Page 2 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 4, 1986 - Environmental group may not a By REBECCA BLUMENSTEIN The future of a student-run en- vironmental group on campus will be threatened if a proposal by Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) is ap- proved by the Board of Regents in September. The proposal, which was presented to the Regents in their June meeting, would prevent the Public Research Interest Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) from continuing to collect funds through student verification forms at CRISP. Students had been able to add $2 to their tuition bills, which would then be paid to PIRGIM, by checking a box on their SVF form. PIRGIM has been on the form since 1972, collecting about $13,000 in contributions a year. Baker's proposal would rescind a regents' policy that allows any student group to collect money through SVF, if they obtained majority support from students and' regents. Removed in 1983 In February 1985, the regents voted 6-1 to remove PIRGIM, citing low support from students. Since February, the group has conducted a "massive" petition drive to rally, student backing. PIRGIM leaders say they have collected 16,874 signatures. The regents tabled Baker's proposal until their September meeting because "It's not our history to bring upon big decisions concer- ning students in the summertime," Baker said. Since the regents' Since the regents' decision, PIRGIM has continued most of its services through contributions from citizens, foundations, and the Michigan Divestiture Research fund. "We've gotten grants from the public service work that we do," said Andy Buschbaum, PIRGIM's program director. Can't continue without funds But according to Judy Hyslop,. PIRGIM's vice chair and an LSA senior, PIRGIM can't continue without more funding. "If we don't get more funds, it's inevitable that this campus chapter will phase out," she said. PIRGIM leaders further explained that the group needs student funds to hire staff members skilled in drafting legislation relating to the environ- ment, toxic wastes, and other issues. According to PIRGIM staff member Steve Johnson, permanent staff members would also provide con- tinuity. He said PIRGIM is trying to become a "professional organization." Bakes does not regard the apparen- tly positive student response as reflective of majority student opinion. "The petition process lacks candor because of its non-disclosure which seemed purposely vague so that it might capture the well-meaning, fair-minded spirit of most students who are not particularly informed on the gross political nature of the PIRGIM enterprise," Baker said. Baker regards PIRGIM as a "left- sided" lobbying organization, though he acknowledges the group's right to advocate its viewpoint. He charac- terized that viewpoint as "anti-free enterprise and anti-defense." Baker and other regents also question the constitutionality of the funding plan PIRGIM is pursuing, citing a 1985 Supreme Court decision regarding a PIRG group at Rutgers University. The decision had the effect of fin- regain S ding PIRGs "not educational but ideological in purpose," Baker said. PIRGIM members, who pursue a far more liberal ideology than Baker, a conservative Republican, defended their funding plan and criticized Baker's attacks. "We didn't even get a copy of his remarks, and the only reason we knew to come to the meeting was that President Shapiro's office called to inform us," Hyslop said. "We didn't mislead anyone, and his report has so many factual inac- curacies that it can't even be an ac- curate reference," she added. Hyslop said PIRGIM is still planning to present its case for funding to the regents in the fall. -Daily staff writer Ellen Fiedelholtz filed a report for this story. VF spot Baker opposes funding PIRGIM FROM HOME Next time you plan a visit to Ann Arbor, let the new Holiday Inn West' Holidome and Conference Center be your home away from home. Relax in an atmosphere of deluxe ' accommodations, fine dining, lively entertainment and Holidome® recreation-just minutes away from the University of Michigan campus. Holiday Inn West-your home away from home. Ann 4Arbor c NFERENCE ENTER Holiday Inn West." 2900 Jackson Road . Ann Arbor. MI 48103 313/665-4444 or Toll Free 1-800-HOLIDAY Operated uy SELECT HOTEL MANAGEMENT. INC. Regents raise in-state tuition 4.3 percent By PHILIP LEVY For the third staight year, pressure from Gov. James Blanchard has for- ced the University's Board of Regents to limit tuition increases for Michigan residents - this year keeping it to 4.3 percent. Out-of-state undergraduates, however, will pay 8 percent more, widening the disparity between Michigan and non-Michigan Univer- sity students. In-state freshmen, for example, will pay $1,238 fall term, while out-of-state freshmen will pay, $4,024. Pressure from Blanchard Ostensibly, Blanchard demanded the in-state tuition cap to make public education affordable to state residen- ts. Many observers though, consider HURON HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH (Baptist General Conference) 3150 GLACIER WAY 769-6299 Pastors: William Meier and James Gurley Welcomes You to Worship with Us: 9:30 - 11:00-. 10:30 College and Career Class 12:15 Worship Service it a political attempt to boost his re- election campaign. For leverage, Blanchard threatened in June to veto the Univer- sity's operating budget. The regents froze in-state tuition the past two years after similar threats from the Governor. Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Ar- bor) challenged Blanchard by proposing a 4.4 percent tuition increase at the board's July meeting, but none of the other regents suppor- ted him. Baker spoke at length about -the University's need to be autonomous from the state. In protest, Baker voted against the 4.3 percent increase. He was joined by Regent Neal Nielsen (R-Brighton), though Nielsen objected to any in- crease in in-state tuition. "If we continue to raise these rates, our constituents won't be able to send their children here," Nielsen said. Graduate school tuition raised The vote on in-state tuition was sep- arated from the vote on other tuitions at the request of Regent Veronica Smith (R-Grosse Ile). An 8 per- cent tuition increase for most graduate students was approved by a 6-2 vote. Tuition increases were higher for business, law, and medical graduate students because the schools have greater needs, such as paying for higher faculty salaries than the rest of the University. Smith thought the increase was un- fair to graduate students and voted against it. She was joined by Bak- er, calling the increase an "unfair burden because we have been forced to limit in-state tuition." Regents who voted for the increase cited the need to maintain the Univer- raise these rates, our constituents won't be able to send their children here.' -Regent Neal Nielsen -.- -A DOOR-TO-DOOR BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM: ,If we continue to Michigan Union 9:05 East Quad 9:08 Stockwell Hall 9:10 Couzens Hall 9:12 Bursley Hall 9:18 Arrive at Church 9:23 c 0 C) m m Z PLYMOUTH 'O N. CAMPUS e 3150 GLACIER WAY GEDDES sity as a "world-class institution." Paying for quality Nielsen's suggestion of again freezing in-state tuition, University President Harold Shapiro said, would have "a serious impact on out capacity to sustain programs. Even with the current budget, we are just holding our own." Regent Thomas Roach (D-Saline) supported Shapiro, and speculated that families would say "yes" if asked, "Are you willing to bear another $100 in order to attend a world-class institution?" A number of regents who supported the administration brought up the dramatic increase in applications this year. They said it showed that the University is prospering because of its high quality and reiterated that 3Jie Afiian Bailg Vol. XCVII - No. 1 The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967 X) is published Friday during the spring and summer terms and Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms. Subscription rates: May through August-5.00 in Ann Arbor; $7.00 outside the city. September through April-$18.00 in Ann Ar- bor; $35.00 outside the city. One term-$10.00 in town; $20 outside the city. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and subscribes to Los Angeles Times Suyndicate annd College Press Service. New Student Edition editor .............................KERY MURAKAMI Associate New Student Edition editor........................ROB EARLE Summer editor-in-chief...............................JERRY MARKON NEWS STAFF: Melissa Birks, Rebecca Blumenstein, Harish Chand, Dov Cohen, Peter Ephross, Ellen Fiedelholtz, Martin Frank, Lisa Green, Mike Jagner, Mary Chris Jaklevic, Philip Levy, Amy Mindell, Peter Orner, Eugene Pak, Naomi Wax, Judy Wolfe. Opinion Page editor .....................................PETER MOONEY Arts Editors......................................Noelle Brower, Beth Fertig Associate arts editor ........................................ Rebecca Chung Photo Editors ................................... Andi Schreiber, Chris Twigg Sports editors ................................... Mark Borowsky, Phil Nussel Business manager ..........................................Mason Franklin DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES STAFF: Barb Calderoni, Nenita Nucum, Julie Recla, Michael Tobocman. Cover photos: UNIVERSITY......................................Andi Schreiber DISSENT .......................................... Darrian Smith CITY .............................................Andi Schreiber Sports............................................DAN HABIB pecial thanks to: Matt Brune, Lucius Doyle, Tom Hrach, Pete Peterson, Heidi Weston. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Q: How many of the people who died of lung cancer last year were smokers? A. 25% B. 40% C. 60% D. 80% U U 0 10 I a