Joseph Kertes

When Chapman University's 2,200 students reported for the new academic year Monday, they were greeted by a new dean of students. Joseph Kertes, formerly associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts at USC, is now the arbiter of student life on the Chapman campus. "Despite the fact that it's a small university compared with USC, it's a big job," Kertes said. "I'm just in the throes of discovering what it entails."

When Chapman University's 2,200 students reported for the new academic year Monday, they were greeted by a new dean of students. Joseph Kertes, formerly associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts at USC, is now the arbiter of student life on the Chapman campus. "Despite the fact that it's a small university compared with USC, it's a big job," Kertes said. "I'm just in the throes of discovering what it entails."

About 2,000 copies -- virtually the entire press run -- of Chapman University's student newspaper, the Panther, were stolen from racks around the campus, authorities said Thursday. "This act served to deprive the campus community of the right to read the weekly newspaper that students pay for and the ... newspaper staff work[s] very hard to produce," Joseph Kertes, the university's vice president and dean of students, said in a written statement.

Dorm life has taken an unexpected turn for dozens of Chapman University students who suddenly find themselves living at hotels miles from campus. Though the move has brought unaccustomed perks, including kitchens and maid service, "it's been a major inconvenience not being able to live close to campus," said senior Wynne Caburian, 22. "It's the last thing I need to add to the stress of finals next week and just before I graduate."

Chapman University officials violated the constitutional rights of students who were trying to form a Jewish fraternity when they ordered the men not to recruit on campus or wear T-shirts promoting Sigma Alpha Mu, according to a letter the ACLU sent university officials Tuesday. "Chapman, we have a problem," said Hector Villagra, director of the Orange County office of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. "These students have free speech rights."