2A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 20, 2000 ENGLER Continued from Page 1A Michigan, but their existence has not always been welcome. Calling Engler's education policies "very weak," Rep. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) expressed apprehension about putting so much faith in charter schools. "These quasi-private schools bleed money out of public schools," Grater said. Engler also announced his inten- tion to create what he called the "Golden Apple Award," which would be awarded to the most improved and highest achieving elementary schools in the state. Every employee - "from the school janitor to the principal," Engler said - would receive a cash award under the proposal, which Democrats dismissed as political fluff. "It was a wonderful piece of political theater," said Rep. John Hansen (D-Dexter), whose district includes North Campus. "Things like (the Golden Apple) are often a disappointment. They are largely show." Adult education was another issue Engler said he was committed to improving in the coming year. "I recommend we increase spend- ing on adult learning from $80 mil- lion to $100 million," he said. Again, Democrats remained skepti- cal that Engler would follow through on his promise. "I found itinteresting that he nen- tioned increasing adult learning fund- ing and he was the one who was responsible for gutting the program previously," said Sen. DiannepByrum (D-Onondaga). Aside from education, Engler also spent part of his speech addressing the environmental condition of the state. The third-term governor, who has been attacked by many Democrats as being anti-environmentalist, pro- claimed his commitment to the pro- tection of Michigan's natural resources -- namely the Great Lakes. "Great Lakes water will never be for sale," he said. This affirmation brought senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle to their feet, but Democrats were quick to point to the governor's environmental record. "He has totally distorted the situa- tion of the environment. During his administration he has dismantled and reduced our environmental stan- dards,' "rater said. Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) did not wholly dismiss Engler's role in safeguarding the envi- ronment. "I credit governors Engler, Blanchard and Milliken. They have all worked very well," said Schwarz, president pro tem of the Senate. NATION/WORLD Number of gay, lesbian Greek houses increasing FRATERNITY Continued from Page 1A said he does not like to label the asso- ciation "gay." "I prefer, it's a progressive frat. It's regardless of sexual orientation," he said. As local chapters establish them- selves on numerous campuses, many leaders have seen their memberships increase. The Pennsylvania State University chapter, founded in 1997, started with six participants and cur- rently counts about 15 individuals, chapter President Adam Steckel said. Steckel said that while he thinks most members of traditional Greek houses are accepting or indifferent to its members' sexual orientation, some students are not tolerant. For students concerned about being accepted, Steckel said Delta Lambda Phi has a welcoming atmosphere. "We become the obvious choice for those people," Steckel said. Sexual orientation "is never going to be an issue for them," he added. At some college campuses, the fra- ternities are not part of the main- stream Greek system. The Penn State chapter is not a part of the Interfraternity Council at the univer- sity. Steckel said procedural, financial and social reasons have kept the chapter from pursuing FC membership. Steckel said the cost of dues and pos- sible media attention would be hin- drances to prospective members already hesitant about joining the fraternity. "They all see the possibility of getting us in a controversy," Steckel said, adding that some members fear their parents may find out they are gay. Delta Lambda Phi has grown in ranks and acceptance but a wide scale sorority equivalent has yet to mirror its success. Lambda Delta Lambda is an "alter- native sorority for women," said Tara Kolankoski, co-president of the Penn State chapter. She added that the chapter was formed more than three years ago for lesbian and bisexual women, but the association does not limit itself. "It's a group of people that don't discriminate on anything," Kolankoski said. "It makes people feel more comfortable. Our group is a great place for anyone to be accept- ed." Kolankoski said while she knows that as many as four universities have had Lambda Delta Lambda chapters on campus, she said Penn State and San Francisco State University may be the only active chapters. The sorority became a member of the Panhellenic Association, the national association of sororities, last semester, Kolankoski said. As part of Panhel's rules, newly inducted groups must hold an event in which members from all sororities are present. Kolankoski said participants at Lambda Delta Lambda's information- al event were receptive and welcom- ing. Although alternative sororities are small in number, Kolankoski said var- ious groups have called her for start- up information. The local chapter has increased in membership from nine to 24. Price acknowledged that despite its recent improvements in quantity and quality, Delta Lambda Phi continual- ly needs improvement. He said cur- rent resources are concentrated in helping interested groups establish themselves - not actively recruiting on campuses. "It's these years that are laying the groundwork," Price said. "The future looks good." ACROSS T HE NATION Clinton presents insurance initiatives.a WASHINGTON -- President Clinton unveiled yesterday a whopping $l10 billion package of health insurance initiatives for his final yearin office, asking the Republican-dominated Congress to approve the largest investment in health care since Medicare was created in 1965. Less expensive versions of the programs died last year, in part becauseof the president's own veto of the Republicans' $792 billion tax-cutting plan. "These proposals are a significant investment in the health of Americans, another step toward giving every American access to quality health care," the president said. About 44 million Americans lack health insurance, apd the president's proposal would cover about 5 million of them. The largest ingredients of Clinton's plan are a $3,000 long-term care tax credit, costing $28 billion in a 10 year period and a $76 billion proposal to insure 4 million parents of children who receive health coverage under Medicaid and the state Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Sensitive to the politics of a presidential campaign year, the president credited Vice President Al Gore with helping shape the administrati4 plan. He said Gore and his Democratic rival, former Sen. Bill Bradley, both have proposed health programs more extensive than his own. BOOSTER Continued from Page 1A plan outlines the formulation of a new departmental-agent policy. The new procedures "are going to be very useful to protect our student athletes," said University Provost Nancy Cantor, a committee member. The same day that the men's bas- ketball procedures were announced, Martin's attorney, Neil Fink, made allegations that information from the ongoing investigation into Martin was leaked to the press. "In response to a question, I said somebody should look into" the pos- sibility of leaked information, Fink said. "It's inappropriate for law enforcement to leak facts about ongoing investigations to a newspa- per and in some cases, it is illegal. I'm very upset about the leaks." U.S. Attorney Rick Convertino said he could not comment on Fink's allegations. -- Daily Sports Writer Jacob Wheeler contributed to this report. Labor sees increase in memberships WASHINGTON -- Labor leaders celebrated the largest increase in union membership in more than 20 years yes- terday, saying they reversed a downhill slide by appealing to white-collar workers. The number of union members was 16.5 million in 1999, an increase of 265,000 workers from the year before, the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. But while the country added 2.7 million jobs last year, the overall per- centage of workers who carry a union card remained at 13.9 percent. Nevertheless, union leaders said they believe the numbers will translate into more political clout for organized labor in the presidential election. "In the year 2000, you're going to see the largest and most significant activity that grassroots workers have exercised in any political election," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. The labor federation has endorsed Vice President Al Gore. One particularly bright spot for union labor was a gain of 11243 members working in the private secto. Traditionally, government employs and contractors have been the stroW hold of the labor movement, and while that remains the case, union organizers noted that the rolls from private indiis- try had otherwise been in decline since 1978. Pacific ocean sees sigficant cooling New satellite data released yesterday show the Pacific Ocean may be under ing a dramatic climate shift that coo alter global weather patterns, disrupt fish stocks and perhaps lead Souther'n California into decades of drier than nar mal weather. The changing cycle, known as tie Pacific Decadal Oscillation, was for- mally identified just three years aP. Scientists tracking its progression say it appears that the eastern Pacific' is undergoing a significant ocean cool trend. RUSH AKEB A 1004 Olivia Avenue SA Michigan Tradition Since 1855 AROUND THE WORLD Russians continue push through Grozny GROZNY, Russia - The Russian military redoubled its drive to conquer Chechen rebels yesterday, with troops fighting street by street in the capital Grozny while helicopter gunships and cannons relentlessly pounded the southern mountains. Lt. Gen. Gennady Troshev, Russia's deputy chief commander in Chechnya, announced yesterday that the war was expected to be finished by Feb. 26, although "nobody is giving the forces any firm deadlines for ending the oper- ation!' the Interfax news agency report- ed. He did not explain how he arrived at that date. Federal forces pushed toward the center of Grozny from several direc- tions, trying to squeeze rebel fighters into an ever-tightening circle, the mili- tary said. It was impossible to verify the army's claims of progress. Reporters are con- strained from moving freely about the capital because of the danger and' the restrictions imposed by both °thc Russian and Chechen sides. But an Associated Press repor watched yesterday as Russian forces ii" a northwestern neighborhood calfed Mikrorayon-3 seized several shell-putic- tured, five-story apartment buildings Mandela addresses UN on Burundi UNITED NATIONS - Nel" Mandela directed the world's attenihn yesterday to the small nation of Buruindi, where a brutal civil war that has gone largely unnoticed outside Africa is threatening to destabilize the region. Addressing the Security Council- as part of a new effort to revive phace talks, Mandela chided Burundi's lead- ers for failing to stem a conflict that has claimed 200,000 lives and left thou- sands of people living in inhumane conditions in government camps. - Compiled from Daily wire repdfAs. I Sunday, January 23, 2000 6:00-10:00 PM You'll Be Glad You Did! DopOS t $200 "rogaso* SLOT POT -nmw over -nintil mpsi t b The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms students at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U.S. mail $100. Winter term (January through April) is $105, yearlong (September through April) is $180. On-cam subscriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated Collegiate Press. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327. PHONE NUMBERS (All area code 734): News 76-DAILY; Arts 763-0379; Sports 647-3336; Opinion 764-0552; Circulation 764-0558; Classified advertising 764-0557; Display advertising 764-0554; Billing 764-0550.,, E-mail letters to the editor to daily.!let ters@umich.edu. World Wide Web: http://www.michigandaily.com. . NEWS Jennifer Yachnin, Managing Editor EDITORS: Nikita Easley. Katie Plona, Mike Spahn. Jaimie Winkler. STAFF: Lindsey Alpert, Jeannie Baumann. Risa Berrin. Marta Brill, Nick Bunkley, Charles Chen, Anna Clark, Adam Brian Cohen, Shabpam Daneshvar, Sana Danish, Dave Enders. Jen Fish, Josie Gingrich, Robert Gold, Jewel Gopwani. Michael Grass, Krista Gullo, David Jenkin Elizabeth Kassab, Jodie Kaufman, Jody Simone Kay, Yael Kohen, Lisa Koivu, Karolyn Kokko, Dan Krauth, Hanna LoPatin, Tiffany Maggard, Kevin Magnuson. Caitlin Nish, Kelly O'Connor. Jeremy W. Peters. Nika Schulte, Jennifer Sterling, Shomari Terrelonge-Stone. Jon Zemke. CALENDAR: Adam Zuwerink. EDITORIAL Jeffrey Kosseff, David Wallace, Ed. ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Emily Achenbaum, Ryan DePietro. Nick Woomer. STAFF: Ryan Slay, Chip Cullen, Peter Cunniffe, Seth Fisher, Lea Frost. Jenna Greditor. Scott Hunter, Kyle Goodridge. Molly Kennedy. Cortney Konner. Thomas Kuljurgis, Mike Lopez, Brandon Sanz: Killy Scheer, Jack Schillaci, Jim Secreto, Job Singer, Jennifer Strausz, Katie Tibaldi, Josh Wickerham, Paul Wong. SPORTS Rick Freeman, Managing Editor EDITORS: T J. Berka, Chris Duprey, Josh Kleinbaum. Andy Latack STAFF: Emily Achenbaum, Matthew Baias, Rohit Shave, David Den Herder, Sam Duwe. Dan Dingerson, Jason Emeott, Sarah Ensoriark Francescutti, Geoff Gagnon, Brian Galvin, Raphael Goodstein. Arun Gopal, Chris Grandstaff. David Horn, Michael Kern, Dena Krrscier, Ryan C. Moloney. David Mosse, Stephanie Offen. Jeff Phillips, Kevin Rosenfield, David Roth, Tracy Sandier, Jon Schwartz, Benjamin Singer, RAta Srivastava, Uma Subramanian. Jacob Wheeler, Dan Williams, Jon Zemke. ARTS Christopher Cousino, Managing Editor EDITORS: Gabe Fajuri, Chris Kula WEEKEND, ETC. EDITORS: Toyin Akinmusuru, Jeff Druchniak, Nicole Pearl SUB-EDITORS: John Uhl (Music). Jenni Glenn (Fine/Performing Arts). Caitlin Hall (TV/New Media). Ben Goldstein (Booksh. Matthew Barret) (Film) STAFF: Gautam Baksi, Nick Broughten. Jason Birchmeier, Alisa Claeys. Cortney Dueweke. Nick Falzone, Laura Flyer, Jewel Gopwh Anika Kohon. Joshua Pederson, Erin Podolsky, David Reamer. Aaron Rich, Adlin Rosii, Neshe Sarkozy. Chris Tkaczyk, Ted Watts. Zimmermann. PHOTO Louis Brown, Dana Unnane, Editors ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Sam Hollenshead, Jessica Johnson, David Rochkind STAFF: Kristen Goble. Sam Hollenshead, Danny Kalick, David Katz, Emily Linn. Marjorie Marshall, Jeremy Menchik, Joanna Paine, Sara Schenk, Alex Wolk, Kimitsu Yogachi. ONLINE Satadru Pramanik, Managing Editor EDITORS: Toyin Akinmusuru, Rachel Berger, Paul Wong STAFF: Amy Ament, Angela Cummings. Dana Goldberg, James Schiff, Peter Zhou. DESIGNER: Seth Benson t