Eighty-Seven Years of Editorial Freedom
420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Call a cease-Mirex on
Wednesday, September 29, 1976
News Phone: 764-05521
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan]
Break ties with Michigamua
THE UNIVERSITY is faced with an
explicit and unconditional choice
in pondering the future of its rela-
tionship with Michigamua, the cam-
pus' secret, male-only organization.
It must withdraw its support of the
group or stand in noncompliancee
with Title IX, the law prohibiting
sex discrimination in federally fund-
ed institutions.
A complaint filed by two students
with the Department of Health, Edu-
cation, and Welfare last week, fol-
lowing up a similar grievance lodged
with the University in May, alleges
that the group has long enjoyed the
privileged use of University facilities.
This includes a free room at the Un-
ion, and meals prepared and trans-
ported by University personnel to
University-owned Radrick Farms golf
course.
Taken at face value, Michigauma's
activities are certainly innocuous. Ev-
ery Monday night, the groups ap-
proximately 25 members, who include
players on almost all men's varsity
teams, and staff members from the
University Activities Center (UAC),
The Michiganensian, and The Daily,
meet on the sixth floor of the Union.
They talk, repair to a local watering
hole, and usually end up watching
t h e nationally televised football
game. The group came under fire
several years ago for its initiation
rites, which were thought to be of-
fensive to Native Americans. Their
initiations have since been conducted
in private. Membership is by invita-
tion only.
The question here is not the right
of Michigamua to exist, their right to
exclude women, or even their right
to conduct what some may consider
to be racist initiation rites. At issue
is whether the University is in viola-
tion of federal law by allowing Michi-
gamua to use its facilities - under
any conditions.
Title IX states that an institution
accepting federal funds cannot pro-
vide significant assistance to student
groups that discriminate on the ba-
sis of sex. Fraternities, sororities,
and other social groups are exempt
from Title IX. But "honoraries,"
groups which exist to bestow distinc-
tion upon deserving members, are
not. It would seem that Michigamua
slips neatly into this category.
Even beyond this, the University
is compelled, by both the letter and
spirit of Title IX, to help eradicate
sexism, wherever it may be encoun-
tered.
In the last analysis, Michigamua
remains merely a symptom of a larg-
er condition - one of deeply rooted
institutional sexism.
By DON GARDNER
THE CONTROVERSIAL PESTICIDE mirex - used
widely throughout the South against fire ants -
will be banned by the Environmental Protection Ag-
ency by the end of this year.
An agreement between the EPA, the state of Mis-
sissippi and environmentalists to curtail use of the
substance was reached last week following three-and-
a-half years of hearings into the environmental and
health dangers of the DDT- related pesticide.
Evidence presented indicated that aside from being
relatively ineffective, the pesticide is toxic to many
species, causes cancer in rats and accumulates in
human fatty tissue. It has been found in 40 per cent
of human tissue samples taken in the Southeast, lead-
ing scientists to fear the possibility of extensive cancer
casualties.
FEARING AN ALMOST certain EPA ban, Missis-
sippi - the sole marketer of mirex ant bait - pe-
'The dangers associated with mirex
have been known since 1971, when
the EPA first announced an intent to
cancel the registration for the pesticide
because of "a substantial question
about the safey of mirex."'
titioned the EPA one month ago to make the phase-out
gradual.
The resulting plan will allow Mississippi to continue
to sell mirex in a diluted form for aerial spraying
through 1977. Any remaining stocks will be sold through
1978 for non-aerial application only.
However, the end of mirex may come even sooner
from a different corner. The Hooker chemical plant
in Niagara Falls, N.Y., which produces the chemical
from which the bait is manufactured, has announced
it will no longer sell mirex to Mississippi unless the
state indemnifies the company against all potential
lawsuits.
Hooker already faces the possibility of hundreds of
millions of dollars in lawsuits resulting from mirex
contamination of Lake Ontario.
ACCORDING TO A high official in the EPA, "What
we' have here is almost identically another kepone
situation, only this one has international implications.
Mirex is all over the lake and Canada would like to
use the lake for fishing."
Mirex is known to decompose into kepone, the same
chemical which has caused numerous severe illnesses
and other environmental dangers in Virginia, where
it was produced under contract with the Allied Chem-
ical Co., which had developed the pesticide in the
1950s.
Allied also used to manufacture mirex, until the
company sold out all mirex production to Mississippi
earlier this year.
The dangers associated with mirex have been known
since 1971, when the EPA first announced an intent
to cancel the registration for the pesticide because of
"a substantial question about the safety of mirex.
ALLIED APPEALED, however, and two weeks later
the EPA reinstated the cancelled registration for both
ground and aerial application.
Since that time thousands of pounds of mirex ant
bait have been sprayed over millions of acres-blan-
keting the farm belt from East Texas to the Atlantic
coast. +
The spraying, much of it done by federal and state
agriculture departments, is continuing throughout the
South despite the EPA decision to discontinue mirex
production at the end of the year.
The intended victim of the pesticide is the tiny fire
ant, which was accidentally imported to the U. S. in
1918 from South America. The ant is feared for its
painful sting, which leaves a small, itchy blister. Two
persons with severe allergic reactions are known to
have died from the sting.
MORE IMPORTANT, the ants build large mounds-
sometimes a yard high - which farmers say interfere
with hay baling.
Since the early 1960s, the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture has spent more than $150 million to control
the pest.
But the use of mirex and the eradication program
itself have been controversial from the beginning.
In 1967 the National Academy of Sciences issued a.
report which concluded that "eradication of the fire
ant is biologically and technically impossible, and in-
advisable were it possible."
The report argued that the ant is a general preda-
tor - a beneficial insect because it eats other insects,
including the harmful termite, sugarcane borer, soy-
bean loopers, and corn earworms.
A similar study revealed that when mirex killed
most of the fire ants in one area of Louisiana, cron
losses from the resurgent sugarcane borer soared to
69 ner cent in one year.
ANOTHER STUDY SHOWED that while one annlica-
tion of mirex could kill tip to 95 per cent of the fire
art nonulation, as many as 100 apolications might be
reaoiired to eliminate the remaining five per cent.
In addition, the EPA's fire ant expert, entomologist
William Hollaway, testified in 1974 that "there are no
fire ants
... criteria for establishing that a significant nuisance
or economically damaging infestation exists in the
area where the interest for treatment has been shown."
Holloway cited a study which showed that almost
30 per cent of the more than eight million acres spray-
ed with mirex in 1972 "contained almost no ants and
therefore probably should not have been treated."
While the pesticide has failed to eradicate the fire
ant, its effect on other species - including humans -
has been striking.
' : . . ; : J f M'S : kto : "!
'In 1967 the National Academy of
Sciences issued a report which c o n-
cluded that "eradication of the fire ant
is biologically and technically impossi-
ble, and inadvisable were is possible."
The report argued that the ant is a
general predaor - a beneficial insect
because it eats other insects, including
the harmful termite, sugarcane borer,
soybean loopers, and corn earworms.'
The National Cancer Institute revealed that up to 20
per cent of the lab rats exposed to the pesticide de-
veloped cancer of the liver.
Dr. Earl Alley, a chemist for the state of Mississippi,
testified in hearings that "mirex would be likely to re-
main in living and non-living matter for longer per-
iods of time than would such chlorinated hydrocarbon
pesticides as DDT, aldrin /dieldrin and heptachlor-
pesticides noted for their persistence in the environ-
ment."
OTHER SCIENTISTS HAVE found that mirex in-
hibits cell division in plankton, accumulates in fatty
tissues and passes through the food chain to humans.
The most startling evidence against mirex came this
summer when the EPA released survey results show-
ing that 40 per cent of all persons tested in the South
had some level of mirex in their bodies.
The EPA plans to conduct further tests beginning
next month to find out whether the 60 per cent of
the population that was free of mirex might show
signs of the deadly kepone, the mirex derivative.
Don Gardner is a Texas-based freelance writer on
en ironmental issues who has worked as staff reporter
on the Iouston Post and the San Antonio Light.
Nn. E'ID~fJ, "me
circs CLAIN WHO.
ASCRIBE'*OWIMPIVIPOAL-
lwt) V~tos UBee ;
UBE 2TtS.
Thc
RP0; 5 G .
V16H05
RicE? /'
I
Registration fear and loathing:
CRISPy critters strike again
I t eAwt , PY7"
IG RM FFRE6 E E
i1
1
THI Ev~ fr N OAi
TO A nos MMy '
TI~e.CARSON.
By STEPHEN KURSMAN
Despersonalization and ineffic-
iency have long been facets of
life at the big 'U.' But these
two evils show their face in
such a variety of ways that
they can never be predicted or
forecasted with total accuracy.
Yes, I was even taken by sur-
prise when I examined the con-
tents of a letter given to me
by my apartmentmate last
month. It was a nice sunny day
in August and the mailperson
had just cheerfully walked up
the steps and delivered the
mail. Who would expect Univer-
sity evil?
But alas; this letter from the
LS&A Registrar's Office con-
tained ominous hints of Univer-
sity inefficiency. On my sched-
ule in place of Economics 402
was the phrase: "class not
available." And as if I wasn't
..., scared already, it was all in
capitals and it really stood out,
...a compared to all the numbers on
this product of CRISP.
fer to the Fall term final ed-
ition of the Time Schedule for
the meeting times and places."
Well I had managed to fig-
ure out that the meeting time
and place for Economics 402 did
not print. How could it have
printed? It wasn't there!
I had managed to figure out
that the course without the
meeting time and place was
Econ 402. How could it have
a meeting time and place?
"Class not available" was print-
ed smack in the middle of the
meeting time andmplace column!
I had also managed to fig-
-ure out that the Fall term final
edition of the Time Schedule
would be a good source of meet-
ing times and places for Fall
term _classes.
i it. o.. thing i wantea to
know was why, why had my
total credit hours been reduced?
Obviously distressed, I fum-
bled for my now dusty 1975-76
University directory and franti-
cally searched for a telephone
number that would lead to a
helping answer.
Whether I called the Regis-
trar's Office or the Scheduling
Office I don't remember, but I
do remember being told that the
place to call was the LS&A
counseling office, an establish-
ment employing somebody who
promptly told me that the place
to call was Point-10.
Point-10 was a taped mes-
sage. It told me that the place
to call was Point-20. (The num-
bers of the tapes may have been
changed to protect the inno-
cent. I've forgotten their
. ...
:: t :z: :>
Plato plumbs candidates
"tmm.Ss.ty.S. . ..._.=. ,r.;..>:"
By LISA ZISOOK
THE EVENING BEFORE the Ford-
- Carter debate a funny thing happened
which may help explain the candidates'
performance. They were reported to have
spent the evening wining, dining, carousing,
and conversing with none other than Plato
himself. They say that politics often makes
for strange bedfellows and President Ford,
Jimmy Carter, and Plato certainly make
an interesting combination. But in a presi-
dential campaign anything's possible. The
following is a record of their conversation
as related by an unimpeachable source.
Plato: Dearly beloved, we are gathered
here tonight to discuss matters of grave
importance, namely domestic policy and
economic affairs. Hopefully you will be
able to gain a proper perspective on these
issues if I lower myself to your level in
order to raise you to mine.
Ford and Carter: How will you accom-
plish this?
Plato: Simply by following your example
and acting ignorant. I will ask you ques-
tions and you will instruct me through
your answers.
Ford and Carter: But how do we know
whether your intentions are honorable?
Plato: I'l tell you. They aren't, but as
you both already know the ends justify the
means.
Ford and Carter: That sounds alright
to us. Ask away.
Plato: Mr. Carter you have been accus-
ed of being vague on the issues. Do you
think you can try to be more specific in
answering my questions?
Carter: Yes. I will try to be more spe-
cifically vague.
Plato: Thank you. How, for example do
you propose to end unemployment?
Carter: By getting elected.
Plato: President Ford?
Fnrd: In reards to ending unenlov-
ment. T hnnf to achieve this goal by keen-
inflation?
Carter: If you ignore inflation, it will
eventually go away. This will result in both
reduced unemployment and inflation rates.
Plato: President Ford, how will you be
able to provide tax cuts and balance the
budget?
Ford: By shifting the tax burden on
those who have avoided paying in the past.
Plato: Do you mean former presidents?
Ford: Of course not. One has to make al-
lowances for them. I mean draft evaders.
If they want to return to this country,
they'll have to pay for it.
Plato: Why do you consider unemploy-
ment compensation payments superior to
furnishing public service jobs?
Ford: Public service jobs are dead end
and offer no opportunity for advancement.
I know from personal experience that when
you get to be president there's nowhere
to go but downhill.
Plato: Mr. Carter, how would you in-
crease efficiency in government?
Carter: I would increase efficiency by
establishing a dictatorship. This would
create additional revenues by eliminating
bureaucratic mess.
Plato: President Ford, what would your
policies be in regards to energy?
Ford: I would increase the utilization of
coal and solar energy while cutting expen-
ditures on foreign oil and encouraging the
cultivation of domestic resources.
Contact your reps
Sen. Phillip Hart (Dem.), 253 Russell Bldg., Capitol Hill,
Washington, D.C. 20515.
Sen. Robert Griffin (Rep.), 353 Russell Bldg., Capitol Hill,
Washington, D.C. 20515.
Rep. Marvin Esch (Rep.), 2353 Rayburn Bldg., Capitol Hill,
Washington, D.C. 20515.
Sen. Gilbert Bursley (Rep.), Senate, State Capitol Bldg.,
Lansing, MI 48933
Rep. Perry Bullard (Dem.), House of Representatives, State
Capitol Bldg., Lansing, MI 48933.
****v * ."*." ...* : "" :* *4*,*. * **?;:v*.[*."*Y,* * **1..* -
To make matters worse, my
credit total had been reduced
by three.
Choking on my PB&J sand-.
wich and forgetting it was the
sunny summertime, I anxiously
fumbled through the envelope
for any words of explanation.
And I found them. They said:
"The meeting time and place
for certain courses and/or sec-
tions did not print on your
class schedule. These sections
can be identified by the nota-
tion "Class Not Available." Re-
names.) Point-20 was another
taped message. It assured me
that the computer didn't know
what it was doing. This tape
recording assured me that it
was to be trusted over and
above the computer at CRISP.
By now I was getting pretty
suspicious. I began to think of
Jimmy Carter's statements
about the Washington bureau-
cracy. If a few offices within
a University could create such
a fiasco, what could happen at
the national level?
What was there left to do but
to pay a visit to my friend the
computer?
I hopped on my bicycle and
went to the Old A&D building.
No one seemed pensive except
for a small line of people stand-
ing behind a table. This table
is known as the "Problem
Desk." It is for people with
scheduling problems.
Next to the desk was a friend-
ly sign which cordially assured
me that I needn't feel left out;
between ten and thirteen thou-
sand other people have the same
problem.
Wonderful! I was so overjoyed
that I almost lost my PB&J
sandwich! I waited in line for
five minutes and saw my sched-
ule illuminated on a video
screen. My sense of privacy
was somewhat reduced, but I
swallowed and didn't say a
word.
Printer II spat out my now-
corrected class schedule. The
attendant tried to separate it
from the hundreds of other
schedules that were spewing
forth and she ripped mine.
After all I had gone through
I was really mad. But I flash-
ed her a big smile and she
smiled right back. She also
apologized.
So I went home and lovingly
put masking tape on the back
of my torn printout. I prayed
for all the people in out-of-state
places like New York and Calif-
ornia from which the Old A&D
Building is not so accessible.
I prayed for all the New York
and Calimornia mailpeople who
would deliver CRISP sched-
ules to those students.
And I prayed for all the peo-
ple who would meet the peo-
ple who received incorrect class
schedules the day the sched-
ules were delivered.
Yes my friends, depersonali-
zation and inefficiency are ene-
mies of us all. They are en-
croaching on our rights and re-
ducing the quality of life in
Ann Arbor! They must be elim-
mated!
0
AT'tCjcjms CKtLDR N!K rRv 7 ' 1 F.RRY
o R ELEC.TIOPi FOB CLASS
MESMENT iS co"I N G, UP*
1.ASZ YEAR, LITTLE AmIt
AS PRf.510ENT ...
tAi t l At' E. %S AN'1 t CARWR I
x RvNrstt, fat{
... AND
'RF S ©ENT !
Plato: Mr. Carter?
Carter: As opposed to
the same thing.
Plato: Wouldn't it be
harness human energy?
example, give off more
energy than anyone else
Ford, I would do
more feasible to
Both of you, for
hot air with less
I've ever known.
Both candidates pass out in a drunken
stupor.
Plato: Oh well, they just don't make
politicians the way they used to.
U.sa 7;sook is a new writer on the Daily
s-~