ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, July 20, 1996                TAG: 9607220070
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: Associated Press 

UVA STORE LIFTS BAN ON BACKPACKS

THE BOOKSTORE will put its trust in the honor code - and maybe security cameras - to curb thefts.

After an outcry from students, the University of Virginia has stopped requiring students to check their backpacks at the door of the campus bookstore.

It was more than an inconvenience to the 3,000 students who signed petitions opposing the backpack policy. It was a matter of honor.

Making the use of outside storage lockers optional rather than mandatory ``underscores the importance of the honor system at the University of Virginia,'' the administration announced Thursday.

UVa bookstore director Jonathan Kates had told students that the bookstore had lost $250,000 annually in thefts before the backpack policy took effect two years ago. Most of the store's business is from students, although it also serves the public.

Over four days in April, two honor committee members collected signatures on petitions demanding a change in the mandatory locker policy they thought was inconsistent with the 154-year-old honor system.

``Students are proud of the honor system and think it's a special part of the university,'' said James Tybur, the honor committee chairman.

The honor committee agreed with administrators and bookstore managers that some form of security system, such as increased use of security cameras, might be necessary.

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