LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 27, 1998 - 3 6 CRIME 162 NASA students prepare for annual Pow Wow Men attempt robbery at Elbel Field A man called the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday at 1:30 a.m. to report that two men attempted to rob him as he walked through Elbel Field. The man said that the two men approached him and said they had a gun. The caller said he ran away from the men without giving them any money, according to DPS reports. The man said he did not get a good look at the two suspects. A report was filed. Husband makes harassing calls A woman called the DPS on Tuesday to report that her husband was harass- ing her over the telephone. The woman reportedly filed for divorce from the man, but he has been calling her for weeks. According to DPS reports, the *woman called DPS after the man told her he would "burn the house down" before he gave it to her. DPS officers met with the woman and a report was filed. 'Muscular' man exposes himself A witness called DPS on Monday to report that a man exposed himself on the 1600 block of Cram Circle. The caller described the man as hav- ing a "muscular build" and said he was wearing a beige stocking cap and a blue denim jacket. DPS officers arrived at the scene of the incident after the man left. A report was filed. Projectiles worry Rackham witness A woman called DPS on Monday evening to report that three college- aged males were throwing ice balls at oncoming traffic. The woman observed the incident from a window inside the Rackham Graduate School building, DPS reports state. DPS officers made contact with the three students, who stated that they were throwing the snowballs at a street sign. No damage to the sign was report- ed. A report was filed. Students caught smoking marijuana in campus carport DPS units responded to a phone call Wednesday night about two indi- viduals in the Church Street parking structure. The two students were found with marijuana in their car. DPS reports said the two men did not have any prior convictions. They were charged with possession of marijuana, and a report was filed. *Irritated man yells from porch DPS received a call Tuesday night from a person who witnessed a male yelling from the porch of a house on North Ingalls Street. The caller said the man was wear- ing no shirt and seemed to be irritat- ed by something. 9 The caller also reported that the man was screaming and smashing things on the porch, DPS reports state. Ann Arbor Police Department units assisted DPS in response to the call. -Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Reilly Brennan. By Susan T. Port Daily Staff Reporter As sage smoke rose from a circle at this past Wednesday's meeting of the Native American Student Association, those involved in planning Ann Arbor's annual Pow Wow shook off tensions and worries about the event's success. The ceremony, called smudging, is intended to give strength to those involved. "You use sage. It purifies the circle, purifies our spirit and has us thinking as one," said Shannon Martin, Native American coordinator for the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs. "It's to shake off those tensions in preparing yourself for this weekend." Later in the evening, members of the NASA con- tinued planning for the event by making tobacco ties to give to the dancers who will be performing this weekend. NASA co-chair Jodi Cook described the tobac- co tie as a sign of thank you and good luck. In 1972, the first Ann Arbor Pow Wow was held in a University library with a drummer, a crafts- man and a singer. The Ann Arbor Pow Wow has grown during the past 26 years to become recognized as one of the largest Native American celebrations in North America. Martin said 10,000 students, University community members and visitors are expected to attend this year. The Ann Arbor Pow Wow is one of the largest student-run pow wows in North America and marks NASA's premier event of the year, Martin said. "This is NASA's largest event in showcasing the Native American culture in hopes people from all walks of life will join us and celebrate," Martin said. Competitions scheduled for this weekend include social, jinngle dress, traditional, fancy and grass dances. Singers and Native American artisans are traveling from the far ends of North America to par- ticipate in the Pow Wow. Events will also include raf- fles, dance contests and singers. The history of the Pow Wow is an important part of Native American folklore. The celebration tra- ditionally has taken place during the spring and summer. After harsh winters, people were encour- aged to celebrate with their friends and families and appreciate the gift of life. The modern Pow Wow is based on values important to many in the Native American com- munity -honor and respect. Martin said the growth of the Pow Wow stemmed from an increase in pride in the Native American heritage in the '70s. "The Pow Wow encompasses the honor and respect we have for Mother Earth and for each new day and season," Martin said. "It encompasses our arms reaching out to all relatives. "These students have to balance their academic life with the time they choose to share their culture and to educate with the events they offer the University," Martin said. Martin said the mood of the Pow Wow is one of joy. LSA sophomore Joe Reilly, who co-chairs NASA, said the Pow Wow gives students the opportunity to learn more about the Native American community. "It's a time for us to visit with family and friends who will be traveling and share this aspect of our culture with students and the University," Reilly said. "We have been preparing for it all year." LSA junior Elizabeth Evans said she is very excited about this weekend's events. "It's kind of a time that we cai come together," Evans said. "A time to gather and laugh and have a good time." Evan said her aunt from Minneapolis is visiting for the Pow Wow. "It's a sense of pride just knowing we are putting this together - not just for Native Americans, but for the whole University community," Evans said. Academic and Multicultural Initiatives Program Coordinator Tara Young said she encourages every- one to take the opportunity to learn about the Native American community by attending the Pow Wow. "I think everyone should go." Young said. "People can enjoy themselves and see something about Native American culture because you don't get to see those things." Young said spectators should "come and have a great time - eat and dance." The modern Pow Wow's roots lay in the Grass Dance. It gave the tribes the opportunity to re-enact their adventures for the other tribal members. Like a Rolling Stone Deans back midterm survey By Trevor Gardner Daily Staff Reporter Deans within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts are supporting a student proposal to insti- tute a midterm feedback program with- in the college. On their own initiative, some LSA instructors have asked their students for feedback on the quality of their courses at the halfway point in the term. A few LSA students who observed the process decided to expand the effort by constructing a feedback form for instructors to use. They presented it to LSA- deans, encouraging the formal implementation of its use. The deans said they will distribute the forms to more instructors and hope to expand their use in subsequent semesters. The architects of the proposal said this newer approach will expand student involvement in the feedback process by providing the service while the direction of the course can still be changed. LSA sophomore Albert Garcia, the chair of the LSA Student Government Academic Affairs Committee who assisted in developing the proposal, said the program will spark students' interest in improving the quality of their classes. "I think students are going to appre- ciate the opportunity to share feedback with professors if they genuinely feel it will have a positive effect on the class," Garcia said. The primary focus of the surveys is to improve instructors' teaching abili- ties. "The process is confidential - it's fair," Garcia said. "We've gotten so much positive feedback from the facul- ty. They were not expecting such an immediate response from students." The program supports an encourag- ing classroom atmosphere by asking students about the aspects of the class that work well and should be reinforced, Garcia said. The plan ultimately seeks to foster growth in the student-teacher relationship, he said. "Being able to facilitate that has been incredible for everyone," Garcia said. LSA junior Tiffany Cain said the midterm feedback program is prefer- able to the end-of-term evaluations because of its convenience. "Sometimes the written evaluations are completely disregarded," Cain said. "When you ask a class to verbally express their likes and dislikes about a teacher or class, they are more willing to provide their input because it's not as much of a hassle." Cain also said the evaluation posi- tively impacts both students and teach- ers. "I think it made the class more comfortable with each other," she said. Sociology Prof. Alford Young said he views midterm feedback as a positive step for the entire academic communi- ty. "I hope that mid-term feedback will be a step toward increasing conscious- ness about teaching at the University. "I also hope that students use this opportunity not simply to evaluate the courses that they select, but to evaluate their own contributions in the class- room so that they too can be agents in the creation of a better course experi- ence," he said. Garcia said that next year, the process will be more widespread. "We did this at LSA and it's growing, but there are 15 or 20 other colleges out there," Garcia said. JOY JACOB/Daily ISA sophomore Lori Goodman strikes a pose yesterday at the Rolling Stone Covers Tour, which is making a stop in the Michigan Union. Students ar u or SERVE Week events By Nika Schulte Daily Staff Reporter For the next week, many University students will top their "to-do lists" with decorating nursing homes, painting mental health centers and showing ele- mentary students around campus. The activities, all part of Project SERVE's SERVE Week, will encourage service on campus and get students acquainted with the many service pos- sibilities available during the year. "The goal is to get people involved with good experiences like this so that they will continue service for the rest of their life," said LSA senior Karen Lareau, a member of the SERVE Week leadership team. Although the week's main focus is on student service, other activities, includ- ing a keynote speaker, will provide more than just an opportunity to roll up sleeves and pitch in. "It will bring students, staff and faculty together" said Business junior Spencer Preis, a member of Project SERVE. The week's highlights will include consumer activist Ralph Nader's speech at the Michigan Theater on Monday night about service and social activism. Looking for a speaker to bring intel- lectual and academic perspectives to the week, the team chose Nader to "tie what he does with what's going on our campus and in the United States," Preis said. Another high point of the week is the Love to Serve tennis tournament sched- uled for next Friday. The winner of the tournament will choose a charity to receive the money raised by participants. LSA first-year student Robin Anderson said she plans to play in the tournament. She said she thinks the event is a great way for students to have fun and help others. "Getting people to do service is hard. Combining it with something enjoyable will get students to do it more," she said. Anderson said her interest in SERVE week was a result of her experience par- ticipating in Community Plunge, an orga- nized service day, earlier in the year. She pointed out that some students do not take the time to serve their community. "A lot of people are too caught up in themselves, and that's OK, but there are so many things out there. There's a huge book (at the SERVE office) full of vol- unteer opportunities," Anderson said. But Lareau said she thinks that many students have a strong desire to serve at the University. "In general, Michigan is good. Lots of groups get involved during SERVE Week," Lareau said. One of the several student groups get- ting involved is Students Establishing Educational Dreams. 'IIIL ALLLN1 Al What's happening in Ann Arbor this weekend FRIDAY 0 "An Environmental Oneg Shabbat," Sponsored by Hillel, HIllel, 1429 Hill St. 0 "Cheap U.S. Travel for International Students," Sponsored by international Center, international Center, Room 9, 3 p.m. U "Harold Hemphill Bone Marrow Drive," S onsored by NTAF, Faithway Baptist School, Gym, 2020 Packard Rd, Ypsilanti, 4-8 p.m. Q "'Joumey' by architects Tod Williams and Billie. Tsien," Chrysler Auditorium, 2121 Bonisteel Blvd., p.m. 0 "Ask the Author," Sharon Lovejoy, Sponsored by Webster's Books, 2607 Plymouth Rd, 1-2 p.m. Q "Club Fabulous," Sponsored by The LGBT Affairs, Michigan League, Ballroom, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Q "Harold Hemphill Bone Marrow Drive," Sponsored by NTAF, Faithway Baptist School, Gym, 2020 Packard Rd, Ypsilanti, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. U "Kids Art Contest," Sponsored by Alianza, Mosher-Jordan Residence Hall, Cesar Chavez Lounge, 3-5 p.m. U "Student Mediation Services," Cnnn-ro byC...t. nt ~latinn U "Info. Meeting (For Prospective Members)," Sponsored by The Student. Co-Ops (ICE), Luthen Co- Op, 1520 Hill St., 13 p.m. U "Israel at 50: Academic Reflections and Analyzes, A Symposium, Sponsored by Frankel Cent for Judaic Studies, Michigan League, Henderson Room, 1-4 p.m. Q "Israeli Dancing," Sponsored by Hillel, Hillel, 1429 Hill St., 7:30-10 p.m. U "Panel Discussion: Hate Speech on the Internet," Sponsored by Hillel, Hillel, 1429 HUI St., 7:30 p.m. 0 "Student Mediation Services," Sponsored by Student Mediation Srvics Michigan Inion. Room I