The Michigan Daily- Friday, April 2,1993 - Page 3 Local man battles airline *over 'breach of contract' Happy Children s Home sponsor asks for he from students by Greg Hoey Daily Staff Reporter Ann Arbor resident Mike Kelly --a former University School of Art student - is seeking $2,338 from .Delta Airlines as recompensation for "gross negligence and breach of cbntract." t Students may recognize Kelly as the man who runs an annual bucket drive on the Diag to support the Happy Children's Home in Tamil-Nadu, South India. to South India But when he went to Indian Airlines to pick up his baggage, there was no record of him or his lost baggage in the computer, Kelly said. He added that after searching the lost baggage claim he found his two boxes - missing the gifts, damaged and rewrapped after going to the wrong airport. Delta Airlines Administra'tive Assistant Don Jacobs said, "Mr. Kelly arrived in Bombay with two r "The students here support the bags on Nov. 24 and filed his miss- "We always want to try to be reasonable and fair to customers. By the information we had, we could not justify his claim four months after the fact.' -Don Jacobs Delta Airlines administrative assistant Jacobs said Kelly was trying to book a flight home months before his return flight was scheduled be- cause he ran out of money, which was not Delta's responsibility. Upon returning to the United States in February 1992, Kelly said he went directly to Delta with his claim, and after numerous delays he was told his claim was void because the 21-day period had lapsed. Jacobs said, "We always want to try to be reasonable and fair to cus- tomers. By the information we had, we could not justify his claim four months after the fact." Kelly said Delta offered him 20,000 frequent flyer miles in credit, but, he said, "It is worth nothing. It is also forcing me to continue busi- ness with them against my will in order to be compensated." Tina Norris, manager of a local agency that books a large quantity of student flights each year, said, "My experience with Delta has been positive." Kelly is an artist and took some independent study art courses at the University. He created the water sculpture which takes the shape of a crescent in Nichols Arboretum. Several University students have expressed their feelings for Kelly and his work. Rachel Jrekowicz - a School of Music senior who has had continual contact with Kelly and his drive - said, "He's a very nice person, and very inspiring in setting and example for us to give to those who are in children with their donations and lbive done so all these years," Kelly said. Kelly said his complaints are a result of his dealings with Delta during a 1991 round trip to India. "Delta Airlines failed to put my ticket into their computer, and they were willing to leave me completely stranded in India with no help and no apology. I think it's fair for them to give me a new ticket to compen- sate me for the trip that their negli- gence spoiled and their breach of contract," he said. Kelly called for student action in regard to the issue. "I'm asking anyone who has do- nated their money to the Happy Children's Home through the Diag bucket drives to write a note to (Delta Airlines) to encourage them to compensate me for my loses," he said. Kelly said he founded the home, *which supports more than 50 poor village girls, in 1981. He added that the money he collects in addition to his own personal contributions is the home's sole source of support. Kelly claimed that upon arriving in India in November 1991, Delta misplaced his baggage - containing $830 worth of gifts and urgent Tuberculosis medicine for the children. He said the manager of Delta in Bombay promised him he would send his baggage by Indian Airlines ing baggage claim. Our records show that Bombay received one bag Nov. 27 and the other Nov. 30. We forwarded the bags on Air India free of charge and at that point we thought we were done.,, He added that Kelly did not no- tify the airlines of the problem until four months later. Delta's standard procedure stipulates that passengers must report problems within 21 days. Kelly said, "It spoiled the whole trip with all the tension, stress and the disorientation of being there and- having all the clothes and gifts that I had spent a year preparing stolen. "All of my personal expenses are Brian Kig ht expresses his joy over his new position as MSA vic e president with a smile and a cup of java. gt w use MSA experience to improve assembly Activities provide service to charities by Sarah Kiino Daily Staff Reporter They range from a fashion con test to an STD workshop, from high school tutoring to working in a se- nior citizens center. This week, these seemingly diverse activities came together as part of 1993 Serve Weeka Serve Week provides direct ser- vice to the community and offers opportunities for students to get involved in community service. This year marks the fourth annual Serve Week, which is an activity of Project Serve - a student board that organizes service projects o campus. Organizers said student response? to the week so far has been disappointing. "(Turnout) has been kind of low. We have been putting up posters around campus and not a lot of peo- ple have been calling," said Emily Kornheiser, student co-chair of Serve Week. "In past years, the re- sponse has been a lot higher," she added. Although response from the gen eral student population has not been as high as Project Serve members had hoped, many student orgaiza- tions expressed interest in participating. "All of the Serve Weeks have been different ... Each year, we've expanded and added new projects," said Kornheiser, a SNRE sophomore. Although Serve Week is orga- nized by Project Serve, the actual events are sponsored by individual University organizations. This year, Serve Week began with a sexism-in-advertising contest Sunday sponsored by the University Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center. Other events associated with the week included cleaning up a local shelter, a toiletries drive, a fashion show to benefit the homeless, an STD workshop and information table, a presentation on sexual as- sault and people with disabilities, a presentation on alternative educa- tion, working at a Detroit high school and working at a senior center. Saturday, Serve Week will con- tinue with a clean-up at the An Arbor Housing Commission, a Huron River clean-up and a perfor- mancerof "Class X" by Children's Theater. Serve Week will conclude Sunday with Ticket America, when students will place informational tickets about the environmental hazards of drivingronmcat windshields.g 'I think it's fair for them to give me a new ticket to compensate me for the trip that their negligence spoiled and their breach of contract.' --Mike Kelly out of my own pocket and I don't use any of the donations for my expenses. "Delta Airlines is, in effect, de- priving the children of what they need by cheating me out of the money from the stolen baggage," Kelly said. Kelly said when he went to the travel agency India to pick up his re- turn ticket home, Delta had no record of his return ticket and forced him to purchase another one. need. He really has a big heart for the kids and for us as well." University alumnus Glenn Lieding, who worked the bucket drive with Kelly in 1990, said, "He lives like a monk with a very simple lifestyle in a small simple apartment. ... He keeps his expenses down in order to send the maximum money to the orphanage. He is absolutely committed to his work and all he does. He is passionate, dedicated, and frugal." by Jennifer Tianen Daily MSA Reporter Like the Energizer bunny, Brian Kight just keeps going and going and going. With five semesters of Michigan Student Assembly ex- perience under his belt, newly elected Vice President Kight has every intention of continuing his association with MSA. "I've seen a lot of the same kinds of mistakes being madeand heard a lot of the same types of criticism about the assembly from students," he added. Kight, who hails from Pennsylvania, feels his past work on MSA gives him an edge. "I have a unique perspective on MSA's structure and a lot of the administrative functions of MSA," he said. Because of his long-term status on the assembly, Kight said he is well aware of the renovations needed to make MSA more effective. "What's kept me interested is that I know we can do better and I know it's not a hopeless cause," Kight said. Close friend and former LSA representative Rob Van Houweling said he feels Kight is well-qualified for his new position. "I think Brian is very intelli- gent and understands the direction MSA needs to go in," Van Houweling said. New MSA President Craig Greenberg said he believes Kight is a determined person who will contribute his expertise to the assembly. "He has always wanted to make the assembly work to its fullest potential," Greenberg said. "That's why he's worked so hard to keep the rules and structures up to date and logical to keep the assembly running smoothly." Kight said he is pleased with his accomplishments on MSA so far. "I've really learned a lot of useful things about the way gov- ernments run, about the way peo- ple interact, how to manage an or- ganization, and how to work with other people," he said. Van Houweling expressed his confidence in Kight's abilities. "I think to keep MSA running efficiently there needs to be one person who pays attention to the details," he said. C American Dream, Kim Moody, labor journalist, speaker, Angell Hall, Auditorium A, 8p.m. Q ChanIsMissing,film,MLB,Lec- ture Room 2,7 p.m. U Chinese Christian Fellowship: Coffee House, Dental School, Kellogg Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. O Consultation for Student Lead- ers and Student Organizations, speak with peer and professional consultants regarding leadership and organizational development, SODC, Michigan Union, Room 2202,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Q Deutsches Theater, Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches, East Quad, Auditorium, 7:45 p.m. Q Drum Circle, Guild House Cam- pus Ministry, 802 Monroe St., 8- 10 p.m. Q Faculty Harpsichord Recital, School of Music, Blanche Ander- son Moore Hall, 8p.m. Q Hillel, Hillel Governing Board Elections,9a.m.-5p.m.; Shabbat Services, 6:45 p.m. Q Korean Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Fellowship, Campus Chapel, 8 p.m. U Music at Leonardo's, Lunar Oc- tet, 8-10 p.m. U Peer Counseling, U-M Counsel- ing Services,764-8433,7 p.m.-8 a.m. U Naturalizing Mathematical Methodology, lecture by Penelope Maddy, Mason Hall, Room 2440,4 p.m. U Nitrate Kisses, Gay and Lesbian Film Series, Angell Hall, Audito- rium B,7 p.m. U Northwalk Safety Walking Ser- vice, Bursley Hall, 763-9255,8- 11:30 p.m. Q Opera Workshop Presents American, European Master- pieces, School of Music, McIn- 11:30 p.m. U Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club, beginners welcome, CCRB,Mar- tial Arts Room, 6-7 p.m. U Spring Jam '93: Grad Student Black Greek Step Show, Michi- gan Union, U-Club, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. U Supramolecular Architecture of Ordered Molecular Films from Functionalized Liquid Crystal- line Polymers, materials brown bag lunch, Chemistry Building, Room 1706, 12 p.m. U Symphony Band and Concert Band, Hill Auditorium,8 p.m. Q TaeKwonDo Club, regular work- out, CCRB, Room 2275, 7-8:30 p.m. U Ten High, acoustic concert, PJ's Used Records,617BPackard St., 6-7 p.m. U U-M Advertising Club, Don Richards from Leo Burnett Ad- vertising Agency,speaker,vMLB, Auditonum 3, 3 p.m. U U-M Bridge Club,duplicatebridge game, Michigan Union, Tap Room, 7:30 p.m. U U-M Ninjitsu Club, practice,ILM. Building, Wrestling Room, G21, 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday Q Centerfor hineseStudies,Close to Eden, Chinese Film Series, Lorch Hall, Auditorium, 8p.m. U Collector, Teacher, Director, Friend: A Celebration of Charles Sawyer, ArtMuseum, 2 p.m. U Deutsches Theater, Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches, East Quad, Auditorium, 7:45 p.m. U Digital Music Ensemble, School of Music, McIntosh Theatre, 4 p.m. U Home Regatta, U-M Boat Crew, Boathouse on Lakeshore Drive, I IA- ingServices,764-8433,7P.m.-8 a.m. Q Safewalk Safety Walking Ser- vice, UGLi,lobby,936-1000,8- 11:30 p.m. Q U-M Japanese Music Study Group, concert, final perfor- mance, Rackhan, Auditorium, 8 p.m. Q U-M Shotokan Karate, practice, CCRB, small gym, 10 am.- 12 p.m. - Sunday Q Art Museum, Sunday Tour,"Ide- als of Beauty," Art Museum, In- formation Desk, 2 p.m. U Ballroom Dance Club, CCRB, Dance Room, 7-9 p.m. U Christian Life Church, Sunday church service, School of Educa- tion, Schorling Auditorium, 11 a.m. U Digital Music Ensemble, School of Music, McIntosh Theatre, 4 p.m. U Hillel,4th AnnualWomen's Seder, 6p.m.; Israeli Dancing,8-10p.m. U Jazz Combos, Michigan League, Buffet Room, 5:30 p.m. U Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Trail Tour, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 Dixboro Rd., 2 p.m. U Michigan Contemporary Play- ers, concert, School of Music, Recital Hall, 8 p.m. U Northwalk Safety Walking Ser- vice, Bursley Hall, 763-9255, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. U Peer Counseling, U-M Counsel- ing Services, 764-8433 . Q Residential College Chamber Music Concert,East Quad, Au- ditorium, 4 p.m. Q SafewalkSafety WalkingService, UGLi, lobby, 936-1000,8 p.m.- 1:30 a.m. U Safewalk Safety Walking Ser- v~a A wnpl l NallA nQP11 Hal J - - PRESIDENT Continued from page 1 among the meetings and those pre- -sent at each meeting communicated with those attending others. The number of applicants was whittled down in private from 250 to one before the board selected Duderstadt at a public meeting. Daane said the meetings did not violate the Open Meetings Act since a majority was never present. He said it would be unworkable if re- gents could be held to violate the act whenever less than a majority had conversations. "There should be no reason a couple of regents should not be able to discuss whatever is on their minds without worrying they are creating a constructive quorum," he said. The process was designed to keep names of applicants confidential by avoiding discussing them in a public meeting with a quorum present, but Daane said that didn't break the law. He also argued that state constitu- tional guarantees of autonomy fori the University i fiscal and educa tion matters should exempt it froni following the Open Meetings Act. Rowe countered that the techt niques used by the regents to appear to comply with the Open Meetings Act was "a scheme that could only fool a lawyer." He asked the high court "to send a clear message that public bodies must obey the Open Meetings Acts all of them, even the Board of Regents." _..... Paid Political Advertisement It's Time to Make Sense °I think council needs to be reminded about who is servant and who is master in the relationship between government and citizen. Issues * Decrease Taxes The government spends too much and is inefficient. Cutting back wasteful spending will save money and reduce Ann Arbor's tax burden. * Privatize City Services As a general rule it costs municipalities twice as much to provide a service as it does for private companies. ": II