LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, February 20, 1996 - 3 Crime rate dropped in 1995 ,.According to the Ann Arbor Police .epartment's annual crime report, the Vtal crime rate in the city dropped 4.78 ,percent from 1994. The largest decline from 1994 was in the number of assaults. In 1995, 892 reports of assault were filed - a de- crease of 12.8 percent. Robberies numbered 133 - a de- cline of 11.8 percent. However, AAPD reports a 4.9-per- .cent increase in rape incidents and a 16- percent increase in burglaries. More man 1,000 burglaries were reported in 95. - According to the report, four people were murdered in Ann Arbor -last year. ...a ATM thief steals more than $8,000 A stolen wallet cost one victim more than $8,000. The Univeristy Department of Pub- c Safety reports that a wallet, contain- ing the victim's ATM card, was stolen during the last week of January. Since then, the thief has used the ATM card at machines around Ann .Arbor to withdraw money from the victim's money market account. Two withdrawals of $500 each were r-ade from the ATM at the Adminis- trative Services building on Greene Street. DPS has no suspects. -Rowdy racketball players removed from -CCRB court A staff member at the CCRB called DPS to remove disorderly racketball players from the building Friday night. According to the DPS report, the .ibjects were "being rude, belligerent and verbally abusive.'t DPS reports the players were upset due to a misunderstanding regarding court reservation times. The subjects left without incident upon the arrival of DPS officers. DPS responds to marijuana users * The words "violation of controlled spbstances" appeared in at least two DPS reports over the weekend. ,DPS officers responded to calls at Bursley Hall and East Quad to in- -vestigate incidents involving mari- juana. The two incidents, which oc- curred Friday and Saturday respec- tively, turned up no illegal sub- stances. umpers vandalize car *A guard called DPS to report two 'people jumping on the roof of a vehicle in the staff parking lot next to South Quad. DPS identified the two suspects as University students. The vehicle sustained no noticeable damage and was returned to the owner. tolen goods reappear 4cross the street A thief did not quite finish the job at West Engineering last week. DPS received a call late Thursday 'Rght from a student that had his back- pack and jacket stolen from the fourth floor of West Engineering. A DPS officer located the stolen goods later that night across the street at -ast Hall, formerly known as East En- neering. a= Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Sam T Dudek. National group fights for rights of 'twentysomethings' By Marisa Ma Daily Staff Reporter In the view of Jennifer Klein, the interests of48 million Americans are not being represented. Klein, the founder and president of the National Association of Twentysomethings, said she be- lieves her organization fills that void. NAT was formed to promote and support millions of Ameri- cans whose ages range from 18 to 29. "There are many organizations and associations and there was not one I saw that ... (covered) all the issues and interests of twentysomethings," said Klein, who formed NAT last November. Klein said that for a $10 annual membership fee, the association offers many services that gradu- ating students need, such as a discounted health insurance plan and job networking. "Once you graduate, you are now not covered by family insurance," Klein said. "Often (employ- ers) don't offer insurance in the first six months. You should never go without." Michigan Student Assembly President Flint Wainess agreed on the need for cheaper health insurance for his generation. "Twentysomethings are one of the largest groups uninsured in the country," Wainess said. "Twentysomethings want the insurance, but can't afford the investment ... and they don't think they are ever going to need it." LSA first-year student Jennifer Dreger said she would find the discounted health coverage useful. "It's good in between jobs or (if you are) still looking," she said. NAT also created a nationwide job resource center, through which members can send resumes and request information on specific jobs in differ- ent regions of the country. Dreger said she would be interested in a resume service. "(For) most people who graduate, that's their main focus - locating a job that they want and (that) meets their needs," Dreger said. Jennifer Niggemeier, assistant director of Ca- reer Planning and Placement, said any job search tool can be helpful. "Resume services in general can provide a valuable service in certain indus- tries," she said. But job-seekers should use caution when using outside sources for services they can do them- selves, Niggemeier said. Engineering junior Brad Singer agreed. "I've always heard that if you want ajob, you have to get it yourself," Singer said. "I would probably take advantage of (the job resource service), but I wouldn't rely on it. You have to be proactive." Another of NAT's missions is political activism, which led to its establishment in Washington, D.C. "I think that twentysomethings need to be more involved in their future and politics, and somewhat have a unifiedvoice-orat least a voice," Klein said. Toward that goal, NAT tracks and analyzes legislative proposals, keeps its members informed of bills and offers a chance for them to speak out. "For those who were interested, it would be a good thing if it gives factual, non-opinionated facts about bills that are coming up," Singer said. But Singer said he is not politically active and he would notbe interested inNAT'smobilization efforts. "It would take a very comprehensive effort to activate the twentysomethings generation;" Wainess said. "Polls show that our generation has less faith in all institutions than any other genera- tion." Klein said individuals in their 20's should also be concerned with Social Security, the balanced budget and the flat tax. "There will not be enough people paying for (Social Security), and it will go bankrupt," she said. Solutions to this impending crisis are being discussed, Wainess said. "But it won't happen unless our age group demands it." Other services offered to twentysomethings include retail discounts, low interest credit cards and financial planning services. Religious leader supports euthana By Erin Frances For the Daily The Rev. Hans Kung, who drew a crowd that filled Rackham Auditorium last night, lectured on the ethics of eu- thanasia as part of Prof. Ralph Will- iams' Religion 404 course. Kung said many theologians argue that "human life is a gift of God, beyond our control." But unlike some religious leaders, 5Kng supports euthanasia rights. "Life is also a human task - our responsibility," he said. In 1983, Kung gave a semester-long series of lectures at the University that has now become a book titled "Eternal Life?" However, last night's lecture incorporated the ideas of his most re- cent book: "Dying With Dignity." In his speech titled "Euthanasia: New Theological Perspectives on Assisted Dying," Kung defined the word "eutha- nasia" as a "good death" or "to die well," tying it to religious views on mercy killings. Kung said most religions reaffirm the belief that "death is not the end of everything," and that if we change our view of death then we can change our attitudes about dying. Kung also spoke of "the misguided view of God in religious texts" that affects the perspectives on euthanasia. Many religions, he said, see God as the creator of life, but Kung also sees life as a human creation as well. The theologian revealed the tragic story of his brother who died after suffering Assembly debates affirmative action. Some faculty members claim double standard By Anupama Reddy Daily Staff Reporter Members of the Senate Assembly related their concerns about affirmative action for minority faculty members at yesterday's monthly meeting. Profs. Bunyan Bryant and Carl Cohen led the discussions by arguing for and against affirmative action. Then, they fielded questions from the audience. Cohen, who teaches in the Residen- tial College and Medical School, ar- gued against affirmative action pro- grams that "preferred (people) by race." He has also recently published a book titled "Naked Racial Preference" on this topic. "To give favor to male or female, black or white solely based on their sex, or their race is morally wrong," Cohen said. "Doingso is intrinsically unfair. Equality applies to all." Bryant, an SNRE professor, shared his experiences as an African American graduate student at the University. Bryant said he was denied the right to rent an Ann Arbor apartment mortgaged by the University because he was black. He said racism is now perpetuated institutionally rather than personally. "People don't have to practice racism because institutions do the work for them," Bryant said. "There have been institutions working for (whites) to guar- antee (their) chance of success. Affirma- tive action is an imperative to ensure institutional support for all members of society." Other faculty members agreed that racism is an ugly blight on American history, but they differed on solu- tions. Bryant praised President James Duderstadt for introducing the Michi- gan Mandate and Agenda for Women programs. Some argued the solution lies in lev- eling the playing field and educating others on the nuances of discrimina- tion. Assembly member Barbara MacAdam, a representative from the School of Information and Library Stud- ies, said discrimination is divided in three subtle ways. "First, people say it doesn't exist. Second, people see it but marginalize it. Third, they see it but (justify) it in the context of the majority," MacAdam said. Cohen said University faculty mem- bers uphold a double standard on affir- mative action. "(We) give preferences by race anc sex, but say we treat people equally," Cohen said. "I see that as hypocriti- cal." SARA STILLMAN/ Daily Rev. Hans Kung speaks about euthanasia at Rackham last night as part of the "Death, Extinction, and the Future of Humanity" series. from an inoperable brain tumor. "Is this," he asked, "the death that God ordains?" Kung is a professor at the University of Tubingen in Germany as well as a Catholic priest, theologian, and phi- losopher. Prof. Roy Rappaport, director of the studies in religion department, said that since Kung has challenged the Catholic position on birth control and other such issues, he has also challenged the au- thority of the Pope. Rappaport, who attended last night's speech, said that as a result the Catholic church denied Kung the right to teach theology at Catholic institutions. Chinese New Year holiday begins Students celebrate 'Year of the Rat' in different ways By Katie Wang Daily StaffTReporter , Firecrackers exploded intheairin Hong Kong and Taiwanand dragons danced in the streets of Chinatown as the Chinese rang in the New Year yesterday. There weren't any firecrackers ex- ploding on State Street, but the campus Asian American community celebrated in its own way. "Usually Chinese New Year is a time for reflection of the past and a look forward to the future," said Rex Wang, president of the Chinese Student Asso- ciation. Engineering Prof. 1-Wei Chen, who grew up in Taiwan, said he remembers celebrating the New Year with fire- crackers and friends, and by putting on new clothes for the special day. Chen also said that New Year's was a sentimental time for his father to re- member the family he left behind in China during World War II. "New Year's Eve dinner was not always the most pleasant gathering for him because he felt sad that the family in China couldn't communicate with him at all," Chen said. Yasheng Huang, an associate profes- sor from China, remembers New Year celebrations in China as "very political." "Communist China didn't celebrate the New Year the way it was tradition- ally celebrated in Taiwan and Hong Kong," Huang said. "There was not a tremendous cultural attachment in China, it was a very private celebration." The holiday, which lasts for 15 days, centers around prosperity, luck and tra- ditional exchange of lucky red enve- lopes stuffed with sums of money. LSA senior Danny Hsaio said he re- members receiving lucky money not only from his family, but also from his mother's co-workers. "It may not be much, but it's nice that they're thinking about you," he said. The New Year is also traditionally marked as a day of superstition. RC junior Ann Pham said although she is not superstitious, she was alarmed when she lost her wallet yesterday. "Losing your wallet is a bad sign," she said. "If you lose money in your wallet, you lose money for the whole year." great scores... Law School usiness School Dn ta co ol Graduate Schoo Medical School great teachers... Kaplan helps you focus your test prep study where you need it most. Our teachers will[show you the proven skills and test-taking techniques to help you get a higher score. get a higher score KAPLAN 1-800-KAP-TEST I HEY, WHY NOT TRADE YOUR F ij i %1r ''' /i l:7 1 .,j Ffl {off!{ .,. } . flr: i~jt f.'~'f f ' iy(I':iii(i What's happening In Ann Arbor today FOR GROUP MEETINGS I ALIANZA - Latino Organization, weekly meeting, 764-2837, Trot- ter House, 1443 Washtenaw Ave., 7 p.m. U Amnesty International, 764-7027, Michigan Union, Crofoot Room, 7:30 p.m. U College Republicans, 995-6765, Michigan League. Room D, 6:30 p.m. C Free Mumia Coalition, 913-9538, Modern Languages Building, Room B-119, 7 p.m. U Undergraduate Anthropology Club, S 668-8537, Michigan Union, Tap Room, 7 p.m. EVENTS of Admissions and Undergradu- ate Law Club, Michigan Union, Anderson Rooms A,B, 6-7 p.m. Q "Education vs. Prisons Panel Discussion," sponsored by Col- lege Dems, Michigan Union, Pond Room, 7:30-9 p.m. Q "Great-West Employee Benefits Information Session," sponsored by Career Planning and Place- ment, Business School, Room B1210, 6-7 p.m. Q "Law School Experience," spon- sored by Career Planning and Placement, Michigan League, Vandenberg Room, 6:10-7:30 p.m. Q "Mastering the MCAT on Your Own," sponsored by Career Plan- ning and Placement. Modern Session," sponsored by Career Planning and Placement, Michi- gan League, Kalamazoo Room, 7- 9 p.m. U "Tax Workshop," sponsored by In- ternational Center, Baits I, Eaton Piano Lounge, 7:30 p.m. STUDENT SERVICES 0 Campus Information Centers, Michigan Union and North Cam- pus Commons, 763-INFO, info@umich.edu, UMoEvents on GOpherBLUE, and http:// www.umich.edu/~info on the World Wide Web U English Composition Board Peer Tutoring, 741-8958, Mason Hall, Room 444C, 7-11 p.m. Fk Nn.a...l . 7 cAA 1 Va..I.a THIS SUMMER!!! Advertise your house or apartment in the Sublet Issue J Published: Wednesday, March 27 R_^^^,. .. ulrai iini , A U4i~AAP^ Im i im I t