USC takes care of UCLA in WIVA
Sports, page 24
Examining forms of political power
Viewpoint, page 4
Kubrick classic
life
finds new
Life / Arts, page 9
Senioritis set in
$1.7 million awarded to alleged rape victim
Punitive damages handed to university for 1989 assault case
By Michael Utley
Gty Editor
The university has been ordered to pay more than $1.7 million to an alleged rape victim who blamed her on-campus attack two years ago on a “gross lack of security," court officials said Wednesday.
A 12-member Superior Court jury announced its verdict at 3:40 p.m. after deliberating for two straight days on whether to award the woman punitive damages, which are designed to punish and make an example of a defendant.
"I certainly hope this verdict sends a message to the head people at USC that they need to do something to make this campus safe," said Natasha Roit, the woman's attorney, as she was rushing off for an interview with Channel 2 News.
Last Friday, the jury found "gross negligence" in the way University Security handled its duties on Jan. 2, 1989, the night the woman was attacked by an unknown assailant near the Credit Union building. The woman, who has asked not to be named, was awarded $800,000 for pain and suffering. A separate hearing was required to determine an amount of punitive damages.
The jury voted 9-3 to award her an additional $988,888 in damages against the school and its security department for acting with "conscious disre-
gard" and "extreme indifference" for the woman's safety, which satisfies the legal definition of malice. The exact total amount that must be paid — barring settlement or successful appeal — is $1,788,888.
University counselor Mireille Gotsis, obviously shaken by the decision, refused to say whether the school will challenge it. "All I can tell you is, we will keep all of our options open," she said.
After the jurors were dismissed from their duties, several agreed to talk about the five-week trial, and almost all agreed that it was the university's own witnesses that doomed their case.
"There was a total inconsistency in the testimony of the USC people," said Ninette Atoian, one of the nine jurors who voted in favor of punitive damages. She cited one witness in particular, University Security Officer Rory Cochran.
"Nobody believed his testimony," Atoian added. "The first thing we did when we went into deliberations was to dismiss what he said."
Cochran had been called to the stand to contradict the woman's testimony that not one security officer came to her aid during the 30to 40-minute attack. She said she was found by two passers-by who scared the assailant off, and then helped her walk to the security office about a block away.
But Cochran testified that he was the one who found her — and not at the Credit Union, but about a block away near the north-east comer of the practice tennis courts.
"When he couldn't even remember her name, I knew he didn't know what he was talking about," said Loretta Grady, one of the three jurors who,
(See Trial, page 17)
Blanca Brown / Dally Trojan
Eric Foster was one of hundreds of seniors to receive recognition awards at Town and Gown from James Dennis, vice president of Student Affairs. See story, page 7.
Volume CXIV, Number 67	University of Southern California	Thursday, April 25,1991
Senate hosts guest speakers
New library director discusses new facility, possible extended hours
By Arwen Adams
Staff Writer
The Student Senate featured two guest speakers Wednesday night, both of whom shared their ideas about the future of the university and the surrounding community.
Roderick Wright, one of the runoff candidates for the Los Angeles City Council's 8th District, and Peter Lyman, the new university library director, both gave presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions for the senators.
Wright, a Pepperdine graduate, "from the days when Pepperdine was just down the street," delivered a five-minute speech about his plans for the community in the event of his election, saying he looks forward to a great deal of involvement with the university community.
Lyman, in his eighth day on the job, gave a slide presentation about the new Teaching Library, which is scheduled to open in 1993. The new library will house 120,000 volumes, including all of what is presently College Library as well as new purchases.
Other possible features for the new library include a coffeehouse in the immediate proximity, pay phones within the structure, conference study rooms for group study sessions that students will be able to reserve and more computer terminals.
(See Senate, page 6)
But wait, there’s more
Job-seekers leam hard way that fliers don’t tell all
By Alexandra Matisoff
Staff Writer
The bright yellow fliers scattered around campus lobbies and floors touting "SUMMER WORK, $10.25" have caught the eyes of many students, but some were less than pleased with the opportunity.
Touting internships, possible scholarships, temporary and career positions, the flier put out by Vector Marketing of Northridge makes no mention of the type of work required.
One student went through the interview and orientation meeting out of curiosity and left infuriated.
"You have to do 80 presentations at $10.25 apiece, and they won't give you any money until you've completed all 80," said Matt Silber, a sophomore majoring in computer engineering / sciences.
The marketing company is trying to peddle fancy kitchen knives, which they compare to (See Fliers, page 17)
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Blanca Brown / Dally Trojan
Students who have tried this offer have found they have to work more than expected.
Nursing faculty, students protest possible closing
By Alexandra Matisoff
Staff Writer
Nursing students and faculty members held an emotional meeting at the university department of nursing Wednesday to protest Monday's unexpected bid to consider disbanding the school.
The provost's office announced Monday the formation of a committee to consider dissolving the university's	Nursing Department.
An NBC News crew was on hand Wednesday to talk with students and faculty members about their reactions to Provost Cornelius Pings' announcement.
Stacey Poston, a senior and secretary of the university Student Nurses Association, was one of the organizers of the Wedesday meeting. Poston was outspoken in the debate over the proposed closure.
"I am outraged that the of-
fice of the provost is considering dissolving the school of nursing," Poston said. "This is really an attempt to invalidate nursing as a research discipline, and only serves to support the idea that women are second-class citizens/'
It is important that nursing as a profession and as a research discipline be supported by four-year baccalaureate programs such as the university^, Poston said.
Linda McDermott, assistant professor of clinical nursing, said the television crew was contacted by one of the nursing students to bring attention to the gravity of the situation and to announce a Monday rally.
"The faculty are as surprised as the students about the whole situation — we had no advance warning," McDermott said.
Linda Directo, a senior in the nursing program and (See Nursing, page 7)