IN.
LOCK&ISTATt
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 18, 1996 - A
More Mchigan
motorists are
buckng up
A new study released Tuesday by
the University Transportation Re-
search Institute indicates that more
Michigan motorists are buckling up
despite the current law, which allows
police to issue a citation only if the
driver is pulled over for another vio-
lation first.
Approximately two-thirds of people
in passenger cars, vans and sport-utility
#hicles are wearing safety belts, re-
searchers David Eby, Fredrick Streff
and Carl Christoff announced in their
annual study of almost 9,900 Great
Lakes State motorists. For the three
vehicle types, these numberstareall-
time highs.
Researchers found noticeable differ-
ences in the number of men vs. women
who buckledup. In passengercars, about
71 percent of women wear safety belts,
*hile 62.5 percent of men were found
to travel with safety belts.
The findings were recorded last fall
by researchers posted at 168 intersec-
tions and freeway exit ramps across
the state.
Scientists discover
planets; life possible
Two new planets have been discov-
red outside the solar system, which
toild have links to other life forms.
At a meeting of the American Astro-
nomical Society yesterday, San Fran-
cisco State University physics and
astronomy Prof. Geoffrey Marcy an-
nounced the discovery of a gaseous
planet orbiting the star 70 Virginis
and a frigid planet orbiting the star 47
Ursae Majoris, a star within the Big
Dipper.
The discovery sets the precedent
for a new age in astronomical re-
search. Geologists, chemists and bi-
ologists will now be able to research
the new planets and learn about their
climates, atmospheres and chemistry,
which could have links to the exist-
ence of life.
"We are truly in the dawn of a new
era. We'll probably be finding more
new planets in coming years," Alan
*oss of the Carnegie Institute told The
Associated Press.
Three months ago, Swiss astrono-
mers announced their own impres-
sive discovery, a planet in orbit of the
star 51 Pegasi.
Survey: Coughing no
cause for alarm
That nasty cough that's been pester-
ng you for days may not be as much of
a threat as you feared. Healthy people
often cough twice an hour. Coughing
actually helps protect the linings of the
lungs and keep their passages clear of
germ-causing dust.
Those coughs that just won't go
away, however, should be checked by
a physician, who can provide medi-
cine stronger than over-the-counter
remedies.
* Cough medicines are not intended to
be a miracle treatment. The cough
suppressant found in these medications
only controls about half of hacks. An-
-ther ingredient found in cough medi-
aitions, called an expectorant, makes
:coughing up phlegm easier for those
:plAgued by a serious cold.
A National Health Survey found that
coughing is one of the most common
reasons for doctor visits.
- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Alice Robinson
'U,
ter:
recognizes
Sen. Kassebaum
for govt work
,,
,;
By Jeff Eldridge
Daily Staff Reporter
U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum - one
of the most powerful members of in
Congress and a University graduate -
became the first recipient of a unique
honor yesterday.
The Kansas Republican received the
first University of Michigan Distin-
JOE WESTRATE/ Daily
Fusion in a vacuumE D
Fusing carbon steel in the above cube, Lei He conducts a "diffusion bonding" test yesterday. He, a Ph.D. student in
Mechanical Engineering, is using the instron Machine to combine two metals and create a bond with few defects.
guished Legislator
is given to a leg-
islator who is
considered to
have made an es-
pecially valuable
contribution to
the federal gov-
ernment.
As part of the
award, Kasse-
baum selected a
student from her
state to receive a
four-year, full-ride
University.
Award. The award
"fShe hj
affection
Universit
Assistant to S(
scholarship to the
Regents to
hold shot
Meetig
sec f
By Jeff Eldridge
Daily Staff Reporter
The University Board of Regents will
forsake its typically elaborate monthly
meeting tomorrow and spend most of
the day on the presidential search.
"We're going to have a very short
business meeting," said University
President James J. Duderstadt, who said
the meeting will consist of "minor ac-
tions that will last five minutes."
University spokeswoman Kim Clarke
said it is not unusual for a January
meeting to be short.
"In the past there have been sugges-
tions that they don't even meet in Janu-
ary," Clarke said, adding that previous
January meetings have lasted only 20
or 30 minutes.
Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle
Creek), who co-chairs the presidential
search committee, said the length of the
January meetings often vary.
"It depends on if there are any items
of business that need to be taken care
of," McFee said, attributing the length
of this month's meeting to the fact that
there are only two items of business.
Duderstadt attributed the regents' lack
of activity to the fact that the University
was closed down for three weeks dur-
ing the holiday break instead of the
usual two, saying the University is "go-
ing to be a week behind in spinning
things up."
Tomorrow's meeting will start at 8:30
a.m. in the Gerald R. Ford Library, and
will be immediately followed by a pub-
lic meeting of the Presidential Search
Committee. At 10 a.m., the regents will
conduct a public forum to receive input
on the presidential search.
-Daily Staff Reporter Jodi Cohen
contributed to this report.
About
PBB
Polybrominated
biphenyl, or
PBB, is a fire
retardant.
it was
mistakenly
mixed with
animal feed in
1973. Many
farm animals
were
contaminated
when the flame'
retardant
called
Firemaster was
accidentally
substituted for
a dairy cow
feed
supplement.
More than 500
farms were
quarantined
and thousands
of cattle, pigs
and chickens
were
destroyed.
PBB has not
been
manufactured
since the
1970s.
Source: The Associated'
Press
Tests reveal PBB
in Huo ivestocbk
LANSING (AP) - A fire retardant ingredient found to
have contaminated much of Michigan's livestock feed and to
have caused widespread fear of health problems in the 1970s
has surfaced on a Huron County farm.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture reported yester-
day that a hog from the farm was found to contain PBB, or
polybrominated biphenyl.
"None ofthe contaminated meat reached the public and we
have found no evidence of contamination beyond this one
farm," said Gordon Guyer, director of the Michigan Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
Department officials did not publicly identify the owner of
the farm, but said the farm was not involved in the 1970s
contamination.
The chemical has not been manufactured since the 1970s but
turned up recently during routine testing by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture when the hog was taken to a custom slaughter-
house.
Tests showed a PBB level of0.1 parts per million of PBB
in the hog, above the federal action level of 0.03 parts per
million. All other animals on the farm have been quaran-
tined. Test results completed to date found three other hogs
and three cattle at the farm contain very low levels of PBB.
The department said all animals that test positive for PBB
will be destroyed.
The investigation is continuing into the source of the PBB.
"The presence of PBB in the other animals on the farm
indicates the likely contamination is on the farm itself. As a
precaution, however, (department) inspectors have been
visiting surrounding farms in the area to gain background
information and have taken samples from slaughterhouses in
the Thumb area," the department said in a statement.
"I think of the University of Michi-
gan, as well as the University of Kan-
sas, as my alma mater," Kassebaum
said in an interview with The Michigan
Daily. "I was really honored to be cho-
sen as the first recipient.'
The award and scholarship were en-
dowed by Bertram J. Askwith, a Univer-
sity graduate and the CEO of Campus
Coach Lines, a New York-based charter
bus company. LSA Dean Edie N.
Goldenberg said a scholarship coupled
with an award like this is "highly un-
usual."
"(Askwith) is very devoted to the
University," Goldenberg said. "He
wanted it to be possible for a student to
come here and be financially sup-
ported."
Goldenberg said the Distinguished
Legislator Award will not be given ex-
clusively to University graduates or
Michigan legislators, even though the
scholarship will always go to a Univer-
sity student.
"I was tickled pink to see it was
someone who graduated from Michi-
gan," Goldenberg said. "Apparently it
was a very easy choice."
David Bartel, an assistant to
Kassebaum, said the senator was
"greatly honored" to be chosen. "She
has great affection for the University,"
Bartel said.
Kassebaum selected Rebecca Ihire, a
.senior at Topeka High School in To-
peka, Kan., as the recipient of the schol-
arship. Kassebaum said she was im-
pressed by Ihire's academic and extra-
curricular record.
"She was first among her classmates
at Topeka High," Kassebaum said. "She
was varsity in cross-country and has
done well in de-
bate."
Ihire ao
iS great played the clai-
net in her high
for the schoolebatt.
Bartel said thire
, turned dowin
- David Bartel Harvard in or r
- to attendthe Ua-
en. Kassebaum versity.
Askwith said
he established te
awardto drawattention to the University's
reputation, and especially that of the po-
litical science department. He also saidgt
is important to draw attention to wort-
while legislators, especially in a tine
when public sentiment is increasingty
cynical of the federal government.'
Kassebaum was chosen as the Dj.-
tinguished Legislator by a panel mate
up of Charles Eisendrath, director.of
Michigan Journalism Fellows; eil
Skene, publisher of CongressiAial
Quarterly magazine; and MOTfn
Tolchin, editor and publisher of The
Hill newspaper.
Kassebaum received the award jes-
terday at the National Press Club in
Washington, within two hours of fe-
turning from a two-week fact-findtng
tour in Africa. She said that seeing'the
levels of poverty in Africa affirme(Me
importance of education.
"You realize it's going to take acouple
of generations to really get to a brl-
based citizenry, with basic education;"
Kassebaum said, adding thatthe impor-
tance of education was the center of her
remarks at the award ceremony.
Kassebaum spent four years at tie
University of Kansas before receivinga
master's degree in the history of dip%6-
macy from the University of Michign.
She was first elected to the Senaterin
1978 and announced last fall that shbe
would not seek re-election in 1996.
AATU hotline
goes dead
because of
renovations
From Staff Reports
The Ann Arbor Tenants' Union is
asking any tenants with questions to
come to its office to ask them in per-
son.
The AATU's telephone hotline was
scheduled to be disconnected at mid-
night yesterday because of renova-
tions on the fourth floor of the Michi-
gan Union, AATU Director Pattrice
Maurer said.
The AATU is temporarily operating
out of Room 21 in the basement of the
Perry Building,justwest of South Quad.
The new office is currently without
telephone service.
Maurer urged students needing ad-
vice to visit the office during its walk-
in hours: weekdays from noon to 4
p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m.
.a
I
"Gay activism has secured anew
foothold in the University's aca-
demic door with a Course Mart
offering on Gay and Lesbian Lib-
eration.
"The course, officially entitled
'The Politics of Gay and Lesbian
Liberation,' is the brainchild of
Teaching Assistant Dan Tsang and
will outline the history of gay op-
pression and homosexual struggle
for acceptance and equality."
1
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
GROUP MEETINGS
O AIESEC Michigan, International
Student Happy Hour, 662-1690,
Arbor Brewing Company, 9 p.m.
L Campus Crusade for Christ, Real
Life, 930-9269, Dental Building,
Kello gg Auditorium, 7-8:15 p.m.
U intervarsity Christian Fellowship,
Mason Hall, Room G429, 7 p.m.
Q Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 665-
9934, Michigan Union, Michigan
Room, 7 p.m.
U Pre-Med Club, meeting, 764-1755,
Michigan Union, Pendleton Room,
6 p.m.
U Reform Chavurah, weekly meeting,
sponsored by Hillel, 1429 Hill
Street, 7 p.m.
EVENTs
call 213-0885 for more infor-
mation.
U "Jewish Emigration From Russia and
the Ukraine: Comparisons and Co-
nundrums," sponsored by the
Frankel Center for Judaic Studies,
Frieze Building, Room 3040, 12
noon
U "Molecular Dynamics and Solvent
Cage Effects in Fluids Studied
by Modern ESR," physical/ana-
lytical seminar, Dr. Jack Freed,
sponsored by Department of
Chemistry, Chemistry Building,
Room 1640, 4 p.m.
U "Multicultural Career Confer-
ence: Pre-Conference Work-
shop," sponsored by Career
Planning and Placement, 3200
Student Activities Building,
Table," sponsored by Hillel,
Cava Java, corner of E. Univer-
sity and S. University, 5:30 p.m.
D "The New Concentration in Communi-
cation Studies," sponsored by The
Department of Communication Stud-
ies, Modern Languages Building,
Lecture Room 1, 4-5 p.m.
STUDENT SERVICES
0 Campus information Centers, Michi-
gan Union and North Campus Com-
mons, 763-INFO, info@umich.edu,
UM*Events on GOpherBLUE, and
http://www.umich.edu/info on
the World Wide Web
a English Composition Board Peer Tu-
toring, Mason Hall, Room 444C, 7-
11 p.m.
I