'f~ OC FeLL. C. :1" "tpegs 5C!LL6 MRet r v)rriNS S'
4.
Ex-Regent Huebner'
looks
back
-~I r1
r.
Editor's Note: The following is an
interview with Gertrude Huebner,
whose term as Regent expired in De-
cember.
By MARY HARRIS
How have things changed since you
became a regent?
WHEN I FIRST CAME on to the Board
of Regents I was told that as the lad v
Regent it was more or less a protocol
job, and that I would just be attending
oficial functions - you know - home-
comings, graduations, standing in re-
ceiving lines.
Within about the year - I came on to
the board in '67 - things began to gel.
very tense, we had the recruitment
strikes, we had the interruption of speak-
ers from Dow. The SDS came into full
flower, it was very disruptive and very
exciting. It was an interesting period
for me to live through because it was
the students expressing themselves in
the only ways they felt that they could
get attention. We kept telling them to go
through legal channels, but there really
were no legal channels at the time.
They did what they had to do in their
own way, and it was upsetting but it
was something terribly important they
had to accomplish and something they
had to say to us.
ALTHOUGH WE didn't always admire
their methods, you had to respect the
reasons behind what they did, such as
the war in Vietnam, which was really
at the- base of the while thing. It's
changed so totally now that the war is
over and the draft is no longer a
threat. They go through the proper chan-
nels. All you have to do is look through
the regents agenda and see the list of
class action suits. Much of this change
now is not only the lack of turmoil, it's
the financial crunch. Protesting and
rioting are really sort of luxuries. You
have to have a lot of time to devote
to them, and now more students are
busy working. Also President Fleming
inaugurated the policy of open hear-
ings. This was very important. People
weren't shut out, they were allowed to
come in, as they still are, to air their
views and to be heard. Much of the
frustration of the students in the late
sixties was due to the fact they had
no audience, they didn't know where to
go to tell their troubles. Now they do.
They write directly to Regents, or call
them. They come in to see President
Fleming.
I THINK THIS is a very healthy at-
mosphere. I don't agree with a lot of
people that students are apathetic. They
couldn't be because they're better in-
formed than they've ever been, and
more deeply concerned about things;
Famine - look at the fasts they've
had. They're certainly concerned about
energy, and they're concerned about na-
tional politics, they're really no different,
they're just responding in a different
way.
You definitely think the administration
is more responsive now?
YES, THEY'RE much more respon-
sive, they're encouraged to be. I think
the Regents are more responsive, there
are more open meetings and the o n 1 y
things not discussed in public are the
obvious ones of finances, property and
honorary degrees, and also the selec-
tion of deans. It would be very difflcut
to choose somebody and then have some-
body else discover that he or she was the
second choice. As far as I can see, these
things wil always have to be fairly pri-
vate.
Do you think the goals they were after
have been accomplished? Take the BAM
strike for instance.
I THINK everyone has tried. T h e
BAM goals were very high, and as you
know some schools have made it and
some have not. Some of it now is not for
a lack of intention or solid honest dedi-
cation to the goals. I think it's because
it takes money to recruit the minority
students, to give them supportive serv-
ices such as tutoring to make up for
the inadequacies of high school. It sad-
dens me to think that right now we're
in such a tight money situation, and we
won't be able to expand.
I think it's going to be at a standstill
for quite a while. I don't mean just
blacks, I mean women, native Ameri-
cans, chicanos, all have their own parti-
cular problems. A lot of time and tutor-
ial services could help but they certain-
ly need more financial backing than we
are going to be able to give them.
Same thing with student loans. With
the unemployment in Detroit, we're going
to have to make more loans available to
these students who won't be able to
come back to school next semester.
Do you see the University changing
radically as a result of the economic pic-
ture?
THEY'RE IN A terrible cruznh, and
quite frankly I'm grateful that after
eight years this isn't going to be my
problem. I'm much more at ease with
the type of problems I faced than I
Gertrude Huebner
i
~i~ 3141!rn Daily~
Eighty-four years of editorial freedom
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan
would with this. I just hope this won't
erode the quality of the University. I
think there will be a lot of belt tighten-
ing. A lot of jobs will be let go by at-
trition, they won't be replaced.
I'm a perpetual optimist, I think there
might be some trimming of dead tim-
ber, some tightening of courses, a do-
ing away with some of the frills, It
might really be to the benefit of the
University. I just hope this publicity
about the 44 million in the auditor's re-
port will not in any way hurt the giving.
Our development group brings so much
money in, and they make the marginal
difference in quality.
Do you think a student Regent is
forseeable?
AS YOU KNOW, it would require an
amendment to the state Constitution.
However, the voting age is now eighteen,
and students are entitled to run for of-
fice. Students have run for Regent in
the past, but they've been defeated. It's
difficult for them to get the nomination
by a big party. They would need to
know some political figure or alumni
to get the nomination. I think the sug-
gestion by the Commission on Student
Governance, recommending a student
executive officer to sit on the board is
good. I'm, familiar with many of the
experiences at eastern schools, where
the board is appointive and a student
sits on the board, and to my knowledge
it has been a very satisfactory arrange-
ment. I have thought for a number of
years this is important, because t h e y
should have some input. The faculty, I
believe, would have a conflict of inter-
est, but I think the students should be
there since they are the governed. They
should have a say, either in an advisory
capacity or in a voting capacity. But
I don't think anyone has the answers on
how that would work.
Do you think appointive Regents in
general would solve any problems?
THE GOVERNOR'S Commission on
Higher Education has submitted its re-
port, and it recommends appointive
boards for the three big schools, Wayne
State, Michigan State and Michigan.
Nine members, no more than five of
one party. Many people say it all de-
pends on the fairness of the governor,
but the fact remains it would probably
be selected by a blue ribbon committee.
I think you'd get a better balance. You
wouldn't get all lawyers, all political
aspirants. Many a person who would
make an excellent regent is not willing
to go out into the hustings, whatever
they are, for six weeks and campaign, he
doesn't have the time. But he might
have the time and expertise to devote
to the Board of Regents. So in that re-
gard it would be a very satisfactory so-
lution. Its expensive and time-consum-
ing to run for Regent. You don't want
all housewives or retirees, or lawyers
who can afford to take two days off a
month, you want people who are really
outstanding in their own field.
How would you ,rate overall your ex-
perience as regent?
I WOULD say it was very exciting,
and very rewarding. The -egents have
been outstanding. The moast interesting
thing of all is the way we fall work to-
gether. We never vote along party lines.
If we agree with the principle, t h e
Democrats vote with the Republicans.
There's no way you can clearly define
which party we belong to by just at-
tending a meeting. In other words,
everyone does what he or she feels is
best for the University. There's never
any petty political bickering. It's been
fun. You meet so many fascinating peo-
ple, the speakers and celebrities w h o
come to campus, and I'm just ham
enough to love all of that. It's been a
good education in politics, in the actual
governance of a University. You learn
a great deal. In fact, it rakes all of
eight years to learn all the interwork-
ings and problems of the entire place.
It's a big operation. But I just loved
it.
Mary Harris is a staff writer for The
Daily.
Saturday, January 11, 1975
News Phone: 764-0552
420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Mi. 48104
The demise of Join Doe
PRESIDENT FORD'S RECENT em-
panelment of a rogues gallery in
the position of a Blue Ribbon Citizens
Commission on the CIA was a pain-
ful, but hardly'surprising, follow-up
to his announcement that such a
commission was to be created.
Ironies abound, and have been
duly noted by respected commenta-
tors in the media and in the market-
place. No one expects this whitewash
crew to come up with anything dam-
aging or unusual. And at a time when
vast chunks of the American citizen-
ry are cutting off the circulation to
the lower halves of their bodies, via
belt-tightening, it is hardly just for
these well-heeled worthies - all more
or less public officials - to haul in
$130-odd dollars a day in public ex-
pense money. Surely there were need-
ier volunteers.
But what is even more disturbing
is Ford's casual (and possibly un-
conscious) debasement of the word
'citizen.' He has made it clear that
the channels of communication
which are needed for even the facade
of democratic government have ossi-
fied, and are atrophying fast.
PERHAPS THE BEST ANALOGY is
outlined in American military
history. In a citizens' militia, it is a
proud and honorable thing to be a
private soldier; but with the growth
of the standing army, so grew the
totem pole of command, and 'privates'
dwindled in general esteem until,
having been little lower than angels,
they became a lot lower than heavy
artillery.
And so it seems to go with private
citizens in the eyes of professional
government. It has been argued that
plain old folks lack the wherewithal
to conduct a probe of this magnitude,
but they might as well start learning
now. In the largest conception of our
form of government, the buck ulti-
mately stops with private citizens.
And if not now, when?
-MARNIE HEYN
Legal binds? Here's help
- PAGE ONE
The master politician race
By MARY DRYOVAGE
DESPITE POLITICAL TRENDS and popular
sentiments, there exists aid for legal hassles
in Ann Arbor. The Washtenaw County Legal Aid
Society is one such organization, with two
branches (soon EMU will provide a third): one
for U of M students, currently enrolled and PhD
candidates not enrolled, located at 4310 Michi-
gan Union, 665-6146; and one for Washtenaw coun-
ty residents, other than students, downtown, at
212 E. Huron, 665-6181.
Since you will be charged nothing for their
services financial criterion for eligibility must be
met. Add total gross income for the year, in-
cluding scholarships, student loans, parents gifts,
social security, trusts savings, etc. and call the
office that applies to you if you need legal serv-
ice. Legal aid offers vigorous repre3entation of
tenants.
If you don't qualify, or other recourses suit
your needs, try: the Tenants Union, on the 4th
floor of the Union, offers advice on your rights
as a tenant. I understand they also have ex-
cellent brochures on the housing code in Ann
Arbor and a check list to help you decide if
your dwelling meets these standards.
U MEDIATION SERVICE aids in. getting an
agreement between two parties. We particularly
recommend using this service for disputes be-
tween roommates or between tenants and sub-
tenants. They aren't a tenant advocate, or a land-
lord advocate, but a neutral mediator.
On the second floor of the County Building, on
the corner of Huron and Main, is the Consumer
Action Center, a division of the County Prosecu-
tor. These people negotiate disputes that consum-
ers have with businesses in a better business
fashion. Their phone number is 665-4451.
Ann Arbor's Human Rights ordinance is en-
forced by the office of the same name in City
Hall. There can't be discrimination on the basis
of marital status, educational affiliation, sexual
preference, national affiliation, age, sex race, re-
ligion, or socil association. Of course, any-
thing else can be used as a basis f>r discrim-
ination.
Ozone House 769-6540, will answer questions re-
ferring to minors. Women's Crisis Center, 761-
9473 and the University Counselling Service, 764-
8437, are useful if an emotional problem is also
involved.
THE FREE PEOPLES CLINIC, 225 Liberty,
holds a question and answering service on Mon-
days 7 - ,10 p.m. The lawyers here will not
represent you in court, but will give legal advice
for free.
Mary Dryovage is a staff member at Student
Legal Aid.
APPROXIMATELY T W 0 YEARS
from now, the next president of
the United States will be inaugurated.
Although no one knows who that
lucky person will t-e, it seems sure
that it will not be Senator Walter
Mondale (D-Minn ). After some ear-
ly interest and pre'iminary investiga-
tion, he decided not to "insanely seek
the office."
The reason for his decision is rather
interesting. Doesn't every red-blooded
American politician dream of one
day becoming president? Senator
Mondale seems to be an exception to
this philosophy, but perhaps the fault
lies not with the man, but the system.
The long and rigorous ordeal of the
campaign trail is looked upon as a
virtuous method of selecting the per-
son most qualified .to lead the na-
tion. The winner is hailed as the
eminently capable "master politic-
ian". The question remains as to whe-
ther it is best for this country to
have a "master politician" as presi-
dent.
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
is wide open This should provide
an excellent opportunity to view
some of the insanffies of the process
--for those who care to watch. No
fewer than 26 states will be holding
presidential primaries so there should
be plenty of spectacle. The battles
should be hot and heavy since Demo-
cratic ruler require nronortional dis-
tribtion of convention delegates ac-
cording to primry votes.
Political analysts will award moral
delegates' c a n d I d a t e preferen-
ces right down to the quarter of a
vote. Big newspapers will endorse
their pet candidates and writers will
lavish praise on their own favorites.
This is essential in helping the voters
decide between brand x and brand y,
the differences between some candi-
dates being no more than that be-
tween the regular and mint types of
the same toothpaste
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BUILD up
his own political machine which
will try to sell its glamorous product
to the public. The best sounding
candidate will probably be the one
with the best ghost writer while the
funniest one will be the one with
the most humorous joke writer. Hope-
fully, no candidate will make the
mistake of having a debate. Super-
ficially covering the most popular is-
sues and grand promise-making has
always been successful in the past.
Financing has always been the
most critical problem and the big-
gest area of abuse. Each candidate
attempts to amass the largest war
chest to get his oardwagon moving.
Like little school children, some can-
didate have received their "milk
money". Oil resources have lubricated
select political machines and often
have helped certain hopefuls slide
into office. Hopefu'ly, the new federal
campaign spending law will eliminate
these abuses, or at least some of
Mr. Span: Ingratitude
is its own reward, ehi?
i
By WAYNE JOHNSON
Sammy Span, a senior at
Crestwood High School, seemed
a bit reluctant to rise for school
on this typically sunny Michi-
gan Monday morning. "Time to
get up," Mom instructed, tug-
ging at the blankets he had
tucked neatly over his head.
"But Mom," replied Sammy,
"you don't want me to be taught
by those money hungry trade
unionists do you?"
Mom Spam, a former U )W
member, was not amused.
"Just wait until you have to
earn a living, you little smart
aleck," she shouted, ripping off
his protective covering. Sammy
lay rigid, quivering slightly.
"Son, are you afraid of some-
thing?" Mom asked.
"They might hurt me," he
blurted. "Remember what I told
that television reporter about
losing my respect of the old
teachers?"
"Oh Sammy," his mother re-
plied comfortingly, "they ar e
your teachers. They love you,
so go to school."
First period was Sammy's
homeroom, an English class
taught by Ms. Franklin, a thir-
ty-five year old divorcee. As
soon as he entered the door,
Sammy could tell something was.
different. Didn't there used to
be desks in this room? 'hy
were all the kids kneeling on
the floor, heads bent? Did it
have anything to do with the
bullwhip Ms. Franklin heId as
she paced the room?
Sammy thought of escape, but
too late. Franklin grabbed him
by the collar and led him to
the floor. "Today's less an is
learning to respect our teach-
ers," she announced.
"I am a teacher. While per-
sonal satisfaction means a lo: to
me, so does money. I need
money to live, just like you and
your parents. The board of edu-
cation would like o pay us as
little as possible while r, on tne
other hand, yotild like to earn
as much as possible. The key
word is earn.' I spend s i x
hours a day with you miserable
wages. That doesn't sound very
fair to me."
Sammy decided to risk a com-
ment. "But Ms. Franklin, I
can't graduate unless you are
here to pass me. I felt you
were acting selfishly by not
considering my interests.'
"Sammy, dear," sighed Ms.
Franklin as she cracked the
whip over his head, "how long
do you think the 'strike would
have lasted if the students had
supported us? Not as long as it
did when you supported the
scabs instead."
"At least those teachers were
interested enough to come in
and teach,"retorted Linda ano-
ther senior.
Ms. Franklin only laughed at
Linda's naivete. "They were
just thankful to be working."
By the end of homeroom, Sam-
my had to admit that even he
had learned new respect for
Ms. Franklin. It was clear he
had learned quickly since his
back was free of lash marks.
Algebra was next. Mr. Jack-
son was usually meek but Sam-
my knew today would be differ-
ent. Mr. Jackson addressed the
students, who were allowed to
sit in their desk seats. "Thanks
to your firm support in these
difficult times, none of you
can expect a grade higher than
C- on your cards. Sammy, come
to the board and explain the
Pythagorean Theorem."
"But sir, we haven't even
earned that yet," stuttered Sam-
my.
"Too bad," Jackson grinned,
"you fail. Tommy, what year
did Descartes die?"
Sammy was certain that kind-
ly Mr. Shook, the shop teach-
er, would not take revenge on
him. Sammy was wrong. "Good
news students," 3atd Mr.
shook, "in today's uroie t, Dril-
ling Sharp Metals, you don't
have to wear safety goggles or
gloves."
Lunch was supposed to be
next but it had been eliminated,
so gym was next. After run-
ning laps for an hour withwut a
rest, Sammy collapsed. T h e
nurse let him rest in her offce
but refused to call his home.
Hea mised athe lae+ two neri~ds
Letters to The D
animal lover
To The Daily:'
THE HOPE of the world is
truly in the hands of the young!
What a splendid editorial
"Hunters Violate Your Rights",
and what a piece of guts it took
to write such an editorial. You
are to be congratulated a n d
commended for your courage. I
am sure you have been casti-
gated by the hunting eleament
by now.
A friend working for the Fund
for Animals in Ann Arbor, Doris
Dixon, sent me a copy of year
editorial, and I am so deligihed
with it. I hope more y o u n g
people will speak out on the
evils of hunting; especially for
sport and trophies.
I think we all know t.e tre-
mendous amount of money con-
nected with the sport of hut-
ing,an thn jobs associated with
I hope you will continue to
speak out for the animals. You
won't get praise from any but
the lovers of animals, but you
will certainly have their heirt-
felt thanks.
-Mrs. J. C. Yarbrough
December 3
cold showers
To The Daily:
YESTERDAY I was at the 'M
gym and went to take -a nice not
shower after a long workaut.
Unfortunately, I found that the
water was not just cold, bat
icy. Some of the others c wimt
in this predicament put' h ir
sweaty, uncomfortable ynm
clothes back on and went home.
Myself and several others had
other appointments so we had
no choice but to try to shower.
In wintery weather, icy water
is not just an inconvenience, aut
it is just plain hazardotis to
reds of others who have surfer-
ed through this same probem
join me in urging ti it some
pressure be applied to get things
moving. This was not Just an
isolated incident out has hap-
pened to me three times in !he
last month ,and I'n there only
twice a week).
-A Disgusted and Sweaty
Racquetbail Player
January 9
pen pal
To The Daily:
I AM PRESENTLY an iina'e
confined at the London 'lhio)
Correctional institute, serving a
5 to 30 years sentence. I would
very much want to havo cur-
respondence with pecl" in Ihc
outside world. Evervone needs
a friend and a man in prison is
no exception. Somedaiy I wifl' re-
turn to society and hope nev:.r
to reirn to cell.
them.
A T THE END of the
chaic Electoral
trail lies the ar-
College which