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'ge 12.B--Thursday, September 9, 1982-The Michigan Daily
MS still struggling with anonymit
By GEORGE ADAMS.
A close look at your first tuition bill
will reveal that every student at the
University is charged $3.90 per term for
the Michigan Student Assembly.
This creates somewhat of a problem
because although MSA provides a
number of services as the University's
campus-wide student government, a
large number of students would be hard
pressed to say what it is or what it does.
THE PROBLEM of anonymity is one
that MSA has been struggling with for
years, and indications are that the
organization is not gaining any ground
in its fight to attract more student par-
ticipation.
MSA does in fact exist, however,
quietly, and in many respects to know
them is to let them work for you. Over a'
quarter of a million dollars of student
money annually goes to support MSA's
programs, many of which are at least
indirectly at a student's disposal.
MSA's services can be defined in two
broad categories. First, it provides
direct aid. to students through such
programs as legal services, income tax
help, low cost health and property in-
surance, funds for hundreds of student
groups, and a course evaluations guide
published for every registration period.
SECOND, MSA acts as the official
student voice in University affairs. The
Assembly appoints student members to
several administrative and faculty
committees and also takes a stand as
the student government on issups of
concern to the University community.
More often than not, the role of MSA
in actual policy-making decisions is
strictly advisory, although members of
the assembly have been fighting for
greater influence for years,
The University administration has
long taken the stand that students,
because they basically only "pass
through" the University community,
should not have a decision-making role
in the running of the school. Students,
however, argue that they are the ones
most directly affected by University
policy, and therefore should have a
direct role in its formation.
THE DEBATE over the proper level
of student involvement has intensified
recently over the issue of University
budget cuts. Facing the possibility of
losing entire departments or schools,
some students are demanding a greater
say in decisions.
MSA is composed of 35 elected
representatives of the University's 17
schools and colleges. The number of
representatives from each school is
determined by that school's total
enrollment. An assembly president and
vice-president are elected by the entire
student body (or at least those who
choose to vote) each April.
The representatives are also chosen
during the annual election, but only by
students from their particular school or
college. The College of Literature,
Science and the Arts is the largest of the
University's schools, and as such has
the largest number of MSA represen-
tatives with 12.
THIS YEAR'S president and vice
president are Amy Moore and Stephon
Johnson, both members of Voice, a
campus political party which ousted the
People's Action Coalition (PAC) from
their two-year hold on MSA. There are
presently representatives from Voice,
PAC, and the British Humour Party, as
well as several independents on the
Assembly.
MSA holds regular weekly meetings
during the academic year in their of-
fices on the third floor of the Michigan
Union.
MSA uses a considerable number of
students in addition to the represen-
tatives to run its programs and sit on
committees. Assembly officials say
they welcome more students and have
plenty of positions available for them.
By FANNIE WEINSTEIN
As the Public Interest Research
Group in Michigan (PIRGIM)
celebrates its 10th anniversary this fall,
the University's chapter will be un-
dergoing both internal and external
changes, according to PIRGIM of-
ficials.
"We're trying to get people to know
when they come to the University that
this resource (PIRGIM) is available,"
said Wendy Rampson, campus coor-
dinator for the University's PIRGIM
chapter.
PIRGIM is a statewide consumer ac-
tion group, funded and controlled by
students from colleges throughout
Michigan. In the past, PIRGIM has
organized task forces on issues such as
hazardous waste, student financial aid,
and handgun control. The group has
also published banking, grocery, and
textbook price surveys.
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Daily Photo by DEBORAH LEWIS
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Harold Shapiro (second from right) addresses a meeting of the Michigan Student
Assembly last year. Seated around him are former MSA President Jon Feiger, Vice President Amy Hartmann, and
member Betsy Gallop.
S .
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Tenth year
will see changes
tors. "Students really don't know what
PIRGIM is and it's no fault of their's."
One problem that has plagued
PIRGIM in the past has been a lack of
funds. "Things aren't so great
nowadays financially," Edgar con-
ceded, but she added, "It's the way you
spend the money that you have rather
than the amount."
This fall, PIRGIM will once again
seek student support on a proposal to
change its funding basis, according to
Rampson.
Last Year, PIRGIM collected about
$34,000 from students at CRISP, accor-
ding to Rampson, who added that a
change in systems could double the
amount of money PIRGIM collects.
Both Edgar and Rampson agreed
there is little trouble getting volunteers,
estimating that in addition to a core of
about 25 workers, there are up to 100
additional volunteers throughout the
year.
"LAST SEMESTER there was an up-
surge," Edgar said. "There were a lot
more people interested."
"I think the only problem is directing
the energy," Rampson explained. "It's
important that right when a person
comes in, we get the person to do
something."
"The whole idea of a student
organization is that it's always
changing," she said, but added it can
still be headed in the same direction.
"With new people, there are new ideas
and new ways of doing things," she
said, "but outside goals remain the
same."
"PIRGIM's goingrto be a lot fresher
next year," Edgar added, "People
seem to be really energetic, really en-
couraged."
IN THE past, PIRGIM has been
criticized for not gearing itself enough
toward students.
"People have accused us-of not doing
things for students," Rampson said,
citing PIRGIM's toxic waste campaign
as an example, "but we're doing things
for students as citizens."
"We are student geared," Edgar ad-
ded, "but if we were totally geared to
students, I wonder how much support
we'd get."
THIS summer, PIRGIM worked on r
various environmental, consumer, anti
human rights issues, some of which will-
be carried over into the fall. In August,
PIRGIM leaders from throughout the
state met to discuss strategies for thet
upcoming year and decided upon issues; .,
the group plans to address.
"I think we've proved we can stick
around," said Rampson, who was ap'
pointed in April, "it's just a matter of-
being more or less effective."
"I've noticed that the folks in
PIRGIM do a lot more things than .I
thought I could do in school," she said,
"There's nowhere else you could go in
this University and work with a group ,
with such a voice."
Edgar agreed that most volunteers
the majority of whom are enrolled
students, get a great deal of satisfaction
working with PIRGIM.
"I think PIRGIM is really unique in
that the issues-we're working on, no one,,
else is really working one," she said.
"People don't realize there's nobody,
else who's going to do it but us."
SOAP serves student groups
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By FANNIE WEINSTEIN
Suppose you support handgun con-
trol. Maybe you're a fan of windsurfing
or sailing. Perhaps Scottish country
dances are more your speed. Regar-
dless, one is almost certain to find a
club or organization suited to his or her
interests here at the University.
In some years there are up to 500
student organizations, ranging from the
Society for Creative Anachronisms to
the University Wildlife Society,
recognized by the Michigan Student
Assembly.
ALTHOUGH these groups operate
independently, most, in one way or
another, use services available through
the University's Student Organizations,
Activities, and Programs (SOAP) 0t-
fice.
"Over the last year, our clientele has
picked up considerably," SOAP Con-
sultant Elizabeth Mitchell-Yellin said.
"Every year I have new people I see
and work with, and the old people."
SOAP provides support and con-
sulting services both to groups and in-
dividuals who are not affiliated with a
particular organization.
"SOME GROUPS are very indepen-
dent-and do a lot on their own and don't
use us as much as some others," Mit-
chell-Yellin said.
SOAP is actually subdivided into
smaller groups with specific functions.
One such subdivision is the Student
Organization Accounts Service, which
maintains accounts for recognized
groups and assists them in banking
matters, budgeting, and bookkeeping.
Another SOAP service used by many
student organizations is the Michigan
Advertising Works (MAW), which
assists groups in promoting activities,
distributing flyers, and developing ad-
vertising strategies.
THE STUDENT Theatre Activities
Center (STAC) is also run by SOAP. At'
this facility, located near Chrysler
Arena, students. can work on set and'
costume design, and prop construction.
STAC also provides rehearsal space foar"
groups.
SOAP also offers programs geared
specifically toward individual students,"
The Student Wood and Crafts Shop,'
located in the Student Activities'
Building, offers instruction and"
training in the crafts area. There is a-
small fee for a safety course, but after a °
student is certified, shop machinery' ,
can beused freely.
"It's highly used," Mitchell-Yellin
said of the shop that is usually filled to
capacity, "but I don't think a lot of the '
campus knows about it."
Daily Photo by JACKIE BELL
THE UNIVERSITY of Michigan Flyers, a group that offers students a chance to soar above campus, is just one of the
hundreds of unique student-affiliated organizations students can join.
Find a favorite among hundreds of student and local organizations
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k1
The organizations listed are those that asked for and
have received recognition by the Michigap Student
Assembly as of July. The list is not complete, as all
organizations do not approach MSA for recognition.
But you may want to save it as a starting point for
finding some activity in which you may have an interest.
Further information on these groups is available from
the Campus Information Center (763-4636) or MSA
(763-3241).
Abeng (East Quad minority support
group
Acacia Fraternity
Aerobic Dance Club
Aeronautics
Aeronomy, Meterology &
Oceanography Student Council
African Dance Troupe
AIESEC
Alice Lloyd Dorm Gov't
Alice Lloyd Minority Council
Alliance of Lesbian & Gay Male Social
'Work Students
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Beta
Eta Chapter
Alpha-Omega Fellowship
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha Frat. Inc.
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Pi Mu
Alternative Action Film Series
Alternative Careers Committee
Alumni Council
Student Affiliates of the American
Chemical Society
Ambatana (minority support)
Amateur Radio Club
Americans for Democratic Action
American Field Service
American Foresters
Ann Arbor Space Advocates
Ann Arbor Tennant Resource Center
Organization of Arab Students
Architecture Student Association
Armenian Students Cultural
Association
A-rounds (ballroom and round dance
club)
Arnold Air Society
Art Students Steering Committee
Arts Chorale
Arts and Humanities (Rackham
Journal of)
Asian American Association/East
Wind
Association for Computing Machinery
Astronautics
Bahai Club
Baits Black Council
Baits Interhouse Council
Bandorama
Baptist Student Union
Beta Alpha Psi
Betsy Barbour House
Bichinis Bia Congo Dance Co.
Bicycle Club
Black Cinema Guild
Black Greek Association
Black Law Student Alliance
Black Student Organization
Campus Labor Support Group
Campus Recycling
University Chapter of Michigan
Citizens Lobby
Caravan for Human Survival
Chem Society
Chess Club
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
Chi Epsilon-University of Michigan
Chapter
Chinese Bible Club
Chinese Students' Association
Chinese Students' Union
Christian Engineers
Christian Fellowship
Christian Musicians
Christian Outreach
Christian Science Organization at The
University of Michigan
Christian Student Association
Cinema II
Cinema Guild
American Society of Civil Engineers
College Democrats of America
Collegiate Sorosis
Committee Against Registration &
The Draft
Committee Concerned with World
Hunger
Compulsive Eater's Discussion Group
Computing Machinery
Ann Arbor Computing Society
Conference on Ethics, Humanism &
Medicine
Conger House Treasury
Conger House Vending Committee
Consumer Economics Society
Contemporary History Project
Council for the Advancement of
Minorities at Mosher Jordan
Counseling Support Group
Couzens Hall House Council
Creative Anachronisms
['.ruin44. .
Engineering Council
Environmental Advocacy
Environmental Law Society
Eta Kappa Nu-Beta Epsilon Chapter
Experimental Music
Ann Arbor Floc Support Group
Fellowship of Christian Musicians
Feminist Legal Services/Family Law
Project
Ann Arbor Film Cooperative
University Flyers
FMA National Honor Society
Folklore Society
Forecasting Society
Free China Student Association
University Friars
University Friends of Common
Ground
Friends of Guild House
Friends of the Revolutionary Workers
League
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Galens Medical Society,
Michigan Gamers Council
Gay Law Students
Gay Liberation (Front)
Gay Social Work Students
General Union of Palestine Students
Association of Gerontology Students
University Gilbert and Sullivan
Society
Glee Club
Women's Glee Club
Golden Key Honor Society
Graduate Chemical Society
Graduate Christian Fellowship
Graduate Employees Organization
Graduate Women's Network
Greenpeace Ann Arbor
Group for Experimental Music
Guild House.
The Harmonettes
Hayride, Co.
Health Advisnrv Commti..
Interface
Interfraternity Council
International and Intercultural
Council
International Association for the
Advancement of Appropriate
Technology for Developing
Countries (IAAATDC)
International Christian Student
Association
International Law Society
IEEE
Iranian Student Association
It's Our University
James Van Veen-The Arnold
Air Society
The Arnold Air Society (AAS)
The Japan Club
Jazz Band
The Committee for Jewish Awareness
Journal of Economics
Journal of Political Science
University of Michigan Jugglers
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Tau Alpha
Karma Thegsum Choling
Kirpal Science of the Soul
Korean Christian Fellowship
Korean Student Association
Labor Support Group
La Raza Law Students Association
Labrys (women's advocacy)
Latin American Solidarity Committee
Latter-Day Saints Student Association
Law School Student Senate
Law Society
Law Students Association
Lee House Council
Les Voyageurs
Lesbian & Gay Law Students
Lesbian & Gay Male Social Work
Students
MENC
Meterology & Oceanography Student
Council
Mexican Student Association
Michifish (synchronized swimming
club)
Michigan Christian Fellowship-West
University Chapter of Michigan
.Citizens' Lobby
Michigan College Republican
Organization
Michigan Economic Society
Michigan Games
Michigan Metallurgical Society
University "Mime" Troupe
Michigan Music Theory Society
Michigan Writers of Comedy
Midshipmen Jazz Band
Military Ball
Minorities at Mosher Jordan
Monroe Street Journal
Mortar Board
Moslem Student Society
Music Educators National Conference
Music School Lounge
Muslim Students Association
NAACP
National Lawyers Guild
Native American Student Association
School of Natural Resources Student
Coordinating Committee
The Navigators
Navy Midshipman Battalion
Network
New World Agriculture Group
(NWAG)
Newman Student Association
Nichiren Shoshu of America
North American Students of
Cooperation
School of Nursing Class of '83
School of Nursing Class of '84
Nursing Council
n-a:-a ,o.Ar A an..
Pi Tau Professional Fraternity
Pi Tau Sigma
PIRGIM
Polish-American Student Association
Political Science Association
Print Cooperative
Psi Chi National Honor Society
Psychology Club
Public Media Project
University Public Relations Club
Puerto Rican Student Association
Quarterdeck (naval architecture)
Rackham Christian Forum
Rackham Journal of the Arts and
Humanities (RAJAH)
Rackham Student Government
University Raiders
Reader's Theatre Guild
Campus Recycling
Registration & The Draft
Republican Organization
Research Assistance for Graduate
Study
Residence Hall Association (formerly
URHC)
Residential College Action Collective
Residential College Players
Residential College Singers
Revolutionary Communist Youth
Brigade
Revolutionary Workers League
Rifle Club
Rotvig-Van Hoosen Wing Government
Student Chapter of the Rudrananda
Ashram
Russian House
Rowing Club
SABRE
SAPHA
Satisfying Vegetarian Cooking Club
Science for the People
Scottish Country Dancers
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
SIM5S
Student Anthroposophical Association
Students American Pharmaceutical
Association
Students for Blanchard
Student Buyer's Association
Student Chapter of Council for
Exceptional Children
Student Council
Student Council of the School of
Dentistry
University Student Forecasting
Society
Student Health Advisory Committee
Student Policy Advisory Committee
Student Saving Shield
Student/Youth Caucus of the National
Black Independent Political Party
Students for Bullard
Students for Educational Innovation
Students for ERA
Students for Israel '
Students for Progressive Government
Students for Public Information
Students for Ruppe
Students for Shapiro
Students for the UBR
Students to Ban Handguns
Students Right-to-Life
Supporters of Moslem Students
Society (SMSS)
Taiwanese Association
Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Sigma
Tenant Resource Center
Ann Arbor Tenants Union
Trigon Fraternity
Turkish Student Association
Ukrainian Student Association
Undergraduate Political Science
Association
University Christian Outreach
University Gamers
Vietnamese Student Organization
The Vnie of Rnainn
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