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Page 6-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-Perspectives - Thursday, September 10, 1992
,ACT UP
Continued from page 5
Children of IDUs, sex workers,
white gay men, gay men of color,
lesbians of color, white lesbians,
white heterosexual women, hetero-
sexual women of color, heterosex-
nal men of color, children of color,
teens of color, white teens. Who's
left?
Research has led to treatments
which can help people with AIDS
to live longer lives but women with
AIDS (most of whom are living in
poverty) live an average of only 15
weeks after diagnosis.
AZT costs Burroughs-Wellcome
only 14 cents per capsule to pro-
duce, but this AIDS drug is mar-
keted at over a dollar, giving the
company a 700 percent profit.
Of the 13 new AIDS cases ex-
pected per week in Michigan, more
than half will be related to injection
drug use. Recent state budget cuts
have reduced the availability of
drug rehab and have worsened the
conditions that lead to drug use.
Twelve percent of the GNP is
spent on health care. But because
the United States is the only indus-
trialized country besides South
Africa that doesn't have national
health care, 50 million Americans
are under-insured and 40 million
Americans have no health insurance
at all.
The United States spends $ 11
billion per year on medical re-
search, which sounds like a lot until
you hear that $ 68 billion a year go
to insurance company waste and
red tape.
One out of 10 homeless people
is living with HIV.
Nine AIDS-related problems in
Michigan prisons: no condoms, no
bleach, no sterile needles, not
enough AIDS education for guards,
not enough AIDS education for
prisoners, unlawful segregation of
prisoners with HIV, brutalization of
prisoners with HIV, no support
,groups for prisoners with HIV, in-
sufficient medical treatment of pris-
oners with HIV.
Every eight minutes, someone
dies of AIDS-related illness in the
United States.
Women of color with AIDS die
seven times faster than white men
with AIDS.
Although people of color repre-
sent the majority of new AIDS
cases, only about 6 percent of the
Federal AIDS education budget is
allocated to "minority"
communities.
The result? More than 90 per-
cent of children under five with
AIDS are children of color. This is
genocide.
The four most common symp-
toms of AIDS in women aren't in-
cluded in the official diagnostic def-
inition of AIDS. The result? Most
women with AIDS die without ever
being diagnosed or treated. This is
gynocide.
Three Presidential candidates:
all serve the same interests.
Two choices for the rest of us:
fight back or die young.
Gaybashing, genocide, gyno-
cide: one big struggle, one big
fight.
AIDS Coalition To Unleash
Power (ACT UP)/Ann Arbor is a
diverse, non-partisan group of peo-
ple united in anger and committed
to fighting AIDS with direct action.
We consider every AIDS death an
act of racist, sexist, homophobic
violence. We aim to end that vio-
lence by any means necessary.
Maurer is a member of the AIDS
Coalition To Unleash Power.
Local AIDS activists raise their candles during a vigil at an AIDS rally on
the Diag.
4IFC offers men leadership skills
by Jared Silverman
Why rush a fraternity? One would think
such a simple question would merit an equally
simple response. However, the benefits con-
ferred upon a member of an Interfraternity
Council-(IFC) affiliated organization are quite
numerous. Each individual's fraternity carries
a personal meaning full of unique experiences
and fond memories.
Some members of the 39 IFC-related fra-
ternities on campus will point to leadership
opportunities as the most important character-
istic of the fraternity system. A complete col-
lege education should include leadership and
responsibility development and the fraternity
system at the University will provide each
member with numerous opportunities to learn
about goal setting, dealing with crises and
providing a vision.
Other members prefer to emphasize the so-
cial aspect of the fraternity. Throughout the
academic year, fraternity houses are bursting
with social events ranging from date parties to
serenades to parties for friends only. Meeting
new friends that will last a lifetime is certainly
an aspect of fraternity life that cannot be over-
looked.
Still other members emphasize athletics and
participation in the intramural sports program
as a benefit of membership in the Inter-
fraternity Council. Enjoying the sport of your
choice in an environment of healthy com-
petition will give added enjoyment to your col-
lege career.
Scholarship and service must not be left out
of the numerous benefits of membership. Most
fraternities - as part of their goals and objec-
tives - list the assistance in academic en-
deavors as a top priority with study nights,
exam files and scholarships included.
Additionally all of the IFC-related fraterni-
ties host volunteer service events to help out
residents of the University and the Ann Arbor
community.
Silverman is the Interfraternity Council's
Social Chair.
Sorority members pass out free apple cider on the Diag as part of a Panhellenic Association
project.
Panhel eands sororities
'U' must be
accountable
to students
by David Shepardson
Although students are at the
University for a relatively short pe-
riod of time, they can make a real
difference. However, the administra-
tion does not see them as a force to
be reckoned with.
In dozens of instances in the past
year, student opinion was disre-
garded in important University
decisions:
In 1988, the University Board
of Regents appointed a search com-
mittee to find a replacement for the
outgoing president of the University.
The regents used secret meetings,
made illegal conference calls, and
met in small groups to get around
the Open Meetings Act. In addition,
there were no students on the
selection committee. Last year, the
Michigan Court of Appeals ruled
that the regents openly and willfully
violated the Open Meetings Act in
the selection of University President
James Duderstadt.
Despite the ruling, the adminis-
tration has no intention of changing
its policy of openess in appoint-
ments. If anything, the administra-
tion has become more secretive.
Students were also shut out of
the selection process for a permanent
vice president for Student Affairs.
The two students on the selection
committee were explicitly told not to
release the names of candidates for
the job, despite the unprecedented
nature of this censorship.
Public Act 120 provides for
the deputization of campus police
officers through the regents of the
University. This spring - only one
year after the administration armed
the police over the objections of
many students - the regents held
deputization hearings. The hearings
were timed to fall near spring break
and were to last a few hours. But
there never were any public hear-
ings, because the regents immedi-
ately closed the meeting after stu-
dents protested, and deputized the
police by a vote of 7-1.
A tuition increase passed at
the July meeting - as is the case
every July - without student input.
No committee of students was
formed to determine whether the re-
cession made a a tuition increase un-
tenable.
Last September, the adminis-
tration formulated a Union access
policy restricting entrance to stu-
dents and guests on weekend nights.
This is a clear case of the administra-
tion making policy first and consult-
ing students second.
The administration denied the
National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws
(NORML) - an accredited student
group - a permit to demonstrate on
the Diag last April because Hash
Bash, a pro-legalization rally, has
become an embarrassment. NORML
successfully sued and was granted a
permit to hold its rally.
Police used tear gas in two
instances last year to quell students
who were gathered on South
University. Despite reports critical
of police procedure from the
Michigan Student Assembly, cam-
pus police have no qualms about
using tear gas to expedite crowd
control.
So what does all of this mean?
The administration and the students
are at cross-purposes on almost ev-
ery issue during the year. This fall,
campus police will go undercover to
stop underage drinking and noise vi-
olations. The administration will hire
more administrators - including a
replacement for Richard Shaw, who
was Director of Undergraduate
Admissions - without consulting
students. All groups under the
"minority umbrella" will be placed
under the jurisdiction of the Dean of
Students with little student input.
In short, nothing will change,
until the students and the student
government demand accountability
from the administration and the
regents.
Until then, things can only get
worse, as the University corporation
steanmrolls ahead, oblivious to con-
cerns of students. Student activism
does work. It can fire University
presidents, change policy, and insti-
tute reform. But it takes a concerted
effort to make change. Without it,
students' concerns will continue to
take a backseat to the paternalism of
the administrtion-
S
by Susie Kridler
With a lasting tradition, the Panhellenic
Association has remained the governing body
of sororities on university campuses since the
early 1900s.
With each association of sorority leaders
holding its own unique attributes, the
University's Panhellenic Association remains
among the strongest in scholarship, leadership
and service.
At the University, the Panhellenic
Association (Panhel) maintains representa-
tives and junior representatives from each of
the 20 sororities along with a 10-member
Executive Board, each of whom are elected
annually. All of the members of Panhel work
closely with the Panhellenic Advisor, Mary
Beth Seiler.
Throughout the year the Panhellenic
Association holds a vigorous schedule of par-
ticipatory activities and events. In recent
years, Panhel has helped to develop a Greek
Leadership Conference in coordination with
the Interfraternity Council. The Greek
Leadership Conference has become the most
comprehensive educational opportunity pro-
vided by and for University fraternity and
sorority members. Greeks may begin to
strengthen and expand their leadership skills
at the conference.
At the University, the Panhellenic
Association remains active in supporting The
Forum, the University's Greek newspaper;
Order of Omega, the National Greek Honor
Society; and Greek Week, a week set aside
annually in which Greeks - through a spe-
cial series of events and activities - raise and
donate funds to needy groups in the Ann
Arbor community.
With dedication to upholding high stan-
Association at the University commends posi-
tive Greek involvement which exists on our
campus. In recognition of scholastic achieve-
ment, strong leadership, and campus and
community service of sorority members, the
Panhellenic Association remains at the
University to continue the tradition of a dedi-
cated and honorable Greek System.
Kridler is Executive Vice President of the
Panhellenic Association.
CT T
-APO -savesmmbet, U'
by Greg Gephart
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a national, co-
ed, non-Greek, service fraternity centered
around community service.
Anyone can become a member, regardless
of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, dis-
ability, or other organizational affiliation.
Members are required to spend at least 20
hours-per-semester participating in Alpha Phi
Omega-sponsored service projects. Projects
range from the U-M vs. OSU Blood Battle -
one of Southeast Michigan's largest blood
drives - to Info Stops - information booths
which you will undoubtedly see and hopefully
use when you move on campus. APO-ers also
usher for campus theater events, work in
homeless shelters, and clean parks and
highways.
But service is just the beginning. The orga-
nization also exists to foster leadership and
fellowship among our members. The fellow-
ship program includes hay rides, banquets,
skating, movie nights, and plenty of parties.
All of these events require organization, which
is where the leadership comes in.
And many members find that after conquer-
ing positions of leadership within the chapter
- surrounded by dozens of helpful and sup-
portive friends - it is much easier to take on
other leadership roles elsewhere on campus.
Gephart is president of Alpha Phi Omega.
9
Housing activists laugh and beat a drum during a rally at Salvation City.
Homeless Action Committee
fights for
by Mike Kline
Since 1988, the H
Committee (HAC) has fou
lessness and low-income
political agenda in Ann Arb
HAC is a political acti
work includes lobbying loca
educating the community or
able housing, and mobil
address the housing crisis in
HAC was formed by hon
Ann Arbor and students
pressured the city to mainta
Program. During 1989-90 H
houses that were slated f
make way for a parking stru
The victory led HAC to
connections between homel
town development. Many;
housing has been destroyed
commercial development
low-income housing
million square feet of office space is empty,
)meless Action while 1,500 are homeless in Ann Arbor.
ght to put home- In November 1991 HAC focused attention
housing on the on the Downtown Club, a building that until
or. 1982 provided more than 60 units of low-
ion group whose income housing. HAC waged a campaign to
d political leaders, re-open the building for housing, during
n issues of afford- which 19 HAC members were arrested.
izing support to On April 15, 1992, HAC joined with Ann
Ann Arbor. Arbor's Homeless Union to establish
neless residents of "Salvation City" in downtown Ann Arbor.
who successfully This was the fourth tent city erected in
in the Day Shelter Michigan. Its purpose was to raise commu-
IAC squatted two nity awareness about homelessness and the
or demolition to need for low-income housing. Constructed
cture. and maintained in the shadow of the
continue making Downtown Club and the empty Ann Arbor
essness and down- Inn, "Salvation City" represents the latest step
sites exist where in the struggle to make low-income housing
I to make way for in Ann Arbor a reality.
t. More than 1 Kline is a member of HA C.
dards of sorority life, the
Panhellenic
Do SmaPt!
Reserve your
books ahead.
See insert in this
paper or call:
1-800-765-6424
U-M Hillel Foundation programs enrich, educate both
Jewish community and entire University population
by Joseph Kohane
U-M Hillel, the second largest
student programming organization
on campus, plays a vital role not
only in the campus Jewish commu-
nity but in the life of the entire
University.
Throughout the year Hillel spon-
sors Jewish religious and secular
lications - Prospect, U-M Hillel's
Jewish student journal and Consider,
the University's award-winning
ery political stripe, and much more.
U-M Hillel is housed in the
lovely new Mandell L. Berman
backgrounds participate in Hillel-
sponsored events each week during
the school year.
Although they are advised by a
talented staff, University students
are the real engines that drive the
remarkably abundant and creative
programs for which Hillel is re-
spected and famous campus-wide.
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Hillel also offers other services to University
students - meals, counseling, a Jewish
feminist group, five Israel affairs groups