LOCAL/S TATE

The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, January 20, 1999 -:3

le".
EDUCATION
Ohio State shuts
down campus
due to weather
Ohio State University shut down
last week as a result of inclement
weather conditions, including snow
and ice. It was the second time the
university closed due to threatening
weather since 1970.'
OSU President William "Brit"
Kirwan closed the university last
Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. because of a
-"declaration of level-three snow
emergencies in the surrounding area.
Level-three snow emergencies
orbid travel unless absolutely nec-
essary.
Motorists could face arrest if they
travel during a level-three snow emer-
gency.
Kirwan said he decided to close the
university to expedite the safe travel of
faculty and commuting students who
had to return home that day.
eport: Tennessee
schools lag behind
nation, need aid N
According to a report from a gover-
nor-appointed panel, Tennessee public
colleges and universities do not fare
well in comparison to public schools in
other states.
The 73-page report describes
Onnessee's public schools as mediocre
and says they suffer from poor organi-
zation and underfunding.
In order to increase Tennessee's
ability to compete with public
schools in other states, the report
suggests that $441 million be spent
on more scholarships, the acquisi-
tion of well-known faculty and pay
raises for current faculty members.
The report indicates that many of the
ate's most qualified high school stu-
dents attend out-of-state universities,
which could jeopardize the future
economy of the state.
Religious book
sent to students
at Dartmouth
A month after they were scheduled
to be }distributed, copies of C.S.
Lewis' book "Mere Christianity," an
autobiographical account of Lewis'
bejef in Jesus Christ, finally
appeared in the mailboxes of all
first-year students at Dartmouth
College.
Given to the students by the
rtmouth chapter of Campus
usade for Christ, the books were
originally stopped from distribution
because of concerns from campus
religious leaders that the book may
be offensive and violate solicitation
agreements.
" In spite of suggestions from
Dartmouth administrators that the book
only be sent to those who selected a
Christian-preference on their religious
preference cards, all students received
e book.
Books pilfered
from library at U.

Minnesota
Officials at the University of
Minnesota's Wilson Library have
requested the assistance of campus
slice to retrieve more than 70
rooks taken from the library with a
student identification card last
April.
The suspect, who is not a Minnesota
student, totaled more than $4,000 in
library fines on the card.
Library officials found the suspect's
address with the help of the University
student whose card was used to check
out the books.
Library officials say they will
*haust all possible avenues to retrieve
e books.
If they are unable to retrieve the
materials, they will further enlist the
help of campus police.
- Compiled by Daily staff reporter
Nika Schulte.

Blank expected to be named dean

I Regents expected to approve
Public Policy dean
recommendation tomorrow
By Jaimie Winkler
Daily Staff Reporter
After the University Board of Regents meeting
tomorrow, the School of Public Policy is expected
to welcome a new dean.
A University search committee is expected to
recommend Rebecca Blank for the position, which
she would fill effective Aug. 1.
Blank, who said she is excited about working
at the University, serves on the President's Council
of Economic Advisers. Through that position, she
has been investigating the welfare program and

changes in macroeconomic policy.
Blank has a wide range of experiences to her
credit. She has worked in Northwestern
University's economics department since 1989.
Prior to working at Northwestern, Blank taught
economics and public and international affairs at
Princeton University for six years.
Search committee Chair David Featherman,
director of the Institute for Social Research, said
the committee was "looking for an outstanding
scholar who was not only excellent in her field,
but had risen to a visible position in public poli-
cy."
Featherman said Blank's experience in labor
policy and welfare reform coincides with sever-
al of the School of Public Policy's main fields
of study.

Provost Nancy Cantor also said Blank's experi-
ence with welfare and poverty issues is "timely
and necessary for the University."
The search for a new dean began nearly one
year ago. The committee concluded its search last
semester with a report recommending Blank,
Featherman said.
Established in April 1995, the School of Public
Policy is the University's youngest individual
school.
Throughout her career, Blank has moved
between public policy and academic roles. In addi-
tion to policy work, she continues to publish acad-
emic papers.
"I think that mix is important," Blank said.
As the number of public policy schools has
increased over the past 20-25 years, the competi-

tion among programs has become more fierce,
Blank said.
"Maintaining one's reputation as a school of
public policy is harder," Blank said. She said keep-
ing an excellent faculty and student body is one
way to sustain a school's reputation.
"Michigan has a first-rate group of social sci-
entists," she said, citing that as one reason she
became interested in working at the University.
Blank said some of her goals as dean will be to
expand the school's doctorate program, possibly
offer programs to include undergraduate students
and establish better fundraising capabilities.
"One wonders where she gets all her energy;"
Featherman said.
John Chamberlin is the School of Public
Policy's interim dean.

Write on

' Muslim students
celebrate 'end of Ramadan

By Adam Brian Cohen
Daily Staff Reporter
The Muslim month of Ramadan
ended'Monday morning, giving way to
the holiday of celebration, Eid-Ul-Fitr.
"Ramadan is a month when Muslims
feel what it is like to be less fortunate,"
said Muaz Jondy, a Business junior and
Muslim Students Association member.
"It's also a time of increased awareness
of charity."
Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of
Ramadan and continues through
tonight.
"One unique quality in Islamic prac-
tices, including the holidays, is that we
always try to center our focus in the
belief of our one God," said Yaman
Shuskairy, a Business junior and MSA
member. "Eid Al-Fitr is a way to rejoice
in the completion of Ramadan, which is
a month of .increased spirituality for
Muslims."
The religious month of Ramadan
encompasses various Muslim beliefs.
"Ramadan is that season on the
Islamic calendar during which Muslims
feel perhaps most deeply the unity of
the world wide umma" or community,
said English Prof. and Director of
Studies in Religion Ralph Williams.
"Muslims fast together, concentrating
on remembering who they are before

"our celebration, here on campus
tries to reflect some of that
diversity.
- Nizam Arain
Muslim Students Association spokesperson

Allah and in relation to one another."
"As in the Hajj (the pilgrimage to
Mecca) itself, distinctions of wealth and
station fall away as all participate in
those acts of remembering and dedica-
tion which define the Islamic way,"
Williams said.
During Ramadan, which began Dec.
19, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
Along with fasting, swearing is prohib-
ited and married couples refrain from
sexual contact.
Eid-Ul-Fitr, which began at dawn on
Monday, may begin with prayer at a
mosque, Jondy said. Later in the day,;
families visit each other at their homes
and celebrate with food and good com-
pany. Tonight, the celebration may con-
clude at a mosque for some students.
Some University students said they
spend most of Eid-Ul-Fitr at their per-
manent homes and must travel back to
Ann Arbor for classes. Jondy said

because the first day of the holiday
coincided with the, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. holiday, Muslims did not have
to rush back to school for classes
Monday.
For some University students, Eid-
Ul-Fitr activities may extend through
tomorrow night when MSA is sched-
uled to host the Eid Dinner Party.
Festivities will begin at 7 p.m. tomor-
row in the Michigan Union ballroom.
People around the world celebrate the
conclusion of, Ramadan in different
ways said Nizam Arain, a Law third-
year student and MSA spokesperson.
"Our celebration, here on campus,
tries to reflect some of that diversity,"
Arain said.
Tomorrow night's festivities include
dinner and entertainment, with student
acting and singing performances.
Tickets may be purchased at the door
for $12.

DARBY FRIEDUS/DaiIy
Eileen Pollack reads a fiction story at the Rackham Amphitheater last night.
Pollack heads the University's undergraduate creative writing program.
White, Brandon to
start 8-yar regent
terms to-morrow

KNOW WHAT'S UP? WRITE FOR THE DAILY.
COME TO A MASS MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30
AT 420 MAYNARD T.

I

By Jaimie Winkler
Daily Staff Reporter
The University's two newest
regents will begin their eight-year
terms as members of the Board of
Regents when the regents convene for
their January meeting tomorrow
afternoon.
Kathy White (D-Ann 'Arbor) and
David Brandon (R-Ann Arbor) -
elected in November by Michigan
voters - are expected to attend their
first board meetings as regents tomor-
row.
"I am really enthusiastic about
my first meeting and getting to
know" University administration
members and the other regents,
White said.
She and Brandon have been meet-
ing with several University vice pres-
idents as part of their orientation peri-
od, White said.
During these meetings White said,
she was glad to have worked along-
side Brandon, whose business back-
ground differed from her academic
background.
Brandon currently is chief execu-
tive officer of Livonia-based Valassis,
Inc. and White currently is a law pro-
fessor at Wayne State University.
Although White and Brandon have
been preparing for their positions, the

agenda for their first board meeting is
rather bare.
"We're just having a one-day meet-
ing," said Regent Olivia Maynard (D-
Goodrich).
Board meetings are usually held
Thursday afternoons and Friday
mornings once a month.
Maynard said the lack of regental
business prompted the board to hold
only a Thursday session. She
described the agenda as "mundane."
The regents plan to honor
Michigan runner Katie McGregor.
McGregor is a member of the
women's cross country, women's
indoor track and women's outdoor
track teams.
In late November, McGregor won
the Individual National Championship
for cross country running.
"I'm really pleased because we are
going to be honoring Katie
McGregor," Maynard said.
Following McGregor's appearance,
the board plans to review various
administrative reports and personnel
recommendations, among other busi-
ness.
The meeting is scheduled to begin
at 1:30 p.m. in the Regents' Room of
the Fleming Administration Building,
followed by public comments at 4
p.m.

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So we throw in SOUP

&

SALAD, too.

UNLIMITED SOUP, SALAD & BREADSTICKS LUNCH: $4.95!
' When we say unlimited soup, salad and
\ C .. .. breadsticks, we're not kidding. So even
though it's only $4.95, you still get as much as you want of all
three - fresh garden salad, warm garlic breadsticks and great

- 1.IiI LL

GROUP MEETINGS
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RBilding. Room 3540. 76

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