- al State troubles lead to lower 'U' bond rating By NANCY BILYEAU v In the wake of state cuts in fiscal aid return because the risk is greater," sale of a University bond may to higher education, S & P lowered the Pilcher siad. an investor less today than it rating of six University bond issues If the University planned to build a lhave three days ago due to a from AA to AA-. new dormitory, they wotfld have to ;rading ofbonds announced Wed- Bond agencies still consider a AA- a charge higher interest rates on the y by Standard & Poor's rating good rating that is well above the dorm revenue bonds sold because the y. questionable market value, interest would be higher, Pilcher ex - - -. S & P INSTITUTED the rating' plained. change primarily because of a five per- THE BONDS FOR the University cent cut in state higher education aid, Events and Recreation buildings, the said First Michigan Corp. spokesman Graduate Library, acquisition of old St. pt I "After talking to state officials, they ts on the Dearborn campus were among don't see a total restoration of the fiscal those lowered by S & P. +*-'81 cuts," Weitzmann said. University officials and advisers ex- The rating change "has no effect on pressed confidence yesterday that S & the University," said James P's actions would not set back any new is preserved on Brinkerhoff, University vice-president. building projects now in the works. mm n~r-~~r~n m."It only has effect on people who own Norman Herbert, the University's in- bond issues and how they're going to vestment officer, said it's too early to I JJLJnn OL MLU buy and sell them." predict the impact on plans for the $210 HOWEVER, OTHER finance million new University Hospital slated The Michigan Daily analysts fear that S & P's downgrading for Fall '81 construction. 421 Manar Steetmay make it more difficult for the "We have not had any hospital bond 420Universityto'raise capital for future issues rated as of yet," Herbert said. AND projects. The University is currently involved Graduate Library S & P's perception of a University in discussions with S & P in an effort to bond is that it's "less worthy than it was restore the bonds to their former before," said Finance Prof. James rating. Pilcher. The New York-based firm may be in- "It will mean that people who buy vited to Ann Arbor's campus soon for a bonds will require a higher rate of day of tours and discussions, Brinkerhoff said at yesterday's Regen- ts meeting. According to Brinkerhoff, the MICHIG AN THEATRE University's bond rating was reduced less than the other state schools. A-ALAN Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and Western Michigan University were among those affected A !!A Aby S & P's downgrading. 04 8I Daily Photo by MAUREEN O'MALLEY THIS HOUSE located at 1700 Broadway is the proposed site for a halfway house for up to 70 state prisoners. The proposal to use the house for this purpose has drawn criticism from nearby residents and city and University officials. University joins liso halfway (Continued from Page 1) disputes over working conditions. John Gellick, who supervises local halfway houses for the state, admits, "I'm going into a no-win situation on Wednesday," and will be "the lone representative of the state." "After a tragedy such as the recent murder, people are not going to be talking rationally," he said. But, I'm not a public floormat, and I'm not going to take too much abuse." GELLICK ADMITS that prisoners are walking around during the daytime and that no one is following them. However, he said that the program was more cost-effective and that halfway houses have a "good track record" as house protesters correctional facilities. Councilwoman Leslie Morris (D- Second Ward), referred to the proposed facility as an "open door prison," but spokes persons for the Department of Corrections argue that consolidation of small halfway houses under one roof, would enable the state to finance 24- hour supervision of the prisoners, and increased staff and services. "If we're able to operate in this man- ner in Ann Arbor, I think we'll do a much better job with the program," Gellick said. Morris charged that the state was "taking advantage of tolerance in University areas" of things that would not be accepted in other more affluent neighborhoods. But neighborhood residents are not taking the proposal lightly. Rob Ewing, a Broadway Avenue resident, organized many neighborhoods who wrote letters, circulated petitions, and vowed to go to the hearing. Attorney John Laird, who is representing some of the neighbors, said, "the people out there are scared to death." June Schauer, a 35-year resident on Broadway, vowed to move out if the center becomes a halfway house. "But, I'm worried I might, have trouble selling my place," she said. t"I" } NflI .!I N STA TE (OF? .TA TE 4ADDRE.S: Regents suggest study of state taxes Continued from Page 3 "We've got to get going on this thing." State Sen. Edward Pierce (D-Ann Arbor) aproached the Regents to assure then tiat the University's' financial situation is not so gloomy. Stressing that the University is one of the finest educational in- stitutions in the world, the Michigan alumnus said A'I'm not sure how many of my colleagues (in the legislature) know that," implying that he would aid the University in getting sufficient funds to maintain high academic standards. Views mixed on tax plan. (Continued from Pagel1) Republicans but got an expectedly cool reception from the legislature's ruling Democrats. Interest rates on m ortgages tip WASHINGTON (AP)-The Federal Home Loan Board says it doesn't ex- pect any good news for prospective house buyers for a while. The board reported that hqmebuyers paid an average of 14.93- ercent in- terest on mortgages in early Decem- ber, the fourth straight mont {in which' the rate increased. Also, the average price of houses purchased increased from $69,800 in November to $73,000 early last month,'the board said. "Some further increase in mortgage commitment rates may be anticipated as thrift institutions continue to be buf- feted by increases in their costs of fun- ds," the board said. "I don't think there was a great deal of substance to it," said House Speaker Bobby Crim (D-Davison). The speaker was miffed that Milliken consulted with Republicans-but not Democrats-on his tax plan. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER Robert VanderLaan of Kentwood praised the message as "a broad-based blueprint for expanding Michigan's economy." Senate Democratic Leader William Faust' of Westland was conspicuously. absent. Aides said he skipped the speech to attend a legislative conferen- ce which begins Friday in Sarasota, Fla. Conservative Republican Sens. John Welborn of Kalamazoo and Edgar Fredricks of Holland vowed to in- troduce a modified version of last fall's property tax halving Tisch Tax Cut Amendment for placement on the ballot along with the governor's latest plan. Milliken laced his speech with references to his long tenure in Lansing but stressed he enjoys his job and is not looking elsewhere. Other key proposals in the annual ad- dress and 96-page accompanying message included a reduction in the legislative calendar, curbs on the revolving door between government and private industry and creation of a regional presidential primary. Faculy group to sue" MSU over layoffs RALPH HERBERT-NANCY HODGE SCHUG9ERT SONGS January 19th 8:05 pm WUOM 91 .7 FM EAST LANSING (UPI)-A Michigan State University faculty group plans to file suit against MSU over 212 days of temporary layoffs implemented last month as a budget-cutting move, it was disclosed yesterday. The American Association of Univer- sity Professors-Michigan State Univer- sity said the furloughs violate what amounts to a contract between the university and the faculty members. THE GROUP SAID its suit will seek back pay and an order preventing fur- ther layoffs. The layoffs approved by the MSU Board of Trustees last month were part of a four-part budget plan designed to compensate for a $10.1 million deficit. The plan also included a $20 tuition sur- charge for all students this term. Frank Blatt of the AAUP-MSU executive committee said proof of financial exigency is required before budget-cutting measures affecting the- faculty can be taken. Blatt said the faculty affairs commit- tese at MSU was not consulted before employees were notified about the layoff. The Michigan State University Em- ployees Association, a clerical- technical union, has filed for binding arbitration on the issue. Cinema I presents COMING HOME (Hal Ashby, 1978) Winner of five Academy Awards, this film returns us to the 1960's in a drama of love and war. The insistent beat of such musicians as RICHIE HAVENS and the ROLLING STONES com- bines with the superb cinematography of Haskell Wexler to create a setting of paranoia and passion in which the tender love affair of a paraplegic Vietnam Vet and a Marine officer's wife grows. JON VOIGHT and JANE FONDA both won Academy Awards. (129 min.). 7:00 and 9:15. Friday, Jan. 16 Aud. A. $2.00 The Man Who W'id Be (John P0 Two former English so' CAINE and NERY) decide to own territoryi century India. r'.isguised as a holyn servant, the .1ains and cross glaciers t the forbidd L . y where, through luck andc they realize ..ighest dreams. As lighthearteda ible an advenure as you're likely to see. Filmed in A 35 mm. (129) 7:00 and 9:15. King SEAN CON- in late 19th man and his to penetrate coincidence, and implaus- Afghanistan. $2.00 Sataurday, Jan. 17 Aud. A DANCE SHORTS r7