LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 18, 1999 - 3A
4RESEARCHim
Scientists learn
how viruses hide
in human body
University scientists have discovered
how some viruses can hide inside the
ody without producing symptoms.
hese viruses, which can hide for long
periods of time, attach themselves to
host cell chromosomes. The virus sur-
vives by going dormant until a weak-
ened immune system allows infected
cells to multiply again.
Microbiology Prof. Ere Robertson
conducted a series of experiments with
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes
virus, also known as KSHV University
scientists found that a protein expressed
y one gene on the virus builds a bio-
chemical docking station which links
viral DNA to the chromosomes of lym-
phoma cells. KSHV is known to be one
of a family of gammaherpesviruses that
remain dormant in humans after the ini-
tial infection is over.
Robertson said the research team iden-
tified a protein called the latency-associ-
ated nuclear antigen, or LANA. They
found that LANA is known to tether, or
ink, the virus to host chromosomes.
Medical graduate student Murray
Cotter, who worked with Robertson on
the project, said he hopes to apply what
he learned to gene therapy research.
The University is currently in the
process of applying for a patent on the
viral tethering mechanism.
Prof. develops
ways to maintain
'ealthy voice box
A University professor of voice and
voice training has developed some sug-
gestions to combat the aging voice.
Leslie Guinn, who works with the
medical school's Vocal Health Center,
said there are a number of reasons why
the aging voice changes. She said lack
of flexibility in the rib cage cartilage
nd the voice box can result in dryness
if the mouth, less efficient breathing
and less control.
Guinn said that the aging voice can
sometimes be attributed to a lack of use.
Guinns said it can also be attributed to
gastroesophogeal reflux, whose symp-
toms are usually habitual throat clearing,
-postnasal drip, nighttime choking spells,
sour acid taste and heartburn.
Guinns suggests treating the aging
voice with a minimum of eight 8-ounce
*asses of non-caffeinated fluids every
day and 12-15 minutes of vocal exercises.
Study: Ex-welfare
recipients still poor
According to a University
researcher, many former recipients of
welfare are still living in poverty
despite the fact that the number of
Americans on welfare has declined
* Social Work and Public Policy Prof.
Sheldon Danziger said despite the
booming economy many recipients have
"slipped through the cracks." Danziger
said that the thriving economy has
reduced the number of welfare recipients
nearly 40 percent. But only 50 to 70 per-
cent of recipients who are no longer on
welfare are actually getting jobs.
Danziger said that some states termi-
nate welfare recipients not because they
re finding work but because of admin-
trative changes. Danziger said other
tato use diversion policies and sanction
policies, which also lead to fewer cases.
"Ua'receives grant
to improve rates
of graduation
f The University's Office of Academic
~ ulticultural Initiatives received a
rant to initiate the Pathways to Student
CSuccess and Excellence Program for
the 1999-2000 academic year.
The program, known as POSSE, aims
to increase the retention and graduation
rates of academically and economically
disadvantaged undergraduate students.
OAMI Director John Matlock said
the University's graduation rate is one
of the highest among the nation's pub-
he institutions. But Matlock notes that
*ere are still many disparities that exist
among minority students.
Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Risa Berrin.
Many 'U'
profs.
I
extend ideas
outside courses
JEREMY MENCHiK/Daily
Engineering senior Adam Silver speaks to the interfratemity Council at the Michigan Union last night, Silver was elected
as the new IFC president.
Greek syste-m elects new
executilve board memn~bers
By Anna Clark
Daily Staff Reporter
Both the Panhellenic Association and the Interfraternity
Council held elections this week to select executive board
members for the 2000 academic year.
Engineering senior Adam Silver, an Alpha Sigma
Phi member, will assume the IFC's top post. He will
replace current IFC President Rohith Reddy in
January.
"I'm looking to create an IFC that works for every
one of the 32 chapters," Silver said in his campaign
speech last night in the Anderson Room of the
Michigan Union.
"We're truly blessed at the University of Michigan to
have the type of Greek System we do - it's one of the
best there is," he added.
Silver said his main goals as IFC president include
improving relations with the City of Ann Arbor, as well as
emphasizing communication among IFC members and
the Greek system.
Following several re-votes among the fraternity
chapter presidents, as a majority is necessary for the
winning candidate, members named LSA junior and
Theta Chi member Marc Hustvedt executive vice pres-
ident.
Nine sorority members were elected to top leadership
posts in the Panhellenic Association, following a process
of applications, interviews and Tuesday night's candidate
speeches.
Nursing sophomore Tricia Zubal, a Delta Delta Delta
member, won the election for Panhel president.
"I can't say enough good things about her," said
Cindy Faulk, Education senior and current Panhel pres-
ident. "She has every quality we were looking for in a
leader. And her speech was incredible."
Taking over as the organization's executive vice presi-
dent is Betsy Nichols, an Engineering junior and Alpha
Phi member.
Eight other women were chosen for the remaining posi-
tions on the executive board. The public relations vice
president position was left open, after one candidate
dropped out.
"We'll be doing a re-application process to fill the spot
very soon," Faulk said.
"Through my house, I've met some of the most amaz-
ing people," Hustvedt said in his speech. "But I realize
that IFC is the big picture. It's not just about my house, but
about all the houses. We're in this together."
Hustvedt continued to say that the University Greek
system is in a stable position right now.
"I don't want to lose the strength we already have,"
Hustvedt said.
The council also filled eight other positions.
Both Panhellenic and IFC elections are held each fall
with chapter presidents making the final votes.
While IFC allows any fraternity member to run for
office, Panhel requires applications and interviews
with the current council before it narrows its search to
10 women.
Sorority presidents vote for which positions on the
board these candidates assume after hearing their speech-
es. Both Panhel and IFC allowed for pro and con speech-
es, in which a Greek member spoke on behalf of the can-
didates.
By Nicole Tuttle
Daily Staff Reporter
First-year students are often stunned to
open their textbooks on the first day of
class and discover their professors are
listed as authors.
But this shouldn't be a surprise. Many
University professors are well known in
academic circles,.and several have gone
far beyond their realm and gained a
national reputation for their work.
One such person is communication
studies Prof Susan Douglas, who partic-
ipates in outreach programs to young
women across the country. Her book,
"Where the Girls Are: Growing Up
Female with the Mass Media," has
sparked speaking engagements and edu-
cational sessions.
"It's really gratifying. I find young
women who are concerned about media
image, but who don't have a language for
what they want to say," Douglas said.
"They enjoy someone with a viewpoint
that enjoys aspects of the mass media but
who also criticizes it as well."
Douglas appeared on "The Oprah
Winfrey Show" to talk about her book in
March 1995. The show's theme was how
families in sitcoms have changed over
the years, with guests including Barbara
Billingsly, June Cleaver from "Leave It
To Beaver," and Roseanne.
"The show wasn't really about my
book;" Douglas said. "Often the format
you get put into on these shows isn't
exactly the image in which you want
your book framed."
Still, Douglas said, doing the show
was worthwhile. Despite the fact that
"they put so much makeup on you that
you look like (actress) Carol Channing,"
she enjoyed the experience and also
agreed to appear on several other shows,
including "The Today Show."
Other professors have earned recogni-
tion for their writing, including theater
and drama associate Prof. Charles
Gordon, commonly known as OyamO,
theater and drama associate Prof Wendy
Hammond and English Prof Charles
Baxter.
Plays written by OyamO are in
demand across the nation and have been
produced in Chicago, Washington, D.C.
and New York City. He said balancing
theater life with teaching is not easy, as
"Writers shouldn't
go into classes
and teach their
own work - it's
too self-centere d."
- Charles Baxter
English professor
he travels constantly to keep the produc-
tions of his plays running smoothl.
"You respond by going crazy" he said
"and if you stay crazy you will survive
and if you are sane you won't be aheo
function.
Hammond has written several plays,
among them "Jersey City" and "Julie
Johnson," which have been adapted as
screenplays.
Pre-production for "Julie Johnson" is
underway and the director hopes to begin
shooting in February, after finding a cast.
"We've been turned down by a lot of
famous actors and we've turned down a
lot of famous actors," Hammond said.
Shooting Gallery Films, which produced
"Slingblade" is sponsoring the movie.
"Jersey City" is still in the financing
stage, but actress Thora Birch from
"American Beauty" has been tentatively
cast as a lead.
Hammond said that she sometimes
struggles to find time for writing while
teaching, but admits that her students
provide motivation.
"The students inspire me a lot. I really
get fed a lot from them," she said.
Baxter has written three novels and
four short-story collections, earning sev-
eral literary prizes.
Baxter refuses to teach his own writing
because "it would be vain." He added,
"Writers shouldn't go into classes and
teach their own work - it's too self-cen-
tered. There are too many other good
things out there to teach."
But in other contexts, Douglas said
she feels professors sharing their work
outside the classroom can be valuable.
"I think it's one of the many things
that good about this university. There
are a lot of professors trying to get acad-
emic work out to the public," she said.
Former regent, alum
Connable dies at 95
By Nika Schulte
Daily Staff Reporter
University Law School alum James
Westin's plans to attend this Saturday's
football game against Ohio State
University go beyond cheering for the
Wolverines. Westin is using the game to
remember his life-long friend and busi-
ness partner Alfred Connable.
Connable, a University alum who
also served on the University Board of
Regents from 1942-57, died Tuesday in
Kalamazoo after complications from a
stroke he suffered earlier this month.
He was 95.
Westin, who works at Connable
Associates Inc., a private trust manage-
ment company in Kalamazoo, said
Connable was a dedicated Michigan
football fan and had been a season tick-
et holder for many years. Westin will be
using Connable's ticket to attend the
game.
"He was a Michigan man through
and through," Westin said. "The
University should remember him as a
loyal son and ardent supporter."
Before his graduation from the
University in 1925, Connable was an
active member of the Men's Glee Club,
worked as an editor of The Michigan
Daily and served as Student Council
President.
University President Lee Bollinger
praised Connable's service to the
University.
"During his 16 years on the Board of
Regents, Regent Connable always
emphasized Michigan's strong academ-
ic traditions. Working with Presidents
Alexander Ruthven and Harlan
Hatcher, Regent Connable saw
Michigan's enrollment double and over-
saw the development of North
Campus,' Bollinger said in a written
statement.
Former Regent and University alum
Phil Power, whose family had close ties
to the Connables, said he would
remember his friend as a "warm,
knowledgeable, passionate and inde-
pendent man."
"He saw the University during the
greatest change in its history;" Power
said.
University alum Alfred Connable Jr.,
attended the University while his father
served as a regent.
"He was the student's regent and took
great pride in that" Connable Jr. said.
Connable Jr. said it was not unusual
for his father to be the only regent to vote
to protect freedom of speech and that his
father did not shy away from controversy
and social and political issues.
In 1996, a conference room in the
University's Detroit Observatory was
named in Connable's honor.
Power, who attended the ceremony,
said Connable had tears in his eyes dur-
ing the event.
"He was startled that a room in the
second oldest building on campus
would be named after him," Power said.
A memorial service is scheduled for
2 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Kalamazoo.
Wha
GROUP MEETINGS
SlIntervarsity Christian Fellowship,
1360 East Hall, 7 p.m.
% La Voz Mexicana Weekly Meeting,
Mosher-Jordan, Caesar Chavez
Lounge, 7:30 p.m.
EVENTS
k's happening in Ann Arbor today
Cerezo Sponsored byPuerto
Rican student Association, 296
Dennison, 12 p.m.
U "The Cosby Hour," Sponsored by
Markley Multicultural Affairs
Council, Mary Markley, Angela
Davis Lounge, 8 p.m.
0 "Mishmar," Sponsored by Hillel,
Mentality, League Underground,
p.m.
U "Why are Japanese Judges So
Conservative in Public Law
Cases?" lecture by J. Mark
Ramseyer, Sponsored by Center
for Japanese Studies,
International Institute, Room
I