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. 11ii ,,y ,,, .i tcignt 0* 9 only at If Q 1.4 Ilt IV t-J w 747-7009 1220 S. University I f I T------------------ 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