engagement has meant destructive engagement in South Africa. It meant 80 deaths just last night.
"In South Africa, the labor movement doesn't have the (Continued on page 7)
Dave Hinkley (left), regional director of Amnesty International, and Carl Christol, a university political science teacher, were part of a panel of scholars who participated Wednesday in a discussion on human rights.
WELCOME
Runner defeats cancer; wins full scholarship
By Lynn Balsamo
Staff Writer
Nine years after a bout with cancer, artificial leg recipient Jeff Keith will cross the finish line of his 3,300 mile "Run Across America" Monday and receive a full scholarship from the university to start his life as a Trojan.
"He will be an asset to the university," said Ron Orr, assistant athletic director. "He's come across the whole country and at the finish line he'll get a full scholarship for graduate school."
Orr said the full scholarship was offered to Keith last week. However, Keith did not respond to the offer until he was taped on the "Hour of Power" television show at the Crystal Cathedral a few days ago.
At the taping, Keith told Rev. Robert Schuller that he would accept the full scholarship offered to him and attend the university, Orr said.
The funds for Keith's scholarship will come from the "Swim for Mike" program, an annual athletic department program held to raise money for physically challenged students.
This year s "Swim for Mike" will be held April 13 at the McDonald's Olympic Swim Stadium. Orr said proceeds from the day will go toward Keith's scholarship.
Keith said he will "most likely" enter law school here. "I may want to go to business school. I'm so swamped with (things to do for) the run right now that I haven't really had time to decide," he said.
"As a kid, I played hockey. After an injury, I found out what I thought was a cracked knee ended up being a tumor," Keith said. He lost his leg to bone cancer at the age of 12 and was fitted with an artificial leg shortly thereafter.
On Monday at Marina del Rey, Keith will finish his run across America, which began in Boston last June. His run was inspired by Terry Fox's run across Canada several years ago.
Keith, who wanted to make an effort similar to Fox's, started to run just two weeks after his graduation from Boston College last May.
At Boston College, Keith was on the Dean's List and a member of the lacrosse team. He also was a competitive skier and a triathlete.
"Sport has been my rehabilitative process," he said. "Six weeks after my operation I went skiing."
To help with the run, Keith has a five-man crew with him on the trip. Matt Vossler, a member of Keith's five-man crew and a longtime friend of the athlete's, said the work is "involving and hectic."
Usually, two members of the crew drive ahead of Keith to make sure routes are clear, Vossler said. Crew members also contact local police to avoid traffic problems.
Vossler said that in addition to the crew, a congressman in Washington has helped with other plans. The crew tried to map the run through larger cities to get more exposure for Keith.
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