GEO is asking the University to give homosexual employees involved in same-sex relationships the same benefits as heterosexual couples currently enjoy. What do police officers really do when they are on patrol? Daily Crime Reporter Shelley Morrision rode around in a squad car with one of Ann Arbor's finest. The Michigan men's basketball returns home tomorrow to face Minnesota. The Wolverines then will enjoy their longest break of the season - eight days - before traveling to Ohio State. Today Cloudy chance of late snow High 26, Low 18 Tomorrow Mostly cloudy; High 32, Low 26 I WE t t t t tYz One hundred two years of editorial freedom Vo.CS ,N.8 Ann rbrMihianFrda, ebuayG9,99'( 193Th Mc .ga Di. 'U' allows Fletcher to remain as dorm by Bryn Mickle Daily Staff Reporter Fletcher Hall has been given a reprieve after the Housing Division announced that the dorm will remain open for the 1993-94 school year. During this year, Housing had been considering plans to transfer the facility to the Athletic Depart- ment. The Athletic Department is examining a plan to renovate the hall and turn it into an academic resource center for student-athletes. David Foulke, associate director for residence operations in the Housing Division, said the situation had reached a critical point because the deadline for re-application to live in Fletcher Hall was quickly approaching. Housing officials said they hoped the Athletic Department would make a decision on the building by Feb. See FLETCHER, Page 2 Move-in, kickoff may clash by Kerry Colligan Daily Staff Reporter Football fans and students moving in to University housing may be crossing paths if the University decides to hold move-in during the weekend of the first Michigan home football game. The University Housing Division has decided to hold -move-in on the original weekend of Sept. 4, in- stead of moving it to the previous week to avoid con- flicts with the gridiron contest. "We decided that the football game date change shouldn't drive our educational policy," said Walter Harrison, executive director of University relations. However, the final move-in date is contingent on a University Board of Regents vote on residential housing rate increases this morning. "What is being proposed (today) to the regents is a rate increase with the lease starting on Sept. 4, 1993," said Alan Levy, public affairs director for the Housing Division. He added that the University will provide for stu- See MOVE, Page 2 Cold reality Ricky, a homeless man, tries to escape from the cold by resting on top of an exhaust vent next to the Dental School. Students to propose amendments to 'U' Diag policy by David Rheingold Daily Staff Reporter Although it's not even two months old, the University's Diag policy could see some changes in coming weeks. A group of students, largely affiliated with the Michigan Student Assembly, is drafting an alternative policy with fewer restrictions. The group hopes to meet soon with Maureen Hartford, the University's vice president for student affairs. "We're just basically going to present Maureen with our comments and criti- cisms about the policy, and hopefully make some proposals to change parts of the policy that we have problems with," said MSA Rep. Brian Kight. University officials say they are willing to meet with students to discuss the policy, and might consider proposed changes. The policy, announced last month, sets guidelines for events - such as rallies and displays - held on the Diag and North Campus Common. A core group of MSA members has led a movement against the policy, saying it curbs students' ability to demonstrate. The group has held rallies every Wednesday on the Diag, distributed fliers and posted signs inside campus buildings. More than 300 students have signed an ongoing petition drive, said MSA Vice President Hunter Van Valkenburgh. One of the next steps will be the proposal of an alternative policy, which MSA Rep. Roger DeRoo will draft. The proposal will ask the University to eliminate or revise several parts of the pol- icy, including: A section that requires people who hold an event to obtain a permit seven days in advance. The group says this is too long. A section that prohibits people from writing on the ground with chalk. In the past, students have chalked their opinions onto campus byways. A section that holds event organizers financially responsible for University ser- vices such as security and cleanup. The group contends that this unfairly affects organizations with less money. Associate Dean of Students Frank Cianciola, who oversees the policy, said he would consider proposed changes if they do not jeopardize the policy's goal of a safe environment. "I think if they are working changes that can accomplish the same ends, I'm prepared to submit them for approval," he said. Hartford also said she would meet with concerned students. She emphasized that most of the policy's restrictions previously existed - some as long as 19 years - al- though they were not collectively organized. But DeRoo said the University has tucked some crucial changes into its new policy. "Most of these are old provisions. However, when it's all put together,- the sum is greater than its parts," DeRoo said. "There are a couple of pieces that have been smoothed together in between. They have made what was a bunch of awkward policies into one oppressive policy." MSA President Ede Fox said she hopes the group can persuade the University to loosen some of the policy's restrictions. "I guess we can't get rid of it because we've had it for years and years, but we can amend it so it isn't as bad as it is," she said. 'U' officials praise Diag access policy by Jennifer Silverberg p.m. and requiring that ralliers Daily Administration Reporter While campus activists claim the new Diag access policy re- stricts student expression, University administrators say the policy exists to provide order, not restraint. "It's not meant to prohibit any- thing. That's not our intent at all," said Walter Harrison, executive di- rector for University relations. "In part, it's to allow people who want to organize something to organize in a reasonable and orderly way." Members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) allege that certain aspects of the policy specifically target Hash Bash by prohibiting rallies from noon to 1 stay on the cement portion of the Diag. NORML is suing the University for the right to hold its 22nd annual pro-legalization rally. University President James Duderstadt said the policy is not specifically targeted at NORML. "We're not denying a permit, we're just insisting they follow policy," he said. Duderstadt could not comment on the pending litigation, but said Hash Bash does pose problems for the University. "It's of great concern to us. Not from the perspective of our stu- dents because we don't think our students participate that much," Duderstadt said. "But we don't See POLICY, Page 2 Students petition against' by David Rheingold Daily Staff Reporter John O'Keefe says the University should have consulted students before releasing its recent Diag policy. "One of the more possible as- pects of this University is the free- dom of speech and the freedom to protest," said O'Keefe, an LSA first-year student. "(The policy) takes away a big aspect of what the University stands for." Still, he has not attended the See PETITION, Page 2 MSA Reps. Amy Kurlansky and Mark Biersack petition for student signatures to protest the University's new Diag policy yesterday. LSA first-year student John O'Keefe stops to sign the complaint. " Administrators admit to problems with PPIH discontinuance process Women tankers pound tourney field on day one by Jennifer Silverberg Daily Administration Reporter Administrators and regents ad- mitted yesterday that proper proce- dures have not been followed in the decision to discontinue the depart- couple of steps were missed and Provost Whitaker asked them to go back," said University President James Duderstadt. Administrators said mistakes have been noted and a review will sion, unwise, uninformed and has given rise to a great deal of anger," Ness said. He added, "We do not believe that the process is now back on track and we do not believe it can be put by Charlie Breitrose Daily Sports Writer The women's Big Ten swim- ming championships had the at- mosphere of the Indianapolis 500. The teams roared, with their re- spective cheers, in preparation for their nearest competitor by two body lengths. But the Michigan "Muscle Ma- chine" quickly put it into top gear and over took the field, holding a 206 to 171 advantage over second- place Northwestern at the end of .......... .:. ..a.: X14. S.a6ti4