The Michigan Daily-Thursday, July 12, 1979-Page 3 State panel considers 'U' funding cutbacks By ADRIENNE LYONS A joint House-Senate conference committee met for the second time yesterday in Lansing, but did not reach an agreement on a final level for state appropriation to colleges and univer- sities. University officials, however, said they are optimistic final cutbacks will be smaller than those recommended. ASSISTANT University Vice- President for State Relations Lawrence Fincher said he believes it is "unlikely" legislators would cut $30 million from the total $686 million higher education bill. Legislative leaders in both houses hae set $652 million as a target figure for higher education appropriations. The state legislature initially suggested a $15 million, or 11.2 per cent, increase over last year's funding to the University. The legislature recommen- ded the University receive $148,926,200 for the coming year. Final figures have not been set yet, Fincher said, although the joint com- mittee has been meeting for two days. "They've had conference committee meetings, but not seriously. They've been meeting for five minutes (on each day)," Fincher said. FINCHER explained that the com- mittee usually does not acomplish much until the day before summer recess, when legislators stay up all Slow court process deklays GE O decision three months night finalizing bills. This year the said. "I almost refuse to think of that legislature recesses tomorrow. Fincher (happening)." predicted final appropriations also will IF THE conference committee cuts come tomorrow. higher education funding by $30 million, According to Fincher, the $30 million the University could take measures cutback will not be reached. "It's too such as raising tuition. severe," he said. Fincher said he believed tuition could But Interim University President be increased between eight and 9.5 per Allan Smith admitted the results would cent. Fincher said if the University be "disastrous" if such cutbacks were receives the suggested $148,926,200 enacted. "We'd be up all night," Smith See STATE, Page 6 By ADRIENNE LYONS A court decision on whether graduate teaching assistants are University employees or students probably will be delayed three months, said a Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) official yesterday. GEO President Greg Scott said the decision, originally expected in August, has been pushed back to December because of "the court system itself." "THE COURT secretaries aren't getting the transcripts out fast enough for the attorneys to get their briefs out," he explained. The case revolves around the University's claim that Graduate Student Teaching Assistants should be considered students, and the GEO contention that teaching assistants are University employees. The case, now before Administrative Law Judge Shlomo Sperka, was ordered See GEO, Page 6 Disabled residents prot est j,\ AATA cuts By BETH PERSKY More than 60 people, many of them disabled, protested proposed reduc- tions in public transportation at a meeting of the Ann Arbor Transpor- tation Authority (AATA) last night. Most said they feared possible reduc- tions in Sunday and evening Dial-a- Ride (DAR) service would deny the handicapped access to shopping areas, a social life, and evening classes, as well as preventing some disabled people from getting to night jobs. CURRENTLY, Dial-a-Ride service within the city is availble Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The proposed changes, which would go into effect this fall, would eliminate evening and Sun- Flash flood See DIAL-A-RIDE, Page 6 While tight] todayk Searching for victims of drug experiments American Citizens for Honesty in Government is looking for people who were part of an experiment with the drug "BZ" during a tenure in service. The experiment involved 7,000 people given various drugs at the U.S. Army's Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland from 1950 until 1975. If you or someone you know was involved in these experiments, American Citizens for Honesty in Government asks that you write 3905 Rochester Rd., Royal Oak, Michigan, 48073, or call 585-8924. And the winner is... A few weeks ago the Daily mentioned a group of Ann Arbor residents placing bets on the date Skylab would fall. It turns out the winner, Matthew Turner, is on his way to Colorado, and doesn't know that he won the $12. In fact, according to Howard Pikstein, t ' 3. f 3 '' , r # _' " ~_ ; £ ' # .z Uri , ;; '. t . s _. F ? t Wind-slapped AP Photo s and gusty winds drenched Southern Louisiana as Hurricane Bob swept the Mississippi Coast yesterday morning. ly moored shrimp boats at DeJean's Packing Company in Biloxi, escaped undamaged; automobiles parked next were flooded. who engineered the Skylab betting ring, Turner doesn't know the date on which he placed his bet, because Pikstein simply picked one for him. "He heard Skylab was headed for Michigan, so he took off for Colorado," Pikstein joked. Twelve people paid a buck to get in on the action. Pikstein said he'll hand onto the money until Turner returns, even though "it's not enough to buy dinner." ... but don't count on it If you placed a bet on the time that Skylab would fall, don't pay up yet. While the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), which tracked the doomed space station, said Skylab ceased to be in orbit at 12:32 p.m. yesterday, the last radio signal was received at 12:11 p.m. NASA will gather reports on data and eyewitness sightings before nailing down Skylab's re-entry time. Meanwhile, Skylab bookies across thew world are waiting still. Happenings.. . ... it's the last day for the Red Cross blood donating clinic, from 11 am, until 5 p.m., in G 1320 Towsley Center . .. an Alaskan menu will be featured at American Heritage night at the Michigan League from 5 p.m. until 7:15 p.m... . Ann Arbor Advocates for Safe Alter- natives in Childbirth offer a workshop on "Planning Your Birthing Experience" at 7:30 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation Lounge, 602 E. Huron St.... Theatre Lambda presents the second per- formance of "The Lady of the Camellias;; at 8 p.m. in the Pendleton Room in the Michigan Union . . . FILMS: Michigan Media Resour- ces-Miracle of Life; Newborn; Adapting to Paren- thood; Who Are the Debolts, and Where Did They Get 19 Kids? Program begins at 7:30 p.m., Aud. 3, MLB ... Ann Arbor Film Co-op-The Spy Who Loved Me,7 p.m., 9:15 p.m., Aud. A, Angell Hall. On the outside ... Partly cloudy today with scattered thunder- showers. High temperature will be in the upper 80s, low near 60. Old Thor can't seem to keep away from Ann Arbor.