LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 1, 1997-- 3 Stolen vehicle recovered; uspect arrested A vehicle stolen from Detroit was recovered Sunday after an on-foot pursuit by Ann Arbor Police Department officers, according to Department of Public Safety and AAPD reports. After pursuing the vehicle on Pauline Boulevard, the suspect lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a stop sign. He then fled on foot *earing only one shoe. The suspect was arrested by AAPD officers and is presently in Washtenaw County jail. Attempted theft at Pinball Pete's A Pinball Pete's employee was accosted by three juveniles who tempted to break open the coin slot of a video game last Wednesday, accord- ing to AAPD reports. The employee saw the suspects near a video game and later said their activity looked suspicious. He con- fronted them as they were allegedly trying to break into the video game's change holder. After a fight broke out between the 'employee and the sus- pects, the employee was allegedly ssaulted with a pair of three-inch olt cutters. Two of the suspects are 16-year-old males with black hair, and are between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-6-inches tall, there is no description of the third suspect, AAPD re'ports state. Syringes missing *arcotics Three syringes filled in the University Hospitals' pharmacy last Friday were reported as being less- than-full of the narcotic dilaudid, DPS reports state. A caller told DPS that four needles sent to the University Hospitals' lab- oratory were analyzed for the correct mixture of a narcotic and sodium jhloride. Two of the syringes had mnly half of the narcotic they should have contained, one was composed of water and only the fourth had the cor- rect mixture, reports state. The caller said a pharmacy technician is sus- pected of having taken the narcotic and then improperly mixing the syringes. student attacks drinking fountain An intoxicated student attacked a drinking fountain in East Quad resi- dence hall early yesterday morning. according to DPS reports. An intoxicated student-resident allegedly threw a glass at a drinking fountain, leaving broken glass on the floor. The suspect is frequently intoxi- *ated and often causes trouble, a caller told DPS officials. No injuries were reported. Fire extinguisher sprayed A resident adviser in Couzens resi- ence hall reported to DPS officials aturday that a fire extinguisher had been discharged, DPS reports state. The extinguisher was discharged in the first floor lounge, the caller said. DPS officials have no suspects. Compiled by Daily StafReporter Jenni Yachnin. Mr. Greek Week contest kicks off week's events By Grog Cox Daily Staff Reporter In spring, the afternoon sun warms the air to relatively balmy temperatures in Ann Arbor, flowers again push through until-recently frozen topsoil and students skip class to lounge in the Diag. Meanwhile, the University's Greek organizations put on the year's largest single philanthropic event - Greek Week. This year's Greek Week will begin today and conclude Thursday, April 10. Kicking off the events today will be Alpha Delta Pi's Mr. Greek Week con- test, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, at 7 p.m. in the Power Center. Audience members will pay $5 to watch two-person teams from each participat- ing Greek organization compete in four categories: shirt and tie, hero, talent, toga and question. In past years, the event has raised more than $3,000 for charity. Katie Kenny, a RC junior and Alpha Delta Pi public relations chair, said she hopes Mr. Greek Week will be successful in raising money for charity again this year. "It's one of the more popular events of the week," Kenny said. "It's a lot of fun and the money goes to a great cause." To organize the plethora of events dur- ing the next 10 days, participating Greek organizations have sent representatives to serve on the Greek Week steering committee. The 29 committee members are disassociated from their respective houses during the week's activities in order to plan and organize the events together. Liz Micheals, a member of Delta Phi Epsilon and Greek Week external events chair, said she's been very busy lately. "Things are getting a little scary right now," Micheals said. "We're trying to put together a set of events that everyone will enjoy." In addition to the steering committee members, each participating Greek house also establishes a committee in charge of in-house Greek Week partici- pation. Todd Pinsky, LSA sophomore and Tau Epsilon Phi Greek Week chapter repre- sentative, said the week is an important time of year for the organizations. "It's our best chance to make a good name for our fraternity," Pinsky said. "We've been practicing for some of the events for a long time now" Pinsky also said it is sometimes diffi- cult to fill the positions for all the week's events. "It's challenging," Pinsky said. "Everyone is very busy this time of year and some of the events are less popular than others." Pinsky said there are benefits for those who participate in the events, however. "Those (the larger events) end up being the most rewarding," Pinsky said. "When you start getting your (songs) and variety acts down, that's when it starts feeling good." Another highlight of the week's events will be an appearance by comedian Chris Rock at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Hill Auditorium. SNRE junior and Tau Epsilon Phi member T. J. Marlin has worked along with Hillel to bring the former Saturday Night Live star to campus. "Hopefully, the event will sell-out and raise about $20,000 for charity" Marlin said. "As of Thursday, 2,600 tickets were sold." The other key events of the week include the Greek Week Blood Drive, the Children's Health and Wellness Fair and the Educational Forum. Upcoming Greek Week Events Today Mr. Greek Week and Opening Ceremonies Power Center Tomorrow Hill Day Hill area Thursday State Street Day Friday Greek Games State St.' 8 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Palmer Field Children's Health and Wellness Fair Chris Rock Monday, April 7 Palmer Field Day. Tuesday, April 8 Diag Day Wednesday, April 9 Educational Forum Thursday, April10 Sing and.Variety Scarlett Middle School 11a.m. - 3p.m. Hill Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Palmer Field 11:30 a.m. Diag 11a.m. Union Ballroom 7 p.am Hil. Auditorium 6 p.m ..._ .... .. .: f. . ........................................................................ On a roll State legislators wish to increase tuition tax credit for students By Jeffrey Kosseff Daily Staff Reporter Although partisan bickering has char- acterized many sessions of the 89th Michigan state House, a majority of the House legislators agree that Michigan should increase the college tuition tax credit. "Tax credit is the Cadillac of tax relief for college students" said Rep. A.T. Frank (D-Saginaw), the bill's sponsor. The bill, which passed the House this month by a vote of 94-13, will move to the Senate after a two-week recess b that began yester- SincE day. If passed, the of maximum college the U tuition tax credit in s Michigan would their tui increase from $250 . to $500. Any fami- uncreas ly that qualifies on - - -t- the basis of finan- Iiuui@ tioi cial situation and university enroll- ment may receive the credit. The bill also removes the current requirement that stu- dents eligible for the tax credit attend uni- versities that hold tuition increases to the rate of inflation. With that requirement, University students do not currently receive the tax credit. "I voted for it because there are a lot of people who would love to attend a public school, but just can't afford it," said Rep. Harold Vorhees (D-Wyoming). Most Republicans in the state House also voted for the bill. "I wanted to make sure many students receive financial aid," said Penny Crissman (R-Rochester). "I think it's a definite beginning" Minority Whip Rep. John Llewellyn U I p. i (R-Fremont) said he understands the need for tax credits because he has a son who is graduating from college with stu- dent loans to pay off. "Student loans are pretty expensive," Llewellyn said. "The tax credit rewards people supporting someone else, and it doesn't leave them in debt.' Although Vorhees voted for the bill, he said there are many better ways the state legislature could control college costs than by the tax credit increase, which is estimated to cost the state about $36 mil- lion a year. when did addressing the wrong end of M the problem," Vorhees said. lon "What we should be S addressing is what we can do : to contain the - Rep. A.T. Frank cost of infla- tion"'fifa (D-Saginaw) Others said they voted for the bill because it is more economically responsible than other tax incentives, such as tax deduc- tions for college costs. "Our economy is very fragile. We are sooner or later going to face an econom- ic downturn," said Rep. Jim Agee (D- Muskegon). "Tax credits are easier to discontinue than tax cuts.' Fiona Rose, who ends her term as Michigan Student Assembly President tonight, said that although she supports measures to make college more afford- able, she would rather see the money going to other areas. "Tax credits help more people than tax deductions, but neither address the poor-' est students," Rose said. "They need to put more money in grants and scholar- ships." Frank said he supports removing the requirement to hold tuition to the rate of inflation to qualify for the credit. "The Consumer Price Index is not a mechanism by which universities (oper- ate)," Frank said. "Since when did the U of M hold their tuition increases to infla- tion?" Some representatives who voted against the bill said that by removing the requirement to hold tuition increases to the CPI, universities and colleges across the state will have an easier time raising tuition. "It's an incentive for universities to raise tuition," said Rep. Ken Sikkema (R- Grandville), the Minority Floor Leader. "It will be only in a couple of years that whatever you get from the tax credit will be lost to increasing college costs.' Rep. Jon Jellema (R-Grand Haven) said there are some state universities that have worked to keep there tuition increas- es at the CPI level. "It was almost a slap in the face to institutions like Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University that kept tuition at the rate of inflation" Jellema said. "I remember when (former University President James) Duderstadt spoke before the appropriations committee and said that tuition increases do not matter to UM students. I have a son who attends Michigan, and it does matter." Another clause in the bill raises the maximum annual income of a person eli- gible for the tuition tax credit' to $100,000. "If the tax credit is really to help the middle class, why do we raise the maxi- mum up to $100,000?" asked Rep. Jessie Dalman (R-Holland), who voted against the bill. JENNtFER BRADLEY-SWFT/Daily Dustin Purdy, 12, of Trenton, Mich., rollerbiades yesterday on the steps of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Ubrary. Many local schools are out on Spring Break, making the University campus a mecca for young skaters. Abotion ban persists DETROIT (AP) - A federal judge refused to stop a state ban against "par- tial-birth" abortions from taking effect yesterday, saying he had not had enough time to evaluate a lawsuit claiming the ban was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen chided the plaintiffs - two doctors, three women's health care groups and the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan - for filing the lawsuit Thursday. "This lawsuit should have been filed three or four months ago," Rosen told Louise Melling, an attorney for the ACLU. Noting that Friday was a reli- gious holiday for many, Rosen asked, "Is it fair to file a lawsuit one day before the statute takes effect?" The law was signed by Gov. John Engler last June. Melling told the court that the lawsuit was filed as soon as possible, and was delayed by "issues of scheduling in reaching clients." She declined to expand on that explanation. Rosen said he understood how important the case was, and said a hearing would be scheduled for the week of May 5. GRADUATING TEACHERS Looking for a Teaching position? Uncertain where to begin? WE CAN HELP! * For $25 per state we will return a complete School District Listing for state(s) requested. * Lists include addresses, phone numbers, county, and enrollment where available. * Any U.S. State or Territory is available. Send a SASE with a check or money order for $25 per state to: RMB Post Office Box 3503 Centerline, MI 48015-0503 GROUP MEETINGS EVENTS U Allanza, 995-6732, Michigan Union, Pond Room, 7:30 p.m. U Black Undergraduate Law Association Mass meeting 332- 6122, Michigan Union, Welker Room, 7 p.m. U Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous (CASA), Self-help Aroupny913-6990 ,first Baptist Church, 512 E. Huron St., Room 102, 7-8:30 p.m. Q Domestic Violence Project Support Group for Lesbian Sur 73- 0242, 4100 Clark Rd., 6:3 .m. U Dyke Discussion Group, East Quad, Second Cooley Lounge, 9 p.m. U First Comty, 741-0287, GG Brown U "Abbott Laboratories: Open Pre- recruitment Session," sponsored by CP&P, Michigan Union, Parker Room, 5-7 p.m. U "Cheerleading Tryouts," sponsored by The Cheer Team, Intramural Building, Gymnastics Room, 7-9 0 "Darkness Into LWht: The Re-emer- ence of Jewish Culture In ermany," Exhibit, sponsored by Hillel, Michigan Union, Art Lounge O "ElI Rosenblatt: 'What's Behind the Epidemic of incarceration in the USA?,'" sponsored by Free Mumia Coalition/ARA, Michigan League, Michigan Room, 7 p.m. SFran Tal Uaen" ennnsnrnd by Medieval China," Brown bag lunch lecture, sponsored by The Center for Chinese Studies, Lane Hall, Commons Room, noon U "Vanishing Farm Architecture," Black and white photography exhibit, sponsored by Pierpont Commons Arts and Programs, Pierpont Commons, Gallery Wall U "Watercolor Exhibit," sponsored by Pierpont Commons Arts and Programs, Pierpont Commons, Atrium SERVICES U Campus Information Centers, 763- INFO, info@umich.edu, and www.umich.edu/-info on the World Wide Weh OOOO"M*& Mortar Board, Student Alumni Council, and Senior Days are sponsoring a . " t , ss I I 1-1-1 1' 1 1 . I