Fast . forward
Wednesday April 22, 1992 Vol. CXVII, No. 62
Weather
Cooler temperatures tomorrow as a low pressure system moves into L.A. Low clouds in the morning clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s.
Inside
Cinema professor talks about past
Edward Dmytryk, director of films such as "The Caine Mutiny," has brought his knowledge to USC. Now, he shares his experiences as he prepares to release a new book.
Diversions, page 7
We are all paying for civil lawsuits
The costs that corporations such as USC are paying for settlement of civil litigation are adding to the final prices charged to consumers for services and products.
Viewpoint, page 4
Swimming coach Daland retires
USC men's swim coach Peter Daland, who coached at USC for 35 years, announced his retirement at a team awards banquet Tuesday night at the Faculty Center.
Sports, page 20
F.Y.I.
Clothing drive to assist needy
The "Drive for 500," a charity clothing drive sponsored by the Student Senate and the two campus newspapers, Daily Trojan and V, starts today and continues through Friday.
These university organizations are trying to achieve a goal of collecting 500 articles of clothing in 3 days to help the needy people of the surrounding community clothe their families.
Collection will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Tommy Trojan, Parkside Apartments (outside Mom's), EVK Residence Hall front desk, Pardee Tower front desk, Greek Honors House and Lyon Center (Thursday and Friday only).
Newspaper of the University^ of Southern California
over job termination
By Oma Zadeh
Staff Writer
An alleged rape victim who was awarded $1.8 million in a negligence suit against University Security filed a second lawsuit suing the university for wrongful job termination.
"There has been a lawsuit filed, but it has not yet been served," said Mireille Gotsis, university counselor.
On Jan. 2, 1989, the 35-year-old woman was stabbed in the back and head, beaten, robbed and allegedly raped in the bushes on the east side of the former Financial Services building behind the University Bookstore.
The suit against the university went to trial on March 25, 1991. During the suit, the plaintiff was still employed as a nurse by the university.
The jury found the university negligent on two counts: security patrolling duties and the maintenance of the premises. The Superior Court jury awarded $988,888 in punitive damages and $800,000 in compensatory damages.
According to the plaintiff's claim, she was laid off three days before the verdict was handed down.
During the original civil suit, the plaintiff said she was told her position at the Health Care Services office had been eliminated because of internal reorganization, according to court documents.
Gotsis disputed this claim, saying the plaintiff was rehired to fill another position.
LUZSi AWD
Nicola Conti / Daily Trojan
A woman raped in front of this building is now suing the university for loss of her job.
"The university offered her a position with the same title she held previously and with a higher salary. She accepted that position," Gotsis said.
"She was fired because she never showed up for work (at the second job)," Gotsis said. "There is unrefutable, substantial evidence. How they can call that a wrongful termination is beyond me."
Victim sues university
Earth Day celebrated by recycling old garbage
By Nikki Surles
Staff Writer
This is the last in a three-part series on the events and issues surrounding Earth Day on Wednesday.
Today is Earth Day, and one way to get involved in improving the environment is to start a new habit — recycling, said Adrienne Miller, Earth Day coordinator at the City of Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Department.
Throughout Los Angeles, there are several recycling projects and groups.
"In malls, we put separate trash cans, and more and more fast food places are doing the same," Miller said. "People are finally realizing that recycling is the key to solving many of our problems. We try to make it easy for people so they don't have an excuse not to do it."
At the university there is also an effort to make it easy for people on campus to recycle.
SAFE began and still helps coordinate student recycling on campus, said Beverly Boyd, former president of (See Recycle, page 13)
USC debate ‘pits’ itself against UCLA
Teams argue over whether avocado is fruit or vegetable
By Ken Camp
Staff Writer
While the U.S. Supreme Court ponders the abortion issue; while the California Supreme Court decides the future of capital punishment; and while the United Nations contemplates the Middle East situation, an issue of great importance took center stage on the USC campus Tuesday.
Is the avocado a fruit or a vegetable?
This confrontation between the USC and UCLA debate teams took place at Moot Court in the Law Center. It was sponsored by the California Avocado Commission, to help fulfill its mission of increasing consumer awareness of and demand for California avocados.
"This event, while tongue-in-cheek, seeks to educate our audience in the most creative and memorable way possible," said Mark Affleck, president of the nonprofit organization.
The purpose of the debate was to decide whether or not the California avocado is a fruit or a vegetable. The Hon. Doug Llewelyn, of "The People's Court" fame, presided over the debate.
This debate did not lack any creativity. On the
(See Avocado, page 3)
Jeff Wachner / Daily Trojan
Members of the USC Debate Team prepared for their round against UCLA Tuesday.
Mac attack: computers stolen from Kaprielian
By Julie Yamamoto
Assistant City Editor
Burglars with an eye for Macintosh systems stole more than $47,000 worth of equipment from two offices in Kaprielian Hall last weekend, according to police and university employees.
The burglaries took place sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning. The directors of both offices said there were marks around the doors and evidence of forced entry.
(See Kaprielian, page 2)
Program Board challenges senate
Second director nominated
By Liz Washburn
Assistant City Editor
Despite Student Senate's approval of Mitesh Gala last Friday, the Program Board has nominated its own candidate for executive director of the board.
At a meeting Tuesday night, the candidates who had submitted applications for the executive director position but had not previously been given a chance to speak were allowed to address the board in a question and answer session.
Noel Zanchelli, a 3-year member of Program Board, was elected and his nomination will be put forth for approval by the senate and the Council of Graduate and Professional Students.
The election process is part of the Program Board's proposal to secede from senate, which will be voted on at tonight's senate meeting.
Representatives of the various student assemblies and programming boards, as well as members of senate and COGPS, were present at last night's meeting. The separate divisions of Program
(See Senate, page 2)