Tuesday, April 20, 2004 News 3A New program offers an alternative to eating in the dorms Opinion 4A Jess Piskor praises corporations Sports UA Naweed Sikora tells of trip to 'Sportura' Kanye West falters at the State Theater ... Arts, Page 8A rlvi all Weather TH 62 TOMORtROW: One-hundred-thirteen years ofeditorialfreedom www.michigandaily.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Vol. CXIII, No. 138 ©2004 The Michigan Daily 'THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN' BUDGET CUTS Int'l center to cut peer advisors Antidpatrng budget cuts, center will not lre peer advis'on for summer orientation By Koustubh Patwardhan Daily Staff Reporter The University's International Center will not be able to hire peer advisors for its international student orientation this summer due to pro- posed budget cuts by the University. But International Center Director Rodolfo Altamirano said the center will do what it can to ensure that the orientation program continues. The International Center, like many other programs in the Divi- sion of Student Affairs, is anticipat- ing budget cuts, University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said. But Peterson and Altamirano said the exact amount is not yet known. The advisors serve as mentors to international students just arriving in the United States, helping them transition to life in the country and complete paperwork required under new laws imposed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The international student orienta- tion is held separately from other orientation programs. Students are given workshops on American cul- ture, etiquette and mannerisms. "Budget cuts are inevitable, but the work must go on," Altamirano said. Because paid peer advisors cur- rently run the program, Altamirano said he is considering an alternate program in which volunteers would do the job that paid summer peer advisors previously performed. Altamirano, the former head of the International Center at Michi- gan State University, said he intro- duced a volunteer program at Michigan State in which former international students helped other international students adjust to their new surroundings, since they knew what it felt like to be a new country. Altamirano said the program was successful there, and he is hoping to replicate it at the University. He said he hopes international students will be happy to help others, since they have encountered the same issues that new students will face. LSA junior Chin Swan Liew, who is from Malaysia, said he is opti- mistic that the volunteer program will be successful and hopes the ori- entation program continues to run. "Since so many international stu- dents have benefited from peer advisors, many of them will be more than willing to give up their time and volunteer to make the pro- gram successful," he said. . Altamirano said as long as the volunteers are "intrinsically moti- vated, dedicated and responsible" the program can be successful. While the effects of budget cuts on other services at the Internation- al Center are not yet known, Altamirano said core services - such as advisors to help students complete mandatory immigration paperwork - will continue. He added that the center will continue to be "a home away from home" for international students. LSA freshman Phoebe Kim from Hong Kong said she was saddened that the orientation might be can- celed if volunteers are not found. She said she felt it was informative See INTERNATIONAL, Page 5A BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily John Martin of the Lecturers' Employees Organization explains the points of the agreement to LEO members at a meeting yesterday afternoon in Angell Hall Auditorium C. LABOR NEGOTiATIONS Lecturers approve agreement Tentative deal reflects conesm between two sides on most major pi7 7oms set to appear z'fimnl contract By Alison Go Daily Staff Reporter In a 128 to 10 vote, the Lecturers' Employee Organization approved yesterday the tentative contract agreement reached with the University bargaining team. The agreement, which was reached early yesterday morning, reflects a con- sensus between both sides on most of the major provisions that will appear in the final version of the contract. After minor details are resolved, LEO will settle on and ratify the three-year contract that will, for the most part, become effective Sept. 1. "Everyone is pleased with the outcome," Uni- versity spokeswoman Julie Peterson said. The LEO membership also unanimously authorized the bargaining council to send out ballots to ratify the contract after the final word- ing has been determined, which will likely occur later this month or in May. Some LEO members, such as RC lecturer Ihigo de la Cerda, who voted against the approval of the agreement, believe that "many of the basic expectations didn't get accom- plished," but members involved in the negotiat- ing process said they are satisfied with the outcome of bargaining. "We saw this is as good as it would have got- ten," said LEO negotiator Lauren Kingsley, a See LEO, Page 5A Greeks: Relations * with 'U' improved Proposed changes.Cit hikesalties for Possible Greek system reformsCiyhk spen le f By Don. M. Freaard Daily Staff Reporter Three months after Interfraternity Council members reacted with out- rage to a set of Greek system reforms proposed by the administration, rela- tions and communication between the IFC and the administration have improved through a series of meetings and discussions, Greek Taskforce members said. "It's certainly improved over the last couple weeks," said Sigma Phi Epsilon President Nate Stormzand, a member of the task force. "Both sides started out obviously with next to zero com- munication. "I think the Greek community was successful in making its voice heard loud and clear that we ... will not allow the administration to make these kinds of changes without con- sulting us." Task force members, initially berat- ed Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harp-r and the administra- tion for failing to consult the Greek community on the proposed changes. But they said communication between the two parties has since improved and will continue to improve in coming months. "Vice President Harper just invited (Greek Taskforce member) Jacob Strumwasser and myself to sit on a stu- semester Mandatory live-in advisors * Substance-free housing in all fraternities and sororities dent advisory panel," Stormzand said. "We will welcome the administration to be a part of suggestions and helping us figure out how we can make the changes that are necessary to improv- ing the Greek community." The task force, which is comprised of a panel of fraternity and sororities presidents, was formed last month in response to a set of proposals by Harper. The proposed changes included moving rush from fall to See GREEKS, Page 5A repeat fake ID offenders Minors no longer can wie second offensefrom permanent record by completing community service By Farayha Arrine Daily Staff Reporter A new policy for minors caught with false identification allows no room for mistakes after a first offense, said Kris- ten Larcom, the Ann Arbor city assistant attorney. According to the new policy, minors caught with a fake ID will have only one opportunity to remove an offense from their permanent records by completing community service and substance awareness programs. Under the old policy, a minor can be caught with a fake ID an indefinite number of times and still be able to dismiss all those charges from the permanent record, so long as that individual complies with the terms of the Holmes Youthful Training Act. The act includes a choice of 25 hours of community service or two days in a jail work program and a $250 dollars in costs and fines, Larcom said. Alcohol-related programs are also a part of the program if appropriate to the minor. Previously, if the minor complied with these meas- ures - meaning that the individual acquires no false ID offenses or alcohol-related misdemeanors within four to six months of getting caught with the fake ID - the charge was removed from the permanent record. If they did not comply, they could repeat the program and dismiss the- charges from their permanent record. But the city no longer offers repeat offenders the chance to clear their records, Larcom said. "If you've done it once, you should learn your les- son," she said. "If you do it again (you get) no more chances." Larcom said the courts in Ann Arbor's 15th district See FAKE ID, Page 5A Students disappointed with commencement speaker Natural science By Andrea Carone Daily Staff Reporter The graduating class of 2004 will gather together May 1 at the Big House to say farewell to the University -their home for the past four years. It will be a day the seniors remember, as their family and friends join them for the celebration. " But some students We go t expressed disappoint- -jeStji ' ment with the chosen re commencement and I'm1 a politically aligned with the University ... Someone who could really reach out to people from all countries and from all walks of life," he said. Last year's commencement speaker was Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Michigan State University's speaker this year is National Security Adviser Condoleez- za Rice. never heard of Davis prior to the Uni- versity's announcement, she said, "I'm not really excited, but I'm sure he could have some good things to say." University President Mary Sue Coleman has said Davis was chosen to be the commencement speaker because he has significantly impacted a big industry and Michigan as one of the nation's foremost automotive crit- ics. Coleman said it is important for University graduates to see how one person can have such a large influence. The commencement speaker candi- o such a 'uS school, ilittle LSA senior Amy Bass said Davis did not meet her expecta- tions. "We go to such a prestigious school, , I I