The Michigan Daily-Thursday, April 15, 1993- Page 5
iFC fights
to change
attitudes
f Greeks
by Julie Robinson
Daily Staff Reporter
In an effort to promote public rela-
tions and improve its tarnished image,
the Interfraternity Council (IFC) passed
,a "Statement for Human Dignity" last
night. IFC members said they hope this
statement will inspire people to change
their attitudes.
The statementoutlinedthelFC'spoli-
ides regarding an opposition to hazing,
encouragement of safe sexual behavior
and consumption of alcohol in a respon-
sible manner. According to the state-
ment, the IFC "will not condone any
form of sexually-abusive behavior."
AttheirmeetingIFCmemberspassed
the statement - which aims to be an
official presentation of the IFC's views
- with minimal opposition. The docu-
ment was drafted in three weeks.
"I think it's a great thing," said Pi
Lambda Phi Rep. Seth Albin. "This is;
something concrete on paper that we can
show people we're just like you, that we
believe in the same things you do. Just
because a couple people make a mistake
it shouldn'treflect on the whole system."
Pi Kappa Phi member Dave Garcia
served as the driving force behind the
statement. He said he hopes that, among
other things, the statement will promote
"achange in the attitudes and behavior in
the average Greek member."
Garcia added, "I think it was impor-;
tant to say that we as a system don't;
condone these actions, and to tell others
to please adhere to these standards."
Greeks who violate the statement will
not face any sanctions from the IFC
itself.'
IFC President Polk Wagner said the
statement will promote change in a sys-
tem plagued by negative stereotypes.
"The biggest way we can improve isa
with education. This starts itoff,"he said.
"It is definitely something we are going
to look to build on."
I
Academic code
punishes students
ELIZABETH LIPPMAN/DaIly
Access denied
Students check their course guides while waiting in long lines to CRISP in Angell Hall.
Annual pow wow to celebrate
Native American song, dance
caught ci
by James Cho
Daily Staff Reporter
Students should think twice before
bringing a crib sheet to their Biology
final or borrowing a few passages from
Cliff Notes for their next Great Books
paper, sayUniversityofficials who know
students who have suffered the conse-
quences.
"Most students who say they have
to cheat on an exam don't consider the
costs," said Eugene Nissen, assistant
dean for the LSA Office of Student
Academic Affairs.
University punishments for viola-
tions of academic integrity range from a
reprimand letter to suspension.
The LSA Code of Academic Con-
duct specifies the types of academic
dishonesty punishable by the Univer-
sity. Offenses include plagiarism, cheat-
ing, double submission of papers, fabri-
cation of data, falsification of records
and official documents, as well asmali-
cious tampering of computer property.
"Plagiarism and cheating on exams
are two common forms of academic
dishonesty," Nissen said.
When a professor or teaching assis-
tant believes that academic dishonesty
may have taken place, a complaint is
submitted to the LSA Office of Student
Academic Affairs.
The charges are turned over to the
Academic Judiciary Hearing Board. A
student who admits to the accuracy of
the charges may waive the right to a
hearing andpunishment will bedecided
by a panel consisting of one student
member and one faculty member of the
Academic Judiciary.
The Hearing Board consists of two
students and two faculty members. Fac-
ulty members are appointed by the LSA
College's Executive Committee to serve
two-year terms and students are ap-
pointed by the LSA Student Govern-
ment for one-year terms.
The hearing board of the Academic
Judiciary hears the cases presented by
the complainant and the student in-
volved.
"We keep an open mind. Iknow the
student side and I'm sympathetic. We
try to do the right thing. No one likes to
ieating
find someone guilty," said a student
member of the hearing board, who
wished to not be identified.
The board determines whether the
charged student is innocent or guilty of
academic wrongdoing.
"The student is assumed innocent
until proven guilty. Students are given
the benefit of the doubt," said a faculty
memberofthehearing board, who spoke
on condition of anonymity.
If innocent, all charges are dropped
and no punitive action can be taken by
the University.
If a student is found guilty of a
charge of academic misconduct, the
hearing board decides whether the in-
fraction was major or minor.
"There is no tight definition of a
major infraction. Cheating on a test,
forging has always been regarded as
major. Every case is looked at in its own
merits. If the hearing board determines
that an infraction is major, the board is
required to impose a one-term suspen-
sion from the College," Nissen said.
Conviction of two separate offenses
results in automatic expulsion from the
University.
The penalty for minor offenses may
include disciplinary probation, a tem-
porary notation placed on the transcript
orrequiring extra credithours for gradu-
ation.
"A studentfound guilty used to have
to take an ethics coursebut this is chang-
ing because ... the University classes
that deal with ethics are more theoreti-
cal than personal," Nissen said.
He added the shift now has moved
toward public service, suchasprograms
offered by Project Serve.
The control of the course grade rests
with the instructor.
A student punished by suspension
or expulsion may appeal for clemency
to a three-person appeal board.
"Convictions of academic dishon-
esty are embarrassing," Nissen said.
"We all make mistakes in judgment. I
will always write aletter of explanation
for a student, who has a permanent
notation, applying to law school or
medical school, if it helps."
by Michelle Fricke
Daily Staff Reporter
Almost every major Indian na-
tion in North America will be repre-
sented at this weekend's 21st annual
Ann Arbor Pow Wow.
Recognized as one of the leading
Native American celebrations in
North America, the pow wow will be
held this Saturday and Sunday at
Crisler Arena. The University's Na-
tive American Student Association
(NASA) and Minority Student Ser-
vices are sponsoring the event.
More than 1,000 champion danc-
ers, singers and artisans from across
the United States and Canada will
take part in the celebration.
Dancers of all ages will reflect
their Native American tradition in
elaborate social dances that tell sto-
ries - often about battles or the
spiritual world. The dancers will also
be competing in categories such as
traditional (old style) and fancy dance.
Dorene Red Cloud, aNASA member
and head student dancer, emphasized that
the meaning behind the dances is more
important than the competitive aspect.
"Dancing is not only about competi-
tion," Red Cloud, an Art School senior,
said. "For me its becoming closer to my
tradition and culture."
Native American artisans and
craftmakers will also be displaying and
selling authentic products, which will
include baskets, turquoise jewelry and
beadwork.
Michael Dashner, coordinator of the
event, emphasized that the Ann Arbor
Pow Wow is an experience the entire
family can enjoy.
"There's something here for every-
one," Dashner said. "The idea is to edu-
cate people that Indian culture is alive
and thriving. It is not just a part of muse-
ums."
An important facet of Native Ameri-
can history, pow wows have been occur-
ring for hundreds of years.
"After a long and sometimes harsh
winter, the Indian people had a chance
to get together with their families and
friends and celebrate the gift of life,"
Dashner said, in a prepared statement.
"At contemporary pow wows today
Native (American) people gather to sing
and dance, meet old friends and make
new ones."
Red Cloud also stressed the impor-
tance of this weekend's gathering.
"Pow wowshelp retain our tradition
and culture," Red Cloud added. "It also
helps those who aren't natives to break
free from stereotypes and understand
Native American peoples better."
Dashner emphasized that the Ann
Arbor Pow Wow is a completely non-
profitevent. While the University's con-
tributions will cover about one-half of
the expenses, gate admission will take
care of the remaining costs.
The event is open to the public and
doors will open each day at 11 a.m.
Committees of MSA
MSA elects chairs to
manage committees
Budget Priorities
Chair: Jacob Stern
Vice Chair: Mark Bierdsack
Campus Governance
Chair: Julie Neenan
Vice Chair: Scott Ferber
Rules & Elections
Chair: Roger DeRoo
Vice Chair: Andrew Willeke
Communications
Chair: David Pava
Vice Chair: Stephanie
Logan
External Relations
Chair: Devon Bodoh
Vice Chair: Taryn Markl
Commissions
No Vice Chairs for these
Women's Issues
Chair: Loretta Lee
Academic Affairs
Daniel Cherrin
Peace & Justice
Tanya Clay
Student Rights
Vince Keenan
Environmental Issues
Noah Hall
Health Issues
Margaret Whittaker
by Adam Anger
Daily MSA Reporter
With the recent election of new
members to the Michigan Student
Assembly, representatives elected
new leaders for their committees and
commissions at last night's meeting.
MSA is composed of 11 different
committees and commissions to carry
out its function as the voice for stu-
dent concerns on campus.
"They are the ones who coordi-
nate and lead special interests of stu-
dents and MSA," said PresidentCraig
Greenberg, in describing the role of
each of the newly elected committee
chairs and vice chairs.
Each chair and vice chair elected
last night stated plans to improve the
workings of theirrespective commit-
tees, which carry out MSA's day-to-
day activities.
The Budget Priorities Committee
(BPC) has the responsibility for mak-
ing recommendations for the alloca-
tions of funds to students organiza-
tions.
Newly elected BPC chair Jacob
Stern said, "I would like to see us
more consistent in giving money to
student groups."
The Campus Governance Com-
mittee is responsible for facilitating
and advocating the participation.of
different student groups, individuals
and college governments in Univer-
sity decision-making.
"The most important aspect of
this committee isjumpstarting it and
getting out to student groups and
asking for help," said new Campus
Governance Chair Julie Neenan.
'MSA is an incredibly
boring thing, you have
to sneak up on
people,'
-David Pava
new communications
commission chair
David Pava, newly elected Com-
munications chair, said, "MSA is an
incredibly boring thing, you have to
sneak MSA up on people."
Unlike committees, MSA com-
missions are geared toward broader
issues of campus, state and national
importance and have many chairs
that are not MSA members.
"We have many new members as
chairs and vice chairs that are very
enthusiastic," Greenberg said.
He continued, "I think (chairs and
vice chairs) will be a very important
part of revitalizing MSA."
21st Annual
DANCE FOR MOTHER EARTH
Ann Arbor Pow Wow
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 & SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1993
CRISLER ARENA, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
1._1_ S I
"Fi
Gain valuable marketing,
negotiation, and finance experi-
ence. The Michiganensian Yearbook
is looking for a business manager
for the 1993-94 school year. Re-
Arra~srr L'vA*