One hundred ten years ofedtonalfreedom tti NEWS: 76-DAILY CLASSIFIED: 764-0557 wwwmichigandaily.com Thursday January 18,2001 *' -.- I Statistic expert jestifies for CIR University will open its case with President Lee ' linger taking the tand today By Jon Fish Daily Staff Reporter DETROIT - In day two of admis- sions lawsuits, lawyers from the Univer- sity and the Center for Individual Rights clashed over whether the extent to which the University uses race as a factor in Law School admissions can be quanti- d into a number. K inley Larntz, a ON RIAI retired Uni- - versity of ~ Minnesota statistics professor, was the sole witness yester- day. Larntz, who was entered as CIR's tistical expert, spent about six hours the stand, including more than three hours of heavy cross-examination by University lawyers who criticized both the methodology and results of his analysis. Using applicant data from the Law School's database for the years 1995 through 2000, Larntz constructed sta- tistical models using this data to study how much of a role race plays in admissions decisions. *Larntzconcluded that not only is race a factor but that "an incredibly large allowance" has been granted to certain minorities in Law School admissions. "Given the same credentials, there is a tremendous advantage given to Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans compared to Caucasian Ameri- cans, Asian/Pacific Americans, other ;spanie Americans and foreign appli- nts," he said. Specifically, Larntz sought to quanti- fy the role that race plays in the admis- sions process by comparing applicants with similar undergraduate grade point averages and Law School Admissions Test scores. It was agreed that these two measures are among the most impor- tant criteria in evaluating applicants. Dividing the applicants into three grade "zones" of high scores, mid- *nge and low scores, Lartz said the e of race does not vary for the high and middle ranges. The University has said race is most likely to be a factor See TRIAL, Page 2A Student dies; cause unknown Autopsy postponed, may lead to clues SAM HOLLENSHEAD/ Daily Erika Hrabec, secretary to University President Lee Bollinger, walks past SOLE members who briefly took over Bollinger's office yesterday in protest of the University's seven-year athletic apparel contract with Nike. Laor activitrally against Nike deal By Jacquelyn Nixon Daily Staff Reporter An autopsy was postponed yesterday for a School of Art and Design sopho- more who died Tuesday afternoon after being found unresponsive in her Mosh- er-Jordan Residence Hall room. A fellow student notified police after finding Candy Wei, 20, in her room, Department of Public Safety spokes- woman Diane Brown said. Wei was rushed to the University Hospitals' emergency room, where she was pro- nounced dead at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. "It appears not to be natural causes," Brown said. "Preliminary investigation indicates an absence of foul play." An autopsy, which could help deter- mine the exact cause of Wei's death, was delayed yesterday for unknown reasons and may be rescheduled for today. Wei's mother arrived yesterday from Durham, N.C., and was met at the air- port by University Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper. Fellow Mosher-Jordan residents were informed of Wei's death at a hall meet- ing Tuesday evening. "There have been grief counselors at Mosher-Jordan since shortly after this happened," Brown said. LSA senior Matthew Schultz filled with emotion as he recalled Wei's pas- sion for art. "She is one of the few examples of a true artist. Everything she produced was meaningful and touch- ing," Schultz said. "She is someone who was engaged in the world." Richard Kunst, owner of Humanities Computing Laboratory, a computer- assisted learning program based in North Carolina, hired Wei to work for him while she was in high school. "She was a wonderful artist," Kunst said. "She was someone who was in touch with a lot of parts of her person- ality." Wei drew sketches for numerous lit- erary and art publications. "She pub- lished a literary magazine in high school called 'yteicos,' which is society spelled backwards,' Kunst said. "She also did sketches for it." Schultz, who worked with Wei on the literary and art online publication "Eat the Monster," said she was a gifted artist in many different ways. Wei also wrote short stories and worked on the website for the Michigan Independent, an opin- ion magazine. While working with Wei, Schultz found she was ambitious academically and artistically. Schultz described Wei as a hard worker who put a lot of pressure on her- self. "She tried to involve herself in many things," Schultz said. Funeral arrangements are pending. By Anna Clark Daily Staff Reporter Armed with a bullhorn and brightly markered posters, about 20 bundled-up University students marched yester- day into University President Lee Bollinger's office in the Fleming Administrdtion Building. Crowded close together, the group rallied in opposi- tion to what they called Nike's breach of the seven-year equipment contract it signed last week with the Universi- ty. The University announced the deal Tuesday. Although Bollinger was not in the office, the protest- ers, who were members of Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality, the Graduate Employees Organization and the Black Student Union, rallied for half an hour. SOLE member Jackie Bray, an LSA freshman, said the protest aimed to remind Bollinger that the contract stipulates the University may terminate the deal with Nike if the corporation doesn't resolve its labor issues within 30 days. Protesters said labor incidents occurring at a Nike fac- tory in Puebla; Mexico, violate the labor standards of the See SOLE, Page 2A Vice chair to head SACUA N Brief illness claims life of 49-year-old faculty affairs committee chairwoman By Whitney Elliott Daily StaffReporter Jacqueline Lawson, chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and an associate English professor at the University's Dearborn campus, died last week following a brief illness. She was 49. SACUA Vice Chair Moji Navvab, an asso- ciate Architecture and Urban Planning pro- fessor, will take over for Lawson until April, when her term was set to expire. John Riebesell, an associate biology pro- fessorat Dearborn who worked closely with Lawson on the Dearborn Faculty Sen- ate, plans to speak about Lawson next Monday at the monthly meeting of the Uni- versity's Senate Assembly. Lawson died Jan. 8. "When I was working with Jackie on Fac- ulty Senate, I was happy to have her to turn to," Riebesell said. At the Dearborn campus, Lawson taught courses in 18th Century British and 20th Cen- tury American literature, media law and ethics and the history of journalism. Dearborn Chancellor Daniel Little said in an e-mail to students and faculty on campus that Lawson "made a powerful mark on the institution during her years at UM-Dearborn, and profoundly affected all with whom she interacted, including students, faculty, and staff." "She will be remembered for her clear strong voice. ... It is a real loss for this com- See LAWSON, Page 7A Crowded field looks to gubernatorial race Here's looking at you By Louie Meizlish Daily Staff Reporter Former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard, who lost his 1990 bid for re-election to current Gov. John Engler, filed paperwork yesterday to set up a campaign committee, paving the way for a bid to replace Engler next year. *Engler, a Republican, will be forced out of office in 2001 due to term limits, and Blanchard, a demo- advertising my old programs like the education savings plan and computers in the'classroom." U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Mt. Clemens reportedly also is considering a run. His decision will likely hinge on whether the GOP-controlled state Legislature reapportions congressional dis- trict lines in such a way that would force the Democratic whip out of office. It is also appears Democrats are waiting on state Attorney General Jennifer Granholm's decision on DAVID KATZ/Daily Accutane, a medication prescribed for severe cases of acne, has caused controversy with consumer complaints that the drug is linked to suicide and suicidal tendencies. FDA reports link Accutane to depression By Susan Luth Daily Staff Reporter After Congressman Bart Stupak's son BJ committed sui- cide last May, he and his wife Laurie couldn't figure out why. But the Stupaks are convinced the acne medication BJ was using - Accutane - ultimately led to their son's death. Accutane is prescribed as a last resort for severe cases of acne. In researching, Laurie Stupak said she was stunned to find that the Federal Food and Drug Administration had published reports indicating that Accutane may trigger psy- chosis and suicidal tendencies. A 1998 FDA report linked the drug with 31 reports of suicide, suicide attempts or hav- ing thoughts of suicide. Despite these reports, no warning label accompanied the drug. More recent FDA reports links 147 cases of suicide and hospitalization for depression to Accutane between 1982 and May 2000. "BJ had not shown signs of depression, and if we had known that this drug could cause depression, suicide crat, is the latest in a crowd of. prominent Michiganians con- sidering a run for the open seat. On the Democratic side, there are at least six potential candidates. One Democrat, Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith of Salem Township, has said she 11 definitely enter the race and has already filed to form a campaign committee. But Smith is by most accounts less prominent than other Democ- rats considering a run. "I am looking to putting together an agenda that fires people up and fires me up" - James Blanchard Former Michigan governor the race for governor. Bill Bal- lenger, editor of Inside Michi- gan Politics, said Granholm is. being watched closely as a potential candidate not only because she is the only Demo- crat in a statewide office but also because she is "a very charismatic person and very popular. She does not have any baggage that is negative." Dennis Denno, spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party, said a contested prima- Blanchard, who served from 1983 until his defeat in 1990 by then-Senate Majority Leader ry could hurt the party's chances in the general election. "The problem with primaries at times is ________~~~'__._ _______________