7remrainnwtik frK When you want to go farther with your business, one bank agenda is advancing relentlessly — increasingly through internal regulations and guidelines as well as legislation. • This week, it was a new set of Department of Education guidelines that warn school districts they could lose federal funding by improperly bar- ring student prayer or preventing teach- ers from participating in religious activi- ties. The guidelines are a followup to guidelines issued by the Clinton admin- istration — but critics say there is a big difference. Now, schools will be required to prove they are complying with the congressionally mandated rules through yearly reports, said Michael Lieberman, counsel for the Anti- Defamation League's Washington office. "The policy is skewed; the starting point is that you have to certify there are no policies to prevent constitutional- ly protected prayer," Lieberman said. The new regulations are the result of "unbalanced" language in a major edu- cation bill passed by Congress last year, he said. "What Congress said is that you can only lose your federal funding for not having enough school prayer. It doesn't work both ways; if you have improper prayers at a high school football game, you can get sued, but you can't lose your federal funding." And, Lieberman said, the new guide- lines do not include protections against proselytization and religious harassment that were included in the Clinton administration guidelines. "These guidelines push the envelope on stu- dent-initiated prayer," Lieberman said. Other critics say the guidelines misin- terpret court decisions on student-led prayers. "These guidelines assert that students can lead prayers or give ser- mons at some school functions," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "The Supreme Court has never allowed that. "If the administration tries to cut off federal funding to any school on the basis of these guidelines, that action will surely be challenged in court." But the Orthodox Union praised the new Department of Education rules. "The guidelines are not significantly dif- ferent from the Clinton guidelines," said Nathan Diament, director of the OU's Institute for Public Affairs. "What's different is that, this time, they have teeth." Diament said such regulations are needed because "in some school dis- tricts, you just say the word 'religion' in a public school, and the automatic reaction is to disallow it." El knows all the moves. Our expertise in Commercial Banking helps keep your business going and your profits flowing. With some of the most advanced financial capabilities anywhere, our commercial banking team can help you maneuver successfully in today's unpredictable business climate. Through our 17 statewide offices, you'll profit from the expertise of over 200 relationship managers who average more than 15 years experience in serving Michigan businesses. And if your needs are global, your answers can be local. Our affiliation with ABN AMR() — a:corporate banking leader with over 3,400 locations in 60 countries — taps you into services that are not only worldwide but world-class. To learn more, please call us at 1-248-822-5402. Standard Federal Commercial Banking. Our products make it work. Our people make it happen. Standard Federal Bank Commercial Banking Services Member ABN AMRO Group standardfederalbank.com Standard Federal Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. ©2003 Standard Federal Bank NA. Lake-view Golf Resort E, Spa Morgantown, WV D SIT BUS! A No-Fly Passover! Only 350 miles from Detroit • Iwo acres • two 18-hole championship golf courses • European spa • Indoor tennis courts • racquetball • two indoor heated pools • saunas 5 whirlpools • seniors program • fitness 6 exercise center • supervised children's program • conducted Seders • partial stays available • complimentary tea room waiter service • Western Bar-B-Q • entertainment • day trips • Torah classes • special guest lectures • Non-gebroks available • Glatt Kosher, Cholov Yisroel Your Hosts: THE BUTLER FAMILY Our 5th year! • Call for a color brochure www.passovercelebrations.com 1-800- 991-7030 2/14 2003 25