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One hundred seven years ofeditorlaifreedom
Monday
September 29, 1997
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Next goal:
$2B
by
'U' celebrates comple-
tion of $18 fundraising
campaign, sets new goal
B eather Kamins
Daily Staff Reporter
On a rainy day five years ago, an
influential group of alumni gathered on
the Power Center stage to form a strate-
gic plan for the Campaign for
Michigan, the largest public university
fundraising effort ever.
As the committee discussed the
best way to get the campaign started,
tltrong voice of University alum-
nus Ira Harris erupted from the back
of the room as he suggested raising
the unprecedented amount of $1 bil-
lion.
Despite initial doubts that the cam-
paign could be successful, famed jour-
nalist and University alumnus Mike
Wallace announced Friday that more
than 250,000 people have donated a
cumulative total of $1,371,837,191.
Harris, who served as one of the
campaign's five co-chairs, stood before
the crowd of benefactors Friday with a
new challenge - $2 billion by the year
2000.
"I'm embarrassed that maybe I was
too conservative," Harris said during
the daylong celebration. "I'm probably
going to get in trouble for this, but I
have a suggestion because I don't like
to see a great team break up. There's
more out there."
University President Lee Bollinger
said continuing the campaign is not out
of the question. "I think it's possible. It's
extremely ambitious," Bollinger said.
"We're talking about two and a half
years. Right now, one would have to say
it would be unbelievable to do. Ira's
spirit is the right one."
Harris pledged to give another $2
million to the cause if the University
decides to continue the campaign.
"When you have 250,000 people who
feel the way they do, we ought to keep
2000
it going,' Harris said. "Three years
later, we could all be back here for
another big party."
Wallace said Harris' idea should be a
reality.
"It's going to happen" Wallace said.
"I'll bet you. (Harris) puts his money
where his mouth is."
Wallace said he would like to see $30
million of future campaign money
raised for the renovation and refurbish-
ing of Hill Auditorium.
The "biggest and bluest" campaign
celebration began with a multimedia
presentation hosted by Wallace in the
Power Center. The event included musi-
See CAMPAIGN Page 2A
KtEREN SACHS/ Daily
University alumnus Mike Wallace (right) talks with another alumnus Friday at the
Campaign for Michigan luncheon at the Track and Tennis building.
U'tuition hike
below national
icrease rate
By Janet Adamy
Daily Staff Reporter
The University's 2.9 percent tuition increase is just about
half of the national average rate of increase, according to a
report by the College Board.
The report states that tuition at public, four-year institu-
te s increased about five percent this year, pushing average
t on to more than $3,100. Average tuition at private, four-
year colleges and universities is a reported $13,670.
Keeping the increase near the rate of inflation, the
University's tuition hike raised the tuition for the 1997-98
school year for an in-state, first-year LSA student to $5,748.
"It's a priority to keep tuition increases as low as possible
and the numbers themselves reflect that," said Associate Vice
President for University Relations Lisa Baker.
University Provost Nancy Cantor said a sincere desire to
keep tuition low made it possible for the University to keep
the tuition increase below the national average.
*It's clearly our aim to make the University of Michigan
accessible to all so we've been working to keep the costs
down," Cantor said.
College Board Spokesperson Jeffrey Penn attributed the
tuition increase to a decrease in state funding.
"Most colleges and universities have received a smaller
part of state funding than before," Penn said.
But Cantor maintained that the amount of funding the
University received from the state did not affect this year's
tuition increase.
AuIthough she said she's pleased that the University's
ase is below the national average, it is difficult to com-
pare statistics because so many factors affect the cost of
tuition, Cantor said.
"The important part for Michigan is that we're working to
keep things down," Cantor said. "It's a juggling act to keep
costs down and maintain our academic reputation."
In past years, the University has not juggled the balance so
well. During the past seven years, tuition increases have
ranged from 4.9 percent to 13.5 percent. Last year, students
received a 5 percent increase.
Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Goodrich) said University
sident Lee Bollinger's efforts to keep central administration
Sts low have helped to keep the overall tuition increase down.
"It may not be possible to do it every year, but I think it's vital
to make sure that tuition remains in people's reach," she said.
With a tuition increase of 3 percent, Michigan State
University is also focusing on keeping tuition increases low.
MSU President Peter McPherson has pledged to keep tuition
increases near the rate of inflation.
"We believe and we're demonstrating that we can drive the
quality of the educational experience and keep tuition at the
inflation levels at the same time," McPherson said. "It's not
y, but we think we're achieving it."
Penn said that regardless of fluctuating state funding fig-
ures, a number of other factors can also account for a high
tuition increase, including a decrease in the availability of
scholarships, increased efforts to provide sufficient financial
aid to students, and the need for more labor at colleges and
universities not covered by the state at private institutions.
Williams buried in tearful ceremony
Mourners
filled with
disbelief
MARGARET MYERS/
Yvonne Williams (center) mourns the'death ofher taughter, Tamara Williams, an LSA seniorwho would have celebrated her 21st birthday tok
Surrounded by friends and family members,; more than 200 people attended Tamara's funerals in Detroit on Saturday.
New domestic abuse laws proposed
By Stephanie Hepburn
Daily Staff Reporter
Tears fell and jaws and hands
were clenched in disbelief Saturday
as more than 200 friends, family,
University faculty and students
gathered at the funeral of Tamara
Williams.
Williams, a 20-year-old LSA
senior who was stabbed to death by
her boyfriend Tuesday, would have
celebrated her 21st birthday today.
At the funeral, friends remembered
a woman who balanced classes and
a part-time job as she raised her 2
1/2-year-old daughter, Kiera.
Sunlight seeped through the win-
dows of East Lake Missionary
Baptist Church in Detroit, where
Williams and her family have wor-
shipped for years. Full floral tri-
bunes and bowed, heads filled the
room as thebsilence echoed the sor-
row that filled the hearts of many.
Pastor Michael Cunningham,,,
branded the brutal act that took
Williams' life as unacceptable.
"This was not normal," he said..
"This act will not be tolerated. I(
will never be tolerated'
Tamika Pennamon, an LSA
senior and Williams' best friend,
said that the Reverend's words
summed up how she has felt
throughout this past week.
"I kept repeating to myself that I
can't accept this," Pennamon said.
"As the Reverend said, 'this kind of
death is unacceptable."'
Cunningham said that during the.V
service, he didn't want to focus on
the gory details of Williams' death.
"I want to talk about the young,
strong, . African American woman
who chose the higher path,"he said.
Cunningham said Tamara
Williams is a role model for all
young African American women.
"Tamara was 20 years old, she
had a 4.0 ,grade point average at the
University of Michigan, she chose
See FUNERAL, Page.5A
By Jeffrey Kosseff
Daily Staff Reporter
After the recent domestic abuse case that
left two dead and rocked the University cam-
pus, some state legislators are calling atten-
tion to a proposed bill that would crack down
on repeat domestic abusers and stalkers.
The bill, proposed by Rep. Sharon Gire (R-
Clinton Twp.), broadens the term "aggravat-
ed stalking" to include all abuse inflicted on a
victim by a spouse, former spouse or house-
mate. Also under the bill, any repeat offender
would automatically be charged with aggra-
vated stalking, which carries maximum
penalties of five years in prison and a $10,000
fine.
"The bill defines the additional categories
under which aggravated assault can be
charged," Gire said. "We seriously need to
look into these problems."
Rep. Ellen DeHart (D-Westland), a co-
sponsor of the bill, said the recent stabbing of
LSA senior Tamara Williams by her
boyfriend at the University demonstrates the
need for the bill to become law.
"The incident at the U of M was the straw
that broke the camel's back," DeHart said.
"Domestic assault and stalking are now in the
public eye."
In Michigan, a woman is killed about one
out of every five days as a result of domestic
violence.
While stalking and domestic abuse are sep-
arate crimes, some politicians said that they
often overlap and to fight one of the prob-
lems, society must tackle both.
"A key component to domestic violence is
stalking," said John Truscott, a spokesperson
for Gov. John Engler.
Truscott said current state laws are strin-
gent against domestic abuse, but public
awareness needs to be raised to combat the
violence.
"We already have some of the toughest
domestic violence laws in the country,"
Truscott said. "Our laws are some of the best in
the country. But now we must raise awareness
so horrible incidents such as what happened at
the U of M are prevented in the future."
Gire said her bill transcends political
boundaries.
"I know there is bipartisan concern," Gire
said. "These are not and should not be politi-
cal issues.'
A similar bill, introduced by state Sen.,
Arthur Miller (R-Warren), gives a similar
See VIOLENCE, Page 5A
j Krishna supporters hold festivaF
By Katie Plona
Daily Staff Reporter
Dressed in their flowing dhotis and saris,
members of the International Society of
Krishna Consciousness -danced and chanted
around a 35-foot multicolored chariot Friday
on the Diag.
The Rathayatra parade and festival made its
first campus appearance thanks to the
University's Bhakti Yoga Club, which spon-
sored the event. The parade traveled along sev-
eral campus streets before setting up camp on
the Diag for an afternoon of celebration honor-
ing a 5,000-year Indian tradition.
Consciousness society member Jagat
Purusha Das said he was thankful for the
opportunity to spread knowledge of the
Krishna consciousness culture and its encom-
valuable that we have," Das said.
Marion Marsee, a Detroit resident and con-
sciousness society member, said the parade
and festival are also ways for members to edu-
cate others and affirm their beliefs.
"We're glad that everyone can see us, see
that we want to serve God," Marsee said. "(The
purpose of the event is) so that people under-
stand the different ways that people can wor-
ship God, to always be constantly thinking of
God."
Along with the dancing and vibrant
Rathayatra cart, the Bhakti Yoga Club dis-
played a table outlining their group's functions
and activities. Consciousness society members
offered food to passersby and to those who
milled around the Diag for some of the after-
noon festivities, including a dance perfor-
monr-a. the rai , rwrnie text
"We're glad that
see that we want to
serve God
- Marion Marsee
Krishna consciousness society member
"It's a huge, big thing in the Diag, so I was
like 'Why is this here?"' LSA senior Eric
Raymond said. "It's pretty cool?'.
Raymond said the free food also enticed
him. "It's free food and I love free food," he
said.
ISA iuninr Jaon Gira said he stonned to
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