News: 76-DAILY Display Ads: 764-0554 Classified Ads: 764-557 I t r s 4 r t e n _ I c p 'z ; Y- r u ry., .a f OINK 4 lip! One hundred eght years ofeditoreldfreedom Wednesday October 21, 1998 lo 004 I Nadi'on By Nikita Easley and Jennifer Yachnin Daily Staff Reporters An investigation by officials at Phi Delta Theta frater- nity's national headquarters led to the suspension of the University chapter yesterday after findings showed the fnity had violated an alcohol-free housing policy. "The General Council - the governing body of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity - Tuesday voted unanimously to suspend the charter of the chapter at the University of Michigan," Robert Biggs, executive vice president for Phi Delta Theta national headquarters, said in a written statement. "Last week the chapter members broke their commitment to keep their house alcohol-free. In failing to keep that commitment, they also separated them- selves from the core values of this fraternity." e suspension places the chapter members on alum- nmtus and also requires those members of the frater- nity living at the Washtenaw Avenue residence to find Through an unconventional campaign, Democratic gu Geoffrey Fleger works to unseat incumbent Michigan A ROOKI Fi Feer le colorfu C a By Jason Stoffer elected, Fie Daily StaffReporter first 90 da There isn't much middle ground with conservativ Geoffrey Fieger. Most people either love mented dui or despise the flamboyant Democratic "I'd atte candidate for state governor. mental faci During his trek down the campaign laws and re trail, Fieger has made a habit of lam- Natural Re basting the establishment and a recent in denouncing current Gov. John Engler Daily. "I'd a man "who has never had a job in vents publi s entire life." bargaining. Fieger, a University alumnus, uses Fieger u the rallying cry "Fieger time" to pro- lawyer for Claim his campaign's mission: to com- Jack Kevo mence a new era of popular govern- the Dem ment "of, for and by the people." If , .F d Ii } 3 4f"-, a C rGL k e4rT ,an' a rev ss Phi De04 new housing, said Marc Mores, director of liability and risk management for the national Phi Delta Theta frater- nity. The campus Phi Delta Theta chapter became alco- hol free in the spring of 1995. Chapter members "will not remain in the chapter house during the time there is no charter," Mores said. lie added that the time limits imposed on members asked to move out of the house will be "fair for all par- ties involved," but no time frame has been discussed yet. The invcstigation was spurred by the death of LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor, who died Friday after falling from her window on the sixth-floor of Mary Markley Residence Hall. Cantor was seen drinking at a party at the Phi Delta Theta house Thursday night after she attended carry- in ceremonies at the Chi Omega sorority, where she was pledging. Autopsy reports released by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's office indicate Cantor died from head and spinal injuries resulting from the fall. Bader Cassin, Washtenaw County's chief medical examiner, said Cantor's blood alcohol level was 0.059. Although this number is below the legal alcohol limit. Cassin said the "alcohol could have had a significant effect," on her behavior, depending on Cantor's body size, experience drinking alcohol and alcohol tolerance. A blood alcohol level of 0.08 is considered impaired for Michigan drivers. An individual with a level of 0.10 is considered drunk. Cassin added that Michigan's blood alcohol levels 'should not be used to determine whether Cantor was intoxicated because the numbers were derived from a group of individuals who were larger in size, older and had more experience drinking. The only way one could determine if alcohol effected the 4-foot-10-inch, 114 pound Cantor is if they talked with individuals who were with her while she was drinking. See SUSPENSION, Page 2 Members of the Phi Delta Theta fra- ternity, whose char er was revoked yesterday, alumn a be forced to move out of their house LOUIS UROWN Da I abstains alco Chol a areness week tSI A JUHT\NJUN/Ua y AP PHOTO Ubematorial candidate Gov. John Engler hopes a vibrant economy and low unemployment will lead to a nGov. John Engler. third term in the state's top position. FC AND AVEERAiN idS ___. Incumbent governor Seager for third term By Erin Holmes Daily 5tif Reporter While colleges across the nation are celebrating National Collegiate Alcohol Awiareness Week, the University isn't participating, despite a recent student death in which alcohol may have played a part. Administrators attributed the Uniersity's abstinence to the high cost of awareness activities, adding that many students already recog- nize the dangers of alcohol abuse. 1 1he eistion becomes, do we do things that makes us feel good or do we do things tht do good?" asked Maureen Hartford, vice president for student affairs. "We do things all year long, but some campuses do things for one week and ignore the other 51 weeks of the year."' Awareness week began three days afiter LSA first-year student Courtneuy Cantor dlied after falling from her sixth-floor Markley Residence Hall window Friday morni g. Cantor, who attended a party at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, had a blood alcohol level of 0.059 - below Michigan's legal driving limit of 0.08 but enough to significantly affect an underage or inexperienced drinker. "Alcohol awareness week is defi- nitely important, given the circum- stances of this past weekend," Panhellenic Association President. Mary Gray said. Alcohol and Other Drug Education Coordinator Marsha Benz said Cantor's death, although not necessarily directly related to alco- hol, reflects the idea that even one- time illegal alcohol consumption can have serious effects. Students "need to understand that you don't have to be an alcoholic to have a 'one-night alcohol problem,"' Benz said. "One night is sometimes all it takes for something terrible to happen." University administrators said Cantor's death was not a factor in their decision not to observe aware- ness week; Cantor's death came less than a month after Hartford formed a task force aimed at reducing binge drink- ing - defined as four or more drinks in a night - among underage students in residence halls. Benz said the death and the task force - which outlined a plan to reduce underage drinking at its first meeting last week - serve as a con- tinuing reminder that alcohol con- sumption is dangerous. "I think Cantor's death reminds us of why the task force is meeting and why (alcohol) is such an important issue," Benz said. "This tragedy may turn out to be more an illustration about why we need to continue what we've been doing and keep trying new things to make an impact." Benz said the University's obser- vation of the week in past years has not made a significant difference in the behavior of students and failed to change student opinions on alco- hol. Regardless, she said, it still is necessary for the University to take alcohol consumption seriously. "The money normally going for (awareness week) is being spent this year on a study on reducing binge drinking through a social norms media campaign in the residence halls," Benz said, adding that this See ALCOHOL, Page 2 ger said, he would spend his ys as governor reversing the ve policies Engler has imple- ring his two terms in office. mpt the reopen the closed lities, reinstitute polluter pay constitute the Department of sources," Fieger said during terview with The Michigan repeal Act 112, which pre-' c employees from collective sed his high-profile stint as assisted suicide advocate rkian as his springboard to ocratic nomination. He See FIEGER, Page 7 By Mike Spahn Daily Staff Reporter In the late 1960s, a young man named John Engler cruised the Michigan State University campus looking for a future. While his agri- cultural sciences degree was impor- tant, Engler had bigger plans. The Beal City, Mich., native decid- ed to run for the state House. Not knowing exactly where to turn for help, he enlisted an old college buddy, Dick Posthumus, to aid his campaign. Engler won that election, the first in a series of nine straight victories, which eventually led to the Senate majority leader's post and finally to a residence in the governor's mansion. Thirty years after his political career began, Engler now is exactly where he wants to be - the eight-year governor of Michigan. And while he will not completely rule out a political job beyond Lansing, the governor insists he has the job he always want- ed. "Being governor of Michigan, I think, is a tremendous challenge, and I don't have any interest in anything else," Engler said during a recent interview with The Michigan Daily. And now, the two-term governor has come full circle - running for a See ENGLER, Page 7 uition ike excludes students tax de Mike Spahn fiable. wily Staff Reporter "I don't want to see us skimp on what makes the The University is not on the list of state colleges University great," Maynard said. "Quality is the nd universities that qualified for Michigan's $375 biggest issue." uition tax credit program, the Michigan The Michigan College Tuition Tax Credit I ment of Treasury announced Monday. became law in 1995, giving families a $250 credit year, only eight of the state's 15 public uni- per state college or university student. Parents with ,ersities qualified, compared with 10 last year. a combined adjusted gross income below To qualify for the credit, schools had to keep $200,00 qualify for the credit, which must be his year's tuition increase belw the 1997 inflation claimed on a special form when a family's taxes ate of 2.3 percent, Treasury Department are returned. -pokesperson Penny GrifTin said. The University Last year, Rep. A.T. Frank (D-Saginaw Twp.) Board of Regents in June passed a 3.9 percent sponsored legislation that raised the credit to $375 uition increase, denying students the opportunity per student. Franks said he has received only pos- o receive the credit. itive comments about its aid to families. e en Provost Nancy Cantor submited her bud- "I'm hoping as many people as possible take port to the board this past summer, she su- adv antage of it," Frank said. "This is the Cadillac ested spending on programs that mandated a of tax provisions. uition increase well above tie rate of3 inflaion. But Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek), chair " The University is very mindful of the pressures of the Senate Appropriations Higher Education n families to meet the costs of higher education. Subcommittee, is not so supportive of the mea- nd we attempt to keep our tuition as low as we sure. Rather than a Cadillac, the senator likens the sponsibly can while still offering the world-class tax credit to fool's gold. Reaching for the bars Student gets probation for sexual assault By Jason Stoffer Daily Staff Reporter LSA sophomore Steven Nadel sat solemnly at his sentenc- ing hearing yesterday as his father prayed from a Bible and his mother stared straight ahead, tears welling up in her eyes. Judge Donald Shelton gave Nadel a stem lecture and three years of probation but, despite pleas from the victim, it is likely he will escape time behind bars despite admitting to being guilty of sexual assault. Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Anthony Kendrick said the University also has disciplined Nadel. The University suspended Nadel temporarily, Kendrick said, and was scheduled to further clarify his status at a hearing late last night. The charges against Nadel stem from an incident that took place last February in South Quad Residence Hall. The victim said Nadel, an acquaintance, entered her room at approximately 4 a.ni. Feb. 13 and claimed he was waiting for his roommate to get off the phone. The victim, a University student, said she told Nadel she was going to sleep and instructed him to wait in her room for no more than 30 .. _ _ I