The Michigan Daily- Thursday, October 10, 1991 --Page 7
U of B: Goin' to
by Gwen Shaffer
Daily Higher Education Reporter
Could you imagine the Rev. Sun
Myung ' Moon, leader of the
"moonies," as president of your
university?
University of Bridgeport stu-
dents fear exactly that scenario will .
result if the foundering university
accepts a, proposal that would' cede
control of the school in exchange
for $50 million from a group that
gets, most of its funding from the
Unification Church..
Both students and faculty say the
deal would compromise the univer-
sity's academic independence. How-
ever, university officials have been
forced -to take the proposal se-
riously because the school is bur-
dened with financial troubles.
"We have. had major economic..
problems the past few years, includ-
'ing a drop in the student pool," said
Director of Public Information
Walter Wager. "The university
population has dropped in..the last
15 years, coupled with the economic
recession and fewer students going
to private universities."
Last March, university officials
were approached by the Professors
World Peace Academy (PWPA)
about making an' "association" with.
the university. Although 95 percent
of the PWPA members are not in
the Unification Church, the group
receives. 90 percent of its funding
from the church, Wager said.
Moon established the academy as,
a project of his international
Cultural - Foundation, which pro-
motes performing and visual arts.
The PWPA is' interested in ac-
quiring the U of B as part of an ex-
perimental "international" college
that would -have up to 40 percent
foreign student enrollment.
"The Unification Church hopes
to establish a network of four more
universities throughout the world,
with Bridgeport being the central
campus," said Gordon. Anderson,
PWPA secretary general. "We. be-
lieve America has a mission to share
its knowledge with the world."
The PWPA currently owns the
Washington Times, operates a ballet
school, and runs a publishing com-
pany. Wager said-nonle of these busi-
nesses are religiously affiliated.
"The publishing company has no
the chapel?
particular religious slant and the Anderson said. "We hope we can ed-:
Times is the only competitor for the ucate people about what we are re-
Washington Post," he said. ally doing."
Many members of Bridgeport's If the university does not get
Board of Trustees and students are more funding soon, it could close
opposed to accepting the PWPA of- down, Wager said. Meanwhile, the
fer. The board has decided to listen university is considering a number
to any proposals that are compatible of options that would help resolve
with the university's "high-qual- its financial problems.
ity" education mission and academic "We are trying to get the state
freedom, Wager said. of Connecticut to help us and we are
Anderson said he believes there stepping up on fund raising," Wager
are many misconceptions.circulating said. "We have also cut millions of
about the Unification Church and dollars from the budget in the past
Rev. Moon. few years."
"There are people who are using Although the PWPA prefers- U
misinformation and would like to of.B, it does have a search committee
see the university go bankrupt so looking at other sites in case' the
they can use the land, or whatever," proposal is rejected, Anderson said.
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Going overboard APPHOTO
President Bush' leans to shake hands during an unscheduled visit to the
Potomac River waterfront in Washington yesterday, where three
replicas of Viking ships docked to commemorate Leif Ericso's-l'anding in
the New World.,
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explores.
" classroom
disabilities
by Darcy Lockman
"The Classroom Experience for
Students with Disabilities" was the
topic for discussion yesterday as
Investing in Ability Week
coninued.
A panel including University
staff members and students with
physical and learning disabilities
met to talk about dealing with dis-
ability in an educational'
environment.
Carolyn Grawi-Brandt, a second-
year graduate student in the School
o Social Work, began losing -her
sight due to diabetes as a junior in
college. She is legally blind' and says
many people don't recognize that
she is disabled.
"People must realize that many
disabilities are more. hidden than
others,", she said. "I have difficul-
ties in situations of glare, and class=
rooms with overhead, projectors or
writing on chalkboards.: Most pro-
fessors, staff members and students
are very helpful. But one thing that
is hard to deal with is constantly
reminding people that you do need
that help, that you are disabled."
"At first it's very intimidating
to go to a teacher and say, 'I have a
learning disability,' said LSA
sophomore Richard -Clay, who -is
also blind. "You have to -work on
your self-confidence to be able to
communicate your needs."
Students said they also encounter
difficulties in breaking through de-
partmental red tape.
"The University has improved
their policies and procedures in the'
last five years,". said Eric
Silberberg, an LSA senior who is*
confined Ito a wheelchair. "Progress
is being made.- But is it fair that as
each thing improves, disabled stu-
dents serve as guinea pigs for these
policies?"
Although it may not be fair, this.
"experimentation" may be the only
way to. improve existing policies
and to create additional ones, partic-
ipants conceded.
"Disabled students are playing
on a different game board with dif-
ferent pieces," said Jonathan Ellis,
an LSA sophomore with a learning
disability. "There have to be differ-
ent' rules so that learning itself
doesn't become so stressful that you
no longer want to learn. I want the
ability to say that Jonathan Ellis'
can make the rules for this class as I
see fair."
The Information Technology Division
and the UM Barrier Free Computer
Users Group are co-hosting an Adap-
tive Technology Showcase in
conjunction with
Investing in Abilities Week.
Six adaptive technology vendors will display various
adaptive computing technology products including:
+ Screen Magnifiers and Large Print Software
+ Large Monitors
+ Voice Recognition Systems.
+ Speech Output Systems
+ Closed Circuit Television Systems
+ Document Scanners
+ Optical Character Recognition Systems
Members of the Barrier.Free Computer Users Group
will be on hand to provide additional product informa-
tion and information relatedto the growing issue of
Computers and Health. All faculty, staff, and stu-
dents are invited to attend.
The following vendors will be in attendance:
Talking and Visual Aids
Optlec
Equal Access, Inc
Studio ae
ProductIine
Voice Navigator
outSPOKEN
Communication Enterprises
Humanware, Inc.
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The Governor of Michigan has declared October 6-12, 1991, as Investing in Ability
Week. The purpose of this special observance is to encourage employers, as well
as the general public, to focus on the abilities of individuals who have handicaps.
The University of Michigan will celebrate investing in Ability Week with a series of
events listed belw.
Thob 0u44Learning Disability Day
%ayO
eeslngie Needs of Gifted Studfts with Learnig DisabIltes At Highly
feletlve (leges ad Universities
speaker: or. Susan Vogel- Professor of Special Education at Northerp llinoIs
University; chair of the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and
Special Education; author of College Students with Leaming Disabilities:
A Handbook for College LO Students. Admissions OFrrcer I aculty
anidAdrinistrjors. Cosponsored by the Sool Of Educatin.
T "e:*10 am-|2:30 pm Place: School of EducatlonSchorlng Auditorium
Resources Fair'
Adaptive Aids.enabling technology, and community resources will be on display
Medical supply companies, service and leader dogs, and support groups will be
ncluded
Te: 10mn-3p Place: Anderson Room Michigan Union
Wha. Old All.ThesStudents With Osabllities Cme From and What Am I
Suppoed To Do With Them?
Wo*shopladerDr.Jane Jarrow- Executive Director,Asociaton on
Handicapped Student Service Programs in Postsecondary Education (AHSSPPEX
Cioanbus, OH. To register, contact the UM Affirmative Action Office at 763-0235
or 747-1388 (TDD).
Time 1:30pm-4:3Qpm Place: Henderson Room, Michigan League
Diversablity Thater: For, By, and About People with DIseabillIes
Time: 7:30-9pm Placdf West Lounge South Quad
Foreolth nservice Day
Teachdng Assistant training: Classoom
aevri slasfw Stun.0ewith'Dialkitis
SBudget airfares anywhere.
" International student fares.
" Ra ilpasses issued here.
" lnternat'l Identity cards.
" Worldwide, adventure tours.
. Travel gear and guide books.
" Expert travel advice.
Counci 1~a
1220 S. u~niversity Anue STE 208
An Arbor, M1 48104
313-998-0200
m Ir K TmU r15 ErJT 727
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If you will be graduating with an MBA or a Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting,
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we continue our growth. Please attend our.presentation:
We WillBe Presenting On Campus:
Date: Monday 1.0/21
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Place: Michigan League in the Koessler Room
We Will Be Recruiting On Campus:
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