The Michigan Daily-Thursday, February 11, 1988-'Page 3
Famed mathematical
pyschology pioneer dies
By ELIZABETH STUPPLER
Clyde Coombs, a University pro-
fessor emeritus and leading figure in
the world of mathematical psy-
chology, died on February 4.
Coombs founded and directed the
University's doctoral program in
mathematical psychology, a field of
study using geometry, algebra,
statistics, or computer models to
create a representation for human be-
havior. Warren Norman, a professor
of psychology and colleague of
Coombs, said he would want to be
remembered for his "strong attitude
on the importance of formatilization
and mathematization of social is-
sues."
Coombs believed the use of
mathematics created a more precise
method of studying human behavior
- a way other fields only covered
theoretically, Norman said.
The late professor was also noted
for the close contact he maintained
with his students. He held seminars
with a close knit group of students
every Thursday night at his home for
almost 30 years. These students fre-
quently consulted with him years af-
ter they left his unique training pro-
gram.
Amos Tversky, a world renowned
Israeli scholar, was one of the most
eminent of all Coombs's proteg6s,
Norman said.
In his books "A Theory of Data"
and "Introduction to Mathematical
Psychology," Coombs formulated
his famous "unfolding theory." This
theory allowed the recovery of scal-
ing information, attaching numbers
to physical stimuli in order t o
represent what is perceived, both of
attitude items and subjects, based
only on the rank order preferences of
subject.
According to Fred Bookstein, a
research scientist for the Center of
Human Growth and Development,
Coombs's work was the first of his
kind and of "staggering originality."
Although Bookstein never knew
him, he felt Coombs's work "had an
effect on a whole generation of
mathematical psychologists."
Coombs was named the Univer-
sity's Danial Katz Distinguished
Professor of Psychology in 1975,
and in 1982 was elected to the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences. He
served as president of the American
Psychological Association Division
on Evaluation and Measurement, a
fellow of the American Statistical
Association, and was president of the
Psychometric Society. He was also a
founding father of The Society of
Mathematical Psychology.
Coombs received bachelor's and
Doily Photo by JOHN MUNSON
Hal Davage, an LSA junior, hands out leaflets with the phone number and hours for Safewalk yesterday in the
Diag. The Safewalk volunteers also passed out whistles with warnings that "Whistles don't stop rape."
Safe walk, PIR GIM conbin e
Coombs
... built! rapport with students
master's degrees from the Universt
of California at Berkeley and hiW
doctorate from the University of
Chicago in 1940. He joined tle
University's faculty in 1947 and
retired in 1983.
He was 75 years old and is sur-
vived by his wife, two sons and five
grandchildren.
forces to teach t
By VICKI BAUER
The plastic whistles handed out on the Diag look
like children's toys, but the message they carry - that
"Whistles Don't Stop Rape" - is a serious reminder
to the community of the problem of rape and sexual
assault.
"The whistles don't stop rape, but through them we
are hoping to create an awareness about rape and rape
prevention," said Safewalk Coordinator Matt Weber, a
Residential College sophomore.
The distribution of 2,000 whistles and information
cards about rape prevention is part of a two-day pro-
.gram sponsored by Safewalk, the student-run nighttime
walking service, and the Public Interest Research
Group in Michigan (PIRGIM).
"The attempt to increase awareness (about rape and
sexual assault prevention) coincides with Safewalk's
philosophy - people do have an option to walking
home alone," Weber said. "If someone feels threatened,
they can take action against it."
In addition to raising community awareness about
rape, Safewalk and PIRGIM volunteers are using the
two-day program to promote the walking service in the
Fishbowl and on the Diag.
"We want people to be aware of the alternative of
taking a cab, spending money, and not walking home
alone" said Joanna Luschin, campus organizer for
PIRGIM. "We want people to be aware that Safewalk
ape awareness
is there. There is really no good reason why people
should have to walk home alone."
Safewalk, initiated in 1985, provides teams of men
and women to accompany students walking home at
night. Students volunteer one night a week for a two
hour shift and volunteer one weekend night a month,
Safewalk Coordinator Kathy Koh, an LSA senior, said.
Kelly Anderson, a Safewalk volunteer and LSA ju-
nior, said she started working at Safewalk because she
was frustrated by the safety risks of walking alone at
night.
"I got tired of people telling me I couldn't walk
places myself," Anderson said. "I thought a way of
fighting back would be to give other people the free-
dom to get out."
Safewalk Volunteer and Engineering sophomore
Dan Pritts, who works the "graveyard shift" from
11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., said he also disliked being
unable to walk alone.
"I went to high school in inner-city Cleveland and at
times I had to walk alone at night, and I was scared,"
Pritts said. "I don't think anyone should have to walk
alone at night if they don't want to. It's good to have
something like Safewalk available," he said.
Koh said the number of patrons using Safewalk has
decreased from fall semester because of the cold
weather. After spring break, the service will begin at 8
p.m., when it gets dark at night, Koh said.
Moody: U'
not seeking
headlines
(Continuedfram Page 1)
minority recruitment include an out-
reach program for minorities in the
Madison school district.
Moody defended the University's
minority recruitment efforts, saying
that the University is also recruiting
extensively in area schools, but is
"working carefully and quietly for
long term results, not headlines."
James VanHecke, a University
admissions counselor, said the Uni-
versity's minority recruitment pro-
grams include a campus visitation
program, and the University's Am-
bassador program, in which current
students contact prospective Univer-
sity students in person and by
phone.
The Madison plan will also
establish a non-disciplinary program
to mediate racial incidents on cam-
pus, and a mandatory class on ethnic
studies. The proposed course would
resemble the mandatory class on
racism demanded by University stu-
dent groups.
A University official who asked
not to be identified said the relation-
ship between the administration and
colleges is more decentralized here
than at Madison, making it more
difficult for officials here to uni-
laterally mandate a racism class.
Semester Study
in
INDONESIA
at the Institut Keguruan
Dan 1Imu Pendidikan (IKIP)
Institute of Teacher Training and Education
MaIang
With an interest in Indonesian language and/or
Southeast Asian studies, you cani
Study Indonesian language, literature, politics, economics,
development; history, culture, and religion.
Learn about Indonesian society firsthand.
Live in an Indonesian home.
Participate in practicums in gamelan, dance, puppet
theater, or art.
Participate in field trips and short excursions to areas of
interest in Indonesia.
For information and an application, contact the Overseas Opportunities Office on
campus, or the Academic Program Department/MTMl, Council on International
Educational Exchange, 205 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017 (212) 661-1414,
extension 1186. *
The Cooperative Southeast Asian Program at the Institut Keguruan'Dan Ilmu
Pendidikan is administered by the Council on International Educational
Exchange and sponsored by a consortium of universities of which the University
of Michigan is a member.
THE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Speakers
Karl S. Sandberg C.S.,
Christian Science Board of
Lectureship - "Seeking God's
Kingdom: Can It Really Solve Fi-
nancial Problems, 8 p.m., Michi-
gan Union, Anderson Room D.
Dr. Clinton K eI y -
"Management of Technology: A
Comparison Between U.S. and
Japan," 4:15 p.m., Chrysler Cen-
ter.-
Cherrie Moraga - the
King/Chavez/Parks visiting pro-
fessor, Chicana poet, playwright,
and essayist reads and discusses her
recent theatre piece Giving Up the
Ghost, 4 p.m., Michigan League,
Hussey Room. Reception follows.
Larry Sloss - "What is a
Craton and How Does it Work?" 8
p.m., Rackham Ampitheatre.
Dr. Henry Wright -
"Travels in Polynesia," 12-1 p.m.,
Room 2009, Museums Building.
Jane Ira Bloom - Eclipse
Jazz "Meet the Artist Series," 3
p.m., School of Music, Room
2044.
Lemuel Johnson - Director
of CASS and Prof. of English,
reading from his poetry, 12:15
p.m., Pendleton Room.
Meetings
Democratic Socialists of
America - 7 p.m., 124 East
Quad.
Sex In The Eighties - A
student forum on AIDS, 8:30 p.m.,
Mosher-Jordan Lounge.
Coalition for Democracy
in Latin America - 8 p.m.,
Michigan Union, Welker Room.
El Salvador Workshop -
7 p.m., at the Sigma Alpha Ep-
silon house, sponsored by MSA in
conjunction with Greeks for Peace.
South African Awareness
Week - Film: "Corridors of
Freedm: A Aecrintion of devel-
Miskatonic - A society for
horror and the fantastic in litera-
ture, 8 p.m., Michigan Union,
Crofoot Room.
Prison Outreach Support
Group - "Helping Without En-
abling," with speaker Katie Singer,
a research nurse at the University
Alcoholism Program, 8 p.m., 1414.
Hill St.
Career Planning and
Placement - "Introduction to
CP&P," 10:30-11 a.m., 3200 SAB.
Career Planning and
Placement - "Practice Inter-
viewing," 3:10 p.m.-5 p.m., 3200
SAB.
Career Planning and
Placement - "MBA Programs:
Preparation & Application," 4:10
p.m.-5 p.m., 3200 SAB.
University Lutheran
Chapel - Dinner and Devotion,
6 p.m.; Basic Lutheran Doctrine, 7
p.m.; 1511 Washtenaw.
Computing Center
Courses - (Registration required
for all CCC) Microsoft Word, 8:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m.; MS-DOS Basic
Skills, 9 a.m.-noon; Basic Con-
cepts of Database Management, 9-
11 a.m., Basic Concepts of Local
Area Networks, 1-5 p.m. Call 763-
7630.
Furthermore
Safewalk - Night-time safety
walking service. 7 p.m. - 1:30
a.m., Room 102 UGLi or call 936-
1000.
ZAPPA! - 8 p.m., Power
Center, $6 and $9 general, $4 stu-
dent.
Career Planning and
Placement - Preregistration for
Summer Job Fair, 3200 SAB.
Indian Movies - "Chashm-
E-Bad-Door" (A Comedy about col-
lege bachelors and their obsession
with women), 6 p.m., MLB Video
Viewing Room.
Piano recital - Guest Pi-
British count
frogs' heads
LONDON (AP) - The National
Amphibian Survey called yesterday
for hundreds of volunteers to conduct
a head count of Britain's frogs, toads,
and newts to assess a serious decline
of some species.
Biologist Mary Swan said the
survey would try to find the best
ways to conserve breeding sites of
the creatures. She said more than
one-third of all amphibian breeding
sites in some counties had been
destroyed in the past 10 years.
Facial and body waxing to remove hair and create
a sleek, smooth look for your spring vacation.
EFFRE ICHAEL OWE
BEAUTY SPA
Tues Wed Sat 9-7 Thur Fri 9-9 Sun 12-5
206 South Fifth Avenue, Suite 300, Ann Arbor 996-5585
Beauty Waxing
4 ,
Hill Street Forum/Celebration of Jewish Arts'
Singing in seven languages, playing orb,,
twelve intriguing instruments, Willy Schwarz
JEWISH and Miriam Sturm offer audiences a musica
MUSIC odyssey ranging from the soulful doina of Romania ,
to the shepherd's pipe of the Gobi desert, frorn
0 the mystics of Safad to the Yiddish theatre.
Tickets available at Ticketmaster "
outlets in the Michigan Union.
WORLD Wand at Hudson's:
(Visa/Mastercard:TKTS) $8
ire
THURSDAY
16 oz. Long Island Iced Tea Night
$2.75 10-close
FREE PIZZA 10-11:30
8 oz. Strip Dinner $4.95 4:30-10
338 S. State
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 AT 8PM
MICHIGAN LEAGUE BALLROOM
ld
Late Registration
at UAC, 2105 M. Union
Financial Planning
Magic
Sports Massage
Speed Reading
Tarot Cardrs
I