Enjoy the break!
This is the last issue
of winter term. The
Emerald will resume
publication March 31.
Monday, March 17,2003
Since 1900
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 120
ASUO candidate finds
her home vandalized
Presidential candidate Maddy Melton
says her apartment may have been
vandalized because of her sexual
orientation and recent political activity
Brook Reinhard
News Editor
An ASUO Executive candidate’s room was
ransacked sometime Thursday afternoon in a
crime that may have been politically motivated.
Maddy Melton, a contender for ASUO pres
ident in the April primary election, returned
to her apartment near 29th Avenue and
Willamette Street at about 7 p.m. to find her
room vandalized.
“Every drawer was dumped out and turned
over,” she said, adding that pillows were ripped
open and her clothing was scattered. “Just any
thing and everything was messed up.”
Melton, who is an out lesbian and is cur
rently an ASUO multicultural advocate, was
co-director of the LGBTQA nearly nine
months ago when one morning she unlocked
the office to find that a hole had been
punched in the wall and a poster was burned.
Melton said she believes Thursday’s
crime may have occurred because of her
sexual orientation or because of her in
creased political activity.
“It could be both,” she said. “It’s a defi
nite possibility.”
Turn to Candidate, page 9A
Adam Amato Emerald
Precautions can make
vacations go smoothly
Whether planning a road trip
or traveling abroad, a few cautionary
measures can protea one’s
well-being while away from home
Ayisha Yahya
Freelance Editor
With spring break in sight, thoughts on
challenging projects and exams intermingle
with sweet ruminations of the relief a vaca
tion will bring. During the break, many stu
dents may travel. To make sure the break is
not only fun but safe, there are a few tips to
keep in mind.
Home and personal safety
Before students leave for paradise, they
must secure their homes, according to De
partment of Public Safety Associate Director
Tom Hicks. Hicks said burglaries are likely
in the dorms and off-campus if people ob
serve the occupants are
away for a long time. He
said students should re
move valuables like lap
tops from easily accessi
ble areas.
“Close and lock all
windows,” he said.
“Don’t leave any message on your phone in
dicating that you’ll be away for a long time.”
Hicks said it’s important for students to in
form someone that they are going to be away.
Turn to Safety, page 14A
INSIDE
Take a break
at the beach
PACE12A
‘No war’
Thousands
of people
took to the
streets in
Eugene and
Portland on
Saturday to
express their
feelings and
show sup
port for
peace.
Page 3A
Bounce
and kick
Giaint
trampolines C
and ‘ex
treme’ kicks,
redefine tra
ditional mar
tial arts by
allowing for
aerial ma
neuvers
Page 7 A
Champs
The Ducks
head to the
NCAA Tour
nament in
Nashville af
ter winning
the Pac-10
Tournament
title Satur
day in Los
Angeles
Special
section