LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 11, 2000 - 3
'UR I M E
Michigamua alums troubled by protest
Missing seals
from the Halo
teturned to U'
Missing pieces'of the Halo that
once adorned Michigan Stadium were
returned Tuesday to University offi-
cials, said University Facilities and
Operations spokeswoman Diane
Brown.
Three large University seals, roughly
five feet in diameter and weighing
about 100 pounds, were reported miss-
ing after the Michigan vs. Northwestern
en's basketball game on Jan. 19.
'The father of a student took them
for his sick son," Brown said. The
man had attended the game, seen the
seals laying on the ground near the
stadium's press box and thought they
would be appreciated by his son, who
is a student here, Brown said.
He had assumed they were being
thrown out until seeing a story on the
ising seals in The Michigan Daily,
own said. The seals had actually
been left on the ground by construc-
tion workers tearing down the halo,
with intentions of putting the seals
into storage the next day.
"There are honest people out there,"
Brown said. She added that the Uni-
versity does not plan to file charges in
the matter.
The seals have been moved into
storage with the rest of the Halo,
ose fate remains undetermined.
lown said many people have con-
tacted her inquiring if the University
was selling pieces of the Halo, which
aside from the University seals, was
made up of giant football helmets and
seven-foot tall letters spelling out
phrases from The Victors. She said
that-the majority of the people she has
spoken to were interested in obtaining
the letter "Q."
%andall Lab bomb
threat proves false
A man overheard a number of peo-
ple in the Diag talking about "blowing
up" Randall Laboratory on Tuesday
morning, according to Department of
Public Safety reports. DPS officers
investigated but did not find a bomb.
,ubcaps stolen
near Public
Health I Building
The hubcaps were stolen off a
woman's car while it was parked in
the lot near the Public Health I
Building on Monday, DPS reports
state.
DPS did not report having any sus-
ects in the incident.
Markley resident
causes ruckus
A male student in Mary Markley
Residence Hall was seen running
through hallways and "banging on
doors" early Wednesday morning,
according to DPS reports. DPS had
a description of the disruptive stu-
dent.
Student victim of
food poisoning
student in Mary Markley Resi-
dence Hall was transported to the
Iniversity Hospitals emergency
room Tuesday evening, DPS reports
State.
The student was suffering from
parent food poisoning after eating
Markley's dining hall.
Message board
used by stranger
A student in South Quad Residence
Hall complained Monday that an
unknown person has been writing on
the message board on the door of her
residence hall room, DPS reports
state.
DPS did not report having any sus-
pects.
- Compiled hv Daily StaffJ
Reporter David Enders.
By Jeremy W. Peters
Daily StaffReporter
In light of the recent controversy surrounding the
Michigamua society, University alumni and
Michigamua members are speaking out against the
allegations of racism surrounding the organization.
Michigamua's member list is, in effect, a who's
who list for the University. Famous alumni such
as former President Gerald Ford, playwright
Arthur Miller, Michigan men's hockey coach Red
Berenson and former Athletic Directors Bo
Schembechler and Fielding H. Yost are among
the group's members.
Penny Circle, who serves as Ford's personal sec-
retary, said yesterday afternoon was the first time
the former president had heard of the protest.
Because he had little information on the subject,
Circle said Ford would not comment on the matter.
Sunday morning, members of the Students of
Color Coalition gained access to Michigamua's
meeting space on the seventh floor of the Michi-
gan Union. The SCC refuses to leave until the
University meets its demands.
"It's an invasion of personal property," Michi-
gan hockey coach Red Berenson said. "Is it legal
to break into people's rooms and give away their
stuff?" he questioned. "I think they should end up
in jail."
Berenson also said he felt his Michigamua
experience was invaluable.
"I got to know other peo-
ple on campus who were
'successful that made me
feel like I was more than personalj
just another good athlete
and some are my best 1 think th
friends today," the former
"Michigamua is not trying to degrade Native
Americans. The original philosophy behind
Michigamua was to honor them. Now in the
nineties, it seems different,' he said. "They're
really trying to stay in touch with the University
and the times.'
vasion of
groperty...
my should
University alum and
Michigamua member Lyell
Haynes, who has publicly
criticized Michigamua prac-
tices in the past, also ques-
tioned the protesters actions.
"I don't agree with the
methods by which the SCC
is doing their protest, but I
do agree they have valid
criticisms that need to be
addressed, but to bring them
to light in this way is ado-
an
ica
the
we
pol
me
pec
inte
mt
Na
tray
ob
sp
we
sto
the
an
ob
aft
hockey player said. end u in jail."
Berenson said Michiga- u
mua benefits the University - Red Berenson
community in ways that Michigan hockey coach
most people do not know.
"When I was in it we
talked about the need for a multi-purpose sports
building, and that was the beginning of Crisler
Arena," he added.
As for the claims that Michigamua practices
are disrespectful to Native Americans, Berenson
said that they are simply not true.
lescent" Haynes said.
"I was critical of Michigamua when I was at the
University,' he added. "What it has in its past is a
lot of ignorance ... but many members each year
attempt to make changes:'
Haynes said during his senior year in 1998, he
Straight talk
We are questioning
remain unreso
Delgado sa
Continued from Page 1 via e-mail last
together, will continue," Delgado said. "One thing that's drilled an agreement
into us is that Michigan is bigger than Michigamua," he said. said. "It didn't
It is with that sentiment that the group says it will pursue Delgado sa
continuing change. Each member stressed the fact that this to make conci
year's class had come a long way to changing traditions. to us now is t
Although they belong to an organization that has existed for said. "One thi
more than 100 years, members said many of the goals and of the Univer
activities of the group change each year. This year marks the in the history
first year women have been admitted to the group, Delgado history is outt
said. Delgado sa
"We are questioning what has happened in the past," SCC was abl
Moudgil said. "We don't want to make the same mistakes." have access t
After hearing about the takeover on Sunday, Michigamua building man
members met with administrators and the two other societies Michigamu
who have meeting space in the tower. Administrators asked many of the a
that the society agree to name the tower a "neutral zone" void the objects w
of access from all people at this time, and although Michiga- these objectsa
mua members agreed to the locks being changed and to not of what Mich
enter the building, the SCC denied the offer. "Again, no
SCC spokesman Joe Reilly, an SNRE senior, said the group artifacts thatv
was not interested in agreeing to the tower being declared a means an exc
neutral zone. "There is no more room for dialogue with for the belong
Michigamua,' Reilly said. "We want the space to be totally ed by the find
redefined:' Americans a
Michigamua held its first meeting on the seventh floor of the Michigamuan
Union more than 70 years ago. Previously the Union tower was Michigamu
a water tank. In the 1930s, a Michigamua member raised funds trators to rem
to renovate the area. Current members agree that the tower is a "We want t
fundamental part of Michigamua's history but said using the days, resolves
tower is not worth causing distress to students on campus. Delgado s
Michigamua is a registered group on campus but it is not Native Ameri
funded by the University, instead supporting itself through placement ofa
internal dues. Contrary to popular belief, Michigamua is not a and will be gi
"secret society" Delgado said. "We really
Members said it has been perceived as a secret society given their vi
because the group's century-old mission is to practice mod- ment that the
esty and not advertise its services to the University. Instead, it ican culture e
does so in a humble, unsolicited manner, Moudgil said. "We're pre
Michigamua's membership changes each year. Delgado and Americans a
Moudgil said about 25 seniors are recruited each year from Michigamua,
various campus groups. Delgado said the association met Michigam
Monday as a group and decided to go against the society's tra- and traditions
dition of not making their decisions public. that they arec
Michigamua member Shannon Shakespeare, a Kinesiology offensive to N;
senior, said when they were first inducted last April they were Delgado sa
aware of Michigamua's past controversies and immediately group's name
determined to address the inconclusiveness of issues that for members,
d his fellow Michigamua members made signif-
nt changes in the groups practices. "We stopped
beating of the drum at our meetings ... we
re responsible for the taking down of a totem
Il at a recreation center on Dix Road," he said.
Hlaynes added that he has nothing but fond
mories of Michigamua.
"I valued every moment I spent there. The
ople in that organization are of the utmost
egrity and of the highest intelligence"'he said.
One of the controversies surrounding Michiga-
ia has been whether the group in fact uses
tive American artifacts that SCC claims por-
y Native Americans in a negative light. These
jects are currently on display in the meeting
ace, although Michigamua members say they
re in storage prior to the SCC occupation.
"The stuff these kids dug out was apparently
red in the attic and I knew nothing about
,m," Berenson said.
"I've got one of my players in (Michigamua)
d he didn't even know about them" he added.
Haynes, too, said he had never seen the
jects. "I know that in my group and the groups
er me, we never used these things' he said.
...the past
dved.
id he and Reilly discussed a potential meeting
t April and earlier this semester but did not reach
t. "I'm not pointing a finger at Joe," Delgado
t work out."
id he thinks SCC and Michigamua both desire
rete changes. "The reason they don't want to talk
hat there's been paper pushing (in the past)," he
ng about the history of Michigamua is it is a part
sity's history. The seniors in the group are rooted
of everyday life at the University. Most of our
there on campus, not in that tower.'
aid the University plans to investigate how the
e to enter the tower, since the only people who
o Michigamua's room are members, janitors and
agers.
ia's current members said they have never seen
artifacts uncovered by the SCC and they believe
ere stored away in an attic. They believe that
are giving the University a the wrong impression
igamua is today.
one in our current class was ever aware of the
were uncovered in the dusty attic. This is by no
use of ignorance, as we take full responsibility
gings that are ours. We are just as deeply offend-
ding in the attic and are very hurt for the Native.'
nd also ourselves for being misrepresented,"
members said in a written statement.
ia is currently working with University adminis-
ove all Native American artifacts.
'o clean out the tower, sit down and within seven
something," Delgado said.
aid University officials are in contact with a
can faculty member who will assist in the proper
the objects. Some of the artifacts are authentic
ven to their appropriate tribes.
can't trust anything Michigamua has to say
olations," Reilly said in regard to a 1989 agree-
group would remove references to Native Amer-
xcept for the group's name.
epared to have a dialogue with some Native
nd look into any offensive things related to
" Moudgil said.
ua members admitted some of the belongings
they are aware of may appear discriminatory but
committed to identifying and removing anything
4ative Americans.
id Michigamua's less tangible traditions, like the
and its practice of using indigenous nicknames
may be subject to further scrutiny if necessary.
DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily
Aaron David Miller, Deputy Special Middle East Coordinator for Arab-Israeli
Negotiations at the Department of State, discusses the future of Arab-Israeli
peace negotiations at the University's International Institute yesterday.
RALLY
Continued from-Page 1
Some supporters held signs, which
read "The shadows have emerged -
now is the time to stay mad" and
"Tower societies: you must all go."
One speaker sent a message directly
to Michigamua members. "Don't make
these students make the change. You
make the change," he said.
Others called out messages discour-
aging prospective students from
attending the University. The students
were walking by the Union as part of
their Campus Day tour.
"The rally happened because it
needed to happen,' Reilly said. "It was
organized by a lot of different organi-
zations and people."
But Reilly still expressed frustration
about the University administration
lack of action.
University President Lee "Bollinger
and his administration has to take
ownership of this racist organization
and see to it that it ceases to exist on
this campus," he said.
Provost Nancy Cantor said in a writ-
ten statement that the administration is
interested in the students' concerns but
added that a thorough investigation is
necessary before any action can be
taken. "It is important for us to gather
the appropriate information so we can
have a thoughtful and thorough discus-
sion?' Cantor said.
But Reilly said immediate action
needs to be taken. "They're waiting for
us to go away," he =said. "University
administration has the advantage of
time. They don't have to be concerned
with graduation and finals. There's no
choice."
Members of Students Organizing
for Labor and Economic Equality and
the Coalition to Defend Affirmative
Action By Any Means Necessary
came to show their support.
"The rally was really successful. It
was an expression of unity of students
beyond color lines and beyond politi-
cal ideology," said LSA sophomore
Erika Dowdell, a member of BAMN.
"It was a unity across the board."
Reilly did not cite specific plans if the
University does' not adhere to SCC's
demands.
"We're prepared for continued deflec-
tion of response. There's no other choice
but to handle it ourselves. We've given
them their chance,"he said.
sS
GHB trial continues
DETROIT (AP) - A 19-year-old
man on trial in the date-rape drug death
of Samantha Reid and the near death of
her best friend admitted to police that
he "poured" the substance into the
girls' drinks at a party, a prosecutor said
during opening arguments yesterday.
"Evidence will show her death
wasn't some act of God. It was not
some natural calamity. Evidence will
show she was killed. She was killed by
Joshua Cole," said Doug Baker, a
Wayne County assistant prosecutor.
Cole, of Southgate, is charged with
manslaughter and three counts of
felony poisoning, each carrying a possi-
ble life sentence. Manslaughter is pun-
ishable by up to 15 years behind bars.
Prosecutors say Cole and three other
men gave the girls drinks secretly spiked
with gamma-hydroxybutyrate during a
party in Grosse lie Jan. 16, 1999.
Correction:
A photo in Tuesday's Daily depicting the Pride of 2000 Michigamua journal included a Native American figure that
was-not part of the book and was not placed on the book by the Daily. The apparent connection of the two objects was not
intended by the Daily.
THE CALENDAR
What's happening in Ann Arbor this weekend
FRIDAY SATURDAY * Campus Information Centers, 764-
INFO, info@umich.edu, and