The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 21, 1988 - Page 5 Writer talks on Chinese press 750,000 kids tal U.S. ro0 I. BY STEVEN FELDMAN Chinese journalist Liu Binyan criticized the lack of freedom of the press in China and attacked the widespread corruption in the Chinese government before a standing-room- only crowd last night in the Rack- ham amphitheatre. Liu told the audience of about 200 Qf the flourishing class of corrupt bureaucrats who are draining China's economic, political, and spiritual strength. Liu's speech, given in Chinese lind translated at intervals into En- glish, was the eighth annual Alexan- der Eckstein Memorial Lecture, named after a former director of The Center for Chinese Studies. A columnist for the People's Daily and vice chair of the Chinese Writers' Association Liu is "one of China's best known social critics," said Kenneth Lieberthal, director of the University's Center for Chinese Studies. ItLiugave several examples of the corruption he said permeates the vast majority of the Chinese Communist Party. In one village, disaster funds were diverted by local officials to purchase cars for themselves, he said. "The fires of corruption are burn- ing brighter than ever," Liu said. "Most bureaucrats enjoy privileges that accord them immunity from prosecution. Also, as they rise in of- ficial rank and position, their responsibility declines. Courts won't inquire into their illegal activities. Who could avoid becoming corrupt but an angel or a saint?" All Chinese are feeling the effects of such corruption and incompetence, Liu said. Inflation has reached double digits in 1988, meaning that most Chinese are spending close to 100 percent of their budget on food. Liu expressed his frustration with the Chinese press repeatedly being attacked and prosecuted for reporting such corruption while the crooked officials are beyond the reach of the law. "The newspapers must be freed up to report the urgent problems," Liu said. C stimulants CHICAGO - At least 750,000 U.S. children are taking stimulant medications to curb their overactivity or inattentiveness, but it is not known how many are getting the drugs appropriately, according to re- searchers cited in today's Journal of the Americal Medical Association. A furor has arisen over the fact that drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert, once prescribed mainly to stem hyperactivity, are now also giv- en to non-hyperactive children who have trouble paying attention, the re- searchers said. At least 13 lawsuits in four states and the District of Columbia have been filed by parents upset at the ef- fect of Ritalin on their children. Researchers said both uses are ap- propriate if a youngster suffers from the strict psychiatric definition of "hyperactivity" or "attention deficit," or a combination of the two. But Dr. Daniel Safer, the study's lead author, said more research is nec- essary to determine how many youngsters nationally actually need to - or should - be taking the drugs. THE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CENTER STUDY IN OXFORD, ENGLAND JESSICA GREENE Doily Chinese journalist Liu Binyan attacks government corruption and restrictions on newspapers in China. . DSS seeks sign language course BY LISA PERCZAK There's one language you can't practice with tapes in the language lab, and you don't have to learn how to read and write it. But that doesn't mean American Sign Language is easy, said Darlys Vander Beek, direc- tor of Disabled Student Services. And if she has her way, sign lan- guage could soon become an accred- ited University course. "In the past if you signed, it was considered... dirty," Vander Beek said. "People were punished for using sign; now people are clamoring to use it." Those who want to learn can take a' non-accredited course through the Union, and they can practice with "Signs of the Times," a sign lan- guage club of about 30 students and community members, every Sunday afternoon. But giving credit for the course will lend credence to deaf edu- cation, she said, and encourage more students to learn the language. In the past, when groups on other campuses have attempted to establish ASL as a foreign language, oppo- nents have said sign language lacks the culture associated with other lan- guages, and that it's too easy to learn to warrant credit. Vander Beek disagrees. "The deaf have their own culture; it is an entity unto itself," she said. "Persons who are deaf will associate with other deaf individuals and through their com- mon language, develop culture." And though it's very easy to learn words in sign language, learning to arrange words in the appropriate sign order is extremely difficult, she said. Many schools across the nation already offer sign language as a for- eign language, including the Univer- sity of Minnesota and University of California at Northridge, Vander Beck said. She's optimistic that the Uni- versity will do the same. The proposal for the course is not yet written, but Vander Beek will discuss it with an academic panel next month. In the meantime, Vander Beek said, "Signs of the Times" is a good forum for improving signing skills. Although the club suggests that new members have a working knowledge of American Sign Lan- guage, it is one of the ways Ann Ar- bor hearing-impaired people can re- ceive help with basic signing skills. ALL-CAMPUS NON-ALCOHOLIC HAPPY HOUR! Friday, October 21, 4:00-6:30 pm Sigma Chi Fraternity 548 S. State FREE PIZZA AND SODA All U of M Students, Faculty and Staff Welcome! -sponsored by the U of M Panhellenic Association Academic Program Several colleges of Oxford University have invited The Washington International Studies Center (WISC) to recommend qualified students to study for one year or for one or two terms. Lower Junior status is required, and graduate study is available. Students are directly enrolled in their colleges and receive transcripts from their Oxford college; This is NOT a program conducted by a U.S. college in Oxford. Oxford colleges are-accredited by the U.S. Dept. of Education to accept students with Guaranteed Student Loans. Multi-national student housing and social activities are offered, and cultural tours are conducted by WISC. A special summer session is directed by WIJSC. INTERN IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ad Pre-professional Program The Washington International Studies Center offers summer internships with Congress, with the White House, with the media and with think tanks. Government and Journalism courses are taughl by senior-level government officials, who are also scholars, and by experienced journalists. All, college students with a 3.0 GPA or above are eligible. For further information, please write or call: The Panhellenic/iFC ad in the Oct. 18 Michigan Daily con- tained an error. In recognition of alcohol aware- ness week, Oct. 16-22, Rick's Cafe should have been included as a business providing free or 1/2 price non-alcoholic beverages. We regret any inconveniences this may have caused. COUPON With this entire ad- FREE 12 oz. drink expires 10-27-88 COUPON ' B RING IN TH IS AAE A GR EAT MOVIE I (ONE TICKET PER CC FOR. DEAL! )UPON) Pascali's Island (PG-13) wEsc The Washington International Studies Center 214 Massathusetts Ave., N.E. Suite 230 Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-3275 EO/ AA Bull Durham (R) Miles From Home (R) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mb, .m ,a, m ft Z m m a A .-.- w ww w U U U U U U U U U U UU ~i * \L i i i l i i i li, Zi i. L-AIL F The Universityof Michigan ficeor FAfciad ATTENTION PART - TIME STUDENTS There may be a grant for you! Michigan residents who have been out of high school more than two years and demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the MICHIGAN ADULT PART-TIME GRANT. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for details and application. f OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:15-11:45 and 1:00-4:00 Thurs. 10:00-11:45 and 1:00-4:00 APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 15, 1988 QUESTIONS? Call Us! 763-6600 i r 9 NAc ufo rV )w Hir nt Exe Vinter ing cutives_ Term THIS JOB'S FOR YOU' JOIN THE TEAM OF STUDENT CALLERS TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE UNIVERSITY -Gain valuable communication skills -Speak with the University's alumni -Build your resume -Flexible, evening hours -$5.00-$6.50/hour plus bonuses Gain valuable business experience while selling advertising to local and regional businesses. You'llbe responsible for managing your own account territory. You'll work for a student-run organization, and become a profes- sional representative of the newspaper to the University community. QUALIFICATIONS " Good organizational skills " Good communication skills "*Positiveattitude "Dependable " Ambitious " Ability to work ,nic crtra,.r. RESPONSIBILITIES Application Deadline " Sell advertising space and service accounts "Meet and communicate with a variety of person- alities " Generate new business - Explain rate card & media is Wednesday Oct. 26. Interviews begin Thursday Oct. 27. I