The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 25, 1988-Page'3
Survey reveals:
rise in student
political activity
Daily Photo by KAREN HANDELMAN
Three-wheeling
LSA senior Stu Harris and LSA sophomore Ken Salkin attempt to pedal their way to victory yesterday in the Greek Week tricycle race at
Zeta Tau Alpha.
Senior wins Ar. Greek
Week'
By ANDREW MILLS
University students are more po-
litically active, more politically
aware, are much more critical of
President Reagan, and more of them
say they're Democrats, according to
a survey conducted by political sci-
ence students under the direction of
Prof. Sam Eldersveld.
Although the students - who
conducted the survey as a project of
Independent Studies in Political Sci-
ence 492 - won't release their final
results until next month, prelimi-
nary tables reveal an increased level
of student activism on campus.
The survey, taken in the fall, is a
follow-up investigation to a survey
conducted in the fall of 1985. At that
time, 107 sophomores, 87 seniors,
and 41 student leaders were inter-
viewed about their political attitudes
and potential for activism.
IN THE FALL, 85 of those
107 sophomores were re-interviewed.
Their responses were compared to
their 1985 responses, as well as to
the attitudes of seniors from. two
years ago.
Among the most prominent of
the findings in 1985 was the poten-
tial that students had for political
activism - many said at the time
they would get involved with some
level of political activity, ranging
from writing a letter to a newspaper
to organizing a rally or protest. This
year's study shows that a fair
amount (42 percent) of that potential
has been realized, Eldersveld said.
"We find in this survey that
activity - active involvementin
political activities - is up," Elder-
sveld said.
Another major finding was that
students have radically shifted their
support for Reagan. In 1985, Reagan
enjoyed a 54 percent approval rating
from the sophomores. Only 20 per-
cent of those same people surveyed
in the fall, however, approved of
Reagan's handling of his job.
IN ADDITION, the findings
show a shift to the left in party
affiliation. In 1985, 28 percent of
the then-sophomores said they were
Democrats while 34 percent of them
say the same today. That is com-
pared to 25 percent of seniors in
1985 who called themselves
Democrats. The data on student ac-
tivity has not been analyzed yet to
see if the students actually are as
Democratic as they say they are.
"It's not an enormous change,"
Eldersveld said, "but there's a mod-
erate suggestion that something's
going on." He said the shift could
have been the result of a number of
factors - friends one has, classes
one has taken, or exposure to diffdr-
ent media.
THERE'S A more significant
change, however, among students
who label themselves liberal or con-
servative.
About 18 percent more of toddy's
students call themselves liberal
compared to two years ago. In a poll
of presidential preferences, Sen. Paul
Simon (D-Ill.) won with 20 percent
In 1985, Reagan enjoyetda
54 percent approval rating
from sophomores. Only
20 percent of those samp
people surveyed in the fall
approved of Reagan's
handling of his job.
of the vote, but 28 percent of the
students said they either did not
know or didn't favor any of the crn-
didates.
Students are also more politically
knowledgeable, the survey shows.
They read more newspapers, incluL-
ing the Daily and the Ann Arbor
News, and they score better on an
identification test of political figures
(e.g. who their senators and
representatives are).
FORTY-TWO percent got four
or more questions right on a seven-
question test whereas only 29 per-
cent scored similarly in 1985.
"They (students) know more'"
Eldersveld said. "That's a delightful
thing to see emerge from this."
The participants were also prd-
sented with four scenarios -inclu4-
ing the non-academic code of con-
duct, rent control, Nicaragua, anad
racial discrimination - to determine
their potential for political in-
volvement.
THEY WERE asked, for el-
ample, if they would join protests if
there were a recurrence of the Bla"
Action Movement activity that
shook the campus last spring. Sixty-
seven percent said they would possi-
bly get involved.
In addition, 87 percent said that
racial discrimination was an im-
portant problem on campus, but
when asked what a solution would
be, only about a third gave any spe-
cific remedies.
By KRISTIN EDMONDS
As contestants for Mr. Greek
Week 1988, they strutted in suit and
tie, dressed in shorts, and imitated
Gumby and Wonder Woman.
And in the end, Randy Gottfried,
a member of Chi Phi and a fifth year
senior in the business school, was
crowned the winner.
Mr. Greek Week is only one of
the week-long series of events in
this annual celebration of the Greek
system.
From sweatshirts to admission
tickets, virtually all proceeds of
"Accept the Challenge," the eighth
annual Greek week, will go to
Students Against Multiple Sclerosis,
the American Foundation for AIDS
Research, and Wilmot House, a
temporary home for chemo-therapy
patients.
"We're so tired, but it's going
well... much better this year," said
LSA junior Sherry Steinaway, co-
chair of the event.
This year, for the first time,
sororities paired up with fraternities
in presenting the skits for Mr. Greek
Week. Contestants were judged on
their poise, enthusiasm, creativity,
and wit.
Thirty-four men competed in the
contest, which was expected to earn
$3,000 for the Washtenaw
Association for Retarded Citizens.
Gottfried strutted in his suit, and
threw flowers to the crowd.
"It's a busy, busy week," said Jeff
Berman, a junior in the Music
School and member of Alpha
Epsilon Pi. "You do what you can
without passing out or missing your
tests."
Other events that have been
occuring throughout theweek
include a limbo contest Sunday,
where a contestant reached a record
low height of two feet, and a Jello
Jump today where "girls jump in the
jello and bring out balls" said
Steering Committee Co-Chair Gwyn
Dusowitz.
Greek Week culminates on
Saturday with the Greek Olympics.
In addition to other events, a
blood drive is being held at the
Michigan Union to which the
sorority-fraternity teams must send
participants to be awarded points.
Rent control divides council candidates
By PETER MOONEY
Five Democrats, four
Republicans, and three Libertarians
forwarded diverse visions of Ann
Arbor's future at last night's city
} council candidates forum, sponsored
by the League of Women Voters.
The issue dividing the candidates
most was Ann Arbor's controversial
rent control proposal, which will
appear as Proposal C on the April 4
ballot.
"We have an emergency situation
in Ann Arbor," said Third Ward
Democrat Liz Brater. She supports
the proposal because "people are
being forced to leave Ann Arbor."
Fifth Ward Democrat Ethel Potts
also chimed in her support for the
controversial ordinance. "The town's
population has doubled while we
have been saying that if we build
more housing, the rents will go
down... We do not have a
competitive market."
But several other candidates said
the ordinance would lead to a
deterioration of existing housing
while discouraging the construction
of new housing.
Second Ward Democratic
incumbent Seth Hirshorn said, "I
think that (rent control) will create a
disincentive for improving our aging
housing market."
Third Ward Republican Mark
Ouimet added, "There are 535 units
on hold until this issue is decided."
Ouimet said the units were under
consideration but would not be
viable if rent control were passed.
On a related issue, the University
received criticism from several
candidates for not supplying enough
student housing.
"The students of the University of
Michigan do take up a lot of
housing in the downtown area. I
cannot believe the University cannot
afford to build more housing," said
Third Ward Libertarian candidate
Julie Brockman.
Hirshorn agreed that "the Board of
Regents needs to add to the supply
of student housing."
If the University does not supply
more housing, Fourth Ward
Libertarian David Raaflaub suggested
that council should "find out how
the city is indirectly subsidizing the
University."
The issue of crime in Ann Arbor
also divided the candidates.
Republican candidate Isaac-
Jacobein Campbell criticized
Democrats on council who he said
have made the job of the police
department more difficult.
GOP councilmembers have been
highly critical of the Democratic
caucus for a proposal requiring the
police department to provide the
council with monthly reports of
about the extent and types of crime
in Ann Arbor, Republicans say the
reports would take up time and
resources, diverting the police from
stopping crimes.
But Libertarian First Ward
candidate William Krebaum said the
crime problem could be partially
attributed to laws against drug use.
"The legal and criminal problems
are the result of the prohibition of
these substances," said Krebaum.
Others saw the need for more
enforced of laws against narcotics.
"The South Maple housing project
and Pinelake cooperative are
terrorized by drugs," said Fifth Ward
candidate Tom Richardson..
Dukakis support builds
as caucuses approach
By The Associated Press caucuses, the Free Press said the
With the Michigan Democratic Massachusetts governor was the
caucuses less than two days away, most qualified by executive experi-
the momentum for Massachusetts ence, by knowledge and by under-
Gov. Michael Dukakis is building standing of the issues.
with his endorsement yesterday by Gephardt, pressing on with his
the Detroit Free Press. hard-line tradesstance, yesterday de-
In calling Dukakis "the clear and nied statements from aides that he
unambiguous choice" for the would shut down his campaign if
Democrats in Saturday's statewide he does not win tomorrow's caucuses.
I
Students protest allegedly abusive
"..h oa)i o fadta
By VICKI BAUER
Students outraged with the alleged
abusive behavior of a Dooley's
bouncer will protest tonight at 9:45
p.m. at the Cube in the Regents'
Plaza.
Three students filed assault
charges against the bouncer for using
unnecessary force to throw them out
of the bar last Saturday night.
Though the students claim the
bouncer was violent - throwing
one woman student to the floor
while picking up another woman
student, holding her across her
breasts, slapping her across the face,
and throwing her out the door into
the alley- Dooley's manager Omid
Osanloo claims the charges are un-
justified.
Osanloo said he has statements
I from seven witnesses saying that the
bouncer did not slap the women nor
use violent force.
PASSPORT
* PHOTOS
$7.95
But one male witness, a friend of
one of the women pressing charges,
said University Health Services has
on record the bruises she received
from the struggle.
Osanloo said the bouncer held one
student in a headlock and carried the
woman down the stairs, but only af-
ter he asked them several times to
leave the bar for smoking marijuana.
Osanloo also said the students were
served over 12 pitchers of beer.
The students ,claim they were
smoking cigarettes, but not mari-
juana.
"I see it as a blatant power strug-
gle. Why did (the bouncer) have to
pick up the woman? He degraded her
by holding her chest and throwing
her into the alley like trash," said
Sandra Ponico, coordinator of the
protest and chair of the women's is-
sues committee of the Michigan
Student Assembly.
"(The woman) is now afraid that
if she takes the case to court, noth-
ing will happen. They will make it
look like she deserved it," Ponico
said.
The city attorney will decide
next week if there is sufficient evi-
dence for the case to go to trial, the
male witness said. He also said the
woman student was considering fil-
ing a civil suit against Dooley's as
bouncer
well as a criminal suit against the,
bouncer;
The bouncer, in turn, is charging
the woman student with assault. He
claims she slapped him during the
struggle, Osanloo said.
"Inall honesty it would have
been easier for us to fire the
bouncer," Osanloo said, adding that
the bouncer used poor judgment but
did not overstep the guidelines of his
job.
Start the day off
T2 _.l_ A
CORRECTION
In yesterday's article on an MSA
resolution condemning a fine against
Alice Lloyd residents who painted
their hallway, the story should have
said that only the door frames were
painted different colors. Residents
say Associate Director of Housing
John Heidke will not meet with
them to discussthe issue.
Also Carola Carier was mis-
identified, she is a Resident Fellow
in Alice Lloyd. Canier said Lloyd
housing director Marc Kaplan has
discussed the complaints with res-
idents. Carier said Kaplan estimated
the cost of painting at $2000 and
said it would be charged to residents
in relation to their participation in
the illicit painting.
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THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO
-BECOMING A NURSE IN THE ARMY.
And they're both repre-.
- - sented by the insignia you wear
as a member of the Army Nurse
Corps. The caduceus on the left