ews: 76-DAILY dvertising: 764-0554 ItI *41v ,tcl Wli * 4* One hundred six years ofeditoralfreedom Friday March 21, 1997 7,1 .; . ,: - 7 7 777, C j:. r/£.«. ww3 '' i2t::.r, c raaa3. Y i "; rology Sources say Oesterling le for ac emic reasons Katie Wa aily Staff Reporter *lleagues close to Dr. Joseph Oester re University's chief urologist, confir esterday that he has been suspended in itely. "He has been suspended for academic ns," said a receptionist in Oesterli epartment, who wished to remain ar ous. "But we don't have details on it." But University officials refused to cor .sets olicy for xam time nilicts Greg Cox aily Staff Reporter Students will have until March 31 to rrange any "religious accommoda- ons" to settle conflicts between reli- ious holidays and final exam dates. An e-mail sent yesterday to all Jniversity students defines a strict pol- 4r students to inform their instruc- rs of potential conflicts, said niversity Registrar Tom McElvain. McElvain said the policy will give tudents time to make accommodations nd set up alternate exam times. "The policy makes the University's iew of obligation clearer as to what e accommodations are," McElvain aid. "Many campus groups were volved in getting a clearly stated and -able policy." lel also is making efforts to nform the student body of the new pol- cy. There is special interest in the ewish community in the approaching eadline because Passover overlaps ith final exams this year. "Hillel will be passing out flyers and ending e-mail reminding students of he changes," said Rabbi Rich irschen. "There are quite a few days h, ear which are problematic (with asover)." The previous University policy on' eligious conflicts, which appeared in ime schedules this year, was never idely published. McElvain said many roblems persisted in settling the cheduling difficulties caused by the inals schedule. "There was no way to resolve them religious conflicts) when they ccurred, other than through individual f ts, said McElvain. LSA senior Anthony Scaglione, a ember of the Hillel governing board, ;aid he encouraged the University to tate the policy more clearly. "I spent the summer in Ann Arbor and ad the opportunity to work with the dministration, especially the Provost's ffice, to get a clear policy for conflicts ith holidays," Scaglione said. See RELIGION, Page 2 chief reportedly suspended from 'U' or deny reports yesterday that Oesterling, who teaches at the University's School of Medicine, was su'spended. "We don't comiment on personnel," said Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker. An article in yesterday's Detroit Free Press reported that Oesterling was suddenly sus- pended Wednesday, a decision that was made so abruptly that his scheduled surgery appointments were canceled. University Hospitals spokesperson Mike Harrison also refused to comment on the alleged suspension. "When it's a personnel matter, the hospital and University can't confirm or get involved at all," Harrison said. The receptionist said Dr. James Montie, another urologist, has filled Oesterling's post as acting chief of urology. A second source confirmed that Oesterling was suspended for academic reasons, adding that the department requested all staffers to refrain from public comments on the issue. Oesterling, who was unavailable for com- ment last night, told the Detroit Free Press he was "completely surprised" by the suspen- sion. He also told the newspaper that the School of Medicine wishes to conduct an investigation. Efforts to reach Lorris Betz, interim dean of the School of Medicine, and Lloyd Jacobs, associate dean, for comment were unsuccess- ful. Staff members in both offices referred calls regarding the alleged suspension to Baker. Oesterling joined the University School of Medicine as a professor of surgery and its chief urologist in 1994. He received his M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1982, and has received interna- U.S. tional acclaim as one of the world's leading authorities on prostate cancer. In 1991 and 1992, he won the American Urological Association Prostate Health Council Award. Immediately before joining the University in 1994, Oesterling was a fac- ulty member at the renowned Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn. Oesterling, the director of the Michigan Prostate Institute, spearheaded research for a new test to help detect prostate cancer. Under Oesterling's leadership, the prostate-specific antigen blood test, known as PSA, was made more sensitive to early signs of the disease. Russia SITES OF SPRING talks seek agreements Clinton, Yeltsin express hopes to resolve NATO issues HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - Both on the mend, President Clinton and Boris Yeltsin opened talks yesterday struggling to calm tensions in the thorniest East-West dispute since the Cold War. Changing his tone from tough rhetoric, Yeltsin hoped for "com- promises" while Clinton offered arms concessions. Clinton said he was encouraged by the Russian president's conciliatory remarks - after Yeltsin's remark last Friday that this would be his "most dif- ficult" summit ever with an American president. "I think we'll work some- thing out;" Clinton said. "I hope we will." The two leaders were deadlocked over the U.S.-led move to expand NATO eastward toward Russia's bor- ders. "We're going to disagree on NATO enlargement," said Sandy Berger, Clinton's national security adviser. The question of NATO expansion has been a sticking point between Washington and Moscow since 1994 but tensions have grown as the date nears for NATO's July announcement of new members. The United States says NATO will invite states whether or not Moscow likes it. But Clinton and other leaders are trying to make the medicine easier for Yeltsin to swallow. Six days after knee surgery, Clinton arrived in snowy Helsinki in a wheel- chair, lowered from Air Force One in an accordion-lift food catering van. He smiled but looked uncomfortable. Two hours later, Yeltsin stepped off his plane, walking stiffly but looking fit. Fifty pounds slimmer, Yeltsin is rebounding from quintuple bypass surgery followed by double pneumonia. He gave hearty handshakes to VIPs and stood unflinching in the cold for the Russian national anthem. "We have difficult and serious talks ahead of us," Yeltsin said. "I think that Bill Clinton and his team are in the same mood of looking for constructive approaches and compromises to all controversial questions, so that we can depart again as friends." In a mostly social evening, the two presidents met over dinner at the Presidential Palace on the waterfront by an open air market. Known for its opu- lent Hall of Mirrors, the palace is deco- rated with French crystal chandeliers dating from 1868. Presidents George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev held a See SUMMIT, Page 7 JOSH BIGGS/ Daily Tim O'Boyle plays guitar in the Arb yesterday. Many students took advantage of the first day of spring to enjoy outside activities. Arb naturally appeals tostuent By Sarah Volaric For the Daily The spring season is beginning to show its colors at Nichols Arboretum. Susan Letts, the education and volun- teer coordinator for the arboretum, said there are many woody plants and wild- flowers blooming and about to bloom in the Arb. This month there have been hints of the arrival of silver maple, fetterbush, snowdrops and the skunk cabbage, just to name a few. Many University students and Ann Arbor residents frequently visit the Arb to enjoy the scenery.t University alum Guerin Wilkinson, who edits Treeline, a newsletter to Friends of the Nichols Arboretum, said he likes the Arb because of the "peace- fulness and the mature landscaping." Wilkinson said one of his favorite things about the Arb are the Cornelian cherry trees at the entrance. "These are some of the first things to bloom," he said. The Arb is a good place to go to get away from studying for awhile, said some University students who frequent the natural setting. LSA sophomore Oriana Vigliotti said the Arb "is a really great place to go relax and unwind. It is very peaceful and quiet" Some students said they like to do homework and read in the Arb, but oth- ers enjoy visiting and taking in the weather. SNRE junior Josh Voice said he likes to go to the Arb because it is a peaceful place and the trees are beautiful. "This is a unique place to go in Ann Arbor to each participant. * April 19 kicks off Arbor Week. An Arbor Week tour will highlight the international collection of trees and woody plants. a I School spirit because there are not very many parks and forest areas on campus," Voice said. Mike Spencer, an LSA sophomore and jogger, said a trip through the Arb helps his state of mind. "I like to go to the Arb and jog because it helps settle my mind," Spencer said. See SPRING, Page 2 SA sees oost in rnout y Katie Plona aily Staff Reporter Although official results will not be osted until late this afternoon, election fficials for the Michigan Student Assembly said at 8 p.m. last night that his year's voter turnout had already xceeded last year's total turnout. Preliminary results of the MSA pres- idial election traditionally have been nnounced early Friday morning. But his year's addition of online voting has pushed back the deadline of the announcement. MSA Election Director Angie Blake said paper ballots would not be counted MSA Voter turnout Firm has strong track record Results as of 8 p.m. yesterday estimated more than 10%. TRACEY HARRIS/Daily overall, adding that the turnout at polling sites was significantly lower this year. That means more people chose to use the online voting option, which is good news, Blake said. "I'm estimating that we're going to be done by (5 p.m. on Friday)," Blake said. Stixdents' Party presidential candi- date Mike Nagrant said waiting until today for the final results is just "part of the fun'" By Heather Kamins and Ajit K. Thavarajah Daily Staff Reporters A Kansas-based law firm now has the task of separating fact from fiction in the recent allegations against the University's basketball program. University President Lee Bollinger announced Monday that the firm Bond, Schoeneck & King, based in Overland Park, Kan., will handle all further investigations into the allegations. The firm specializes in NCAA compliance and infractions. "We decided it was critical to bring in an outside party to maintain our credibility," Bollinger said. The firm, which employs about 150 tions from the time of the first allega- tions through a final proceeding with the NCAA," the law firm's brochure boasts. "Our attorneys have achieved unequal results by their ability to com- bine working with conference and NCAA representatives with aggressive- ly asserting the institutions', coaches' and student athletes' rights." Don Canhan, University athletic director from 1968 to 1980, said the program cannot be tried solely on alle- gations. "Just because the program is being investigated doesn't mean they're guilty," Canhan said. "I am a strong supporter of (Michigan basketball coach) Steve Fisher. Hopefully the alle- I m m -4 i" _.