I Students fast for two Soviet citizens The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 23, 1987 - Page 5 New smoking law causes confusion (Continued from Page 1) of Yuri's illness, but "as a symbolic gesture, we decided to go on a hunger strike ourselves." JERRY WISH, co-chair- person, said "The reason we're doing the hunger strike is more than symbolic - it's pragmatic. It's symbolic in that it is a great show of strength for the group. ' "But it's also pragmatic in that when Yuri and Nelli get into the news, people write letters to 'ecretary Gorbachev or President Reagan. They drum up support. When they have that support, they have a much better chance of getting Out." The hunger strike began on November 18, 1986, and would "continue until the day Yuri and Nelli are released," Wish said. "WE ALL wrote individual letters to the family and told them we would hold a hunger strike," said Lisa Barnett, a member and LSA sophomore. "It's our way of honoring them." The organization was established in September 1985 by eight students who returned from a trip to Russia where they met with several refuseniks. In an effort to help the Jews obtain exit visas, the group wpressures government officials through letter writing campaigns and soliciting media coverage. - The goal of the organization, according to Rubanenko, is to increase the visibility of Soviet Jews in hope that the Soviet government will allow Jews to emigrate. THE Shpeizman's first requested an exit visa in October1977, but, according to a memo published by the Soviet Jewry Education and Information Center in Israel, were denied because Yuri's brother was "in possession of state secrets." ; The Shpeizman's were last denied their visa on October 13, 1,986, because "Permission to emigrate to Israel is against the state interest of the Soviet Union," according to the memo. . The group decided to sponsor the S peizmans because Rubanenko knew the family. "When I went to the Soviet Union last April, I visited several refusenik families, one of which was the Shpeizman's. Treally liked them. Later on in the fear I was in Israel and visited their daughter. I felt this would be a good family to adopt." RUBANENKO said adopting a family "helps members of the 6rganization focus-in and know a .name. They can identify with a family. They know in detail who they're dealing with." But he added that it is possible to help individuals without affecting the political structure. "The Soviet Union is somewhat concerned with its public perception and it doesn't look good to deny access to families." SOVIET embassy officials in Washington could not be reached for comment. The organization not only pressures the Soviet government, Rubanenko said. "If we keep sending letters to Reagan, he will see the Shpeizman name coming up and coming up. Eventually, he is going to realize there's somebody out there who is pulling for this family and he better get to work on that particular name." Although Wish feels a hunger strike is an effective way to call attention to the refuseniks, he said he doubts the group will use it again in the near future. "Because this is such a unique event it could have a major impact on this specific case. But if we have a hunger strike for everyone, it could trivialize other cases. People would begin to say, 'who cares?"' Wish stressed that the group is not restricted to Jewish students, saying that the issues are human ones, not religious. "No one wants to see a Holocaust in the Soviet Union," he said. By LEAH REX New stickers mandating "Smoking in Designated Areas Only" seem to be fairly innocuous, but the new state smoking policy is confusing and annoying for some University students and staff. Although the stickers may lead some people to believe there are smoking areas in every University building there are not, according to James Thiry, the University's personnel director. The law has been in effect since Jan 1. "I don't really know where the areas for smoking are," said Marguerite Roulet, a first-year graduate student in anthropology. In addition, smoking locations are inconsistent from building to building. The department heads in each campus building decide if a building will have a smoking area and where it will be located. Smokers seem to acknowledge the non-smoker's right to a smoke- free environment but wish that their own rights had been given more consideration. "I completely appreciate people's desire to have a smoke-free atmosphere because I was an avid non-smoker for years and years," said Tom Wilkinson, an LSA senior. He added that the new policy; makes it difficult for him to find a place to smoke while studying. Non-smokers seem to favor the new policy. LSA freshman Teresa DeCastro said, "If (smoking is) restricted, I'm for it." Students seem to be adapting to the new policy without trauma, its execution has not been as smooth for staff and faculty. Dave Foulke, assistant director of Housing Administrative Offices said, "The departments in (the Student Activities Building) recommendation was that smoking be allowed in the West Stairwell. We put some surplus furniture out there (for the smokers) and it's all been stolen." And while stolen furniture is unlikely to be a major problem with the smoking policy, enforcement of the new rule may be. Commits Suicide Associated Press Pennsylvania's State Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer warns about two dozen people at a news conference yesterday to "Stay away, this thing will hurt someone." He then shot himself in the mouth and died instantly. Dwyer was convicted last month of conspiring to accept a bribe for a computer firm's contract. He was going to lose his job immediatly after he was sentenced today. UM News in The Daily 764-052 &i§ltiou0 #'truieE0 WINTER CLEARANCE-SAVE UP TO 50% ~Present this coupon and receive a SW YOUR ENTIRE PURCH ASE * U ° ~Starts Friday, Januar 23 m and good thru Thursday, January 29 * U r erwood MoaltL imit one 7G134 (next to sears) per customer .10% OFFrr rr~rrr FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1432 Washtenaw Ave. - 6624466 (between Hill and S. University St.) " William Hillegonds, Senior Minister Sunday Worship Services at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. UNIVERSITY MINISTRY J. B. Notkin, University Minister University Seminar: Galations 11:00 a.m., French Room. AMERICAN BAPTIST CAMPUS CENTER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Huron St. (between State & Division) Sundays: 9:55 worship; 11:25 Bible Study groups for both Undergrads and Graduate Students. Wednesdays: 5:30 Supper (free) and Fellowship. CENTER OPEN EACH DAY for information call 663-9376 ROBERT B. WALLACE, PASTOR LEARN MORE IN LESS TIME Here's how: Try saying, "I would like more free time. I need to read and study faster and more effectively, ok?" Shuffle to the U of M's Reading and Learn- ing Skills Center, to register for courses designed to help you ~ increase reading speed ~ enhance comprehension ~- improve test-taking skills ~ economize studying Select one of these courses: READING EFFICIENCY AND STUDY SKILLS, for students interested in maximizing their reading and studying efficiency. TECHNICAL READING AND PROBLEM SOLVING, for students taking technical courses such as pre-med, business, and engineering. Registration is Jan. 29-30, and courses begin the week of Feb. 2. Pat yourself on the back. To register or find out more call: READING & LEARNING SKILLS CENTER I ciTY op4i 1610 Washtenaw (near Hill St.) 0At O 763-7195 E U -WINTERIZE - INTELLIGENCE AT THE OUTDOOR RECREA TION CENTER! Rent your winter sports equipment from us DAILY RATE X-Country Ski Packages .. X-Country Ski Racks".... Toboggans............ Snow Shoes ........... $4.00 $1.00 $2.50 $2.00 WEEKEND (TA Mon) $12.00 $ 2.00 $ 5.00 $ 4.00 $ 1.00 WEEKLY $20.00 $ 5.00 $12.50 $10.00 $ 2.50 ... is special. It means being bright, innovative, curious and thoughtful, eager to turn technical problems into solutions. It means a willingness t6 take others, who yearn to play with and develop ideas, are rare. We have them at BBN. Actually, we pay people to play and to stretch their genuine intelli- - - v t, .,. . ... aL ...,.., Inner Tubes .....................$ .50 ODR at the North Campus Recreation Building (Murfin & Hubbard)