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The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 30, 1995- 3
Bald employee sues 'U' Hospitals for racism, sexism
College students
admit to beating
up Big Boy
TOLEDO, Ohio - The grisly Big
Boy whodunit was solved Tuesday.
Eight men, most of them college
students, admitted to police that they
and two younger friends stole the
cheery, 300-pound restaurant icon on
March 17, dismembered him with a
hacksaw and dumped his remains at
other Big Boy restaurants in the area
with notes that declared: "Big Boy is
*1 Dead."
Why?
"We were bored," said an 18-year-
old suspect.
The eight will probably be charged
with criminal mischief, a misde-
meanor that could land them in jail for
60 days and cost them more $3,000 to
pay for the pudgy, 6-foot Big Boy,
Detective Ron Scanlon said.
Two other suspects - both juve-
niles - failed to surrender as ex-
pected Tuesday.
The group of 10 took the fiber-
glass, hamburger-toting statue to an
apartment and debated what to do
with it when one suggested they "chop
him up," Scanlon said.
'They just wanted to take the Big
Boy. But then one thing led to another
and the kids started dismembering
him. They took the head and cut it off.
Somebody else took an arm, a leg,"
Scanlon said.
A tipster led police to the group.
Generation Xers learn
lessons in finance
Many students burdened with the
highest debt are basing some of life's
more critical decisions - where to
work, when to buy a home, whether to
start a family - around their student
debt. These students are most likely
graduates of private colleges, where
tuition can be as high as $20,000 a
year.
Students with graduate and pro-
fessional degrees carry the most debt
out of school. These students - fu-
ture doctors and lawyers - pay a lot
more for school and are likely shoul-
dering their living expenses as well.
After a few years, their student loans
can resemble a small mortgage, but,
in the long run, these professionals go
on to make comfortable salaries.
The average size of federal loans
for one year in school has risen 28
percent, from $2,491 for 1992-1993
to $3,180 for 1993-1994, according
to a recent report by the American
Council on Education. These figures
do not include personal loans or credit
card bills familiar to many students.
"We've never seen numbers like
this," said David Merkowitz, a spokes-
man for the American Council on
Education, which represents more
than 1,600 colleges and universities.
"We're concerned about the increased
percentage of students graduating with
loan burdens that are too high."
What's happened? As any student,
or parent of one, knows, tuition has
been surging at a breakneck pace. At
some schools, average tuition and fees
have risen more than 100 percent in
the past five years, compared with an
inflation rate of 18.3 percent for the
same period.
- From Daily wire services
II irisls
By Michelle Lee Thompson
Daily Staff Reporter
A woman who shaved her head and quit her
job at University Hospitals last month is claim-
ing that harassment she received as a result of
her appearance made her job unbearable.
Janna Vowels, who is white and a former
outpatient clerk in the thoracic surgery depart-
ment, filed suit last week against the Univer-
sity, claiming that comments directed at her
were racist and sexist in nature. She claims that
if she was Black or male, her shaven head would
have been accepted and that her former super-
visors indicated this to her.
"The treatment I have received here since
cutting my hair is too stressful and discriminat-
ing for me to continue working here," Vowels
wrote in a letter to her supervisor that stated her
resignation as of Feb. 17. She has worked at the
University since March 1989.
"It's an unusual situation," said University
General Counsel Elsa Cole. "She was allowed
to stay on the job and despite that she made the
decision to quit."
Cole said that her office will decide if the
matter warrants further University investiga-
tion and that she is not familiar with the details
of the case. She added that she does not think
Vowels was treated unfairly.
Vowels alleges that on Jan. 25, she told a
supervisor that her hair was overprocessed and
that she wanted to "start over."
"You have to do what you have to do,"
Vowels claims the supervisor told her.
When she arrived at work with her head
shaven the following day, Vowels said that she
was the victim of much teasing and harassment.
"I feel that I was treated with basically no
respect. Personal values and what I felt was
important were totally disregarded," Vowels
said in a telephone interview.
She left work and bought a $50 wig, which
co-workers said looked nice on her.
"She was not asked to wear a wig," Cole said.
On Feb. 3, Dr. Mark Orringer, the head of
the thoracic surgery department, called Vowels
into his office and expressed dissatisfaction
with her non-traditional behavior, according to
the lawsuit.
"He said that bald women are not socially
acceptable and that (my) appearance was unac-
ceptable and that it was startling to patients and
staff," Vowels contends in her lawsuit.
"The whole University-diversity crap was
just that," she said. "This town basically strives
... for individuality and what happened to me
was the total opposite," Vowels said.
Her suit claims a violation of the Elliot-
Larsen Civil Rights Act and claims both race-
and sex-based discrimination.
Panel discusses
making'U' a
Group won't pay
friendly place
By Kiran Chaudhrl
Daily Staff Reporter
Decked in smiley-faced stickers and name tags, more
than 20 students and faculty yesterday got serious about
friendliness at the University.
As part of Friendly Days, Project Smile held a panel
discussion in the Michigan Union's Kuenzel Room last
night to generate ideas on how to make the University a
more friendly environment.
"I believe this gets to the heart of what Friendly Days
is all about," said Project Smile co-leader Mike Petrilli, an
LSA senior.
After Petrilli's introduction, Roger Fisher of the Of-
fice of Student Activities and Leadership stressed that
organizations like Project Smile set an example for other
students "to treat one another kindly."
"Contrary to popular belief ... the University is not
made up of inherently unfriendly people," Fisher said.
He added that the administration must fulfill its role by
allowing for such activities as Friendly Days. "As I passed
out hot chocolate on the Diag Monday, I was very touched
by people ... starting to smile," Fisher said.
Psychology Prof. Mary Lou Davis addressed the topic of
creating a cooperative and friendly learning environment.
"We want to make strong individuals, but we want to
do that in part of making a strong community," Davis said.
"It's not an either/or situation."
She suggested that the atmosphere has improved since
she was a student at the University.
Vice Provost for Academic and Multicultural Affairs
Lester Monts spoke about creating a friendly community.
"There are times when we are forced to act as individu-
als," Monts said. "The University community forces us to
do that. The question is where is it we want to come
together and where do we want to be separated? I would
for Hash Bash
security costs
-
MICHAEL FITZHUGH/Daily
Balloons for Friendly Days are carried through the Diag.
hate for us to move together in such a way as to lose
(cultural identity)."
Monts said he has observed a "greater sense of com-
munity" on North Campus with the schools of Music, Art,
and Engineering than on Central Campus.
"Engineering seems to promote group work," said
LSA senior Matt Holden. "I just got my first group project
two weeks ago.,
This idea of more group work in the classroom was
among the ideas to encourage friendliness. Other ideas
included getting first- and second-year students more in-
volved in the community, eliminating grading on a curve and
increasing interaction between different student groups.
Still, the idea may seem a little strange to some, Holden
admits. I think that people look at it and say 'what the hell?'
and that it's a little corny," he said. "But at least it gets people
to think about it and makes a little bit of an impact."
By Michelle Lee Thompson
Daily Staff Reporter
For five years, the University has
battled marijuana-legalization groups
attempting to use the Diag for their
annual Hash Bash.
This year, after a judge told the
University it could not charge orga-
nizers for security fees, Hash Bash's
coordinator says the University has
cooperated with his group's request
for a Diag use
permit. " h
The group
filed a request for
a permit last has b en
week, and yester-
day said it paid a SU$$NCIOI
$735 deposit for
clean-up costs, in lif U
keeping with
routine proce- HEMI
dure.
"(Thedeposit)
is based on a variety of factors, includ-
ing the number of people and past his-
tory," University spokeswoman Julie
Peterson said. "This figure seems quite
low to me." Peterson said last year's
costs for NORML's rally were about
$3,000.
Adam Brook, a leader of Help
Eliminate Marijuana Prohibition,
agreed. "The University has been sus-
piciously helpful this year," he said.
Brook, former spokesman of the Na-
tional Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws, has joined HEMP
A2, a University student group.
NORML sponsored many Hash
i
IP
Bashes in previous years, but will no
longer sponsor smoke-ins in order to
retain its tax-exempt status.
"Myself and five of my friends
started a new student group on cam-
pus," said Diana Christoff, an LSA
junior and HEMP A2 member. "Since
there is no more NORML chapter
here, we're taking on the responsi-
bilities of Hash Bash," she said.
The group's student status is im-
portant; accord-
ing to the
I'VenifyUniversity's
Outdoor Com-
mon Areas
Policy, only
sly groups with five
or more mem-
is - abers and regis-
- Adam Brook tered with Stu-
A2 spokesman dent Organiza-
tion Accounts
Service can re-
serve the Diag, where Hash Bash has
been held for the last 23 years. The
University has denied permits to
NORML in years past on the basis of
this policy.
Despite that HEMP A2 has been
granted permission to use the Diag
upon payment of the deposit - and
use a loudspeaker from noon until 1
p.m. - members of the group con-
sider the costs exorbitant and an at-
tempt to squelch their viewpoint.
"Most universities are set up to
welcome free speech, but this
University's sole purpose is research,"
Brook asserted.
See HASH BASH, Page 7
Former Sen. Fulbright honored
By Lenny Feller
Daily Staff Reporter
Two weeks shy of what would
have been his 90th birthday, the South-
east Michigan Chapter of the Fulbright
Association gathered at the Clements
Library to celebrate the legacy of Sen.
J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.
The focus of the evening was a
panel discussion among five Fulbright
scholars, who were participants in the
international exchange program first
sponsored by Fulbright in 1946. Last
night, the panelists shared their impres-
sions of the University, the exchange
program and the similarities and differ-
ences between the United States and
their own countries.
"The program is an effort to bridge
the gap between the U.S. and other
nations, especially antagonistic na-
tions," said Izumi Sakamoto, a mas-
ters student from Japan studying so-
cial work and social psychology.
"This was a great opportunity,"
said Zlatha Stoeva, an exchange teacher
from Bulgaria. "I never thought it would
be such a good experience. (Fulbright)
has done so much for me and for my
country. I consider myself an ambassa-
dor on a very small scale."
Some of the panelists were surprised
at the level of difficulty of the course
and workload at the University.
"Working this hard is not what I
expected," said Karl Mathias, a Ger-
man exchange student studying in the
Law School. "Students are much
more willing to invest their whole
time in studying. ... One's life is
changed after the experience."
Judit Szerdahelyi, a Hungarian
English teacher, shared her admira-
tion for the American system of edu-
cation. "Where I come from, educa-
tion is free, mandatory and uniform.
There were no choices. If you tried
something different, the Minister of
Education came to check on you."
Fulbright, who began his career as
a congressman in 1942, is best known
for sponsoring the Fulbright Act,
which provided government grants
for the international exchange of stu-
dents and teachers.
Of the program, Fulbright himself
wrote, "The one thing that gives me
some hope is the ethos that underlies the
educational-exchange program ... that
people can find in themselves, through
intercultural education, the ways and
means of living together in peace."
At Fulbright's funeral on Feb. 17,
President Clinton said, "Time and
again, for 32 years as a congressman,
a senator, chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee, he worked for
progress and peace, often against great
odds and sometimes at great personal
cost."
Approximately 4,800 Fulbright
grants, including about 100 to Univer-
sity students, are awarded annually to
U.S. students, foreign nationals, teach-
ers and scholars for study, teaching,
lecturing and research in more than 130
countries around the world.
Since the program began 49 years
ago, 210,000 people have participated.
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University of Michigan
fij Jt
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University of Michigan
CENTER FOR CHINESE STUDIES
SYMPOSIUM ON
"CONSTRUCTING CHINA:
THE INTERACTION OF
CULTURE AND ECONOMICS"
Four of the most widely respected scholars in Chinese studies in this
country and abroad - Robert F. Demberger, Norma Diamond, Albert
Feuerwerker, and Donald Munro - are going to retire from the
University of Michigan faculty during the next several years. The
Center for Chinese Studies will be holding a symposium in celebration
of the vast academic enterprise they have contributed to their fields.
LOCATION: KUENZEL ROOM, MICHIGAN UNION, 530 S. STATE
FRIDAY, MARCH 31. 1995: Morning Session: 9:30am - 11:45pm
PHILOSOPHY:
Chair: Donald Munro
UM Depts. of Philosophy and
Asian Languages and Cultures
Paper Presenters: Sin-yee Chan, Dept. of
Philosophy, U. of Vermont; Robert Eno, Dept. of E.
Asian Lang. and Cultures, Indiana U.; Chad
Hansen, Dept. of Philosophy, U. of Hong Kong
Discussant: Roger Ames, Dept. of Philosophy, U.
of Hawaii
GROU MEETINGS
Q Bible Study and Fellowship, spon-
sored by CM, 763-1664, Baits 11,
Coman Lounge, 6-8 p.m.
U Eye of the Spiral, informal meeting,
747-6930, Guild House Campus
Ministry, 802 Monroe, 8 p.m.
U Intervarsity Christian Fellowship,
764-5702, Dana Building, Room
1040, 7 p.m.
0 Muslim Students Association,
halaqa, 913-6908, Michigan
League, Room D, 7:10 p.m.
0 Queer Unity Project, meeting, 763-
4186, Michigan Union, 10 p.m.
U Women's Issues Commission,
women's issues commission, 665-
3401, Stucchi's, 8 p.m.
U WOLV Channel 70 Programming: S
and M, 7-8 p.m.; Burly Bear, 8-10
p.m.; IM Sports, 10-12 p.m.
EVENhTS
Dr. Bruce McCord," sponsored by
American Chemical Society Stu-
dent Affiliates, Chemistry Building,
Room 1400, 4 p.m.
Q "Generation APA: A Cultural Show-
case of Asian Pacific
America," sponsored by MSS,
OAMI and UAAO, Power Center,
7:30 p.m.
Q "Hillel Governing Board
Elections," sponsored by Hillel,
Hillel Building, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Q "Horizon Medical Products Pre-Re-
cruitmentSession," sponsored by
CP&P, Michigan League,
Kalamazoo Room, 6-8 p.m.
Q "Laissez-faire Capitalism: The Sys-
tem of Freedom and
Justice," sponsored by Students
of Objectivism, Lorch Hall Audito-
rium, 7:30 p.m.
Q "Lithuanian Coffee Hour," 741-
4375, Amer's on State Street, 7
Hall Commons Room, 12 noon
U "Without aNet Improv," sponsored
by Friendly Days, Michigan Union,
U. Club;10 p.m.
STUDENT SERVICES
Q 76-GUIDE, 764-8433, peer coun-
seling phone line, 7 p.m.-8 a.m.
U ECB Peer Tutorial, Angell Hall Com-
puting Site, 747-4526, 7-11 p.m.,
Mary Markley, 7410 p.m.
U Campus Information Center, Michi-
gan Union, 763-INFO; events info
76-EVENT or UM*Events on
GOpherBLUE
Q North Campus Information Center,
North Campus Commons, 763-
NCIC, 7:30 a.m.-5:50 p.m.
Q Northwalk, 763-WALK, Bursley Hall,
8-11:30 p.m.
Q Political Science Undergraduate
Peer Advising, 764-6386, spon-
sored by UPSA,_Haven Hall, Room
HISTORY:
Afternoon Session: 2:00pm-4:15pm
Chair: Albert Feuerwerker
UM Dept. of History
Paper Presenters: Daniel Bays, Dept. of History,
U. of Kansas; Andrea McElderry, Dept. of History,
U. of Louisville; Keith Schoppa, Dept. of History,
Valparaiso
Discussant: William Rowe, Dept. of History,
Johns Hopkins
SATURDAY, APRIL 1. 1995: Morning Session: 9:30am-11:45am
ANTHROPOLOGY: Chair: Norma Diamond
UM Dept. of Anthropology
ATTENTION POLITICAL
SCIENCE STUDENTS
Pi Siama Aloha and Siama Iota Rho
I