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Friday
April 14, 2000
ollinger defends course on gay culture
Regents also approve
designs for Life Sciences
Institute at monthly meeting
nna Clark .
WI yStaff Reporter
After drawing attention across the state and
the nation, the debate surrounding English
Prof. David Halperin's Fall 2000 class, "How
to Be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initia-
tion," moved to the University's Board of
Regents monthly meeting yesterday.
Defending the course in his opening
r jarks, University President Lee Bollinger
s the class has a legitimate role in the Uni-
versity's academic environment.
"It is the role of the University to think
about what it means to be human. This course
is a facet of the study of what it means to be
human,'he said. "It's one of intellectual inter-
est. We believe this course has academic
value.
According to its description, the focus of
the course is the "role of initiation in the for-
mation of gay identity" by studying topics
such as Broadway musicals, drag and gay lit-
erature.
During public comments, American Fami-
ly Association of Michigan President Gary
Glenn condemned the class. "AFA-Michigan
believes it is wrong to force taxpayers to
foot the bill for a class whose express pur-
pose is to 'experiment' in 'initiating'
teenagers into a lifestyle of homosexual
behavior," Glenn said.
He continued to say that the class violates
state law as well as moral and religious beliefs
of many taxpayers. While an 86-page booklet
titled "Health Implications Associated with
Homosexuality" was distributed to the
regents, Glenn said a homosexual lifestyle is
threatening to one's health.
After the meeting, Regent Andrea Fischer
Newman (R-Ann Arbor) said she had some
questions regarding the course because its
title was inconsistent with the literature she
received about the course. But she said she
supports academic freedom. "I don't pass
judgment. I support the freedom of the facul-
ty," she said.
Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Goodrich) said
Wednesday that the controversy was taken out
of context. "It's part of a whole series of class-
es, and it fits in there fine. I have no problem
with the class," Maynard said. "The perspec-
tive that attacked it just wanted to make it an
issue, and I don't think it's an issue."
Earlier in the meeting, the regents paved the
way for the Life Sciences Institute, by approv-
ing a presentation by Philadelphia-based
architecture firm Venturi, Scott Brown and
Associates.
The regents approved four proposals relat-
ing to the project, including the schematic
design of the main LSI building and the
Palmer Drive parking structure. They also
approved the projects and sites for the com-
mons building, which is intended for conven-
tions and dining, and the Medical Research
Laboratory Facility Project, which will
replace the existing Kresge buildings on the
medical school campus.
"This is one step of many to try to build the
life sciences at the University," Bollinger said.
"I think this is an academic program of the
highest importance."
Architect Robert Venturi described LSI's
intended design as "very conventional." He
said the firm plans to use a vertical window
style, similar to the Harlan Hatcher 0 Gradu-
ate Library. Black and gray granite, lime-
stone, and other rose-colored materials will
add to the "aura" the buildings contribute to
campus, Venturi said.
But not everyone approved of the proposed
design. Regent Kathy White (D-Ann Arbor)
cast the sole vote against the design for the
main LSI building.
"I liked the interior - I thought that was
well done," White said. "But with the exterior,
there's just too many colors. It doesn't fit with
the other buildings on campus. There's no
need for it."
White emphasized that although she voted
against the exterior design, she still supports
the LSI project as a whole.
Regent David Brandon (R-Ann Arbor) said
that while he was excited about the material
presented, the LSI depends on quality
researchers to make it a success. "Obviously,
bricks and mortar don't make a progressive
institute," Brandon said. "It's the teachers and
researchers that make a difference."
Rudgers
Lamced to
' VP
position
By Jeannie Baumann
Daily Staff Reporter
University President Lee Bollinger
announced his appointment for vice
president for communications yester-
day, leaving only one top administra-
tive post - vice
president for stu-
dent affairs - still
vacant.
Lisa Rudgers,
who currently
serves as assistant
vice president for
university rela-
tions at Michigan
State University,
dgars is scheduled to
take office May 15. The University
Board of Regents approved the
appointment yesterday during its
monthly meeting.
"I think this is a person of extraor-
Aary talent to make sure that the
issues connected the University accu-
rately presented to the world,"
Bollinger said during the meeting.
He cited honesty as one of her best
character traits.
"Honesty is the absolute, fundamen-
tal goal of puiblic relations in my
view, Bollinger said.
Rudgers said in a phone interview
yesterday she was grateful to Bollinger
* the regents for the appointment to
president for communications.
"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to
be at U of M," she said. "I've loved
what I've done so far, and I'm looking
forward to the future.
Regent Andrea Fischer Newman (R-
Ann Arbor) said she has not had the
opportunity to meet Rudgers, but nev-
ertheless is excited about the prospect
of her appointment.
I think she'll be terrific," she said.
As vice president for communica-
tions, Rudgers will be responsible for
University relations, which encom-
passes marketing, public relations and
public affairs. She will also oversee the
See RUDGERS, Page 2
Activist blaz
Pace-based
public pole
By Anna Clark
Daily StaffReporter
'This
Is
a
dangerous
event'
Fear, not fun, now
characterizes Mile
By David Enders,
Caitlin Nish
and Jacquelyn Nixon
Daily Staff Reporters
One of the easiest ways to tell that
the Naked Mile has evolved from a
senior tradition to a commercialized
event involving far more people than
just University students is by con-
ducting a simple Internet search.
Type in the words "naked mile" or
a similar phrase, and a variety of
Websites offering videos of the event
and links in at least four languages
pop up, as well as a multitude of sites
such as "The Hooters Historians,"
which offer photos of the event.
AMX Video of Colorado Springs,
Co., amxvideo.com, is one of the many
purveyors of Naked Mile videos. Its
Website advertises "Public Nudity
Videos of Real People & Real Parties
& Fun," but employee Andy Scrim-
geour said he isn't sure what the
appeal of a Naked Mile videos is.
"It beats me," he said. "We get
orders from all over the country."
One of the most popular Internet
sites, NakedMile.com, offers more
than 17 videos ranging in price from
$49.99 to $375.00,for a complete set
of videos with coverage since 1993.
The creator boasts on the site that
"Personally, I think of Naked Mile
Raw as a set of party videos, you
know, something you got playing
when the guys come over. It really
captures a lot of attention"
Also capturing attention are the
vendors who have created a commer-
cial industry from the annual event,
something that many students see as
exploitation. LSA senior A.G.
Fuentes was one of the vendors sell-
ing Naked Mile T-shirts for $15 on
the sidewalk outside of the Michigan
Union yesterday afternoon.
"The shirts are just memorabilia for
See MILE, Page 3
Ann Arbor resident John Gabriel sells Naked Mile T-shirts at the corner of South University and East University avenues
yesterday. Police expect more than 10,000 people to line streets and crowd the Diag to watch the annual run tonight.
..
Researchers compete for funds
Silly puttingj
By Lindsey Alpert
Daily Staff Reporters
The University leads the nation in research
spending with about 24,000 staff members and
students conducting experiments on campus.
But even with the largest pool of resources,
getting the money still requires a great deal of
late nights, patience and creativity.
"Most people don't really appreciate how
difficult it is to write a compelling grant,"
chemistry Prof. Gary Glick said. "In science,
you're only as good as your last experiment."
Glick also serves on a study section group
for the National Institutes of Health. The
group reviews grant proposals submitted to
the NIH, the federal government's principle
biomedical research agency.
"A grant usually takes about eight weeks to
prepare working six to seven hours per day,
five days a week," Glick said. "The current
success rate is 20 to 25 percent."
In order to receive a grant, researchers must
submit grant proposals detailing a specific pro-
Inside:jectthey will work on
ywiththe grant money.
e The NIH reviews grants
Uiversity three times per year. It
provides takes about nine or 10
many research months to receive notifi-
opportunities for cation if the grant pro-
undergraduates. posal was accepted and
Pae 5. to receive the money.
"Grant proposals are judged on signifi-
cance, approach, innovation, qualifications of
the investigator and the environment," Glick
said. "Any one of those criteria can sink the
grant. Even if 99.5 percent is great, that 0.5
percent kills you."
Grant funds typically span multiple years,
ranging most frequently from three to five
years, Glick said. Although many successful
professors often hold multiple grants, most
researchers lose all their money at some point.
"The University of Michigan is more gen-
erous than other universities," Glick said.
"They'll give you 'seed' or 'pilot' money to
help you off the ground."
The academic departments also often offer
money known as "bridge" money to support
researchers while they rewrite a grant proposal.
University Vice President of Research
Fawwaz Ulaby said the University spent
$499,721,931 during the 1999 fiscal year.
Federal grants supplied 68.5 percent of the
nearly $500 million while University funds
See RESEARCH, Page 5
Nationals conclude
ZBT hazing probe
rrom the lawsuits contesting the University's
of race in admissions to race-based public
policy, Edward Blum discussed a range of sensi-
tive issues yesterday evening in an address at the
Michigan Union.
Blum, who serves as co-chairman of the Hous-
ton-based Campaign for a Color Blind America,
a legal defense and educational foundation, has
By David Enders
Daily Staff Reporter
The national chapter of the Zeta Beta
Tau fraternity has closed its investiga-
tion into a hazing incident that occurred
at its campus chapter last month.
"The National Fraternity, after hav-
ing completed its investigation into
allegations of hazing at its University
of Michigan Chapter, is now reviewing
its findings in order to issue appropri-
ate sanctions in the near future," ZBT
Executive Director Jonathan Yulish
was burned with a bleach-based
cleansing agent by fraternity members
in March, leaving scars that are possi-
bly permanent.
But the University's Interfraternity
Council has not closed its own investi-
gation into the matter.
"Whatever their national board
decides for them, the Greek Activities
Review Panel will continue its investi-
gation,' said IFC Executive Vice Pres-
ident and CARP Chairman Marc
Hustvedt, an LSA junior.
Penalties that IFC may level against
DIAVID) HU1NKIND/Da
LSA sophomore Peter Woodman makes a putt on a
miniature golf course set up on the Diag yesterday for
Senior Days, which conclude today.
Anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum
speaks in the Anderson Room of the Michigan
Union yesterday.
involved a 1974 Hawaii state law that created a