The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, October 13, 1987- Page 5 U'U officials hear anti-rape plea By ELIZABETH ATKINS Representatives of People Organized to Wipe Out Rape (POWOR) met with University President Harold Shapiro and other administrators yesterday to discuss the University's role in rape prevention and women's safety on campus. Cathy Cohen, a University graduate student and coordinator of POWOR, presented the group's four demands to Shapiro and University Vice President for Student Services Henry Johnson. First,POWOR asked for the creation of a mandatory University course on sexism, racism, and classism and to increase on-going training of University Public Safety and Security personnel about acquaintance rape. Second, the group called for the University to increase funding for the University's Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness Center (SAPAC) for more educational programs, outreach, and support services for rape survivors. SAPAC Director Julie Steiner attended the meeting and said it signifies a positive step toward creating a safer campus. "From a student's standpoint it might feel frustrating, like nothing was accomplished," Steiner said. She added the adminstration has been helpful and supportive in dealing with rape prevention and awareness programs in the last two years of the center's operation. "While we have a lot more we can do, we've already done a lot." POWOR also proposed mandatory sexual assault awareness workshops for sports teams and residence halls. Steiner said she and Johnson are working together to create such workshops. POWOR also requested that the Interfratemity Council establish a policy condemning acquaint- ance rape and undergo sexual assault prevention training. Earlier this month - in response to the recent acquittal of a former University student in a rape trial - Cohen and members of the group led about 150 community members in a rally in front of Shapiro's house. He agreed to meet with group representatives to discuss POWOR's demands. Ann Vanek, a POWOR member and LSA senior, attended the meeting. "I feel nothing was really accomplished. They're not willing to be committed to much," she said. High coua By RACHEL STOCK Debate over when a state Medicaid abortion funding ban should begin continued last week as lawyers for both sides or the controversy argued before the Michigan Supreme Court. Right-to-Life groups say the ban should take place immediately, while pro-lifers are calling for a hold until April 1. The Right-to-Life initiative, star- ted last February, said Michigan should cut Medicaid-funded abortions. The legislature approved the petition during the summer Most observers agree the legalities of a petition-initiated ruling are con- fusing. This ruling, now in its fourth appearance before a state court, was reviewed last August by the state Court of Appeals that delayed the t debates Medicaid abortion initiative's start to April 1. People's Campaign for Choice, an umbrella pro-choice organization, recently circulated a counter-petition. The group must collect 120,000 signatures by December in order to get the Medicaid abortion ban ques- tion on the November,1988 ballot. Attorney General representative Jerry Gordon and Right-to-Life Attorney Willliam Perrone argued that the initiative should have taken effect in July. But pro-choice attorney John Piritch argued the language of the law did not mandate an immediate ban because it was not adopted by a simple majority, and not two-thirds of each house. The state Supreme Court often takes several months to reach a decision, according to Court Clerk Corbin Davis, but the court can issue a decision at any time if has a majority. "Everyone is expecting a decision soon, but we don't really know," Davis said. Since the issue went to the Supreme Court quickly after the Court of Appeals decision in August, the top court will probably quicken its pace. In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision legalized abortion for all women. The Hyde Amendment, in 1976, cut federal funding for abortion unlesst the woman's life was in danger. The amendment left the decision of, Medicaid funding up to individual states. ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN DAILY Daily Photo by ROBIN LOZNAK Tiger fans Brothers Johnathan and Kevin Brzys, ages five and seven ride the lion in front of the University's Museum of Natural Science. Students favor increuse in state speed limit SENIOR PORTRAITS I Cornerstone CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (Continued from Page 1) Steve Johgart, an Ann Arbor resident, is in favor of the increase in speed limit. "I normally drive 65 miles and so I'll keep doing that. It seems like a reasonable speed so I don't think that it will cause a problem." First-year LSA student Craig Schultz said, "It really won't effect people because most drive around 65 miles per hour anyhow. There isn't a big difference driving at 55 or 65 when you get into an accident." Whether there are more risks involved in driving at a quicker pace or not is still unknown. "It is hard to tell now whether or not there will be an increase in the number of accidents. In some states fatalities have decreased and in others they have increased; each state i s different.", said Mervenne. Students Dedicated to Knowing and Communicating Jesus Christ! Pastor Mike Caulk Diag Evangelist Tuesdays 7 p.m. 2231 Angell Hall 971-9150 . a ., "i".".. ~ t eh 1!* . . i.' *.* , ,1 +' '- . Chemca 1. Bichemistry % -.. 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