The Michigan Daily- Friday, January 17, 1992 -Page 3 U.S.-China trade' conflict near en d Regents hear criticisms of religion class WASHINGTON- (AP) - The United States and China reached agreement late yesterday in a contentious trade dispute involving protection of American copyrights and patents, U.S. officials announced. The agreement came only hours before the Bush administration had said it would begin imposing tariffs of up to 100 percent on a range of Chinese exports to the United States. As a result of the successful ne- gotiations, U.S. Trade Rep. Carla Hills said she was terminating the threat of higher tariffs on up to $1.5 billion worth of Chinese imports. "This agreement demonstrates that in an area of critical importance to the U.S. economy, China is will- ing to take important steps toward bringing its trade regime closer to international norms," Hills said in a statement. U.S. trade officials have called China the "single largest pirater worldwide of U.S. copyrights," and American businesses said they have lost $430 million annually from Chinese copyright violations on ev- erything from drugs and computer programs to clothing and records. In the settlement yesterday, China agreed to join an international convention that protects copyrights and said it will begin providing patent protection for drugs and agricultural chemicals on Jan. 1, 1993. The agreement, reached only hours before a midnight deadline, followed a week of lengthy negoti- ations and averted a threatened trade war between the two countries. Chinese officials said last week that if the Bush administration went ahead with tariffs of up to 100 percent on selected Chinese imports, they would retaliate by imposing sanctions on up to $1.2 billion of American goods sold in China. America's trade deficit with China was expected to reach $13 billion this year, second only to America's $41 billion deficit with Japan. While the administration in- sisted that the higher tariffs would go into effect without an acceptable agreement, many American retailers contended the higher tariffs would end up hurting U.S. consumers the most. by Melissa Peerless Daily Administration Reporter A former University student at- tacked an experimental course dur- ing the public comments session of yesterday's regents meeting. Thomas Nash, a 1984 graduate, told regents that a class in the Reli- gion Department entitled "Comedy in Catholic Contexts" is disrespectful. "I don't mind a discussion of Catholicism with criticism, but this class is about satire, and satire is defined as ridicule," he said. The course is being offered as part of a comedy semester sponsored by several University departments. Nash criticized the course de- scription for its satirical tone, and asserted that a class of this nature does not adhere to the University's anti-discrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. He also condemned the course because it examines in detail the modernity theory, which permits more freedom, especially in the sex- ual arena. He also criticized the speakers who were chosen to lecture the class. "They have chosen Charles Ku- ran, a dissident priest, who has been asked by the Vatican not to preach anymore," Nash said. He added that such a man could not present a fair picture of the religion. Nash said that while this class is not an isolated incident, it might be the necessary spark to incite a change needed for the entire University. "I would say to you that holding. up Catholicism to less than charita- ble discussion happens in many classes on this campus. Everyone talks about diversity on this cam- pus. It is not an excuse to discrimi- nate against a group just because it is not an oppressed minority," he said. As expected, the regents meet- ing, which lasted only half an hour, proved to be rather unproductive. Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor), who was absent from the December meeting, criticized the board's decision to sell a piece of property which accesses North Campus. "I'm saddened by the sale of the parcel. I'm sorry that the transaction was completed," he said. As a postscript to his presen- tation on the University's financial situation, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Farris Womack told regents and administrators it is necessary to hold on to the Univer- sity's stock investments despite fluctuations in the market. "I want to re-emphasize the im- portance of staying in the market. If we had sold our stocks a few weeks ago, we would be down 11 percent. Staying in is the secret to making money." Vice President for Research William Kelly gave his annual re- port on the execution of the Univer- sity's Policy on Research Grants, Contracts, and Agreements. Snow job EAI LOWMAN/Dail A snowman leans against a 2nd floor apartment on Geddes yesterday. Stabbing suspect arrested in Ypsi. I The main suspect in Monday's stabbing outside the Union was ar- rested in Ypsilanti yesterday.; Ypsilanti Police, Michigan State Police, and officers from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) collaborated on the arrest. The man, whose name will be re- leased tomorrow at his arraignment, is being held for the stabbing of House blaze Fire and Ice SUZIE PALEY/Daily Chris Thomas, a restaurant chef, sculpts a ferocious dragon at the University hospital yesterday. THE LIST What's happening in Ann Arbor today burns police officer A fire broke out Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. in a house on 933 South State St. One officer, responding to reports that a resident was still inside PLIC:E the house, entered the building via a fire escape and suffered smoke in- halation. He was treated at the University Hospital. The fire caused substantial struc- tural damage. The investigation into the fire's cause is continuing. Hospital em- ployee arrested for fraud An employee of the University Hospital was apprehended for two separate accounts of fraud, according to DPS reports. DPS officers were contacted Saturday by a parking staff attendant that a vehicle was parked in a handi- cap spot with a fraudulent handicap sticker. An investigation traced the vehi- cle to the employee. A warrant check showed that he was wanted by Michigan State Police for retail fraud. The subject was arrested and turned over to the State Police. DPS Thomas White, a 35-year-old mem- ber of Ann Arbor's homeless com- munity. White is listed in fair condi- tion at the University Hospital. There is also a possible connec- tion between White's stabbing and the murder of another homeless man last Sunday in Westgate. The Ann Arbor police are investigating that possibility. is continuing the investigation about the fraudulent handicap sticker. Man assaulted near MLB A man was assaulted by four people after telling them that he had no money on him, a report by the DPS said. The victim was approached while walking on Washington Street near the Modern Language Building at 9:58 p.m. Saturday, reports said. When the man said he did not have any money, he was reportedly struck in the head. Nothing was taken from him. The victim was able to provide a partial description of the subjects, including their clothing, but the suspects have not been identified. I I - . r - - - - " I I '! - I W - I !--- . TOHB -I 1 . .: ....: . . ... . . .:. . T2200SX - 40/60 MB hard disk T1000SE/LE T2200SX - 2 MB RAM, 5.5 lbs T1200XE - 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy 2> T2000/SX/e - 386SX/20 processor T3200sx UNIVERSITY DISCO NTS on all TOSHIBA models and other hardware... MOST POPULAR SOFTWARE available at guaranteed LOWEST PRICES! Call for our catalogue. . . . , - ยข' r- DSR, Inc. 800-875-0037 *VISA, Mastercard & American Express Accepted Authorized TOSHIBA Warrantee & Repair Service ] I. . J Meetings Saturday Animania, mtg, MichiganI Kuenzel Rm, 6 p.m-midnight. Sunday U of M Chess Club, MichiganI 1 p.m. U of M Cycling Team. Mass m Michigan Union, Welker Rm, 8 Speakers Friday "Conflict Over the Eco Transformation of Poland: Marketeers' vs. 'DemocraticI Dr. Dariusz Filar. 6050 Instiv Social Research, 4 p.m. Furthermor Friday Safewalk, night-time safety w service. Temporary service. Su 8 p.m.-11:30 a.m. Stop by 1021 call 936-1000. Full service Sunday, Jan. 26. Northwalk, North Campus walking service. Temporary Sun-Thur 8 p.m.-11:30 a.m.S 2333 Bursley or call 763-WAL service begins Sunday, Jan. 26. U of M Baha'i Club, A Celebr Diversity, jazz, performances, groups, dancing; Angell Hall free, 8 p.m. U of M Outdoor Recreationt Adventure Movie Night, CCR] For Earth's Sake: The Life an of David Brower, free, 8:30-101 MDA, Charity dance ex program, Radisson at the Ypsilanti, $5, babysitting pron School of Music, annual Collage concert, 8:15 p.m. Film Series, The Long Walk Home, Union, Chrysler Center Aud, free, 5 p.m. U-M Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Auditions for Pirates of Penzance, League, Michigan League Basement, Jan. 17 7- 10 p.m. neeting.U-M Taekwondo Club. Friday work- rlP.. out. 1200 CCRB, 6-8 p.m. Beginners p~. welcome. U-M Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club, practice. CCRB Martial Arts Rm, 6-7 p.m. onomic International Center, Betrayed, free, 'Free- refreshments served, Rm 9, 8 p.m. Left'", Saturday tute for All Day Teach-in, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Nabeel Abraham, Larry e Fox, Louise Cainkar. Angell Hall Aud C, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Career Planning and Placement, walking The Triathlon (9:10 a.m.-noon) - Job n-Thur, Search (9:10-10 a.m.), Resume UiGLi or Writing, (10:10-11 a.m.) Interviewing, begins (11:10- noon), CP&P Program Rm; safety Minority Career Conference Pre- sei Conference Workshop, Michigan service Union, 10:10-11:30 a.m. Stop by LK. Full Sunday Housing Division Resident Staff ation of Positions, Required Resident Staff cultural Selection Information Meetings, All Aud B, new RD/RA/RF/MPA/MPAA applicants must attend Applications Center, for positions will only be available at B, Solo; this mtgs MLB Aud 3, 1-3 p.m. d Times Huron Valley Greens Big Circle p.m. Meeting, Washtenaw County xercise Recreation Building, 960 Washtenaw lake, (off Platt), Topic: "Addressing Racism vided, 2 in Social and Environmental Change", Religious Services AVAVAVAVA CAMPUS CHAPEL (A campus ministry of the Christian Reformed Church) 1236 Washtenaw Ct. 668-74211662/2404 Rev. Don Postema, Pastor SUNDAY WORSHIP: "Light of the New Year"-10 a.m. Quiet Service of Meditation, Silence, Readings, Prayer, and Singing-6 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Undergrad Group-Join us for conversation, refreshments-9-10 p.m. ST. MARY'S STUDENT PARISH (A Roman Catholic Parish at U-M) 331 Thompson Street SAL: Weekend Liturgies-5 p.m., and 511hL:-8:30 a.m.,10 a.m., 12 noon, 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. Ea: Confessions-4-5 p.m. SUN., Jan. 19: Social Hour 6-7:30 p.m. MON... Jan. 20: Catholic Update-7 p.m. SAL Jan. 25: Sleighride The Difference Between A Job And A Career Is The Company You Keep. Over 60 Michigan Alumni have joined The May Department Stores Company Sales of $10 billion 25th largest employer in the United States Salaries competitive with Fortune 500 companies Opportunities for long-term growth Genuine commitment to promotion from within Interviewing for our Executive Training Program at The School of Business Administration and Literature, Science and the Arts Thursday, February 13 Want to learn more? Open House, January 21,10am-3pm Michigan Union, Welker Room, or see your placement office.