LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 8, 2002 - 3
Common ailments may signify thyroid disease
Atrocities against
children topic of
victimology lecture
University of New Hampshire sociol-
ogy Prof. David Finkelhor will lecture
on "Crimes Against Children and the
Concept of Development Victimology"
in room 1840 of the School of Social
Work Building today at 1 p.m. The event
is sponsored by the Interdisciplinary
Research Program on Violence Across
the Lifespan, the Institute for Research
on Women and Gender and the Office
of the Vice President for Research.
Event to expose
positive aspects
of globalization
Tom Palmer, a senior fellow at the
Cato Institute and Cato University
director, will be discussing the positive
aspects of globalization today in the
Pendleton Room of the Michigan
Union at 6 p.m. The event is sponsored
by the College Libertarians and Young
Americans for Freedom.
Latta to read from
"Breeze" writings
John Latta, the recipient of the 2003
Ernest Sandeen Prize in Poetry, will be
giving a poetry reading at Shaman
Drum today at 8 p.m. Latta will be read-
ing from his new collection, "Breeze."
He is currently on the staff at the Uni-
versity's digital library production serv-
ice, specializing in Middle English texts.
Lecture focuses
on domestic life,
Martha Stewart
Prof. Mary Glynn will be speaking on
domestic life in a lecture titled "Turkey
101: Traditions of Domesticity in
Martha Stewart Living Magazine" in
room 2239 of Lane Hall tomorrow at
2:30 p.m. Glynn specializes in organiza-
tional behavior and human resource
management in the Institute for
Research on Women and Gender.
Gurin to address
educational pluses
of having diversity
Prof. Emeritus Pat Gurin will be
speaking on "The Educational Potential
of Diversity and You" in Room G333 of
Mason Hall tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Gurin was the Interim Dean of LSA in
1998 and worked on the University's
race-conscious admission policies law-
suits. The lecture is sponsored by the
Shipman Society.
CREES lecture to
address use and
abuse of ethnicity
Mount Holyoke College history Prof.
Jeremy King will be giving a lecture
titled "The Use and Abuse of Ethnicity
for the Study of East Central Europe" in
room 1636 of the School of Social Work
Building tomorrow at noon. The lecture
is sponsored by the Center for Russian
and East European Studies.
Two-state solution
discussed by Bir
Zeit U Prof. Tamari
Bir Zeit University Prof. Salim
Tamari will address the question of a
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestin-
ian situation in Angell Hall Auditorium
A tomorrow at 4 pm. "End of the Two-
State Solution?" is part of a public lec-
ture series and mini-course titled
"Perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict.' The series is sponsored by the
Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for
Judaic Studies, Center for Middle East-
ern and North African Studies and Cen-
ter for Political Studies.
Nobel recipient to
talk on 'Quantum
Weirdness'
As part of the third annual Ford
Motor Company distinguished lecture
series in physics, Nobel Prize winner
Carl Wieman will talk about a new form
of matter which could be used at near-
absolute zero temperatures to construct
an atomic laser for creating better atom-
ic clocks. Wieman's lecture, titled
"Bose-Einstein Condensation: Quantum
Weirdness at the Lowest Temperature in
the Universe," will be held in room 1324
of East Hall tomorrow at 4 p.m. Wie-
man is a physics professor at the Univer-
sity of Colorado. The lecture is
sponsored by the physics department.
Consequences of
snrnwI nrAented
By Erin Saylor
Daily Staff Reporter
Feeling anxious, tired, or too hot or cold could be
the result of thyroid disease, warn University doc-
tors, who recently issued an advisory on the illness.
While symptoms can imitate those of other condi-
tions, endocrinologists recommend that men and
women have their thyroid periodically examined
during health check-ups.
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck
that produces a hormone that controls the body's
metabolic system and organ functions.
"It's kind of like the thermostat of the body,"
endocrinologist Robert Lash said. "If it's too high,
you may feel too hot or anxious and if it's too low,
you may feel cold, tired, experience irregular men-
struation, put on weight or just don't feel as sharp."
Thyroid disease is fairly common in the United
Changes to Ju
Granhoim's.
K-12 budget
proposed
LANSING (AP) - A Republican-
controlled state House panel is expect-
ed this week to propose its changes to
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's spending
plan for public schools in the upcom-
ing fiscal year.
The House Appropriations K-12
Subcommittee's proposal is expected
to agree with Granholm's plan to
give every school district at least
$6,700 and as much as $11,000 per
student for the upcoming school
year, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-
Midland) said yesterday.
"The top priority for us would be to
ensure that the $6,700 foundation grant
remains intact," he said.
The subcommittee is expected to
vote on the budget proposal today.
But Moolenaar said some subcom-
mittee members had several concerns
with Granholm's proposal for the over-
all $12.4 billion school aid budget for
the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The Democratic governor's school
aid budget includes reductions and rev-
enue enhancements to offset a $365
million deficit anticipated if current
spending levels continue in the upcom-
ing fiscal year.
The subcommittee's proposal may
increase the flexibility of funding for
at-risk students so schools can use the
dollars for adult education and other
programs cut in Granholm's spending
plan, Moolenaar said.
The governor reduced funding for LSA Jul
adult education by $57.5 million, leav- medita
ing $20 million, in an effort to restore yester
the per-pupil grants to at least $6,700.
The grants were cut earlier this year to
The grats were2cu earlirths erar to L
current $12.7 billion school aid budget.
Granholm's proposal includes
$314.2 million for at-risk students. HOL
Moolenaar also said some members Life Sa
of the subcommittee didn't like rolling o
Granholm's proposal to replace $198.6 The o
million in general fund dollars for the close Fi
school aid budget with money from a entire Li
revenue sharing reserve account. Form
The subcommittee chairman said he scents, a
wants to continue setting aside the gen- ing the
eral fund dollars for the school aid close the
budget in the upcoming fiscal year you pass
because it's a stable source of funding. Kraft'
However, Greg Bird, spokesman for 900,000
the state's budget office, said the gov- means tht
ernor wanted to end the general fund taxpayer.
appropriation to the school aid budget for clean
because general fund revenue is very sold, said
dependent on the economy. Unde
"Taking away the general fund dol-
lars will not put the school aid at the COrre
whim of our economy," he said. Co
States, affecting between 10 to 14 million women
and 2 to 3 million men.
The most common type of thyroid disease is
hypothyroidism, in which thyroid hormone levels
are lower than normal. While symptoms don't usu-
ally develop until later in life, certain factors can
increase the risk of developing low levels of thyroid
hormone.
"I think that what college students should know
is that there is an increased risk to develop low thy-
roid hormone if they have a family history and if
they have diabetes type one - insulin dependent,"
pediatrician and endocrinologist Delia Vazquez
said. "For example, approximately one out of four
insulin dependent diabetics develop autoimmune
hypothyroidism."
Doctors have also linked low thyroid hormone
levels with high cholesterol in both men and
women. Studies show that cholesterol levels may
"For college-age people, routine checking is not
necessary unless they notice symptoms:'
- Robert Lash
Endocrinologist
go down when thyroid hormone levels are cor-
rected.
Although much less common, the thyroid can
also become overactive in a condition called
hyperthyroidism. This disease speeds up the
metabolism and may cause people to feel irrita-
ble, weak and hot. "The thyroid fails gradually
over years, so people don't always notice the
changes or they attribute them to aging," Lash said.
Diagnosing thyroid disease consists of a blood
test to measure the amounts of thyroid stimulat-
ing hormone. Lash said the test is simple, easy to
interpret and relatively inexpensive. He added
that after diagnoses, there are several successful
treatment options for thyroid diseases including
medication and surgery that correct the problem
relatively quickly.
"For college age people, routine checking is not
necessary unless they notice symptoms," Lash said.
"Older people should probably be checked every
five years or so, but for younger people, once every
ten years is sufficient."
'U' programs alleviate
cost of study abroad
By Michael Kan
Daily Staff Reporter
Students who do not participate in
study abroad programs have many rea-
sons for not taking advantage of the
University's overseas opportunities.
"It's a big step," LSA junior Jen
Reinhart said. She said there is a lot to
consider, especially since she is
already settled in Michigan. However,
another important reason students are
hesitant to travel abroad is the costs.
Engineering sophomore Richa Jolly
said that because she doesn't know how
the trip would be paid for, she would be
apprehensive about going abroad.
The assumption that studying abroad
is expensive is common, but not com-
pletely true, according to the Universi-
ty's Office of International Programs.
Students interested in studying in a
foreign country without having to empty
their pockets can look to the OIP, along
with other study abroad organizations, to
provide them with these affordable
opportunities.
"We work very hard to keep the cost
of study abroad as low as possible," OIP
Assistant Director Jordan Pollack said.
Although the University has a vari-
ety of study abroad programs that
vary in cost, Pollack said each pro-
gram- accommodates students' needs.
"All our programs offer a scholarship
opportunity," he added. Scholarships
are awarded on merit and financial
need, Pollack said.
Students should also realize that the
expenses of study abroad can be lowered
by financial aid, Pollack said. With Uni-
versity grants and government loans, a
student can significantly compensate for
the expenses of going to a foreign
school. OIP usually provides study
abroad programs that cost as much or
less than tuition at the University, he
added. "The cost of our programs is
comparable to other academic institu-
tions," Pollack added.
But he also said students are often
sent to first-class universities, causing
some programs to be more expensive
than others. Whether or not students
pay for an expensive trip is up to them,
Pollack added, but they should also
know there are many other affordable
options to choose from.
- "There's a lot of misinformation out
there for study abroad," Pollack said. He
added that the best way for students to
learn more is to come in to the OIP
office and talk to an advisor.
Students can also look at Cultural
Experiences Abroad, a program that can
help them plan their educational oppor-
tunities overseas. Christie Turley, the
marketing manager of CEA, said stu-
dents should worry about the costs of
studying abroad, but that they should
also know it's affordable.
"The common misconception is that
it's too expensive." Turley said, adding
that study abroad is for educational cred-
it, so federal funds can be used to pay
for some of the costs.
"There are also plenty of scholarships
out there for study abroad - people just
need to look for them," she said.
Turley recommended that students
interested in studying abroad research
their options and the value of the pro-
grams they are interested in, as well as
the courses they wish to take. She also
encouraged students to go to the finan-
cial aid office to make arrangements to
pay for their study abroad activities
"Students also need to check with
their academic advisor to make sure
their courses will transfer," Turley said.
to Canada
nior Rohini Pandhi and Medical School administrator Cindy Kamish
te while taking part in a yoga class held in the Michigan Union
day.
fe Savers moves U.S. operations
LAND (AP) - After a 36-year run, the last
vers to be made in the United States are
ut of Michigan.
one U.S. factory that makes the candy will
riday as Kraft Foods Inc. consolidates its
fe Savers production at a Canada factory.
er employee Joyce Van Dam says the sweet
rnd memories, gradually have diminished dur-
months since Kraft announced its decision to
plant. "It's kind of an empty feeling whenever
there," she told The Holland Sentinel.
s decision to move Life Savers operations to a
square-foot facility in Mount Royal, Quebec,
he loss of 600 jobs and Holland's third-largest
Only 70 workers remain. Some will stay on
ing and security until the building officially is
d Kraft spokeswoman Cathy Pernu.
rutilization of the 450,000-square-foot Hol-
land plant and lower Canadian sugar prices were
cited as factors in the move.
Pam Geurink worked at Life Savers for 21 years
before leaving last October when hard candy rolls
production shut down. In the months after the closing
announcement, Geurink said it was tough coming to
work as the machines and workers who cranked out
lollipops and fruit rolls left. "It was heartbreaking to
see the jobs being taken away," she said.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store
Union Local 822 negotiated a two-year contract with
Kraft that provided a severance package for its 558
members and the U.S. Department of Labor agreed
to provide job search and financial assistance.
But the lost jobs also mean lost tax revenue for
Holland, its schools and Allegan County.
Holland assessor Glen Beekman says Kraft paid an
estimated $1.2 million in taxes to the area last year.
Kraft is expected to pay the city nearly $420,000
as part of a tax exemption Holland originally gave to
Nabisco for Life Savers building improvements,
equipment and machinery in 1997.
"If there is any positive news in a bad story, it is that
they have every intention of making good on the terms
of the agreement," Holland Mayor Al McGeehan said.
Holland-based Grubb & Ellis-Focus Properties
Inc., which has been marketing the plant for Kraft,
has said it is working on agreements with investors
interested in purchasing the building and possibly
leasing space for a number of industrial companies.
Geurink said even if the building is purchased,
Holland is losing a piece of tradition. But former
Life Savers employees will not forget the plant, and
plan to stay in touch with a monthly breakfast.
"You just don't wash away 20-something years of
friendship," she said.
ection:
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Ap- -Nk
My name is Lindsey and
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