APRIL 1988 News Features U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 5 APRIL 1988 * News Features U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 5 Lesbians go Greek at UCLA By Michael Ashcraft * Daily Bruin U. of California, Los Angeles The gang met in Lu Valle Com- mons at least three times a week to sip coffee, smoke cigarettes, gossip and occasionally joke that they had become something of a sorority. So when the women took steps this quarter toward forming a new sorority, nothing seemed unique or 'unusual--except that all nine are lesbians. Lambda Delta Lambda, now polishing its constitution before re- ceiving official recognition from the university, is in many ways a maverick in the Greek system at U. of California, Los Angeles and around the nation. "We all grew up in a straight soci- ety ... and we understand how it works," said member Julie Lever- ance. "But we also understand how different the gay society is. All we're doing is creating a positive alternative for ourselves within the system." Along with other Greeks, Lamb- da Delta Lambda will hold rush and pledge functions, social dances and participate in major Greek events. They will also require pledges to complete social work for women or gay concerns before in- itiation, hold fundraisers for AIDS research and co-sponsor awareness presentations. "We want to make the point that being lesbian is more than just the sex thing," said member Debi Knight. "We have community in- terests." With few precedents in the U.S., the new lesbian sorority may be- come a political statement. "Since we are lesbians and we're trying to make a point by going in where it's been straight for years and years, they (society members) are going to make it political whether we want it to be or not," said member Lauren Susman. The start-up sorority's freshly- penned constitution bars discri- mination. "This group is a reaction to discrimination," Leverance said. "It would be pretty hypocritical for us to discriminate against any heterosexual who would want to join this group." Even the Greek letters have meaning for lesbians. The lambda, president Allison Adler explained, was associated with homosexuality in ancient Greece. The delta was worn by gays under the Nazi regime. In the March issue, the story on page 5 Admission testing nixed incorrectly stated that Brown U. (RI) has waived } admission testing scores. We apologize for the error. Biology prof By Tina Burnside The Minnesota Daily U. of Minnesota, Twin Cities Genetics and cell biology professor Val Woodward has an offer most Uni- versity students can't refuse. If you take his heredity class, he'll guarantee you won't get a D or an F. This quarter, more than 600 students are enrolled in Biolo- gy 1101: Heredity and Human Society. "I had heard from other students that it was an easy class, so I took it," said junior Lisa Smith. "I barely went to class except on the quiz days, but I pas- sed. It was great." But Woodward has a reason for his grading policy. "This is not a class de- signed to weed people out,"he said. "It is guarantees C or better designed to help students gain an in- sight about themselves and give them a general understanding of genetics. Woodward awards 25 percent of his class As, 50 percent Bs, and 25 percent Cs. Students who don't pass are given an incomplete. He admits that most stu- dents, but not all, take the course be- cause it is considered easy. Professors are free to determine their own grading policies, said Kathie Peter- son, director of student services in the Genetics and Cell Biology Department. "I'm taking the class because I have an interest in genetics and the class seems interesting," sophomore Tony Giombetti said. "I like the idea of the teacher not wanting to hold students back, and that he is more concerned with students learning concepts rather than just memorizing facts." Woodward said many introductory courses are in danger of being elimin- ated under the University's Commit- ment to Focus improvement plan. "They would like to get rid of these courses. They want students to enter the University ... and start working directly on their majors, and not fool around with these so-called 'Mickey Mouse' courses," he said. "I flatly disagree. This class is de- signed to give everyone an equal oppor- tunity to an education, not to eliminate a few." 44No matter how bad they are, Grandma loves to hear the latest jokes.99 You miss her sparkling sense of humor. She misses you and ot jokes. Even the bad ones. That's one good reason to call long distance. AT&T Long Distance Service is another good reason. Be- caise it costs less than you think to hear your grand- mother start to giggle be- fore you even get to the punch line. So whenever you miss her lAughter, Bring a smile to her face with AT&T. Reach out and touch someone® If you'd like to know more about AT&T products and services, like the AT&T Card, call us at 1 800 222 0300. AT&T The right choice.