Task force report addresses 'U' The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 19, 1990 - Page environment r w by Jesse Snyder Daily Staff Reporter The University's buildings are too "air-tight" and overall air circula- *tion could be improved, concludes a report on the University's environ- ment released last September and now under review by administrators. The Environmental Task Force Report, produced by a nine-member committee of faculty, staff, and one student, lists 10 areas where the University can improve its living and working conditions. Among the recommendations are rsuggestions for eliminating indoor air pollution, reducing waste, and conserving energy. The task force cited "Sick Building Syndrome" as a cause of poor air quality. During the 1970s energy crisis, buildings were tightly sealed to use less fuel, trapping air pollutants inside those buildings. The task force recommended monitoring and ventilating all build- ings on campus to correct. the situa- tion. To reduce dependence on landfills, the task force recommended develop- ing a solid-waste reduction program that would exceed Washtenaw County's goal of 30 percent waste recycling by 1993. The University produces approx- imately 12,000 tons of solid waste per year, according to the report. Of that waste, approximately 8.1 per- cent is recycled, the report says. Another top priority is energy conservation, the task force found. "Energy conservation should be an on-going effort. Constant attention to this issue will yield significant future economic savings and im- provements to the University com- munity," the report concluded. Task force members interviewed key figures in the University and dis- tributed a questionnaire to Senate Assembly members to gather their information. The 24-page report also addresses the issues of hazardous and medical waste disposal, pest and vegetation management, planning for green and open spaces on campus, community right-to-know laws, low-level nu- clear waste management, water con- servation, and stormwater runoff. Task Force Chair Harrison Morton said the status of the University environment is relatively good but more information is ncedccL "There's nothing obvious out of sync, but that doesn't mean there is something we don't know," he said. "Air quality is one of the ones we thought we needed more information on. It's the number one priority, but it's not like number one is way above two, three, or four," Morton added Task force member and engineer- ing Prof. Walter Debler said the University has shown the proper concern for the environment. "It looked during the discussions that the 'U' was squeaky clean. I was afraid of the one-sided story so I talked to the county environmental people. They agreed. It reassured me," Debler said. Debler said that one danger of the report is that if the University looks clean, people will become compla- cent. "We have to look at future con- cerns. Use of student recycling groups has been instructive. Activism has to be maintained," he added. IFC president aims 'to reform Greek system Debaters rank among nation's foremost teams by Lynne Cohn Daily Staff Reporter by Avram Mack If there' has ever been a part of college life that has been hard to. change, it is the Greek system. But senior Jeff Stacey was deter- mined to take the challenge when he became Interfraternity Council (IFC) President. As IFC president, he has worked, not only to change the sys- tem, but its attitudes as well. "I like the challenge of imple- mentiug new programs that give a sense of vision..." Stacey said of a task many have seen as impossible. "I've always had a desire to get in- volved, a desire to make a difference in an area that affects lots of peo- ple," he added. k In pushing for system reform, Stacey has focused on one of its biggest problems: alcohol. Last January, Stacey and the IFC implemented a dry-rush policy for all of the University's 44 fraternities. The majority of the Greek com- munity was vehemently opposed to the idea, but Stacey and the IFC eventually prevailed. "It was the right thing to do..." he explained. "In terms of reducing liability and increasing safety, dry rush was the answer... When you have many freshmen with very little prior experience with alcohol, you have a dangerous situation." Another reason dry rush was in- stituted at the University was be- cause of pressure from each fraterni- ties' national organizations. In the face of fraternities' threats of barring rush infraction officers from entering or of. seceding from the IFC, Stacey and the IFC would, not give up. "We knew that it was just a matter of time before it was accepted," he said. Stacey said of his persistence: "If I believe in something, I will be re- lentless. I try to take a good ap- proach in alienating as few people as possible." Stacey said implementation of dry rush has been successful. "We don't need drinking. It's an im- provement," he said. The dry rush movement epito- mizes Jeff Stacey. He is persistent, and is a firm leader. Stacey said he never saw the resistance to dry rush as a hindrance, but as a learning ex- perience in handling opposition and implementing change. He was active in his own house, Tau Gamma Nu (TGN), in his sophomore year, and then became IFC rush chair the next year. While working on the executive board, Stacey saw at close range the problems as well as the potential dangers that existed when alcohol and rush were combined. This led him to want to become IFC presi- dent. "I saw the IFC as a means to impart on an area that needed im- provement," Stacey said. One of his longstanding goals is to promote awareness in the Greek system regarding "risk manage- ment." He wants to have "safety in social situations." 'If I believe in something, I will be relentless. I try to take a good approach in alienating as few people as possible' - Jeff Stacey IFC President In addition to rules which en- hance safety, Stacey has also pro- duced a Greek-wide education pro- gram aimed at both pledges and members. The program discusses sexism, sexual assault, and alcohol. Stacey has also made changes in the relationship between the Univer- Interfraternity Council President Jeff Stacey works in his office at the Union. sity's administration and the Greek system. Unlike most schools, the Univer- sity administration has no direct power over fraternities. To Stacey, it is a "unique situation. Most Greeks in other schools are puppets of the administration, but here the IFC is basically free to do what it pleases." This freedom may have led to the system's disorganization in the mid- 1980s, but in what the University administration sees as Stacey's top accomplishment, he has formed a self-governance of the fraternities, and basically restructured the IFC it- self. Ken Kelly, a professional frater- nal organizer employed by the Alumni IFC to work with the IFC, noted that Stacey has been "very in- volved in solidifying IFC as an or- ganization, and he has been very successful in that regard." Officials in the University admin- istration said they are happy with Stacey's reorganization of the sys- tem. Shirley Clarkson, assistant to University President James Duder- stadt, said "the president is very pleased that self-governance in the fraternities has progressed as it has with Jeff." Stacey's involvement is not lim- ited to the Greek system. He is an honors student graduat- ing with a degree in Political Science. Next year he will work in London in the English Parliament. He has been active in community service, spending time working in area hospitals and campaigning yearly for local, state, and national political candidates. "I've just tried to take advantage of so many opportunities 'to expand my education," he said. "There is a whole other education that one re- ceives outside of the classroom here at U-M... These help prepare you for life." Stacey has spent the last four summers at the National Leadership Center in Colorado, an experience which taught him about leadership. "I learned that leadership isn't con- trol or running the show, or being in the spotlight, but rather the desire to serve, and to make a difference in a group," he said. There is no debate that there just may be a top team at the University. Debaters Colin Kahl and Matt Shores placed within the top 20 teams in the nation as a first-year students'hteam last year. This year, they are hoping for the top five. "We feel confident," Kahl said. "It's interesting because we are such a young team; we didn't expect to do as well. We have far surpassed our expectations." The team took first place this season at the Henry Clay tournament at the University of Kentucky, third place at both the KentuckyrRound Robin and the University of Northern Iowa, and ninth at Harvard University. "We have done better already after four tournaments than we ever hoped to do," Shores said. "Our biggest ac- complishment was beating last year's national number one team from Harvard." Kahl and Shores placed ninth as first-year studentssat the National Championship last year but failed to rank within the top sixteen national teams. "At the national tournament at the end of the year, 20 coaches vote for the top 16 teams," Coach Steve Mancuso said. "Colin and Matt just missed it last year. If they keep up the way they've been going, they should finish at number five this year." "We are confident that we can beat any team in the country,"' Kahl said. "There's no doubt that we're much better and more consistent as sophomores than we were as fresh- men." College debaters work on one topic from September until April each year. This year, the topic is: "Resolved: The United States should substantially change its trade policy toward Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, or Hong Kong." Team members spend approxi- mately twenty hours each week.re= searching and practicing for tourO4- ments. "The teams will have four debates on .the affirmative and four on the negative," Mancuso said. The University's debate team i'a young team, with no seniors. The 16 members form eight individual teams that have gained experience and speaking ability through high school and college debate. 'We are confident that we can beat any team in the country' - Colin Kahl University debater Intercollegiate debating has been at the University since 1890, with the exception of a five year lapse from 1980-85. It was reborn when. Mancuso began coaching, and the team placed first overall nationally in the 1987 and 1988 academic years. "Colin and Matt have the poten- tial and commitment to be the best team Michigan has had since I've been here," Mancuso said. Kahl and Shores have a tough season ahead of them, as they will compete against seniors with more collegiate debate experience. The University has two female and 14 male debaters. "That is not unusual compared to other universities," Mancuso said. "We have been known to have a lot of women debaters at Michigan." "I recruit high school debaters by travelling during the year to large tournaments where I can see who is the best in a region," Mancuso said. "That is how I recruited Coln and Matt." Aussies excited as solar cars traverse Outback by David Rheingola Daily Staff Reporter They'll tell you to have a "g'day." They'll address you as mate. But to most Australians, the re- cent World Solar Challenge 1990 is not an ordinary conversational item. Many who travelled from their nearby homes to watch the 1,900 mile race were nearly speechless with amazement. "I think it's very special," said Judy Jepson, a nurse from Alice Springs. Jepson brought her 12- month-old daughter to see the solar- powered cars pull in at a local media stop. "I think it's the wave of the fu- ture... it's an outlet for energies - scientific energies - to go to. I'm really impressed," Jepson said. Mark Cole, a chauffeur also from Alice Springs, saw "new solar tech- nology which the (Northern) Terri- tory could use to its advantage" John Etteridge, a bus driver from Adelaide, was mildly disappointed with the intervals between the time each car crossed the finish line. "It would be nice if they came in side-by-side, becuase this will last for a few days. I realize that can't happen in a race like this," he said. Etteridge also felt the World So- lar Challenge shoudl be held annu- ally, instead of every three years. "I like competitions like this, but I think they should happen more of- ten. In the next few years, technol- ogy will be moving in leaps and bounds," Ettridge said. Paul Tourney, a photographer from Salisbury, didn't expect such rapid progress, but nevertheless felt the race was a worthwhile event. "They're a few years ahead of the practical stuff, but it's still very worthwhile," Tourney said. Not everybody was satisfied with the race, though. "I think they're getting there. Next year, we'll start to see something really serious. Honda's almost there. Their car flew in; it didn't just mosey on in," said Ian McFarland, a designer from Adelaide. "Up till now, it's been experi- mental," McFarland continued. "Next year it's serious. This year, fun and games, but the last year of fun and games. Next year, it's on no uncertain terms." Jerry Scoble and Maxine Visea, who live in the rustic town of Kul- gera, sat by the side of the highway and watched the race, while baby-sit- ting a two-year-old friend, Stacey. "The leaps and bounds for tech- nology are wonderful. It's history going past. Sitting here on a fence watching it go past is exciting," Scoble said. "I've never seen it before. It's re- ally exciting, really new for the out- back," Visca agreed. B E A C H RIVE ON DOWN TO LUXURIOUS OCEAN FRONT We're adopting new family members! We offer a variety of positions, FULL AND PART TIME. WAITRESSESIWAITERS CASHIERS OTHER POSITIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE 470 DELUXE OCEANFRONT ROOMS From $60 " Large Oceanfront Pool " Full Service Restaurants Deck & 2 Pools " Indoor Pool & Jacuzzis - Lounges with Live " Private Balconies Entertainment - Daily Pool Parties n-LI n. n-T/7- ri n 0- .. .fo Buv your ArtCarved 14K or 18K gold ring now and receive the perfect