One hundred eight years of editorzafreedom News: 76-DAILY Display Ads: 764-0554 Classified Ads: 764-0557 Monday January 25, 1999 I Alm Ath" - MfthWom I Recent complaints address Naked Mile safety By Adam Brian Cohen Daily Staff Reporter Since the early 1970s, sophomore students at Princeton University have gathered in a campus court- yard on the eve of the first snowfall of the year to par- ticipate in the Nude Olympics, an evening of naked *tivities. But a week and a half ago, Princeton President Harold Shapiro submitted a letter to The Daily Princetonian expressing his intent to end the Nude Olympics because of alcohol-related problems follow- ing this year's event and other safety issues surround- ing the tradition. "I am simply not willing to wait until a student dies before taking preventive action," Shapiro, who served as president of the University of Michigan in the 1980's, wrote in his Jan. 11 letter to Princeton's stu- lent newspaper. Concerns similar to Shapiro's now have Ann Arbor questioning the safety of it's own nude tradition --the Naked Mile, which began in 1986 when members of the Michigan men's crew and track teams peeled off their clothes and ran down campus streets to mark the last day of class. Through the years, the teams gained company, and the simple jog became a nationally recognized tradi- tion. "Last year, there were about 600 runners and 10,000 spectators," said Department of Public Safety Sgt. Benny Chenevert. Among the thousands was Ann Arbor resident Richard Nadon, a videographer who was involved in an altercation while taping last year's mile. That dis- pute was settled out of court. Now Nadon is organizing a class-action suit against the people who harmed him and other video recorders in the Naked Mile last year. "All of a sudden, this wave of people came at me while I was all by my lonesome," Nadon said. "In court, there's no defense for smacking some- one's video equipment or body in this sort of case," he added. Although no formal steps have been taken to end the Naked Mile, many University and city officials said they are concerned with the run - especially following the complaints of disheveled viewers and participants. "I think it should be stopped," said Ann Arbor Police Department Sgt. Michael Logghe. "I'm not really concerned with the nakedness, I'm just afraid of someone getting hurt. The crowds are just too big" The spectators and participants caused more than $13,000 in damages to the landscape of the Diag last spring, Chenevert said. He added that Huron Valley Ambulances transported 12 people to local hospitals following the late-night jog. "Media came last year from as far as Germany," said University spokesperson Julie Peterson. "I find that a bit frightening." Before last April's Naked Mile, various University student organizations coordinated their efforts with DPS officials to offer additional safety. Volunteers were equipped with radios to report trouble to DPS officers. Naked Mile T-shirts were dis- tributed to runners who needed clothing at the end of the run. In addition, organizations attempted to pro- vide enough room for the runners along the crowded path, which included South University Avenue. "It started as an innocent celebration of the end of See NAKED MILE, Page 7A SARA SChLtNCKY~aily Richard Nadon, an Ann Arbor resident, has filed a class-action lawsuit against people who harmed him and other videographers during last year's Naked Mile. Diversity theme semester to be largest in senes Fglhting to the fin By Sarah Lewis 4 ly Staff Reporter For the past decade, the University has dedicated a semester each year to a specific theme that encompasses class- es, activities and special events. Semester themes have included the environment, food and evil. The focus of winter 1999 will be diversity. The University is not the only school in the country that has theme semesters, said Pat McCune, the program coordi- nator for Dialogues on Diversity, one of 0 sponsors for the theme semester. "It's related to the emphasis from the last couple of decades on the interdisci- plinary approach to . education," McCune said. In the past the theme semester included only the College of Literature Science and Arts - the' other major sponsor - but is year, it incorporates er areas of the campus because "we wanted to make this a Universitywide theme semester, McCune said. While in past semesters only about 40 LSA theme-related courses were avail- able, this year more than 100 University courses in 13 different schools and col- leges will focus on diversity, McCune said. She added that in addition to the lasses, the University has planned zens of diversity-related activities and events throughout the term. One event scheduled for this weekend is an Arab student conference, sponsored by the University's Arab-American Anti- Discrimination Committee. Conference co-coordinator Amer Ardati, an LSA senior, said the AAADC helps to foster Arabic culture on campus as well as topics of diversity. "This conference is a keystone empt at bringing these issues to a head," Ardati said, adding that part of the organization's agenda includes reaching out to other minority groups. "We don't feel any of these experi- ences are exclusive to us," he said. McCune explained the architectural metaphor involved in the semester. "The courses are the foundation and the events are the walls and pillars" topped off by the "Capstone Experience," McCune said. The Capstone Experience is a five- day event scheduled for late March in which people will present their experi- ences of diversity - through perfor- mances, panel discussions or research projects - and have the opportunity to engage in open dialogue. In one history class the students are researching and making videos about affirmative action and diversity at the University, McCune said. "We intend the Capstone Experience to be a culminating event «> and focal point, the piece that holds the entire struc- ture together," she said. Kinesiology senior Latesha Walls said the theme semester is a good idea, but the University should emphasize diversity year-round. "Instead of just doing it one semester, if they did it continuous- ly it might be more effective," Walls said, adding that one problem might be the broadness of the term "diversity." Maybe if the University explained what is meant by "diversity," instead of simply offering classes, Walls said, students would be more aware and receptive to the diversity theme. But Walls said the theme semester is a good opportunity to experience different cultures. McCune said she encourages people to share their ideas with her, even if they are opposed to the diversity theme. "You can't force people to take part, but if you offer people an opportunity to engage it's more likely that they'll explore intellectually, she said. McCune admits there are many dif- ferent perspectives on diversity. The diversity theme is especially relevant with the current lawsuits against the University under way concerning race as a factor in the admissions process, she added. Senators debate next step By Mike Spahn Daily Staff Reporter WASHINGTON - In a weekend that ran the gamut of partisan emotion, the Senate concluded hearing argu- ments on the articles of impeachment and moved in earnest to a discussion of what comes next. From the halls of the Capitol to the airwaves of national talkshows, sena- tors debated the merits of the case and the need for witnesses. Each senator is allowed 10 minutes to speak on the motions, which will probably cause the votes on dismissal and witnesses to be pushed to tomorrow. If neither passes, a vote-on the arti- cles could come this week. , Triggered by the announcement that Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV.), the Senate's foremost Constitutional schol- ar, will offer a motion to dismiss, sena- tors from both parties have begun to crystallize their positions on dismissal, witnesses and a final vote on the arti- cles of impeachment. Senators spanning the aisle agreed that Byrd's choice lends the motion more weight, as he is a highly respected member who early in the process actu- ally spoke out against the president. In his statement concerning the motion to dismiss, Byrd said that while he believes the president "has weak- ened the already fragile public trust that has been placed in his care,' he is "con- vinced that the necessary two-thirds for conviction are not there and that they are not likely to develop." Byrd "understands that we are in danger of demeaning the United States Senate," Sen. Edward Kennedy (D- Mass.) said after the dismissal motion was announced The idea drew immediate fire from the Republican leadership. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) See IMPEACH, Page 7A Levin assumes large role in Senate debate By Mike Spahn Daily Staff Reporter WASHINGTON - In a chamber filled with 100 different opinions, 100 competing egos and 100 voices waiting to be heard, it could be hard to distinguish one from the others during the trial of the century. But Michigan's senior senator, Democrat Carl Levin, has risen to a leadership position among Democrats in the U.S. Senate as President Clinton faces removal from office for perjury and obstruc- tion of justice. Levin said in an interview Friday that he continues to support acquittal of the articles and a cen- sure resolution after the trial is completed. "This has been a very important week because of the impact on the floor of the White House case," Levin said. "They did severe dam- age to the case of the House man- agers." Levin, who has had daily conver- sations with members of both par- ties, said he has the feeling that the momentum is pushing toward an expedited finish. In his discussion, See LEVIN, Page 2A Top: Sen. Joe Ueberman (D.Conn.) speaks to reporters outside the Senate chamber on Thursday. Above: Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) Up a creek without a paddle TASA banquet highlights conference Nearly 300 people attended Indian heritage banquet By Sarah Lewis Daily Staff Reporter Dinner, dancing and a keynote address by Minnesota state Rep. Satveer Chaudhary marked IASA's banquet Saturday night, the cli- max of this weekend's Midwestern Indian American Students Conference. Strings of white lights and gold-embossed saris were hung above the entrance of the Michigan Union Ballroom, welcoming the nearly 300 conference participants to the ban- quet. Inside the ballroom, individual candles accented dozens of elegantly-decorated tables. Most women wore colorful Indian Chaudhary, the first Asiant American elected to the Minnesota legislature and only the fourth Asian Indian to be elected to any legislature in the country, said Indian Americans need to become more involved in politics. Although Indians have achieved strong roles on the social and economic levels, Chaudhary said, there is still much to be accomplished in U.S. politics. "If we want to assure success, it is essential that every one of us be involved in mainstream politics," Chaudhary=said, adding that through pointed efforts in a few areas of politics, Indians can gain influence and access to policy makers. "Young Indians can achieve community, political and self-interested goals by simply Chaudhary also emphasized the role race plays in society. "Sometimes as a minority we tend to feel a little sorry for ourselves. Too many coconuts screwing up our identity," he said, referring to the fruit's characteristic of being brown on the outside and white on the inside, "Maybe I have to admit I had to work a lit- tle harder because of my race," Chaudhary said. "I didn't run away from my Indianness -- I ran with my Indianness." Because of Indians' ability to overcome struggles and achieve success in this coun- try, he said, they may be seen as a unique minority, even though inequality still remains. But Indians can use their successes to "make sure we have a seat at the political table," I I