LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Monday, February 3, 1997 - 5A Students, !aculty ready for teamwork Katie Piona ly Staff Reporter As University President Lee Bollinger officially begins his first school day in his new position on cam- pus, University and community mem- bers look forward to the start of a fresh and promising administration. "1 am very optimistic and hopeful," said Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon. "I look forward to a good relationship tween the University and the city - d a very successful tenure for President Bollinger." University faculty members said they are optimistic about Bollinger's leader- ship. "A large university is hard to pull together," sociology Prof. Donald Deskins said. "I think he's going to do a lot to try to pull people together and maintain a strong University communi- 'eskins said he heard positive feed- back about the new president during Bollinger's tenure as University Law School dean from 1987-94. Bollinger's track record makes him look promising as University president, said physiology Prof. Louis D'Alecy. "The reputation that he had when he was here before was that of someone who listened and sought counsel from 'U' study finds marnage prevents drug, nicotine abuse JENNIFER BRADLEY-SWIFT/Daily University President Lee Bollinger surveys his new Ann Arbor home from the top of Mason Hall. Bollinger takes the reigns today as the 12th University president. his faculty. If he can do that at the level of the presidency, that'll be great,' D'Alecy said. "I think it'll be excellent to see him face up to that challenge." Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose said the University should be grateful for the Presidental Search Advisory Committee's thorough search. "I think it is safe to say the campus community will welcome him with open arms," Rose said. "It'll be, I think, a very positive administration for this school." Although the role of president will be very challenging, colleagues say Bollinger has several good attributes that will help him rise to the challenge. "(When he served as law dean), he had an unusual ability to say what he felt about people directly and say it without alienating people," said Law Prof. Sam Gross, adding that Bollinger is "somebody with a very long and deep attachment to the University." "He's quite an introspective person and thinks very carefully before he comes to a concrete decision in his own mind," Gross said. Rose said she predicts that Bollinger will take a hands-on approach in his pursuit for a better University. "He really wants not only to talk about student well-being, but to do something to improve it," Rose said, cit- ing Bollinger's plan to teach an under- graduate class. D'Alecy said he thinks issues at the Medical School will initially be one of Bollinger's main concerns as president. -Daily staffreporters Janet Adamy and Heather Kamins contributed to this report. By Brian Campbell Daily Staff Reporter While not starting to smoke may be the best way to avoid a nicotine addic- tion, getting married may be the next best preventative, according to a recent University study that analyzes the link between marital status and drug use. The study, funded by the National Institute for Drug Abuse, traced high school seniors from the graduating classes of 1976 through 1994, surveying the individuals every two years about their use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. The researchers looked for changes in drug use concurring with changes in social life. Jerald Bachman, University research scientist at the Institute for Social Research, said people who frequently take drugs at a young age often contin- ue their habits throughout adulthood. "One very important conclusion from the data is simply the stability of the use of all the drugs," Bachman said. "If you want to know what anybody's drug usage is, usually the best indica- tion is what the level of drug use was a year or two earlier." But the link between adolescent and adult drug use is oftentimes broken by marriage, according to the study. Researchers found that both legal and illegal drug use declined when an indi- vidual got married. "If somebody feels responsible to other people, especially if those other people are living with that person, then the person is likely to reduce their use of psychoactive substances," Bachman said. Lloyd Johnston, an ISR research sci- entist, said changes in social life con- tribute to a decline in drug use. As peo- ple grow older, their social settings change from fraternity parties and sin- gles bars to events with married couples. "I think a couple of things happen," Johnston said. "You sort of have to live up to the other person's expectations, but more importantly, it's the social set- ting that changes a bit." The study indicates that drug use declines during engagement, and rises significantly after divorce. Yet while con- sideration for a spouse and children may move a person to lower levels of use or end it altogether, the study found that most people who begin smoking ciga- rettes heavily during adolescence do not break their habit as adults. Bachman perceived this continuance of smoking not as a cause for negativi- ty, but as a reminder of the importance of prevention. "People seem less able to quit and I think that what we might take from that is ndt pessimism, but a renewed aware- ness to prevention while the students are in junior high and high school," Bachman said. Johnston said the preventive message is especially relevant today, as half of the nation's eighth graders do not think cigarette smoking is a serious health risk, according to the University's annu- al "Monitoring the Future" survey. "We need to do a better job of pre- vention in schools. Young kids have to get the message and absorb it," Johnston said. 'ts going to be a great era ...he's ready to roll' BOLLINGER Continued from Page 1A Meeting and passing Bollinger will begin his first day * office as he has every other day, by rising early in the morning to work on reflective writing. His move into the president's office will halt the rotating doors of the second floor president's office in the Fleming Administration Building, which by the end of the year will have had three different recent occupants: former President James Duderstadt, interim President' >mer Neal and now Bollinger. "I had the benefit of being friends with all three, which has mitigated the difficulty," said Provost J. Bernard Machen. "It hasn't been difficult, and it won't be difficult." Neal presided as interim president for seven months after Duderstadt resigned last June. During this peri- od, Neal served as a bridge between the 11th and 12th presidents, con- i.nting volatile issues such as the uncertain future of the Medical Center, diversity among the staff and student body, Duderstadt's recent salary agreements with top University officials and tension sur- rounding the search for the new pres- ident. Now, it is Bollinger's turn to take the reins of the University and lead it into the 21st century. In a world where the -erage term of University presidents Is shrunk to about five years, Bollinger will have to learn to play the multi-faceted role of president, legisla- tor, businessman and University cap- tain. "He is extremely intelligent, but beyond that he has a strong understand- ing of what the University is all about," Duderstadt said. "He has a strong set of values that will draw people:' Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand aven) said he is excited to begin a new era under Bollinger's leader- ship. "I am overjoyed that he is here and I am ready to begin work," Horning said. "I think Lee has done a good job already in this transition period. He's warm, he's kind, he's got a great sense of humor ... he's a real thinker." Bollinger, who comes from a family of journalists, has been categorized by some as a liberal. "I would prefer not to categorize myself it! that way," he said. "I sup- pose in political issues, some things I would be considered moderate, some things I would be considered conser- vative. "I would rather state my position about things. Then people can decide whether I'm liberal." A time to talk Although he does not intend to draw a specific agenda, Bollinger has already compiled a short list of priorities, which includes- gaining an understanding of the complex Medical Center and build- ing relationships with regents, Gov. John Engler and alumni. "To get a whole sense of the institu- tion will take several months of visiting people and talking to people to get a set of academic plans for the institution,"he said. "You make many choices as a presi- dent or as a dean. You can be an outside dean or an inside dean. I plan to put more emphasis on the inside. I am try- ing to say I am in Ann Arbor. This is my home," Bollinger said. Machen said Bollinger's top priori- ties should also include rebuilding his administrative team. "This is a process that might take a year or so," Machen said. "He must build his own sense of priori- ties and discuss what their concerns are." Machen, whose term as provost ends in August, said he has not yet decided what his future plans will be. Other vacant spots in the adminis- trative team include a chief financial officer, executive vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. Search commit- tees to fill these positions were formed recently. "In Lee's case, I think the big issue is how rapidly he can get his leadership team in place," Duderstadt said. "He has a strong sense of values that earn the respect of those around him. It is that sense of value that I think will make him a very good leader." Bollinger also indicated his intent to maintain the University's commitment to diversity. "To me it is inconceivable that an HERITAGE Continued from Page 1A tory of black America, Jenkins said an "important point" in this loss comes from past generations' reluctance to discuss their experiences. "They have stories to -tell, but they are too afraid to tell them," Jenkins said. LSA sophomore Adam Edwards said Jenkins' speech cleared up some of his confusion about black history -- a topic he had previously questioned his grandparents about on numerous occa- sions. "I found it very interesting, especial- ly the part about the older generation being too afraid to speak," Edwards said. Jenkins said African Americans should be given more prominence in America's schools. "Almost all of the people in this country are without a clue;" Jenkins said. "Contrary to history books and movies, blacks played an important role in history." Jenkins said she does not like Hollywood's version of black histo- ry. "I have never seen Roots;" Jenkins said. "I refuse to get my history from a Steven Spielberg or Oliver Stone." LSA sophomore Sakinah Ali said Jenkins raised some valid points. "I thought she was great;' Ali said. "I did not know a lot of the history she spoke about." LSA first-year student Karen Hodys described Jenkins as a teacher. "She is an educator who teaches black history through her romance nov- els," Hodys said. Jenkins has published three novels. Her fourth is due out in August. "He's warm, he's kind, he's got a great sense of humor ... he's a real thinker." -- Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand Haven) academic higher education institution would not engage in special efforts to ensure that women and minorities are well represented in the institution," Bollinger said. Bollinger's commitment to diver- sity stretches back to his days as dean, where he focused on the treat- ment of minorities in the Law School. As dean, Bollinger also banned the FBI from recruiting at the Law School after a court ruled the agency's promo- tion policy had discriminated against its Latino/a agents. "Very high on my list of priorities is the treatment of minorities in the Law School," he said in 1987. "What is the experience of minorities here, what do we do, and what can we do better?" The self seeker Maintaining and strengthening the institution's academic excellence is another priority for Bollinger. "I have some ideas of academic excellence, and where our depart- ments should be compared to other departments in the country," Bollinger said. "I have a sense of what needs to be done. I am more than anything interested in academic excellence." Bollinger said he will take a hands-on approach to upholding academic excellence in the University, by instructing an under- graduate class on the First Amendment, a course he also taught at Dartmouth. "You feel very close to him," said Dartmouth senior Sashi Bach. "He's one of the most popular professors. I don't think I ever heard a bad thing about him." Duderstadt said Bollinger's extensive knowledge of the First Amendment will enable him to balance the roles of pres- ident and professor, but he warned that a president's schedule is often unpre- This Sprin B R aTeChiaieau MoteZ on Panama City There are other deals toofor 4, 5,6,& 6 night Beach rules! packages,and suites and kitchenettes are Right next door to Harpoon Harry's and Hooters, and dan- available too, for a slight additional charge. gerously close to Spinnaker and Club For spring break '97, there is only one hotel that rules-The Ia 1Vea, and all the best restaurants and shops Chateau-Motel on Panama City Beach. Call for the details on Panama City Beach, Chateau is really the #1 choice for orfor reservations, or visit our web site! 'rseven night package. Room your break! From just $149 a week. with 2 beds. Based on quad occupancy.) VISIT YOUR CAMPUS BURGER KING®S AND LET US QUENCH THOSE MUNCHIES' WE'RE OPEN LATE NITE HOURS!!_ BECOME AN AIR FORCE OFFICER. 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