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roposal
ould let
ov. select
eents
Nlck Bunkley
aily Staff Reporter
Power to appoint members of the
niversity Board of Regents would be
ut in the hands of Michigan's gover-
or rather than voters under a proposed
dment to the state's 1908 constitu-
on up for consideration in a Senate
bcommittee.
Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek)
n Wednesday introduced the resolution
Snd the current process of electing
iembers to serve on the University
oard of Regents, Wayne State
niversity's Board of Governors and
Jichigan State University's Board of
rustees. The governor would appoint
a bers to the three boards, making
selection processes consistent with
4ichigan's other 12 state universities.
"The question has been out there for
ears,' Schwarz said. "What we are
nhappy with is that these nominations
re partisan, and they have to go
rough a convention to get their names
n th ballot."e
"'m trying to get the issue out there
rdseif we can improve the way it's
rihe said.
e proposal awaits discussion in the
enate Appropriations Higher
ducation Subcommittee, which
chwarz chairs.1
"I have no immediate intentions to
iove it," he said. "It doesn't mean
tere's revolution afoot."t
But any attempt to change the methodt
y which the regents are selected "is
smoving the public from their public
is tutions," said Sen. Alma Wheeler
(D-Salem Twp.), whose district
icludes the University of Michigan andt
astern Michigan University.
"It is an issue.that needs to be con-1
stently refuted," Smith said. "These
re public institutions supported witht
xpayer dollars. It's important that
tese institutions have a degree of
itonomy and flexibility."c
Public opinion can sometimes got
ieded when board members are not
arly elected, Smith said.,
"Appointed boards tend to support thec
,commendations of the administration,"t
1e said, "but elected boards know they
ave to be accountable to the public."
Regardless of whether a Republicanc
r Democrat is leading the state, Smith
See REGENTS, Page 2c
One hundred ninze years a;of 'editor f-eedor
Friday
December 3, 1999
Law
School suit 2 ye
By Michael Grass
Daily Staff Reporter
The date was Dec. '3, 1997, less than two
months after the Washington, D.C.-based
Center for Individual Rights filed its first
admissions lawsuit against the University that
targeted the practices of the College of
Literature, Science and the Arts. But on that
December day two years ago, the University
was handed its second lawsuit - this one
challenging the Law School's use of race as an
, admissions factor.
SfitNow, with two years of evidence discovery,
motions, interventions and appeals behind
them, and probably just as long in front of them,
those directly involved in the suits are looking
back as the Law School case readies for trial
this summer.
r CIR claimed that the Law School denied its
client, Barbara Grutter, admission to the Law
School for the 1997 school year because the
e , ~ school unfairly used race as a factor to evaluate
applicants.
The suit names University President Lee
JEREMY MENCHIK/Daily Bollinger, Law School Dean Jeffrey Lehman,
Law School was sued by the Washington D.C.-based Center for assistant Dean for Law School Admissions Dennis
niversity over the use of race as a factor in its admissions process. Shields, the University Board of Regents and the
irs old
Law School as defendants in the class-action suit.
Grutter, a health care information consultant,
claimed that after being denied admissions, she
suffered humiliation, emotional distress, pain and
suffering and economic damages.
But for those at the University and poten-
tially throughout all academia, much more is
at stake.
Jasmine Abdel-Khalik, who was then in her first
year at the Law School, said she was concerned
when the news of the lawsuit initially broke.
The Arab-Latina student said she already was
among a small number of minorities at the Law
School and felt the lawsuit threatened the school's
minority representation.
"I felt that they were saying that I didn't belong
here," Abdel-Khalik said.
Since the suit was filed, the University has
staunchly defended its Law School admissions
policy and today, Liz Barry, University deputy
general counsel, said the University will continue
its defense - all the way to the Supreme Court if
necessary.
"We didn't choose to be sued, but now that
we have been sued, we have mounted a rigorous
See LAWSUIT, Page 2
Two years ago today the University G
Individual Rights. CIR Is suing the Un
ITD: Fully prepaed for
Y2K related problems
Preparing for snow
By Jodie Kaufman
Daily Staff Reporter
"We are as prepared as we can be, a lot
more prepared than other similar institu-
tions, said Jose-Marie Griffiths, execu-
tive director for the Information
Technology Division, regarding the pos-
sible Y2K epidemic.
In fact, ITD has spent the past few
weeks making significant changes to
avoid potential Y2K problems and now
declares they are completely Y2K com-
pliant.
"Our approach is to minimize the risk
to the institution,' Griffiths said.
ResComp Director Steve Sarrica said,
"We rely on other providers, like ITD,
and we have comfort that they have
things well in hand."
The biggest change has been the relo-
cation. of the University server to a newly
constructed facility on Plymouth Road in
the Argus Building.
"We got out of the residential area
where the power may not be restored
quickly," Sarrica said.
The data center will now have "redun-
dant power - with two lines in case of a
power outage, for backup," said Wanda
Monroe, director of Media Relations for
the Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
Many reasons necessitated the move,
but Y2K provided the biggest incentive.
"We are getting ready for Y2K,"
Monroe said, "but we also moved to
improve security, improve liability and
robustness."
The new facility is not connected to
Central Campus power, "which is a big
plus," Monroe said.
Monroe added that the changes, "will
make our services more robust and reli-
able and in the event of a power failure
we will have backup. This is to plan and
prepare for Y2K."
"This is a real operation staffed 2417. It
is the combination of wanting to insure a
much more reliable and robust system,"
Griffiths said.
Since ITD knows that this campus
depends on e-mail, Griffiths said, "we
work real hard to make sure our services
are the best. We don't like it when it is not
available."
During the recent Thanksgiving break,
the computer system shut down for just
under five hours, upgrading the e-mail
for the University.
Students, faculty and staff can now
store twice the amount of e-mail in their
accounts. The system permits up to 20
megabytes ofmaterial now, as opposed to
the previous total of 10 megabytes.
"It is more reasonable to offer more
space, and you won't get Godzilla mes-
sages as frequently," Monroe said.
She added that "in the process-of mov-
ing the servers, we found money in the
operation budget and the prices of com-
puter hardware dropped so we could
increase the mailbox storage space."
"This is an added benefit at no
additional cost," Griffiths said.
ResComp also plans to help pro-
tect their computers by turning them
off before the millennium's dawn to
lessen the electrical load in case of an
electrical problem. The staff plans to
return early to restart the machines and
ensure that everything is in order,
Sarrica said.
J.D protection widely available
y Risa Berrin
aily Staff Reporter
From condoms to dental dams, there are numerous
ays to prevent vaginal, anal and oral transmission of,
xually transmitted diseases - and the options come'
ivarious shapes, sizes and flavors.
"We recognize that this campus has a sexually
ctive population, said Polly Paulson, University.
lh Service Health education coordinator. "Sex is
n portant part of growth and development and stu-
ets should be well educated about their options:'
According to UHS informational pamphlets, the
ost reliable methods of protection include latex con-
ons, vaginal spermicides, female condoms,
aphragms and cervical caps.
Condoms
Latex condoms provide the best protection during
xual intercourse. Condoms are recommended for
ose wanting protection from STDs and pregnancy.at
low cost. The cost of condoms at UHS ranges from
1 $8, but students are offered the initial five for
Protect yourself.
Condoms: Most effective in preventing STDs.
. Vaginal spermicide: Chemical barriers that
kill sperm.
Female condom: Pouch with flexible rings
that is inserted into the vagina.
- Diaphragm: Best for those who don't mind
planning ahead.
S Oral protection: Altered latex condoms, latex
dams, latex gloves and plastic food wrap.
tection.
"People are laid back and comfortable in here," he
said. "Some come just to buy regular condoms while
others come for specific purposes and occasions."
Callen also said that people have become more
interested in particular styles of condoms.
"People are very interested in the new styles," he
said. "Now it's got to be flavored - no one wants reg-
ular anymore."
See PREVENTION, Page 7
KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily
University Grounds Department employee Stephanie Lukasavitz sets up a
fence at Pierpont Commons to protect plants yesterday.
Hanukkah marks
'rebirth oflight'
free.
Paulson said that it is time to eliminate the stigma
associated with condoms.
"We need to start perceiving condoms as neutral
and not as negative," she said. "When it comes to
harm reduction and lower risk, condoms are the bot-
tom line.:
Adam Callen, a salesperson at the Safe Sex Store on
South University Avenue, said that college students
don't seem embarrassed when buying methods of pro-
Chem. lecturer
wins Golden Apple
By Lindsey Alpert
Daily Staff Reporter
Many Jewish students on campus
will eat latkes, light menorahs,
exchange presents and play with drei-
dels during the next eight days to cele-
brate an event and miracle that
occurred 2,000 years ago.
Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of
Lights - begins at sundown today,
marking the reclaiming of the Temple
of Jerusalem.
"Hanukkah is the most recent of big
Jewish festivals that started in Biblical
* times," said Near Eastern Studies Prof.
Gabriele Boccaccini. "At the time, the
festival celebrated the re-dedication of
the Temple after a period of religious
persecution by the Greeks."
Boccaccini said the Greeks attempted
to stop Jews from practicing their faith
around 2 BC..But Judas Maccabee, a
military leader of a group called the
Maccabees, led a revolt against the
running out after the expected one night.
Hanukkah is now celebrated for eight
nights in remembrance of the miracle.
"The story of Hanukkah is explained
in the Book of the Maccabees and in
the Talmud," said Hillel Rabbi Rich
Kirschen.
"The book of the Maccabees focuses
on the military victory, while the
Talmud focuses on the oil." The Talmud
is the oral Jewish law written down,
Kirschen said.
The story of Hanukkah is not includ-
ed in the torah - the Jewish bible -
but the Book of the Maccabees is
included in some Christian canons.
Hanukkah, which literally means
"dedication," became called the
Festival of Lights soon after the
Maccabees reclaimed the Temple.
"Both Hanukkah and Christmas
maintain the memory of ancient Pagan
celebrations of the rebirth of light
By Jeremy W. Peters
Daily Staff Reporter
As sleepy-eyed students drifted
into Kathleen Nolta's 8 a.m. chem-
istry lab, they could not have antici-
pated the excitement awaiting their
soon-to-be honored lecturer.
This year, in overwhelming num-
challenged" them.
"This is such a surprise ... I have
to absorb it," Nolta said yesterday
morning after a group of representa-
tives from Students Honoring
University Teaching, came to the
instructor's lab to surprise her with
the award.
ffaqMINEV,
I