LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 6, 2000 - 5A eUC Continued from Page 1A freshmen, up from 16.9 percent last fall but down from 18.8 percent in Fall 1997. The UC Board of Regents voted in 1995 to ban race as a factor in admis- sions. The policy, known as SP-1, took affect in 1998. California residents also passed Proposition 209 in 1996, which out- lawed the use of race in admissions statewide. University spokesman Terry Light- foot said the increase in admitted minority students is partly because of outreach efforts such as informing high schools about admissions requirements. "Many students were a class or two from being ready," but did not know it, Lightfoot said, adding that an increase in overall population size is another fac- tor in the increase in admitted students. UC Regent Odessa Johnson echoed Lightfoot's argument that outreach programs have helped increase admis- sion numbers but warned that the data can be misleading. "Even though the numbers are up ... at the two flagship campuses, we're still not there,' Johnson said, referring to the Berkeley and Los Angeles campuses. "The folks should not believe SP-I did not have a detrimental effect," John- son said. "It's not okey-dokey when it comes to" UC-Berkeley and UCLA. "The admissions figures confirm our belief you can increase racial diversity without preferences," said Kevin Nguyen, the director of UC Regent Ward Connerly's American Civil Rights Institute of Federal and State Affairs, adding that minority numbers have increased at UCLA and UC-Berkeley from last year. At UC-Berkeley, minority appli- cants rose from last year but are still considerably less than 1997. That year, 1,778 Native Americans, blacks and Hispanics were admitted, com- pared to 1,169 this year - a 15.3 per- cent increase from last year. Underrepresented minorities make up 15.3 percent of this year's admitted students at UCLA, which is down from 21.2 percent in 1997 and up from last year's 14.9 percent. Fall 2000 underrepresented minori- ty admission levels at the Santa Clara, Riverside and Irvine campuses are higher than 1997, according to UC records. Riverside is the only campus with a higher proportion of underrep- resented minorities. UC Regent William Bagley said fewer minority students have been admitted to UCLA and UC-Berkeley because of a "feeling you are not wanted and (a feeling) you probably couldn't get in" and a stricter admis- sions process. Richard Black, assistant vice chancellor of admissions and enrollment at UC-Berkeley, said the campus can only accept about 25 percent of all applications while some campuses accept most stu- dents that apply. Black said a diverse student pop- ulation could be best reached through affirmative action, but out- reach methods have been helpful. Black added that since the passage Proposition 209, admissions appli- cations must be read at least twice and students who maximize resources in their high school may be given some preference. 'Urban' secretary lectures on nature By Josie Gingrich Daily Staff Reporter James Lyons is not a typical defend- er of the U.S. wilderness. The current Undersecretary of Agriculture grew up in urban New Jersey and only enjoyed the great outdoors on family camping trips. But Lyons' lack of exposure has led him to fight for natural resources with more vigor. Lyons spoke to a group of students, faculty and community members at the Samuel Trask Dana Building yesterday about conservation history, current ini- tiatives and predictions for the future. "It's a pleasure to be in an environ- ment where discourse and discussion is at a higher level," said Lyons, who often testifies before Congress. "I've come to love what I do because I care about our natural resources." In discussing the history of conser- vation, Lyons said, "We are in the process of completing the first century of American conservation. Much has changed over time, but the issues and conflicts over conservation have remained the same." Lyons quoted Winston Churchill in saying, "Those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it." Although natural resource conserva- tion has traditionally been a Democratic concern, Lyons said he has "worked more and more with moderate Republi- cans to secure changes." Lyons' work has involved roads and roadless areas in national forests as well as the elimination of two long- standing timber contracts in Alaska. "You have to deal with road sys- tems," Lyons said. "We lose 1,400 miles a year (of roads) to neglect. We're losing access to national forests because of benign neglect." Lyons emphasized the importance of public involvement in conservation and said he envisioned a future in which the public is more involved in land stewardship. "We have to emphasize public input," Lyons said. "We haven't ade- quately engaged the public. We have to be more focused on a collaborative approach involving the public." Lyons also had words of advice for students at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment. "Take time to think about what Jim Lyons, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment speaks at the Dana Building. you're learning and where you want to go," he said. "We have to build a foun- dation for land ethics." Lyons' lecture was the first in a series sponsored by Ecosystem Management Initiative. SNRE Prof. Steve Yaffee said the initiative is dedicated to "innovation in natural resource management." "Today there is an important and his- torical transition underway," Yaffee said. The SNRE has "long been involved in precareer, undergraduate and graduate studies. We can do more. I envision a mid-career training program." Student response to Lyons' lecture was enthusiastic. POLICY Continued from Page 1A drunk, belligerent, making a lot of noise," Lovernick "The University recommended that we do something it, and this is our way to make sure that freshmen a getting in when they shouldn't." A committee of six Panhel members and six IFC bers created the revised Greek social policy. Some co tee members were chosen from a pool of applicants others were appointed. "These are people we felt would represent the community well," Lovernick said. Because all parties held by third-party vendors are no VERSITY Continued from Page 1A Lemke said he does not officially permit commercial notetakers into his AF courses but he "implicitly allows" them. ,F "I don't have any policies of enforcement to stop them from send- ing notetakers. I would rather they didn't," Lemke said. Lemke said he doesn't think good students will use the Web notes to enhance their performance in class. "Students who do aren't very good students. It is unfortunate but they will learn their lesson. Students could go on the Internet and get bad notes," Lemke said. Some professors are angered by Versity.com coming into their class- Corr rooms without permission, but Versi- ty says this new policy will retain professors' authority over their class- room lectures. Communications Prof. Susan Douglas told the company she was not interested in having them post her lecture notes online, but Versi- ty.com still posted her Communi- cations 101 notes. "I post my own important defini- tions and key concepts on the Web and I think it is important for stu- dents to come to lecture," Douglas said. Douglas said she warns students to avoid using the Website because she has found mistakes in the past. "There is nothing I can do to stop it, I warn students to go there at their own peril," Douglas said. "I feel like we (professors) don't E have any rights." on chapter property, these are not considered "events." While they must be registered with the Office of Greek Life, they are not under the jurisdiction of event parameters specified by the k said. new social policy. about In addition, parties held at third-party vendors are not are not subject to monitoring by the Social Responsibility Commit- tee. All events held on chapter property are checked for mem- violations by the SRC, but parties at third-party vendors )mmit- will be allowed to have kegs, party bowls and cups. while "It might take a while for fraternity members to get used to it," IFC President Adam Silver said of the new Greek policy. "In the long run, it will better serve the com- munity as a whole and it will make a more responsible ot held community." ONLY 6 PAPERS LEFT TER TODAY - THEN IT S F TO STUDY FOR FINALS! ENJOY! I U A EO :171EGIAN c a part of one of the nation's leading yearbooks The Michiganensian is now accepting applications in all areas for the fall of 2000: Section & Assistant Section Editors Reporters Photographers Business Staff Stop by the Student Publications Building at 420 Maynard Street to pick up an application. Call Nathan Busch or Bonnie Gold at 764-0561 if you have any questions. ENSIAN year book I 61 www.atomclivng.com/campus the science of substance and style m M.