w w w COVER lw Star Wars on campus By Jody Becker A STROLL ACROSS Regents Plaza these days might leave more than an image of a huge black metal cube swirling in many people's minds. In fact, such whimsy seems an eerie con- tract to the cryptic message scrawled across the ground: "No Star Wars here, Harold." But the graffiti artist didn't have movie censorship in mind. The in- tergalactic fantasy created on the big screen is no longer just fancy celluloid fiction. Star Wars is reality, 1985 style; a buzz word for the Reagan Ad- ministration's Strategic Defense Initiative - SDI - the largest single peace-time military venture in the history of the United States. The United States government has embarked on a quest to develop a military framework which will, in the words of President Reagan, "render nuclear weapons obsolete and im- potent" by intercepting enemy missiles; research which will cost over $23 billion in the next five years. Star Wars on campus is a high-tech Pandora's box full of moral and social questions-a solemn invitation for the University community to explore the spirit and limitations of academic freedom and social responsibility. In an effort to stimulate discussion of Star Wars research in the academic arena, last weekend the Michigan Student Assembly joined an organization called Campuses Again- st Weapons in Space (CAWS), and the Office of Student Services to present a national forum on "SDI and Univer- sities." The conference featured a panel of scientific, political, and economic experts balanced between supporters and opponents of the Star Wars program. "My main hope is that students and faculty have input on whatever SDI research goes on here," said Ingrid Kock, who does military research for MSA, is a member of CAWS, and who was largely responsible for organizing the conference. Contrary to Kock's notion of faculty and student input, a resolution issued by the Board of Regents September 20 "encouraging" SDI research has ef- fectively preempted any impact the position Kock represents might have had in enforcing the "No Star Wars here..." edict: S tar Wars is already here. While some University professors have pledged to boycott Star Wars research, Professors John Meyer and R.M. Gilgenbach have already been awarded $225,000 in SDI reseach money. Five other professors have filed $6 million worth of proposals which are .under consideration in Washington. Among them is Robert Howe, a University professor of aerospace engineering who has a $2,395,636 con- tract pending with the SDI office for research .on the flight of intercon- tinental ballistic missiles. "This research is stuff we've been doing all along," said Howe. "this is just another source of support." SDI is a system that will be largely See page 3 INSIDE Cover story With last weekend's conference on "The Strategic Defense Initiative and Universities," and the resolution passed by the regents last month "encouraging" faculty to apply for SDI research money, the issue of Star Wars on campus has reached cosmic proportions. See above. Rock appella Sporting a repertoire of everything from swing-era numbers to contemporary tunes, The Nylons, an a capella quartet, perform at the Power Center Saturday night. Read about voices from on high. See page 4. Catch of the day Weekend magazine columnist Mike Fisch reveals his pet peeves, as all columnists are bound to do some time or another. See Page 4. Father knows best? In his new film Commando, Arnold Sch- warezenegger plays a loving father who also happens to be a death machine. Sound in- congrous? See page 5. Too stupid to care Creator, starring Peter O'Toole as an eccen- tric scientist trying to re-create his long-dead wife, raises some interesting questions amidst all its screwball fun, but ignores them anyway. See page 5. Entertainments This regular feature of Weekend magazine proves there's more to Ann Arbor nightlife than walking around smashing bottles. And let's not forget afternoon and morninglife. En- tertainments is your guide to what's playing in campus and first-run films, concerts of all kin- ds, theatre, and dance. And for the day when nothing quite looks good, check out the "Fur- thermore" listings. See page 6. Oysters and spaghetti Weekend restaurant reviewer Jere Williams rates the real wicker, checkered table cloths, and opera music that make up the open yet in- timate atmosphere of The Oyster bar and Spaghetti Machine. See page 8. Food for thought Hunger abatement, like many primal con- cerns, is a priority occupation of collegiate life. While food as sophisticated entertainment is often subverted by budgetary considerations, it is essential to keep abreast of the diversity of eats - to be prepared for any sudden or calcualted mood shift - and fill the tank ac- cordingly. See page 11. Cover by Dan Habib abd Dean Randazzo U T HIS IS the first time this term that News and Arts ap- pear in the same magazine, but that's O.K. - they're kno of blood brothers. Next week the magazine becomes - shazam! - a career supplement. Watch for the up- coming sports-related story. What's ironic about this issue is that a story about Star Wars defense research on campus and a review of Arnold Schwarzenegger's glorification of a death machine in his new movie, Commando, grace the same issue. This brings up an interesting idea. Schwarzenegger is undeniably a bulky man, but he's not that big. He would certainly fit in the space shuttle's payload bay. Instead of wasting a lot of money on fancy contraptions, why not put Schwarzenegger in orbit and let him beat back the tide of United States-bound intercontinental ballistic missiles. Particle beam weapons? Hell, give Schwarzenegger a pair of gloves. This kind of thing is the stuff cute columns are made of. Send Bob Talbert along with Schwarzenegger to get the whole story. And if atmospheric radiation makes it too dangerous for people to go out and buy a newspaper, an advance copy could be sent to Ronald Reagan in his un- derground bunker. Ron would like that. By the way, keep those letter piling in. Mail a piece of your mind to: Weekend magazine c/o The Michigan Daily 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 t- ( l THEG -T e GEMe&Oft 61AI4C DOW% U tI Magazine Editor ........................Chris Lauer List Editor .............................Joyce Welsh Contributing Editor .................. Randall Stone Business Manager Sales Manager ... ................ .Dawn W illacker ..............Mary Anne Hogan Assistant Sales Manager ..................Yuna Lee The magazine is edited and managed by students on the staff of The Michigan Daily at 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. Copyright 1985, The Michigan Daily. Weekend, (313) 763-0370; News, 764-0552; Circulation, 754-0558; Display Advertising, 764-0554. 2 Weekend/Friday, October 11, 1985 Weekend