LOCAL/S TATE The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 7, 1999 - 3 i IIIVI I I11 IIIIIIIIII tESEARCH i ; Campus area theft dwindle ver break Survey finds decrease in teen drug usage 9Drug use among secondary school students is down after six years of strong -increases, according to the jesults of a new study conducted by University researchers. Principal study investigator Lloyd TJohnston, a research scientist at the Institute for Social Research, said illic- t drug use among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders declined very slightly in Jast year's Monitoring the Future Study #American secondary students. Nearly 50,000 students in the three grades took the 1998 survey, which was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The study reported marijuana use by students decreased, although it is still widespread. Twenty-two percent of eighth-graders and 49 percent of 12th- 8raders said they had tried the drug. Other drugs on the decline included mulants, hallucinogens, inhalants and alcohol, although 33 percent of 12th- graders said they had been drunk at least once the month preceding the survey. The use of heroin, cocaine and tran- quilizers either increased in 1998 'or leveled out among students. Michiganders belt up, study says Researchers at the University's ansportation Research Institute found that although the use of safety belts by drivers and front-seat passengers in Michigan has reached a higher level than ever before, the national goals set for the next few years are unrealistic fort state. The annual study reported that 1998's overall rate of seat belt use of 69.9 percent is the highest ever for motorists in the state. *The national goal for seat belt use is 85 percent by 2000 and 90 per- cent by 2005, researcher David Eby said, adding that these goals are quite far. away for Michigan motorists. The study found that 65 percent of men buckle up, as compared to 16 percent of women. Only 63 per- cent of 16-to-29-year-olds wear safety belts. The study also reported that people more likely to buckle up when in the driver's seat, between the hours of 7 nm. and I p.m., and when driving on the freeway. 'U' astronomers find dust involved in star evolutions University astronomers at an erican Astronomical Society meet- ing yesterday presented evidence sug- gesting the existence of relatively cool particles, such as dust grains and sili- cates contained within extremely hot gas located in far-away galaxies. The discovery suggests the presence of these particles is very important, since they may help to show the evolu- ton of aging stars. Astronomers used infrared technolo- O to observe the particles since it ows viewers to see objects that may be too cold or faint for detection, using other methods as well as those con- lained within dense material. The findings were shocking to the searchers since the particles are sig- iiicantly cooler than their surrounding ases, which can reach temperatures of 10 million degrees Kelvin. The astronomers suspect the parti- s were emitted by stars interacting with hot gas in the galaxies up to 60 million light years away. Info on magnetic fields published University Engineering scientists have completed a study involving the interaction of matter and energy, and their results were published last month in a science magazine.. *The researchers observed the behavior qf electrons in powerful magnetic fields, including the effect of light's electric and magnetic fields on isolated electrons. This new field of study, called rela- tivistic fiber optics, may prompt technol- ogy that is capable of producing holo- grams of living cells, or X-rays that cap- ture minuscule, extremely fast scientific processes such as photosynthesis. - Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Sarah Lewis. By Nick Bunkley Daily Staff Reporter While some students continue to struggle to reach Ann Arbor from their holiday vacations, those who have made the trip back to school have found their belongings right where they left them last year. Unlike Thanksgiving break, during which stu- dents reported thefts from rooms in West Quad and Mary Markley residence halls, Director of Housing Public Affairs Alan Levy said crime'in residence halls during the winter break was non-existent. "We've had no reports as of yet of thefts from students or from Housing," Levy said. Levy attributed the lack of criminal activity to the fact that during winter break, residence halls are essentially inaccessible to anyone. "The difference between Christmas and Thanksgiving," Levy said, "is that (during winter break) the buildings are completely closed, and card- reader access is turned off. Nobody's in them" Ann Arbor Police Department Sgt. Michael Logghe said several students reported break-ins at their off-campus residences, but the number of thefts was actually lower than normal this year. "Statistically, it was the same as a regular week," Logghe said. "Historically, it's been a time with increased theft. (This year) I'd say theft was down, really." Logghe said heavy snowfall and below-zero temperatures probably did not cause the decrease in theft this year. Weather may deter some people from breaking into residences, Logghe said,'but it won't stop any- one determined to commit a crime. Although off-campus houses and apartments are more accessible to thieves than residence halls, "The whole Ann Arbor area is pretty safe. - Bruce Dekraker Campus Rentals accounts manager Varsity Management leasin aCent Brooke Horzelski said security is not a major concemn of the company when students arc not in town. "We do have 24-hour mann e people and they are around in the builings during the day" Horzelski said. "The residents do have to take an activ part in locking doors and window: she added. Off-campus housing adviscr mdiator Amy Starr said students should not woriv about theft. providcd they take proper precautions befoic they leave town. "It seems to be a verv rare type of problem," Clnton to cal Dtroi eco-El Starr said, but added, "we do recommend that stu- dent: get renter's insurance." Starr said students should put valuables out of sight and close curtains before leaving for extended periods of time. If security of some items is in ques- tion, she suggested getting a lockbox for storage. Campus Rentals accounts manager Bruce Dekraker said students should be able to leave Ann Arbor confident their possessions will be safe while they're away. "All of our properties are fairly safe, and the whole Ann Arbor area is pretty safe," Dekraker said. kacu esident, The impeachment trial was not a fac- weekly tor in the planning of the event, before Gegenheimer said. She did say Detroit c week- Mayor Dennis Archer played a pivotal role in bringing Clinton to Detroit for Press the speech. said the The Democrat originally was sched- onomic tiled to speak at the event before wants to Clinton's plans were announced. y com- Clinton's speech will begin at 12:30 ndustry, p.m. Only members of the economic remarks club will be allowed into the speech at the Cobo Center. By Mike Spahn Daily Staff Reporter Amidst his trial in the U.S. Senate for perjury and obstruction of justice, con- tinuing skirmishes with Iraq and a new congressional session, President Bill Clinton will leave Washington tomor- row to speak at the Economic Club of Detroit. Clinton also plans to visit the 1999 North American Auto Show while in the city. The noon luncheon will feature an hour-long presentation by the pr and ion also will tape his radio address from Detroit returning to Washington for th end. Assistam Whie House Secretary Sarah Genhcimers president will ficus on ecc growth during his address. He 'N see the 'c tting-edge technolog ing out of the American auto r she said, and will base his greatly upon what he sees, Kevorkian, medical societies fight about freq speech i*n suit WARREN ZINN/Daiy Michigan Student Assembly Treasurer Bram Ellas stands in front of the site of the MSA student-run coursepack store in the Michigan Union yesterday. MSA COursepack store; to open in Union next week DETROIT (AP) - Attorneys for the American Medical Association and the Michigan State Medical Society told the state Court of Appeals yesterday that they shouldn't be sued for calling Jack Kevorkian a "killer" in their literature. But attorney Geoffrey Fieger said Kevorkian shoulk be allowed to proceed with his $10 million libel lawsuit 'g inst the groups because he has never been convicted of kiling anyone. Kevorkian filed the libel suit in 1996. In May 1997, Wayne County Circuit Judge Sharon Finch denied the medical groups' motion to dismiss the suit, saying that calling someone a "killer" if he has not been convicted of murder is "libel per se. "However, 'free' though speech may be, it can still carry a price tag," Finch wrote in that opinion. Yesterday, the AMA and the Medical Society were appeal- ing Finch's decision to allow the suit to proceed. Richard Weber, legal counsel for the Medical Society, said the AMA published the material but the Medical Society was included in the suit because it distributed the material. Both groups actively oppose assisted suicide. "Our argument is that the First Amendment authorizes those statements,"Weber said. Weber said he doesn't expect the Court of Appeals to rule on the case for several months. Fieger was not available for comment yesterday after the hearing. In past hearings, he has argued that even if groups oppose assisted suicide, Kevorkian shouldn't be labeled a killer because he has never been convicted of murder. That fact may change for the 70-year-old assisted sui- cide advocate. Last month, Kevorkian was ordered to stand trial on charges of murder and assisted suicide in the death of a disabled man that was broadcast on national television. 1 1-1 By Jewel Gopwani Daily Staff Reporter Beginning Monday some students will be able to purchase their coursepacks at considerably cheaper prices than in previous semesters from the Michigan Student Assembly's Student Coursepack Store. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3905 in the Michigan Union, the store will sell coursepacks for five classes. It will stay open through Jan. 29 or until all of the packs are sold. "In the long run, we want to pro- vide a cost-effective option for stu- dents and professors," MSA Treasurer Bram Elias said. Coursepack prices range from $6.76 to $26.96. But the store will serve only approximately 130 students in five classes. Students in History 396 and 371, American Culture 520 and Anthropology 357 and 658 will pur- chase their coursepacks from SCS. "The store is really a pilot pro- gram," said Theresa Brett, an adviser to the store's organizers from the Office of Student Affairs. "After the coursepacks are sold, we'll have a chance to evaluate it this winter term." Jack Bernard, who advises the store's organizers on behalf of the Office of the Vice President and the General Counsel, said the store is an experimental program this semester because of the legal issues involved. If a publisher sues SCS and the store is found guilty, it would be forced "pay fines and it would be enjoined from continuing," Bernard said. Lower coursepack prices at the student-run store can be attributed to MSA's interpretation of copyright laws. "We still pay for copyright costs, we just look into the fair use exception," of the U.S. Copyright Act, Elias said. The copyright law states that roy- alties cannot be charged when copies are used for educational pur- poses. "Copyright laws can work for the students and professors making copies for their education as opposed to companies making copies for profits," Elias said. History Prof. Regina Morantz- Sanchez said the coursepack for History 396 last winter semester cost approximately $60.00 at the Michigan Document Service. Through the SCS, that class's coursepack will cost $26.96. Anthropology and history Prof. Ann Stoler, who teaches Anthropology 357 and 658, said she likes the idea of a student-run coursepack store "because coursep- acks are far too expensive. This is something convenient and cheap" Stoler said. The store is a non-profit organiza- tion, which also. keeps the cost of coursepacks lower than at other local establishments. "The store is run at cost," Elias said. "MSA is putting up the money, but it will end at no profit." Elias said the money collected from each coursepack sold will go directly to reimburse MSA, which funded overhead costs, The organizers have recruited some volunteers to run the store, but Elias also encourages others to vol- unteer. "Students who work at the Student Coursepack Store get to know professors personally," Elias said. Bernard said that although this is an experimental program, he has a positive outlook on its future. "I'm optimistic and I am encour- aged by their efforts," he said. Stud ent,,z- A ;V - Would you lke another chance to SHOWCASE your rgunization and recruit new members? It's your last cance to register for: we', fi S the student organization fair Winierf eltakes place on: ThursdaJnay14 Mian Union Sponsored by: Student Activities and Leadership 3 5Mdk1 2 205 Mihn Union I' Correction: U Warren Zinn took the photo of Marcus Knight on page 5B of yesterday's Daily SportsWednesday. This was reported incorrectly. .~ ~ ~ I III