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One-hundred-thirteen years ofeditorialfreedom
www.michigandaily.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Vol. CXIII, No. 157 62004 The Michigan Daily
Higher
budget
near
completion
By Jameel NaqviP
ASHLEY HARPER/Dail
Some founding members of UM Stars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation stand behind their informational panel, crafted for their Diag opener during
Festifall today.
New grouphgrant wishes
Daily Staff Reporter
After months of debate, state law-
makers yesterday took a major step
toward completing the higher education
budget - and guaranteeing that the
University does not have to raise tuition
rates mid-year.
As promised by Gov. Jennifer Gra-
nholm earlier this year, a conference
committee on the higher education bud-
get yesterday restored $9 million of last
December's $16.4 million budget cuts
for the Fiscal Year 2005. The University
will still suffer a 2-percent net reduction
in state funding.
The budget will now return to the
House of Representatives and Senate
for final approval.
But the committee reminded the Uni-
versity that it must now live up to its side
of Granholm's promise. In order to avoid
further reductions in state funding, 11
state universities - including the Uni-
versity of Michigan - must cap tuition
increases at a 2.8 percent rate of infla-
tion. This figure is consistent with the
tentative tuition rates set by the Univer-
sity Board of Regents for the Fall 2004
term in July, and amounts to an increase
of $226 for incoming freshmen.
A provision in the House version of
the bill that would have denied fund-
ing from schools with race-conscious
admissions policies, including the Uni-
versity, did not survive the conference
committee and does not appear in the
final draft of the bill.
The regents, who usually set tuition
fees in July, have been awaiting the final-
ized state budget so they can make the
necessary adjustments to the University
budget for the Fall 2004 semester.
"The good news is that the budget is
resolved. It is consistent with what we
hoped would happen in July," said Cyn-
thia Wilbanks, vice president for gov-
ernment relations at the University.
When they met in July, some regents
expressed frustration that University
The University
must cap tutition
increases at a
2.8 percent rate
of inflation.
funding is being cut while its primary
source of revenue tutition is being con-
stricted. Many were also dismayed that
the state has regulated tuition, which has
typically been the domain of individual
universities.
"We're all tightening the belt," said
Greg Bird, spokesman for the Office of
the State Budget. The chair of the office
is appointed by Granholm. Bird said
while higher education funding has been
cut 13 percent over the past three years,
state government agencies have suffered
a 21 percent reduction in funding in the
same time period. He also said univer-
sities that keep their tuition hikes at the
rate of inflation will be partially reim-
bursed for reductions in aid.
Bird said he expects the remaining
budgets to emerge from conference
committees onto the Senate and House
floors by the week's end.
"The budget agreement we came
to balances the budget," Bird said.
The state constitution requires
a balanced budget. Unlike the U.S.
Congress, the state legislature can-
not run a deficit. The budget offsets
a $1.2 billion budget shortfall with
increases in taxes on cigarettes and
casinos, the sale of state-owned land
and the closure of tax loopholes.
Gov. Granholm's office estimates the
75-cent increase in cigarette taxes will
raise $313 million for the state. Much of
this will go toward health care services,
including smoking prevention and treat-
ment programs. This estimate takes into
account tax revenue lost from smokers
who will quit - an estimated 150,000
individuals - and cigarette purchases
made across state borders.
By Kate Tomkie
Daily Staff Reporter
Students interested in helping a ter-
minally ill child's dreams come true
can sign up at today's Festifall for an
entirely new charitable experience.
The UM Stars for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation kicks off its first year with
the help of founder and executive
board member Jeff Tosoian, an LSA
sophomore. Although not officially a
part of the Make-A-Wish foundation,
the UM Stars support Make-A-Wish
fundraising and publicity efforts.
Whether sending a child to swim
with dolphins in Florida or taking a
child backstage to meet Eminem, stu-
dents in this group will work directly
with Make-A-Wish to contribute
financial support to programs that
grant the wishes of children with life-
threatening medical conditions across
the state and country.
UM Stars was founded this fall and
is slated to begin fundraising once it
gains membership.
"There are plenty of young, ener-
getic people here at the University
who are more than willing to par-
ticipate in Make-A-Wish, so I didn't
see any reason why this program
wouldn't succeed. It just seemed like
the perfect place and time," Tosoian
said.
Tosoian, a member of the Greek
system, said he had Michigan's fra-
ternities and sororities in mind when
he considered forming UM Stars.
"I started by sending out e-mails to
sororities and fraternities just to see
who was interested, and the response
was incredible. I have yet to talk to
one person who hasn't said 'Yeah,
make me a part of this,' " he said.
Now, with more than 100 fraternity
and sorority members having voiced
an interest in the program, and five of
10 executive board members already
elected, Tosoian said the organization
is well on its way to matching the suc-
cess of its predecessor, MSU Stars.
Jonathan Rosenthal, a Michigan
State University alum and found-
ing board member of MSU Stars, is
a friend of Tosoian and worked with
him to develop the Michigan pro-
gram.
"The success of this organization
is warranted by a need for this kind
of community service. I've seen what
kind of results this program can gen-
erate. I know what Michigan's poten-
tial is," Rosenthal said.
Over the last three years, MSU
Stars have fully funded two wishes
averaging $6,500 each and assisted
in 12 others. Collectively, the organi-
zation has raised and donated a total
of $20,000.
Upoming events and fundraisers
will help to initiate UM Stars' own
donations totals, including events
that may run during upcoming Greek
week through the help of participat-
ing fraternities and sororities.
Jeannette Tarcha, spokeswoman for
the Make-A-Wish Fund of Michigan,
said the UM Stars program will be a
great addition to the many groups that
See WISH, Page 10A
Ralph Nader coming to town,
to the dismay of some students
By Donn M. Fresard
Daily Staff Reporter
It isn't unusual for a political activist's appearance
to be praised by campus conservatives and bemoaned
by campus liberals. But most speakers who elicit that
response aren't steadfast supporters of affirmative
action, gay marriage and marijuana legalization.
Ralph Nader, the inde-
pendent presidential candi- «. think if it
date whom Democrats fear
will "spoil" the upcoming like Pat Buch
election, is such a speaker.
He will appear Monday at 1 they'd be sin:
p.m. in the Michigan Union
Ballroom. different tune
Nader will be on the
ballot in Michigan as an
independent candidate as a
result of a Friday ruling by College Der
the state Court of Appeals.
The state Democratic Party
had attempted to block his
candidacy, arguing that the
petition signatures gathered by Republicans to get
him on the ballot should not be valid.
Republicans had turned in 45,000 signatures on
behalf of Nader. His own campaign submitted only
about 5,000 of the required 30,000.
College Republicans chair Allison Jacobs said
Ti
1
her organization supports Nader's candidacy, not to
take votes from Kerry, but to give students a wider
choice.
"While I disagree with a lot of Nader's views, he
does have strong convictions," Jacobs said. "I think a
lot of students really respect that Nader sticks to his
beliefs, while Kerry is seen as a flip-flopper.
"I think it's good that people are inspired by
Nader.... It's important that
people have a candidate that
as someone they personally believe in."
anan Democrats, however,
said Republican support for
ring a Nader's candidacy is strictly
self-serving.
"I think if it was some-
one like Pat Buchanan
they'd be singing a different
- Ramya Raghavan tune," said College Demo-
nocrats chairwoman crats chairwoman Ramya
Raghavan, referring to the
conservative activist who
weakened the first President
Bush's re-election campaign
in his 1992 primary challenge.
In the 2000 presidential election, Nader was nomi-
nated by the Green Party and was on ballots in 43
states. He received about 3 percent of the vote, and
Democrats say he took enough votes from Demo-
cratic candidate Al Gore in key states to swing the
election to Bush.
Raghavan said she expects Nader to take some
votes from Kerry, but predicted that most Nader sup-
porters would compromise and vote for Kerry rather
than risk contributing to Bush's re-election.
"I think that a lot of people on campus have wised
up after the last election," she said.
Raghavan conceded that Nader's positions on
issues such as gay marriage - which he supports,
while both Bush and Kerry do not - are more
appealing than Kerry's positions for most College
Democrats. But she said Kerry is sufficiently pro-
gressive on most issues to make him a better choice
than Nader.
"Sure, Nader has a point on certain things," Ragha-
van said. "And I'm not always a practical person, but
right now Nader is a very impractical choice."
Smita Krishnaswamy, campus coordinator for Stu-
dents for Nader, said Nader's candidacy brings issues
to the table that the two main parties would other-
wise ignore.
She said she is not concerned that Nader's candi-
dacy will tilt the election in Bush's favor, saying such
a result would be the fault of Democrats and the vot-
ing system rather than Nader.
"I really don't think the answer to this is to squelch
alternate or third-party candidates," said Krishnas-
wamy, a graduate student. "The Democratic Party
could incorporate a lot of Nader's platform and that
See NADER, Page 10A
independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader talks with a TV reporter dur-
ing a live Interview prior to a campaign speech yesterday In Des Moines, Iowa.
Construction Update
South Thayer Street Closings
South Thayer Street between Washing-
ton Street and North University Avenue
will be closed today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Proposed board would increase
S.. . 5
gov't monitorin in U classroo
By Koustubh Patwardhan
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