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 rNversity community. However, we can only print announcements the day of the event. Announcements for events that charge 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, *turday or Sunday must be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday prior to the event. We can not accept requests over the telephone, an'd we can not guarantee that an announcement turned in within three days of the event will be run. MICHIGAN RADIO 4 I I