LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Wednead y, January 22, 1997 -
MSA voting process moves into next century
Anti-Semetic
e-mail seen at
Worthwestem
Students and faculty at
)Northwestern University have recent-
ly received e-mail messages from
white supremacy groups. The e-mails
ciontained two essays, "Get Set For
War" and "Non-White Immigration:
Death Sentence for America," by
American Dissident Voices, a world-
wide radio program.
The essays discuss a minority
dover of the country and a close
reaionship between Jews and
President Clinton.
The university's technology division
said it can do nothing because the let-
ter do not threaten anyone and are not
illegal.
California schools
epare for Prop.
9 enforcement
Universities in California are
preparing for Proposition 209, an ini-
tiative that outlaws the consideration
of race, ethnicity and gender in state
Miring, contracting and college
admissions.
The law has not affected all univer-
sities because it was blocked in a fed-
.l court in December. Just last
Iek, a judge denied Prop. 209 sup-
porters from trying to shift 209 into a
:tale court where it would be likely to
pass.
even with the future of the proposi-
ion uncertain, many California schools
have changed their admission process-
es in accordance with the proposition.
Outspoken prof.
stays on at
Northwestern
Prof. Arthur Butz, known for his
controversial beliefs on the
il-foocaust, recently turned down an
6ely retirement plan from
Northwestern University.
any students and faculty have
Ued for Butz's dismissal from the uni-
versity after he put his Holocaust revi-
sionist history theories on
Northwestern's World Wide Web serv-
er.
University officials said Butz had
every right to turn down the retirement
proposal and have no intention of dis-
missing him
'nape suspect
found at Chicago
A female student was abducted and
sexually assaulted when a man drove
into a driveway in front of the woman
"and pressed a hard object into her back
and forced her into the car, according to
a University of Chicago spokesperson.
The suspect, Carlos Bowman,
Sgedly took the woman to the second
oor of an abandoned building and
raped her. Then the suspect allegedly
dumped her outside.
Later that night, police retraced her
aeps. When they reached the building,
:,r abductor was sitting outside in his
car. She identified him, and he was
bested.
he university has stepped up patrols
'hat area.
Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Chris Metinkofaovr the University
Wire.
* MSA adopts amendment to
make future election polling
available by computer
By Katie Plona
DlyStafReporte
The Michigan Student Assembly unanimous-
ly voted last night to adopt an amendment that
will boost MSA elections into the technological
age.
The assembly approved the use of 24-hour elec-
tronic polling, which will be accessible from all
campus computing sites and students' home com-
puters.
"I think it's about five years overdue;' said LSA
Rep. Ryan Friedrichs. "The possibilities involved
are endless."
Friedrichs said casting an election ballot elec-
tronically will be made easy for students.
"A lot of people aren't computer savvy so
we're trying to make this as easy as checking
your e-mail, which everybody does," Friedrichs
said, adding that the electronic polls will be
available through an icon on all campus com-
puters.
MSA President Fiona Rose said the develop-
ment of electronic polling is a goal the assembly
has been working toward since September.
"I feel very good about getting more people
out to the polls," Rose said. "I'm very opti-
mistic."
Other assembly members also foresee positive
changes in the MSA election process.
Rackham Rep. Mike Pniewski said electronic
polling will replace some of the paper ballot
sites and may remain accessible slightly longer
than the regular two days allotted for MSA
elections.
Ultimately, MSA's goal is to replace all paper
polling sites with electronic sites. "It could happen
five years from now, six years from now,"
Pniewski said.
Friedrichs said the electronic system also will
give students an additional opportunity to obtain
"pure information about the candidates"
Two weeks prior to the election, a page con-
taining candidate information will be available.
Some students may be concerned with voting
security, but assembly members said not to
worry.
When students vote by clicking on the "vote
now" feature, they will have to authenticate them-
selves with their individual unigname and pass-
word.
"Essentially, it's like Wolverine Access,"
Pniewski said.
Rackham Rep. Ray Robb said the Information
Technology Division will be handling security
issues.
"There is no 100-percent secure system, bat-
we're going to do the absolute best we can,"
Robb said. "We're really concerned about voter
privacy."
Pniewski said people trying to tamper with the
electronic polls will be dealt with the same way
ITD deals with other hackers.
Robb said the electronic system will ensuid:
that students will not be able to vote both b=
paper and electronically, and that if a studeat
does vote both ways, the paper vote will be di4-
counted.
"We can't tell who you voted for, but that you
voted," Robb said. "In the case a person votes eleu.
tronically and on paper, we can't invalidate the
electronic ballot:'
Electronic polling planners also said this
process will save MSA money, which can then be
spent in other areas.
Court upholds
liquor privatization.,,",
LANSING (AP) - The state is
apparently going to get the chance to
turn its liquor distribution system over
to private hands after all - maybe.
In a 2-1 order released late yesterday
afternoon, the Michigan Court of
Appeals removed a restraining order
that had halted Gov. John Engler's plans
to privatize the state's wholesale liquor
distribution system.
Engler spokesperson Pat Masserant
said the state will move quickly to put
the wholesale distribution system in
private hands.
"We're moving forward immediate-
ly" she said.
The Appeals Court order dissolved a
ABORTION
Continued from Page 1.
advocacy group, and last year she
endorsed presidential candidate Alan
Keyes, who ran on a pro-life platform.
Cohen said McCorvey's pro-life
stance "will not have a major effect on
the pro-choice movement:'
Lobbying groups including the
Christian Coalition have long been
opponents of abortion.
"Celebrating Roe vs. Wade is the
same kind of celebration slaveowners
celebrated when slavery was legal,"
said Jack Gibbs, executive director of
the Georgia Chapter of the Christian
Coalition. "Much like the days of slav-
ery, the civil rights of the unborn are
being violated by Roe vs. Wade."
Jan. 10 Ingham County Circuit Court
order holding up privatization. -
But the fight is not yet over. TM;
Michigan State Employees Association,
which is challenging the privatization,:
said it will immediately appeal to the
Michigan Supreme Court.
"Hopefully we can get them to review:
it before the Liquor Control Commission
has the ability to disassemble this system
more than they already have" MSEA
President John Denniston said.
"The answer is not unanticipated, but:
I am disannointed that a body such as
the appeals court would come up with
as weak and lame an answer as they'
did."
Gibbs said the Christian Coalition is
against abortion because "in today's:
medical society, unborn babies are con-
sidered human.:
Pro-choice advocates disagree with:
Gibbs' opinion on the beginning of life.-
"The belief that life begins at con-;
ception is theological," Cohen said.
"The debate should center around;
whether women have the right to abor-:
tion."
Cohen said when abortions are sub-
jected to many forms of regulation,
there is "an increase in back-alley and
self-induced abortions."
Following Smith's speech, the movie,'
"The Fragile Promise of Choice" will
be shown. The forum is scheduled to-
begin at 7:30 p.m. in Room 100 o
Hutchins Hall.
It's all in your head
Third grader Ben Harvey visits the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum yesterday to view the "It's All In Your Head" exhibit
about the human brain.
Halogen lamps createsafety
haarsn 'U' reC.hsidence halls
By Ericka M. Smith
Daily Staff Reporter
University students who own halogen
floor lamps may be living with an
unknown fire hazard.
LSA junior Steve Boal found out
first hand what the high-temperature
lamps can do.
Boat, who lives in a five-bedroom
house on Hoover Street, said a halogen
floor lamp burned a hole through his
attic ceiling two weeks ago.
"We had the (5-foot, 10-inch) lamp
up in the attic, which is 6 feet tall," Boal
said.
The high-temperature lamps use
halogen gas to create a whiter,
brighter light, usually with 500-watt
bulbs rather than the standard 300-
watt bulbs found in most University
Housing residence hall rooms.
Inspector Sandra Steward from the
Ann Arbor Fire Department said stu-
dents should be "extremely cautious"
when using halogen floor lamps.
Steward said the bulbs can reach dan-
gerously high temperatures and flam-
mable items near the bulbs can catch on
fire.
"Everybody should make sure that
they have a 300-watt bulb in (halogen
floor lamps)," Steward said.
Boal said he was downstairs watch-
ing television when his roommate Marshall Robe
turned on the halogen lamp upstairs and received e-mail
joined him to watch TV. Boal said he other colleges I
then looked up and saw his roommate any reported at
"running back and forth with buckets of "We have no
water." gen fires). Ap
He said the ceiling did not burst into been practicing
flames but continued to burn despite University I
t h e i r
attempts to
put it out. At this point
"It wasn't
anything we students should
could put ,
out with exercise care."
water,' BoalG
said. "We - George San FaCon
called the Director of Housing Facilities
rt Patrick said he has
about halogen fires at
but there have not been
the University.
t had a history (of halo-
parently, students have
common sense:"
Housing officials said
there are no policies
regarding the use of
halogen lamps.
George San
Facon, director of
Housing facilities,
said the University-
"is looking into"
halogen hazards.
"At this point ...
students should exer-
46
HOPWOOD
Continued from Page 1
have this wonderful writer in our midst:'
Baxter also praised Leonard for his
ear for dialogue and the attention to
detail displayed in his writing.
Leonard, a Michigan native, has
more than 30 novels to his credit. Some
of his better-known works include "Get
Shorty;" "Maximum Bob" and his lat-
est, "Out of Sight."
Leonard read the first two chapters
of "Freaky Deaky" and an excerpt from
"Killshot." His calm, unstressed deliv-
ery didn't stop the audience from
appreciating his fast-paced, witty prose.
After answering audience members'
questions, Leonard remained at'
Rackham to sign books and chat with
his fans. He also offered some advice;
for the many writers in the audience.
"I think (writing) does require luck,
and there's no question about the deter-:
mination. You've got to write evey-
day" Leonard said. "Write-- that's the
main thing. And the first thing to do is
read all the time."
Before he began reading, Leonard
offered final words of support to h
audience.
"To those who want to get into this
business, I hope you're as lucky as C
am" he said.
fire depart-
ment"
After the fire, Boal repaired the hole
himself for about $25.
Students who live in University
Housing and own halogen floor lamps
said they are not concerned about the
potential fire hazard.
"I figure I won't drop anything on it,"
said LSA sophomore David Licata. "It's
an issue of carelessness."
Several universities have banned halo-
gen lamps and at least five others have
had fires caused by the floor lamps.
Department of Public Safety Fire
_
cise care when using
their (halogen) lights,' San Facon said.
"I think most students are pretty cau-
tious."
Ian Steinman, University supervisor
of Security Services and fire inspector
said dorm rooms are equipped with
flame-resistant mattresses and curtains,
but there are no regulations against stu-
dents having halogen lamps.
"I'm not waiting for a fire to do
something," Steinman said. "It's just
that the University wants to make sure
before passing any (regulations)."
747-9400 1220 S. University TANNING
Above McDonalds, Kinko's
SPECIALS
SUPERHYANS
Tnimi -i Tanning All- 1 Sssios
Semester $ .95I $2 .9 I
SExpires1/29/97 + $1 per session c71 I No service fees ExpTres 1/29/97 cIo
Correction
Mark Potts, a member of the College Republicans, attended President Clinton's inauguration in Washington Monday. He was
misidentified in yesterday's Daily.
_ _ _ e_ _ _ _ _ . __ _.- _ _
GROUP MEETINGS
U Reform Chavurah, weekly meeting,
669-0388, Hillel, 1429 Hill St.,
7:30 p.m.
UStudent Group for Relatives of
Persons with Mental Illness,
994-6611, Lounge of St. Clare's
Episcopal Church, 2309
Packard Rd., 7:30-9:00 p.m.
EVENTS
U"Careers for the Socially
Conscious," Sponsored by CP&P,
3200 Student Activities
Building, 4:10-5:00 p.m.
."UCareers In Jewish Communal
Service," Sponsored by Hillel,
1429 Hill St., 7 p.m.
"Cup Final," Israeli video,
Sponsored by Hillel, 1429 Hill
St., 9 p.m.
"Developing Your Interviewing
Skills," Sponsored by CP&P,
.L3200 Student Activities
Building, 6:10-7:00 p.m.
U."Interracial Couple Dialogue,"
Sponsored by the Bahai Club,
The Michigan Union, Pond Room,
7:30 p.m.
U "Manning Marble," symposium and
lecture, Sponsored by the 1997
MLK Symposium Committee,
Mendelssohn Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
U "MLK Lecture featuring Dick
Gregory," Sponsored by The
Black Student Union, Hale
Auditorium, 6 p.m., call 763-
3205 for details.
U "Rally Against U.S. Intervention in
the Philippines," Sponsored by
RAIL, the Diag, 5 p.m.
U "Roe V. Wade Anniversary-State
Senator Smith and Film,"
Sponsored by Students for
Choice, and the University chap-
ter of the ACLU, Hutchins Hall,
room 100, 7:30 p.m.
U "Wednesday Workshops: The Office
of the Vice President for Student
Affairs," Sponsored by The
Division of Student Affairs,
Fleming Building, Conference
Room, 12-1 p.m.
U "Why Can't Capitalism Get Rid of
Racism," Sponsored by SPARK,
MLB, room B122, 7-8 p.m.
SERVICES
U Campus Information Centers, Michigan
Union and Pierpont Commons, 763-
INFO, info@umich.edu, UM*Events
on GOpherBLUE, and http//
www.umich.edu/~info on the World
Wide Web
U English Composition Board Peer
Tutoring, need help with a
paper?, Angell Hall, Room 444C,
7-11 p.m.
U Northwalk, 763-WALK, Bursley Hall,
8p.m:1:30 a.m.
U Psychology Peer Academic Advising,
647-3711, sponsored b
Psychology Department, East Hal ,
Room- 1346, lla.m.-4 p.m.
U Safewaik, 936-1000, Shapiro Library
Lobby, 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
U Student Mediation, sponsored by
Student Dispute Resolution
Program, 647-7397
U Underrepresented Minority PreMed
Peer Academic Counseling spon-
sored by Comprehensive studies
Program, 764-9128, Angell Hall,
Room G155
TALK OF THE
National Public Radio's
award-winning weekday talk show
is coming to Ann Arbor!
Live National Broadcast
Hosted by
Ray Suarez
Thursday, February 6
2:00-4:00 PM
Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
Admission Free
In conjunction with the University offMichitan 1997
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Symposium
For information call 764-9210
WUOM 91.7 FM Ann Arbor
Public Radio from the University of Michigan
http://www.umich.edu/-wuom
CALENDAR POLICY: The calendar's purpose is to provide a place for organizations to announce tree events open no ise
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admission will not be run.
All items for THE CALENDAR must be mailed or delivered to the Daily at least three days before publication. Events on Friday,
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an'd we can not guarantee that an announcement turned in within three days of the event will be run.
MICHIGAN RADIO
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