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N4 .S ~TUI)NT EDITO
Weather
Tuesdd-y
September 2, 2003
©2003 The Michigan Daily
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Vol. CXIV, No. 1
One-hundred-twelve years ofeditorilfreedom
TODAY:
Showers in
the early
morning with
partly sunny
conditions in
the morning
and after-
noon.
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wwwmichigandailycom
NO
'U'
admissions
debuts new set
of standards
The $1.5 million changes
include more essay,
16 new application1
questions and
readers
By Jeremy Berkowitz
Daily Staff" Reporter
More introspective essays and questions
frame the new LSA admissions application
that went into effect yesterday. The changes
are part of an effort to help the University
ascertain more about a student's background
in order to build a diverse freshman class.
The revisions were brought upon by June's
Supreme Court rulings, which upheld the
Law School's system for using race as a fac-
tor in admissions, but struck down the LSA
LSA senior Travis Atkinson performs with the Dicks and Janes during the 2003 New Student Convocation in Crisier Arena on Thursday.
Welcome Week activities
offier fiun away firom parties
system, which gave up to
20 points out of a possible
150 to every underrepre-
T rst in a--ii
By Sara Eber
Daily Staff Reporter
Are partying and drinking the only activi-
ties offered the first week back at school?
Not necessarily.
The Office of New Student Programs
hopes to introduce incoming students to the
University in a more meaningful and
informative way by again hosting the Wel-
come to Michigan Program, a week-long
event designed to further introduce students
to college life.
Commencing last Thursday with the New i
Student Convocation at Crisler Arena, theI
program featured an array of activities to
orient new students with social, athletic and
activist opportunities on campus. Program
highlights included Artscapade/Escapade,
Meijer Madness, Maize Craze, Recreational
Sports Day, Community Plunge and the Pre-J
Class Bash.
While most key events remained the
Local venues
By Alison Go Mich
Daily Staff Reporter is a g
University
President
Mary Sue
Coleman
addresses
freshmen
during the
New
Student
Convocation
Thursday.
TONY DING/Daily
same, the student response was greater than
in previous years at Meijer Madness and the
New Student Convocation, said Drew Tin-
nen, coordinator of orientation and welcome
programs at ONSP
"I was proud that we were able to show-
case student talent with student groups per-
forming at both events, and we had great
help from a variety of student organizations
who volunteered at the events," he said.
LSA freshman Byung Park said he really
enjoyed going to Meijer Madness on Friday,
where he joined students in the crowded
store for free food, music and last-minute
shopping. "They really named it properly,"
he said. "It was freakin' madness!"
Alyssa Goldstein, also an LSA freshman,
voiced a similar opinion, saying that Meijer
Madness was her favorite activity of the
week.
"It was awesome!" she said. "Everything
was so cheap, and my roommate and I
bought so much stuff that we needed. It was
great because neither of us had a car."
The welcome program also aimed to pro-
vide an alternative to the alcohol-infused
party scene, Tinnen said.
"Hopefully, Welcome to Michigan is a
social time for students, but not a party
scene. One of our goals is to help students
meet one another, and we provide numerous
ways to do this," he said. "We do plan late-
night events such as Artscapade/Escapade,
See WELCOME WEEK, Page 7A
sented minority. twO-,art
The new process elimi- series y
nates the controversial f '
point system and allows_
for a more individualized
review of an applicant's
file, similar to the Law
School's system.
The University is in the middle of hiring 16
readers, mostly former professors and retired
teachers. These readers will give applications
a first read and then make a recommendation
of acceptance, deferral or denial. Next, a pro-
fessional admissions counselor will give a
second blind review and make a subsequent
recommendation. Final decisions will then be
made by a senior-level admissions manager,
using the two recommendations as supple-
mentary. If that person is unable to make a
decision, the application will be forwarded to
an seven- or eight-person admissions review
committee.
University Provost Paul Courant said many
The new application
Some of the changes made to the LSA admis-
sions application:
Three short answer questions, one long
essay question
" One optional essay
New form for high school counselor or
teacher recommendations
Student's expected contributions to the
campus community
Student's significant intercultural experi-
ences, unusual life circumstances
facets of the old admissions process remain
intact, with grades and standardized test
scores maintaining a high priority in admis-
sions criteria. In addition, a large number of
non-academic factors such as geographic
location, socio-economic background and
race will remain significant in the admissions
process.
"All students must be able to perform at a
very high level of academic achievement,"
Courant said in a press conference Thursday.
In order to assess students more individual-
ly, as mandated by the Supreme Court, the
Office of Undergraduate Admissions revised
the application to obtain more specific infor-
mation about an applicant's experiences.
Whereas in the past, applicants had to com-
plete one long essay question, they now have
a choice of three questions, tailored to find-
ing out feelings and thoughts of applicants.
Students must also answer several short ques-
tions ranging from their favorite book to
experiences about cultural diversity. There is
also a new optional essay where applicants
are allowed to include anything they feel
might not have been reflected in their appli-
cation.
See ADMISSIONS, Page 7A
Libraries cut hours in
face of budgret gdeficit
While most retailers in Ann
Arbor shut down for Labor Day,
University bookstores and several
restaurants took advantage of stu-
dents' last day of summer vacation
before the fall semester. Michigan
Book and Supply, Shaman Drum
Bookshop, Ulrich's and the Michi-
gan Union Bookstore all kept their
doors open for extended holiday
hours yesterday.
Staying open on the holiday typ-
ically reserved for barbecues and
cookouts, bookstores offered stu-
dents the option to beat the text-
book-buying rush that typically
occurs during the first couple
weeks at the beginning of each
semester.
"We want to make sure that we
are here for the students," said
Julie Dixon, store manager at
befor
Stu
conve
like 1
that I
ready
freshn
Ma
benef
tional
"Id '
do nc
way,
Jessi
Sham
no se
befor
woul
Bixby
Alt
books
passe
stay open
igan Book and Supply. "This
good time to get your books,
e we start to get really busy."
dents similarly appreciate the
nience of open bookstores. "I
being prepared, and it's nice
can use the time off to get
for class," said Engineering
man Brian Johnson.
ny employees also enjoy the
fits of working on a day tradi-
lly reserved for vacation.
d rather be here and work than
othing at home. At least this
I'm being productive," said
ca Bixby, an employee at
an Drum. "Plus, it just makes
ense to not be open the day
re school starts. Students
d probably be really upset,"
y added.
hough the opportunity to get
s before the start of class has FI
d, Dixon recommends shop- st
See HOLIDAY, Page 9A of
on Labor Day
- Library administrators will
consider a proposal to cut hours
in the UGLi
By Jeremy Berkowitz
Daily Staff Reporter
As students start classes again today, they
may realize that they are receiving less
resources while paying more money. The Uni-
versity library administration cut back hours
of certain libraries over the summer and are
now considering future earlier closes, citing
lack of utilization and a $2 million budget
deficit.
This term, the Harlan Hatcher Graduate
Library will be closing at 6 p.m. Friday, as
opposed to 10 p.m. during last winter term.
Within the next month, library administrators
will consider a proposal to close the Harold
Shapiro Undergraduate Library at 3 a.m. Fri-
day and Saturday nights instead of 5 a.m. In
addition, the libraries would reopen Saturday
and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
respectively, instead of 8 a.m.
Brenda Johnson, associate university librar-
ian for public services, said the cuts would
not take place until at least Winter 2004, if
they happen at all. She said the librarians are
waiting to hear feedback from faculty mem-
bers before a final decision would be made in
conjunction with the provost.
Johnson noted a low amount of usage in the
library during those particular hours. She
added that it's been a tough year for the
library with cuts in positions and workers'
hours.
But "we're very careful not to take our cuts
in library hours," Johnson said, adding that
the library would probably still be open 24
hours a day during finals week.
"I think we'll definitely do that," Johnson
said. "Shapiro is heavily used at that time."
Although student input has yet to be con-
sidered in the library's proposal, students yes-
terday said the possible changes could
inconvenience those bogged down with class
work.
"I'd rather it be open as much as possible,"
Rackham student Chris Peterson said.
But LSA junior Scott Dill said although the
library offers less distractions than other
areas around campus, he did not think revised
hours would have that much of an impact on
See CUTS, Page 9A
BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily
fth-year LSA students Marie Eguchi and Beth Cooper go
hopping at Urban Outfitters on State Street, which was
pen from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. yesterday on Labor Day.
Economy shows signs of improvement
Despite negative statistics,
recession has been over since
November 2001, study says
By Andrew Kaplan
Daily Staff Reporter
Many readers browsing through recent news-
papers consider the national economy to still be
in a recession. Journals report that unemploy-
ment is at a 10-year high - about 6.5 percent
- with growth averaging less than 3 percent
since fiscal-year end 2001.
But technically, University economists say,
the downturn ended November 2001.
The economy will begin to shake off afteref-
fects of the recession and gather speed over the
next few fiscal quarters, according to a two-
year economic forecast issued by the Universi-
son to believe that the positives in the outlook
are gaining in force," the report states, adding
that low interest rates and income-tax cuts have
softened the blow of widespread joblessness
and staggering oil prices.
"Barring further truly significant negative
'environmental shocks'''- such as terrorism,
war and corporate scandals - "we expect the
positives in the outlook to carry the day," the
report states.
In fact, production levels have exceeded pre-
recession rates, although high unemployment
has obscured signs of that recovery, University
economists said.
"In terms of production of output, the econo-
my is way ahead of what it was at the start of
the recession," Saul Hymans, director of
RSQE, said. "But what we haven't recovered
and continue to lose is employment."
Hymans added that despite the lack of jobs,
least 3 percent to generate jobs.
"Employment is the last thing that's happen-
ing in the economy," Hymans said. "But we
don't have enough recovery to have increases
in employment."
Many of the unemployed are students seek-
ing their first jobs. Over the last year, workers
between the ages of 20 and 24 have lost more
than 500,000 jobs, while workers aged 25 to 34
actually gained jobs, according to the U.S.
Department of Labor.
In addition to positive predictions from econ-
omists, current consumer sentiment and futures
economic expectations have improved signifi-
cantly since April, according to a University
survey of consumers released Friday.
"Consumers exhibit a greater awareness of
positive economic developments in August than
any other time during the past five years," the
survey states, referring to a consumer expecta-
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