WHERE TO TRIM See Editorial Page jLI itAO AOF -A, a.- :43 W* tt BRISK High-29 Low-2o See Today for details Eighty-Four Years of Editorial Freedom Vol. LXXXV, No. 100 Ann Arbor, Michigan-Thursday, January 30, 1975 Ten Cents Ten Pages Cobb rejects deanship offer agai By SARA RIMER, JUDY RUSKIN, and DAN BIDDLE Jewel Cobb, the black woman educator selected by the Regents for the literary college (LSA) deanship, has flatly rejected the Administration's second offer of a two- year, no-tenure contract, the Daily learned last night. According to a source close to Cobb, the second offer was unchanged from the in- itial proposal made by Vice President for Academic Affairs Frank Rhodes last week. Cobb turned down the first offer last Fri- day and requested a reconvening of the board of Regents. THE SOURCE slammed the administra- tion's action as clear proof that they had never seriously considered Cobb for the post, and held that the offer was "an ex- ceptionally clear violation of affirmative action." The Daily had previously learned that Acting Dean Billy Frye was the adminis- tration's preferred candidate for the posi- tion. At their regular January meeting, the Regents voted 5-3 against appointing Frye. They then voted unanimously in favor of Cobb. WITH COBB'S rejection of the post, it is unclear whether the job will now be offer- ed to Frye. According to one highly-placed source, "If Cobb bowed out, you would almost have to pick Frye unless the (dean) search committee started over again." Another source indicated, "It would be tough on Frye to accept the appointment. He is very strongly in favor of affirmative action." A source close to the Regents claimed at least one member of the board would oppose Frye's appointment "on principle." FRYE SAID last night he had not yet been contacted about taking the post per- manently. Asked if under present circum- stances he would accept the position, Frye said, "It's a little premature to comment." Secretary of the University Richard Kennedy last night refused to confirm or deny Cobb's rejection but expected an official announcement shortly. Vice President for Academic Affairs Frank Rhodes also refused comment. Uni- versity President Robben Fleming was ill and could not be reached. THE NEWS oft Cobb rejecting the Uni- versity's second, unchanged deanship offer came as campus reaction to the first offer snowballed. At a meeting held earlier yesterday, concerned members of the University community voted to send telegrams to the Regents urging them to support Cobb's appointment. The group also decided to hold a half-hour demonstration outside the administration building today at 12::0 p.m. in Cobb's behalf. According to organizers of the meeting, Cobb's rejection of the University's offer will not alter the plans for the demon- stration. "THIS UNIVERSITY should really be a leader," said Education Prof. Gwen Barer. "To do what they have done in this dean- ship case should not go unnoticed. "We mustdeomnstrate our support (of Cobb) even if it is after the fact," she continued. "It may not benefit Jewel Cobb, but it will benefit other women and other minorities.' In a letter sent to the Regents, the group stated that "we doubt that an offer of this kind would be made to a white male .. . The terms of the offer are grossly insult- ing. . . . We appeal to you to take what- ever steps are necessary to demonstrate to the University community the serious See COBB, Page 7 Frye Cobb FYOU SE EWS HAPPEN CALL6DNY Ziegler zonked Michigan State University's student government has withdrawn its $1,250 financial support for a campus appearance of former presidential press secretary Ronald Ziegler. They also called for a "mass picketing and boycott of the speech" if Ziegler comes to the campus as scheduled on Feb. 25. The East Lansing lecture entitled "The Uses and Abuses of Power" is the first on Ziegler's tour. He was scheduled to speak at Boston Uni- versity Feb. 26 but the appearance was cancelled because of complaints that no one should "get rich because of their association with Watergate." Doomsday Today may very well live in infamy for the University as Governor William Milliken is sched- uled to make public his budget recommendations for 1975-76. 'U, officials predict that Milliken will ask for a cut of at least four per cent in state appropriations to the 'U,' from $105 million for this year to $101 million for next year. A cut of that size could cause (1) a raise in tuition for next fall, (2) widespread layoffs of University personnel, particularly TFs and clericals, (3) substantial cuts or elimination of innovative academic programs, such as the Pilot Program, Course Mart or Women's Studies. So if you think the financial crunch is on now, the worst is probably yet to come. Happenings... ... are multitudinous today. If you happen to be out at Briarwood Mall, the Indochina Mobile Education Project is displaying examples of the culture of Indochina. The display includes photos, original artworks and artifacts of Indochinese life . . . The Residential College Spanish Department is sponsoring the next in its weekly film series at East Quad Rm. 126 at 4 p.m. The film will be 'Castro vs. Batista,' 'Kennedy vs. Khruschev' and 'Castro' . . Francis Boots from the American Indian newspaper Akwsasne Notes will speak at 3 p.m. at the Pendleton Room in the Union . ' . The Creative Arts Workshop is sponsoring a mass meeting for yoga and candle-making (only in Ann Arbor!) at 621 E. Williams at 7:30 p.m. . . . As part of Indochina Accords Week there will be a teach-in on the current situation in Indochina at 2407 Mason Hall at 7:30 . . . And also at 7:30 in Rm. 4 Tyler at East Quad will be a potluck dinner sponsored by the Anti-Sexism Resource Center ... HRP's mass meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on tlhe Fourth floor of the Union to set the campaign strategies and elect"a campaign committee. 0 ' by to nurses vote 3-1 mlarIgin form union Doily Photo by PAULINE LUBENS Reflections Yesterday's thaw brought dozens of reflecting pools like this to areas all over the University grounds. This particular puddle formed between the Grad Library and Haven Hall. STRIKE DOUBTFUL: (*U' promises GEO By JIM TOBIN In the face of the Graduate mployes Organization's (GEO) E m p 1 o y e s Organization's (GEO) imminent contract dead- line, the University has granted an eight per cent pay raise, retroactive to September 1, 1974, to all of the campus' 2200 Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). - This is not merely another offer in the stagnated contract negotiations between the par- ties, but an actual increase which will put money in the poc- kets of GSAs and casts doubt on the likelihood of immediate strike action.+ AT A mass meeting at the cent raise Union tonight, the GEO Execu- tive Committee will present its recommendations in regard to possible strike action. The mem- bership will then vote whether to take a strike vote which, if tonight's vote is affirmative, will take place tomorrow, Monday,, and Tuesday. The results of the strike vote will be announced Wednesday, and if they are positive, a sig- nificant walkout may follow immediately. The eight per cent increase has been a source of controver- sy all through the negotiations. C h i e f University negotiator Charles Allmand said the in- crease came at this time sim- Slice of life 9' In the midst of serious bomb threats in several of nation's cities, police in San Francisco weren't taking any chances yesterday. So, when a myster- ious pink box was spotted in the corner of a win- dow in a building in the city's financial district authorities moved into action. An army bomb dis- posal squad gave the box a going over, measuring it, tugging at it, and listening to it with a stetho- scope. No bomb. Anxious hands cautiously opened the box to reveal a slice of apple pice. No one tasted it to see if it really was a bomb. On the inside ... On the Editorial Page Gary Thomas takes a look at the concept of megagovernment . . . John Kahler has the latest on the players selected yesterday in the NFL draft for the Sports Page ... and Arts Page attacks the Daily's weak sister publication - Gargoyle - with a grim review by George Lobsenz. fn flilt) r)ije;(i) - Helms testimony on CIA role reviewed WASHINGTON (P-For a third ime, congressional testimony of former intelligence chief Richard Helms has been called into question by revelations of CIA activities during the years he headed the agency. The transcript of a 1973 hearing of the House subcommittee on intelligence shows that months after the CIA spied on five U.S. citizens in search of security leaks, Helms testified that the agency had no authority to conduct such investigations. HELMS HEM)lED the CIA for seven years beginning in 1966. Meanwhile, an attorney for former White House special counsel Charles Colson said yesterday that "it is entirely well possible" that Colson was mistaken in his claim that Watergate conspirator Howard Hunt frequently delivered sealed packages to CIA official Richard Ober. ply because the two sides had come to a final agreement on this particular economic issue. "AS LONG as we've got a common understanding, we thought it would be wise to get money to the students," All- mand said last night. '#This fact - finding could go on for weeks." Allmand was referring to the fact-finding which is scheduled to begin in the near future in the event that the GEO does not strike. The two sides agreed to submit their dispute to a state - appointed fact - finder when mediation broke down last week. GEO officials said they feel the University is implementing the pay hike in order to stall a strike. "THEY'RE trying to buy us off," declared union spokesman Dave Gordon. "I think they're trying to forestall us from tak- ing any strike action . . . We told the University that we'd take it (the eight per cent in- crease) way back in Septem- ber, but they've waited until now." The GEO leadership says it is uncertain whether the move will significantly curtail the momentum of strike activity. Gordon feels that the strike in- tentions of the hard-core mem- bers will not be affected, but he is unsure of the feelings of more neutral union members. "It's unclear if it will influ- ence other neople who are on By JO MARCOTTY The Registered Nurses (RNs) employed by the University Medical Center last night voted 361-124 to organize a union un- der the banner of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA). The MNA received the ma- jority of those voting, a re- quirement of the Michigan Em- ployment Relations Commission (MERC) for recognition as a union, and will now represent the RNs as a legal bargaining agent to the University. AFTER TWO days of voting, the total turnout, 485 out of 600 nurses - was surprisingly large according to Carol Reb- beck of the Nurse's General Council. "I'm amazed and pleased," she commented after the ballots were counted. "I guess they just didn't want to come to our meetings. "They made up their minds," said another member of the council. "They made up their minds and nothing could change them." THE nurses demands do not however, reflect discontent- ment with wages or working conditions. They are primarily concerned with more control in staff decisions, patient - nurse ratio, and patient care. Rebbeck said the vote reflect- ed the trend of nursing to- ward a more sophisticated pro- fession, and nurses are no longer merely "doctor's assist- ants." "Now they can have more of a say in what they want as a profession," she said. "They're demonstrating their interest." BUT IT could be a while be- fore the new union even reaches the bargaining table. First, MNA officials must meet with ,Students organize ROTC protest By STEPHEN HERSH Organizers attempting to muster anti - ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) senti- ment at the University found their support in short supply: they could attract only 40 stu- dents and members of local left groups to their meeting at East Quad last night. Nevertheless, members of th C'rnmita ' s Qtn OT WASHINGTON Au-The gov- ernment index designed to fore- cast economic trends signaled deepening distress with an un- precedented dive to close out last year, the Commerce De- partment reported yesterday. The index of leading indicat- ors fell at a record monthly pace for the second time in three months and also logged the deepest sustained drop since the index was created in 1948. N O V E M B E R' S drop, which was originally reported at 1.5 per cent, was changed to 3.5 per cent, surpassing Sep- tember's 3.3 per cent record. For December, the drop was '2.4 per cent. And for the five consecutive months the index has fallen, the over-all decline measured 11 per cent. The index projected an econo- my characterized by lower consumer spending, expanding unemployment and smaller pay- checks for workers still on the job. THE LATEST report "indi- cates exactly what we've been expecting, and that is that the economy would continue to de- cline through the first quarter and probably bottom out around mid-year," said James Pate, top economist at the Commerce Department. "And there's noth- ing in this that would refute that expectation." White House spokesman Ron Nessen said that President See ECONOMIC, Page 2 the management to discern "pertinent data," like a detail- ed account of nurses benefits. Union members and MNA of- ficials predict that the Univer- sity and the newly formed or- ganization will not face each other across the bargaining ta- ble until the end of February. RNs must then meet as. a group to formulate specific de- mands. But again, the diversity and separation of the depart- ments within the Medical Serv- ice may create difficulties in organization. The interests and needs of nurses in Mott Children's Hos- pital may for example, differ from those within University Hospital. "So we'll probably organize by hospital. Mott, (Childrens' Hospital), NPI, (Neuropsychia- tric Institute), and the Outpa- tient unit," Rebbeck explained last night. H O W E V E R, she ack- nowledged that the most diffi- cult step - succeeding in the unionization effort - has been taken. "Now we'll have more pow- er, more unity, and not only will we get a chance to say See NURSES, Page 7 COMMERCE DEPT. STUDY Economic signals shlow ongoing drop