The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 4, 1992 - Page 3 Economic program *to change ruble rate MOSCOW (AP) - Russia is speeding up its plan to make the ruble convertible as part of an economic reform program which may hasten the country's admission O into the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an official said yesterday. The program presented to the Russian Parliament by economics czar Yegor Gaidar also calls for freeing more prices, budget cuts, higher taxes, higher interest rates and slashing unemployment benefits. The program's main goals are to eliminate the budget deficit and cool off inflation. Such moves will strengthen the ruble and create a more favorable in- vestment climate for foreigners, Gaidar told lawmakers. "On the whole, the policy we are proposing is tough," Gaidar said. "But it's a policy that we are convinced can pave the way to macro-economic stability, set the market mechanism working, limit inflation to the lowest level possible by the end of the year and make it possible to receive serious financial support," he said. The program envisages the intro- duction by April 20 of two exchange rates for the ruble. It says a single rate will go into effect after the government has accumulated a hard currency fund to prop up the ruble. Russia has asked the West to con- tribute $6 billion to the fund. Britain will be Russia's representative at an IMF committee that will set conditions for Russian membership. The former Soviet Union was granted associate status in the IMF in October. The special commercial rate, now 55 rubles to the dollar, is used exclu- sively by Russian businesses. Visitors to Russia currently use the floating ruble "market" rate, now 90 rubles to the dollar, which Russia's Central Bank sets each week based on hard currency auctions and the black market rate. Assembly passes resolution to cap semesterly fee Cookies for sale Girl Scout Troop 410 members Chritine Towkowski, Jill Jacob and Lizzie Nylund sell cookies in the Markley lobby. 'U' educates on health care Intacveprograms allow students to discuss concerns by Jennifer Silverberg Daily MSA Reporter The Michigan Student Assembly passed a resolution last night which will place a referendum on the March ballot allowing students to vote to cap the MSA fee at its cur- rent rate of $6.27 per semester. "This resolution would create a maximum limit to the MSA fee that could only be raised or lowered by a vote of the student body," Rules and Elections Committee Chair Brian Kight said of the resolution - which passed 22-8-1. "The reason this was done was not to destroy MSA or make it wither. This is for student input and student control over our fee." The assembly also passed an amendment to the resolution which states, "all fees collected in excess of the fee limit should be placed in an MSA University account created for the purpose of holding these funds." iSome representatives said they felt the fee cap would only hurt the assembly. "If we limit the fee we are severely limiting what we can do for students, and I think we should be wary of this," said Natural Resources Rep. Nena Shaw. Other representatives said they thought the resolution was necessary for students to have a say in their student government. "Anybody who votes against this is afraid of the voters," LSA Rep. Rob Van Houweling said. "It's only because we're scared that (students) are going to disapprove of what we've done that you would vote against this." The assembly also voted last night to table a resolution until next week's meeting asking students to vote whether each of the eight MSA commissions should remain a part of the assembly. "This is not an attempt to destroy all the commissions," Kight said. "This is trying to let students reeval- uate our current commissions and decide what issues are important to them." Some representatives said they were opposed to this resolution. "You want to destroy the mecha- nism through which work gets done in this assembly," LSA Rep. Todd Ochoa said. Many students also addressed the assembly during constituents time to express concern about the assem- bly's 'actions in the past weeks. LSA senior and Environmental Action member Stefanie Wyse criti- cized the assembly's budget alloca- tion process. Wyse said she was concerned that the Budget Priorities 'Anybody who votes against this is afraid of the voters.' - Rob Van Houweling LSA Representative Commission (BPC) is more than one and a half weeks late in allocating funds to her group. "The whole process hasn't been user-friendly for students," Wyse said. "The process now is inconsis- tent and very difficult to make heads or tails of." BPC Chair Sejal Mistry re- sponded, "I realize the grants aren't ready, but it's riot my fault. There's only so much I can do. I'm very busy." Two other students addressed the assembly last night to express con- cern about the way the assembly handled the deputization issue. "We came tonight to emphasize MSA's critical role in the election of an oversight board and I think they failed in getting student input in the deputization process," said LSA sophomore Amy Ellis. "They let it slide and didn't hold the regents or the administration accountable." LSA junior Christy Ochoa also said the assembly did not handle the deputization issue well. "At this point it's become pretty apparent that this oversight board is going to be no more than a farce - a superficial way to fulfill the laws, she said. by Karen Talaski Daily Staff Reporter Students with questions about sex, condoms, AIDS, or stress have an outlet to obtain answers through Peer Education Programs - spon- sored by the University Health Service. "The Peer Education programs are not based on a lecture format. The programs are interactive and designed for students to talk to stu- dents about their health concerns," said Janet Zielasko, director of Health Promotion and Community Relations. Teams of peer educators, com- posed of University undergraduates and graduates, facilitate the pro- grams. Peer educators must complete a minimum of 20 hours of training and attend monthly "in-service meetings" for updates on information in the program areas. "We don't hammer people over the head with 'Thou shalt not.' It is a very non-preachy program," said LSA senior and peer educator Chris Neff. "We approach students as most up-to-date information on all peers, rather than bosses. Peer edu- contraceptive methods, both pre- cators are on the same level as stu- scription and over-the-counter." CEP dents. Each has a different back- covers choosing, using and obtaining ground and lots of experiences contraceptives from University which may benefit the students." Health Services. The Peer Education programs are The Safer Sex Peer Education available upon request to groups of Program informs participants about students in residence halls, fraterni- sexually transmitted diseases ties, sororities, academic classes, and (STDs), AIDS, and pregnancy. "We student organizations. There are four discuss strategies to protect one's programs in all. sexual health, where to go to be The Stress Management Peer tested, and counseling about STDs Education Program - which started and AIDS," Zielasko said. "There is this year - is designed to increase a lot of information that needs to be knowledge and promote healthy atti- presented." tudes and practices about stress. The Alcohol and Other Drug Peer Management strategies and tech- Education Program (ADPEP) dis- niques, including relaxation cusses attitudes and behaviors re- demonstrations, are also discussed. garding alcohol and other drug use. "Right around exam time is when "This is not a 'Just Say No' pro- students really need this program," gram," said Gen Stewart, ADPEP Zielasko said. "We teach students coordinator. "It is about health issues how stress affects them physically, due to excessive or abusive use of mentally, and emotionally." alcohol or other drugs." Zielasko said the Contraceptive "The main focus of all of the Peer Education Program's (CEP) programs is to lay out issues for stu- purpose is to give the students "the dents to talk about," Stewart added. Correction Utah holds a primary, not a caucus, as reported in the yesterday's Daily. WTHE LIST _ What's happening in Ann Arbor today Law profs. say students enter prepared Meetings Ann Arbor Coalition to Unleash Power, Michigan Union, Crofoot Rm, 7:30 p.m. Hindu Students Council, weekly mtg, Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 5, learn Hindi, B115 MLB, 8 p.m. Korean Students Association, weekly mtg, Michigan Union, Anderson Rm, 5 p.m. "International Observer Magazine" General Meeting 8:00 p.m. Michigan Union Latin American Solidarity Committee,'- weekly mtg, Michigan Union, Welker Rm, 8 p.m. Rainforest Action Movement, weekly mtg, 1046 Dana (School of Natural Resources), 7 p.m. Students Concerned About Animal Rights, weekly mtg, Dominick's, 7 p.m. AIESEC Meet 5:00 p.m. to Raid MSU, corner of E. University and Hill. Ash Wednesday Service Canterbury/Episcopal Student Foundation, Cantebury House, 218 N. Division 665-0606 American Advertising Federation (AAF) 3040 Frieze Bldg. 6:00 p.m. U of M Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club, weekly meeting, CCRB Martial Arts rm, 8-9 p.m. Speakers "Stereoselective C-C Bond Formation in Carbohydrates by Radical Addition Reaction' 1640 Chem Bldg. 4:00 p.m. "Local Information and Sequential Tests," J oin t MSU/UM Seminar 4:00 p.m. A405 Wells Hall "Economics Education in Commons "Atmospheric Reaction Kinetics of Some CFC Replacements" 1650 Chem Bldg. 4:00 p.m. Furthermore Safewalk, night-time safety walk- ing 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 1:30-3 a.m. Stop by Angell Hall Computing Center or call 763-4246. No rt hw a lk, North Campus nighttime team walking service.Sun- Thur 8 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Fri-Sat 8:00 p.m.- 11:30 p.m. Stop by 2333 Bursley or call 763-WALK. Undergraduate Psychology Peer Advising, Undergraduate Psychology Office, K-108 West Quad, 9:00 a.m.- 4: 00 p.m. ECB Writing Tutors, Angell/Mason Hall Computing Center, 7-11 p.m. "A Power Play" Residence Hall Repertory Theatre Troupe, Stockwell- Blue Lounge 10 p.m. Girl Scout Cookie Booths Baits I, Alice Lloyd, and West Quad: 4:30-7:00 p.m. U-M Taekwondo Club, Monday workout. CCRB Martial Arts Rm 2275, 6:30-8 p.m. Beginners welcome. Discussion of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand, UM Students of Objectivism 2212 MLB 8 p.m. Grief Recovery Workshop, five-part series, Hospice of Washtenaw. East Quad/RC Social Group for Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals, weekly mtg, 9 p.m. U of M Ninjitsu Club, practice, I-M Bldg, wrestling rm, 7-8:30 p.m by Karen Pier Daily Graduate Schools Reporter Although many parents and edu- cators may decry the state of public education, University Law School professors and first-year law stu- dents said they feel students are en- tering the school well-prepared for their legal studies. Edward Cooper, professor and associate dean for Academic Affairs, said he has not seen any changes in the preparedness of the first-year students in his classes. "From year to year, they are an exceedingly well-educated group of people," Cooper said. He added that this year's incoming class may be better prepared than those of previous years. Although Assistant Professor Theodore Shaw has only taught at the University for one year, he said he has formed definite opinions of this year's first-year law students. "I think they are pretty well pre- pared, although it is varied," he said. Shaw, who taught "Constitutional Law" last fall, said a solid back- ground in American history is a prerequisite for understanding the Michigan Alumni work here: The Wall Street Journal The New York Times The Washington Post The Detroit Free Press The Detroit News NBC Sports Associated Press United Press Interna tional Scientific American Time Newsweek material. Some students were thor- oughly versed in the subject, but others lacked the necessary background, he added. "In general, the students are very bright, by and large," Shaw said. "They are intellectually engaged. I 'Students have to adjust to a different way of thinking.' - Jose Vela Law School Student Senate President think there is a variable strength in writing, but most students write well." Professor Thomas Kauper also commented on students' writing skills. "Writing ability has been im- proving, but not all professors may agree with me," he said. Kauper also said he has not no- ticed a dramatic change in the pre- paredness of first-year law students. Although the first year of law school has a reputation for being dif- ficult, students generally said they feel prepared. Mary Lou Stow, a first-year law student, said she has not found law material difficult. "I have been able to do the work fine," she said. But Stow said the professors and casebooks sometimes make the sub- ject matter unnecessarily complicated. There are many commercial study helps on the market, including the Horn Book which aids in clarify- ing laws. These guides supplement the coursebooks, which detail cases from which legal principles are derived. "If you're confused, there are so many study aids. You can also talk with the professor," Stow said. Wendy Learmont, a first-year law student, said she agreed with Stow's assessment of the challenges facing a first-year student. "I don't find it difficult. It's something entirely new. The professors go slowly at the beginning," she said. "I never felt I shouldn't be here."' Learmont said she felt more pre- pared for law school than she did for her undergraduate education at Georgetown University. After grad- uating from a high school that spe- cialized in math and science, she said she sometimes felt uneasy in her college liberal arts classes. Jose Vela, president of the Law School Student Senate, said law school can be very stressful since one test often determines a student's grade for the class. "Students have to adjust to a different way of thinking," Vela said First-year law student Rick Hsu added, "You really can't prepare too much with a certain curriculum for law school ... Certain majors seem to be better off ... Economics majors seem to have it a little easier." JOB FAIR Midwest's Largest Multi-Industry Job Fair Meet with employers seeking students, degreed professionals as well as clerical workers and skilled trades people Some of the many companies expected: Columbia Pictures, Crain Communication, Detroit Edison, FBI, Ford Motor Company, HBO, Harper Hospital, Kelly Services Some ot the many industries represented: Clerical, Communications, Computer, Engineering, Entertainment, Government Insurance, Light Industrial, Management Manufacturing,yNursing, Restaurant, Retail, Sales, Trade Skills FrdyMarch 6,1992 9:00am - 5:00pm Into Hotline 5540005 14r Tickets at TicketMaster $15 in advance - $20 at the door located at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Athletic [FieldHouse ROUNDTRIPS LONDON FROM PARIS FROM $498 $588 ATHENS FROM $728 ST. PETERSBURG $728 NAIROBI FROM $1450 A ' WHAT'S HAPPENING TOKYO FROM BANGKOK -FROM COSTA RICA -FROM RIO FROM $799 $949 $465 $779 RECREATIONAL SPORTS Intramural S:orts Proram Uni I lEVDAI I SYDNEY FROM $1389