news@michigandaily.com NEWS The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 3A CRIME Thousands of dollars in radio equipment stolen The Department of Public Safety reported that two handheld radios was stolen from the Aerospace Engineering propulsion laboratory. Each two-way radio is valued at $2,000, and they were stolen from a maintenance area earlier this month. Stranger wanders into MoJo dorm, steals wallet A Mosher-Jordan resident called DPS Monday after an unknown sus- pect walked into his unlocked room and stole his wallet. The victim was in his dorm at the time of the theft, but had his back turned to the suspect. The suspect was not apprehended by DPS, but leads are being investigated. Suspect swipes, damages MLB tech equipment A computer keyboard was vandalized and a computer mouse was stolen from a computer lab in room 2001 of the Mod- ern Languages Building Tuesday, according to DPS reports. University staff reported the incident to DPS, and the keyboard damage was estimated at $30. There are no suspects in the case. Drunken Couzens resident taken to University Hospital DPS was notified that a student was sick early Sunday morning in Couzens Residence Hall. The stu- dent was transported to the Univer- sity Hospital that day. The subject may have been intoxicated and it is unknown if a citation was issued for the incident. Sexual assault reported between 0 hospital employees DPS is currently investigating a report of criminal sexual conduct, involving unwanted touching, that occurred between two University Hos- pital employees Sunday. The incident occurred in a parking lot. The case is pending investigation. Cash stolen from unattended purse at 'U' Hospital A staff member of the University Hospital reported that a $50 bill was taken from a purse she left unattended Sunday morning. The cash was the only item missing from the purse, and DPS has no sus- pects in the case. Wallet stolen at NCRB gymnasium DPS responded to a student's report that his wallet was stolen from the North Campus Recreation Building Monday afternoon. The wallet was left unattended in the gym of the NCRB. The value of the wallet and its contents are unknown. *Cell phone taken from Undergrad Library A student reported that a cellular phone left unattended was stolen Monday from the UGLi. The value of the phone and the location of the theft are currently unknown, but DPS warns that the Undergraduate Library is often a "hot spot" for lar- ceny of unattended items. Bus rider with medical problem suffers seizures DPS reports indicate that a person suffered seizures while riding a Uni- versity bus on Fuller Road Monday. The person suffered unknown medical problems, and was transferred to Uni- versity Hospital emergency room thereafter. Thief steals chair from Residence Hall lounge A caller reported to DPS that a lounge chair was stolen from Stock- well Residence Hall late Monday after- Times reporter questions rationale of SUNsR By Nalla Moreira Daily Staff Reporter That shiny red sport utility vehicle may be the coolest car in the parking lot, but it and other SUVs pose severe safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians, New York Times reporter Keith Bradsher said to a crowd gathered at the School of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday. Bradsher added that drivers younger than 25 are more likely to get into dan- gerous accidents with SUVs. "Teenagers and young drivers should not drive SUVs," Bradsher said following the talk. "Even the vice president for safety of Ford (Motor Co.) said that she doesn't believe in SUVs for young drivers." Bradsher's talk focused on his new book, "High and Mighty: The Danger- ous Rise of the SUV," which can be bought at local bookstores. The talk was co-sponsored by the University's Center for Sustainable Systems and its Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation. The book represents his nearly 10 years of research on SUVs and the auto- motive industry. He spent much of that time covering automotive issues in Michigan as Detroit bureau chief for the Times from 1996 to 2001. In the book, Bradsher describes the history of SUVs and details their impact on road safety and the environment. He writes that the primary danger to the driver of an SUV is that the vehicle is more likely to roll over than a smaller car. "Hitting a curb can flip you in a less stable vehicle. You're much more likely to flip when you're in an SUV"he said. He reports that SUVs represent a seri- ous danger to smaller vehicles. Because they are taller than other cars, they may bypass the bumper and other protective features of small cars and strike more vulnerable areas. Also, in highly popu- lated areas, the lower maneuverability of SUVs makes them a particular threat to pedestrians, he said. This lower maneuverability, renders SUVs more difficult for young people to control, he added. Although parents believe the large vehicles will keep their children safer, "it's particularly a mistake for young people because of their propensity for getting into rollovers and getting distracted," he said. Bradsher said the automobile industry has begun to address safety concerns. For example, 15 automobile manufac- turers have pledged to redesign their SUV models by 2009 so that the vehi- cles' hardest parts will collide with the harder parts of smaller cars in the event of an accident. Some manufacturers, such as Ford, have also voluntarily improved the environmental impact of their SUVs. Some audience members expressed concerns that increased regulations could injure an industry that represents a vital lifeline for the American economy. "In my opinion, finding ways to reduce the impact (of regulations) on the domestic industry hasn't received enough attention," said Charles Griffith of Ann Arbor's Ecology Center. "They're a huge part of the political and economic base of this country." When, during his introduction to the talk, CSS co-drector Greg Keoleian asked the audience of about 50 whether anyone owned an SUV, only one person raised his hand. However, Bradsher said that nationwide, the vehicles comprise about 30 percent of all automobile sales. SNRE student Maya Fischhoff said she found Bradsher's speech interesting. "People have a big emotional response to SUVs. They're big, they're shiny ... so it's easy to be drawn. Learning about the social and environmental costs takes more effort." Warnings notwithstanding, University students seem as confident of their driv- ing abilities as youth have been since the Blood Fa( I Bl...........ood Face Off Dates ..WalO unwelcoe but doehihingil to doatear *n aur.e to make apppltmnts on te blood baffle w~k a mww. 4rbloodatl l.&r Today -- Mosheri-Jordan' Residence Hall 2-8 p~m.;Pierpot Commo~ns 126 p~m...... F riday C~%ozens Residene Hail 2-8 p~m.; south Q~uad Resi deuce Mall 248 p~m. Moday - Aic Loyd Rsdenceall 28pm;Mr Markley Residence Hil f2 pm.Mmar Tuesday -- nvrsity Hfospital Towsley Centr 7'a~.-7 pm. Fast 9Quad Residence Hall 2-8 pm 0 Feb.1 1± University Hospital Towsley Center 7 a.m.-7p~m . Feb±12 -- Michigani League 248 pm Feb. 3 ast Hall Atrium 2-8 pm Feb. 15 St. Mary's Sttudent Parish,'±13 pm. Fe~. 16 -aMichigani Union 28 p~m.;4 Melcal School (Furstenberg Cent) 8.3amr-'8:30 p~m. VS Feb. 17 -Michigan Union 28 p~m.; lDental School Feb.1 9 institute for Social Re~search 10 ai. - p m f: Feb. Z20 Physics Departmn0t (Randall Labratory) eb 24 - Plan~t Operations 8.30l a.m - 2.30 p~m. Fe.27 - t Medical enteron Pymotoad a~m. -2p~m. hockey in By Victorla Edwads Daily Staff Reporter With the outbreak of sickness typical- ly occurring most during this time of the year, Co-coordinator of this year's Blood Face Off Jodi Keller said that blood donations have been low. "There has been a severe shortage of blood in general. (The Red Cross) has warned people to be careful driving because the blood is especially low.... It is especially important that people donate now to help increase the blood supply," Keller said. This year's Blood Face Off is the second annual competition between Michigan and Michigan State Univer- sity to collect the most blood dona- tions, Keller said. The drive began Tuesday and will end on Feb. 27 - one week before the Michigan hockey team clashes with Michigan State in Joe Louis Arena on March 6. " IK" *ULSEBUS/Dail New York Times reporter Keith Bradsher speaks In the Dana Building yesterday regarding what he calls "The Dangerous Rise of the SUV." car's invention. But LSA freshman Elizabeth G4, "I don't feel unsafe in them," said wood, whose family also owns an SU0 LSA freshman Joe Filloy, whose family said that although the vehicles doni owns an SUV, as do several of his make her feel unsafe, she would not buy, friends. "I don't feel like it makes them one. "It's too big for me. If feel like I unsafe if you drive them the way they're can't go as quickly around turns supposed to be driven." (and) it's harder to park in Ann Arbor." ,. e 11 Ofhglgts Apr vairy withcharjitj The blood drive battle will take place winning side will be recognized at J at locations around the University, such Louis Arena and may also receive a tra as residence halls, the University Hospi- phy, Keller said. tal and the Michigan Union. It is being Art and Design freshman Andre jointly sponsored by American Red Johnson said he contributed blo&Pd, Cross and both Michigan and Michigan toward this goal, although not for the State's chapters of the Alpha Phi Omega most conventional of reasons. co-ed service fraternity. Donations col- "I like watching the blood, I like the lected from the drive will be donated to way it looks, that's sort of why I (donate the Red Cross, Keller said. blood)," Johnson said. Walk-ins to the blood drive are wel- He added that besides his fascination come. with watching it trickle out of his vein s, "The (overall) goal of the blood drive he also donates blood to help the Red is 1,600 pints. ... We just made our Cross collect blood for a good cause. (daily) goal today, right on the dot," Engineering sophomore Kyle Dalzie4 Keller said last night. She added that the who also donated yesterday, said his rea goal was 65 pints for West Quad Resi- son for blood donation also stems from dence Hall and 50 pints for Bursley Res- his desire to help others. idence Hall. "This is the third time I've donatedl While both Michigan and MSU are It's no big deal - it's a relatively pain-, striving to win the Blood Face Off with less way of helping others out. I do it at least 1,600 pints of blood, Keller said about twice a year. I started when I gqi it is too early in the competition to deter- here - they come to where you live so, mine which side is ahead, although the they make it a really easy way of helping University came up first last year. The out" Dalziel said. ii & a*1I Idt tore the daily -men s apuzzle The Piceton Review 1-800-2-REVIEW blowout moving sale WE'RE CLOSING 1UR ART STORE ANI MOVING IT OVER TO MICHIGAN BOOK & SUPPLY! Stop by Wrich's for our Art Clearance Sale FEBRUARY 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 16TH Don't Spend Spring Break Broke.