The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, October 9, 1991 -Page 3
MSA
reject s
*ethics
proposals
by Purvi Shah
Daily MSA Reporter
The Michigan Student Assembly
rejected two resolutions last night
which proposed investigations of
actions linked to the Ann Arbor
Tenants Union (AATU).
The first resolution proposed to
create a temporary commission to
investigate alleged ethics violations
by LSA Rep. Jeff Muir for disclos-
ing that a member of the AATU
was also a member of the Homeless
Action Committee (HAC) in his
Mchigan Review column. It failed
20-4.
Muir allegedly violated the
MSA code when he used assembly
documents to find information for
his column. The code stipulates that
assembly members may not use
"MSA resources for his/her private
use without informing or compen-
sating MSA prior to the use of such
resources."~
The resolution, sponsored by
Rackham Rep. Amy Polk on behalf
of AATU and HAC, suggested that
Muir "should issue a written apol-
ogy" to HAC and AATU and be
removed from his MSA-appointed
seat on the AATU's Board of
Directors.
"Basically I think it's pretty
clear that it's just sort of a get back
at me for being one of the people
*who fought against the Tenants
Union," Muir said.
Other assembly members argued
that easy access to the documents
should be blamed, not Muir.
Engineering Rep. Brian Kight said,
"We're so hypocritical. We sit here
and pass (the documents) around."
Rackham Rep. Sean Herlihy ar-
gued, however, that this does not
free Muir from blame. "I don't
*think he gets off the hook that eas-
ily," he said. "That doesn't excuse
this action here."
The second rejected proposal,
sponsored by Muir, called for the
organization of a special committee
to investigate AATU for ethical vi-
olations and improper use of
student funds, such as contributing
to the "Recall Engler" campaign,
OHAC, and other political
organizations.
The resolution was rejected after
being deemed out of order by
Parliamentarian Tim Darr for not
specifying the methods of selecting
committee members.
Leaders see campus
from wheelchair view
by Renee Huckle
Ever wondered how difficult it would be
to reach a book on a high bookshelf from a
wheelchair? Better yet, try to get to class on
time after entering an inconvienient
wheelchair accessible doorway.
Yesterday, as part of "Investing in
Ability Week," LSA senior Eric Silberberg
showed three student leaders and Mayor Liz
Brater what it is like to maneuver around
campus in a wheelchair as he does everyday.
Michigan Student Assembly President
James Green, Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC)
President Matt Commers, Panhellenic
President Katie Kendall, and Brater fol-
lowed Silberberg's lead as he led them on
their first wheelchair bound journey from
the Diag to the Graduate Library and later to
Angell Hall.
"It was a learning experience for every-
one," Silberberg said. "Not only are steep
ramps physically difficult, but it's also dif-
ficult when people look at you differently."
Participants encountered extreme obsta-
cles like wheeling through the crowds in
Angell Hall and trying to use the physically
inaccessible MIRLYN computer system in
the Graduate Library, said "Investing in
Ability Week" coordinator Emily Singer.
Singer said the current facilities for dis-
abled students at the University, such as
wheelchair accessible classroom buildings
and residence halls, are inadequatet
"Students with abilities have more options
than those with disabilities," Singer said.
Singer sees the issue as a double-edged
sword. The University will expand disabled
student facilities if there are enough students
'Not only are steep ramps
physically difficult, but it's
also difficult when people
look at you differently'
- Eric Silberberg
LSA senior
who need the services. However, few dis-
abled students are applying to the University
due to the lack of disabled student facilities.
In the meantime, disabled students must
get by with inadequate facilities.
"The University is far behind, but it has
improved over the last five years,"
Silberberg said.
Bible study
Don Harrison, an LSA senior, argues over a passage in the Bible with a preacher on the Diag
yesterd ay.
HAC and city officials differ on
by David Rheingold
Daily City Reporter
The Comprehensive Housing
Affordability Strategy (CHAS), a
five-year housing plan for Ann
Arbor, was criticized by homeless
activists at a public hearing Monday
night.
Members of the Homeless
Action Committee (HAC) attacked
the plan focusing on increasing
rental subsidies, rather than offer-
ing a permanent solution to the
city's lack of low income housing.
But Community Development
Director Eileen Ryan, whose de-
partment developed the plan, said
the demand for more rental subsi-
dies is high.
She pointed out that when the
Ann Arbor Housing Commission
opened its subsidy waiting list last
June, it received 1,000 applications
in three days.
Rental subsidies allow low-in-
come tenants to pay 30 percent of
their rent, with the federal govern-
ment providing the remaining
amount.
Yet HAC argued last night that
the city should focus less on subsi-
dies and more on a permanent solu-
tion through building more housing.
"The plan doesn't provide any
real long-term solutions," said
HAC member Jeri Schneider. "It
talks about supporting existing
programs and services, but that
doesn't really solve the problem."
Although the plan places solv-
ing the problem of homelessness
high on its priority list, it states
construction of new affordable
rental housing is a lower priority
because of high development costs.
Instead, Ryan said, the intent of
CHAS is to better utilize the city's
existing housing.
"We have a 7 percent vacancy
rate around the student campus, and
when you have a vacancy rate like
that ... rathe
should conc
our existing
"And in many
is because rer
HAC men
his concern
does not pro'
tion to low-i
"It's settir
what money
ting up pr
works," he sa
HAC mer
better plan f
ask the gove
cost of buildi
housingstudy
r than overbuilding, we burden on the tenants to pay rents
entrate on maximizing - which would be lower because
housing," Ryan said. they would not include subsidies.
y cases, the vacancy rate As with any new construction,
nt is so high." the problem the city faces is the
nber Jeff Gearhart said high cost of development, Ryan said.
is that the city's plan "The cost of new construction is
vide a permanent solu- expensive (as opposed) to providing
ncome housing. existing housing," she said.
ng up programs around All public comments on CHAS
s available versus set- will be presented to the City
ograms around what Council at its Nov. 4 meeting, when
iid. it will vote on the program.
mber Larry Fox said a If it approves CHAS, the city
or the city would be to will send it to the Department of
rnment to pay for the Housing and Urban Development
ng and then place more for approval.
Class offers n on -traditional writing opportunities
by Robin Litwin
Students who have dreamed of
writing assignments as appealing as
a movie review or a story of their
venture to the local Bennigans' can
stop dreaming.
The Practical English Program,
developed by English professors
Eric Rabkin and Macklin Smith, of-
fers students the chance to take a
writing course with a creative slant.
Instead of writing papers which
discuss readings, students are en-
couraged to write about recent ex-
periences in concise and clear lan-
guage. The assignments can range
from a movie review to a business
letter.
In place of a final or term paper,
the class completes a collective pro-
ject. In past semesters, classes have
developed a drug awareness program
at an Ann Arbor middle school and
distributed an album recorded by
local musicians.
This semester's class has de-
cided to create a magazine called
Michigan Life which will examine
Re searchers
develop new.
fetal testing
procedure
different aspects of life in Ann
Arbor.
"The final job in a class is al-
ways an exam or a paper. This
(class) is different," said an LSA
junior Andrea Szymanski. "The pro-
fessor really cares about the end
project. I think it will make us all
really proud in the end."
"I'm really looking forward to
this project because I'm writing
about things that are fun for me."
Mayores said. "It gives you freedom
to do what you want."
Another aspect of the class
which sets it apart from other more
traditional classes is the emphasis
on peer grading. Papers are evaluated
by two other students. After receiv-
ing comments, the author can choose
to rewrite the paper.
Students are allowed to write as
many drafts as they wish. When
they are satisfied with the paper,
they can submit it for a grade. While
peers are responsible for initial
grading, it is subject to review by
the professor.
Rabkin said this process allows
students the unique opportunity to
help one other with their writing
skills, while honing their own abil-
ities at the same time.
Students said they enjoy the
freedom which the course offers
them.
"It's a really loose format," said
LSA junior Andy Mayores.
"Instead of the professor doing ev-
erything, the class runs the class. It
gets kind of chaotic at times."
THE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Meetings
U-M Baha'i Club, weekly mtg. Stock-
well, Rosa Parks Lounge, 8-9:30.
Linguistics Club, organization mtg
and party. 1092 Frieze, 4:10.
U-M Engineering Council. 1500
EECS, 7 p.m.
Bertha Capen Reynolds Society.
3065 Frieze, noon.
Public Interest Research Group in
Michigan, weekly mtg. 4109 Union,
9:30.
Rockclimbing Day, pre-trip mtg.
North Campus Rec Bldg, Conference
Rm, 7-10.
Recycle-UM, mass mtg. 1040 Dana, 7
p.m.
University's Council for Disability
Concerns, annual mtg. Fleming Bldg,
Regents Rm, 10- noon.
Speakers
"Yugoslavia Today: Avenging the
Past and Damning the Future,"
Stephen Tull. Lane Hall Commons,
noon.
"The Emancipation of the Polish
Jews in the 19th Century," Dr. Jozef
Gierowski, Jagiellonian University. 200
Lane Hall, 4 p.m.
"The Scrib(bl)ing of Origins:
Balzac's 'Le Chef-D'Oeuvre In-
connu,"' Josue Harari, Emory Univer-
sity. Rackham Assembly Hall, 5:30.
"Ethical Issues in Health Care
Management," John Griffith. 1014
Dow Bldg,3:30-5.
"The Free Market in Space," Dale
Apley of NASA. Industrial Technol-
ogy Institute, 2901 Hubbard, 7:30.
"Intramolecular and Intermolecu-
lar Hydrogen Bond-Mediated
Recognition," Samuel Gellman, Uni-
service. Sun-Thur, 8 p.m.-1:20 a.m.
and Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Stop by 102 UGLi or call 936-1000.
Extended hours are 1 a.m. -3 a.m. at
the Angell 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.
U-M Ninjitsu Club, Wednesday prac-
tice. IM Bldg, wrestling rm, 7:30-9.
U-M Women's Lacrosse Club,
Wednesday practice. Oosterbaan Field
House, 9-10:30.
ECB Peer Writing Tutors. An-
gell/Mason Computing Center, 7-11.
Ultimate Frisbee Club. Mitchell
Field, 7-9.
U-M Shorn-Ryu Karate-Do Club,
Wednesday workout. CCRB Martial
Arts Rm, 8-9.
U-M Taekwondo Club, Wednesday
workout. CCRB Martial Arts Rm,
6:30-8 p.m.
Laughtrack, Jeff Brannan. U-Club, 10
p.m.
Guild House Beans and Rice Dinner.
802 Monroe, 6-7.
Career Planning and Placement.
The May Department Stores Co., em-
ployer presentation. Union, Pendleton
Rm, 7-8:30.
Andersen Consulting. Kuenzel Rm,
Union, 7-9.
Dean's Forum, Engineering Council.
1311 EECS, 4:30.
"Colonel Redl," film. Max Kade
German House, 603 Oxford, 8 p.m.
Russian Song Fest, informal singing.
Call 747-2146 for location, 7-9.
"Technology That Really Makes a
Difference," Adaptive Technology
WASHINGTON (AP) - For
the first time, researchers have diag-
nosed fetal genetic disorders such as
Down's syndrome by simply taking
blood samples from pregnant
women, eliminating possible risk to
the fetus.
"This is important," said Dr.
Sherman Elias of the University of
Tennessee in Memphis. "It opens up
prenatal diagnosis to the whole
population because there is no risk
to the fetus."
Elias was one of several re-
searchers who described sophisti-
cated new techniques for sifting fe-
tal blood cells from mothers'
blood. The results were described
yesterday at the Eighth
International Congress of Human
Genetics.
"What we're looking for is the
needle in the haystack," said Dr.
Mitchell Globus of the University
of California, San Francisco.
The researchers emphasized that
the technique requires much more
testing before it can be made widely
available.
"The technology is going to be
possible; it's certainly not ready to
apply," Globus said.
The technique could ultimately
be a substitute for amniocentesis, in
which fetal cells are obtained by in-
serting a needle into the womb to
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