The Michigan Daily -Friday, September 27,1991 - Page 3
Berkeley
students
help
homeless
by Gwen Shaffer
Daily Higher Education Reporter
University of California at
Berkeley students can now help the
city's homeless population and
know the money won't be spent on
drugs or alcohol.
A new program called Berkeley
Cares allows people to buy
"Vouchers" at 27 local shops.
People give the vouchers instead of
cash to area homeless, who may re-
deem them at participating stores.
According to the 1990 Census, there
are about 500 homeless people liv-
ing in Berkeley.
Berkeley Cares was launched in
July and is supported by a coalition
of civic, business, social service and
student organizations. For one dol-
lar, a set of four 25 cent Vouchers
can be purchased to be given to
homeless individuals and families.
The Vouchers are redeemable for
food, laundry, and bus transporta-
tion at participating local busi-
nesses and agencies.
"Right now there are only 27
merchants selling the Vouchers and
11 merchants redeeming them. In
November, we will go city-wide,"
said Judy Miller, homeless coordi-
nator assistant for the City of
Berkeley.
The Vouchers are not redeemable
for alcohol or tobacco products.
"We've noticed a decrease in ac-
tive pan-handling since the program
began, because people can't get drug
and alcohol money anymore,"
Miller said.
Most people said they feel the
program has had a positive affect on
the Berkeley-area.
"I've seen a lot of unity around
an issue no one took notice of be-
fore,' Miller said.
"The program is broad-based
with a lot of effort from many
sources involved," said Eric Zarate
of the University County Affairs
Office.
Local merchants participating in
the program said they were enthusi-
astic about becoming involved with
Berkeley Cares.
"I think most people in the Bay
Area who would like to assist the
0 homeless are reticent about it be-
cause they don't know where their
money will go. They worry they
might be doing more harm than
good. There is also concern that you
might be giving your money to a
professional pan-handler," Jack
Stuckrath, general manager of Owl
Drug, said.
"I think it will help those in
need to get off using money for
drugs :and alcohol and use the
Vouchers for necessities," said
Phoenix Optical owner Ken Pardini.
Students have been supportive of
Berkeley Cares since their return to
school in September.
"Voucher sales have gone up
since school started," Miller said.
Stuckrath said his store sells an
average of 30 Vouchers per day.
Pardini said that sales vary greatly.
I
Senate panel expects close
vote on Thomas
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two
more Democratic members of the
Senate Judiciary Committee said
yesterday they oppose the nomina-
tion of Clarence Thomas to the
Supreme Court, setting the stage for
a close vote by the panel tomorrow.
Alabama Sen. Howell Heflin,
often a pivotal vote on the commit-
tee, and Wisconsin's Herb Kohl said
they had decided against Thomas.
But Heflin and other critics con-
ceded he is likely to be confirmed
handily by the full Senate, even if he
gets a worst-case, 7-7 tie and no rec-
ommendation from the committee.
Thomas was virtually guaran-
teed at least half the committee's
votes, with all six Republicans and
Democrat Dennis Deconcini of
Arizona having already declared
their support for the conservative
black jurist. Colorado Republican
Hank Brown filled out the solid
GOP bloc yesterday.
Meanwhile, a legal newspaper
reported that Thomas, now a U.S.
Court of Appeals judge, may have
tried to avoid controversy at his
confirmation hearings by postpon-
ing the release of an opinion he
wrote in an affirmative action case.
The Legal Times of Washington
said Thomas has withheld the ma-
jority opinion in the three-judge
panel's decision that reportedly
strips from a woman her license to
operate a new radio station in
Middletown, Md. She had been
awarded the license under the
Federal Communications Com-
mission's gender preference policy,
part of its program to broaden
industrial opportunities for women
and racial minorities.
Four Democratic members of the
Senate Judiciary Committee, includ-
ing Chairperson Joseph Biden (D-
Del.) remained undeclared on
Thomas on the eve of the panel's
ipproval
Thomas.
The votes of Southern Dem-
ocrats, who rely heavily on the
support of black voters for re-elec-
tion, have been seen as vital to
Thomas' confirmation hopes. Those
senators were instrumental in de-
feating the Supreme Court nomina-
tion of Robert Bork in 1987.
Thomas' prime Senate sponsor,
Sen. John Danforth (R-Mo.) ro-'
mained confident. "I have no doubt=
'It is clear that Judge Thomas will be
confirmed by the full Senate '
- Alabama Sen. Howell Heffi
vote. But all four, also including
Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts,
Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio and
Paul Simon of Illinois, have been
critical of him. Sen. Patrick Leahy
(D-Vt.) announced his opposition
earlier in the week.
Heflin, a former federal judge
with particular influence among the
Senate's Southerners, said doubts
lingered about whether Thomas
"might be part of the extreme,
right-wing movement."
"The doubts are many. The court
is too important," Heflin said. But
he added, "It is clear that Judge
Thomas will be confirmed by the
full Senate."
Heflin's prediction was bol-
stered when Sen. John Breaux (D-
La.) later said he would vote for
that Judge Thomas will be cq
firmed," he said.
But Ralph Neas of toe
Leadership Conference on Ci4k
Rights, which opposes Thomas'
nomination, said Heflin's vote
"creates a totally new dynamic in
the Senate process."
"The opposition underscores the
fact that, contrary to the White
House press campaign, the confir-
mation of Clarence Thomas is not a.
done deal," Neas said.
A close committee vote could
lengthen the time its takes to get
Thomas' nomination before the full;.r
Senate, especially if Democratic
leaders believe some senators need
more time to study the hearings
record.
r
It's only a penny at Meijer
Ashley Renee Hoyag from Milan, Mich., looks disenchanted with her
horse ride at Meijer.
Bank officials support
student loan legislation
by Ben Deci
Daily Staff Reporter
Banks involved in the Guaranteed
Student Loan (GSL) program said
yesterday that they would support
new legislation which will remove
them as a step in the loan process.
This legislation, which was re-
cently introduced in the House of
Representatives, seeks to eliminate
the role banks play as the lending
institution. Instead, the loan money
will come directly from colleges
and universities to pay for students'
tuition.
"There will be across-the-board
increases in the maximum amount
available for lending to students of
all classes. For example, the maxi-
mum that a first-year student could
borrow if the legislation passes is
$6,500, up from $2,650," said Tom
Butts, University associate vice
president for Government Rela-
tions. "That money will come from
the money we save by eliminating
the third party. This could affect
thousands of students at the Uni-
versity of Michigan."
"There probably isn't a bank in
the country that will complain
about that. The profit margin (for
the banks participating in the pro-
gram) is too small, and there is a lot
of work involved in the process,"
said a bank vice president who asked
to remain anonymous.
Butts said the University would
internally fill any new positions
created by the legislation.
In the current system, a bank
loans money to a student and
charges a certain interest rate. This
rate, which 'is lower than the typical
interest rate, is paid by the govern-
ment. The government, in turn,
'You have tons of
forms to fill out'
- Deanne Milklaski
RC first-year student
charges the student an even lower
interest rate. This rate begins to ac-
crue only after the student
graduates.
A spokesperson for Comerica
Bank said, "Student loans are only a
small part of our business. There
wouldn't be any kind of material
impact if the legislation were to be
put into effect."
Deanne Milklaski, a first-year
student in the Residential College
who participates in GSL, said she is
not pleased with the current loan
process. "You have tons of forms
to fill out. All the paperwork is bu-
reaucratic B.S."
New GNP
revision
surprises
analysts
WASHINGTON (AP) - The
U.S. economy declined at a worse-
than-expected annual rate of 0.5
percent last spring and a large
increase in laid-off workers seeking
jobless benefits early this month,
the government said yesterday.
The downward revision in the
gross national product and the 8.9
percent increase in the number of
Americans filing for unemploy-
ment benefits were the latest signs
of a weak economy, analysts said.
Analysts had been expecting the
GNP report to show newfound
weakness from April through June,
but they were surprised that the
drop was put at 0.5 percent with
consumer and government spending
and business restocking of invento-
rie allrenvised lower-
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Psst..., Did you hear.?
South University Galleria
now has T.V.'s in the A
T HE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Food Court.
Meetings
Sunday
APO meeting. Union Ballroom, 6 p.m.
U-M Chess Club. Michigan League. 1
p.m. Call 994-5824 for info.
Speakers
Friday
"GEO: TAs Working for a Better
University," Tom Oko and Phillis En-
gelbert. Guild House, 802 Monroe,
noon.
"Ukraine: A Special Case of National
Identity," Dr. Yaroslav Hrytsak. 2011
MLB, 1 p.m
"Influence of Structure on the Phase
Behavior in Polyamide Blends," Dr.
Thomas Ellis, General Motors Research
Labs. Chem Bldg, rm 1706, noon.
"Nested Paleozoic 'Successor' Basins
in the Southern Appalachian Blue
Ridge," James Tull of Florida State
University. Chem Bldg, rm 1640,4 p.m.
Furthermore
Friday
Hall Computing Center or call 763-
4246.
Northwalk, North Campus safety
walking service. Sun-Thur 8 p.m.-1:30
a.m. and Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Stop by 2333 Bursley or call 763-
WALK.
"Hallelujah!" and "Bright Road,"
films. Angell Aud A, 7 p.m., free.
"Harakiri," film. Lorch Hall Audito-
rium, 7 p.m., free.
"A Soldier's Story," film. Hillel, 9 p.m.
U-M Ultimate Frisbee Team, Friday
practice. Mitchell Field, 7-9.
U-M Ninjitsu Club, every Friday. Call
662-2306 for info. IM wrestling room,
6:30-8.
U-M Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club,
practice. CCRB Martial Arts Rm,
6:30-7:30.
U-M Women's Lacrosse Club. Call
996-8591 for info.
U-M Rowing Team, novice practice.
2:30,3:30,4:30,5:30.
Ice Cream Social, Japan Student As-
sociation. Stucchis, S. University, 9
p.m.
Sunday
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Ann Arbor
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