________________________ __ -u 4R - Ths Michian Dly Vo Iter (Guide -- Thursdav November 2 2000 9 - 0 T The Michigan Daily Voti 'iD - I IIG Is VIr .E;I firolIU.. l VVL NJI ..tU.4,., , , -- - - Deitch, McGowan bank on experience After 8 years as mayor, Sheldon stepping down By Jen Fish Daily Staff Reporter At the monthly meetings of the University Board of Regents, Rebecca McGowan and Larry Deitch sit at the head of the table as the senior members of the board. Both elected to the board in 1992, the two Democratic incumbents say they are ready for another eight years at the head of the table. Standing in the way of their re-elec- tion are three University students ask- ing for equal representation, four other third-party candidates and two Republicans eager to restore a conserv- ative majority on the board. The Board of Regents is supposed to be a 'nonpartisan body, and rarely has there been a regents' election in which the two major party lines have been so clearly drawn. Certainly, Deitch and McGowan seem to be in sync with each other, both personally and ideologically. At a recent candidates forum, Deitch urged voters to support both he and McGowan, and McGowan vielded part of her speaking time to Deitch. They agree on a number of issues, but two main topics on voters' minds are their commitment to the affirmative action lawsuits and their steadfast sup- port of academic freedom, including English Prof. David Halperin's widely criticized "How to Be Gay" literature course. "I don't belong in your classroom, Regent Deitch doesn't belong in your classroom. That's the way it's been, that's the way it should stay," said McGowan, of Ann Arbor. Deitch, of Bloomfield Hills, called any discussion of canceling the contro- versial course "the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Like every year, another important issue is rising tuition costs. Earlier this month, University President Lee See REGENTS, Page 188 EiLLIAE;WITO a Y Rebecca McGowan and Larry Deitch hope to return to the head of the University Board of Regents' table for another eight years. z > "i'-UIVESIY. OAReOFREGNT Election may impact admissions suits Larry Deitch Party: Democrat Incumbent: Yes occupation: Attorney Residence: Bloomfield Hills Rebecca McGowan Party: Democrat Incumbent: Yes Occupation: Homemaker Residence: Ann Arbor Live musicgreat food, fun people.and incredible art./ 1 Friday-ifs whatyou've been waiting for all weekl ICS November 3rd * Club Friday music: Southern Trail y a (country rock), 6:30-9:30 P.M. FRyda * FREE tour: TheAmerican West: Out of Myth, Into Reality, 6:45 P.M. * Dancing: Squareandtine Dancing,7 P.M. * Slide Lecture: A Potpourri of American Gardens,7:30 P.m. Open every Friday,6-io M. 419-2558000 2445 Monroe Street Toledo, OH 43620 Mode possible by WFIfthThird Bank By Jen Fish Daily StafllReporter With the partisan makeup on the University Board of Regents hinging on the outcome of next week's election, those who voted in support of the University's admission policies could find itself outnumbered. Challengers to Democratic incumbents Larry Deitch and Rebecca McGowan have discussed the possibility of stopping the University's defense in the two affirmative action lawsuits. Michigan's constitution grants the board "general supervi- sion of its institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds," and they in turn, have delegated the day-to-day running of the University to President Lee Bollinger. "If I were on the board, I would seriously question this law- suit and seriously question the cost of what the University is spending," said Susy Avery, a Republican running for a seat on the board. "It just doesn't seem to be an effective use of University money." Hypothetically, the regents could ask Bollinger to settle the case, or, if the case's outcome is appealed by either side, direct him to not engage the University in an appeal process. -"One of the critical issues is whether or not we're going to continue to fight for our affirmative action policies," said Regent Kathy White (D-Ann Arbor), a Wayne State University law professor. When asked at a regent candidates forum if they would ever vote to appeal the lawsuits, Deitch and M1cGowan had one simple, emphatic answer: Yes. "Our admissions policy is legally, educationally and moral- lv correct. I would defend the University's policies to the United States Supreme Court if necessary, Deitch said. McGowan said she is in complete agreement with her col- league. "There are a lot of people riding on this. Evervone is counting on us;' McGowan said. "We're going to take this further than any other institution has taken it." Whatever happens in the lawsuit, Deitch and McGowan are staunch supporters of the University's position. Both candi- dates are emphatic about their devotion to affirmative action. "I think that this place is infinitely better than it was in the past because of its commitment to building a diverse student body," Deitch said. "Nobody owns a place in a class at the University of Michigan. When you look at the history of the University, taking race as a factor is appropriate and justified." Both incumbents have expressed uneasiness at their oppo- nents' discussion of settling the lawsuits before the' have even gone to trial. "Suggesting before we've had our first time in court that it's time to settle is beyond the bounds of believ- ability," McGowan said. ut DON'T FORGET Oil Man? TO VOTE TUESDAY. linton/Gore an energy prices are To FIND OUT ng. Gore t his moth- WHERE TO CAST 000,000 in Oil stock. YOUR BALLOT, y, under PAGE 19. ePntion of SEE By Jeremy W. Peters Daily Staff Reporter Mayor Ingrid Sheldon is a bit of an anomaly in Ann Arbor politics: She's a Republican. After serving as the city's adminis- trative head for nearly eight years, Sheldon is stepping down. "The hard part about running as a Republican is the student vote," Sheldon said. "Most municipalities have nonpar- tisan elections because it is very hard to politicize community issues. Now, we've managed to do it here in Ann Arbor, but we're special. So my goal was to minimize my losses in the stu- dent precincts." The key to her four terms, she said, lies in her dedication to the Ann Arbor community as a whole and not in strict adherence to Republican party doctrine. "You hate to say that only Democrats care about people and Republicans don't, but I have too much involvement in these other issues. So I think the Democrats felt very comfortable with me that I would be looking out for all sides of all issues," Sheldon said. "We tried to attack issues in a moderate fashion. I tend to be a moderate, period." Despite the Democratic majority on the City Council, Sheldon said she felt there should always be a political balance. "I still truly believe, or I would not have been re-elected, that there should be balance ... that once you get to that point of having the super majority, you're not sure that there will be good government." Of all Sheldon's accomplishments as mayor, she said the one that gives her the most pride is her involve- ment in the establishment of the Mavor's Task Force on Increasing Safety for Women - the organiza- tion responsible for the slogan "There's No Excuse for Violence Against Women." The Task force was created in response to a serial rapist who was attacking women throughout the Ann Arbor area in 1994. Because an African-American male was con- victed on the rapes, Sheldon said there was great racial tension in the community. "There was good evidence that it was an African-American male and a white female and so you just had African-American men and white females horribly afraid. Number one that they were going to be accused or number two that they would be raped," Sheldon said. In light of the tension and fear the rapist created in Ann Arbor, the mayor said she and other city offi- cials needed a mechanism by which "in the meantime, we could bring the community back together again." "We got wonderful cooperation and managed to bring together three organizations that work on behalf of women and violence against them: The Domestic Violence Project, Safehouse and (the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center) from the University of Michigan, as well as the Washtenaw County Assault Crisis Center," she said. "We managed to assemble a wonderful crew of community members that have just taken the issue and run with it, which is that there is no excuse for violence against women." While Sheldon is not seeking polit- ical office this time around, she is actively supporting Republican may- Ingrid Sheldon talks about the her office at the Guy Larcom I seek re-election this year. oral candidate Stephen Ra and is the unofficial chair of paign. Sheldon said she offers the advice for her successor, w may be. "I would ask my succ remember that we are a dive munity and diverse not only lv and racially, but also ph "You sometimes have to cut loose and move on." - Ingrid Sheldon Ann Arbor mayor Term limits force Brater out of Legislature i He's been called a politician you can laugh with, speak your mind to, and believe in. He's pro-choice, pro-human rights, pro-environment, pro-public schools, pro-working families - a caring Democrat! Paid Advertisemer Who is the Why have C never had policy? Oil1 skyrocketir admitted tha er holds $1, Oxidentalt Is that wh the "Reinv governm US-owned o sold to Oxid last time that it was call Dome.There natives to, Vote with y scien Paid for by C www.gorebe BR3 ATER Continued from Page 9B responsive." Hanley also is being forced out by term limits. Even lawmakers on the other side of the aisle acknowledge Brater's dedication in the Legislature. Outgoing House Speaker Chuck Perricone (R-Kalamazoo Twp.) praised Brater as "very focused and very bright." "She speaks from the heart, and I've enjoyed speaking with her," Perricone said. Term limits forced dozens of Michigan lawmakers out of office in 1998, drawing criticism after 64 fresh- man legislators were elected that year and Republicans regained a majority in both the House and the Senate. Michiganvoters in 1992 approved a constitutional amendment creating term limits for state legislators. Representatives are limited to three two-year terms, while state senators can only be elected to two four-year terms. "The people spoke and I respect the people's voice," Hanley said. "I'm not bitter about it;' he said. "This has been a great privilege. I've gone a lot farther than I thought I could." But Hanley does not believe term limits are the right way to keep politi- cians lively. "The idea that people become dead wood in a while doesn't play out in real life," Hanlev said. "We missed the target. ... The answer is campaign finance reform, not term limits," he said. "The state government is very complex and it takes a lot of time to know the budget ... who's in charge of what in the state beauracracy and where they hide the money." Brater said term limits prematurely flush experience out of the Legislature. "The whole balance gives more power to staff people that tend to stay on as legislators come and go," she said. "There are some good staff peo- ple, but they're not elected." Bob Bykorski, theRepublican can- didate for Brater's seat, said in a recent debate with Democratic opponent Chris Kolb that he supports term limits, although he admits they do cause some problems. "There are some procedural issues, Bvkowksi said. Term limits are forcing 21 incum- bents to retire at the end of this year. Some legislators have proposed increasing term limits for state repre- sentatives to 12 years. 52nd District* State Representative John Hansen ent," a il field was ental? The happened 9d Teapot are alter- Al Gore. tour con- ce. Gary Lillie gone.com WHY HAS THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN FAILED ITS STUDENTS? For some answers see: www.universitysecrets.com for kids of all ages *northern Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Chelsea. Paid for by JOHN HANSEN for kids of all ages, 7880 Fifth St., Dexter, M1 48130. BRAD QUINN/Daily State Rep. Liz Brater cannot run for re-election after representing Ann Arbor in Lansing for six years.