LOCAL/STATE

The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 17, 2000 - 3A

MSU to require computers for freshmen

Dental prof.
honored with
DuPont award

Peter Ma has won the DuPont
roung Professor Award, designed to
give funds to young faculty members
to aid in starting their research careers
within five years of becoming a full-
time faculty member.
Ma, an assistant professor in the
department of biologic and materials
sciences at the School of Dentistry,
was given a $25,000 award that will
be considered for renewal for three
years.
The award has been given to young.
Oculty members for 25 years, but this
is the first time a dental school faculty
member has received the award.
Ma's research focused on the devel-
opment of materials with dental and
medical applications. One of the pro-
jects, works on restorative dental mate-
rials, materials that replace the
structure and function of damaged or
diseased tissues, as well as scaffolding
aterials, which are used for cells to
brow on the tissues to form new
healthy tissues.
Household net
worth increases
The Panel Study of Income
Dynamics at the University's Institute
for Social Research has found that the
net worth of the average U.S. house-
hold has increased by 15 percent in
&e.past 10 years.
Although there was a 15 percent
increase, the only real increase was in
households headed by people aged 60
years or older, which increased by 30
percent. Households headed by people
60 years and younger actually
declined.
The study also found that for every
dollar of wealth that a white family
&cumulated, African American fami-
es accumulated nine cents.
Researchers, headed by Principal
Investigator and Economist Frank
Stafford, found that education was
also a factor in the increase in net
worth of the households.
The net worth of households head-
ed by those with a college degree or
more increase from S110,200 in 1994
ti $137,100 in 1999, an increase of 20
percent.
*The information was found by col-
lecting data from about 5,000 families
nationwide every five years since
1968.
Intensive therapy
proves helpful for
some diabetics
A study published in the New Eng-
Ond Journal of Medicine found that
intensive therapy for people with Type
1 diabetes appears to have long-term
health benefits.
The study conducted at more than
30 medical centers across the country
looked at the differences between
patients using intensive therapy and
those using conventional therapy.
intensive therapy, used to maintain
blood sugar levels near normal,
cluded at least four blood sugar
easurements and three insulin injec-
tions each day. Conventional therapy
took one blood or urine sugar mea-
srement a day and one to two injec-
tions of insulin.
The intensive therapy lowered the
chances of developing retina and kid-
ney problems associated with Type I
diabetes.
Type I diabetes, also known as
Osulin-dependent diabetes, usually
occurs in children and adults 30 and
younger. The immune system attacks

*he tcells in the pancreas that produce
" isnin, causing death if not treated.
Compiled bw Daily Staff Reporter
Lindsev Alpert.

By Josie Gingrich
Daily Staff Reporter
Beginning next year, all incoming Michigan
State University fireshmen will be required to have
a computer. The Michigan State Board of Trustees
approved the requirement Tuesday after two years
of heated debate.
The policy, which will be instituted with this
year's incoming class, is estimated to add SI,000
onto the cost of a freshman year at Michigan State,
bringing the bill up to about S 12,000.
"it was a long process," Michigan State spokes-
woman Deb Pozega-Osburn said. "All the dis-
agreements and concerns have been aired over the

course of two years:'
The Associated Students of Michigan State Uni-
vr ity has voiced concerns regardin the policy.
"We support the policy in principle but we have
strong concerns about post-purchase cost," said
ASMSU C hairman Charles McHugh. "There are
all sorts of added costs, such as software, peripher-
als, upgrades and maintenance" that must be taken
into account as well, he said.
The purchase cost of the computer seems to be
the main topic of debate. but Michigan State is
developing programs to help defray the costs.
Pozega-Osburn said the cost of the computer
will be built into the application for financial aid.
For students who do not qualify for financial aid, a

variety of loans will be available.
Originally, the policy called for requiring each
incoming freshman to come to school with a laptop
computer, but McHugh said ASMSU successfully
lobbied to have that changed so desktop computers
are acceptable as well. The policy only requires
incoming freshman to own a computer this year.
McHugh said ASMSU wants to move Michigan
State toward becoming a paper-free university and
to establishing TI connections off campus.
"We're looking forward to other policies that can
stem from this," McHugh said.
"It might be a financial problem for some." said
Tim Aben, an incoming Michigan State freshman
who already owns a computer. "But it's a good idea

because it's a more technological world and you
need to know how to use technology to survive"
At the University of Michigan, officials do not
feel as if a policy like the one at Michigan State is
necessary. "We have considered (a requirement)
many times," said Wanda Monroe, media relations
director for the Chief Information Officer.
"We heavily recommend having a computer, but
it's not a requirement' Monroe said. "Most stu-
dents come with their own computer anyway."
Monroe also said since the University offers
extensive computer resources on campus, a com-
puter requirement isn't necessary. "We have over
5,000 computers available," she said. "We always
work to continue access to technology."

Farinfiorms
students onl9C,,{II
candliates .
By Lisa Koivu r
Daily Staff Reporter <.:. ..Nrf..':

MSA to be plaintiff
in ACLU lawsuit

With the Michigan Republican pri-
mary less than a week away, students
interested in learning more about the
candidates attended a U.S. Presidential
Candidate Fair last night in the Michi-
gan Union.
Shari Katz, a member of Michigan
Student Assembly's Voice Your Vote
Task Force, which sponsored the fair,
said the event replaced the Democracy
Project's issues forum this month.
"It is our responsibility to provide
non-biased information on the presi-
dential candidates to the campus."
Katz said.
"We have two reasons for doing this.
The first is to provide information for
those students who aren't sure which
way they're voting. The second is to
encourage students to get involved in
the campaigns," she added.
LSA freshman John Carter, co-
chairman of Students for Bush, said
they had students sign up for many
events.
"We will be running phone banks
this weekend, and we'll be sending a
group of students to meet the governor
in Lansing. Students can also work at
booths we will have set up around the
campus;" Carter said.
Amanda Beaumont, an LSA senior
and chairwoman of Students for
Bradley, said in a written statement that

By Anna Clark
and Lisa Koivu
Dlady StaffReponrers
University student governments
across the state are deciding whether to
become plaintiffs in a lawsuit by the
American Civil Liberties Union against
a Michigan law that prohibits voting
from a district other than the one listed
on a person's driver's license.
Senate Bill 306, which Gov. John
Engler signed into law last year, has
been criticized by students and legisla-
tors who claim the law prevents students
from voting for Democratic candidates.
State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-
Salem Twp.) and Rep. Liz Brater (D-
Ann Arbor), whose districts include the
University of MichigaTi. and Sen.
Dianne Byrum (D-Onondaga) and Rep.
Laura Baird (D-Okemos), who repre-
sent Michigan State University,
approached the ACLU to consider tak-
ing up the case last month.
But it's the amount of student support
that the ACLU is using to gauge the
importance of this issue. "We've been
determining the extent of student sup-
port challenging this law," Michigan
NCLU Director Katy Moss said, adding
that she expects to file a suit next week.
Tuesday night, the Michigan Student
Assembly passed a resolution stating
the assembly opposes the law and that
MSA will be a plaintiff in the case the
ACLU is bringing to challenge the con-
stitutionality of the bill.
Student governments at Michigan
Technological University, Central
Michigan University and Ferris State
University have agreed to be plaintiffs
in the case.

Michigan ACLU Legal Director
Michael Steinberg discussed the
impending lawsuit at the assembly*
meeting. "Last term the Michigan Leg-
islature passed a bill, which is aimed at
harming students during election time,
Although this bill does affect many peo-#
pie, it affects students the most," he said.
MSA External Relations Committee
Chairman Peter Handler-told the assem-
bly that if they didn't vote for the
amendment to include MSA as a plain-
tiff in the lawsuit, it would undermine,
the assembly's past decisions.
The amendment authorizes the use of
S 1,000 of MSA funds for attorney fees.
"It doesn't seem like such a big deal.
to change your license address, but it
really is. Changing your license can also.
impact auto insurance rates and taxes'
Handler said.
"Absentee ballots pose a problem for
first-time voters who registered by mail
because they are not allowed to vote by
absentee ballot under Michigan law,"
CMU Student Government Association
President Kevin Schwemmin said.
Not all assembly members supported
MSA's decision to act as a plaintiff.
External Relations Committee Vice
Chairman Matt Nolan said he supports
the bill to eliminate voter fraud.
"I think it's a big thing saying we're
going to become a plaintiff in the law-
suit. We haven't been given the power top:
do this by our constituents."Nolan said.
MSA Vice President Andy
Coulouris, who will be MSA's represen-
tation in the suit, said he is strongly
against the new law.
"By doing this we are looking out for
students. We are protecting their right to
vote, Coulouris said.

PETER CORN'UE/ Daily
LSA sophomore Adam Hill speaks with LSA sophomore Julie Marcal at the
Presidential Candidates Forum.

the group handed out pins, bumper
stickers and campaign literature.
"We also provided information
about voting in the Michigan Democ-
ratic caucus on March 1 1 and provid-
ed absentee ballots to students,"
Beaumont said.
Beaumont said it is important for
students to work for candidates they
believe will best represent them.
Mike Caeri an R ; seniot said the
task force had expected more people
to sign up to vote,
Most people who come here are
already reist ered. If someone comes
to eet involved with a party. chances
are they arc already registered?

Carter said.
Katz said the event was an opportu-
nity for students to gather in a forum
where all candidates were represented.
"This gave the candidates with less
name recognition to have a presence
on campus. As a student it's often dif-
ficult to know what is available, but
hopefully students signed up to get
involved." Katz said.
Students also had the opportunity
to sign up for a new coalition being
formed, called Vote 2000. The coali-
tion will give interested students
more opportunity to get involved in
the campaigns in the upcoming
months.


members to speak to
Board of Regents

}

By Jeannie Baumann
Daily Staff Reporter
The University Board of Regents
has no plans to formally address the
Feb. 6 takeover of the Michigan
Union tower during its monthly
meeting today.
But at least 10 students have
signed up to address the issue.
Speakers are scheduled to represent
both the Students of Color Coalition,
who took over the tower, and mem-
bers of Michigamua, who have used
that space since the 1930s.
The last hour of each regents
meeting is designated for public
comments, and each speaker is
allowed to make a five-minute pre-
sentation. Guest speakers must
receive written permission from the
Office of the Secretary of the Uni-
versity, and no more than 30 minutes
may be devoted to a single topic.
"I share the concern of everybody
who's watching this issue and I'm
looking forward to hearing more

about it,' Regent Rebecca McGowan
(D-Ann Arbor) said.
R egent Olivia Maynard (D-
Goodrich) said there is also opportu-
nity for the tower society situation to
be brought up during the reports
from interim Vice President for Stu-
dent Affairs F. Royster Harper or
duringt the Michigan Student Assem-
bly report.
Maynard said she has concerns
that high emotions involved in this
situation may inhibit constructive
debate.
"It's obviously a situation that we,
as regents, need to talk about," she
said, adding that she wanted to have
a meaninuful discussion that would
facilitate results instead of laying
blame.
While ist month's meeting was
delayed by several hours for a tour of
the Medical School's Kresge facili-
ties. todays meceting is scheduled to
start earlier than usual at 9i30 a.m.
to accommodate an additional pre-
sentation.

THE CALENDAR
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
EVENTS p.m. the Jake Reichbart Trio, Uni-
"Sympathy and Recognition in versity Hospital first floor
"Love's Fire," Sponsored by Univer- Adam Smith," Sponsored by the lobby, 12.10 p.m., 936-ARTS
sity Basement Arts theater, a Institute for the Humanities, phi-
one-act play of Shakespearean losophy Prof. Stephen Darwall to SERVICES
sonnets performed by University speak, 1524 Rackham Buildin
students, Arena Stage in the Osterman Common Room, 1 UCampus Information Centers, 764-
Frieze Building basement, 764- p.m., 936-3518 ,, INFO, info@umich.edu, and
6800 ' "Century of the Child Approaching www.umich.edu/-info on the
lues Jam, Sponsored by Oz's Modern Japanese Children's His- World Wide Web
Music, hosted by Mike Williams, tory, Sponsored by the Universi- Northwalk, 763-WALK, Bursley
microphones and amplifiers pro- ty Center for Japanese Studies, Lobby, 8 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
vided, blues musicians of any Lecture by Kathleen Uno, Inter- ESafewalk, 936-1000, Shapiro
skill invited, Oz's Music Environ- national Institute, First Floor Rm. Library Lobby, 8 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
ment, 1920 Packard, 7:30 p.m., 1636, 12 pm., 764-6307 Absentee Ballots available through
6628283 " Rock the Vote at Rick's, Sponsored the Michigan Democratic Party
U Comedy Show, Sponsored by Michi- by Students for Gore, University call 517-371-5410 through
i^'n1' alum Dennis Archer, Jr. to speak, Nrh l m F a n m rP-mai