LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily Wednesda t February IL 1998 3 HIGHER EDUCATION M MSA votes to support day of action Bill targets UVA alcohol abusers Two bills proposed in Virginia's state Legislature may affect students state schools who choose to drink liquor and use drugs, The Cavalier Daily reported yesterday. The bills propose to revoke in- state tuition and suspend financial aid or enrollment for students con- victed of alcohol or drug-related Offenses. Part of a statewide effort to mini- mize alcohol abuse on university campuses, the two bills' aim to make he penalty for alcohol and drug buse so stiff that students won't risk the consequences. Opponents say the bills, if imple- mented, would simply create more problems. Education and training is a better tactic, they argue. Donor gives $100M to USC, UCLA A California business-person announced this past Wednesday that he gave $100 million to the University of Southern California and is planning to match the sum in a donation to the University of California at Los Angeles, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported Friday. The donation is among the largest in the history of higher education. S Alfred Mann, chair and chief executive officer of three biomed- ical companies, donated the money t6 USC to establish a biomedical- research institute. He signed an agreement with USC to create the Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering. Mann said more gifts could follow, but added that "this takes a big chunk out of my estate." He said he does not Sntend to leave the bulk of his wealth to his six children, but would rather give back to society. Rainwaters ruin Stanford library collection Muddy rainwater seeped into tanford University's libraries and buildings last week. The Stanford 'Daily reported Thursday. The dam- age was further exacerbated by dan- gerous electrical hazards created by the flood. Hundreds of students, administra- tors and staff have volunteered to sal- vage the library's priceless books and historical documents. Volunteers corked with flashlights in water that easured up to their calves. Nearly 3,000 boxes of materials were salvaged by a freeze-drying process, which was used to minimize water damage. If water remains on a book for more than 48 hours, mold begins to grow and the book is ruined. Clean-up costs are expected to be more than $75,000. Third-graders offered free U. Arizona education University of Arizona President "Peter Likins promised a free college education to 101 third-graders on Friday, the Arizona Daily Wildcat reported yesterday. Likins said that as long as the stu- dents met the UA's admission *equirements upon graduating from high school, they will get a free col- lege education. The tuition waivers were part of a collaborative effort between UA and :lhe Southern Arizona Crime Prevention Partnership to help the students stay out s f trouble and instead follow a path of continuing education. The Rotary Club of Tucson plans to establish a fund to provide the students with a stipend for books and living xpenses once they are enrolled at UA. - Compiled by Dail Staf Reporter Chr-istine M. Paik Irom the Chronicle of Higher Education and the University WIire. By Kristin Wright Daily Staff Reporter The Michigan Student Assembly passed a reso- lution last night to support student, faculty and University involvement in the National Day of Action planned for Feb. 24. The National Day of Action is being initiated by the Rev. Jesse Jackson in hopes of unifying the country in the quest for racial equality. Members of the University community will spend the day joining together to support the University's affirmative action policies. Day-long teach-ins, a march through the Diag and featured speakers are among the planned events. As part of the event, organizers are encouraging students to not attend classes that day. MSA President Mike Nagrant said the assem- bly's support is needed to encourage University involvement and recognition of the importance of the day. "I think that people look to MSA as the official voice of the student body:, Nagrant said. "When MSA gets behind something, I think that it will ive the event more support, more legitimacy and more student involvement in the event:' Members of the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary also attended last night's meeting to ask MSA to back the event. BAMN member Miranda Miassie said the university's participation in the action day will provide a national example of leadership. The National Day of Action "is to send a mes- sage to the whole country that students at U of M will not accept the reactionary attack on affirma- tive action that's being lost"said Massie, a Detroit attorney. Although the majority of NISA members voted to support the National Day of Action, a few6mem- bers were opposed to the decision. L SA Rep. Bill Briggs said that although he sup- ports the eventts mission, lie thinks the resolution gives the false impression that all MSA members are in support of the day. MSA Vice President Olga Savic said that even though students participating in the National Day of Action will skip a day of class, education w ill still be a significant part of the event. "i's more than just students taking a day oft from classes." Savic said. "It's a day of alterna- tive education. I think that it's important that people talk about social issues and continue dia- logue about an issue that has been bubbling on campus.' M SA also passed a resol tion to sUppor the "Just Don't Do It" campaign that targets Nike. The company recently has beetn accused of' nistrcatitng its iactory enmploy ees in Indonesia China and ietnam. N ike Iaetory wxorkers~ allegedly are exposed to toxic chemicals and are receiving cor- poral punishment 'rom nanagers. Nike has alsO beeti accused of \iolating minimum xWage las in these countries. Campaign members and MSA members said they are concerned about the impression made by the University's endorsemet of Nike. LSA Rep. toe Bernstein, an LSA sophomore. said the U1ni versity should reconsider its aff'i liation with the corporatiotn if the allegations are true. "If there is an ounce of truth to any of that, then U of M needs to rethink it's decision to endorse Nike," Bernstein said. Electric two-wheeler Student oups tr to spark nationwide diversity effort By Rachel Edelman Daily Staff Reporter Thirteen campus Law student organi- zations that support the University's use of race as a factor in undergraduate and Law School admissions processes sent statements Monday to law schools across the country. The statements' purpose is to pro- voke discussion and awareness on other campuses and attempt to create a national movement in defense of affir- mative action while demonstrating sup- port for the University's admissions policies. "We believe that this lawsuit isn't just challenging our law school's affirma- tive action policies, but the affirmative action policies of law schools across the country," said Winnie Kao, a Law first- year student and a member of I awx Students for Affirmative Action and the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. 'Ile students molved in the mailings said they feel that their opinions oii the issue needed to be heard, and that sup- port for the policies within the campus groups should be recognized. "We just wanted to get our state- ments out there - our full statement explaining in-depth our reasoning. our ideas and why we think it is so impor- tant," Kao said. "We believe that this lawsuit isn't just challenging our law school's affirmative action policies. but the affirmative action policies of law schools across the country." The groups sent the schools ncew statements as well as prev iously released statements on thy subject. Statements made by University President L.ee Bollinger and Law Dean Jeffrey Lehman that were released on the days the Center for Individual Rights filed lawsuits against the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and the Law School "WeJ iis y respectively, V were also o includedin the package. out there Law student M ichigan. (a ifornia, Massachusetts and Florida. I exa,. V4A nA l t ,,, r "We want to educate students at other campuses and encourage them to get in vol v ed" nted to )eoi. St ld cnts tements t-oni th groups also want to - Winnie Kao other cam- aw first-year student Pluses to get involved in a National Day of Action to defend affir- AP PHOTO Former General Motors Chair Robert Stempel, former Chrysler Chair Lee lacocca and Stanford Ovshinsky, president of Energy Conversion Devices, present the electric bicycle the men are developing. Orthodox cmmunit faces challenges 1n1 rai groups involved include Law L Students for Affirmative Action, the Black Lawm Students' Alliance, the Asian Pacific r American Law Student Association, the F Latino Law Students Association, the Women Law Students Association, the s National Lawyer's Guild and the 1.aw t School Student Senate.r "It's unprecedented in that this coalition of (students from) differentt backgrounds have gotten together to support affirmative action," said Marie Ting, program coordinator atc the Office of Academic Multiculturals Initiatives. "It's wonderful that they're showing what the I niversity oft Michigan is doing." The statements sent by the student groups explain "how affirmativ e action atfects their individual groups and the benefits that they received from affir-s mative action;" said Meera Deo. a L.awx first-year student involved in awx Students for Affirmative Action. In addition to first-tier law schools i such as Harvard, Yale. Stanford and c Columbia, statements were also sent to all the law schools in states where lawsuits or legislation have targeted I affirmative action, including I mative action, scheduled to take place Feb. 24. About 30 members of various Law siudent and undergraduate organiza- tions met yesterday to further discuss plans for the day. Current plans include a day-long teach-in in the Michigan Union Ballroom and a rally. Since the lawsuit against the Law School was first announced, IaV stu- dents have organized rallies, sympo- siums, speakers. teach-ins and press conferences to inform students about the specifics of the lawsuit and rally support for affirmative action. Jodi Masley, a Law first-year student and co-chair of the Women Law Students Association, said that the statements torced student groups Lit the University to organise themselveis around the issue. 'Part of what I think is useful is that it clarifies where (student groups) stand on affirmative action.' said Masley. - The Law School was not involved with the preparation of the statement". Law School officials said that they were unaware that the statements had been By Susan T. Port Daily Staff Report Over and above the nuances of every- day life at the Unixersity, Orthodox Jew s have to thee the challenge of following religious tradition. Rabbi Rich Kirshner said that within the Orthodox population, some rules are left for interpretation. Kirshner said some students follow rabbinical law to the let- ter, while others apply it more to modern -day situations. The Orthodox communi- ty members keep kosher, observe Shabbat, pray regularly and must remain covered. Kirshner said Orthodox students must follow certain dietary laws, including not eating milk and meat products within a six-hour period. "Because food is so central, it impacts on people's relationships," Kirshner said. "Orthodox students are bound by law." Kirshner said time spent at the University allows students to learn about their identity. He added that although he is a reform Rabbi, he serves all Jewish people regardless of their denomination. "I never x iew the students as being orthodox. conservativ e or reform,'" Kirshner said. David Caroline, chair of Hillel's gov- erning board, said Orthodox students "from waking up to going to sleep have a dictated way of doing things.' Caroline said that wearing a yarmulke every day, makes him aware that other people view his actions in the context of his religion. "I often wonder if people notice the guy with the thing on his head" Caroline said. "You becone conscious of vour identity." Caroline said he has never eaten at any of the restaurants in Ann Arbor because he keeps kosher. He admits it is a chal- lenge Orthodox students must face daily. "It's definitely (a) challenge'' Carohnc said. "You're challenged everyday you walk by Backroom Pizza." Caroline said he would not have enrolled at the University if lie had thought he could not maintain his strict lifestyle. RC first-year student Sarah Chopp said that being Orthodox has shaped who she is today. "I pray once a day in the morning. Chopp said. "This was the way I was raised." Chopp said she spent a year in Israel before coming to the University. "it instilled a greater sense of identity (in me)," Chopp said. "I have a greater appreciation for my religion." Chopp said she observes the Sabbath, which is the day of rest for Jewish students. From sunset Friday night to Saturday night, Jews are not allowed to write or work. "Actually it's the best part" Chopp said. "It's very therapeutic" ISA senior Daniel Schwartz said that although it is hard to follow the Orthodox traditions, there are rewards. "Yes, it's tough, but it's the best thing that I have here:' Schwartz said. Schwartz said there is a close knit community of Orthodox students at the University. "There is a core group of students that create an environment that makes it a lot easier." Schwartz said. "There are a lot of new learning activities going on." Schwartz said he looks forward to Shabbat. He said Shabbat is spent with the fellow members of the Orthodox community singing and speaking about the writings in the Torah. "With all that is going on, it is neces- sary to have a day of rest," Schwartz said. "You don't think about the things you can t do." READ THE DAILY ONLINE AT htt:/wwwbumch edudiy Mw ~ y ard frravet af ' ei ttK .MS Divine Intervention helps 4 so does a professional looking resume. Resume Package for only $6.00 * 15 copies of your resume on your choice of premium paper * 25 blank sheets of matching paper * 20 matching envelopes miris4 A/98/R Gmd with ad only No other discounts anolv RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Travel ME: (ounl on International "ducationalx"ange 1218 South University Avenue Ann Arbor (734) 998-0200 (below Tower Records) U-- "IT - - U ________________________________________ I U. Correction: ' The women's basketball team has received a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines participated in 1990 and won one game. This was incorrectly reported in yesterday's Daily. * Inder Singh, director of the University of Michigan Dance Marathon. was misidentified in yesterday's Daily. US West Communications " Do you. want a challenging career? " Do you want to earn $10- $17 per hour? " Do you want to work in exciting cities like Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver or Phoenix? * Do you want an opportunity that will enhance your resume? 'I" ILU. QLL1ND' KR What's happening in Ann Arbor today