LocAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Monday, October 15, 1997 - 3
MSU students
make demands
on 'U' president
Two student groups want Michigan
e University President M. Peter
McPherson off their land.
Members of Movimiento Estudiantil
Xicano de Aztlan and the North
American Indian Student Organization
presented McPherson with a notice of
eviction Monday as part of Indigenous
People's Day, a counter-celebration to
Columbus Day.
Nate Lambertson, president of
JAISO, told the State News the notice
s not specifically aimed at
McPherson, but was a symbolic act on
behalf of the indigenous people,
including American Indians and
Chicanos displaced after the arrival of
Christopher Columbus.
In the notice, the students asked
McPherson to make a number of
changes as "initial payment for 505
years.of parasitic occupation of our
C e requests included the immediate
implementation of Chicano Studies as
a degree-granting major, expanding the
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver pro-
gram to include all indigenous people,
including Chicanos, granting five acres
of MSU's property to be used for cere-
monial purposes and publicly denounc-
ing Columbus Day as a national holi-
day.
About 15 students waited for
cPherson to arrive at his office yes-
terday, morning. When he walked in,
sophomore Rosa Salas began to read
the statement.
After the statement was read,
McPherson told the students to "have a
good day at class" and walked into his
office.
McPherson could not be reached for
further comment.
oachers damage
dinosaur remains
A paleontologist who unearthed
what may be the largest tyrannosaur
ever found says the remains have been
seriously damaged by poachers.
J. Keith Rigby, of the University of
Notre Dame, said on his recent return
to the cattle ranch in Glasgow, Mont.,
where the specimen was found in July,
found that two-thirds of the left side
the dinosaur's skull and both its
lower jaws were missing.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
reported Rigby had planned to dig up
the rest of the skeleton next summer,
but last month, the ranch's former own-
ers tried to remove the remains with a
backhoe in an apparent attempt to sell it
to a collector.
Federal investigators have taken pos-
*sion of the two fossilized jaws. The
poachers could be prosecuted under
federal law.
Notre Dame officials said no arrests
have been made.
Stanford Athletic
Dept. punishes
band for halftime
A week after a controversial perfor-
nce during the Stanford-Notre
Dame football game, the Stanford
Band is now facing punishment by
Stanford University.
The band came under fire, especially
from Catholics and Irish-Americans,
after pre-game and halftime shows that
band members say were intended to
mock Notre Dame's mascot, a lep-
rechaun representing the "Fighting
sh."
But, the band admitted that other
aspects of the show, which included a
parody of the Irish Potato Famine and a
band member dressed as a Catholic
cardinal, were offensive to some view-
ers, The Stanford Daily reported.
After consulting Stanford
President Gerhard Casper, Athletic
Director Ted Leland issued a state-
ment Friday reprimanding the band
Odoutlining punitive measures,
eluding revamping band script
review procedures.
Compiled from the Chronicle of
Higher Education by Daily Staff
Reporter Megan Exley.
Assembly to fund affirinitive-action series
By Susan T. Port
Daily Staff Reporter
The Michigan Student Assembly joined the
debate on affirmative action at the University
last night without taking a stand for either side.
The assembly allocated $1,200 to sponsor an
"objective" lecture series on affirmative action.
The goal of the symposium is to present the
issues of affirmative action to help students
form their own opinions on the policy and the
lawsuit filed yesterday against the University.
The event will consist of informative ses-
sions and debates between professors and local
politicians. The Women's Issues and Minority
Affairs commissions proposed the idea to the
assembly.
MSA Vice President Olga Savic said the com-
bination of these two commissions will result in
a strong and diverse program.
Women's Issues commission co-chair
Melanie Nelson said the fundinu from the
assembly will help pay for space and publicity.
"Basically, the objective is to as much
information as we can to the student body so
they can make intelligent decisions," said
Nelson, an LSA senior. "We are trying to be as
objective as we can."
MSA Student General Counsel David Burden
said he questions the ability for the series to be
impartial.
"I am a little concerned that the symposium
won't be objective," said Burden. an
Engineering junior. "As long as it stays objec-
tive, it will be a beneficial event for the student
body. If an objective presentation is made then
the $1,200 will be well spent."
Although many of the assembly members
support affirmative action, Savic said she is not
concerned that the series will compromise its
objectiveness.
"I think the organizers are fully aware that it's
to no one's advantage if the symposium does not
remain objective," Savic said.
Nelson said the issue of affirmative action is
an important topic that should be debated.
"The climate on campus is really tense."
Nelson said. "It's good for the students to talk
out what affirmative action is instead of acting
on assumptions."
Rackham Rep. Mike Pniewski said the time
for informed sessions on affirmative action is
fitting.
"It's totally appropriate in preview for the
assembly to support something like an affirmative
action symposium," Pniewski said. "Considering
the lawsuit has been filed, I would think affirma-
tive action would be a hot topic for the next few
"Ilt's good for the
students to talk out
what affirmative action
is instead of acting on
assumptions. "
- Melanie Nelson
Women's Issues commission co-chair
years until it gets resolved in court."
The assembly also raised the issue of support-
ing the Student Meditation Service to allow stu-
dents an alternative to settle their disputes rather
than going through the Code. MSA voted to
allocate $500 to sponsor the student group.
AFE House seminar
focuses on intervention
* Speakers offer advice
on curbing domestic vio-
lence in neighborhoods
By Diba Rab
Daily Staff Reporter
As the Ann Arbor community contin-
ues to cope with the death of LSA
senior Tamara Williams, a SAFE House
seminar yesterday stressed the impor-
tance of community involvement
against domestic violence.
The seminar, titled "Domestic
Violence: The Community Response,"
was part of an ongoing series on
domestic violence.
Speakers offered advice to a crowd of
about 15 community members on how
to help prevent domestic violence in
their neighborhoods.
"When you hear a loud argument
going on, help the victim," said
Crystal James, one of the speakers
on the panel.
"Call the police and let them know
that there's an argument going on.
Get involved so you can prevent
something really bad from happen-
ing," James said.
James said people should be
proactive and not be intimidated by
calling the police, who are trained to
help with these kinds of violent inci-
dents.
"People come up with several rea-
sons not to get involved. They may
feel that they don't have permission
to interfere, they may be afraid of
the assailant, or feel that it's a pri-
vate affair," said Lorie Rogers,
SAFE House legal advocacy direc-
tor. "However, intervention can be
vital."
SAFE House clinical supervisor
Debbie Levenstein said simple actions
can make a powerful statement against
domestic violence.
"Make some kinds of outward signs
that you are against domestic violence,
even if it's a simple message on a mug,"
Levenstein said.
She said people should keep their
eyes open and do something to com-
municate that it's not OK to hurt
someone with whom they are in a
relationship.
Levenstein said information about
domestic violence is not readily
available. Community members
should work to get the message out,
she said.
"Does the doctor give information
about domestic violence at the doc-
tor's office? Is there anything about
what to do if you feel you are being
abused? Is there anything at depart-
ment stores or malls?" Levenstein
asked.
All the speakers on the panel
agreed that much of what happens in
the future will be determined by what
adults teach children, verbally or by
example.
"Boys must be taught that it's not
right for them to hit girls to get their
attention," Rogers said.
"He may like the girl, but he must
learn to get her attention some other
way. The only hope for eliminating
domestic violence is with the chil-
dren."
Only 15 percent of battered women
are in survivor programs, said
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Brian
Mackie.
"Women who are battered don't
call shelters because they think that
others have been through worse, but
they have to realize it's not a bothera-
tion, it's their job," said Catherine
McClary, president of the board of
directors of SAFE House.
Panelists stressed that community
members must be willing to make
phone calls, either to the police
department to report domestic vio-
lence or to programs for survivors
that offer help in domestic violence
situations.
SAFE House has a 24-hour crisis line
for individuals who know of someone
who needs help or have any questions.
Anyone can call 995-5444 for informa-
tion or advice.
VISHEN MUHANDAS LALCHIANI/Daily
Members of Hillel stand outside to begin building a sukkot. The Jewish com-
munity Is preparing for its next holiday, Sukkot.
Jewis ents
prep for Sukkot
I
By Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud
Daily Staff Reporter
After a week and a half of solemn
religious services, the University
Jewish community will begin
observing the joyous holiday of
Sukkot tonight.
Sukkot lasts seven days and is
observed by the construction of a
sukkah, a temporary hut built out-
doors. Traditionally, Jews eat meals
in the sukkah using their finest china
and linen.
"On the holiday of Sukkot, Jewish
unity is very much emphasized," said
Chabad House Assistant Rabbi Alter
Goldstein. "The hut symbolizes our
unity as a people."
Sukkot commemorates the protec-
tion God provided after the Jews left
Egypt. For 40 years, the Jewish peo-
ple wandered in the desert and were
surrounded by "clouds of glory."
To symbolize these years, the
Bible commands, "In Sukkahs you
shall dwell, seven days" (Lev. 23:42).
"The sukkah is a very frail struc-
ture," explained Hillel Rabbi Rich
Kirschen. "The frailty of the
sukkah represents the uncertainty
of our life. It requires a certain
amount of faith."
Sukkot is also called "Chag
Ha'Asif" or the "Harvest Festival"
because it occurs around the time of
the year when crops are gathered and
harvested. Sukkot celebrates God's
bounty and providence.
One important Sukkot tradition is
the shaking of the "four kinds:" the
etrog (citron), lulaav (palm branch),
hadassim (myrtle branches) and
arovot (willow branches) are waved
together in all directions.
One explanation for the tradition is
that each item symbolizes a different
type of Jew. The shaking together of
the "four kinds" could represent the
oneness of the Jewish people.
"Eating in the sukkah is definitely
a highlight. Building the sukkah is
also a lot of fun, Kirschen said. In
addition, the holiday is a time for
singing and dancing, Kirschen said.
Sukkot occurs shortly after the High
Holidays, which began with Rosh
Hashana and ended with Yom Kippur
this past Saturday. In contrast to the
solemnity of the High Holidays,
Sukkot is a time forjoy and happiness.
"As a child, I used to go to services
and it was always very festive," said
LSA senior Joshua Cohen. "I think
it's tremendous that the people come
together to build a sukkah."
Sukkot culminates with the holiday
of Simchat Torah on Oct. 23. Every
day during the year, a passage from the
old testament is read and the final pas-
sage is read on Simchat Torah.
"We celebrate the yearly cycle of
the reading of the Torah," Kirschen
said. "We get to read it all over
again."
Chabad House and Hillel will
both be holding special events and
services during the holidays. For
more information, call Hillel at
769-0500 or Chabad House at
995-3276.
1
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on
Campus
You've learned what it takes to compete in school. Now, check out what it's like to compete in
global markets and advanced technology arenas. Representatives will soon be on campus to
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Information Session
Date: Thursday, October 23, 1997
Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Place: Michigan School of Business Administration, Room B1273*
We will be recruiting for the following group: Finance
On-Campus Office Hours:
If you are an undergraduate Business student or an undergraduate LS&A student
with substantial coursework in Finance, stop by and bring in your resume.
nMa. --Th , nr afrtnhe.r 71 1Q07 nnfa. PnFric r,-he . .1997
!GROUP MEETINGS
D Alzheimer's AssociationpFamily
Caregiver Support Group, 741-
8200, Trinity Lutheran
Evangelical Church, 1400 West
Stadum Bv1:.0 ma m-1.2n m.
Room, 12 p.m.
Q "Tangles, Bangles, and Knots:
Connections Among Knots,
Arithmetic, and Square
Dancing," Speaker, sponsored
by The Department of
Mathematics, East Hall, Room
Room, 7:30 p.m.
SERVICES
U Campus Information Centers, 763-
INFO, info@umich.edu, and
www.umich.edu/-info on the
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