Thursday, January 5, 2006
News 3A Lecturers protest
'U' administration at
graduation ceremony
Opinion 4A From the Daily:
Bring on the Faygo
Sports 1B Cagers fall in Big
Ten opener

DIRECTOR ANG LEE GUIDES 'BROKEBACK' TO SUMPTUOUS HEIGHTS ... PAGE 8A
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www. michkandaiy. com

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Vol. CXVI, No. 48

-20--Th- -e-Mihig --an-Da
62006 The Michigan Daily


Texas official named new provost

Provost, president will both
hail from outside of the University
for first time in its history
By Jason Z. Pesick
Editor in Chief
More than three years after taking the helm
as University president, Mary Sue Coleman
put the finishing touches on her executive team
Tuesday by naming Teresa Sullivan the next
provost and executive vice president for aca-
demic affairs.
Currently the executive vice chancellor for
academic affairs for the University of Texas
system, Sullivan will become Coleman's sec-
ond-in-command, managing the academic and

budgetary aspects of the University of Michi-
gan.
Pending approval by the University Board of
Regents, Sullivan, 56, will assume the position
June 1. Interim Provost Edward Gramlich will
hold the post until that time.
When Coleman became president in 2002,
many of the University's top executive posi-
tions needed to be filled. Paul Courant, whom
Coleman inherited as interim provost and then
named provost for a three-year term when she
became president, stepped down in August.
Coleman, formerly president of the Univer-
sity of Iowa, has also appointed vice presidents
for finance, development, medical affairs and
research during her tenure.
Coleman said in an interview yesterday that
she is excited to have her team in place and said

she and Sullivan "just see eye-to-eye on a lot of
issues," stressing the importance of "having a
partner in a provost."
Sullivan's appointment marks the first time
people from outside the University have filled
both the president and provost positions. Sul-
livan admitted she will face a steep learning
curve.
"It's the risk that you take in bringing in an
outside provost," she said.
But she also said a new set of eyes might
bring insight to the University.
History Prof. Nicholas Steneck, an expert
in University history, said there is a tradeoff
between picking an internal and an external
candidate.
"Usually if you want to keep the Univer-
sity moving on a smooth course, you appoint

someone from the inside," Steneck said, but he
added that bringing in officials from outside
the University can also bring new ideas.
The search process leading up to the selec-
tion was at times criticized as too secretive.
At a recent meeting of the Senate Advisory
Committee on University affairs, the executive
arm of University faculty governance, SACUA
member and Engineering Prof. Semyon
Meerkov sparred with Coleman, suggesting
she was neglecting to consult the faculty in the
search process.
Coleman responded that unlike the selection
of some other administrative positions, the
selection of provost is her decision.
Institute for Social Research Director James
Jackson, chair of the search advisory commit-
See PROVOST, Page 7A

Quick Bio
Teresa Sullivan
Age: 56
Current Position: Executive
vice chancellor for academic
affairs, University of Texas
Field: Sociology
Hometown: Jackson, Miss.
Education: Doctorate from Uni-
versity of Chicago
Salary: $340,000


Israeli prime minister fighting for life

Sharon survives
emergency surgery after
stroke; deputy takes power
JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Min-
ister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive,
life-threatening stroke yesterday and
underwent lengthy surgery to drain
blood from his brain after falling ill at
his ranch. Powers were transferred to his
deputy, Ehud Olmert.
Israeli TV stations reported that Sha-
ron was alive after an operation that last-
ed more than six hours.
Doctors placed Sharon on a respira-

tor and were trying to save his life only
hours before the hard-charging, over-
weight, 77-year-old Israeli leader had
been scheduled to undergo a procedure
to seal a hole in his heart that contrib-
uted to a mild stroke on Dec. 18.
Israel Radio quoted an unidentified
Israeli health official as saying that Sha-
ron's prospects of a full recovery were
slim. As his doctors operated on Sharon's
brain through the night, Israeli media
reported the blood draining phase was
completed, and surgeons were working to
cauterize the bleeding vessels.
Sharon's cerebral hemorrhage, or bleed-
ing stroke, came at a time of upheaval

among Palestinian factions in Gaza and
in the midst of both Israeli and Palestin-
ian election campaigns. Sharon's absence
would slow momentum toward peace-
making with the Palestinians and leave a
major vacuum at the head of his new Kad-
ima party, which was expected to head a
government after the March 28 vote.
In a written statement, President Bush
praised Sharon as "a man of courage and
peace" "saying he and first lady Laura Bush
"share the concerns of the Israeli people
... and we are praying for his recovery."
Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger called
on Israelis to read Psalms and pray for Sha-
ron. "We are very, very worried," he said,

and prayed for "mercy from Heaven."
Pan-Arab satellite television broad-
casters beamed out largely straightfor-
ward, nonstop live coverage from outside
the hospital where Sharon - a particu-
larly despised figure among many Arabs
- struggled for his life.
A radical Palestinian leader in
Damascus, the Syrian capital, called the
stroke a gift from God.
"We say it frankly that God is great
and is able to exact revenge on this
butcher. ... We thank God for this gift
he presented to us on this new year,"
Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Syrian-
See SHARON, Page 7A


COKE

BUST

'U' suspends contracts with
soft-drink giant Coca-Cola

JASONP COOPR/Daily
Linebacker Shawn Crable watches the replay of the dramatic final play
during Michigan's 32-28 loss to Nebraska at the Alamo Bowl Dec. 28.
Carr can't afor
to stay silent with
these Wolverines

Company still unsure whether it can
meet next deadline in March
By Jeremy Davidson
and Karl Stampfl
Daily Staff Reporters
After ten months of conflict, the University decided
Dec. 29 to suspend purchasing of Coca-Cola products
following the company's failure to meet a deadline
set by the University's Dispute Review Board.
The DRB, a committee in charge of reviewing
complaints against the Vendor Code of Conduct, had
asked Coke to choose an independent investigator to
look into alleged human rights violations in Asia and
South America by Dec. 31.
In a letter dated Dec. 16, Coke said it would miss
that deadline, due to what the company called "legal
risks" stemming from a current Florida lawsuit in
which the company is defending itself from charges
of human rights violations. The company does not
want the results of the investigation to be used against
it in the suit.
In response to the University's decision, Coke
released a statement saying it is "exploring other
ways that we might be able to conduct an additional
credible, objective and impartial independent third-
party assessment in Colombia without incurring legal
risks."
Coca-Cola spokeswoman Kari Bjorhus said the
company is exploring several options for conducting
an assessment, but she could not say whether it would
be able to meet the March 31 deadline.
The DRB recommended in June that Coke adhere

to a list of five deadlines spaced out over the 2005-
2006 academic year.
The first, which passed on Sept. 30, required Coke
to agree in writing to an independent investigation.
The University decided not to suspend contracts
at that point because the University's Chief Finan-
cial Officer Timothy Slottow determined that the
company's letter was written in "good faith."
Many student activists felt that Coke had avoided
the issue.
Missing the Dec. 31 deadline has put Coke fur-
ther behind schedule, but the University still expects
Coke's independent investigator to finish a report by
March 31, with findings published by April 30. If
the company fails to meet either of these deadlines,
the suspension will continue.
The University's total yearly expenditure on Coke
products is $1.4 million. It holds 13 direct and indi-
rect contracts with the company.
Most of those contracts expired between June and
November, but were extended through the end of the
year. The University did not enter into any new con-
tracts during that time.
The Coalition to Cut the Contract with Coca-Cola,
a group of student organizations that has led
the effort to have the University cut its
contracts with Coke, applauded the
University's decision in a written
statement last week.
But the group said it is con-
cerned that the University still
maintains Coke is acting in "good
faith" despite allegations of envi-
See COKE, Page 7A

SAN ANTONIO -
T he image is unforgettable.
A long line of hulking foot-
ball players, dressed in full
battle gear, slowly filed
into the locker room. Jer-
seys were torn and scuffed,
helmets scratched.
Hordes of media and
team personnel hovered in
the hallway, cluttering the F
bowels of the Alamodome
while snapping photos and
readying digital recorders.
But the most striking
aspect of the scene wasn't
visual. It was the deafen- G
ing silence. ED
As the Wolverines Hon
dropped their yellow
mouth guards into a bin
outside the locker room doorway fol-
lowing Michigan's tremendously dis-
appointing 32-28 loss to Nebraska in
the Alamo Bowl, you could've heard
a pin drop.
On Dec. 28, another Michigan sea-
son ended in dead quiet. There wasn't
anything to shout about.
Michigan had a month to prepare
for this game against an unranked
Cornhuskers team; the Wolverines
were double-digit favorites; Mike
Hart admitted that he felt like he was
playing at 100 percent for much of the
game; the Nebraska linebacking corps
was decimated by injuries.
There is no excuse for losing this
game. And the blame should fall on

e.

The Wolverines seem to play
afraid. Afraid of making mistakes,
afraid of failure, afraid of losing to
teams that aren't nearly as talented.
In reality, playing loose
would do far more
to prevent outcomes
such as the one a week
ago. The coach has the
single biggest influence
on the attitude of his
team. When Michigan's
coach gets tense or
angry on the sideline,
his players inevitably
do the same. For that
ABE reason, Carr might
LSON want to consider shak-
'st Gabe ing things up. Whether
that means evaluating
the entire coaching
staff with a more critical eye, becom-
ing less predictable on the field or
instilling some swagger, I'm not the
one to decide. But complacency and
inertia are not the answers.
I will graduate from the University
having seen the Wolverines go 1-3
against Ohio State, 1-3 against Notre
Dame and 1-3 in bowl games. If you
would've told me that when I enrolled
in 2002,I probably would have
laughed in your face and told you to
make sure the word "State" didn't
come right after "Michigan."
But alas, here we are.
Don't get me wrong. Carr has led
Michigan to great heights since taking
over for the embattled Gary Moeller

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Julie Mattera,
LSA sophomore
"I'm aware of the issue
because when I'm out with
friends they won't let me
buy Coke products so I try
not to."
India Horton,
LSA freshman
"I only drink Coke (now).
Certainly, if Coke is involved
in things like child labor, I
won't drink Coke."

Students debate decision

Coke activists say suspension
step in right direction; general
student body indifferent
By Kelly Fraser
Daily Staff Reporter

While student activist groups on campus are cel-
ebrating the University's decision to temporarily
suspend its contracts with Coca-Cola, many stu-
dents consider it a flat issue.
The University's Dec.29 decision to cut contracts
affects most of the University's 13 contracts with
Coke, which have a net value of $14 million, lead-
ing some students to question the significance of the
suspension.
The Coalition to Cut the Contract with Coca-Cola,

vending machines.
In cases of non-brand specific vending machines,
the University can replace Coke products with alter-
natives. But campus vending machines labeled with
the company name and trademark will be left empty
due to brand restrictions, said Dennis Poszywak,
assistant director of contract management and pur-
chasing for the University.
Third-party vendors on campus are not affected by
the decision and may still continue to carryCoke prod-
ucts due to contractual obligations, Poszywak said.
LSA sophomore and coalition member Lindsey
Rogers said she hopes machine restocking will
bring more variety in products, adding that the mes-
sage the University is sending far outweighs pos-
sible student inconveniences.
"The statement and importance of the decision is
well worth the trade-off," Rogers said.
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