The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 7, 1978-Page SI t Minority groups establish services MSS- helping minorities through the 'U'-- By ELISA ISAACSON The trials and tribulations of one's first encounter with the University-feelings of alienation, in- significance and academic pressure-affect all students to some extent, but they seem to weigh even more heavily on minority students. Minority Student Services (MSS), located on the third floor of the Union, is a new organization designed to help minorities survive the University. "IF THEY DON'T know where to ask, they can come to us," says MSS Counselor Ann Lyons. MSS offers individualized counseling for academic, financial and personal problems in ad- dition to providing information on cultural activities and educational resources available to minority students. One unique feature of MSS is that its full-time staff counselors are members of minority groups themselves and can often identify with specific problems minority students face. The counselors represent blacks, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Latin Americans. Each counselor also has his or her own area of specialization such as financial or academic problems. STUDENTS CAN choose to see a counselor who is a member of their own minority group or one who is trained in the specific area in which they have a U' FACES HIGH ATTRITION RATE: Blacks say services inadequate By ELISA ISAACSON In February 1970, a group of black students demanded the University in- crease its black student enrollment to 10 percent by the '73-'74 school year, supply more financial aid for blacks and establish a black student center. Spurred on by Black Action Movement (BAM) members and other concerned parties, the students and ad- ministration negotiated and emerged with a University declaration promising to meet the students' demands. University is impersonal and in- timidating. "It's hard for white studen- ts to adjust and I think it's doubly hard for black students," complains one University minority student. "There is a general trend to cut out a lot of necessary minority programming." There are, however, some centers where black students can meet and voice their frustrations and concerns. Named for the prominent civil rights leader, William Monroe Trotter House was established in the early 1970s and facilities are the Black Student Union and the local chapter of the NAACP. But many minority students are dissatisfied with the amount of Univer-. sity facilities and claim the University is not fulfilling its responsibility to fully educate its minority students. According to Minority Student Ser- vices counselor Richard Garland, "The eagerness to assist black students or minority students just isn't there. The problem that I see for black students is a reversal of the trends in the ad- mission and the acceptance of blacks in higher education." Garland also says black students have been filing grievances about grades. "The professors are not being clear about what their objectives are and what the student must do to get a grade," he adds. MANY MINORITY students say they are receiving lower grades than white students for doing work of the same caliber. And some students are very 'The eagerness to assist black students or minor- ity students just isn't there.' -Richard Garland, Minority Student Services Now, more than .eight years later, blacks are still facing the same problems they were facing back in 1970. Black enrollment never reached the hoped-for 10 percent and last year it reversed its upward trend, dropping to 6.9 percent. MANY BLACK students, like all in- coming students at one point, feel the was originally intended to be a multi- ethnic center. Because the, house has been staffed by blacks and because blacks are the predominant minority group on cam- pus, it is used primarily by blacks as a black student cultural center, says Trotter House director Beulah Sanders. ALSO INCLUDED in Trotter House' Women's groups wage battle against sexism Gays try educating straight communty By DAN OBERDORFER University housing complexes and witt Believing discrimination against almost half the Resident Advisors o gays results from misunderstandings those dorms. spurred by widespread myths, the "We have 'made our biggest inroad University's Human Sexuality Ad- in housing," says Couch. "I think w vocates are working to educate the created a situation with a lot more un straight community about derstanding because of those clas homosexuality, raps. The lesbian advocate's office and the "Changes are being made," she saic gay male advocate's office-both easily After conducting a class rap wit accessable on the third floor of the members of the University gynocolog Union-also provide peer counseling, clinic, "they are now rewriting some c referrals, and organize social events their forms so as not to assume that a for gay students. women are heterosexual." "THE REASON our offices exist," Coming-out discussion groups ar says Lesbian Advocate Cathy Couch, is another service offered through the ga because "gay people are labeled advocates office. "No one is coerced C criminally diseased, and sinful by a subtly urged to become or turn gay, large majority of U.S. citizens." says Couch of these sessions. "We ar Couch says she spends a large portion concerned that people feel positiv of her time working with straight about their sexual orientation and lear groups to "get them in touch with their to use it to form positive, caring, sul feelings about homosexuality." She portive relationships with others. said she and some 200 members of the "A lot of people have this attitud gay community have conducted that gay people are these strang numerous 'class raps' during which creatures who only come out at night 1 straights are asked to explore their at- go to the bar," says Couch. "Obviousl titudes toward homosexuality by con- that's just not true." fronting gays with questions. "Class raps help educate straights by bringing gay people who have a positive and open attitude about their gayness 1 into the classroom," says Couch. LAST FALL, Couch held class raps with the Building Directors of all 12 r rv y,, I By SHELLEY WOLSON Despite a lack of recognition in the past, today women at the University have several organizations to actively bring womn's issues to the surface, fur- ther women's education and confront discrimination head on. One group on campus, the Commision for Women is a volunteer organization supported by the Affirmative Action Programs Office and monitors women's concerns. According to Co- Chairwoman Bernadette Malinowski, the Commission is "trying to raise awareness of such issues as sexism." TIllS. YEAR the commission spon- sored its second annual women's career fair-an event in which many students were involved. The Commission also breaks into task forces that are available for student membership. These task forces look into problems , confronting Univesity women as they arise. Working directly with the Com- mission is the Women's Concerns Of- fice, which is one part of the Affir- mative Action Programs Office. "We keep all female members of the com- . munity, be they students, faculty, professors, administrators and clerical workers, in touch with each other," says Ann Schlitt, Program Associate for Women's Concerns. *The office works on employment ;issues, monitors policies and ";procedures and keeps tabs on the University's possible acts of discrimination. INCREASING INFORMATIVE pro- :grams about topics such as sex role 'awareness, society limitations and 'changing attitudes is the job of the Women's Program Coordinator, Maureen O'Rourke. Her office plans workshops and seminars to help further female students' understanding of the University. The University of Michigan Center for the Continuing Education of Women (CEW) tries to respond to women's changing needs and aspirations and has opened its doors to men as well. CEW also provides resources and helps assess women's job opportunities. According to Associate Director Myra Fabian, CEW "is mainly for women coming back to school. It's primarily a counseling center working with the University to get programs and sponsor evening classes for people who work or take care of children during the day. We orientate new University students, too." Your headquarters for: I 0 Pre ~llage Apothecary 3scriptions atent Medicines Cosmetics Liquor & Wine 1112 South University Ann Arbor, Michigan 313/663-5533 WE LCOME ST UDEN TS! * 'r coupon * I FREE miniature gift box of Russell Stover candy with coupon. i (OFFER GOOD SEPT. 8-15 ONLY) If i ii mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm m "mm. mm - - mm. mm mm mm m - mm mmmJi i r COME AND SING! U-M MEN'S GLEE CLUB i i _ T