0 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. 0 0 Hillel also offers other services to University students - meals, counseling, a Jewish feminist group, five Israel affairs groups