Weathw Monday September 8, 2003 ©2003 The Michigan Daily Ann Arbor, Michigan Vol. CXIVI, No. 5 One-hundred-twelve years of editorialfreedom 1 Isolated thun- derstorms in the afternoon and evening after a partly cloudy morn- ing. LOWi 59 Tomorrw 7S160 www.michigandaily.com Hungry students find Mcard useless in Big House By Emily Kraack Daily Staff Reporter As parched football fans may have noticed, Michigan Stadium concession stands have stopped accepting students' Entree Plus at foot- ball games this season. Engineering sophomore Lisa Gossman said she found out about the change when she tried to buy a bottle of water at Saturday's game against Houston. "I ended up not buying water and leaving after the first half," she said. She said her inability to buy a drink contributed to Bush says $87 bilion needed to fight terror WASHINGTON (AP) - Four days before the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush said 4 Sunday night he will seek $87 bil- V lion to fight terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and "engage the enemy where he lives." In an 18-minute address Bush said, "We are fighting that enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan today so that we do not meet him again on our own streets, in our own cities." Bush appealed for troops and money for security and reconstruction from other countries, even those who. opposed the U.S.- led war. Bush, speakingr from the Cabinet Room in a nation-v ally broadcast speech, said the United States would not be intimidated into Bush retreat by vio- lence. "The terrorists have cited the exam- ples of Beirut and Somalia, claiming that if you inflict harm on Americans we will run from a challenge," Bush said, referring to U.S. withdrawals after the loss of American lives. "In this they As are mistaken." wit It was Bush's first major speech on Iraq since May 1, when he stood on the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and declared an end to major combat operations. Since then, more Americans have died in Iraq than were killed during the war. The overall death count is 287 - 149 since May 1. The violence - including four By major bombing attacks in a month - Dai have raised alarms about Bush's han- dling of Iraq. I Republicans and Democrats alike a f have urged Bush to change course and "c seek more troops and money from Re other countries. dri Questions also have been fueled by F the administration's failure to find any me of Saddam Hussein's alleged illegal Pri weapons or Saddam himself. Bush pa made just one reference in his speech rol to weapons of mass destruction - a Th sharp contrast to his repeated asser- rep tions before the war about illegal inc weapons. her leaving the game. "I was really thirsty. It was so hot and you just want water." LSA senior Jared Freer said he had no idea about the change and felt that students should have been notified in advance. "Not telling anyone, that's pretty shady," he said. "If they're going to take something like that away, they should tell us." Spokesman Alan Levy said University Hous- ing Department decided to end the Entree Plus program at the Big House after the end of last year's football season. He said the program was cancelled after it failed in its first year to recoup operating costs of renting equipment, installing data lines and other costs during the seven-game football season last year. Only the Big House is affected by this - Entree Plus is still accepted everywhere else it was accepted before. Students with Entree Plus points can use their Mcards to buy food in residence halls and in eateries such as those in the Michigan Union and League. Michigan Student Assembly President Angela Galardi said she attended a meeting about the program last Friday with University Housing Business Manager Larry Durst and Residence Hall Association President Amy Keller. "The cost of the machines made it hard to make a profit," Galardi said. "It had a lot to do with budget cuts." Levy said he was not sure if efforts had been made to communicate the changes to the student body. The Entree Plus screen of the University Housing website reflects the See STADIUM, Page 5A Plus Still used at campus KElocations such as: The 10 dining halls for additional meals. Residence-hall snack bars and stores, laundry roomshvending and copy machines. L Eateries in the Michigan UnionMichigan League and Pierpont Commons. STRIKING A BALANCE Pill approved for extended birth control Drug promises to cut women's periods from 13 to four per year By Kylene Kiang Daily News Editor Seasonale, the first birth-control pill to lessen the frequency of a woman's menstrual periods from 13 to four times per year, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration Friday. Developed from the same mix of small-dose estrogen and progestin - hor- mones found in most birth control pills - a prescription of Seasonale provides the user with 12 consecutive weeks, or 84 days, worth of active pills. Further- more, during the woman's period, Sea- sonale users are given a week's supply of placebo tablets to keep them in the pill- taking habit. Seasonale's medication period is sig- nificant in length compared to conven- tional oral contraceptives that are taken each day for only three to four weeks. A clinical study from Eastern Virginia Medical School showed Seasonale was, just as effective in preventing pregnancy and does not cause heavier periods. Side effects associated with regular birth con- trol pills such as headaches, nausea and blood clots may also result from Sea- sonale. Produced by New York-based Barr Laboratories, Seasonale would cost about $1 per pill, comparable to the price of other mainstream oral contra- ceptives. The company said the drug would be available for prescription by the end of October. Though the drug may seem like a quick fix for agitated women ready to rid themselves of further inconvenience, the FDA warns that for some women the drug may do more harm than help as incidents of unexpected bleeding was one of the drug's downsides found in its clinical trial. "Although Seasonale users have fewer scheduled menstrual cycles, the data from clinical trials show that many women, especially in the first few cycles of use, had more unplanned bleeding and spotting between the expected men- strual periods than women taking a con- ventional 28- day oral contraceptive," according to the FDA. FDA spokesman Scott Monroe said the effects of the drug will vary. "Some will find they respond entirely as the product was designed to function, and others will have increased inter-menstru- al bleeding to the extent that they choose not to continue with the product." Though women have been using birth control for years to delay menstruation, Seasonale is the first drug marketed specifically to do that job. "I've already heard of women using the pill to stop getting their periods, so I think it is just an easier option for women who are going to do it anyway," said LSA freshman Sara Roedner. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus is shed so that excess tissue and unfertilized eggs can leave the body. Prior to approval, the leading medical concern was whether four annual cycles would be sufficient to allow the uterus to get rid of any tis- sue that builds up. However, this should not be a concern as most oral contraceptives including Seasonale work to completely suppress growth of the uterine lining, said Lori Lam- See PILL, Page 5A NICK AZZARO/Daily they adjust to an environment of hard partying and hard studying, freshmen try to keep a balance between the two, h varying degrees of success. Fres/zmen worry about overload 7s parties lure tem from studies Emily Kraack ly Staff Reporter Pop quiz - what is the first thing reshman thinks of when the word ollege" is brought up? Academics? sidence-hall life? How about nking? For at least a few incoming fresh- en, Michigan's No. 13 rank in the inceton Review's survey of top rty schools has played a major e in the college decision process. e Chronicle of Higher Education ported Aug. 29 that, of last year's coming U.S. freshmen class, 28.7 percent chose their colleges based on the reputation of its "social activities." The Chronicle also reported that 46.5 percent had tried beer and 52.5 percent had tried alcohol before coming to college. However, the Chronicle reported that 60.2 percent of incoming fresh- men in 2002 expected to receive at least a B average. How do freshmen balance the newfound urge to party and the need to study? Roommates Ethan Brown and Brian Les, both LSA freshmen, came to Michigan for the cross country and track teams. Brown is from out- side of Boston and Les is from Mil- waukee. Les and Brown said they went to parties to meet people and to get the college party experience. They both said they have not had alcohol at college. Brown said he was worried about balancing social activities and aca- demics. "I was afraid I'd get over- loaded with reading," Brown said. "I've been able to handle everything so far. It's about discipline - know- ing when to party, when to study." Les added that he was planning on See FRESHMEN, Page 5A A birthday for a cello Commuters adjust to new bus routes By Adam Supernant For the Daily The new line of sleek city buses inscribed with the words "The Link," along with the University's modifica- tions to its bus system, has been troubling some Ann Arbor com- muters who have yet to master the new routes. "It's confusing, I don't know where all the stops are - even with all the flyers they pass out," LSA freshman Sheema Akhtar said. "Even though the schedule is posted, sometimes they skip stops." Changes to the bus systems include the University's Commuter route running from 6:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m., and replacing the Univer- sity of Michigan Health System's Mitchell-Glazier shuttle and Nite Owl route after 7:15 p.m. Typically, the Mitchell-Glazier route runs Students board a University bus yesterday. University and Ann Arbor buses have made changes to their routes. ASHLEY HARPER/Daily Central Campus. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority in August began The Link mass-transit system, which joins "The Ride" program. The new bus system's purpose is to provide tourists and Ann Arbor residents alike the ability to commute through the city's various shopping districts with less hassle. The bus system runs every eight to 10 min- utes between Kerrytown, Main Street, State Street, Central Campus and South University, with 13 of the route's 24 stops located within campus bound- aries. "The Merchant Associations (rep- resenting area businesses) approached AATA several years ago with a desire to provide a service to help people get around downtown, making it a little easier to get from one shopping district to another," AATA spokeswoman Mary Stasiak said. "The bus system also travels Inside: Map of Ann Arbor's revised city bus route. Page 5A muter will provide service to the Medical Center both northbound and southbound. Prior to the recent changes, the Commuter stopped at 7:30 p.m. Also, the North Campus route that Little as well as the Shapiro Under- graduate Library and near the Michigan Union. During normal weekday hours, a bus that services the Northwood fami- ly housing area will provide transit NICK AZZARO/Daily Music Prof. Anthony Elliott performs on the ex-Duke of Edinburgh i I