III ll,,, III 1 1111 1 isillgillipip illialmns=rm 10111111MORM INMENIMM 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. L~58 718/ .:w7 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- I 'i~au1onJJna a:i me z~ue~ w uvrw. .