The Michigan Daily - Monday, February 10, 1992 - Page 3
Legislators, 'U'
officials confer
City residents
lobby Council
for housing
by Purvi Shah
Daily Administration Reporter
'M' quality and University in-
frastructure maintenance were two
of the issues addressed during a
meeting of University administra-
tors and members of the state
House Committee on Colleges and
Universities Friday.
Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs Gilbert
Whitaker, who organized the Uni-
versity presentations, introduced
the state committee to a new Uni-
versity concept - 'M' quality.
Whitaker said the University
mission is "to serve the people of
Michigan and the world through
pre-eminence in creating, communi-
cating, preserving and applying
knowledge and academic values, and
in developing leaders and citizens
who challenge the present and en-
rich the future," reading from a
statement written at an executive
management workshop last August.
The focus on quality will in-
clude a process of continual modi-
fication in all University sectors,
Whitaker said.
"It's a way to get everyone in
the University involved in improv-
ing the University," he added. "It
really involves the people who are
doing the work."
State Rep. Kirk Profit (D-Ypsi-
lanti) said the University should
voice its stance on issues such as
property taxes, University infras-
tructure, and expansion of the pool
of applicants to increase the repre-
sentation of Michigan residents.
"I am interested in the Univer-
sity taking a stronger role in state
issues. There are a number of issues
that the state deals with every year
that the University is silent
about," Profit said.
Several University officials
echoed Profit's concerns, especially
his call for more pressure to sup-
port improvements in University
maintenance.
Physics Department Chair
Homer Neal said the University
needs to make significant improve-
ments and additions to buildings
used by his department or face
turning away prospective faculty
and students.
LSA Dean Edie Goldenberg
spoke about the development of
LSA students before deciding on a
major, commenting that first- and
second-year students "with initia-
tive seem to do fine. Those without
seem to be lost."
Goldenberg discussed programs
such as Undergraduate Research
Opportunities, theme semesters
such as the Comedy semester,.and
shifting senior faculty to teach in-
troduction courses as ways to in-
crease underclass students' contact
with faculty.
While both parties claimed the
meeting was a way to increase com-
munication, Whitaker indicated
that only a portion of the Univer-
sity had been represented.
"Because we are a large and
complex place, we selected a small
subset. We've left out a lot but we
have picked some interesting things
that go on," Whitaker said.
Students were one group not
represented at the presentations.
by Erin Einhorn
Daily City Reporter
BMIAN CAN IUNI/Uaily
From left to right, State Reps. Lynn Jondahl (D-Okemos) and James
Kosteva (D-Canton) listen to University officials present current campus
goals and problems at a hearing Friday in the Michigan League.
State Rep. and Chair of the state
committee James Kosteva (D-Can-
ton) said the University adminis-
tration had been granted freedom
to make the agenda and that student
comments during presentations at
other colleges had been helpful.
"We've left our invitations to
the universities very open-ended ...
We didn't set any of the agenda in
any specific degree," Kosteva said.
"Students are clearly an impor-
tant part of it from my perspective.
They are the customers. They're an-
other perspective - a customer's
perspective - that's different but
yet still often times has been very
consistent with the administra-
tor's perspective," he added.
Whitaker said that the absence
of student input resulted from a
lack of organization time. "When
(the students) come back, we'll be
sure to do that," he said.
While Whitaker said he did not
know whether any concrete actions
would be taken as a result of the
hearing, he indicated that it bol-
stered University-state communi-
cation.
"I think it's been helpful to
build understanding about the Uni-
versity," Whitaker said.
Kosteva agreed that better com-
munication was one intent of the
hearing. "It's an opportunity for a
two-way dialogue. Most of the
times, the Michigan universities
have their interface with the legis-
lature through the appropriations
committee ... There are also some
other areas of extreme interest,"
Kosteva said.
School of Social Work Dean
Harold Johnson, University Li-
brary Dean Donald Riggs, and
Plant Operations Director James
Christenson also made presenta-
tions about the state of the Univer-
sity.
More than 150 community
members packed City Council
chambers last night to express their
concerns about the need for low-in-
come housing in Ann Arbor to the
council.
Members of the audience burst
into chants of "Housing now!" pe-
riodically throughout the meeting
and loudly applauded during
speeches. They expressed their opin-
ions with rowdy foot stamping and
shouts of encouragement or dis-
agreement to the speakers.
Mayor Liz Brater and other
members of the council stopped the
meeting several times to demand
order.
The meeting, a joint caucus of the
council, was initiated by the Home-
less Action Committee (HAC),
who organized the speakers and a
small rally before the session.
Following an address by repre-
sentatives from the City Housing
Policy Board, which was created by
the City to develop a housing pol-
icy, six special-interest groups asked
the Council for better affordable
housing and more attention to
poverty issues.
Carole McCabe spoke on behalf
of the the Shelter Association of
Ann Arbor (SAAA).
Since the SAAA was created in
1984, it has organized a variety of
special services for the homeless,
she said. "But all the time we knew
that the only real solution to the
problem is the creation of low-in-
come housing."
Tim Wintermute, head of the
Subcommittee on Capacity Building
and Advocacy of the Housing Policy
Board, said the city has already im-
plemented several projects, upon the
recommendation of the board.
Aside from the Williams Street
shelter project funded by the city,
which is operated by the SAAA, the
board is awaiting re-zoning ap-
proval for a low-income housing
project on N. Main.
These two houses could provide
about 15 single-occupancy apart-
ments to people with low budgets.
But the six groups, who work
with issues of homeless and poverty
in the city, mainly pushed for the
conversion of the Ann Arbor Inn
and the Downtown Club - vacant
city buildings - into larger, single-
occupancy apartments
"I think we need to do a lot more
than what we have done," said
County Commissioner Christine
Montague, who attended the meet-
ing as a representative of Washte-
naw County.
"I am advocating that the county
cooperate a lot more with the cities
of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. We
have the capacity to do a lot more
and we just have not done it ... But
if we're going to solve these prob-
lems, they have to be a community
effort."
Former hostage Steen discusses the effects of captivity, freedom
by Karen Pier
Daily Staff Reporter
Anger does not seem to be the
word to describe Alann Steen. He
appears to be the epitome of polite-
ness, and even gentleness.
But then talk to this current
journalism instructor at Albion
College in Albion, Mich., about his
five years as a hostage in Lebanon,
where he and his wife taught at
Beirut University.
But he admits anger, pride, and
"thinking about (my wife) Vir-
ginia," helped him endure his years
of imprisonment.
Steen says he still feels this
anger. "I realize that it does no one
any good for me to brood on it," he
said. Thinking of his five-year im-
prisonment as lasting only five days
is one of Steen's techniques for deal-
ing with his bitterness.
When fellow journalism in-
structor James Diedrick was asked
about the impressions he received of
Steen from the media, he said he
thought Steen would be "very,very
angry and furious with his captors.
On the contrary he's quite subdued."
Although Diedrick concedes
Steen has some residue anger, he said
that Steen knows it does him no
good to dwell on it.
Steen's students said the effects
of his five-year internment are not
apparent in the classroom. Kevin
Schnieder, a student in his news
writing class, said, "Anyone could
understand (if he were) bitter," but
that Steen has not showed negative
feelings in the classroom.
This is Steen's first semester of
teaching at Albion, and although
new teachers expect some attention
when they begin a new job, few start
their new teaching appointments
with CNN and press conferences.
"We kind of assumed (there
would be a lot of attention) with
any 15-minute celebrity for two or
three days," Diedrick said.
But despite the large amount of
media attention, Steen is still will-
ing to talk about his years as a
hostage. "He seems pretty open
about it ... He's talked about it. He's
open to questions," Schnieder said.
But after being interviewed by
the college newspaper, Steen said
the attention diminished.
For Steen, all the attention out-
side the college, particularly by
television news, was hard to handle
at first.
"At the offset, I was scared to
death. I think I have become a little
less nervous. Now I don't even see
the cameras," he said.
Despite Steen's fame, he has con-
centrated on teaching.
"He seems pretty difficult, but
he's fair," Schnieder said. "He seems
very concerned (about his students).
He asks the students what they
want covered, and he is always on
top of the material," he said.
Diedrick said Steen's background
of not just witnessing the news, but
being involved in it, allows him to
bring in a perspective other teachers
cannot.
Steen said he has no flashbacks or
nightmares about his experiences,
but his wife, also an instructor at
Albion, said she "definitely"
misses Beirut.
"That was our home," she said.
"Oh sure, I'd love to go back."
Correction
Last week the Daily incorrectly reported that the Michigan Union is the
only University building that restricts access. The CCRB, NCRB, and IM
buildings do as well.
'THE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
KIDS petitions for
equity in spending.
Meetings
Comedy Company, writers mtg, new
writers welcome, Michigan Union,
Pendleton Rm, 7:30 p.m.
Environmental Action (ENACT),
weekly mtg,- discuss the endangered
species act, 1040 School of Natural
Resources, 7 p.m.
Ethnic Greek Dancing Club, 2209
Michigan Union,, 7:30 p.m.
Indian American Student
Association, weekly board mtg,
Michigan League, Rm D, 8 p.m.
Take Back the Night, weekly mtg,
Michigan League, check desk for rm, 7
p.m.
U of M Sorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club,
weekly meeting, CCRB Martial Arts
rm, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Speakers
"A Stormy Divorce: The Sexual
Politics of the Hebrew Revival," Dr.
Naomi Seidman 3050 Frieze Building
12:00 p.m.
"Reliigion and Authority: The
Authority of Mystical Experience
in the Kappalah," Elliot Ginsburg.
Nat Sci Aud, 7:30-9 p.m.
"Metals in Medicine: Platinum
Antiitumor Complexes," Dr. Jim
Hoeschele 1650 Chemistry Building
4:00 p.m.
Furthermore
Safewalk, night-time safety walking
service. Sun-Thurs 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.,
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Stop by 102
UGLi or call 936-1000. Also, extended
hours: Sun-Thurs 1-3 a.m. Stop by
Angell Hall Computing Center or call
763-4246.
Northwalk, North Campus nighttime
team walking service. Sun-Thur 8
p.m.-1:30 a.m. Stop by 2333 Bursley or
call 763-WALK.
Rackham Amphitheatre. 4th floor.
7p.m.
"International Careers: Business,
Non-profit, and Third World
Development," Michigan Union,
Anderson Rms B-D, 4:10-5:30
U-M Taekwondo Club, Monday
workout. CCRB Martial Arts Rm.
2275, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
U of M Ninjitsu Club, practice, I-M
Bldg, wrestling rm, 7-8:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Department of Parks
and Recreation, registration for Over
30 Hockey Leagues, Spring Science
Day Camp, and Spring Pioneer Living
Day Camp.
ECB Peer Writing Tutors.
Angell/Mason Computing Center, 7-11
p.m.
Stress and Time Management,
Consultations with peer counselors
available, 3100 Michigan Union, 2-4
p.m.
Undergraduate Psychology
Department, Undergraduate
psychology advising, walk-in or
appointment, K-108 West Quad, 9
a.m-4 p.m.
Guild House Campus Ministry,
discussion group, Women's Book
Group, open group to women who wish
to discuss women's religious, social, and
political issues, 802 Monroe St., noon.
Czreer Planning and Placement
Employer Presentations, Michigan
Union-Wolverine Rm 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
Michigan Union-Welker Rm 7:00-8:00
p.m. 2439 Mason Hall 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Summer Job Fair Pre-Fair
Workshop, CP&P Program Rm 6:10-
7:00 p.m.
African Fashion Show and Ethnic
Feast, Reservations Advised 994-2722
Bryant Community Center, 3 W. Eden
Court. 6 p.m.
Guild House Campus Ministry,
by Hope Calati
Daily Staff Reporter
Knowledge Is Democracy's
Safeguard (KIDS) is a state-wide,
grass roots network of parents,
teachers and legislators petitioning
to put a proposal on the November
election ballot that would reduce
the disparity in funding for public
schools in high and low-income ar-
eas.
The proposed amendment grants
the rights to "equal educational op-
portunity" and "guaranteed access
to a substantially equivalent public
education regardless of their place
of residence."
State Rep. Kirk Profit (D-
Ypsilanti) compared the amend-
ment to the fundamental precepts
stated in the Bill of Rights - a
broad statement about a concept
which leaves leeway for later inter-
pretation.
Southeastern Michigan residents
formed KIDS in October 1990 to
fight the broad spectrum of per-stu-
dent funding for Michigan public
schools, which then ranged between
$2,500 to $8,000.
Profit said amending the state
constitution is the first step of a
two-step process. The second step
will be implementation.
"If every American is going to
have a chance to participate in the
politics and economy in Michigan,
they need to be given an equal op-
portunity," he added.
The proposed amendment calls
for equivalent public education
without specifically calling for
equal funding. KIDS Chair Barbara
Ebeling said this provision allows
children to have equal opportunity
while still giving the districts
flexibility. "Equal funding is not
the answer because children are not
equal," Ebeling said.
Rep. Perry Bullard (D-Ann
Arbor) called the drive to amend
the constitution a long-run ap-
proach. "The large disparities in
school funding are not providing a
quality public education for all cit-
izens," Bullard said.
He also said the new legislation
would have to be challenged in
court to initiate real change in the
way funds are allotted.
The legislature has defeated two
bills proposed by Profit in the last
three years which called for similar
amendments. Profit said the bills
failed because of "status-quo-de-
fending forces," including the State
Chamber of Commerce.
State Sen. Lana Pollack (D-Ann
Arbor) said she supports KIDS.
"The Michigan constitution needs
to guarantee equal funding. I doubt
the legislature will step up to that
challenge," Pollack said.
Profit said he hoped a basic con-
sensus for equal educational rights
could overcome the differences of
opinion which shot down his earlier
efforts. "Let's start with the point
we agree with and move from
there," Profit said.
Tuesday, February 11
Kuenzel Room, Michigan Union
7:00-8:30 p.m.
CARZOEERS IN LAWt
Panel presentation by legal professionals
from the following areas:
* Private Practice " Major Area Law Firm
* Local Government
Program Highlights:
" Insight into career options in the legal profession
- Impact of law school education on employment opportunities
" Challenges and rewards in today's legal community
" Comments on skills and qualities sought in future legal professionals
The UnirityiM n
Career Planning Plac ent Co-sponsored by the
Undergraduate Law Club
"PLEASE, OH BABY
PLEASE,
BE MY POOKIE!!"
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Obsessions or Compulsions???
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Don't let this happen to youIll