4 '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. 4 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 . .. 4 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 . 4 _i 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 .4 4 . 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 4 A