Solar car team gets $12,000 check by Ian Hoffman Daily Research Reporter University President James Dud- erstadt returned to his North Campus $tomping grounds yesterday to ac- cept a $12,000 check and a credit card from Amoco Oil Co. for the College of Engineering's Solar Car Team. Duderstadt accepted the check on behalf of 110 University students working on the project. "This is the engineering equiva- lent of putting a man on the moon," Duderstadt said after being handed the three-foot long check. "This pro- ject proves that the total classroom dxperience cannot be conveyed through the classroom or library alone." "We (Amoco) look forward to rooting for the team and cheering them on in the winner's circle," said Michigan alumnus and Amoco Vice President of International Develop- ment George Nersesian. After the check presentation, so- lar car team members unveiled a The Michigan Daily -Tuesday, January 23, 1990 - Page 3 E. German cabinet boss to share power BERLIN (AP) - Communist Premier Hans Modrow agreed yesterday to open his Cabinet to the pro-democracy opposition, and former leader Egon Krenz apologized. for his role in past secret police operations. Modrow and Krenz spoke during negotiations on East Germany's fu- ture government with the opposition groups, which immediately took up Modrow's offer. Pro-democracy activists took to the streets in at least eight cities after nightfall, with more than 100,000 demonstrating in Leipzig against the Communists. The offi- cial ADN news agency reported other protests in Berlin, Cottbus, Dresden, Halle, Potsdam, Schwerin and Suhl. Modrow bowed to pressure to re- build his 27-member Cabinet, which previously excluded all but the Communists and its traditional al- lies. The leadership, which replaced Communist hard-liners last year dur- ing a peaceful popular revolt, has been trying to appease an opposition movement that is upset with the pace of promised reforms. Modrow's move came one day after the No. 2 figure in the Com- munist Party quit and joined the So- cial Democrats. Until yesterday, reformist groups such as New Forum, Democratic Awakening and the Social Democrats formally had resisted joining Modrow's government, partly out of fear that they would then be held responsible by voters for the economic mess left by four decades of Communist rule. The Social Democratic leader, Ibranim Boehme, said a coalition was possible "if all parties and groups are prepared to enter the gov- ernment on an emergency basis, without weeks-long negotiations." Modrow proposed the political forces meet tomorrow to consider a new Cabinet. But he did not make clear which or how many ministries might be offered to the opposition. Communists hold 16 of 27 seats, with the remainder divided among four parties once allied with them - the Liberal Democrats with four, Christian Democrats with three, and two each for the National Democrats and the farmer's party. East Germany's first free elec- tions are to be held on May 6, but broad differences between the Com- munist-dominated government and opposition groups have delayed eco- nomic reform measures and hindered the transition to democracy. Krenz, who was ousted from the leadership Dec. 3 and expelled by his party Sunday, apologized for the "old security doctrine" he imposed on the country. He appeared before the political forum to answer allegations that he helped falsify previous election re- sults and misused the secret police service for political aims. The 52-year-old politician con- ceded there had never been free elec- tions in East Germany. JULIE HOLLMAN/Daily This quarter-scale model of the solar car that will race in the GM SUNRAYCE USA this July was unveiled yesterday at a ceremony in the EECS atrium. At the ceremony President Duderstadt accepted a $12,000 check from Amoco Oil Co. to be used to build the car. quarter-scale model of the vehicle. The black and yellow coach's full- size relative is scheduled to be fin- ished March 17. Solar car project manager Susan Fancy, a LSA and engineering se- nior, answered questions about the car at the ceremony. "We expect to be able to attain speeds of over 65 miles per hour," she said. However, because race rules prohibit breaking legal speed limits, the top speeds achieved dur- ing the race will not exceed 45 m.p.h. 16th annual Minority Career Conference is for all students, not just minorities Pastor vows to keep school records private Sby Cherie Curry Daily Staff Writer Over 100 employers from across the nation will be participating in today's 16th Annual Minority Career Conference - providing students from all class levels and disciplines with an opportunity to informally discuss career opportunities. The event is Sponsored by Career Planning, and Placement and will be held in the Michigan Union from 7- 10p.m today. Various business, social, gov- ernment and educational agencies, including Ross Roy Inc., AEtna Life and Casualty, and Xerox Cor- poration, will be on hand to answer questions, display literature, and possibly make arrangements with students for job interviews. "Employers will be recruiting in areas like engineering, business, and liberal arts," said Kenneth Johnson, minority student coordinator of Ca- reer Planning and Placement. "No one is excludedI. However, recruiters come with the assumption that the conference is focusing on minorities. This year, the disabled are also in- cluded as minorities." While last year's Minority Career Conference brought an estimated 500 students, this year's conference is expected to attract hundreds more. "I personally think there will be a larger turnout just because we're go- ing to have it at nighttime," John- son said, noting there will be no classes to hinder students from com- ing. Kyra Keene, an LSA sophomore, thought last year's conference was a good experience. "My communica- tive skills were challenged by the represented recruiters." But some students who attended the conference last year were not as impressed. "I thought it was a good experi- ence, but it catered more towards up- perclassmen," said LSA sophomore Sherri Richardson. "As a freshman, I didn't get as much out of it as I would've liked." Stressing that both graduates and undergraduates have the opportunity to obtain internships, permanent or summer positions, Johnson added the Minority Career Conference can be advantageous in other ways. "I think it's much more than get- ting a job," Johnson said. "For the prepared student, it's a chance of fur- thering his or her success upon en- tering the job market." State house hopes to improve taxpayers rights LANSING (AP) - A church pastor threatened yesterday to fight to the death against a Michigan law requiring private schools to file an- nual reports as the Michigan De- partment of Education prepared a suit to enforce that law. The Rev. Paul Vanaman, pastor of Dixie Baptist Church in Clark- ston, said the lawsuit will have no impact on his refusal to submit in- formation on the operation of the Springfield Christian Academy. "I guess to the point of death," he said when asked how long he will oppose the effort to obtain the in- formation. "I know. that sounds rather dra- matic, but I don't mean it to be. This is a serious business with me because it's a matter of conscience. This is not something I can arbi- trate." Vanaman's school is one of four Christian schools which failed to meet Monday's deadline imposed by Superintendent of Public Instruction, Donald Bemis, for filing annual re- ports. Administrative hearings were held in July and Bemis decided on November 21 that the five schools had violated the law and ordered them to supply the information within 60 days. The law permits the state to close schools for violations. Bemis said Attorney General Frank Kelley's office will file a law- suit in Oakland County Circuit Court within the next several weeks seeking the information on the school's enrollment, curriculum and teacher qualifications. "The requirement to provide this educational information to the De- partment of Education has been established by the Michigan Legisla- ture. It is my obligation to imple- ment this requirement to advance the compelling interest society has -in the secular education of all our youth," Bemis said. . LANSING (AP) - Dealing with the taxman can be mighty intimidat- ing, and lawmakers said Monday they hope the state can adopt proce- dures to ensure that taxpayers are treated fairly and courteously. The House Republican Task Force on Taxpayer Rights release 4 20 recommendations after a three- year study of how taxpayers are treated by the Department of Trea- sury. The panel did not review tax rates. State Treasurer Robert Bowman commended the report, saying many of its recommendations already have been taken care of with new taxpayer assistance programs. They include a problems resolution office, a com- puterized refund information system and electronic filing system, and a Michigan Tax Guide. Rep. Richard Bandstra (R-Grand. Rapids), chair of the task force, said he wants to implement a taxpayer bill of rights based on a federal model adopted by Texas, Kansas, Indiana, California and South Carolina. "Many feel they have been treated unfairly during the tax process, espe- cially in cases where there is a dis- pute about whether taxes are owing or the amount of tax that's owing," Bandstra said. "The tax administra- tion' process can be complex and time consuming, most find it to be intimidating and unresponsive. 'The tax administra- tion process can be complex and time consuming, most find it to be intimidating and unresponsive. - Rick Bandstra State Representative "We recognize that there are go- ing to be inevitable gripes about tax collection. I can't think of a less popular function of state government than taking money from people." GOT A BIG NOSE? We're here to help. It's a new Writs: Help e! advice c/o Michigan Daily column in 420 Maynard the Daily. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Bandstra said the treasury depart- ment assumes guilt when it discov- ers a possible taxpayer error and sends a threatening note demanding payment. He said the initial corre- spondence should be a letter of in- quiry rather than an intent to assess. The burden of proof should be on the department to prove the taxpayer has made a mistake, rather than on the taxpayer to demonstrate why the department is wrong, the report said. WANT TO REALLY BLOW THEM AWAY? w Send a..PERSONAL! The aily Classifieds 764-0557 The report also recommended that all correspondence regarding a delin- quent account should be accompanied by a brochure outlining the taxpay- ers' rights, the creation of an inde- pendent ombudsman, to help taxpay- ers deal with the state, and the cre- ation of a Taxpayer Grievance Coun- cil. Bowman said he would be op- posed to giving delinquent taxpayers extra time to pay. M DAY-SA AY 8:30-100 - 1140 South University d 668-8411 Charley's THE LIST What's happening in Ann Arbor today A I Don't miss this Meetings AISEC - mass meeting from 7- 8:30 p.m. in Rm. 1276 of the Business Ad. Bldg. Iranian Student Cultural Club - the non-political, non-religious group meets at 7:45 in the League Speakers Great Writers Series - Harold Kushner author of Who Needs God? and When Bad Things Hap- pen to Good People?, speaks at 7:30 p.m. at Hillel; tickets are $10, $6 for students, available at Hillel, Ticketmaster and at the door Edelman of Loyola University (Chicago) speaks at noon in 3050 Frieze Furthermore Career Planning & Placement Programs - Applying to Law School from 4:10-5 p.m. in the CP&P Conference Rm.; Federal Government Job Search from 4:10-5 p.m. in 2235 Angell; Job Search Lecture from 6:10-7 p.m. in the CP&P Conference Rm.; O'Connor & Associates Employer Presentation from 7- 9 p.m. in the Union Crofoot Rm.; Minority Career Confer- * Resume Packages " Quality Thesis Copies * Course Packets " Fax Service " Term Paper Copies - Collating/Binding " Passport Photos " Color Copies the copy center Fh --- golden opportunity to save on a Balfour College Class Ring! - $30 OFF 10K - $50 OFF 14K - $70 OFF 18K Hurry! Offered for a limited time only! Michigan Balfour House 'w ,q