LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 16, 2001- 5 -Activists protest bus merger at meeting By Anna Clark Y ,\. Daizy tafTRieporter _____________ ' fo attend their regular meeting yesterday, mem- bers of the University Board of Regents had to wind through a chanting group of University stu- dents demonstrating against the proposed merger *etween the University and Ann Arbor Trans- nortation Authority. With brightly-colored signs held high, approxi- mately 15 students protested before and after the meeting outside the Fleming Administration Building. But their voices didn't stay outside. During the public comments session of the meeting, the pro- testers spoke out, calling on the regents to recog- nize their concerns. :he students were worried that the merger of the University Transportation Service and the OATA would cost one of the best-paying jobs ^available for students. They also noted the control the University would lose over its busing system, possibly resulting in a lack of efficient transportation for students who depend on the buses. Rackhant student Cedric DeLeon, president of the Graduate Employees Association, said he wanted to "chastise" the regents for considering the merger. "The University of Michigan has gotten caught 'pin the outsourcing craze," DeLeon said. "What this implies to me is that the University is much more concerned with financial costs than human costs." He added that he was angry the University "went behind our backs" during earlier private discussions of the merger. "Don't try to insult our intelligence," he said. "This is a plea. Stop this merger." Cybele Blood, a University staff member, jIOLIDAY Continued from Page 1. from opening at 7 a.m. till closing at 2 a.m.;' Dristy said. Curt Muelle, a Business graduate student, remembers celebrating St.. Patrick's Day as an undergrad. "We used to go to Sullivan's, where Good Time Charley's is now. We would line up early," Muelle *id. "Since St. Patrick's Day was always during the week, if you were looking for students skipping class, they would be there." Not only are the bars preparing special activities but fraternities are as well. Dan Thompson, a former E Theta Chi fraternity member, plans to return for itsSt. Patty's Day party. pWhen it turns midnight I am oing to Theta Chi, who is trying to ve a midnight-to-midnight party and then at 6 a.m. we are going to have green eggs and ham," said Thompson. TICKETS Continued from Page 1. from the recently signed Nike con- tract. Martin called for "balancing financial reality with fairness" by. creating a tiered seating model for the public. Michigan Stadium will be divided into four sections, each with different prices: Victors, between the 22-yard lines; Blue, from the goal lines to the 22-yard lines; Maize, in the end zones; and students, from sections 25 to 32 in the northwest corner. Public season ticket prices will be $47, $43 and $39 for Victors, Blue and Maize seats respectively. "This is ridiculous," said RC sophomore Chrissy Szalkowski. "You'd think the Athletic Depart- ment could find other ways to solve their money problems without cre- ating money problems for us too." Rachel Oram, an RC sophomore, said the increase is more than she expected. "I heard they were going to raise ticket prices earlier, but l thought-it would be something like going from $84 to $90," she said. "But $4 a ticket? Come on." But Martin said that even with the increase, the University still has better ticket prices than Ohio State and Penn State. "Real ticket prices from other schools are actually much higher because of donation incentives," Martin said. He added that the price hike won't solve the financial problems, citing the need for renovation and construction of facilities and endowment. He said other options, such aS stadium advertising, skybox seating and voluntary seat donation incen- tives will be explored and major fundraising initiatives will be launched. "But our main goal is to provide for the athletic development and academic support of the 700-plus student-athletes," Martin said. - Daily Sports Writer Steve Jackson contributed to this report. HACHEL FEILHMAN/Daily University President Lee Bollinger walks away from protesters who were outside the Board of Regents meeting attempting to stop a merger between the University and the AATA. echoed DeLeon's sentiments. "As a famous liberal arts institution, we are ostensibly concerned with values and principle that transcend the value of a dollar, or even a few hundred thousand dollars a year," Blood said. "Such principle remains the backbone of our tradition for excellence and must not be for- gotten." Speaking for the University's Engineering Council, Engineering junior Matthew Rudnick, the council's external vice president, said the group also opposes the merger, noting that engi- neers and others with many classes on North Campus are "the primary users of the University bus system." He said the group's main concerns are future extent and coverage of routes, bus frequency and bus size. The University is currently in the middle of a 60-day moratorium on negotiations of the merger. University Chief Financial Officer Robert Kas- din said the time is being used for the administra- tion to thoroughly discuss the merger with students, staff and faculty. "We agree, of course, that we need to be thor- oughly informed of student concerns," Kasdin said, adding that there have been several meetings with student groups and more can be arranged. University Regent Larry Deitch (D-Bloomfield Hills) requested a "summation of the findings" from those meetings to be distributed to the regents before next month's meeting. The Making of Modern. Buddhism NOW OF NEWS PPENING CAMPUS? MAIL THE WS DESK: Check Us Out!1 H I o www.homecityice.com Hm -Great Job Opportunities!! Hiring Students Part-Time NOW and Full-Time During Summer & Breaks Flexible Hours & GREAT PAY! We offer 10-40+ hours/week Route Delivery & Packaging Positions $6,50-$12+ per hour 734-955-9094 Located just minutes from Campus! We Also Have Facilities in Other Cities, Call Us! I~xgoY 1.800-931.3575 OsyeSp'ngwd i-6O183-SStiI 1.".'Oucy'us 1-800-94-0529 Toledo t-80-0480O70 Cleo.uxAkrnnt~aio.',E.. 1-M-674-0880 PsbwrghI0'ZO.8144Z3 C'_Wlr~eN KaniMsy 4-800288-4040 Weol Vogm * 1 8005454423 M.,.fwldAsiiwld 4-W-029 Sou"" qo'4d 80*0 5O45J423 No Experience Necessary Train in one faci gy during school and work rn another duong summer break. We offer Schedule Flexibiity Start training NOW Schedule an interview A.S.A.P. Bring a Friend' www.homecityice.com Donald S. Lopez Carl W. Belser Collegiate Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies Chair, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Public Lecture and Reception Tuesday, March 20, 2001, 4:10 pm Rackham Amphitheatre Presented by LS&A Congratulations! The following students will be among those recognized during the Honors Convocation program on Sunday, March 18, 2001. These individuals have demonstrated the highest level of undergraduate academic success by achieving seven or more consecutive terms of all A's and earning the designation of Angell Scholar. The University of Michigan congratulates these students on their superior scholastic achievement and wishes them continued success. Seven Term Angell Scholars Sara Aeschliman Kathryn Amatangelo Joelle Busman Joseph Davis Matthew Dekovich Sheila Elliott* Erica Freeman Heather Gulyas Kara Haan Eric Hyun Jeffrey Jones Katherine Kennedy Lorri Marek Anne Mitchell College of Literature, Science, and the Arts School of Natural Resources and Environment School of Business Administration College of Pharmacy College of Literature, Science, and the Arts College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters U-M Dearborn College of Literature, Science, and the Arts School of Education U-M Dearborn School of Music College of Literature, Science, and the Arts College of Engineering and Computer Science U-M Dearborn School of Business Administration College of Literature, Science, and the Arts School of Natural Resources and Environment Scott Sepke Abigail Sikkenga* Sara Smith David Thurlow Krian Upatkoon* Brittany Urban Annemarie Vassalo* William Wahl Luke Wilcox Joshua Woodworth* College of Engineering School of Nursing School of Nursing School of Business Administration College of Engineering College of Literature, Science, School of Nursing College of Engineering School of Education and the Arts College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Eight Term Angell Scholars Andrew Aguirre* Mary Ahwal Trevor Boyer* James DeBoer* Matthew Gulker* T\ 1 _- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts College of Engineering and Computer Science U-M Dearborn College of Literature, Science, College of Engineering College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the Arts fl I ,I1