WE f 6 *rnV Weather Tonight: Cloudy and cool, low around 500. Tomorrow: Cloudy, chance of rain, highs around 680. One hundredjf ve years of editoriallfreedom September 20, 1996 4T s s. : k. ..i 'U' execs made secret deals Duderstadt offered salary bonuses to top administrators By Jodi S. Cohen and Jeff Eldridge Daily Staff Reporters It's no secret that former University President James Duderstadt and the Board of Regents oper- ated under strained relations. But regents say Duderstadt should not have kept secret the compensation agreements he made with top University officials before he stepped down as president. Employment letters outlining the agreements - including yearlong leaves of absence at full salary and "administrative supplements" after returning to the faculty - were obtained yesterday through a Freedom of Information Act request. While regents say they should have known about the agreements and faculty members call the benefits "overly generous," Duderstadt says there's "nothing unusual" about the arrangements. "I have a number of people who reported to me. There has to be some kind of agreements about what their role is," Duderstadt said. "These are generally confidential." Regents say details of the agreements should not have been withheld from the board. "I think it's an abuse of the president's power to enter into compensation deals that the board is not aware of," Regent Andrea Fischer Newman (R- Ann Arbor) said yesterday, following a closed ses- sion of the board's monthly meeting. The executive officers who made arrangements with Duderstadt provide a virtual who's who list at the University, and include: interim President See DEALS, Page 2 "There has to be some kind of1: agreementsV about what their role is. These are generally confidential. - James Duderstacit Former University president Jackson to drop by dorm for informal talks Jennifer Harvey y Staff Reporter Rev. Jesse Jackson is going back to college this weekend. The one-time Democratic candidate for president will be visiting a University residence hall and holding a "rap session" with a group of student leaders before speaking at Hill Auditorium on Monday. Jackson is coming to campus for four days to speak with students about the *portance of political activism in an election year. The trip is part of Jackson's voter registration drive. Jackson is scheduled to speak about the impact of voting at 1:15 p.m. on Monday. Student speakers will precede Jackson, beginning at 12:30 p.m. "There's quite a bit of energy," said John Matlock, director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and "It's not about where you're from, but where you're going to be when you get out (of college)," she said. "This tour is about enforcing who you are, being informed about why you should vote and about what can happen if you don't." Matlock said voter registration tables will be set up outside Hill Auditorium on Monday, in addition to music stands and student speaker venues. The visit demonstrates Jackson's belief in the importance of younger vot- ers, Matlock said. He said 18- to 24- year-old voters historically show a very low voter turnout. "Sometimes (political parties) don't even fool with the 18- to 24-year-old vote." Matlock said. Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose, who will intro- duce Jackson on Monday, said she is looking forward to his visit. "Jesse Jackson has long been a cham- JENNIFER BRADLEY SWIFT/Daily Jim Hadley, a Transportation Services employee, exhibits the engine of the University's latest electric car. The vehicle runs on 30 nickel-cadmium batteries for up to 70 miles of highway driving and 55 miles in the city, but takes 10 hours to recharge. New U' car powered by Fraud case may fuel registrar changes By Anupama Reddy Daily Staff Reporter The investigation of the alleged fraudulent use of an alum's social secu- rity number may further fuel the University's recent decision to elimi- nate the use of the numbers for student identification. Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said yesterday that the University has already planned to stop using a stu- dent's social security number for iden- tification purposes. "The University did recently make the decision to discontinue them for identification purposes," Baker said. "Steps have been taken for this process, and it'll take a few years." On Wednesday, Stacy Latocha, who graduated from the University in August, said she was notified by the Department of Public Safety that her social security number and other per- sonal information were obtained by a former student employee of the Office of the Registrar and used to apply for an Ameritech calling card. Officials from the Department of Public Safety and the FBI confirmed they knew of an ongoing investigation into the matter but would not comment on its details Wednesday. Baker said in a statement yesterday that the University could not "comment on the specifics of the investigation because it is ongoing," but that the University believed the incident was isolated. Baker said the University has a three-tiered security system in the Office of the Registrar, which includes a password-protected user ID and secure ID card. Baker said the password for the user ID is changed every month, and the secure ID card is changed every minute, which goes beyond the require- ments of the Family, Education, Rights, and Privacy Act. Ann Arbor lawyer Joan Lowenstein said yesterday that FERPA does not See REGISTRAR, Page 2 organizer of ople are very excited about it." F r e m o n Hendrix, director for the Clinton/Gore campaign in Michigan, said Jackson can spread the Democratic mes- e to a select upof voters. "Jesse touches a segment of our the Jackson visit. "There's quite a bit of energy. People are very excited about it" - John Matlock Director, Office of Multicultural Initiatives pion of civil rights and repre- sentative govern- ment," Rose said. "His example is a reminder of the role each of us can play in our communities with commitment and strength of will." Rose said his visit should be a m e a n i n g f ul I electricity, onigrnal design voters that are extremely important to the Democratic party" he said. "We're a very diverse party. We have a very big umbrella and we invite a lot of folks to stand up under that umbrella. "He's going to swing through the state hitting some very important pock- , of votes,' Hendrix said. Jackson's "Get Down with the Vote" tour is sponsored in part by the Washtenaw County chapter of the Rainbow Coalition. Christina Montague, an organizer of the Rainbow Coalition, said Jackson will bring a crucial message to students. experience for a number of University students. "Especially in an election year, it's important that students remember the importance of being active in the political sphere," she said. Matlock said Jackson plans to visit various southeast Michigan churches during his visit as well. He will also travel to Detroit for a meeting with Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. Stops at Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, Oakland Community College and several local high schools are also scheduled for Jackson on Monday. New vehicle with enhanced design to join U' fleet of rental cars By Matthew Rochkind For the Daily It's not the next Hertz, but a recently completed electric vehicle will join the fleet of rental cars at the University Transportation Services. Last year, Engineering students developed a car that used both electricity and natural gas. The natural gas fuel has now been phased out, and the car is completely electric. The transformed Plymouth Neon was originally donated by Chrysler Corporation to Engineering students who would develop a car that used alternative fuels. Jim Hadley, an Transportation Services employee, phased out the natural-gas part of the system. Hadley said that even with all the safeguards, the natural-gas element "was a time bomb waiting to go off." The Engineering students used the facilities at Transportation Services to complete the project, and when they were done, the car shifted into the hands of Pat Cunningham. Cunningham, manager of Transportation Services, said he's been interested in electric vehicles for five years, and will now let members of the University community rent the electric car. "It's prototype stuff, one of a kind," Hadley said. "I can tell you there is not another Neon like this anywhere in the world." Yet there are other electric vehicles out there. Cunningham said that every major car company is currently working on one. All electric cars have similar features. The cars run on 30 nickel-cadmium batteries, weighing 800 pounds, which will support up to 70 miles of highway driving and 55 miles in the city. Then they need to be recharged for 10 hours. "They don't have a long operating range between charges," Cunningham said. "But that's not a disadvantage for us here at the University because our vehicles don't go that far in a given day." The electric vehicle comes complete with a heater, radio and dual air bags. The electric power system is also safe from explosion. "Measure this against a gasoline car, and this is really much safer," Cunningham said of the car. He said he believes electricity is a valid fuel alternative. "Electric will be the (type of vehicle) that is the most viable," he said. This is based on issues such as fuel avail- ability, safety and maintenance. In many areas, the electric vehicle is a viable option for the future. See CAR, Page 3 i Students plan 'peppy' Parents Weekend By Marc Llghtdale Daily Staff Reporter Students all over campus have been urged to "Follow the Maize and Blue Road" and that there's "No place like the University of Michigan." No, Toto, this isn't Oz - the Student *umni Council designed the slogans to courage students to participate in this year's Parents Weekend. "We wanted something upbeat and peppy," said co-chair Anne Meyerson. "It's saying come to the University of Michigan, it's a great place, there is a lot here for you." Events Scheduled For Parents Weekend 9 4 p.m. today: Faculty tour leaves from the Alumni Center. 0 6:30 p.m. today: Pep rally at the Cube with Michigan Marching Band. N 1:30 p.m. tomorrow: Tailgate party at Track and Tennis Building. Pashman. "It's nice to see them, but I don't miss them that much." Meyerson said 1,400 to 1,500 fami- lies are expected to turn out - slightly less than last year's 1,700 families. The lower expected turnout stems * 3:30 p.m. tomorrow: Michigan football takes on Boston College at Michigan stadium. 0 9 p.m. tomorrow: Comedian Steven Wright to perform at Hill Auditorium. invasion. "I am not that psyched. I get to wake up with a hangover and confront my parents," he said. The Student Alumni Council has assembled an impressive line-up of will have the opportunity to hear a lec- ture from renowned English Prof. Ralph Williams. The festivities continue this after- noon with faculty demonstrations at the planetarium and the hydraulics lab in West Hall. The pep rally, which will be held at 5 o'clock tonight at the Michigan Union, features head football coach Lloyd Carr and the captains of the football team along with the Michigan Marching Band. The vendors on Main Street, South University Avenue and State Street will stay open until midnight on Friday to <' I I