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NEWS

The Michigan Daily - Monday, March 29, 2004 - 3A


Possible sexual
assault occurs at
fraternity house
According to the Department of
Public Safety, a possible sexual assault
was reported early Saturday morning at
the University Hospital's emergency
room. The assault happened at a frater-
nity house. It is unknown whether the
fraternity was on campus. The Ann
Arbor Police Department was notified
about the incident and the assault is
currently under investigation.
Suspicious man
follows woman
around Dennison
DPS reports show that early Friday
morning, a caller reported that she
was being followed by a suspicious
man in the area around the Dennison
and C.C. Little buildings. DPS inves-
tigated and found the man to be a
minor in possession of alcohol and
arrested him. The man was not affili-
ated with the University.
Student arrested
after shooting
people with BB gun
DPS reports show that a person was
arrested for using a BB gun to shoot
passers-by on East Madison Street
from a dorm room in West Quad Resi-
dence Hall early yesterday morning.
Two other people were arrested for
MIP citations. The three people were
taken to Kipke Campus Safety Ser-
vices building and later released. There
were no life-threatening injuries and
the charge is currently undetermined
though according to DPS it will proba-
bly be a felonious assault charge.
Trespasser arrested
for warrant
A man was arrested in South Quad
Residence Hall early Saturday morning,
according to DPS crime reports. The,
man was wanted on a warrant for a sus-
pended license. He was disorderly and
trespassing in South Quad, police said.
Money stolen from
safe and register
in Tim Horton's
According to DPS crime logs on Fri-
day, a caller reported that $332 was
stolen from a safe and a cash register in
the Tim Horton's in the Michigan
League. There were no signs of forced
entry or of any other problems in the
area. The theft occurred sometime
Wednesday, though it was noticed on
Thursday. DPS has a suspect and is
investigating the case.
Medical drug
pack stolen from
health center
DPS crime reports show that a
drug pack was stolen from the Taub-
man Health Care Center Friday
night. Drug packs contain syringes
and medication for nurses to use in
emergency situations. The stolen
pack was recovered under a bench in
a corridor of the health care center,
though the seal had been broken and
several medications and a syringe
were stolen. There are no suspects
and DPS is investigating the case.
Man escorted out
of Mosher-Jordan

for soliciting
A caller reported to DPS on
Thursday afternoon that an unknown
man in Mosher-Jordan Residence
Hall was soliciting money for his
church. The man was located and
escorted out of the residence hall
and no reports were filed.
Fire alarm cages
damaged in East
Quad hall
DPS crime reports on Thursday show
that in the past week, the cages that pro-
tect fire alarms in East Quad Residence
Hall have repeatedly been hit and dam-
aged. DPS is investigating the case.
Skateboarders
warned not to grind
on 'U' property
DPS crime logs on Saturday show
that skateboarders were found skating
outside the Regents Plaza. DPS offi-
cers warned them not to skate or grind
A on Tnvritu nronerh,

Survey:
Consumers
see better
economy
By Adhiraj Dutt
Daily Staff Reporter
Even with worries about the current
economic situation weighing on Ameri-
can consumers' minds, confidence in
the economy edged up this month.
The latest Index of Consumer Senti-
ment, released Friday, reported that con-
sumers' confidence in the economy rose
to 95.8 in March from 94.4 in February.
That level is significantly higher than
the 77.6 recorded in March 2003.
While the Index - which is
released by the University's Surveys of
Consumers on the last Friday of every
month - recorded an increase during
March, the Index is still lower than
January's 103.8 recording. January was
the first time since November 2003
that the Index rose above 100.
In a written statement, Surveys of
Consumers Director Richard Curtin
said the increase in consumer confi-
dence from last month could be attrib-
uted to expectations of improved
personal finances due to higher
income and lower mortgage rates.
A Surveys of Consumers news
release stated that nine out of 10 con-
sumers anticipated an improvement in
their financial situation for the rest of
the year. Consumers felt this way even
though there is "a widespread expecta-
tion of a higher inflation rate," accord-

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Judge rules
ballot intiative
may continue

SRuling states courts
cannot haltpetition drive
before it becomes law
By Aymar Jean
Daily Staff Reporter

March sept
2002 2002

2003 2003

ing to the release.
But with economic issues such as
slow job growth and the outsourcing of
white-collar jobs overseas at the fore-
front of the 2004 presidential race, con-
sumers are nervous that uncertainties
may arise from economic policies
adopted by the current administration.
Curtin said the March survey recorded
"the lowest level of confidence in gov-
ernment economic policies since Presi-
dent Bush was first elected.
"The gain in confidence was record-
ed despite persistent concerns about
slower job growth and higher gas
prices," Curtin said. "Consumers were
concerned that the slower pace of eco-
nomic growth, higher productivity and
global outsourcing would keep
employment growth at lower than nor-
mal levels during the year ahead."

Though consumers have c(
financial outlooks improved
increased saving and decrease(
ing, Business School Prof. Ne
hun said. He added that co
confidence is mostly driven
employment situation.
"If the jobs picture impro
number goes up," Seyhun said.
some good news recently. t
incomes rose last month and the
rate is higher. The increase in
suggests that people are not fu
mistic. They are saving and no
ing. Spending went down."
But Seyhun added that the e
is "not out of the woods yet."
The Expectations Index, a
nent of the federal Index ofI
Economic Indicators, rose fr(
in February to 88.8 last month


REGISTRATION
Continued from Page A
navigation system and a completely
revamped class search function. Stu-
dents will now be able to search for
classes by instructor, day of week and
class times.
But since the new class search dis-
plays a maximum of 200 search results,
students will not be able to search for a
list of all class sections within a speci-
fied subject area. Instead of using the
search function to view course listings
on Wolverine Access, Firestone recom-
mended that students use a second
browser window to view the Registrar's
Office Online Schedule of Classes at
www.umich.edu/~regoff/schedule.

Since the new class search displays a rnaximui
200 results, students cannot search for a list of
class sections within a specified subject area.

One day after a circuit court judge
invalidated the petition form to end
March race-conscious public policies,
2004 another judge ruled in favor of the
initiative on Friday..
oncerns, The rulings were not necessarily
i due to contradictory and most say they were
d spend- unrelated.
-jat Sey- Judge Susan Borman of Wayne
nsumer County denied a motion to halt the
by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative peti-
tion drive Friday. The motion was filed
ves, the by Milton Henry and Godfrey Dillard,
"We got lawyers who intervened on behalf of
Dverall, the University in its admissions law-
savings suits. They argued that the initiative
savings conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court
illy opti- Grutter v. Bollinger decision uphold-
t spend- ing the use of race in admissions.
The judge ruled that the court can-
conomy not halt a petition drive before it
becomes a law and that the process
compo- "goes to the root of our democratic
Leading principles."
om 88.5 MCRI seeks to amend the state con-
h. stitution to ban what it calls "prefer-
ences based on race, ethnicity, gender."
n o If it obtains 317,757 signatures by July
M Of 6, state residents will vote on the issue
in the November election.
In response to the ruling, state Rep.
Leon Drolet (R-Clinton Twp.), an
MCRI supporter, said, "I'm happy that
ttons on we still have some judges that support
r's Back democracy and support the rule of law"
reliably. While Borman ruled that on sub-
uld also stantive grounds, the courts cannot
indows stop the petition drive at this stage in
ore than the campaign, Judge Paula Mander-
ie time. field of Ingham County ruled Thurs-
sses this day that on technical grounds, the
hange in initiative's petition form may be
ke past invalid.
able to The State Board of Canvassers, she
ctions of ruled, should not have approved the
MCRI petition form in December
because it fails to say the article of the
constitution it may "alter or abrogate."
meeting The judge ruled the missing information
he rally may leave petition signers ill-informed
Center's that the conistitution already guarantees
equal protection under the law.
Thursday's lawsuit was filed by
BAMN, among other organizations.

Both BAMN and Citizens for a United
Michigan contend that Manderfield's
decision significantly hampers MCRI's
campaign, because they will have to
redo the form in order to validate the
thousands of signatures they need. This
would mean MCRI must start over,
losing two months of campaigning.
MCRI is awaiting an appeal on
Manderfield's ruling but will continue
to use the same form. The group has
urged its circulators to continue col-
lecting signatures and asserts that the
ruling "is not a really big setback,"
Drolet said.
In the past, similar initiatives prop-
agated by University of California
Regent Ward Connerly have seen
numerous legal challenges. The ini-
tiative in California faced 12 law-
suits, Drolet said, but made it onto
the ballot and passed. "We expect to
win," he said.
While MCRI officials believe the
ruling will not deter the initiative,
United Michigan spokesman David
Waymire said he encourages MCRI to
continue petitioning. "What it means is
that, come July, (the petitions will) all
be thrown out," he said. "They've been
given an opportunity to follow the law,
and they are electing not to."
Manderfield ruled that the canvass-
ing board, which originally approved
MCRI's petition, was incorrect in its
decision. Because the ruling invali-
dates the board's approval, it is up to its
lawyer, the state attorney general, to
appeal. Attorney General Mike Cox
has not decided whether to appeal the
decision.
In her ruling, Manderfield reasoned
that the job of assessing a petition to
amend the constitution required an
examination of the existing constitu-
tion and was not outside the board's
purview. MCRI officials disagree with
this assessment, saying the board is not
required to adjudicate on the matters
outlined in Manderfield's ruling.
Drolet said that Manderfield's ruling
requires board members to evaluate
constitutional law even though none
are constitutional lawyers. MCRI also
argues they were not required to seek
the board's approval in December.
But while opponents say this rul-
ing vindicates their opinion that
MCRI's' petitionis deliberately
deceitful, Drolet said Manderfield's
opinion misconstrues MCRI's desire
to racial preferences.

Firestone also stressed that students
using the new Wolverine Access should
not leave their computers without log-
ging out. The new Wolverine Access is
authenticated through Single Login Ser-
vice, which provides access to University
web-based e-mail, CourseTools and sev-
eral other University sites with one login.
"It's very important that you not
walk away from a computing site still
logged in," she said.
Firestone also recommended that stu-
dents navigate the new Wolverine

Access using the links and bu
the page rather than their browse
button, which does not function
in the new system. Students sho
keep cookies and popup w
enabled and avoid opening mi
two browser windows at the sam
Students registering for clas
semester will also see a new cI
the waitlist procedure: Unli
semesters, they will not be
waitlist or enroll in multiple se
any course at the same time.

Corrections:
An article on Page 1 of Friday's Daily should have said more than 100 students protested before the March 19 n
of the University Board of Regents. The continuation of the article on Page 3 should have said speakers during th
last Thursday addressed concerns that the University will relocate the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness C
services to Counseling and Psychological Services.
Please report any errors in the Daily to corrections@michigandaily.com

I II.

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mensa

The
Pnceton
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$10 Rush Tickets on sale 9 am-5 pm
the day of the performance or the
Friday before a weekend event at
the UMS Ticket Office, located in the
Michigan League.

50% Rush Tickets on sale for 50%
off the publiched ticket price
beginning 90 minutes before the
event at the performance hall
Ticket Office.

Lang Lang piano
Thu 4/1 8 pm
Hill Auditorium
His piano recitals have been likened to dance performances because
of their sheer physical intensity, and his musical depthand maturity
far surpass his 21 years. "Lang Lang can play anything," raves
conductor Yuri Termikanov,"you can't compare him to anybody."
Lyon Opera Ballet's
Tricodex
Fri 4/2 8 pm
Sat 4!3 8pm



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