LOCAL/S TATE The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 19; 2002 - 3 CAMPUS Ses Philosophy prof to give lecture on Confucianism There will be a brown bag lecture today at noon by University of Ver- mont philosophy Prof. Sin Yee Chan on "The Confucian Notion of 'Ching' (Respect)" at the School of Social Work on South University Avenue. Bring a bag lunch, although free cook- ies and coffee will be served. Artist to talk about war-related violence at Union Controversial Australian artist George Gittoes will give a slide illustrated lec- ture titled "Night Vision: The Artist as Witness" on his graphic drawings and paintings of war-related violence around the world today at noon in the Kuenzel Room of the Michigan Union. Architect influence on the University to be lecture focus "Alexander Jackson Davis: His 1838 Architectural Designs for the Universi- ty and His Impact on Campus Plan- ning" will be the topic of a lecture given by University building preserva- tionist Julia Truettner today at 3 p.m. at the University Observatory meeting room on 1398 E. Ann St. and Observa- tory St. Truettner will discuss the influ- ential 19th-century architect known for his bold Italian designs. Showing of prize- winning Mira Nair film to take place There will be a free showing of the critically acclaimed film "Monsoon Wedding" tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Auditorium C of Angell Hall. The film, directed by Mira Nair, is a com- edy-drama about a Punjabi family in New Delhi as they prepare for their daughter's wedding. New York Times biology writer will give free reading Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times biology writer Natalie Angier will read from and discuss a collection she edited titled -"The Best American Sci- ence Writing 2002" tonigt, 8 pm. at Shaman Drum Bookshop on South State. Street. There will be a signing and refreshments following the event. Bolshoi Theater and Swan Lake focus of lecture There will be a brown bag lecture sponsored by the University Center for Russian and East European Studies tomorrow at noon at the School of Social Work. University musicology Prof. John Wiley will talk on "The Bol- shoi Theater and Swan Lake." Electronic Judaic resources to be discussed at talk The University Center for Judaic Studies will host a free lecture titled "Judaica Electronica: Exploring and Mastering (the University's) Digital Judaic Resources" given by Univer- sity Judaic Curator Elliot Gertel tomorrow at 4 p.m. in room 4059 of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. Rackham student to talk on national parks in Belize The Washtenaw Audubon Society will host a slide-illustrated talk titled "National Parks in Belize" given by Rackham student Osmany Salas tomor- row at 7:30 p.m. at the University Matthaei Botanical Gardens on 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Salas is the executive direc- tor of the Belize Audubon Society, which manages eight national parks and reserves in Belize. Reporting in India to be addressed by NY Times writer The University Center for South Asian Studies will host a free talk titled "Reporting India" given by Celia Dug- ger, the former co-chief of The New York Times South Asian bureau Thurs- day at 6 p.m. in room 1840 in the School of Social Work. I Inkivarcit nrnf to Local issues pushed by MSA candidates By Carmen Johnson Daily Staff Reporter To gain votes for this week's Michigan Student Assembly elections, parties and independent candi- dates have campaigned to bring more focus to classroom issues instead of national topics like the possibility of war in Iraq. Some students said that when MSA votes on res- olutions concerning national or international affairs, others question whether these issues should be part of MSA's debates. As the voice of the student body, MSA primarily works on issues that affect student and campus life, but it only takes two representatives to bring up a resolution. Some controversial resolutions, which some stu- dents say have no effect, include last fall's resolu- tion in support of the war in Afghanistan and a resolution supporting the University's race-based admissions. Independent candidate Paul Scott said his cam- paign platform gives more attention to classroom issues, like extra help for students taking foreign language classes without having to pay for a tutor and the option of taking the fourth semester of the foreign language requirement in English. "MSA should be devoting more time to class- room concerns. Some resolutions are meaningless and often divide the campus" Scott said. All resolutions, even those based on non-campus issues, should be discussed said Joe Bernstein, MSA general counsel and Students First member. "We have to be realistic about these types of purely symbolic resolutions," Bernstein said. "However, when students feel very strongly about these issues, they feel comforted with a resolution and it's important for them to have a voice on MSA." The Blue Party said it wants to put MSA back on track and work on issues that directly affect stu- dents because the purpose of MSA is to represent the student body to the administration, Blue Party leader Darth Newman said. "Although we can't stop a resolution from being brought up, we can vote to remove the resolution from the agenda or vote "no." By voting "no" on a resolution, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are against the resolution, it means that the resolution is not germane to MSA," Newman said. But the Defend Affirmative Action Party views national concerns, like the March on Washington and the University's admissions policies, which the party strongly supports, as issues that directly affect students. MSA President and Students First member Sarah Boot said Tuesday MSA meetings, during which resolutions are discussed, are forums for stu- dents to bring up issues of importance. "Every day MSA works on things that directly affect students" Boot said. "What's the real objec- tion of these resolutions? Maybe it's just that some representatives are against the mostly liberal slant of controversial resolutions." Bell practice Number of donors down in Blood Battle from last-year LSA sophomore Amy Liao practices the carillon in Burto"Twe yesterday afternoon. RSGseeks input on CU) By Elizabeth Anderson Daily Staff Reporter Although elections for government typically bring posters and enthusiastic car ballot questions are also a part of elections. This sensegrthe Rackhan Government has formulated th endum questions on the ba which they hope to educate stu gain knowledge of their opinio University's use of race as a admissions. The recently written "Re to Let Rackham Students Whether to Support the Ui of Michigan's Affirmative Policies" motivated the inc the ballot questions, all o aim to connect the Univ policies and lawsuits with F students. Rackham Student Governm ber Christopher Cox said the] was put on the table by the R dent after "BAMN did a spie for RSG's support. One referendum questi whether Rackham students "su University of Michigan's af action policies." The follow-up admissions ask about support of the lawsuits facing the University. "It is important for the students to student have their voice heard on this issues," colored RSG president Brian Hulsebus said, ndidates, stressing the importance of the ques- crucial tions. He added that the matter has become timely because of recent deci- m Student sions made by the appellate courts. ree refer- Cox said he thought the "purpose llot with (of the referendum) was just to get dents and information" out to Rackham stu- ns on the dents about the trials and the Uni- factor in versity's admissions policies. "We're supposed to be a student -solution government and representing the Decide students," Cox said, adding that the niversity results will better inform the repre- e Action sentatives about their constituents' lusion of opinions. )f which Although the referendum questions ersity's will be voted on today and tomorrow Rackham during online voting, some Rackham students said they had no knowledge of ent mem- the questions. resolution Cox, a graduate student in SNRE, SG presi- said that although he does not support l" asking the University's policies, he thinks most of his "colleagues are very much in sup- on asks port of it." apport the Hulsebus declined to comment on his firmative position on the referendum questions so questions as not to affect student voting. By Min Kyung Yoon Daily Staff Reporter More blood donors are required for the University to beat Ohio State Uni- versity in this year's Blood Battle, which has one week left to go. "Michigan is currently a little behind OSU," said LSA junior Kate Papazian, co-chair of the Alpha Phi Omega Blood Drive. "The OSU blood drive began earlier than Michigan and start- ed really well." The Blood Battle is co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fra- ternity, and the Red Cross. Compared to last year after the Sept. I1 attacks, the number of blood donors at the end of the first week has been lower this year with an estimate of 1,000 donors so far, Papazian said. "We have been a little slower this year,' she said. "There were more partic- ipants at this time last year and our goal is higher this year." For the first time this year, blood donors can also register to give bone marrow, which is being sponsored by MENINGITIS Continued from Page 1 making it about 75 percent effective. Meningitis is more likely to strike those living in crowded settings, like college freshmen living in resi- dence halls, Winfield said. Fresh- men living in residence halls are almost three times as likely to con- tract meningitis as college-age peo- ple who do not live in the halls. The mortality rate for meningitis is 10 to 15 percent. Fifty percent of those who survive are permanently disabled and can lose fingers and feet due to gangrene or be mentally impaired, he said. Winfield said data showing that freshmen living in residence halls contract meningitis at a higher rate led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change its recom- mendations regarding the vaccine. Vaccines used to be suggested only for those traveling into countries with a high incidence of meningitis, but now the vaccine is "strongly recommended" (but not required) for all college fresh- men living in residence halls. Winfield also described the draw- backs to both shots. The meningitis vaccine costs about $80 and is good for only three to five years. Both shots also have side effects ranging from swelling and soreness at the injection site to low-grade fever. University Students Against Cancer. USAC senior advisor Anita Gupta, an LSA senior, emphasized the need for minority students to be part of the bone marrow registry because of a lack of minority bone marrow. "The number of minorities on the bone marrow registry is low," Gupta said. "The numbers of Caucasians are the highest and blacks are the lowest on the registry, while Asians are a little higher than Indians." Once registered on the bone marrow registry, an individual is on the registry until age 60, Gupta said. Gupta explained how the process con- sists of donating blood and waiting to be matched, which may take as long as 20 ALREADY PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE FOR NEXT E MAKE ROOM To WRIE FOR THE DALY. No EXPERIE NCE NECCESARY cAL 6WAIY "It's very simple and is also an easy access. I decided to donate blood to save people's lives" - Heather Ley LSA junior years. Once someone's blood is matched, a physical is performed to fur- ther confirm the match of the blood. Next is a one-day procedure to extract bone marrow from the hipbone. LSA junior and blood donor Heather Ley stressed the importance of donating blood and the convenient location of the blood drive. "It's very simple and is also an easy access," Ley said. "I decided to donate blood to save people's lives." Through the bone marrow drive, Gupta hopes people who decide to be part of the registry are doing it from the heart. "You are giving a chance for someone to live," Gupta said. HERITAGE,"Idon't prcice e ything tt I did in Continued from Page 1 ancestors or the one in which they were my hometown. It's not that I am raised. Often times, the two cultures conflict between their beliefs, celebra- forgetting. I make an effort to practice tions and lifestyles. Consequently, many said they feel they need to belong to one what my culture asks, but I am too or the other because it is too difficult to belong to both. busy. on www.sauravel.com TRAVEL nE > onf T HE PHO AE ~ on CAMPw' >> On THE ITREET LSA senior Jiann Jung grew up in a Korean household and said she puts a lot into maintaining her cultural back- ground on a daily basis. "Yes, I try to keep up with my culture. I have lots of Korean friends, and I watch Korean dramas. I also talk with my parents often, which helps. ... I think they're kind of in the middle of two backgrounds - not really in theirs and not in the American either. Some- times if I go to Korea, I feel like I don't fit in there, but in the U.S., I don't fit here either. It gets really confusing," Jung said. Others, like Engineering senior Dhruv Gupta, said they feel that when they are not surrounded by people of their same background, they become caught up in what the majority prac- tices and fail to remember their for- mer practices. "I don't practice everything that I did in my hometown. It's not that I am for- getting. I make an effort to practice what my culture asks, but I am too busy. Back - Dhruv Gupta Engineering senior The University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts presents a public lecture and reception From the first time Fernandez came to the University, she was contacted by various Hispanic organizations to help maintain her heritage by spending time with people of the same culture. Fernandez said she believes that "you never have to forget where you're from. If you forget about where you're from you become a fake person," Fernandez said. Fernandez added that she feels that continuing to speak Spanish has helped her maintain her Hispanic background. As the second most commonly spoken language in the nation, Fernandez said Hispanics feel it is important to preserve the language within their homes and communities. Language is also an important aspect of the Asian cultures. Goo said a lot of parents would send their children to grammar schools Some minorities said they feel more comfortable around people of a similar background. But Goo said surrounding yourself with people of the same background only leads to segregation. "I have never witnessed discrimi- nation or derogatory comments from different groups (at the University). But, I noticed they hang on to each other and segregate themselves," Goo said. "Someone the other day pointed out the Chinese Christian Fellowship to me. If it's Christian, why does it need to be only Chinese? Why segregate? Because people feel more comfortable. But for me it's different. I don't feel comfortable with any particular group." There are also things that minori- ties leave behind and cannot com- pletely regain in the American Nt A . I